Chapter 3: Schools In
As Hunter continued holding back the Lunarians, Phos sprung her plan into motion, sprinting from her hiding spot, searching for any sign of another Gem who could assist them. Spotting a shimmer of light in the distance, she focused her attention on it, squinting her gemstone eyes to get a better look. There, she saw a figure moving among the rocks, their form glinting in the sunlight.
Without hesitation, Phos ran as fast as she could, her movements desperate and a bit clumsy as she made her way towards the figure. As she drew closer, she recognized the Gem, a disappointed look flashed over her face as she saw who it was, the familiar long sweeping two-toned hair of hair of Bort came into view, Unlike the other gems, Bort's hair is not translucent. Their hair is long, sweeping the floor or waving in the air when they move, their hair is two-toned, black on the outside and dark brown on the inside giving them a unique look compared to the other Gems.
On one hand, Bort is a perfect gem to help out as she is strong and tough, with diamond-class hardness. However, Bort's personality clashes with others, including Phos. Bort is a bit blunt, straightforward, and often harsh, pointing out the flaws in other gems without any concern for their feelings. This causes the other gems to see Bort as cold and unapproachable. Phos, in particular, has had a hard time with Bort, who frequently reminds her that she's useless due to her low hardness constantly calling Phos a piece of slag or lazy, and now with her inability to help her new friend, she feels even more useless.
Phos hesitated for a moment, torn between seeking help from Bort and dealing with the potential harshness of their interactions. But ultimately, she knew that Hunter's safety and their escape from the Lunarians were the top priorities. Swallowing her pride, Phos approached Bort, her gemstone eyes filled with urgency.
"Bort!" she called out, her voice echoing across the rocky terrain. "We need your help!"
Phos' call rang out across the rocky landscape, reaching Bort's ears as they turned to see the younger gem approaching. Bort's expression remained stoic, their sharp features giving away little emotion as they regarded Phos.
"What do you want, Phos?" Bort replied, their tone brusque and impatient as usual. "I'm busy patrolling the area. Can't you handle whatever trivial problem you've gotten yourself into?" The older gem shook her head "How did yourself into trouble, that now you want me to clean up your mess?" she crossed her arms, her posture defensive. "Typical."
Phos winced at Bort's harsh words, her shoulders sagging slightly as she felt a familiar pang of inadequacy. She knew that seeking help from Bort would likely result in more criticism, but she also knew that they needed assistance if they were going to escape the Lunarians. "This isn't about me," Phos said urgently, her voice trembling slightly with anxiety. "We're being attacked by Lunarians, and we need your help."
Bort's demeanor shifted slightly at the mention of Lunarians, their expression becoming more serious. Though they still maintained their tough exterior, Phos could see a flicker of interest in their eyes at the mention of a battle. "Lunarians, huh?" Bort muttered, scanning the horizon for any sign of the approaching threat. "Fine. Lead the way. But don't expect me to babysit you the whole time."
With that, Bort followed Phos back towards the direction of the skirmish. Phos felt a sense of relief knowing that they had Bort's strength on their side, even if their personality left much to be desired in terms of compassion.
"Did you bring anyone else with you?" Bort asked Phos, turning to face her. She tilted her head in confusion, replying, "Um, no one. I didn't bring any of the others with me." Bort was still confused and said, "But didn't you say 'we'? It's clear that you are with someone, so who is it? It better not be Didi. With how reckless she can be, I don't need you dragging her down as well."
Phos hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond to Bort's question. She knew that she couldn't lie to Bort, but she also didn't know how to reveal or explain Hunter and their situation. "It's... a friend," she finally answered, choosing her words carefully. "Someone who needs our help."
"I... I found them crashed nearby," Phos explained hesitantly, choosing her words carefully. "They're... lost and in trouble. I couldn't just leave him there." She looked up at Bort, her gemstone eyes pleading for understanding.
Bort raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical of Phos's vague response. "A friend, huh? Well, they better not slow us down," they remarked gruffly, their tone indicating their lack of enthusiasm at the prospect of assisting someone they didn't know.
Phos nodded, relieved that Bort seemed willing to help despite their reservations. Bort was also curious about this new 'friend' that Phos had made, they must be pretty strong to be able to hold off a few Lunarions by themselves, well definitely at least stronger than Phos at least, and that idea excited them. As Bort and Phos approached the battlefield, the sounds of combat grew louder. Hunter was still locked in a fierce battle with the Lunarians, and Bort looked on with even more interest at Pho's apparent new 'friend'.
