Hello reader. Before we begin I'd like to thank NoxisZero who wrote the Nausicaä fanfic: Frozen through time. This is heavily inspired by it but I'm my own style. I recommend reading the original story as it's pretty good. After you read it come on back and enjoy the show. (Note: First and second chapter are combined)
The smell of oil in windshield wiper fluid touched her nose as she opened the door to the garage. In front of her was her own son with his head buried in the engine of his fathers car. I married a science only to get a gear head of a son. She thought. James was a good kid, though he spent A lot of his time repairing things or tuning them up. His mother stepped further in and reached the car. Knocking on the hood the boy looked up. He had short cut brown hair and blue eyes. His grey shit was stained in oil and pants were also stained.
"I'm almost done. I just need to refill the oil and windshield wiper fluid" he said.
"You said that half an hour ago," His mother crossed her arms. Her long brown hair shuffling lightly with the breeze. "Your father is here and we are all waiting on you"
James sighed. "Five minutes. That's all I need" he said.
Lisa nodded. "And not a minute longer" she told him.
James grabbed the oil bottle and begin emptying it into the oil tank. After that was done he did the exact same with the windshield wiper fluid. It took about a minute for the bottles empty and once it was done he closed up the engine. Tossing both empty bottles into the garbage he entered the house. changing shirts and cleaning his hands only took another minute. Entering the dining room James seated himself at the table. A plate of stake and vegetables already prepared for him.
"Cars fixed. She'll run like a beauty and if she doesn't I'll give you your money back"
His father, A blonde haired man with green eyes and a skinny frame nodded amusingly. Alan was nowhere near the mechanic that his son was and trusted his judgement on vehicles.
"As long as it runs until the project is done I'll be happy" he responded.
James slyly smiled. "If you take care of that engine properly she'll run for another 30 years"
His father looked up at him. "I don't think I'll have it for another 30 years" he said, impressed by the number.
"Ya never know," James began. "Heaven forbid if the car industry decided to double down on using cheaper parts that give out ever few years"
Lisa looked at him disapprovingly. "Must you be so cynical?"
James glanced at her. "Do you know how many Fords I had repair in the last month?. It's more than 25" he replied bluntly.
His fathers face went pale. "How old were they?"
"5 or less years"
Lisa remained silent. James began eating as his father looked to the window. Birds chirped as the sun set, glowing orange like an overcharged light bulb. The day was coming to a close. What a better time to announce the great news. He then looked to his wife and son.
"It's ready," Alan said. "finished it three days ago. All that's needed is human testing"
Lisa and James looked at him with stunned expressions. James dropped his fork making a clattering sound as it hit the plate. His mother looked wide eyed as if she'd seen a truck slam into a wall. Neither of them expected this, not by a long shot.
"T-that's great!" Lias said joyfully.
James nodded in agreement. "So that's why we're waving stakes. Holy shit, this is incredible!"
Alan smiled warmly. "still needs to go to testing but that shouldn't take longer than a month" he added.
James wished he could grab the champagne. Unfortunately he was only 17. Such a missed opportunity. James though. Clapping both hands together he felt like things were only gonna get better. A smile took shape as he listened to his father.
Months passed. His father had grown only more joyful as the human testing went extremely well. With the new fusion generator added to the cryogenic tube it would last just over 1000 years. James fixed more fords bringing up the total to 43. Things were going up for all of them. Flush with cash and business.
It was the middle of the night. James was asleep underneath his blankets. The warmth glued him in as he snoozed. A muted explosion sounded far in the distance. James didn't stir one bit. Suddenly without any warning the door flew open. James stirred as he rolled onto his side. Lisa moved over swiftly and grasped his blanket. She yanked it clear off his body exposing his shirtless body to the cold air. James shivered as he was yanked from his slumber. Rubbing his tired eyes he looked at his mother to see a terrified look on her face.
"What's wrong?"
His mother hesitated for a long moment. Suddenly another muted explosion sounded much closer than the last. James jumped in fright. Lisa snapped violently back to reality. She pulled James up. Grabbing a shirt she forced him into it.
"We gave to go. We're not safe here" she vaguely said.
"Mom please what's going on?"
