{Vague visual representation of Galelith(Left) and Tonithy(right).
Disclaimer: The artworks shown above does NOT belong to me.}
_____________
A little over twenty minutes pass on their trip. Though still uneasy about being so high up, Galivinth has grown accustomed to the feeling. Playing some music had definitely helped settle his nerves a bit, too.
"So, this uuhh.. This we thing you mentioned earlier. Were you implying something? Like... You know. We're somehow different from other people around us?" Galivinth asks, glancing over at his father with a look of skeptical curiosity.
"Yes. Yes, I was deliberately outlining us, our kind, from humans." Galelith stoically answers.
"Come again...?"
"We're among lesser beings."
"Wow, dad... What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"You're a genetically superior lifeform. That's what I mean. You're not human, Galivinth. At least, not entirely."
"I'm not sure I follow 100%, but it doesn't sound too promising thus far. What do you mean I'm not human? What about you and I makes us inherently better than the average person?"
"I'm not entirely sure what you're not comprehending. We're not humans. By standard definition, we're aliens here." Galelith thinks on it for a moment. Looks to Galivinth briefly, then faces forward again.
"Well... I suppose not you exactly. You're native to Earth, but you're not the same as the average Earthling." Galelith adds.
"You're telling me I'm genuinely of a different species?"
"Yes."
"And my genetic makeup is superior to humans?"
"Yes."
"...Are you racist?" Galivinth questions with furrowing brows.
"By the literal definition? Yes." Galelith, still, answers with a deadpan tone.
"Wow. I'm both fascinated and unconformable right now."
"I think there's a misunderstanding, honestly. You've been conditioned to hold a stigma to the word. If you're indirectly asking if I hate humans, then my answer is no."
"Ah, okay. Okay... So what exactly makes us none-human?"
"Have you not noticed any distinct differences between yourself and the others around you?"
"I... Kind of?"
"Your eyes. Your blood. Maybe even your level of strength? No normal humans can share those traits with you. You'll even outlive them." Galelith informs.
"I just thought I was different." The teen sheepishly replies.
"You are. You're a Cryonean."
"Wha--? What is that?"
"Hang on, we're arriving at the town. I'll tell you more in a bit." The flying automobile begins to slow and descend at an angle. Finally observing his surroundings, it's only then that Galivinth notices the soft drizzle of snow around them. Though, before his brain could even think to question the unusual weather, a breathtaking sight comes into view. The only way he could really describe it was as a grand onyx kingdom. It was something torn out of a medieval tale. A navy blue brick road leading up to a city built of stone, steel, and wood holding shades varying from dark blue to royal blue. Sophisticated in design, even if dated in appearance. The wheels soon touch down with unexpected care and without hindering momentum. The teen stares in awe the entire time, speechless as they drive up to the guarded giant gateway up ahead. No wooden door or draw bridge, but some kind of blue transparent material. Looks to either be really thin glass or silk. At either side stands two figures in steel-blue knight armor, light in design and integrated with tech. No helmets, but they were armed with lances.
Soon, they ease into a stop in front of the gateway. The two guards approach just as Galelith begins rolling down the driver and passenger side windows, letting a chilling breeze inside.
"What have we here, hm?" The male of the two guards asks, though merely rhetorically. His complexion is dark, like chocolate. Hair trimmed short and slicked back with a thick spit curl hanging over his right brow. A small holographic display projects before his eyes as he studies the two inside, starting with the father.
"Galelith, Aero-engineering director of the Science Committee. Welcome back, by the by. And--" he trails off, directing his gaze toward the teen inside. Assessments were finished within seconds.
"And a halfling, eh?"
"Would you look at that." A woman's voice speaks up from the opposite side, one Galivinth turns his head toward. There stands a woman of a pale complexion and long silk-like hair, dark as the night. Bent down and looking him directly in the eyes. Apparently not too versed in the concept of personal space, she reaches to cradle his jaw within the palm of her gloved hand. Instilling a minor upward tilt as a small grin forms upon her lips.
"He certainly is one, Maverayne! His eyes are like the night sky moon. A twin set. He's handsomely cute, too." She comments gleefully.
"I'm sure he is, Laylith." Her peer, Maverayne, responds rather dryly. All the while, Galivinth was nervously enduring. Silently. Not too sure how to respond or react.
"Yes, indeed. Ahem." She clears her throat, releasing the boy's face and places her hand upon the door instead.
"
I'm sure you're aware that he may not take up residence here, yes?" She goes on to ask.
"You may do whatever you please outside these walls, but here, intentionally defiling the cryonean gene pool during our crucial time will NOT be tolerated." The male adds, meeting Galelith's eyes directly.
"I'm aware. He's not staying, only visiting for the day." Galelith informs.
