The darkness soon evades as he felt like he was lulled awake. Blurred colored images are before him, it starts to clear up. He's in a room surrounded by people, all sizes varying from the young to the… old? So many eyes were on him but they didn't look like eyes. Their sclera were a deep noir color like he could dip his fingers into them, nothing was reflected back in them. The iris was a single ring of color.
He tried to reach out to the void-like eyes that were set before him but he couldn't. Looking at his hands, they were small and stubby, nothing like the old veiny hands he once had. Curling it was also a difficult task on his own.
"Ehek cohd ao iure." A woman on the sideline spoke a language he couldn't understand. It sounds warm as he should melt at her words but it was off-put with what she was saying. She said a couple more things but to him it sounded like she was speaking gibberish. She was becoming increasingly close to him.
Come closer, lady. I'd love to take a bite out of you.
Then he saw a hand shooing them away, it was a man. He too also owned void-like eyes, they should look creepy but they weren't. If anything, they look friendly. The man looked at him for a couple of seconds before talking to someone else, who was the person carrying him. The woman looked exhausted, he's assuming she's the mother.
She talked with the man and it ended with the leaning in for a kiss, lucky bastard. Soon, the mother leaned forward and helped the man slowly cradle him in his arms. The man seemed to be happy, nuzzling his head against his cheeks. It was odd, receiving affection for a man but he didn't mind.
He was passed around by multiple people. Some burst out in tears when they saw him while others whispered something in an otherworldly language. Should his parents be concerned that he's being passed around like a torch in the Olympics or is it just him? He learned that there was almost one thing everyone had in common, they all had void-like eyes. Most of the colors fell between either being green or yellow.
That was when he truly understood that he had been reincarnated into another world.
It's been a few months since he was reborn. It took him a while to understand what they were saying. To be honest, he was scared he would only be able to hear gibberish for the rest of his life. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. If anything, he thinks it was a trade-off.
"Aaaaahhhhh!" He wouldn't call his scream a scream, it sounded like someone sighing in low volume. Though, that didn't pass Tapling's ears.
"Huh?! What's wrong, Rudy?! Something wrong?!"
Something wrong, yes. Very wrong. He wanted to be that one percent who didn't have them so he looked around the house for a mirror. He couldn't find one but found a puddle in the kitchen. Not to his surprise, there they were. Noir like eyes, colored green and glowing. At least, they look cool.
It gave him at least one of the answers he's looking for.
"Rudy! Where are you?!"
Tapling, who looked thirteen years old, calls out for him. Of course, that wouldn't catch his attention. He's exploring the hut and what's around him. It's been six months since he's been born and he learned a couple more new things about the world that he didn't know before. One was that he's a demon which would have been cool but he looks like any other person. If you ignore the eyes.
Getting on top of a box, he pulls the curtains that cover the open window. What is revealed to him is a rocky desert that is void of life all around. There's almost no person insight if you excluded his tribe. He can't help but be impressed by the fact they were able to survive in such a wasteland like this.
"There you are!" The boy had reappeared and was able to find him. He quickly picked him up with ease. He'll never get used to being a baby. At least the kid is cute looking but somewhat average. "Where do you think you're going? You're supposed to be in bed."
He pouts at him. Okay, he can't help but feel a bit guilty. The boy didn't seem like a bad kid so it wasn't fair to treat him like a nuisance. Though he still didn't want to be sent to bed, that's too boring. He needs to do something.
As a way to return a favor, he pouted his face at him as well. The kid only responded with an exasperated expression. "You really won't give up. Mmmh?"
A couple of kids storm through the door with no hesitation. Oi, where the hell are your parents?! Actually, what are you doing at my house?! He kept glaring at the kids with irritation, the boy must have noticed as his line of sight is directed at a wall and the sensation of rubbing on his back. "Just ignore them, ok?"
Easier said than done. He can't stand the damn laughter of those parasites. Seriously, most of his time living here all they have ever done was make ear-wrenching noise.
During the day, some kids would enter here to play and stay around for breakfast and lunch. Sometimes even for dinner like it was no big deal. They would even take naps too, in the same bed as him. Sure, he knows their probably family but you can't barge into someone's home.
