Nic’s Stories

Nic

Nic

Yoylecake!?
Pronouns
she/her
Map of Landal


A brief guide to the various races


(By Lord Chlorn of the Photonians)


Humans: brown-skinned ape people who only grow fur on their heads. They are very smart but average physically. They eat plants and animals (which I find a wee bit scary as I am a Photonian.) and are fond of being entertained every second of their life. Like other races, they reside in structures known as 'houses' and have their own capitol which is known as the "Human Capitol" or "Landal City." Uncreative much?

Photonians: "Photonian" means "citizen of light." We are a plant race that thrives on sunlight. We look like Venus fly traps with eyes on a human body. (We may have leaf or flower growths as well, similar to human hair or acne.) While we can eat, we choose not to because simply soaking the sun's rays is less harmful. The city of Photonia has no buildings except one. My great library, second largest in Landal. The reason behind the lack of buildings and the excess of windows in the single one is without sunlight, we shrivel and die. Another feature of the Photonians is their vine. The "vine" is a whip-like appendage which is also a root for us. Most Photonians have theirs on their foot, leading to fights between them having both stand on one foot, a few (including my noble family) have theirs on their chests, which makes fighting a lot easier, even if that's one of my least favorite things to do.

Hexapods: Furry, Bipedal, and they have six limbs. They are built similarly to humans, but have a snout and arm-like ears on their heads; that's how they got the name "Hexapod" or "Six-limbs." Their fur color ranges from light yellow to light red, which is somewhat rare. They are almost exclusively vegetarian, averse to meat though willing to eat eggs and drink milk. Half of them live in the highly advanced Crimson Cityscape area (though most underground. The above ground city was made for humans.) and believe in "Miraina" where the rocks are red and the water is orange, while the other half live in the Western jungle primitively and follow the teachings of Kongug. Those hexapods refer to themselves as the "Kingug" or "children of Kongug." Primitive or Progressive, all of them have a hard time sleeping comfortably with those ridiculous arm-ears.


Scina: The Scina are reptilian,feathered, and are quadrupedal. While their scales and face mostly resemble lizards (there's even a few chameleon Scina), the rest of their bone structure resembles that of medium to large dogs. Their feathers can come in any color, while their scales are almost always green. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, which makes sense seeing how close they live to the Scina Sea and their high altitude resting spots. They are just as smart and capable of speaking as everyone else, but unfortunately nobody takes them seriously, which I find unfortunate.

At some point in existence, nobody knows when or why; gods came into being. Or more accurately, incredibly powerful immortals. They are known as….





Duality: the god of the human mind*, born from the fusion of two opposing forces.


Brodarot: the deep rooted tree of knowledge; actively seeks knowledge and loves to trade it.


Huryon Lu: the scaled burro of perseverance and endurance. His feathers are known to be very valuable because of their physique improving quality. (And their rarity.)


Ty-Khea: The ear-armed serpent of luck, loves thin things like cards, coins, cucumber slices. She is said to love mild trickery.


Bloom-Greater: the plant-headed immortal of honor, revolution, ambition. They like change and sword fighting. Loves playing cards with Ty-Khea although he always loses. His sword is known as "Slice-Greater". (This god is not particularly creative.)


SoFear (pronounced Sow-fare) : Sof and Fear are two ageless bears. When referred to together, it's SoFear. Sof loves making others happy, eating, and sleeping. Unfortunately their twin Fear has different interests; Making others sad/hurt, screaming, and the opposite of whatever their twin is doing.


Covette: A blemish. He is the personification of greed and envy. This winged and tentacled immortal has an enormous stash of items inside of Brodarot that he will never part with. Only one thing was ever successfully taken.


*Duality represents the minds of all peoples. "Human" is just the title given to them.


