[Alba Mons Military Base; 1 week later]
Nathan woke up in a white room.
"Where am I?" he groaned.
"Ah, you're awake."
"Alfredus?!" Nathan gasped, staring at the man before him.
"In the flesh," Alfredus smiled.
Nathan tried to sit upright, but the sudden pain in his head forced him back down.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Beats me," Alfredus shrugged. "We found you at the bottom of a ravine."
He leaned back on his chair, rubbing his chin.
"You were covered in dirt and debris, but otherwise unscathed."
"Huh," Nathan mumbled.
"Do you remember anything?" Alfredus asked, leaning forward.
"I'm... not sure," Nathan frowned. "It's all very hazy."
"Take your time," Alfredus said. "You were one of the lucky ones," his face turned glum.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, out of the more than 100 people that made it to the ground, only 50 survived. 20 Of them being severely wounded."
"That's..." Nathan's voice trailed off.
"I know," Alfredus sighed.
The room was silent for a while, both men deep in thought.
Nathan swallowed. "How... how about the rest of our squad?"
"Mikhail took a direct hit to the arm," Alfredus answered. "Had the shot been a little more to the right he would've lost it entirely."
"Shit," Nathan breathed. "And Thomas and Alexa?"
"They're both alive, but they'll be in the infirmary for a while. They broke several bones during the crash."
"That's a relief," Nathan said, leaning back on the bed.
"You can say that again," Alfredus chuckled.
Nathan smiled. "So what happened after we crashed?"
"After the initial assault, the Charybdae retreated," Alfredus said.
"What?" Nathan frowned. "Why?"
"I have no idea," Alfredus shook his head. "Their attack was brutal and sudden, but it ended as quickly as it started."
"Weird," Nathan muttered.
"Indeed," Alfredus agreed.
"So, what's going to happen now?" Nathan asked.
"Now?" Alfredus sighed. "Now, we wait for new orders. I expect they'll wait until most survivors have recovered to some degree.'
"So, I'm not going to be sent back home?" Nathan asked.
"Probably not," Alfredus shrugged. "Physically you're fine after all."
"Alright then," Nathan nodded.
"Good," Alfredus stood up. "You should rest. I'll come back and check on you later."
"Thanks," Nathan smiled.
"Anytime," Alfredus nodded.
He exited the room, leaving Nathan alone with his thoughts.
'That was weird,' Nathan thought. 'First the attack, then the crystal...'
'Was that really just a dream?'
Nathan rubbed his temples, trying to clear his mind.
'What?'
Nathan froze.
'What the hell was that?'
He looked around, but the room was empty.
'Am I losing my mind?'
He tried to relax, and take a deep breath.
The voice spoke again. It sounded male, but Nathan couldn't be sure.
"Who are you? Where are you?"
'Inside my head?' Nathan frowned.
Nathan's frown deepened. 'What are you?'
The voice paused for a moment.
'A God?' Nathan snorted. 'There's no such thing.'
'Oh.'
Nathan was silent for a while.
'Okay, so you're a god. What are you doing inside my head?'
The voice sighed.
'What do you mean you don't know?'
'Aren't you a God, how do you not know?'
< As I said, I'm not a god. That's just what your people would call me. I'm just a being, like you. Just much, much older.>
Nathan was confused.
'So you're not a God? Be clear damn it!'
The voice sighed.
'Think about what?'
The voice sounded annoyed.
'Alright, alright,' Nathan grumbled. 'Just don't wake me up or anything. I'd like to rest.'
Nathan sighed, turning around in his bed.
His self-proclaimed silence only lasted 5 minutes before his curiosity got the better of him.
'How long have you been here, anyway?'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
The voice was silent for a moment.
'Days or centuries?' Nathan repeated.
'Okay, okay,' Nathan grumbled.
'One more question,' he thought a mere 4 seconds later
'Are you the one that saved me?'
The voice was silent for a while.
It replied
'What?'
'Then whose was it?'
'What do you mean, it's possible that it was me? Are you saying I can fly now?'
Nathan sighed. 'Fine.'
He turned around, trying to go to sleep.
'Yes?'
Nathan was silent for a moment.
'Y-yes. I understand.'
Nathan tried to go to sleep, but he was too afraid of the voice to do so.
'Sorry, but after you said you'd kill me, it's hard not to be afraid.'
'Okay.'
Nathan closed his eyes, and eventually, he fell asleep.
*******
"Well, that was interesting," The voice grinned, though Nathan didn't hear him.
He sat back on his throne, stroking his chin.
"To think this human is the key to my escape."
He laughed, the sound echoing through the prison that had kept him bound for eons.
"Finally," He smiled. "My chance has come."
The being's smile faded.
"But first, I must make him powerful enough to help me achieve my goal. If he is to free me, I must ensure he will survive the journey."
He looked down at the sleeping Nathan.
"This will take time and patience. But the reward will be worth it. It always is."
He stood up from his throne, walking down the steps toward Nathan's sleeping form.
"Grow strong for me," He said, his voice echoing through the prison.
"And free me from this cursed place."
"Sleep well, for you will need it. We have a long road ahead of us."