"Ah, I see. No harm in that. In that case-- Laylith, if you'd be so kind as to properly brand our guest."
"Of course, of course. I wouldn't mind at all." The guardswoman reaches for Galivinth's right bicep, using both hands to grip around it before uttering a phrase.
"Manifest protocol." And with that, a shine of pale-blue light comes forth and forms a red armband bearing a bland white circle on it. She releases him and nods at her handiwork.
"All set."
"Wonderful. You may proceed, sir." The two guards step away to return to their post. Maverayne takes a moment to swipe his palm left, motioning at the gate to momentarily remove the blue construct. Galelith gently presses his foot down on the gas and heads within those giant walls.
"I'm so confused. What kind of place is this, again?" Galivinth asks.
"A nation of cryoneans. We haven't been here for very long, but we've managed to established order and a way of life here." His father answers.
"Is there something wrong? They were talking as if I was a nuisance of some kind."
"No, no. It's just that our population is rather low. Many of us died after crash landing years ago, and we've just only begun to accumulate beyond a population of 300 after 20 years. The council wants to keep us pure-blooded for a little while longer. Earthlings aren't permitted inside, but small compromises can be made with having some level of influence." Galelith explains.
"I... I see. Is that what this armband is for?"
"Yes. A visitor's pass."
"How can you tell who's pure-blooded or half, though?"
"You haven't noticed? Hm. I suppose this is a lot to take in for you. The human half of you may be hindering your brain..." Those words from his father bring forth a wary look upon the teen's face. A sense of ridicule creeping in.
"You can tell by looking at their eyes or scanning them with a DNA decoder. See, every full blooded cryononean has a certain eye type. Think of it as a three layer bullseye; a ring around a smaller ring, both monochrome, and a black dot in the center of the smaller ring. There's no varying eye color among us. Never has been. However, half bloods like you, are notably different - as stated in biological research reports that I myself submitted after your birth. At the very least, your eyes are monochrome like mine, so it's a telltale sign that you're a descendant of our nation."
"Oh... Is that all there is? No other difference?"
"There is, actually. To keep it simple: You're defective."
"Defective?" Galivinth repeats.
"Yes. But I plan on fixing you, or at least patch up the flaws that ail you to the best of my capabilities." His father answers. Galivinth couldn't bring himself to prod for a second more. Every answer was surreal and disheartening. He knows he's receiving full-on honesty, but it's not quite so easy to swallow so abruptly.
His father drives mindfully on the brick road, avoiding the citizens walking about and going about their day normally in snowy weather. Rarely do other vehicles come into view. On top of that, the residents are abnormally tall and dressed fashionably posh. No casual wear. Some walking on ground, some being carried by levitating platforms to their desired location. It was as if several time eras blended into one to create something so interestingly bizarre.
Besides those details, they resemble every day folk around his own neighborhood. Like Humans.
The car eventually drives up to a large premise, one that gives the impression of a university. In the center lies an enormous transparent dome, and from a distance, it looks as if there's people running around inside.
"We're here." Galelith informs upon parking near the sidewalk. The two exit the vehicle and head toward the large facility.
"Where are we?"
"A research facility for societal advancement. It's where members of the science and magic committees usually reside when they aren't consulting with the King in meetings. They, some of us, mentor the future generations of potential members. This is also where my lab is."
"King? You live under a king?" Galivinth questions.
"Yes. The title is reserved for royal bloodline. It's.... A bit similar to the US' presidential position of power, but instead of checks-and-balances, the King's decree is incontestable. He may choose to listen to advisors on the councils, but in the end, his word is law." Galelith explains.
"Isn't that unsettling?"
"No. We do our best to do what's best for everyone, no matter where their political positions may land."
"Oh. I see."
"What about you? Do you find it unsettling when your government makes decisions on your behalf, as well as the masses as a whole?" The father questions in turn.
"I never really thought about it. I don't know, but things seem fine so far. But I think I'd be against a noticeable and dramatic change." Galivinth replies. His attention shifts toward the sphere, and from there, he's swept up by what he sees inside of it. He pauses to observe those within the impressively towering and wide dome. Two opposing sides facing each other in a bout. Elemental projectiles, some the size of cars, flying from both directions. Fireballs, waves of water, streams of electricity, and even violent gushes of wind. Strangely, he could hear no sound from it. He surmises the dome has some sort of noise cancellation ability.
"Galivinth?" The father calls to his son upon noticing the teen lagging behind.
"Yeah?"
"Oh, the sport caught your eye?"
"Sport? How are they even doing that?" The teen questions with a contemplative frown.
"Magic."
"You're serious?" Galivinth asks as he raises a brow toward his father.
"Yes, I am. This is a sport from our homeworld. I don't particularly care much for it, but the magesouls are usually heavily invested within it."