The story of Duality: Before Duality were two gods. Wubba-Lubbanub (who I will refer to as "Lubbanub" for convenience.) and Order. Order was a strict force. Laws. Efficiency. Logic. Everything had a reason. Emotion was invalid and useless. The other was Lubbanub. Wubba-Lubbanub is a force of insanity. They are emotion. Music. Art. Creativity. And madness, sometimes there were reasons for the bizarre things they do, but sometimes not. Lubbanub would go on rampages of any sort of emotion, which bothered other immortals. Order would strongly enforce rules and make sure no other immortal felt emotion. The other immortals were tired of them being annoying. "Opposites attract right? Maybe we could get one to control the other, like Sofear!" Bloom-Greater suggested. Sof said, "My sibling can understand me. They have a running train of thought. Lubbanub does NOT. If they did have a train of thought, it's not running on typical fuel." The honor-god said, "Are we gonna have to go to Brodarot? I don't think she'll be too happy. She loves talking to both of them. 'Order values knowledge.' 'Wubba-Lubbanub has a unique view of things.'" Sof looked over at their terrifying twin. "Whaddya say we do?" There was a roar. "Mauling won't help, oh! Mellowing! Yeah! But we SHOULD talk to Brodarot. She'll know."
They walked to Brodarot, her eye on them. "Brodarot," The small bear started, "We are being annoyed greatly by Order and Wubba-Lubbanub. I know you love them, but we can't stand them!" The tree chuckled. "You need them both here. I observed you don't have the same opinion on them as I do, but I can't stand watching you be driven in the same direction as Wubba-Lubbanub. So I already organized it. Their fusion, that is. Meet Duality. I imagine they'll be more AND less reasonable to be around." A figure similar to the two previous gods emerged, split down the middle, one half colorful, the other grey with traits that resembled both previous gods, and some that seemed brand new. Bloom-Greater was dumbfounded. "How did you get the two to agree to this?! They're total opposites! One's mad, the other is sane beyond sanity… how?!" Duality spoke, "Wubba-Lubbanub was promised they'll 'cheer up' Order. Order was promised he'd make Wubba-Lubbanub have a clear thought… and I was made. I am both and neither of them. I am creative, yet logical. Artistic, but rule respecting. Not particularly like either god. I am Duality, I come from two opposing forces, I'm both and neither. Pleased to meet you." Thus… Duality was born.





Life and Hexaprototypes: Duality was roaming the near endless plain of the gods, a starry floor that could change at the immortal's will. Duality came upon a curious bowl; filled with a bizarre red liquid that they couldn't tell what it was. They picked the bowl up and dipped their finger in it. It felt nothing special. Disappointed, they flung what was on their finger on the ground. Duality continued roaming until an unfamiliar voice was babbling. A baby. The very first human baby. "What in the world are you? What am I supposed to even do with you? Wait, you're alive! Company! A new person for Ty-Khea to play cards with! What's your name?" There was more babbling. "You don't know so I'll just call ya Landal! It sounds good." Duality was running back, bowl in one hand, child in the other. "What is THAT?" Ty-Khea has asked. "I'm not sure. But maybe it can play cards with you. Its name is Landal!" Ty-Khea looked at the drooling baby. "Do you even know how to play?" Landal responded by sneezing. "Clearly not. Duality, how did you come across this new life?" Duality said, "I made it, by flinging it on the ground." Ty-Khea smiled, "I want more people to play cards with!" Ty-Khea dipped her head-finger into the red liquid and flung it on the ground. Two drops.
Duality thought hard on making more life. Ty-Khea must have too. Unlike the first new life, these individuals were smart, matured. There were also two of them. They had the head of Ty-Khea, but the body shape of Duality. These two looked wildly different. One was covered in fur, long fur. The other was in white plating, it looked mechanical, and had wheels for feet. One said, "My name is Kongug. Want to create." The other looked at Kongug, "Miraina. I could agree on creation."

Ty-Khea, Duality, and the baby were confused. They then started discussing where to create. Miraina said, "What is the point of creating if no one appreciates it? I want life. Maybe on the nearby sphere?" If you looked into the sky from the gods' near endless plain, there was a planet in the sky. Duality asked, "You want to build on the Sky Ball? Fine with me. But life…? There could be more of us, and there's only so much red liquid," the mind god said looking into the bowl. "But hey, There's one more individual here so… Go ahead, make your dreams a reality.