She didn't respond. She was completely shell shocked. James looked bewildered as he saw her panic stricken face. The absolute fear in her eyes told him so much. Waiting for the curtain he pulled aside. James gasped in horror. Beyond in the inner city was something he never expected. Buildings were ablaze as they laid in ruins. Not too far away from the buildings were multiple bipedal Giants over hundreds of feet tall. Each one held a glowing spear as they tore though buildings. One of them opened it's maw before letting out a bright laser tearing through buildings like if they were made of paper. James was shell shocked.
"Oh my god!" He whispered in horror.
His mother grabbed his hand and pulled him away from the window. James eyes remaining glued to the horrors beyond. They quickly descending the stairs into the living area. Quickly sliding on their shoes they moved into the garage where the car was. James was placed in the passenger seat. Lisa opened the garage and then climbed into the driver seat. She started the car and began driving. Turning left she slammed on the gas. The car tire screeched as they were propelled down the road. People were watching from their lawns In horror as the giants tore through the city. James watched it from the rearview mirror. Unable to look away from the chaos.
"What are they?" He asked nobody.
"I sure as hell don't wanna find out" his mother responded before turning right.
"Where are we going?" James inquired.
Lisa hesitated for a long moment again. James suddenly felt uneasy. He had a feeling he wasn't gonna like this. They passed a car which it crashed into a light pole. The driver sat on top looking hopeless. Poor bastard. James thought as he adjusted his seatbelt.
"We're going to your fathers lab. We'll be safe there" Lisa told him.
James looked at her with dismay. She couldn't be serious!. Those monsters were tearing through buildings like they were made of papier-mâché!. Unless the lab was situated underground I may be a couple hundred feet then he could understand why. But last time he checked the lab was on the first floor.
"Have you gone mad!," he said as stress builded into his voice. "Those creatures will tear though the lab as if it was made of air!. They're not gonna stop here, they'll keep going till every single one of us is wiped off the face the earth!"
Lisa looked at her son. He was completely hysterical. He didn't know the lab been moved a month ago to another site underground. She quickly realized he wouldn't accept what she and his father had planned. Alan had given her something just for the occasion. As much as she didn't wanna do it she said didn't much of an option. She reached into her pocket. James looked at her waiting for a response. Suddenly without warning her hand raised and he felt something stabbing into his arm. Looking he saw a tranquilizer dart sticking out of his upper left arm. James looked back to her with a face of stricken with betrayal.
"Please forgive me" she said.
James's vision grew dimmer as he pulled the dart out. His mind was still reeling from the action. Growing dizzy he slumped against the seat slowly passing out as the tranquilizer took hold of him. Lisa grimaced as she looked back forwards. I just drugged my kid, she mused. Parents of the year ladies and gent's. She added sarcastically. She pushed the intrusive thoughts from her mind. Focusing on getting to her destination and saving who she loved.
Alan waited at the entrance of the empty building. Checking his watch he bit his lip nervously. It would only take a half an hour to reach the lab from the house. Unfortunately anything could happen between then and now. Nervously he began tapping his foot. Please make it. He pleaded as he waited. Minutes stretched on the tens of minutes when he noticed his wife's car approaching rapidly. The car skidded to a stop not even 5 feet away kicking up dust and smoke. Alan moved to the car to find his son unconscious. Lisa exited the car.
"He was hysterical. I didn't have much of a choice" she told him.
"It's all right. I doubt he would've agreed anyway"
Lisa nodded in agreement. Moving to the other side of the car she helped him carry their son out. He wasn't as heavy as they expected. He was about the typical weight of a 17 year old. Sometimes Lisa herself wish to be back at that age. Unfortunately she would never get the chance and neither would anyone else. They quickly moved through the front door to the elevator. Next to the elevator was a door leading to the stairway. Alan opened the door and began carrying his son shoulder over shoulder. After several flights of stairs they reached the bottom. Reaching the sealed door he opened it with a code. The door slid open. Both parents entered with their unconscious child.
"We'll have to be quick" Alan told Lisa.
"I'm still not sure about this. God knows what he'll wake up to"
Alan looked at her with a hopefully expression. "It will certainly be better than now. Just over years thousand should do it" he responded laying the boy on the table.
"A thousand years!. We won't even be around" she softly said.
Alan knew what that meant. He'd be alone but he'd have a much higher chance of surviving this than anyone else. It was a risk he was willing to take.
"If we don't do this we will all die. Help me get him ready" Alan said.
Lisa nodded before kissing her child on the forehead. "See you in a thousand years" she whispered.
