« Let's go here, it will be fun. » Hell yeah. Why would it go wrong ?
Yasuo complained a bit for the show but couldn't really refuse something to her. Jinx was very convincing when she wanted and in the facts, it would be indeed entertaining to watch her exploding stuffs. Malphite wouldn't say no neither, quite thrilled to join her in these 'peculiar' activities.
So they went. It was a rather small planet – or maybe it was even too small to be called that way – they came accross in their uncordinated travel. Trusting the map, it was some unlisted rock, welcoming a small fauna but no other presence. Perfect practice ground for Jinx. But as captain it wasn't so much to his taste. Not so sure about that. Troubles could easily find them, the three of them were a real magnet.
Whatever. Let's do this. It wasn't like imperial forces would fall on them right in the middle of nowhere.
Just what to occupy their afternoon. Some babysitting, looking after Jinx just in case she find problems again.
It went rather well, depending on who's side we are. Every single sign of animal life just disappeared each time some explosion resonated, along some laugh.
Yasuo let them run, have their fun while himself wandered not far. Lizard quietly resting on his shoulder, making a few surprised noise as reaction to the detonations. This wasn't something easy to get used to.
He looked around, searching clues about why such place wasn't listed. This seemed to be a nature reserve or something of the sort.
Then there was a high yell, only possible to be Jinx's. What now ?
« Yasuo, come here ! We found something ! »
Here it was, the spur of adventure. Although he wasn't as affected than her, it was always exhilirating to discover new things. Quick steps to join them, near what seemed to be a large cave.
« The fuck is this ? » It wasn't so much the sinister cave but more about the claw marks against the walls. From the size, the animal responsible would be enormous.
« I don't know but it must be terrifying ! I want to go see it ! »
Uhoh, bad idea. It was something to chase big monsters but this one seemed to be in another category. « Nah, don't think so. You'll just try to explode it and fail, killing us in the process. »
« You're boring…Let's do it anyway ! »
At their side Malphite nodded too, taking her side as usual.
Before Yasuo could say something else, a rocket was launched and hit right next to the entry of the cave, making a hell of a shamble.
« You stupid…Stop that. » Reached for Jinx and her weapons before she could do more damage.
Then there was terrible noise from the cave, like a wail but too deep. Shit's gonna kill us. On instinct his hand went to his blade, ready to use in the worst case.
Something appeared in the shadows and indeed it was massive. Another screech vibrating in the air. And a gleeful laugh from Jinx. Of course she was having a rush of adrenalin, never scared for her own life.
The creature was big, like really. A lot taller than Malphite. It looked like an oversized mole, sharps claws to dig and dark eyes. Surely someone specialized in this domain would guess what species it was and if it was dangerous but none of them were.
« Better run ! » Yasuo was ready just to flee this potential disaster but the two others just stood there, watching as the creature got more distressed or angry. Difficult to know which.
Anyway he wouldn't run away without his crew so he reached for them to go.
Jinx pushed him and reloaded her weapon : « Not yet ! I'm just starting to have fun ! » Took aim, ready to shoot.
Sudden flash in their vision, blinding for a few seconds. Her weapon fell to the ground, kicked out of her hands. But what truly shook the trio was the source of such move.
A man stood there, yanking her hand up to prevent more harm. And a blade, aimed to her partners, keeping them at bay.
« What the fuck ? » Yasuo thought out loud, having difficulties to register the appearance.
No it wasn't a man. Humanoid but different, in a way that gave him chills. There were many kind of beings in the universe, surely it was one he didn't know yet. Is that a hood ? It was so strange, somehow translucent but physical too. Whaaaaaaaat it that…. ?
« Stop this. Put your hands down. » Clear voice, so surprising. This didn't sound human nor robotic, like a tinkling.
Of course Malphite didn't appreciate the threat toward his best friend. So he charged to grab them. But his hand closed around thin air. Everyone saw this, only the newcome didn't flinch, blank.
« I'd rather you didn't try again. I mean no harm, for anyone. »
Yasuo was at loss, too many things at once. Jinx had been about to blow up some poor creature then this just came here and had her stop. Urge was to protect her, just in case but this person said to be here for peace. What to do ?
He drew his sword and immediately they turned their face in his direction. Not really a face. Was it a mask ? Couldn't question this longer because they had him drop his sword, going to close contact in a second. Shit !
This was impossible. That 'man', entity or whatever was actually holding him to make sure he wouldn't fight back. But what scared him deeply was when he tried to reach for them, push away. The same thing happened, his hand found nothing, just passed through as if a hologram. In the place he was grabbed, the touch was also very strange, cold but unique.