Miraina took the bowl and splashed it onto the planet. Raining everywhere. There were many different people made. Most resembled a god somewhat. The people that resembled them the most, (the hexapods) they led. Well, until they hit an argument on how to build. Kongug wanted to live in harmony with nature, and Miraina wanted innovation no matter what it took. Mortal Hexapods took sides, and there was a fight that followed that was so intense it tore the universe in two, taking Miraina to another world, but her followers remained. From there, there was two Hexapod societies. The progressive Mirain and the natural Kingug. Kongug led the Kingug for a long time until he died, and nobody knows what is of Miraina…



As for baby Landal, Duality took care of the child for many, many years. The child was ALMOST ageless like Duality. Almost.

Comments, Questions, and criticism are more than welcome.
 
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The empire of Landal was divided geographically into five areas. The Stony Plains that the humans built their capitol on, The Forested Expanse the largest area where the Photonians make their home and also home to several small human villages, The Jungle where the Kingug (primitive hexapods) and fisherman reside, the Scina cliffs which is a plethora of cliffs and valleys where the Scina live trees are scarce although rare tasty roots do grow there, and the final area is the Crimson Cityscape. In the Crimson the rocks are very red and the water is orange, opposed to the other rocky area where the rocks are beige and there is more cliffs. The Crimson Cityscape is named after the two massive cities that make up the area; the above and underground area. The area is home mostly to humans and Hexapods, where most Hexapods live underground. The entire area is a bustling city where many people live.


In the empire's capital, Landal City there's an arena; everyone from all over love it! What is it? There people hack and slash at each other until one dies. The one that lives gets money and fame. The highest ranking, most famous gladiator is Randil Cyan-Shield although everyone knows him as "Cyan-Shield." He's rather famous although he thought ahead and wore a signature helmet that conceals the upper half of his face so while not fighting, nobody knew who he was. He didn't want a fan following him everywhere.

Randil won another match, he was signing autograph after autograph. Bats, replica weapon hilts, balls, pieces of paper. Remember Cyan-Shield, interact with the fans! It's good for business! Randil's boss would always say. He would be annoyed, but what did he expect? Fame is the inevitable blessing of being a good fighter in the arena. Sometimes he wondered why he used his combat abilities for meaningless fighting. Maybe he should have been a guard. That would actually help people.

Right after the autograph session was over, a person asked "Excuse me, I need you." Randil didn't bother to look. "Should've came when I was signing. Can't do it now." The voice spoke up, "I don't want an autograph!" Randil actually bothered to look. The person had dark skin, enormous, goofy looking glasses, wildly curly hair, a long dress and was carrying a book. The person pleaded, "I need your assistance. I know you can fight. I don't even need you to kill anyone to help me!"

"Then what do you need?" The gladiator asked,

"It's well… an escort." The woman straightened her pose, "You heard what happened in the Crimson?" Randil shook his head. The person explained, "Well, the Hexapods-the Mirain, the southern ones- have these huge robot guards, and they destroyed the whole area. They turned on their creators. They destroyed the city, above and underground." Randil was shocked, "So that why there's been a lack of Hexapod competitors! Any survivors? Is that what you need me to do, go to the Crimson Cityscape and search for survivors? Wait- more importantly, what's your name?"

The woman stood proudly, akimbo. "Onla Sorry-Sayer! Daughter of the famed former Second-In-Command now Emporer's advisor Onona No-Apologies! Sister of the owner of the Fish-teraunt! I am the… uh… Mayor! But I redesigned the arena! That's something, right? Right?" Her shoulders dropped. The politician continued, "No, no. I need a guard to help me get to a place safely. Photonia, more specifically." Cyan-Shield thought. Put a hand-check-mark to his chin. "I'll do it. How much are you paying me?" Onla sighed and placed a bag of coins in his palm.



Randil smiled, satisfied with the payment, "See you tomorrow after the arena closes. I won't be wearing my helmet, but I will be wielding a shield-my signature cyan-tinted one- and wearing a dark blue cape."
 
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It was yesterday's tomorrow at the moment. The day when Cyan-Shield said he'd meet up with Onla to escort her to Photonia, a five day trip. Onla waited outside of the arena, she couldn't stand watching the matches and she never understood the appeal of them. Who actually enjoys watching people get hurt? That's wrong! She always thought. She just waited for about an hour, she eventually saw someone carrying a shield very similar to the famous fighter's and was also covering his face with a deep blue cloak. "Excuse me, are you the person I payed? Are you Cyan-Shield?" The person's posture suddenly straightened. "Don't call me that in public, call me Randil!" Onla freaked out at her mistake and kept saying sorry, hoping he'd forgive her. "They don't call you 'Sorry-Sayer' for no reason." Randil said chuckling.