He was clad entirely in black, with some strange armor and helmet that covered his entire head and a reflective visor where his face was, or maybe it was his skin, it probably wasn't but she could be wrong; there was fire coming out of his shows allowing him to hover above the ground, and his mobility was quite good he dodged the volley of arrows and spears with precision, and that strange device in his hands, he was precise with it most of the shots landing on the Lunarians.
But she had to dock points where he was aiming, he was aiming at the smaller Lunarians, not the big one in the center, which meant they most likely didn't know that taking out the large one in the center would mean the other ones would follow suit, but other than that, this new person was certainly intriguing.
Meanwhile, Hunter continued to fend off the Lunarians' relentless assault, his movements becoming more sluggish as fatigue set in. Despite his best efforts, he was beginning to feel the strain of the battle weighing heavily on him.
He had taken out a few of them seeing them dissipate and melt, reducing the number of arrows and spears launched at him, but despite that, the Lunarians seemed undeterred by his attacks, their eerie calmness unnerving him as they continued to press forward with their onslaught despite the damage his shots had done.
"God, what the hell are you guys on to be this persistent" He muttered as he dodged another volley of spears and arrows barely, making a mental note when or if he got out of this, that he was hitting the gym again after this because this was getting too close for comfort. Hunter couldn't comprehend what was in front of him, now that he got a better look at these strange beings.
From what his scans could tell their bodies were nothing like his or the gems, the fact they seemed to just dissipate and melt into nothingness after being killed further proved this.
The strange portal they came through, and if it connected to what he thought it did, they came from the moon, the moon. That made him have even more questions, are these things the reason why the moonbase is gone? Did they take it out? If so why, and how, so many questions, not a single answer.
Just as Hunter was beginning to feel overwhelmed, he caught sight of Phos returning with another Gem in tow. Relief flooded through him at the sight of her, but he knew that their situation was still dire. He needed to keep the Lunarians distracted long enough for Phos and the other Gem to come up with a plan.
"Phos, get down!" Hunter shouted, firing off a few shots at the approaching Lunarians to cover her and Bort's approach. Phos and Bort quickly ducked behind cover, joining Hunter as he continued to hold off the Lunarians.
Bort surveyed the situation, taking note of the Lunarians' movements and positions. They glanced at Hunter, nodding in acknowledgment of his efforts. "Nice shooting," Bort remarked, though their tone was gruff, Hunter could tell that they appreciated his help.
"We need to take out the big one in the center," Bort said, pointing towards the large Lunarian leading the group. "If we can take it down, the others will follow suit. Phos, you stay back while I and... your friend here take out the leader, you'd only get in the way." Bort didn't want Phos to get in the way partly because she would be more of a burden to protect, but also because she wanted to see know a bit more about the young Gem's new 'friend'
Phos nodded reluctantly, understanding Bort's reasoning even if it stung her pride. She knew that Bort's assessment of her combat abilities was accurate, and she didn't want to be a liability in the heat of battle. Hunter, meanwhile, appreciated Bort's directness and a clear plan of action. He nodded in agreement, grateful for the opportunity to take down the Lunarians. But his eyes couldn't help but linger on Bort for a bit, she wore a similar uniform to Phos, and had the same white coating on her skin, from what he could tell.
But her hair was different, long, reaching down to the floor draping like a cape, and it wasn't clear like Phos, whose hair had a mint color like the gem she was composed of, Phosphophyllite, this new Gems hair was two-toned and opaque as the light didn't peer through hers like Pho's, instead it was black on the outside brown on the inside. He was interested in how similar or different she was to Phos because they are different gems from what he could tell, he just wondered which gemstone she was composed
As he was thinking about her, Bort caught him staring, raising an eyebrow at his scrutiny. "What are you looking at?" she demanded, her tone sharp gruff, and slightly accusatory. Hunter quickly averted his gaze, realizing that he had been caught staring."Uh, sorry," he muttered, feeling slightly embarrassed at being caught. "I was just... admiring your... uh, hair. It's... nice." He mentally cursed himself for stumbling over his words, trying to cover up his curiosity. Bort gave him a skeptical look but didn't press the issue further.
Bort's expression softened slightly at Hunter's compliment, though they still maintained their tough exterior. "Hmph, well, I suppose it is," they replied, a hint of pride creeping into their voice. "But enough about that. We need to focus on taking down the Lunarians."