First it was his feeling that returned. Coldness clung to his body like a magnet to metal. Smell returned, The air smelling dry and odorless. Slowly he began to hear things again. Odd sounds he mistaken as birds chirping or other smaller animals. Just barely he managed to open his eyes. The ceiling above was cracked and entire panels were missing. The lights had gone out long ago. There were holes in the ceiling no bigger than maybe a few inches in size. Through those holes was light from the outside. When his vision adjusted everything became much clearer. Slowly looking around he noticed he was in a lab. A lab in shambles as tables laid collapsed and the items upon them laid in ruins. He quickly realized the feeling on his face was a mask. He recognized it as one of the one's his father developed for cryogenic sleep. His blood went cold. Slowly he reached for the handle on his right. His finger slipped three times before he managed to grasp it firmly. He tugged only to get no response. He did it again three more times before the top swung upwards.
"Oh Jesus they didn't" he coughed.
Looking around some more he noticed a heavy miasma to the air. He remembered what his father told him about the mask. It would also double as a gas mask in the need of an emergency. Best I keep this baby on for now. He mused as he slowly pulled himself up. His grip slipped and he fell backwards into the cushioning. James let out a deep sigh. Laying there for a moment he slowly let his strength return to him. Large white spores filtered through the cracks landing around him.
"Hopefully nothing's radioactive" he shivered.
Grabbing the side of the pod he pulled himself up again. Sitting upright he looked around. All the tools had rusted beyond use and the cabinets had long since collapsed. No food, water or tools.
"That's not good"
He then noticed the control console. The screen itself was completely dead. The power must've given out sometime after the unfreezing process was done. Swiftly he moved out of the pod and to the front of the device. Just because the computer was a sealed drawer. Unlatching it he heard a hissing sound. It had been pressure sealed. Whatever it was inside hadn't aged. Slowly he opened it. Inside he saw a letter and his shoes. Briefly looking at his clothes he noticed he was in white hospital wear.
"Not terrible but not good either" he commented before slipping on the shoes.
Grabbing the letter he opened it. On it was the writing of his father. Luckily this time he wasn't writing in cursive. Dear James, I write this knowing i will not be there when you wake. I'm sorry but I was left with a little choice. I hope you wake into a much kinder world than the one we have now. Me and you're mother wish you well. Good luck... James felt tears escaping and quickly wiped them away. Freaking out would get them nowhere. He would spend 10 minutes bouncing off the walls till he calms down and he would be in the exact position he was 10 minutes earlier. He pocketed the letter and looked about. He saw a door across the room. Moving over to it he did a quick examination. It was almost completely rusted through. The door itself is barely hanging on. Placing both hands on it he heard a creek and groan loudly. He pushed. Suddenly the door began to move forwards. Applying more pressure The metal begin to bend and crack. Backing away he let gravity do the rest. The door crashed under the ground ringing out though the lab.
"Hallelujah amen and peanut butter"
Stepping through the doorway he manoeuvred towards the stairway. It was surprisingly intact despite being a bit rough. Abandon all hope to ye who enter. He thought sarcastically. Slowly he began stepping up the stairs. Testing each step before putting his full weight on it. Slowly he reached an opening just big enough for him to fit through. Pulling himself through he exited to the surface. Blindness gripped him. Slowly his vision began to return. The miasma was even worse!. His eyes then adjusted. He gasped sharply.
"Holy shit!"
He was in a dense almost coral like jungle with extremely large plants stretching high into the sky. Shorter fungal looking things looked straight out of alien landscape on a planet far away. James looked in shock. The sun filtered into the cracks just like in the lab. Seeing several cracks in the ground he shuddered. Lucky me. He thought dryly. There was a lot more blue than he imagined. He expected green but then again it had been god knows how long since he's been asleep. With the amount of spores he realised without the mask he would be dead. He figured it had something to do with those giants, or maybe humanity's retaliation against them. Great now he was thinking like a father again.
"I'm going to keep this on," he muttered as he did a check of the seal. It was still secure. "Ok now let's see if I can find a way out of this hellhole"
Picking a direction he began walking. All he had to do was find water and follow it out. Stepping over some fallen logs he continued on. The non-animalistic sounds were much louder on the surface. None of them he recognised. Studying animals wasn't a hobby of his. Moving through some thick brush he exited into a small clearing. It was roughly the size of his old house. James chuckled sadly. Continuing to walk he heard a loud shuffling sound on the left, then something large moved into his peripheral vision. Slowly he turned his head to look. It was a big multi legged creature with many blue eyes as it shuffled into the clearing. Spores floated off its body and found the ground. James continued watching as he walked. Well that's new. He watched it closely. If it made any sudden moves he'd run like hell. Suddenly his foot landed on a twig and it snapped loudly. James winced as the giant bug wiped its head to look at him. Suddenly the eyes went red and loud hissing sound echoed from its mouth.