"So we need to get out of the city, which is easy because there's no laws preventing us from leaving. Also Randil, isn't that shield even the tiniest bit suspicious?" Randil replied, "Honestly, they sell fakes of this. Made from wood. Can't shield against a mosquito. Not even sure why they sell so much. I could easily be passed as a devoted fan." Onla made a face, probably just a 'you have a point.' They walked out of the city and Randil lowered his hood.

Randil's appearance wasn't noteworthy. He was pale with thick brown hair, eyes that were slightly lighter than his beard and hair, and his eyes were far apart. Onla stared. "Did… you expect me to look like some divine beauty? Because that's ridiculous." Onla simply replied, "Oh-Nope-Sorry-No! I just didn't expect you to lower your hood!" As they were walking to Photonia they continued talking.

"So Onla, have anything besides me that can help you?"

"Uh, well my mum tried getting me to learn magic-you know, world manipulation- I only remember a very basic shield. I'm not going to be helpful." Onla said

"You really did need an escort. What's that book you're carrying? Some sort of government thing I'm not supposed to know about? You seem to be writing in it every second you got, even now, as we're walking!"





A twig snapped.



"You there! 'And o'er your valyables or else!" It was a bandit. Common human that was too stupid for regular society but too weak for arena-fighting. The bandit had a knife at Randil's throat. Randil seemed offended. "Excuse me, but you're not holding it properly." He took the bandit's hand and rearranged his fingers. "Also, that dull iron won't even cut my cloak! Much less my skin! If you're going to mug people, do it right!" Onla was confused. What was Cyan-Shield doing?

The bandit's face went red. "Uhm, couldja just… forget that even 'appened? Ehrm.. Please don't call the guards! Wait- We're in the middle of a road an' 'ere's nobo'y for miles!" The bandit grew confident, grabbing his knife again (using Randil's knife holding technique) , this time at Onla's throat. "An' 'ow could I be sure ya said my knife was too dull to cut just to make me go away?" Onla panicked. She thought. And thought. And thought. Back to when she was twelve going through magic lessons hoping she'd be good at something. Think. Onla remembered something. She said something that couldn't properly be spelt, but it translated to "Shatter." The knife fell apart. She must have mispronounced it because her glasses were shattered too. It was blurry.



"How many fingers am I holding up?"


"Randil, when I don't have my glasses, my vision is blurry. Not absent. Three."


"I wish you had your glasses because this place is… yeah, it's not that beautiful. I'll describe it to you," Randil started, "The trees are a bit greener and more spaced out. It's incredibly sunny-I'm putting my hood back on- and there's only one building. So many windows on it. And the windows have pictures on them made up of smaller, colored pieces of glass. One's a leaf, one's a sun, one's a Photonian with purple petals and a sword, and one is a tree with a massive eye."

"I can see. It's just a bit blurry." Onla was annoyed. She immediately started scanning the area, that one has a vine on their chest! It had to be Chlorn! She started waving her arms wildly, almost hitting Randil. Onla started shouting desperate for attention "Lord Chlorn! I need you! You're smart!" The tall Photonian turned around. "No. You may not build houses here. Just discourage childbirth. Problem solved!" Onla shook her head and tried to run to Chlorn "No, it's not about human housing!" Chlorn turned around frustrated, "the Hexapods can live here. But no houses." The woman was exhausted. "No! I need your intelligence!"

The lord was smug, "Hmm. What is it? If I do not know-I most likely will- then my vast possession of books will know." Onla fiddled with her dress. "Why did the Mirain's robots turn? It seems impossible!" The tall one pondered. "You say it seems impossible. Maybe because it is. Maybe we should talk to the Hexapods; see what they have to say perhaps they will have a clue." Randil spoke up, "Excuse me, but… they're dead aren't they? Who could we even ask?"

Onla piped up,


"Alright. I have a suggestion. It's ridiculous, but still a suggestion!"
 
