I wake up for the third time today with a jolt. If it even still is 'today'. No telling how long I've been out this time.
As I blink into consciousness, I find myself restrained. I pull back against my binding but can't make any headway. Judging by the rough feeling on my back, I've been roped to a tree.
I sit there and pout. Is this how it's going to end? What about all that stuff about destiny and telling the future or -
"I'm your guide, blessed with foresight, but I not an oracle. If a human decides to kill you, that's not something I can necessarily foresee..."
Great news as always. Could today get any worse?
"Oy."
The voice startles me. There's someone behind the tree speaking.
"Who are you? Are you a pervert?"
It's a woman's voice. Is it a human?
"Maybe a little bit, but nothing bad!" I say sheepishly. I can feel Sola*s disapproval. Maybe humor will diffuse the situation. I heard humans love to laugh and joke.
"Sorry," I correct myself. "I'm just a little scared. I thought some humor would lighten up the mood, eh?"
The woman steps out from behind the tree to peer at me suspiciously. I lock eyes with hers. Her eyes are soft and blue. She looks friendly, not like someone who'd ambush me in the woods. Although...
"Why are you here? What do you want? Why are you dressed like that? Who do you work for?"
My eyes glaze over. "Which question do you want me to answer? That's so much!"
She huffs. "Just...tell me everything. Now." As she speaks, she pushes her long hair out of her face. It's a surreal blue color. I didn't know humans could have blue hair.
"Come on! Talk, before I...have to hurt you..."
I roll my eyes. Despite being restrained, I don't feel like I'm in danger. This human seems like she's in over her head.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. You wouldn't happen to have any spare clothes, would you? I'm a little chilly. Oh, and maybe untie me?"
She is silent for a moment. "I don't think that's a good idea...but yeah, I can lend you something."
She twirls her wrist and a spark of cyan light erupts from her hand. In her arms appears a gray cloak, which she promptly throws over to me.
"Appreciate it, but I can't move my arms to put it on."
"One thing at a time!" she frets. "Now, start talking!"
I suppose I have no reason to lie. As impossible as my story might seem to her.
"I'm from the moon," I smirk, trying to not sound insane. "I'm, uh..."
"You're a Nephilim. I knew it."
I look to her and furrow. "You...know about Nephilim, then?" I smile weakly. "And how nice we are? How we really don't like being tied up?"
She sighs. "I've heard stories of little moon people. Never met any, but I'm told some of them live on the mainland."
Thats news to me. I thought the only Nephilim around lived on the moon. It's my understanding that the only Nephilim that come to this planet are those who are accompanied by Guides, sent to fulfill their destiny. Like me.
"Well, anyway, like I said I'm from the moon. And I'm looking for the nearest earth shrine. You wouldn't happen to know where it is, do you? It's...it's my first time here. You know. On the planet."
She's taking this better than I thought she would. She's nodding along as if this is a common occurrence. Great news, for once. I found the most level-headed and informed human there is. Or maybe, just maybe...they're all like this and I've just heard some made up horror stories?
"Still doesn't explain why you're half-naked."
"I forgot to get dressed this morning!" I chuckle. "Had a bit of an accident..."
"You're a lunatic. Just like they always said."
People from the moon are called lunatics. There's some humor in that.
"Untie me now? We can be friends."
She hesitates. But I can tell she considers it.
"My name is August Madera. What's yours?"
"Larissa." No last name. Do humans have last names?
"I'll untie you. But if you do anything weird. And I mean ANYTHING! I'll do it. I'll ki-kill..."
Sounds reaaaally convincing...
I keep my mouth shut, let her untie me, and then (finally) put the gray cloak on. It fits me well, if not a little snug around the waist. As I stand up and size myself up to Larissa, I see we're about the same size. My first lucky break of the day.
I pat my now covered torso and give Larissa a big smile. "You've helped me out a lot already," I say. Humans are a bit more prude than Nephilim, so being dressed like that was bound to make me stick out, I suppose.
"Hey, Larissa. No hard feelings about you knocking me out. Or tying me up. Yeah?"
She nods meekly, still looking me up and down. Like she thinks I might have a concealed weapon. I take the opportunity to scope her out too. She's devilishly beautiful. If all human girls look like her, I might be in trouble. She sees me looking at her and folds her arms uncomfortably, making herself look small.
"There's another guy like me around. I don't suppose you've seen him? He's blond, kind of cute. Maybe a smidge more dressed than me."
Larissa looked around over her shoulder. "I haven't seen anyone. This isn't exactly the kind of place that people 'run into' each other.
"Oh no? Where are we, exactly?"
She frowns. "How do I explain this..."
I close my eyes and tilt my head with a smile. Anything to seem as unthreatening as possible. I'd rather not be knocked out again.
"This is the royal family's hunting ground. They come here to kill fiends for sport."
I think hard about what she said. She refers to the royals as 'they', implying she's not one of the. I've heard of human royalty. They rule over the others they deem inferior, and live comfortable lives, forcing others to live like savages.
"So...mind if I ask what you're doing here?"
Larissa looks worried. I think she wants to tell me what's going on, but she's afraid to. Is she doing something she shouldn't be?
"Oh, what the hell," she groans. "Pretty sure you're not a noble. I came here to, er...do a bit of...grave-robbing."
I blink.
"Excuse me?"