Suddenly James broke into a run. "It's always the twig's!" he grunted as he ran back into the forest with the large creature in pursuit.
High in the sky Above the toxic jungle was a small glider. On the top of the glider was a girl no older than 17 years old wearing a bluish dress made of thick material. She wore tan leggings and boots made from the same material as the dress. The skirt part only went down past the waist and no further. She wore a thick blue cap which covered the entire day of her head. Goggles have been built into the hat to allow her to see whenever in the toxic jungle or flying at high speed. She wore a brown mask with filters that dropped on the left and right. Nausicaä peered down towards the toxic jungle. She was no higher than maybe 200 feet from the jungles highest tree. It has been one year since the attack on the valley of the wind. She was taken hostage and the valley was nearly destroyed in a conflict between two enemy nations. Only barely did she manage to stop it. Half of the valley was burned away, many have died and the god warrior could no longer harm anyone. Since that horrific day she and the others in the valley began to rebuild. It took a lot of time and patience. With her father dead she now was the one in charge. Though she never excepted the title of queen.
"Where are you?" She whispered to herself.
She have been flying for a good two hours at this point trying to find a landing spot. Trying to find samples to study. Before her father died he had been stricken into illness by the toxic jungle. His body slowly began to shut down over time. Her grip on the handles tightened. Those were painful days. Turning her gaze back downwards she saw a clearing. It was a bit tight but she could make it. Swinging her clutter around she killed as much speed as she could. Slowly descending she prepared herself for landing. Her glider bumped as it touched the ground and skidded a few feet. Once it stopped Nausicaä stood. Sliding her goggles down she looked around. There were so many places to go. Slowly she pulled her rifle from its resting place. Loading a round she slung it over her shoulder.
"Now which way?" she mused aloud.
Without warning there was a sudden screeching sound. Nausicaä jumped and looked behind her. The sound was getting closer and closer by the second. She took out a flash grenade. She also pulled her bug charm from her pocket. Her finger poisoned over the trigger for the flash bomb. As the rustling grew closer she heard another pair of footsteps. Human footsteps. Suddenly the human figure bursted through the bush. He saw Nausicaä and faltered.
"Get down!" She yelled at him.
James foot got caught causing him to fall to the ground. Nausicaä pushed the button and threw the flash grenade in the air. Suddenly the large insect tore into the clearing. Suddenly the grenade went off completely blind and stop dead. Not missing a beat Nausicaä began twirling the bug charm on its string. The bug's eyes began shifting rapidly between the red and blue. They quickly became focused on the charm.
"Easy now, I'm sure it was an accident" she soothingly said.
James looked up, he saw her twirling the charm. He glanced at the bug to see it was absolutely transfixed on her. He noticed his mask was loose. Shit!, Remaining rooted he adjusted his mask. Got that feels horrible!. he barely managed to repress a cough. Slowly the bug grew calm. Nausicaä then slung the bug cram far into the woods. The large incest began to follow it. James watched at it vanish to the brush. Once it was out of earshot he weakly coughed.
Nausicaä moved over and extended her gloved hand. "What did you do to tick him off?" she asked casually.
James looked up at her. He could barely see her face, aside from the hints of skin and hair. She looked to be no older than himself.
"I... stepped on a twig," he embarrassingly said. "So who do I thank for saving my rear"
"Nausicaä, and you are"
"James Donovan, thank you Nausicaä" he replied.
Nausicaä studied his expression. It was easy to do given how unprotected he was. Another hour here he would be dead from exposure to the spores. James took her hand and pulled him up.
"What brings you out this far?"
James wasn't sure how to tell her how he got here. The truth would probably get a disbelieving response while a lie could come back to kick him in the ass. Fortunately he had too much of his mother in him to lie to his saviour.
"I woke up not even 10 minutes ago," he told her. "I spent the past god know how many years underground"
Nausicaä raised an eyebrow. "Do you inhale any spores?" She asked with concern.
James nodded. "only a few I think. When I fell down"
Nausicaä bit her lower lip. Hopefully it won't cause any problems for him. She slowly reached into her bag to pull out a cloak.
