Chapter Text
The human mind is easy to waver.
"Backup requested, east wing’s six o’clock!”
In each action they make, there will always be a hint, a trace of hesitance. Emotion amplifies this occurrence.
“Entity secured! Retreat immediately, all teams!”
The world, my world, up in flames. Chemical particles as an illusion of ash. There are gas masks everywhere you look, scattered around on what was once a ground. Some vessels are shattered by presumably my world's gravity.
They, too, are intruders.
“H… g… n… ther… e…”
The first batch of humans that dared to intrude on my territory were ruthless, obnoxious beings. Unpleasant. The homeland is in flames, and all I see is a blur of golden.
“Ca… efu… l…”
A face without hesitance.
...
But how could that be?
Hesitance is a natural companion of every human emotion, my kin mentioned briefly. Perhaps it is not human. Or maybe my senses are too overdriven to be of proper use that I can no longer sense human feelings as clearly as before.
...
..
.
There was light. Blinding. Dizzying. Unpleasant.
Then, my body defensively shuts down.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
The sound of medical technology filled the ward's room, as a man in white taps his earpiece twice.
“Alberu Crossman on the line. Proceed to report.”
His gaze does not leave the occupant of the bed, who was quietly laid to look like a human being. And for a moment, Alberu admits to himself that the being right in front of him does look human.
Frighteningly so.
But it must be one of the entity's many forms, because—
“Roger. Entity 1108's origin is MMW-77-5127, identified as World Meustrav. Inhabitants were reportedly not hostile unless provoked, which is highly advised against for their true nature is not yet to be documented. Code 07.
—because this being was not human and only imitates the forms of those who first visited.
Code 07.
An identification code for entities that are neutral, but their true forms are unknown, and it is nothing but a losing gamble if you attempt to comprehend their true forms.
It was a state of the body that was never meant to be perceived by the human mind.
There aren't a lot of Code 07 entities because most saw humans as disrespectful intruders rather than welcoming them. It was even fortunate that the entities of Meustrav were not hostile to them despite the Arm Meister wrecking havoc in their world before Roan Voyager 11 got to their world first.
Most Meustrav entities were neutral, but this entity in front of him was not sufficiently observed, hence why Alberu still has his guard up.
“Along with Entity 1108, the other two entities are currently in their own simulation rooms. Entity 1104 is beginning to show signs of agitation, demanding the verification of Entity 1108’s well-being. Entity 1099 is yet to show signs of anomaly.”
Aside from the injured, dormant entity in front of him, there were other two entities rescued by their branch, alongside a few more entity civilians. One looked fairly young, about 6 years old in human years, and the other looked far more ancient whose face appeared timeless. Both are presumed to be similar to the biology of dragons in human folktales.
The other, however… still looked human, yet too beautiful to be a real one. Perhaps similar to the line of elves. With the entity's luscious flowy hair of a vibrant crimson, it'd easily pass as an elf even without elongated ears.
The entity's specific cause of injury was still unknown. Its external injuries are all healed, but it's been lying in a coma for two weeks.
“Other entities are exercising caution and wariness. Reports believe that they are slowly adapting to imitate humans, save for Entity 1104.”
Alberu nods to himself. Entities mostly took on human forms to blend in their new environment in the spaceship. This was a common occurrence, but some entities still choose to maintain their dormant forms for their own comfort and proper growth.
“That is all for the general report. If you have any other questions, I will elaborate on it.”
Alberu crosses his legs and taps on his chair's armrest, eyes still not leaving the unconscious entity. His peripheral catches on the entity core monitor.
“Expand on Entity 1108 and its document.”
“Roger. Entity 1108, addressed as [Cale Henitus, Weak Prince] by Entity 1104. Approximately 20 years old in human years. Closest to the male biology of humans, but has an unspecific amount of female biology mixed in. Status: Stable. Entity 1108 is predicted to awaken in three days.”
“...”
“Three days.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Alberu’s eyes do not waver. His eyebrows only raised momentarily, before maintaining his usual composure.
“Its eyes opened just now.”
“... Pardon?”
There was light.
There is a hint of golden in my peripheral sight. I do not wish to make direct eye contact with it.
The lights were bright. It looked like a human hospital, yet far too different. The technology is much more advanced. The ceiling is pure white.
The lights were bright. I momentarily thought about my family, and the thought of my youngest sprang me up to sit up—
“Hey, careful.”
I heard a human say. It was a language I have not heard for a millennium. I still do not wish to make direct contact with it. Way too bright.
“Where is my family?”
I tried to communicate. It was in their language, but a rough translation. It’s been a while, after all. My voice came out rough too. The human beside my hospital bed slightly winced. Why?
“Entit— no, Cale-nim. They are safe, please rest assured.”
It dared to call me an entity. I am not an alien, they are.
Perhaps it is a matter of perspective. But they are the ones who invaded our world, so they are the aliens to us.
“Safe where? And who are you?”
It was hard to speak in such a state. My ‘throat’ was dry and my ‘eyes’ were not yet fully functional. It’s a relief the energies inside me were still there, no one actually knows what humans are capable of.
The human winced slightly again. It is a bad actor. Why is it in pain?
“They are safely living in our provided rooms for their comfort, Cale-nim. I am Alberu Crossman, you may call me, cough, anything you prefer.”
This human talks a lot.
“Take me to them.”
I saw a clue of red in my peripheral vision. The white walls look splendid compared to the absurd outburst of color beside me. My ‘eyes’ refuse.
The human was smart enough to not stare at me. This form had its imperfections regarding human perception, after all.
“Yes, Cale-nim. Please follow me.”
I nod, getting out of bed to follow the colorful human. Why won't it wipe that red off? So strange.
“Captain? Is everything alright?”
“Lieutenant Choi Han, prepare my access cards for Meustrav’s Simulation Rooms.”
“Yes, sir!”