"Magesouls? Like, people born with magic or something?"
"Not quite. If that was the case, we'd all be considered one. They're the ones of us who are blessed with the Goddess' favor, allowing them to achieve higher tiers of magic. What you're seeing now is a display of 2 and 3 tier spells. If you think that's something to behold, then just wait until you see tier 6, the highest of them all." Galelith explains.
"Huh. So, how do you even win in this sport?"
"It's a game of conquering. Right now, there's two opposing sides with their own three gate-towers and a single castle. Teammates are identified by their designated colored jackets - which also have protective properties to severely reduce the chances of injuries. The goal is for a team of five to attack and defend. Destroying a tower could remove a force field, IF the right or left tower are the targets. Destroying the middle will only result in the left and right forming a wide force field that still protects the castle entree point."
"I see. So, is invading the other team's castle the only way to win?" Galivinth asks.
"No. There's also a 12-minute timer in place. If neither team succeeds in invading, then feats will be considered to judge a winner. Attacks landed on enemy players, teamwork displayed, strategy, tower damage, and some other details. It's also a best of 2 out of 3 rounds." Galelith finishes explaining. The subject of the matter - the sport - seems as if it were concluding. One of the ten inside breaks off from the rest to approach where the father and son are spectating. A male around 6'0 in height, olive skin, athletically lean physique, hair trimmed into a neat and stylish low cut with a fade in the back and flame-like designs along his temples. The stranger also bears a small grin on his lips. The two watch as the individual seems to literally draw a rectangle opening upon the glass surface with a single finger until he's content with his handiwork. Galivinth blinks with a look of shock as the male pushes it open like an actual door and steps out to greet them.
"Hey, you're back already, huh? Did you find him?" The adolescent asks, eyes settling upon Galelith for the time being.
"Yes, I did. He's standing right in front of you, Naeth." He responds, then places a hand onto his son's shoulder.
"Galivinth, this is - by Earth customs - whom you'd be able to consider a cousin of yours. A relative."
"Wait, this is him? Your son? But he looks just as old as me." Naeth comments, studying the other teen with a look of confusion.
"Have you been to this planet before?"
"No, not at all. It's the human half of his biological makeup. It's causing him to age rapidly, just like the average human. I brought him here to help with that." Galelith answers.
"Oh, you don't say! That's pretty scary to think about for sure. I thought he looked a bit interesting..." Naeth replies before presenting another warm grin. His eyes calmly peering into the pupilless pools of Galivinth's eyes. The latter frowns somewhat, looking away to avoid the awkward eye contact. The reaction earns a soft chuckle from the male.
"You've got honest eyes. So different and surreal, too. I'm a little jealous, honestly. Still, you look awfully simple. No real charisma to your style at all. Unlike me." Naeth outwardly examines his relative with a tone of fascination and ego. Galivinth, however, couldn't help but to stare silently with an unamused look on his face.
"I like you already. I can see potential in you, despite your fragile presence. Also, here on Earth the concept of family ties holds a deep emotional value, yes? How about we keep in touch? As family. Surely you feel lonely being the only one of your kind out there and I wouldn't mind having an excuse to visit humankind's society." Naeth adds, casual and chipper in speech.
"...Sure. I guess... Family is family." Galivinth reluctantly agrees.
"Great! What's your personal contact number?" One sidedly, Galivinth provides his number. During, Naeth lifts left arm and rolls up his sleeve to reveal a watch-like device on his wrist. When every digit is given, the device makes an affirming sound.
"Contact method recorded and saved." A robotic and female-like voice announces, drawing a baffled look from Galivinth.
"I'm glad you two are getting along, but I'm anxious to get things done. Every second counts, I feel. Come along, son." Galelith chimes in. Nearly immediately after, a few of the others inside the dome call out for Neath. He too takes his leave with a farewell.
"Got another round or two to do. I'll be seeing you, cousin." And with that, they go their separate ways. The dorm shutting and sealing up as if no cut was made prior after Naeth enters again. The father and son pair resume their journey to enter the building. From within, the son finds himself almost breathless, but certainly in awe. The inside was much larger than he thought it'd be. It was also a mixture of modern and futuristic, belying the dated exterior he saw outside. It was all so unreal and unpredictable. Heading up a flight of stairs made of solid energy wasn't something he was expecting to see coming to this side of the world.
"This is it." Galelith informs, pushing into the doorway of a lab. On the other side stands a man at a worktable, tampering with some sort of device. He speaks without turning around. At least, not until he's done with his touch-up.
"Welcome back, Galelith. How was your trip to the human city!?" The man asks, static can be heard from his general direction.
"It was fine. All there's left to do is administrate the serum."