"Here, if you remain exposed like this you'll catch death in an hour" she handed him the thick cloak.
James wrapped himself in it and threw up the hood. "Thanks. You're having trouble believing me aren't you?" he got right to the nitty-gritty.
"Can you blame me?" Nausicaä said.
"No, but we're not too far from where I woke up. I can show you if you want" he offered innocently.
She still had a rifle and blade so if you tried anything it wouldn't last very long. Her innate curiosity however won out.
"Lead the way, and try not to step on any twigs this time"
"Ha ha ha" he sarcastically laughed.
He began back the way he came this time with someone else in toe. Someone of this time who had saved his life. The continued through the thick jungle for a few more minutes until they reached the opening from when he came. Stopping before the small entrance he forced himself through.
"It's a bit of a squeeze" he warned her.
Nausicaä could see that clear as day. It was only a few feet wide and big enough to allow a single person of the time to squeeze through diagonally. Pulling herself through she noticed the stairs immediately. She looked surprised at the sight. Looking over the rusted railing she saw the stairs went down for maybe a 100 feet.
"Ok I didn't expect this" she commented dryly.
James looked back at her and smiled. "It only gets crazier from here," he replied. "Watch your step, some of the steps are rather troublesome"
Nausicaä heeded his warning. "Gotcha. So how long have you been asleep?" She hoped to break the ice.
James shrugged as they cautiously descended. "I really don't know. My parents drugged me before putting me under and now I'm here"
"What happened for them to drug you?"
Her concern was the best he had heard in years. For who knows how long he'd been left nothing. It was one of the major drawbacks of cryogenic sleep. Since he was on the truth train there was no going back.
"There were these giants, almost the size of the entire skyscrapers. They were destroying everything. Entire buildings collapsed as my mother drove me to safety to the lab we are now in," he began to explain. "Before getting here my mother gave me a shot of a tranquilizer which knocked me out. I can only assume was they took me to the bunker lab and placed me in hibernation"
He then remembered the note his father had left him pulling it out he handed it to Nausicaä. She looked at him in horror. Looking at the note she suddenly felt very cold. A thousand years!, she realized. Oh how am I gonna tell him?. They continued descending giving her time to think. Soon they reached the entrance to the lab. Stepping over the fallen door she saw the sleek white capsule against the far wall. It's lid had been swung wide open.
"Oh my God" she whispered.
Stepping closer to the party she examined it. James propped himself against the wall for support. He felt absolutely drained of energy. Nausicaä looking at the computer console typed on the keyboard only to get no response.
"It's outta power. I was laying here for quite awhile. I could barely get the top open"
Nausicaä saw him leaning up against the wall. Breaking her attention from the pod she moved over to him. He looked tired and weakened. It was clear The miasma had an affect on him. If she didn't get him out of here and proper medical attention he would die!.
Grabbing him she began moving him towards the exit. "We need to go" she told him.
He felt ready to collapse. Only by sheer willpower and adrenaline he remained walking with the aid of Nausicaä.
"Whatever you say," he tiredly said. "If I don't make it... please just tell me how long. I just wanna know" he pleaded.
She really didn't wanna tell him. To tell him everyone he knew and love was dead in the world he lived in was no longer there. If he did die then she would never forgive herself for not telling him. Slowly she will enter.
"Just over a thousand years"
James heard the grief in her tone. He lowered his head as they began ascending the stairs.
"Thank y-you" Was all he said as they continued climbing.
They reach to the glider in no time and Nausicaä tied him down in case he blacked out. He didn't mind, just as long as he was getting out of his jungle he would be happy. Once they are in the air he lost consciousness.
For the second time he awoke. His head pounded as he lay there. His throat felt dry and vocal cords felt strained. He felt as if a brick was laying on his chest as he managed to open his eyes. Above him was a slightly curved ceiling. On the right was another ceiling which was much higher than the one he was under. Slowly looking he saw he was on a bed in a room. A wooden floor with stone walls. There was a dresser on the opposite wall and a small carpet in the middle of the room. Next to him was a wooden chair. On the wall opposite the door was a window, light filtered though between the curtains. For some reason the taste of blood was on his mouth. James took a breath. Slowly moving his arms and legs he found he wasn't tied down. Chuckling to himself he relaxed.
"I'm getting paranoid" he muttered softly.