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Some say there was a race before the others, clashing with the belief all life came into existence at once, and they were once mortals and found a way to be more powerful than the gods that created them. They had a name that was impossible to spell with this alphabet so they are referred to as "Ascendants." Although they have faded into obscurity, some ruins of their civilization left at the Scina Cliffs so their worldly manipulation has not been forgotten.

Their World Manipulation, often simplified to "magic" is said to make rain softer and trees grow in deserts. The most powerful manipulation act sent six of them into divinity, or so is said. What can be done nowadays is very weak compared to in the olden days.

Most Scholars who study World Manipulation are Scina who use it to make up for their lack of thumbs and they are very close to the ancient ruins of the Ascendants. Using world manipulation requires energy which can be anything from losing an apple, to being out of breath for five minutes. Throughout the years, Magic Scholars have crafted rituals that makes manipulation require less energy. The other thing needed is a the proper pronunciation of an Ascended Word, which are so difficult to pronounce, most can't be spelled even phonetically.

"And what would that suggestion be," inquired Lord Chlorn, tapping his foot. Onla spoke, "You know how there are two Hexapod tribes? Maybe the Mirain went to live with the other one in the jungle. The Kingug." Randil questioned her suggestion, "Aren't they enemies? One's primitive, one's always looking to the future." Chlorn said to that, "Honestly, after their robots destroyed their own home, I think the Mirain may want a little guidance from their siblings. I believe-what-is-her-name-is correct."

Onla seemed shocked Chlorn didn't remember her, they used to be around each other all the time as children, of course Chlorn growing faster as she did because Photonians grew like weeds. "Wait- you don't remember me? I'm Onla Sorry-Sayer! Daughter of famed Onona No-Apologies! We hung around the library all the time before you became a lord! You taught me how to read- well, my mom did most of the work but still!" Chlorn stood up straighter than usual. "Well, Onla! Couldn't recognize you. It's been over a decade since your mom dropped you off for me to babysit! Well, you're an adult now right? Humans take a while to mature so you have to be an adult. What position of power are you in? Are you a high ranking war strategist? Emperor's advisor-wait that's your mom. She rose to that rank- are you the new second in command?" Chlorn was excited, he wanted to talk to someone who was on the same level of the totem pole he was, "Mayor of the western half of Landal City." The Photonian's shoulders dropped. "Oh… we all have to start somewhere right? I started just as the previous Lady's spit in the ground. But anyways, I believe Onla is correct. Unlike Photonians, Hexapods have a concept of 'family' beyond being the product of somebody else, and maybe the Mirain may see the Kingug who are also hexapods somewhat like family."

Randil started walking away. "Hey, Randil! What are you doing!" Onla shouted, trying to get the gladiator's attention. Randil turned around, "you payed me to take you to Photonia, I took you to Photonia." Onla looked around. "Hold on! If you stay for the remainder of the journey, I'll pay you double! If you get hurt badly, triple!" That got Randil's attention. "Double is enough. What I really want is out of the arena. That place is exhausting. Also, I don't want fans chasing me everywhere. I want a job in the city guard. If you could recommend me-and double the payment- I'll stay." Onla said, "I'll make sure to recommend you. Also, thanks for not making me triple the payment."

"So when are we leaving," the noble was impatient, "you know the jungle is far, and I wish to spend a night in different soil." Onla apologized and said that they should go now. On the way they had conversations.



Randil: Uh, Chlorn. I need to ask something.
Chlorn: that would be Lord Chlorn, but I will let it pass.
Randil: LORD Chlorn, I want to ask something.
Chlorn: That is much better. What is it?
Randil: you're plant-like right?
Chlorn: I believe that is fairly obvious but yes.
Randil: I've heard Photonians be referred to as he and she. How is it determined? I thought you guys spat in the ground and the spit turned into a seed and various bacteria in the ground helped change the way you look.
Chlorn: you are correct. We do emerge from saliva seeds. What we refer to others as depends on the months they emerge from the ground. In the spring months, we refer to them as "she" and if they sprout in the hotter months we refer to them as "he."
Randil: sorry if that was awkward.
Chlorn: no need to apologize, Randil. May I ask you a question?
Randil: hm?
Chlorn: Humans eat plants and meat. Photonians are made of plant-material and meat. Am I safe next to two humans?