Hunter glanced at Bort, nodding in acknowledgment of their plan. "Let's do this," he readied his pistol. Bort nodded in agreement giving a slight chuckle, excited at the approaching fight.
"Just don't slow me down, remember the plan, stay close, and follow my lead," Bort instructed, their voice firm as they glanced at Hunter, her hand resting on her sword. "We need to take out the leader first. Once it's down, the rest should fall in line."
As Hunter and Bort prepared to take on the Lunarians, Phos stayed back, watching nervously from her hiding spot. She clenched her fists, the feeling of helplessness grew as she watched the battle unfold before her. Hunter and Bort emerged from cover with a shared nod, their weapons raised as they charged toward the large Lunarian leading the group. The Lunarians reacted swiftly, turning their attention towards the new threat as they unleashed a barrage of arrows and spears in their direction.
Hunter and Bort dodged and weaved through the incoming attacks, their movements coordinated as they closed in on their target. Hunter fired off a series of shots from his pistol, aiming for weak points in the Lunarian's defenses, namely their arms, providing covering fire for Bort, making sure to draw the attention of the armed Lunarians. As they closed in on the large Lunarian, Bort unsheathed her sword, her movements precise and calculated as she prepared to strike.
Hunter continued to provide covering fire, his shots landing on the smaller Lunarians and disrupting their advance. The large Lunarian, sensing the imminent threat, raised its large bowl to defend itself from the attack Undeterred, Bort pressed forward, her sword gleaming in the sunlight as she slashed through the bowl with a single powerful strike.
The larger Lunarian didn't give in easily though. As it brought the two cut pieces of its bowl together in an attempt to crush Bort, Hunter saw this and drew his aim away from the other Lunairosn, landing two precise shots at its eyes, causing it to cry out in pain, providing Bort with an opening to deliver a final blow. With a swift and powerful strike, Bort brought her sword down cleaving the Lunarian in two. The large Lunarian let out a final, eerie cry before collapsing to the ground, its body dissipating into shimmering particles of light, and as if on cue the other Lunarians followed suit.
As the last of the Lunarians vanished, the battlefield fell silent, the only sound the rustling of the wind through the grass. Hunter and Bort stood victorious, their weapons at the ready as they scanned the area for any sign of further danger. Phos emerged from her hiding spot, her gemstone eyes wide with awe and relief as she approached them.
"You did it!" Phos exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration as she looked at Hunter and Bort. As Hunter finally let out a breath of exhaustion, his helmet retracted into his suit, giving Bort a better look at what exactly Pho's new friend looked like.
As the adrenaline began to fade, Hunter felt the exhaustion from the battle start to catch up with him. His limbs felt heavy, and his muscles ached from the exertion. He resisted the urge to collapse on the ground, instead opting to lean against a nearby rock for support.
Phos noticed Hunter's fatigue and raised an eyebrow in concern. "You okay?" she asked, her tone slightly softer than before. Phos couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern for her new friend.
Hunter nodded, though he couldn't suppress a grimace as he rubbed his sore muscles. "Yeah, just a bit tired," he admitted, offering Phos a weak smile. "Guess I'm a bit out of shape."
As Phos was checking up on Hunter, Bort walked up to the two of them, her gaze scrutinizing as she examined Hunter, he had short, dark hair with a single white streak going through it, creating a contrast compared to the rest of his dark locks, and sharp, angular features that gave him a determined and somewhat rugged look. His eyes were a striking shade of blue, but there was a tired look to them, a sort of age behind those eyes that she couldn't put her finger on, it kind of reminded her of Kongo sensei, but it was lacking something.
His skin was also brown and looked soft and pliable with a scar going through the left side of his lip and another under his eye, the texture of the scars showing that they were a bit rougher than the rest of his skin; unlike her unblemished polished gemstone body covered with white powder, her curiosity getting the better of her she reached out and pinched his cheek, smirking slightly as she felt the softness of his skin beneath her fingers. Hunter blinked in surprise at the sudden contact, his cheeks flushing slightly at the unexpected gesture from Bort before the older gem pinched harder, eliciting a surprised yelp from Hunter. "Ow! What was that for?" he exclaimed, pulling back from her grasp and rubbing his cheek where Bort had pinched him.
Bort ignored his protests, their expression thoughtful as they examined Hunter's face more closely. "Interesting," they muttered, their tone contemplative. "Your skin feels... different. Softer. And you have cracks. I've never seen anything like it before."
