The Dawning of Fate

Slowly stepping back, I crane my neck to look at the man in front of me. Jagged scars mar his rich purple skin. The large biceps on his arm atone for his strength along with the muscular abdomen and chest that I get an eyeful of since he doesn’t have on a shirt. He’s a lot taller than me and I’m about 5’10, so he has to be at least 7ft. Large curved horns adorn the top of his head alongside a sea of dark black hair. The light from the sun shifts giving me an unobstructed view of his chiseled face. Dragging my eyes away from his full lips, I gasp as I stare into his obsidian eyes. They’re pure darkness. It’s like he can see my soul. My gazing is interrupted when I hear a growling sound. Instinctively, I jump. Glancing back I see that the beast is gone which means the sound came from the purple, albeit handsome, alien in front of me.

“Hi,” I wheeze.

He furrows his eyebrow for a second before something that looks like recognition alights his features. His language transplant probably picked up my language. I got one of those too when I was abducted.

“You are on my property.” His voice is a deep rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.

“Well, you see. I was being chased by the demon bear thing back there and I really didn’t want to be eaten so I climbed your fence.” I ramble and exhale.

“Deemon bear?”

“Yes,” I point behind me towards the forest, “there was a huge beast on four legs with red eyes chasing me.” I swing my cloak around to show him the end, careful to avoid rustling my injured arm. “See, it tried to eat me.”

His eyes glance down at the ripped material then back up at me. “That is not a “deemon bear,” it is a hunter native to this land and you obviously trespassed into its territory. And if it wanted to eat you, it would have.”

“I don’t care what it is. It tried to eat me so I climbed your fence and now I’m here talking to you.” I reply defensively. How was I supposed to know that I was in that thing’s territory?

“How did you get here?”

“The ship I was on crashed.” I chose to leave out the part I was only on the ship because I was sold against my will.

He grunts in response. “Come.” Turning around, he begins to walk away. Only now do I notice the large pair of wings tucked in on his back. Wow, those are impressive.

I stiffen and prepare to run again. “Where are you taking me?”

“To my home until I can figure out what to do with you. Unless you want to go back into the forest with your “deemon bear”.” He calls back as he continues to walk forward.

Was that sarcasm? Did an alien just get sarcastic with me? Shaking my head, I rush to catch up with him. Falling in step a few feet behind him, I can’t help how my eyes travel to the black pants that hug his tight alien ass. I quickly look away and mentally appreciate the fact that his back is to me so he doesn’t see the blush on my cheeks.

The clearing is wide with hazelwood and basil-colored grass. Ahead of us, I see what looks less like a home and more like a hut. I mean I’m not one to judge but this guy is pretty big. It just doesn’t seem logical for him to live inside a contraption that small. I keep my thoughts to myself as I follow along but suddenly my guide disappears behind some invisible barrier. The material ripples and forms around him before coming back together. I stop in my tracks.

“Um, alien guy, what is this?” My voice cracks slightly.

“Walkthrough.” His voice sounds from the other side. Weirdly, he sounds right in front of me even though I can’t see him.

“Is it safe?” I ask nervously. I can’t be bothered to chastise myself for the lack of strength in my tone. I’ve had what has probably been the worst day of my entire existence. Probably the most exciting as well.

“Yes.”

Closing my eyes and stretching out my hand, I walk forward and my hand comes in contact with something that feels wet and slippery yet strangely solid. I inwardly grimace and continue until I feel the air on the other side. Despite the texture, my body is completely dry.

“You may open your eyes now.”

I peek one eyelid open first before the other follows. The terrain has completely transformed. What I thought was a hut is now the planetary equivalent to a farmhouse. There are many similarities to the ones on Earth except for the domed roofs and solid/liquid barrier surrounding it, just to name a few. As we continue walking, I notice that there are plants of all different colors and a garden ripe with what I assumed are fruits and vegetables. If my assumption is correct, the barrier gave off the illusion of what I thought was a hut.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe, taking it all in. All I get is a grunt in response. Way to ruin the moment. As we continue I realize that we were in the back of the house. The front is even more beautiful than I could imagine. You’d think all the colors would clash together but instead, they create a sort of rainbow wave that flows together nicely. Gosh, I wish I had my equipment; I would die for some samples!

We walk up the steps to enter the house but before so I can step through the threshold a large hand halts my approach. He disappears from my line of sight before returning with some sort of device. Suddenly there’s a beeping sound and then a robotic voice starts speaking.

Terran female from the planet Earth.

Approximately 3.2 light-years away.

Primitive species.