Randil burst in a fit of laughter. Chlorn backed away slowly. Randil slowly stopped, wiping a tear from his left eye. "No, I couldn't eat something that talks. You're safe." Lord Chlorn's shoulders dropped a little and he sighed. "That is as wonderful as a sunny day with a lightly rainy night."



The party continued walking and talking until they noticed the trees slowly changed.
 
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The trees slowly got taller and slimmer and their leaves larger; the air more moist and hot. "We must be heading into the jungle!" Onla was slightly worried. "How do we know if we're heading in the right direction? What if we get lost?" Chlorn replied, "we are on the road. If there was a fork in the road, there would be a sign marking which direction to go if you wished to go to the fishing village. We would go the other way because that's where the Kingug reside." Onla seemed somewhat frustrated, "Come on!" She said, "You know what I meant." The taller one shook his head. "No, I do not." Randil laughed at the exchange and whenOnla looked at him, he shut up.

The air was barely breathable it was so humid. Randil took off his cloak and rolled up his sleeves. However, the noble seemed to enjoy this climate. Onla seemed the most annoyed, she was sweating ridiculously. "Would you guys care if I took off my dress?" Randil turned around, "Are you wearing something beneath it?" Onla said, "Of course I am! Who do you think I am?" Randil shrugged, and Onla was trying to walk while unbuttoning her dress. Beneath her dress was typical non-formal clothes that anyone would wear during the spring. She carried her dress in the other arm.

"Hey Onla. I only know about swords and shields. Could you teach me about magic?" Randil asked. "What brought this on?" Onla inquired. "I saw how you broke that bandit's knife. How did you do that? If you could do that, why do you need my protection? I'm not saying I don't want the money or the recommendation into the guard…" Onla breathed in deeply. "You see, my mom is wonderful at almost everything. Me, I'm pathetic. My mom tried to put me through lessons to find my 'special talent we all have' and one of those was magic. I am still awful at it, which is why I need a guardian of sorts. How do I do it? I sacrifice a breath for the next forty seconds and say a hard to pronounce word from a language some ancient folk from long ago spoke. Even the slightest mispronunciation or improper posture can ruin the whole action. I misspoke the word 'shatter' and now i don't have any glasses." Onla said while tripping over a tree root. "Why is this in the road?"

Chlorn put a finger to the ground. "What's wrong? Why's your finger on the ground?" Randil asked. The lord replied, "Something doesn't feel right. Something is coming. My finger is on the ground so I do not fall over. I wish for no tears on my face." The swordsman was confused. A tree fell over but nobody was standing under it.
Behind the trees was an absolute monstrosity.

The creature was much larger than a bear, but smaller than an elephant. It has the body of a muscular beaver and had the tail and fur of one too. Strangely it had a bill and webbed feet, which is not normal for a beaver and neither is living in the jungle.

It was running towards the group. "Attack? Do we attack it?" One member of the party asked, "well it is coming to attack us! Yes!" Onla tried to stay back and out of the way of the two that could actually survive two seconds. The Photonian was trying to use the vine on his chest like a whip which was distracting. Chlorn's focus usually was getting a weapon away from an opponent with his vine but the massive creature was the weapon. Randil was trying to dig his sword into the beast but its fur is too thick. Onla screamed for help.

A plethora of hexapods arrived, wearing skins and sporting spears and bows, a blue handprint on the left side of the spear bearer's faces and on the right of the bow users. Maybe some sort of war paint? Chlorn was injured and the beast was coming for Onla then a flurry of arrows and spears came crashing onto the creature. In the distraction, Randil managed to dig his sword into a soft spot between the creature's side and its thigh. A liquid was gushing out, everyone ran away and nobody got hit by it, except Randil. The creature was nearly gone. Then out of the trees a massive metal humanoid of a similar size came and loudly a voice said, "sorry I'm late guys. Also, pick on someone your own- no. That's cliche. I am going to split you in half with my neat robot that I designed and pilot! That's a bit less cliche." The robot did what it said it would do and it was not a sight I'd want to describe.