Hunter blinked in surprise at Bort's observation, his hand still resting on his cheek where they had pinched him. He couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious under Bort's scrutiny. "Uh, yeah," he replied awkwardly, trying to brush off their comment. "Human skin tends to be like that."
Phos watched the interaction between Hunter and Bort with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. She had never seen Bort show such interest in someone before, Despite Bort's usually blunt and abrasive demeanor, Phos could tell that they were genuinely intrigued by Hunter's appearance.
"Human, is that what you are?" The older gem tilted her head as she looked at him up and down a curious expression on her face. "I've never seen anything like you before. You're... different." Bort's tone was still gruff, but there was a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Hunter nodded, his expression serious as he met Bort's gaze. "Yes, I'm human," he confirmed, though he could sense Bort's skepticism, well at least that confirms it, they've never seen a human in their life before, but how could that be possible?
"Whatever you are," Bort continued, "you fight well. I'll give you that." Bort nodded in approval, acknowledging the cover fire that Hunter had provided, which certainly made it easier to get closer and land the decisive blow he even was able to keep up with her with those strange shoes of his. She then extended her hand for a shake. "Since Phos didn't formally introduce us, you can call me Bort."
Hunter took the older gem's hand without a second thought. "Name's Hunter, and... uh, sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to stare. Your hair is just... unique. I've never seen anything like it."
Bort raised an eyebrow at Hunter's apology, her expression unreadable. "Hmph, well, I suppose I can forgive your curiosity," they replied gruffly "Just don't let it distract you, whoever you are"
With a suspicious glare in her eye, Bort reluctantly turned her back to him and Phos, making her way to what Hunter assumed was the school
"Well, are you two just gonna sit there, or move?"
Phos snapped out of her reverie at Bort's question, nodding eagerly as she followed the older gem toward the school. Hunter followed suit, his fatigue momentarily forgotten as he trailed behind them, his mind still reeling from the events that had just transpired.
To say the walk to the school was awkward, would be an understatement after he and Phos explained his situation the best they could to Bort, they came to the conclusion that Phos did, ask sensei for help.
For Hunter, that was great, finally, he could get started on figuring out what was going on, but the entire way there he could feel Bort's critical gaze on his back every step of the way, he could understand the suspicion, he was technically something they've never seen before and a stranger on top of that, but he helped them, that should count for something or at least make him trustworthy, but nope, but what can a guy do but roll with it.
'At least I can finally get some help' He thought to himself, and then he could find out where everyone went. He liked Phos she had offered to help him without a second thought, despite being strangers, and Bort was probably nicer once you got to know her or something, but he had a mission to accomplish, so after meeting with this sensei of theirs and asking him to point him to the nearest city, or settlement...let's hope it's not the latter.
He also had to accept the reality of this that maybe they couldn't help him at all. If that was the case he would just try to fix the Oydssyus, on his own, and just look for them, he hadn't spent nearly 3 millennia in space just to fail when he was basically at the finish line.
"So Hunter, what exactly are you?" Bort's voice broke the silence as they walked, their tone curious yet guarded. "I've never encountered anything like you before. Are there others like you?"
Hunter glanced over his shoulder at Bort, noting the skepticism in their gaze. He knew that his presence was unusual for the Gems, who had likely never encountered a human before. "I'm human," he replied simply, though he knew that Bort's curiosity wouldn't be satisfied with such a vague answer. "And as for whether there are others like me... yea, a lot I was sort of expecting to see other humans, never seen a gem person in my life."
Hunter understood this must be just as surreal to them as it was to him, when something that can walk, talk, and sort of resemble you of course you're going to get curious, but how could they look so human, sure the fact they composed of literal gemstone doesn't scream human, but the fact they're in a humanoid, they have five fingers and grow 'hair' on their heads. It seemed like a bit much to be just a coincidence and he was sure this was Earth.
He hadn't put in any other coordinates, but he was here back at what he assumed was home, no response from the moonbase, no response from mission control, there was only a single continent on the planet, no animals besides the different types of insects, and no tall growing trees, and most importantly of all, not a single man-made object for miles, and not a single human either.
"Well, you certainly don't look like any gem I've ever seen," Bort remarked, her tone gruff yet contemplative. "But if you say you're human, I suppose I'll have to take your word for it."
Hunter nodded, understanding Bort's skepticism. He knew that his presence must be confusing and perhaps even alarming for the Gems, who had likely never encountered anything like him before. As they continued their walk, Hunter found himself reflecting on the surreal nature of his situation. He had crash-landed on what he assumed was his home planet which was now inhabited by humanoid beings made of gemstone, with no immediate means of communication with his own kind.
