Monochild

The Warrior

Mono stared at the giant red-armored brute in confusion and awe. Seeing the grotesque appearance of this figure, Mono took a step back, trying to comprehend whether this was friend or foe. After closer inspection, the red figure also stepped back, as if in awe, or perhaps fear.

The brute made a series of sharp, threatening noises. "Mi Khaza, er turai sadah brkw vrul ghe ku laera ka-chu!"

Mono stood in complete confusion, not understanding a single word. Sensing this, the red figure cleared his throat and spoke in a hushed, raspy voice, similar to Vanchana’s. “Leave here, tiny shadow. I am not sure how to word this, but your… kind… they aren’t treated very warmly in a place like this. Please leave to avoid conflict.”

Finally, the language barrier was removed. Mono analyzed this “Khaza” from head to toe, trying to process what to do. Khaza kept nervously standing there. Why is it just standing there? Why isn’t it running like it should be? he wondered.

The silence grew awkward. Finally, Khaza broke it. “Are you going to leave? Or should I force you off!?”

He didn’t mean it, but he couldn’t allow this strange blob to waltz into a tribe of barbarians who would gladly mutilate it. The threat was meant only to scare the little one away. Yet Mono sensed the anxiety in Khaza’s voice, which only deepened its curiosity.

Khaza grew frustrated at Mono’s stubbornness. Before either could act, someone suddenly gasped and shouted. Khaza spun around to see his tribesmen chanting loudly, drawing more and more attention. The crowd had already made up its mind. Under pressure, Khaza gave in to their demands. He would have to duel Mono tomorrow at noon.

Very quickly, Khaza became uncomfortable and overwhelmed. He could brutally tear the flesh from countless creatures without hesitation, yet now he couldn’t muster the intent to fight something as tiny as a newborn.

Mono, on the other hand, was panicked. Nothing the strange people were saying made sense. It seemed to be some kind of tribe with its own native language, words that definitely couldn’t mean anything good.

When the crowd finally dispersed, Khaza turned back to Mono. “I apologize for dragging you into this… I can’t really do much,” he said solemnly.

Mono stared at Khaza thoughtfully. After another long pause, Khaza spoke again. “Follow me, small one.”

Khaza led Mono through the large settlement. There were huts and buildings everywhere! Storage houses, smithshops, forges, and more. Voices clashed together: battle cries, laughter, conversations, and the grunts of training from monstrous residents.

Looking closer, Mono noticed innocent creatures being slaughtered and mocked. What was wrong with them!?

Every step of the way, tribespeople stopped to stare and gossip. Eventually, Khaza halted at a massive stone fortress guarded by countless warriors. The doors opened, powered by complex internal cogwork. Barbaric though they were, these odd people were skilled engineers.

Inside, they passed through many halls until reaching a private room with soft mossy cushions and places to sit. Khaza sat in a huge chair, while Mono settled into a smaller one. The room was small and dusty, with brown walls and floors, dimly lit by a lantern hanging from the ceiling.

Khaza inspected Mono again, trying to understand its intent. His raspy voice filled the room. “Listen. I don’t know how to word this nicely, but I am the chief of this tribe, the Rakt. If you didn’t know, your kind used to be enemies of ours. I don’t hold it against you personally, but unfortunately you are a walking reminder of many wars and riots.”

Mono was confused, more questions brimming in its mind. Based on Khaza’s words, there had been other strange little shadow blobs once. Yet they had now seemingly gone extinct.

“I didn’t think any of you were left. But now that you are here, things get complicated,” Khaza continued. “In simple terms, my tribe wants me to brutally annihilate you tomorrow at noon, in hopes of ending the shadow kin once and for all.”

Mono stared in awe and fear. Born only an hour ago, surviving a tree attack, and now fate demanded it fight a red-armored monster? How was that fair? The odds always seemed stacked against it.

Seeing the panic in Mono’s eye, immense guilt and fear built within Khaza. “I am so sorry for telling you this… I feel ashamed of myself. Please, say something!” he pleaded.

Mono gave only a solemn stare. It pointed to where its mouth should be and shook its head.

“Oh. I see. You are mute,” Khaza concluded.

Mono shook its head again.

“Do not worry. We have things for those with such disabilities,” Khaza reassured. He pulled out a small stone tablet glowing with strange runes. “This is a Mind-Tuner. It attunes with the bearer’s thoughts and displays runes to communicate.”

Mono reluctantly took the Mind-Tuner. It glowed with a subtle warmth and pulsed softly. After a while, symbols and images flashed across its surface.

“So your name is Mono?” Khaza asked.

Mono nodded in approval. The Mind-Tuner worked well.

“Well, Mono, I will do everything in my power to help you escape this ordeal. I can’t simply walk you out, they would suspect something. So during the fight, I will pretend to kill you in front of everyone and let you scurry free,” Khaza explained.

Mono decided the plan might work. The Mind-Tuner glowed bright green in approval. Khaza gave a small toothy smile before reverting to a serious expression. “It is getting dark. There is a small bed in the corner if you need it. Have a good night.”

Khaza exited solemnly. Mono tucked into the soft mossy blanket. Eventually, the lantern went out. Complete darkness.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed. “Hello again, Mono!”

The raspy, echoing tone was unmistakably Vanchana’s. “That root back there couldn’t hold me for long. Like you, it found my taste unappetizing,” Vanchana explained.

“I managed to see and hear your little conversation with that sad, red bulk boy. ‘Oh, I am a stupid big monster who is so innocent and wouldn’t hurt a fly!’ Hmph! And yet that same person decides to murder you tomorrow at noon? Are you sure such people can be trusted?”

Mono thought it over. The situation was suspicious. Perhaps it should keep its guard up. The Mind-Tuner glowed green in agreement.

“Exactly! That brute will destroy you tomorrow if you don’t act. Don’t worry, I know a way to get you out of this situation. For now, get some rest. Good night!” Vanchana said before vanishing into the dark.

Eventually, Mono drifted into sleep.