Everyone was confused as to what happened. Humans. Hexapods. Photonian. "Any idea what that was?" Onla was asking everyone and nobody had the tiniest clue. Onla suddenly realized that her guardian mace have got hurt. She ran over to Randil, submerged in the pile of semi-opaque liquid. He was paler than usual, some strange looking black spots on his face. "Randil, are you alive?" No response. "I need a healer! Quick! My friend-does he consider me a friend or a source of money?- is going to die!" The robot that saved everyone powered down and someone stepped out, a female pale yellow Hexapod, wearing typical Mirain clothing. "I know a healer! My brother's a healer! Brother! Brother Car'rhy come here!" Another Hexapod emerged. "That's my old name. I am now Carlos, not Car'rhy. The human is dead. I don't see how I could help." Onla couldn't believe it. She held her breath and trudged through whatever was affecting Randil she felt a tingling. She couldn't let it stop her. She needed a bodyguard, and she couldn't afford hiring another. She managed to grab Randil's foot. Who knew a grown man would be so heavy? It took a few minutes and the pilot of the robot felt sorry and offered her help. They managed to drag him out of the goop so Carlos could actually examine him. "Heart is beating. There's a chance." Everyone seemed thrilled. Carlos continued, "But he'll need care from me for a while. And I won't do it for free." Onla seemed upset. She couldn't afford it, she already doubled her payment for Randil's services. She looked at Chlorn who was trying to fix his ankle. "I'll pay. How much do you want?"





"Two hundred fifty bits per week." Carlos demanded calmly.
 
"Two hundred fifty? I could afford that… but per week!?" Chlorn was shocked by the price. Carlos said, "Well, I need to take care of your human friend every day and who knows; maybe it will be only one week. Until then, you can stay in our village. The weekly fee covers your housing as well." The noble seemed relieved he didn't have to pay even more. "Could you fix my ankle while you're at it?" The healer laughed. "For fifty bits." Chlorn was bitter. "Alright. I'll pay you however much I owe whenever I can go back home. Carlos yelled out, "Sister, take the two that struggle to walk in your… uh… metal person!" A voice yelled back, "It's called a mech! Robot if you want to be more simple." The person yelling was the person that helped Randil out of whatever that liquid was. The pilot was Carlos' sister.
"Come on, I have to carry him again?" The pilot said, struggling to get him inside. There were only two seats. One for the Pilot, one for a passenger. Chlorn who only had a dysfunctional ankle said he'd just walk if he could lean on someone. He leaned on Onla who didn't mind the weight on her shoulder but rather the pain she put everyone else through. The pilot finally managed to get the unconscious body inside of the mech. She buckled Randil's seatbelt and got herself inside. Her mech was rather impressive, whenever she moved, the mech followed her movements. Onla was talking a lot, "Thank you for saving us." Carlos replied, "You're welcome." Onla was inquisitive. "What made you come to kill the beast? Did you see us coming?"

"No, we chased the… beaver? Because it tried to attack us. We deemed it dangerous so we couldn't let it live. It was simply a coincidence we saved you." Carlos said while walking to the camp. "Why do you have a robot? Haven't those been taken over and have a mind of their own? And aren't those a Mirain thing?" The Hexapod replied, "I'm not sure why that metal robot isn't corrupt. Yes, they are a Mirain thing. The pilot of that… Mack? Muck? Mech? Is Mirain." Onla had yet another question. "You said the pilot was your sister. Why is she Mirain and you Kingug?" Carlos got mad. "That is none of your business. Why are you here?" The human replied, "We're looking for a survivor of the events at the Crimson Cityscape. Lord Chlorn- the person on my shoulder- wanted to talk." of their own? And aren't those a Mirain thing?" The Hexapod replied, "I'm not sure why that metal robot isn't corrupt. Yes, they are a Mirain thing. The pilot of that… Mack? Muck? Mech? Is Mirain." Onla had yet another question. "You said the pilot was your sister. Why is she Mirain and you Kingug?" Carlos got mad. "That is none of your business. Why are you here?" The human replied, "We're looking for a survivor of the events at the Crimson Cityscape. Lord Chlorn- the person on my shoulder- wanted to talk."

"Is this because you want to rebuild Mirain society or are you behind the events?" Onla was offended at the accusation. "The first one of course! You tell them, Chlor- I mean- Lord Chlorn!" The Photonian looked up from looking at his badly twisted ankle. "I know I am not responsible. I am not certain about the humans however." Onla rolled her eyes. "Thanks a lot."

