A sleek car flew through the deep cosmos, venturing into the vast expanse of darkness at incredible speed.
"How fast are we going again?"
"Lightspeed"
Rox replied at her question while snacking on a bag of chips, leaving the controls in autopilot.
Since it's all darkness outside, Nimue couldn't really see anything but the outlines of the vehicle where she is restrained in the back seat inside.
It's been hours since they left the planet, according to Rox, that planet where she was is called Terra.
In her world, "Terra" meant "Earth" in Latin, yet the word "earth" itself doesn't seem to exist in this future or another world.
Just like Earth, Terra is the home planet of humans. But because of some dark history, the planet itself became uninhabitable, but slowly it healed itself. 500 years later, the world now lingers with dangerous mutated monsters, born from the chemicals that polluted the planet.
With this information, Nimue's long question since day 1 was partially answered.
"That explains the absence of mana"
After a day of traveling the vast cosmos, a cross-shaped structure began to take form from a far distance.
Seeing this, Rox smiled.
After two hours, the car entered the cross-shaped intergalactic city, gliding into the docks where a robot awaited the arriving passengers.
Nimue, still restrained by her handcuffs, stretched her body as she roused from her slumber after the long drive.
"Come on, we're here"
Knowing the child was blind, Rox reached out his hand to Nimue. She accepted it, and he carefully lifted her out.
Noticing the restraints on her body, the guard-bot on standby inquired.
Rox denied it, explaining that the girl was merely a wild horse who couldn't behave herself.
At his assertion, the robot turned to the girl and asked,
"Is what he said the truth?"
She replied with a soft nod, gazing at the robot with uncontained amazement.
After analyzing her body language, the robot found nothing amiss and concluded that both parties were telling the truth.
Continuing its duties, the robot scanned the vehicle for any illegal or dangerous items.
Upon discovering the stockpiled weapons, the robot asked if Rox had permission to possess them, to which he displayed his permit. Weapons are legal with permit but restricted inside the city.
According to city protocol, even with authorization, the weapons needed to be contained in a separate space where the owners can retrieve them later.
Aware of the rules, Rox allowed the robot to do its job. In compliance, the robot issued a green pass, permitting them to leave the docks.
As they walked towards the registration corner, Nimue annoyed at the binds restraining her body, complained.
"This is annoying, don't you trust me still? I don't like this"
Hearing her complain, Rox pondered for a moment thinking if he should. Since so far, despite both being strangers to each other. Nimue didn't actually show hostility or anything bad.
—Should i?—
Rather, she seemed docile unlike other mutants who seem to have an allergy with gene suppressing collars. And yet this young girl in front of him wore the collar herself just to prove that she doesn't mean any harm.
—Yeah, i probably should —
So, he decided to free her from her binds. Removing everything from her feet and hand except for the collar hidden under his jacket that she is currently wearing as her old clothes had been torn badly.
"Thank You"
As they arrive at the registration site, Nimue's expression shifted after an alien passes nearby.
"Is that a monster?"
Nimue stiffened and asked. hearing this, Rox froze when he realized what she meant, looking at her with dumbfounded expression.
"I almost forgot you perceive the world differently"
For a second, he thought Nimue might be someone who has something against other races. But understanding her situation, Rox turned to her and explained.
"We are currently in the Denvir space city. This place houses various alien races across the galaxy so don't assume everyone is a monster because of their body structure...
Understand?"
Nimue nodded in understanding as she lowers her guard.
For a moment, Rox smiled as the child in front of him nodded fast. Seemingly to recall someone from the distant past.
He almost instinctively patted her head before pulling away at the realization.
On the other hand, Nimue who just received the explanation was smiling at the mention of aliens.
"I've battled monsters and encountered various races, but never once have I seen their faces." It was the same here, but still. She was happy.
—I wish i could see normally —
Perhaps it was the artist within her that wanted her to regain her lost sight, to see the new world. Unfortunately, such thought could only exist as a fantasy.
Right after that small interaction, Rox lead the way towards the registration site.
The woman at the registration desk asked Rox to fill some forms and for his identification data.
As he handed them over, Nimue was the next person to be checked.
Rox was about to help her out as by her story alone, he knew she didn't have a way to verify her identity.
So, he asked Cyne to do something about it before the scanner could touch her skin, Rox interrupted the working female in her desk and spoke.
"Yo beautiful... Can you spare me a second?"
Since Rox was a fairly handsome man, the female worker blushed at the sudden question as she stutters to say-
"Yes" In front of his face.
Just as Rox was buying time for Cyne, to finish hacking itself inside the security network. A giant person at the staggering height of 10ft walked over, bumping into Nimue.
Just as quickly as he noticed, he apologizes at the young human girl.
"Oh, it's ok" Nimue accepted his apology.
Just as Rox was busy making small talk, the giant man approaches the desk and held Rox head as he said.
"Long time no see you f*cking bastard"
The giant's hands covered Rox entire face and yet despite being grabbed rudely, the man in his grasp didn't overreact.
When Nimue saw what the giant was doing, she was about to attack and save Rox in his grasp until Rox said.
"buddy"
With his hands spread out.
The blushing woman who Rox was interacting with now had a pale face, looking down seemingly afraid to look up.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to flirt with my employees?"
Right after that, the man dragged Rox with him and the onlookers didn't find it weird. Like it was daily routine for the two. The only difference was that there's now a 3rd person.
"I've been wondering who the girl is"
"Is that his daughter?"
"Nonsense, no father would put their daughter in cuffs"
Since they spoke in a different language, Nimue was the only who couldn't understand because of the absence of U-chip in her brain.
Just like that, Nimue silently followed where the giant was bringing Rox.
"By the way, who's the girl?"
"A friend"
When Rox answered his question, the man asked once more with a stern face.
"I'm serious"
"Same here, I'm not joking when i said she's a friend"
He turned his head towards the girl for confirmation, and the girl nodded, silently saying.
"Yes, I'm his friend"
When they arrive at what looked like a hall, the giant man released his grasp.
Rox on the other hand, displeased by the action could do nothing about it.
knowing the other party's intention, he went inside the hall.
When Nimue was about to follow inside, the giant man stopped her and told her to wait outside.
"Could i ask what this place is?"
He shook his head, scanning the girl's attire and physical build.
And then he lowers himself down close to her height, asking.
"When exactly did you meet that guy?"
Hearing his question, Nimue didn't know what to say.
At best they are simply acquaintance. The only reason she nodded when Rox said they are friend is because she thought there's a situation. So, she lied and spoke.
"About a year ago… I think?"
However, the giant man persisted, gently placing a hand on her shoulder and said>
"You can be honest with me, just tell me the truth"
At his action, Nimue couldn't help herself but ask if there's something she should know about Rox.
And so, the giant introduces himself as
"Call me, Dyko... I belong in the Watcher, rank GRATI"
The name aside, Nimue tilted her head at the other information, seemingly confused.
This reaction did not escape Dyko's eyes as he quickly took note and came to the conclusion that the girl might be from a different galaxy.
To confirm this, he asked the girl "Which cosmic cloud do you belong?"
Much to his dismay, Nimue unknowingly showed the same confused expression.
So, he repeated in different term, "galaxy"
Nimue was speechless not knowing where, but later utter "Milky way?"
Hearing her answer, the man quietly stood and waited for Rox.