Still the test blood on his mouth was odd. How did that happen?. He mused. A pair of footsteps began approaching the door. James looked to see it open. In strode a girl, his age, Red/golden hair that went down to the neck, and brown eyes. Mentally he applied Nausicaä outfit and mask. It was a one-to-one match. She was wearing a softer brown pants with a white shirt. In her hands was a tray which held a full plate and glass water.
She saw he was awake. "Feeling better?" she said.
Her voice immediately became familiar. It was Nausicaä. "Honestly, I feel like I've been run over by a dozen cows," he dryly replied as he sat up. "How was the flight?"
She shrugged. "Not too bad. I've gotten used to having passengers" she replied warmly.
She placed the tray on his lap and took the chair next to him. Placing your hand on his forehead Nausicaä found he was still running a fever. It wasn't too bad luckily. For the past days she been worried Ohbaba told her everything would be fine but Nausicaä wasn't sure. She and others never had such a bad reaction like that. It was mostly due to them living in the world for so many years I'm getting somewhat of a tolerance. It wasn't much of a tolerance but it was better than nothing. James didn't have that luxury having only woken up minutes before getting chased by a raging insect.
"Why do I have a taste of blood in my mouth?" she heard him ask.
Nausicaä froze for a moment. She remembered it clearly. How disturbing the amount of blood there was.
"You were coughing pretty bad. Blood was coming out of your mouth and..." she trailed off.
James could see her discomfort clear as day. "OK I can imagine. God knows how I'm alive but I'll take it" he put a lid on the conversation.
Nausicaä wasn't exactly finished. "Please let me continue" she told him.
James nodded. "Alright but you don't need to push yourself" he said.
Nausicaä took a breath. She be able to explain.
"I landed far enough from the toxic jungle we wouldn't need masks. I flipped you on your side to let the blood get out of your lungs" she paused letting the mental image sink in.
"Now I'm even more disturbed" James commented with a cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
"I knew if I didn't get the spores out of your lungs then the blood would just keep on coming. So I had to suck them out..." Her cheeks begin to burn red.
James looked surprised. "Ooooohhhhh. So you used to the old smooch technique" he dryly joked.
She embarrassingly nodded. "Yeah, you could say that" she scratch to the back of her head.
James could feel his cheeks going red. He remained silent looking at the dish. Grabbing the glass of water he passed it to Nausicaä.
"No thanks I've already had one" she kindly rejected.
James nodded before taking a sip. Resting the glass down he poked at the mystery meat. The vegetables however looked normal though smaller than what had been the standard over 1000 years ago. Obviously they weren't genetically modifying them anymore.
"So how did I taste?" James slyly joked.
Nausicaä giggled. "I was too busy saving your life to even notice" She shrugged.
James chuckled. "Thanks, I owe ya two now" he hoped he gotten it right.
Nausicaä brushed it off. "It's fine you can pay them off by just getting better" she patted him on the leg.
James took a bite of the mystery meat. It tasted fine, like chicken but with a more fish like texture. It sure wasn't a medium rare steak. He was going to miss it. Each bites did make him feel better just a little. Finally having something in his stomach after so many years. He had to reframe from downing it all in one go. His stomach just kept egging him on to no avail.
"It's not bad. Reminds me my father's cooking" he dryly commented.
"Mito insisted. He's a good fighter but he's no cook"
He nodded. He could tell just from the taste alone. A bit too much spice, and even slightly overcooked in areas. He didn't complain, he wasn't one to refuse food when starving.
"He's a better cook than my father. He was a brilliant scientist but he was lacking in basic areas"
Nausicaä got a good mental image of a much older James looking a tad dishevelled and writhing away on a board somewhere. Hearing a pair of footsteps approaching she shifted the subject.
"Does anything feel out of the ordinary?"
James felt fine. A bit rough but nowhere near where he used to be. He no longer felt like he was going to die. Suddenly dawned on him he learned very little of the world since he had awakened. He was as clueless as a baby. He simply shook his head. Suddenly the footsteps stopped at the door.
An old raspy voice entered through the doorway along with footsteps. "Nausicaä you've still to introduce me to your new friend"
James looked towards the old voice. It was a short old woman with heavy amount of wrinkles wearing a dark blue cloak with gold and red for decoration. She stared towards the window blankly. She made no effort to look at them. She's blind. James realized as the old woman slowly turned her head the opposite direction.
