It felt like awakening from a coma. It would feel strange to anyone but to him it felt painfully obscure. He couldn't remember a time he actually rested, let alone sleep. Now he felt his body struggling to wake up after an extended time in stasis.

  He opened his eyes and saw nothing because he was still in complete darkness. Strange, he thought. He shifted his arm but the space he was in was tight. He finally managed to pull his arm up to his side and began to dig his pointed fingertips into the side of his vessel. When his arm was finally in position and he sensed he'd weakened it enough he struck.

  He drove his arm forward like a spear and in one motion he ripped through the thick membrane that contained him. His first arm was quickly followed by his second and before long he ripped his way through the viscous material that held him back.

  Once free he wiped away the residue left on his body from the liquid he was suspended in. It washed away with ease to his surprise and he began to realize it was raining. To him rain was just a thing rarely spoken of and he assumed he would never experience it himself. There wasn't supposed to be rain where he was going anyway.

  It was dark but the moon and stars provided some light along with the scorched earth around him. He took a moment and adjusted his eyes to better take in the available light and observe his surroundings. Around him was a forest and he sat in a small crater that he assumed he created on his arrival. He accepted this was not where he was supposed to be. Thankfully this place already showed more promise.

  Before he could fully collect himself he became aware of a presence that stood on the edge of the crater looking down on him. As quickly as he became aware of it he moved. In a moment he was standing behind and towering over them. They wore a cloak hiding their form but they were barely two thirds of his height and he had no issue reaching his arm completely around them without touching them. His hand hung over their chest with a single finger outstretched like a dagger with the tip resting over their heart boring into their skin.

  The hooded figure didn't flinch and quickly replied in a calm tone. "Welcome."

  He froze, caught off guard at his own ability to understand the hooded figure but slowly realized that they were speaking the language of his ancient ancestors.

  As he pondered how that might be possible he failed to notice the hooded figure wrapping their hand around his finger and gently pulling it off their chest. “I am an emissary. Not a threat.” The hooded figure continued to speak in the ancient language.

  He removed his bladed finger from their heart and took a few steps back and stood silently.

  The hooded figure didn't move and continued to face away from him as if patiently waiting for a response.

  “Where did you learn this tongue?” He responded back in the same language to the stranger. “And how did you know I'd be here? You were expecting me.”

  The stranger turned towards him slowly and he tried to identify the stranger but their face was obscured by a darkness cast by their hood. They spoke with a strange calmness “I was told you'd be here and I was told what would be necessary for us to speak. It seems we both have a common friend.”

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  If he could laugh he would but that was just another thing he couldn't remember being capable of. “I don't have friends.” He looked past the hooded figure at the crater behind him. He examined the viscera and gore left behind by his vessel and the destruction around it from its impact then looked upwards. The sky was completely unfamiliar as expected. “Did your friend orchestrate this?”

  “This and so much more.” The hooded figure without warning began to take steps towards him. “I can see you are not thankful yet but that's understandable. You will be. Some of us beg to be chosen and some will resist and it is hard for the two to coincide with one another. I envy you but they will forgive me as I reveal their gift to you. They will forgive you when you appreciate the opportunity that has been given.”

  He couldn't sense a threat so he let the stranger complete their approach as he tried to understand their meaning. “And what opportunity would that be?”

  As the stranger finally stepped in front of him he raised his arm prepared to strike them down in one blow. The stranger stopped just before him and continued speaking unfazed. “This world is everything you seek. They know you. You are cast out and seek redemption. To prove your worth without doubt. To be undeniable.”

  He lowered his arm realizing the stranger didn't even seem to take note of the threat and instead chose to listen carefully as they continued “You'll find it all here. The power of Gods, the secrets of the soul, and the perseverance of your kin.”

  “Who do you serve and what do they want in return?” He crouched down to be at eye level with the stranger and perhaps see underneath their hood but an unnatural darkness obscured them still.

  “Did you ask the rain who they serve? Did you ask the name of the clouds? Does the wind have a name? No.” The stranger spoke erratically but never moved their head. “Did the seed ask the rain what it wants in return for watering it or did the seed understand that it was watered so it could fulfill its own purpose and that too pleased the rain? I was told you were wise and intelligent but so far I find you lacking.”

  He stood straight up again and looked down at them. “I've had enough. Who are you? Tell me everything you know or I will end your life right now.”

  The stranger sighed “Shame. We can always try another time. I'm sure we'll meet again. The board has been set and we will act how we will and act how he wants.”

  Suddenly he felt something breathe on his neck. A thick heavy breath that weighed down on his shoulders and caused his body to panic slightly. He turned to face it but there was nothing there. When he turned back forward the hooded figure had vanished without a trace.

  He looked around trying to make sense of everything that happened and tried to decide what to do next. Knowledge is power, he affirmed to himself. His lack of knowledge of his surroundings bothered him and he decided he was in dire need of information.

  At that exact moment a group of what he could only assume to be more natives to this world suddenly appeared with shields raised and weapons ready. More than likely sent to investigate what happened. They called out to him and to each other in a language he couldn't understand but he could see the fear on their faces. They began to slowly surround him while swinging their weapons to threaten him.

  One spear nearly caught his shoulder as they swung erratically. He reached out grabbing it just below the tip and snapped it off with ease. With little effort he threw it directly back at the owner of the spear lodging it in the mans throat.

  The man dropped his spear and collapsed to the ground gripping his own throat as he began to bleed out the wound in his neck. The other soldiers nearby jumped back in horror. They began to get more erratic while screaming and yelling but they were more scared to get close and kept a comfortable distance.

  Perfect. The tools and resources find me. He tilted his head from side to side cracking his neck and spine as he stretched and unfurled his body completely. The poorly armed militia looked upon him in utter terror. A little enjoyment in the process is necessary.

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