The arrived at the village. The village wasn't much, just buildings high up in trees. There were a lot of ladders leading up to the interconnected by bridges treehouses. "I'll need the human now. Sorry ankle person, you can live for another thirty minutes, right?" Carlos said. Carlos' sister took Randil out of her mech Onla going to help carry him, Chlorn struggling to stand now that his support is gone. Fortunately, the healer's house had an entrance on the ground so they did not have to find a way to climb a ladder while carrying a body.

They took him inside, which was made from wood and there were many herbs and jars of water. There were also many books. Carlos ordered them to lay Randil on a flat surface, lightly cushioned. Carlos felt Randil all over with his ears and arms. "He's still alive." Carlos got a small pointy stick and pricked his leg. The blood was darker than it should be. "I admit I'm more familiar with Hexapods but I don't thing this blood color is healthy. Something infected him. He must have been poisoned." Onla muttered to herself, "so that was what the liquid was. What a wonder I wasn't infected." Carlos replied, "You had not cuts for it to enter your body." Carlos grabbed a book and muttered a word. A lavender disc of light appeared under his left ear arm while he was holding the book with his arm. Randil was sweating but then Carlos put his ear over him and his sweating slowed down. "What did that do?" The politician asked. "Calm him down. It's hard to do almost anything with the sound of a heavily breathing almost-corpse." Carlos replied. Carlos then yelled for an assistant. An assistant came (they were a male orange-cream colored Hexapod who was a little plump.). "This is my apprentice. He is not as good as me YET-I believe he'll get there- but he can treat a twisted ankle." Chlorn hopped down and sat in a chair while the assistant was looking in the books. "Yes, mend! Found it." The person was nervous but Chlorn was impatient. He wasn't saying anything but it was clear. "Sorry ma'am-or sir- or respected Photonian individual I can't tell with you guys." The apprentice said a word and a disc similar to what Carlos calmed Randil down with appears under his right arm ear; the disc was a bright orange. The disc was held over Lord Chlorn's ankle. Chlorn moved his foot in a circle. If Chlorn could properly smile, he could. "Now that my problem is over, I will need to talk to that pilot. Surely she will know something."

While Onla was waiting anxiously at Randil's bedside begging to help Carlos, Chlorn decided to walk outside and look for someone with typical Mirain garb on. He found her quickly as she was working on her mech. "Interesting machine." The Mirain looked up, excited. "Do you want to hear all about it? Wait, what's your name? Mine is Las'rhy!" Chlorn had time. "Certainly. Go ahead." Las'rhy jumped up in excitement, going from tiptoes to flat footed quickly and repeatedly. "You see, I call it 'Mech-04!' Because the other three broke or failed. The other Mirain don't like it because 'why would you want your bot to just be a suit! Give it a mind of its own! Safe yourself the effort!' They don't understand that it really isn't a robot, but rather an extension of myself in a way." Chlorn just nodded. "You see, whenever I get in the mech and I move, Mech-04 moves too! I also made use of my ears with the handles up in the top… wait-weren't you the one with the twisted ankle? My brother must've healed you. He's great!"
"Actually it was his assistant." The Photonian said. Las'rhy seemed disappointed. "Oh. He's a great teacher then. He learned most of his stuff on his own.I admit, this is the first time I've seen him since I was ten, when he left to join the Kingug because they need a doctor… he left for a noble purpose at least." Las'rhy kept rambling on until she stopped and said "Hold on, you don't want my life story. What do you want?" Chlorn had an opportunity to speak. "Were you there for the events at the Crimson Waste?" Las'rhy nodded. She seemed extremely uncomfortable. "I am sorry if I had made you uncomfortable. I do wish to keep talking about robots. What do you know of typical Mirain builds?" Las'rhy was smug, "Just 'bout everything. You need to know the basics before you become unique with design." The noble asked "is there a way for them all to be controlled at once?"

"Well, no. But yes. The way needs a lot of people's permission so it's unlikely. Now the other possibility was it was hacked. No regular person could do it. Not humans. Not even Hexapods. Photonians live in the forest… and Scina don't even have thumbs!" The pilot thought hard.


The noble looked like he got hit with a sack of wet mice. "So my theory may be true. It may not actually be a normal person."
 
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