Humanity

As a Builder, I'd faced down many an enemy during my first year in Portia. Madcrabs, Snailobs, Bandirats, Panbats; you name it. 

As Remington and I stepped into the old mine shaft that joined into the Eufaula Tunnel somewhere, I was worried for my friends but fairly confident as far as my odds with monsters went. Remington had even given me a Corps Hammer on the way in that did double the damage of my sword. 

Each Tunnel Worm and Sand Worm fell to our combined strength, and despite the sand slowly accumulating in our boots, we made our way deeper into the mine until we found the source of the earthquake that caused the collapse. 

“Remi! Journey! Over here!” 

Sam's voice called up to us, and we rushed in to join the hectic battle. The drill monster was definitely more of a challenge, but a few strong swings of my hammer saw its legs breaking and falling apart. It wailed in a robotic tone as it fell, and then it was over. Only our panting and the sound of falling sand remained for a few moments.

In the end, we made it out just fine, with all of our extremities intact. Mayor Gale and others were immediately on the scene to thank us, and over the next few days Arlo was unavailable as he scouted the mineshaft as a possible Hazardous Ruin. It apparently passed muster. Within three days of the incident, a letter was in my mailbox, inviting me to take part in raids on the ruins at my convenience. 

I was confident as I stepped inside. Confident as I hammered and slashed the snake-like Tunnel Worms, confident as I dodged electric blasts from Sand Worms, and confident right up until I stepped foot on the second floor of the dungeon. 

I had to blink a few times, adjusting my focus as I stared at the entity at the other end of the room. It didn't see me, however. I watched curiously. 

Its hair was golden blonde, skin a light tan as though it'd once been much darker, but the lack of light underground stole away the color. Its eyes were blue, and they stared fascinated at a toy in their hands. It was some sort of action figure from the old days, but it seemed to be missing an arm. The monster didn't seem to care, however, playing with it in its lap.

It's not human, I told myself. 

Recalling descriptions I'd received from Arlo of the monsters here, this would be a Miner Variant. This thing was supposed to be an inhuman beast, its origins hardly recognizable like the Plierimps or Masked Fiends. But as I watched, it smiled and laughed, and my stomach twisted. The large metal nose ring it wore bounced with its laughter, and while it spoke no words, it was clear the thing was at least somewhat intelligent. It was using free will. 

I can’t… I can't kill this… 

Bile rose up my esophagus, and I held back a cough as desperately as I could, as I slowly creeped backwards towards the elevator. Maybe next time I'd have to bring along Remington or Arlo, surely they were more used to it. 

Unfortunately, life had other plans. I tripped on a nail sticking out of a board, and yelped loudly as I rolled. The Miner Variant let out a startled screech, stowing its toy in its backpack, and pulled out its weapon. Its eyes darted about wildly until it settled on me, and began staggering forward unnaturally. Its gait was off, it didn't have the fluidity of a human. Recognition didn't dawn in its eyes either. As it approached me, frozen, it looked hungry.

“D-Don't come any closer! I don't- I don't want to kill you,” I wheezed, tears springing from my eyes and heart pounding. My lungs tightened, as did my grip on my hammer. 

It let out a sort of low chuckle at my distress, likely not understanding it as anything more than success. Far too late for comfort, I rose to my feet and darted back, readying my stance. It grinned. 

“This is your last warning,” I choked out, and once it stepped within range, I swung. 

The crunch of its bones against the steel was sickening. So was the pained cry that tore from its throat. It sat up from where it had fallen, rubbed its head, saw the blood, and fell over dead. I stood, gasping and panting in exhaustion. 

Actually, I quickly realized it wasn't exhaustion. It was panic, despair, emotional pain. A sob escaped my throat, and I bolted towards the elevator and left. 

It wasn't human, it wasn't human, it wasn't human, I kept repeating it in my head to the timing of my horse's hoofbeats across the sand. Tears fell upon her mane, but across the Portia Bridge it was raining, obscuring them. 

I didn't direct my horse beyond the bridge, figuring she'd make for home like usual. I stared at her ears blankly, and didn't comprehend anything else until she stopped sometime later. I looked up to find not my own house, but the Civil Corps headquarters. 

Emotions swirled in my tired brain. Anxiety at bothering them so late, anger at not being better prepared by those who'd fought the monsters before and knew what they were like, guilt over the sound it made as it received the killing blow-

“Journey?” Sam’s voice broke me from the fugue, and I looked up at her. She looked about as miserable as I felt, drenched in rain just as I was. Her choppy blonde hair stuck to her face, and droplets of water fell from the ends of her pink hat.

“Did something happen?” She asked, concerned. I shook my head slightly, and she at least relaxed enough to not look as though she were ready to bolt for her comrades. 

“Did something happen to you?” She tried, and I swallowed thickly. No? Yes? Maybe?

“Sorry, that probably didn't make any sense. How about you come in, we both get changed, and then you can tell me what's up?” Sam offered, and I slumped in relief, nodding. She held out a pale hand, and it was surprisingly soft in my own as I slid off of my horse, steadied by Sam's grip. She smiled at me, and led me inside.