"Hm? So soon? Is it not still untested?" The man inquires as he promptly stops what he's doing to face the two, lifting his protective goggles, as well. He was a man of ivory skin, his hair a pure raven black color and neatly parted, and a trimmed beard and goatee occupies his features. He looks to be around the same age as Galelith.
"It'll work, Tonithy. I have faith in it."
"I don't know. I wish I could believe that, but it seems more like to me that you're desperate."
"I am, but I know what I'm doing."
"Well, you do have a credible reputation. I'll take your word for it."
"Good. Galivinth, take a seat over there in that chair." Gale instructs. His son obliges whilst Galelith himself heads toward a small fridge containing filled tubes. He opens and pulls out a small steel briefcase before gently kicking the door shut again. As Galelith preps the injection at a nearby tool utensil table, Galivinth watches with anxiety in his chest and worry on his face. Unsure what to make of what was going on. His father assembles a syringe and slips a small tube containing some sort of black liquid with bits of tiny glowing dots inside of it. Naturally, the teen speaks out in curiosity as his father approaches.
"What exactly is that stuff?"
"A compound given electromagnetic properties to boost its effects. In theory, it should amplify the Cryonean half of your DNA and somewhat suppress your human half." Galelith answers, now taking hold of the teens right forearm and proceeding to push up the sleeve of his hoody. Quick and smooth in motion, he injects and pumps the substance into his son's bloodstream. Besides a grimace, there doesn't look to be any immediate side effects. Still, Galelith makes sure there's no complications.
"Let me know if you feel any discomfort."
"...Kinda' feel a chill spreading a bit. Besides that, nothing but the sting from the needle."
"I see." Galelith moves to retrieve bandages and such from a cabinet nearby. During this entire time, Tonithy stood watching keenly. Finally, he asks the question on his mind.
"He shares a resemblance to you, especially in the expressions he makes. Is he your son?"
"Yes, he is indeed my son."
"We... Haven't been here for too long. I can only assume he's a product of your outings into the human-world."
"He is, Tonithy. An outcome I hadn't actually intended, but one I want to make right."
"Got a bit careless, huh? I suppose it's easy to get swept up in moments when you're in a new fascinating environment. Even so, I wouldn't have thought a half Cryonean would age just as fast as a human."
"Neither did I. But it's fixed now. It should be." Galelith responds, now using a small cloth to brush a dab of alcohol over his son's arm, and a band-aid follows soon after. During, he notices the teen averting his eyes the whole time.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I think... I'm just trying to digest this situation. I feel like I shouldn't be here."
"Technically no, you shouldn't. But I'm exploiting my position in the council to override that to a certain degree. You're entitled to be here so long as I'm within the city." Galelith assures.
"I... Sure. Whatever you say." The teen passively responds.
"Are you still uncertain about something?"
"No, everything is fine. Are we done here? I think I'm ready to go back home now."
"...I see. Just one more stop, then I'll take you back home." And with that, Galelith puts away his utilities. The two bid farewell to Tonithy and silently make their way back out into the hallway. Galelith guides his son into a nearby library students typically make use of. Today, no one else is present. Galelith begins sorting through specific columns of bookshelves and stacks a small collection of books into Galivinth's hands.
"I want you to read up on the history of Cryoneans, as well as our native tongue. Laws, family households, and physiology of our species."
"What about magic? Is there a book for that, too?" The teen asks.
"Magic...? You're truly interested in such a thing?"
"...Yeah. Yeah, I am. But uh.. Is there, like, a book just filled with spells? I don't really need to know the history of it. At least, not as of now."
"Very well. I'll oblige." Galelith sighs, going to retrieve the ideal book and returning with it shortly after. It wasn't as thick as the others, but it looks to have around 100 or so pages worth of magic spells. It gently joins the top of the pile in the teen's possession. As promised, Galivinth is taken back home for the evening.
The teen makes his way inside the apartment building. After a bit of struggle to retrieve his key from his pocket and open the front door of his home, he enters while announcing his presence.
"I'm home!"
"Oh, welcome back." His grandmother responds as he heads into his bedroom. He places the stack of books onto his study desk and moves to practically toss himself onto his bed. His guardian arrives to stand within his doorway.
"How was it?" She asks.
"I'm not too sure. It wasn't like anything I was expecting at all."
"Is that good or bad?" She asks.
"Both." He answers.
"Was it hard getting along?"
"No. He's just kind of weird. It'll take some getting used to."
"Ha! I know that feeling all too well. Nothing particular to talk about at all? Anything positive?" She asks, internally hoping the boy was able to bond with his father to some degree. Galvin thinks on the question for a moment, nonchalantly looking up at the ceiling. Then he turns his head toward her softly smiling face again.
"Well... I think I'm immortal now."
END.