Page 46 of Orange Sky
Is this beast Zirc?
Maybe all of them turned into beasts when enraged.
Ugh.
I put both hands in front of my mouth. I felt a falling sensation. I feel nauseous.
Then my body was jarred rather violently. I caught a slight glimpse of a waterfall nearby. Then my vision blurred yet again. I felt the familiar butterfly in my stomach when the roller coaster ride goes down from the highest point and move fast down a steep angle.
It felt like forever but I just held on. A thud.
Then a rush of wind. This beast is running too fast. Running away from our pursuer even though I don’t hear anything except the strong gust of wind on my face, on my body.
When the ride smoothed out and there’s no falling sensation or sudden turns that jarred my body, I actually fell asleep. Everything that happened, and even though they said this is the Silver Beast, my conscious mind told me. My nose told me.
This is Zirc.
He smelled like Zirc. Even though he looks grotesque, his body too tall, he doesn’t look anything like his former self, he smelled like him.
And with Zirc, I felt that inner peace again. That everything is going to be all right in this world. Since he is with me. There will be no nightmares. Seeing too many dead bodies, one of them Ist….
I could not believe Ist betrayed us like that. Then again, that is the purpose of a betrayal. You never know when it will happen. He seemed like a kind guy. I also knew him for less than 48 hours but it felt like forever.
Who can forget someone and not think about that someone who saved your life?
I had so many questions about this world that I try not to dwell on. Who were those people? Why did Ist join them? Maybe he had no choice? They have his brother. Who are the good and bad people in this world? But like Earth, no one is utterly good, nor bad.
What will happen to me now? What did they say about me and the Silver Beast?
I fell asleep after all. When I opened my eyes, the suns, thesuns, were warm on my skin. I straightened up and knew if anyone saw me my face would be red. I felt some of my drool on my arm. Was I that exhausted? I hastily tried to wipe them away and wipe some on Zirc’s claws.
Claws. How easy do I adapt?
I wonder if I will develop skin cancer on this planet? I have no protection whatsoever. My only consolation, the air is not humid. The air on this planet, though a bit heavy, is fresh. Maybe because they don’t use fuel. Or any coal or carbon. Only those crystals.
At least the crystal given to me by Zirc is still in my bag. I need to figure out how they can interact with crystals that are the source of energy on this planet.
I felt thirsty all at once. Judging by the location of the suns, it’s almost noon time. And I realized that the pacing slowed down. I can see our surroundings. Even though he is running, I can clearly see our background.
I can see some trees, though they are orange in color, and some hills. There are mountains beyond those hills. Still not on earth judging by the color of the trees, plants and color of the soil.
I shivered.
The wind here, though still very fresh smelling, is a bit cold. We’re probably on a high elevation or because there’s so many trees around.
I can only describe this place as peaceful. Like what autumn in Japan must be like.
Maybe this is all a dream and I’ll wake up in Japan after all? Maybe I had and I will see my friend around the corner.
A swoosh and I saw a flock of birds flying from those trees. They behaved like birds on Earth. But given the distance, they are big birds so they may not be friendly. I haven’t met other species or creatures on this planet. They seem to have advanced technology but it’s weird that they practice simple living. Nothing extravagant like having a huge castle or something.
They talked about tribes. Instead of Kingdoms. Yet no one can say they are not intelligent. They have a civilization. It’s too early to judge them. And who am I to judge them?
He stopped.
I felt nervous all of a sudden.
A tingling sensation coming from Zirc. Then he shuddered.