That wasn't even the worst of it all. At night, a tremendous amount of people would come barging in and sleep in their hut. Some would even bring their own pillows and blankets so they wouldn't sleep on the bed. If you have the stuff, sleep in your own home, why do it here?!
Haha. It's only been a couple of months and he's already stressed. What is he, a six-month-old baby to do. Stress shouldn't even be something of his concern.
Great. Now, one of those parasites is in front of him. What do ya want? Shoo.
The kid scrunches her face at him, the ring of color becoming even thinner; Rudeus shudders at the sight of it. Afterwards, she's looking at the boy, "Uncle Tapling, how old is he?"
"He's 6 months old. Why are you asking?"
She squints her eyes at Rudeus before looking back at him. "Have uncle Njal and auntie Marcella started teaching him yet?"
"I doubt it. He's too young-." Exactly, are you trying to kill me brat? "We'll have to wait till he's one year old." What.
She huffs. "Why? We all had to learn how to read and write when we were younger than him."
Oi. Don't compare me to you, you god-forsaken monster.
"Rudy is a very curious child but he was younger, he looked like he was having a hard time." Yeah, no kidding. "We wanted to take our time with him since he's still young"
The girl seemed like she wanted to say more but she's dragged off by her friends before she can say anything.
"Has everything been packed? I don't want anything out of place."
In the past few weeks, everyone seems to be cleaning everything up. It didn't look like packing. You could have easily fooled him into thinking it was spring cleaning instead. Most of them are just reorganizing everything they have, it seems his house isn't the only one.
All across the tribe, everyone is packing. Some of the huts are ready and were open, waiting for others to come in when they were done. A few had gathered their hanging laundry and folding them or were placing plates in a box with a lock, keeping it secured. Others are cleaning the areas of the tribe, not leaving a speck behind. The guards that are usually at the entrance are assisting them by doing the heavy lifting and some are discussing about something. Probably a new strategy for hunting.
He noticed the strange oddity of the tribe. The ones who remain in the tribe looked young; promptly doing the cooking. While those who were older took jobs like guarding and hunting. It was surprising that the guards stopped doing their duties to help out.
Everyone is doing it but what for? Should he be concerned, Nah. He's a baby, what can he do? Panic. He can panic. Not externally but internally. That's fine, right? It's' not like anyone would notice.
Tapling was carrying him as always without the care in the world. Actually, no. He was in charge guiding everyone and they seem to be on the younger end, like fourteen to ten years old. The kids were following his orders with immaculate speed, no one was falling behind. Seriously, who was this kid? He remembers this boy was holding the title uncle but he can't be that old, he looks like a child in every angle.
"Ah?" He seems to take notice of his confusion. "That's right, this is your first time, right, Rudy?"
Should he be concerned, he hopes not.
The kid smiles at him gently, probably coaxing him to calm him down… You're lucky it works. "Something really special is going to happen and we're one of the few who can do it. I think you're going to love it."
He doesn't know if he could agree with that but sure.
Then he directs his attention back at the others who look busy with their tasks. Most of them are locking everything with a lock to keep everything in place. Is a sandstorm coming? He is getting tired of sandstorms. Why, oh why, did he have to get reborn here of all places.
Some of the residents must have taken notice, as he can feel laughter in the background. He can't help but push his face on the boy's neck. The ever-kind guardian immediately shushed everyone and with that, they returned to work. He can feel himself relaxing in his arms. Does he wish it was a woman, yeah, but he'll make do. Soon there was no one left in the house, it almost looked deserted. They removed any sort of personality in the house and made it look lifeless. They probably went over to the over house to tidy things up.
He didn't expect his parents to appear at the door, especially with them together.
"Rudy!" The mother, always happy, jumped on the opportunity to carry him. She and dad rarely saw him. Sometimes, he would forget he even had parents if they weren't good-looking. His mother had a ring of yellow that glowed when she was excited to see him. It was the same for the father but a lot more subtle and of course, green just like his.
The man was much quieter and visited him a lot more than mom. Always watching him for a distance, washing him, and even feeding him from time to time. You don't need to do that sir. You're already a suitable father, you really shouldn't waste your time with me. It doesn't help that he feels guilty when the man does it because it always feels like the man genuinely cares for him. It almost hurts.