Threat level: low

I furrow my eyebrows. Primitive? Sure, we humans might not have it all figured out but I’d hardly call us primitive. Though compared to the technological advancements I’ve seen thus far, I’d say we’re a bit behind schedule. I guess my examination is over because I’m motioned to come inside.

The air inside is warmer though I don’t take off my cloak. Somewhere down the line, it became a sort of shield for me. I glance around the area and I get a sense of comfort being in here. I don’t know why but the place just feels homey. The thought floats around in my mind confusingly because I’m billions of years away from home if the robot voice is any to believe. I stand in the middle of a foyer and take in the mixture of rich tan and brown colors that coat the walls of his home. The interior is quite spacious yet not overly big. The two large battle swords that hang crossed over the mantle draw my attention. I glance back and find the large male studying me carefully. I swallow audibly. What now? Do I just stand here? Is he going to try to sell me too? Throw me in another cell? Make me his slave? The possibilities are endless and the more they stir in my head the greater my fear grows. His nostrils flare open as if smelling the air.

“What do they call you, Terran?”

My palpable fear is momentarily replaced with confusion. “What do you mean?”

“How shall I address you?” He tries again.

“Oh my name, you’re asking me what my name- it’s Echo. They call me Echo.”

“Eck-O? Eck-O,” He repeats to himself. I nod anyway.

“Azandum,” He says whilst connecting his fist to his chest.

A-zän-dum. Interesting name. I like it.

“Azandum,” I repeat. He nods. “Okay, Azandum, what now?” I ask whilst shifting on my feet.

“First, I will heal your injured limb.” I follow him as he guides me through his home and into what looks like a bedroom. Instantly I am on edge. I stop and stand close to the door as he carries on inside the room. Azandum enters what I can only guess is a bathroom and returns with a small metal device in his hand.

“You must remove your cloak so that I may inject this into your arm.” I recoil and take a step back.

“W-Why do you have to inject it in me?” My eyes dart back and forth from the hallway to the device. I could make a run for it, but where will I go?

He raises his hands in the universal symbol of surrender. “I mean you no harm. This injection is full of liquid nanites that will find and repair any internal damage done to your body. I also have gauze to clean the wound on your head.”

Liquid nanites? Surely he could just give me a sling. I bite my lip in hesitation, glancing back and forth between him and the device. The pain pulsing through my arm is enough for me to slowly drag off my cloak. Once I carefully maneuver the material around my injured arm, I look back up and find Azandum’s eyes are no longer full black but narrow slits similar to the eyes of a cat. They seem more intense like this than when they’re full-on black.

“Is there something wrong? You’re eyes, they’ve um, they changed.” I asked barely above a whisper, yet still not dragging my eyes away.

He clears his throat and the color in his eyes fades away to that obsidian darkness again. He moves towards me. Naturally, I move to step back but then stop myself. He brings the device up to my shoulder. “This may hurt a little. It will fade quickly.” His towering frame and strong scent surround me in warmth. It reminds me of burning pine in a fireplace.

I barely notice the tiny pinch on my shoulder. There’s a cool tingle that follows like fresh mint that causes goosebumps to pepper my skin.

Please don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me.

A large hand appears beside my face then it’s gone and I feel a slight tug in my hair. My entire body goes stiff with fear. His eyes are back to slits again. “What are these worms on your head?”

“Worms?” I whisper.

“Yes, they are quite unusual. They have the color of a baby esquat. I have never seen anything quite like it.”

The realization hits me. Though I have no idea what an esquat is, I sigh dramatically and relax slightly. “You mean my braids? They are not worms.” I shudder. “It’s my hair. Hairstyles? Do they have those here?”

He removes his hand. “Yes, I have seen females wear their hair in many different patterns, but I have never seen these “braids”, as you call them. They are quite fascinating.”

“Uh, thanks.” I slowly shift away from him and glance around the room. There’s nothing abnormal about it, just a bed and a bathroom. A large wooden chest sits on the floor at the foot of the bed, similar to a bedroom bench but without the cushion.

Azandum motions towards the bed. “Rest. You must be tired from your journeys. When you awake we will discuss what is to be done with you.”

Before I could respond he strides out of the room and the door closes behind him. I walk towards it and try to open it but I can’t find anything resembling a doorknob. Great, another cage. At least this one has a bed. I walk over and sit down on a cloud of warm furs. I know I shouldn’t sleep but it’s like as soon as I sat down the entirety of my day washed down on me in a wave of exhaustion. Pulling my cloak around me, I’m faintly aware of the lack of pain in my arm before falling into a deep slumber.