« What are you ? »
« Nothing you should worry about. Please stop resisting and everything will be fine. »
Yasuo was panicking a little, fear taking over with something else.
« Fine ? You're telling me this is fine ? »
« Stay calm. »
The grasp ended, Yasuo was released and as soon took a step back. What the hell ? Kept his gaze warily on the person, cautious.
« Really, you shouldn't feel threatened. Right now you're the one harming this place. Just let me do my mission then you shall be free to go. »
For having shut up all this time, stunned by the first move, Jinx started again : « Hey ! What's this ? You can't just crash the party. We're doing nothing wrong ! »
Malphite too looked like punching this intruder would be some fun.
« Hush. »
They stepped away during the fuss, not paying it much attention. Instead they walked in direction of the creature, who looked spooked by all this.
« Hey ! If I were you, I wouldn't go too close to this one. Don't know what it can do. » Yasuo couldn' help but give a warning.
In any case, the stranger reached the animal, a hand extended. There was no noise, everyone keeping quiet to see if they were going to get clawed apart for daring to approach it. But nothing of the sort happened. The creature merely calmed down, nuzzling the hand held out. Small murmur then it went back in the cave.
That's it ? The trio stood there bewieldered.
« How ? It just left like nothing ? You speak to monsters ? » A lot of excitement in her voice, the latest incident already forgotten.
The stranger came back to them, letting a clear sight of what they looked like.
« It's not exactly the case but explaining would take too long. Now, don't go bother this creature again. This place needs some peace. »
« But it wouldn't be funny… »
They paused for an instant, considering Jinx but there was nothing to guess in their stance.
« I don't really understand this need for violence but you should find another place to express it. Here the fauna asked nothing. »
« Pffffff… Okay, let's go ! » Again cheerful, picking up her weapon then running away to their ship. Malphite followed her right on, never far behind.
And so both Yasuo and the other person watched them go. Okay. That was quite intense then a real
drop of tension. I should follow them. Though there was no real risk that they went without him.
He glanced at the stranger. Now that the fear of the instant was gone, it left more curiosity and wonder for such being, trying to understand.
« For a moment I thought you were going to kill us. Mmmh, I guess you could. »
« Unlike your feisty friend, I have no use nor taste for violence. There is no point in useless death. And I could make this up without problem. »
« That's what you do ? You live here and protect the animals ? »
As they talked – almost casually – he eyed the frame just next to him. Several pieces of armor, smooth metal, long cape that seemed to end in particles. This was from a civilization he didn't know. Nice. But the true mystery was the body itself, was it skin, something else ? Yasuo could see faint sparks, like minuscule stars composing a galaxy. Beautiful, in a way.
Crystalline laugh, echoing around them. It surprised Yasuo without real reason : « I am a mere traveller, I do not live here. »
« So you just happened to be around ? Guess we're pretty lucky then. » So easy to slip into a warmer tone, almost flirting. What am I doing ? Yasuo berated himself but this was far too tempting. Couldn't deny how this stranger had caught his attention, now that he could watch.
« Neither. I run accross the universe and this place needed to be brought back to harmony. Space is not a limit. »
« What ? You just… appeared here ? What are you ? »
No care for the time passing, Yasuo truly was interesting in this new topic.
« It's difficult to describe to people like your kind. Some would refer to us as gods and goddesses. We have the gift of creation and life and so we have to make sure harmony is respected in universes. »
« Gods ? Holy shit ! But you mean there are several like you ? »
« Yes, but we still have a certain individuality. I serve our queen and we all have as mission to protect life. »
« A queen, huh ? So basically you run ar— »
« YASUO ! Get your ass back on the ship ! Or we leave you behind ! » That was Jinx, calling for him.
Both turned in her direction. « Shit, I have to go. I'd have liked to talk more. »
The stranger seemed to understand : « Go, it's no trouble. The conversation was enjoyable, on my part. If you want to talk another time, call me. »
« Oh fine ! By the way, what's your name ? And how I'm supposed to call you ? »
« Just call me, nothing easier. My name is Yi. »
« Yi… Okay ! »
Then just as the words left him, the stranger disappeared again in a blink. Whaaaaaat ?
He couldn't stay here longer, no reason anymore. So Yasuo ran to the ship, though there was no real rush.
« At last. What were you doing ? Testing your charms on some weird guy ? »
« Hey ! It's nothing like that ! We just talked. You know, being open-minded and all that. Go back talking to your gun. »
Gentle tap on her back, to push her away.
« Nah, old man. »
« Pilot. »