He placed his parents in their designated sections that best explains them. His mother is an overloving deredere but doesn't visit often. While his father is a dandere since he visits him often and loves him in his own way.
An example, here.
"Rudy, you have gotten so chunky! My baby! I wish auntie could see you more often!" His mother is carrying him and rubbing her cheek against his own. She would refer to herself in the first person when he's around, a weird woman.
He looked at his father, the man smiled at him and waved. Yeah, he thought so. His dad wasn't crazy about verbal affection and can easily convey how he felt through his actions.
Seriously, how did they get married? They seem like complete opposites.
"How has he been doing? I haven't been him for a couple of weeks because of prep." That explains why he hadn't seen him for so long.
"He's been good but I'm worried he may not react well with what's happening." Tapling sounds worried. You know, you could just tell him what's going on. That would help. "Its been an awhile since they woken up so it may not be a smooth transition."
I'm sorry, what?!
"I think he'll be fine." Njal says with firm assertion.
You don't know that?!
"Njal is right, Tapling! Don't worry, Rudy! Everyone is going on a ride together!" What? What do you mean by a ride? "Everyone is working really hard packing up. To be honest, it should start in a few minutes." Again, what?!
"Don't they need you as guards during that time?"
"They'll be fine without us! We'll join them later; I want to see my son's reactions when it happens!"
Someone save him from these people.
Finally, he transferred over to his father. He knows the man won't tell him anything but he feels a bit safer.
That was until he felt rumbling.
"Oh, it's starting." Tapling isn't surprised by this strange sensation that was coming from the ground.
"Let's go outside and let Rudi see what's happening." His mother paves between the men and goes outside, with the other two trailing her.
The once clear desert that would run for miles became murky as it was surrounded by dust. The rumbling continued, the outside rim started to crack. It separated itself from the ground leaving a gaping hole behind but there's a problem. The crack should be pulling around, not being lifted.
The dirt that was on the ground is starting to slip off. It starts hitting the ground making the surrounding area cover even more with dust. He can only see hints of a dark red that shines in contrast with the gritty brown he became used to. The feeling of lifted up was something placed in account like the impression of being in an elevator.
Then there was cracking. The sound of joints popping when someone is stretching. It reminded him of the few times he would walk when he wanted something from his parents. How it felt for his weight to be beared on his legs, from how they wobbled from lack of usage and the ongoing sound of his joints popping.
Though, that didn't matter as this sound meant one thing. Something was stretching.
The ground wasn't visible from all the dust shrouding it. He waited for everything to clear. Dust started to settle and the sun illuminated everything on sight…
Scorpions. Fucking scorpions.
His home, no the tribe lives on top of scorpions. Not even the small ones, they are huge and look like they could pack a punch. He should be terrified but he can't help but be amazed by the sight. Each one is located at a specific position from others, kept close to everyone, and compacted. It would be difficult to break through them if anyone tried to attack them and the scorpions do not look friendly. How though?
"Amazing, isn't it?" He took notice with his father. Njal's nature was to worry about anything. Technically, he thinks any kid would have cried if they saw that. He gargles like any baby would be in joy.
"That's good. I'm happy you like it." He rubs his cheek against his own. It felt like a love tap.
How could he not? They are riding scorpions! Why and how? He can probably learn about it later but it doesn't mean he can't know now.
"Hey!" Some guy from down below calls out from someone. Though guessing from his parents' grimaces, they're probably calling for them. "There's are a couple of monsters that are headed towards us. We don't have enough people for the job. It's time for you guys to go."
Wait, what monsters? He can't see anything from anywhere? Is he blind?
He looks at Njal and he's looking in the distance. The ring of color expanding and retracting. "You're right. Sorry, Rudy, I have to go. I'll see you later okay."
What? You actually believe this guy, seriously. He pulled his cheeks in retaliation, he couldn't understand why his father agreed.
"Oh sweetie, don't be mean." Marcella helps slow extract his hands from his cheeks and holds them. "How about this? When uncle comes back, he can teach you a trick, how about that?"
A trick, what is he a dog?
"It'll be worth it. I promise." Njal reaffirms. He doubts the man can live up to his promise but sure. He nods in response. "Thanks, Rudy."
He hands him off to Tapling before they can follow the man's orders. The sun was still up when he entered the hut.