"We're over here Obaba"
The old woman turned her head following the sound. Slowly moving over she managed to find James hand. Her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Interesting," she mused aloud loud. "I expected them to be softer"
James awkwardly looked to Nausicaä who gave a comforting look. Slowly he worked up the courage to speak.
"I'm a mechanic. I work with engines" he told Obaba.
The older woman except the information with a nod. "I understand now. So what do you think of the new world?" she inquired.
"I barely know a thing about it aside from what used to be a city is now a dense jungle. I have a blacking out shortly after takeoff. If not for Nausicaä I'd be long dead"
The old woman agreed wholeheartedly. "Yes she told me what she had to do. It's tot every day a commoner gets to kiss a princess..."
"Wait what?!" James jumped in surprise.
Nausicaä blushed even more. "Please not now" she groaned.
Obaba looked at Nausicaä innocently. "You did it to save his life. There's no harm in that"
"Can we just go back to when you said she was a princess. Because I'm sure as hell that was never mentioned before I blacked out," James paused for a moment. "Honestly I think it's kinda of badass. I didn't even see it coming"
Nausicaä pinched the bridge of her nose. Last thing she needed was another person bowing down to her. Just more ego stuff to put on the pile. She sighed before standing up. She also grabbed the now empty tray.
"Well James needs rest and he won't be getting any if everyone keeps bothering him" Nausicaä said sounding slightly annoyed.
"Oh I don't mind. I've been alone for the last thousand years" he slyly said.
Nausicaä nodded. "If you insist. Excuse me I've got princess things to deal with" she then began towards the door.
"Good luck your majesty" she heard him jokingly say.
A smirk crept on her face as she exited. Obaba then took the seat. She gazed at James as she adjusted herself.
"So what would you like to know?" She asked.
James thought about it for a long moment. There have been so much he had messed. So much had been blown away by the winds of time. So much gone. It was hard to think about.
"Do you know anything about the giants that destroyed the world?"
The old woman is slightly shook her head. "Not to much. Aside from them taking seven days to punish humanity for it's sins" she replied.
"Just start with what you know" James advised.
The old woman nodded.
Outside the castle was long rolling hills with fields fresh with crops. The wind blew and the windmills turned. It was hard to believe just over a year ago this valley what is the sight of a battle. It was a brief battle but the ramifications of it we're still being felt. The village was a bit on edge after their Princess came in with a fellow covered in blood while she was covered in his blood. She was absolutely fine but the stranger looked like death had touched him. Completely pale in the face and shaking like a leaf. No one thought he would survive the night. Then there are the rumors from the castle, screaming agony as the princess fought to keep the fellow alive. Then the official came that he made it. Even the most skeptical were surprised by the news. Another miracle seemed to bless a valley. For Nausicaä it was one sleepless night and lots of hope.
She found Mito at the stone bridge. He had been with her as she saved James life. Without him she probably wouldn't have been able to save James. She reached and leaned against the low wall.
"How is he?" Mito asked.
"Better, far better than last night. For starters he's actually awake" she replied.
Mito was surprised by the news. He half expected the poor guy to die in his sleep. He was relieved.
"That's a surprise. My ears are still ringing from all that screaming" he said.
"He doesn't remember that," Nausicaä informed him. "Obaba's speaking to him right now"
Mito nodded. That was good. He was arguably the most knowledgable person in the valley. Who better to catch someone up on the world.
"So is it all true?. I never got to ask" Mito inquired.
Nausicaä nodded. "It is. I saw it myself. It's way beyond what we have now"
Mito grimly nodded. "So what happens now?"
"I really don't know" was all she could manage to say.
Mito let out a low whistle. Grass shifted in the winds as the sun hung high. Suddenly an idea sprang up from the depths of his mind.
"I could use another hand fixing the gunship"
Nausicaä smirked. The gunship had been revealed by Kushana's engineers before she and her forces departed the valley. It ran well but nowhere near the standards Mito had it before. An extra pair of hands never hurt. Four hands was better than two and two brains were certainly better than one.
"You'll have to ask him but I'm pretty sure he won't have a problem"
Mito nodded. "I'll ask him later. Come on let's see where ya little fox is at"
Teto, in the ensuing chaos with James she hadn't seen the little fox squirrel. Where could he be. She thought beginning to follow Mito. Teto was probably at the castle watching James like a hawk. The two began on the road to town. It was best to check everywhere else, it also gave Nausicaä the excuse to check in on everybody. Get her mind off last night. Relax for few and recollect herself.
End chapter