The sense of isolation weighed heavily on him. Hunter couldn't help but feel a pang of homesickness as he thought about his fellow humans and the life he had left behind in space. But he knew that dwelling on his circumstances wouldn't help him find a way back home. He needed to focus on the present and find a solution to his predicament.
As they approached the school, Hunter's curiosity was piqued at the sight of the large, imposing structure. It looked nothing like any school he had ever seen before, more like a temple or fortress with its grand architecture and intricate designs, the entire structure seemed to be made out entirely of quartz, from the way the white sheen of the building walls glittered in the sunlight to the smooth, polished floors that reflected their surroundings. The overall effect was both awe-inspiring and slightly intimidating fact in what seemed to be this natural paradise there was a structure like this, but Hunter pushed aside his apprehension as they approached the entrance.
As they entered the school, Hunter was struck by the grandeur of the interior, it reminded him of one of those fancy private schools or old-school banks that had that ancient Greek aesthetic. The air was filled with the faint hum of activity as Gems moved about, going about their daily routines.
Phos led the way, navigating the halls with ease as she led Hunter and Bort through the school. They passed by several Gems, each one giving them curious glances as they walked by. Hunter couldn't help but feel a bit out of place among the gemstone beings, but he kept his gaze forward, following Phos's lead as they made their way through the school. Finally, they reached a large, open area that seemed to be a central hub of activity.
Gems of all shapes and sizes were gathered here, talking and laughing as they went about their business. In the center of the room stood a tall, imposing figure that Hunter assumed must be Kongo-sensei, he was a tall, bald man wearing a Buddhist monk kimono and robes with a pair of white gloves on his hands. Despite his intimidating presence, there was a sense of calmness and wisdom about him that drew others to him.
standing next to him were other Gems from what Hunter could tell, one had her hair in a fluffy short-medium bob, with thick eyebrows and eyelashes, with a clear, colorless scheme, her hair reflecting the light, creating a rainbow effect her eyes seemed to light up at the sight of Phos and Bort. The other Gem has a pink color scheme, long and voluminous as it sparkles a bright and vibrant pink in the sun, she tilts her head in curiosity at the sight of Hunter.
As they approached Kongo-sensei, Phos took a deep breath, trying to steel herself for the upcoming conversation. She knew that explaining Hunter's situation to Kongo-sensei wouldn't be easy, especially considering the gravity of the circumstances. But she also knew that they needed his help if they were going to find a way to send Hunter back home.
"Sensei," Phos began, her voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in her chest. "We need to talk to you about something important."
Kongo-sensei turned to face them, his expression calm and composed as he regarded Phos with his serene gaze. "What is it, Phos?" he asked, his voice gentle yet commanding. "Is something troubling you?"
Phos nodded, her gemstone eyes filled with resolve as she glanced at Hunter and Bort standing behind her. "Yes, it's about... him, he needs help," she said, gesturing towards Hunter. Hunter drew his eyes away from the other Gems, and towards Kongo, the man didn't seem to be a gem he also seemed familiar to him; maybe it was just how human he looked. Hunter brushed it off and walked toward the man, noticing how his face had changed when he saw Hunter, there was a slight frown on his face.
"It has been a long time since I've seen a human." Kongo-sensei's voice was calm yet authoritative, his tone giving away little of his thoughts or intentions. Hunter swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him, and surprised that he knew what he was without Hunter saying anything. "Um, yeah," Hunter replied, his voice hesitant as he met Kongo-sensei's gaze. "Sorry to bother you, but I need help"
The way his eyes seemed to lock onto Hunter sent a chill down his spine As Kongo-sensei listened to Hunter's request for help, his expression remained unreadable. He studied Hunter intently, his gaze unwavering as he took in the human's appearance and demeanor. After a moment of silence, Kongo-sensei spoke, his voice calm yet firm.
"I see," he said, his tone thoughtful. "You are indeed a rare sight. Humans have long been absent from this world, how interesting one of your ilk would be alive."
So he knows what humans are unlike Phos and Bort, what did he mean by humans "absent from this world' he couldn't have been too late could he?
'No, calm down you're jumping to conclusions' As Hunter tried to collect his thoughts, Kongo-sensei continued speaking, his voice pulling Hunter's attention back to the conversation.
"Phosphophyllite, Bort, Diamond, Morganite can you leave me alone with our guest, I'd like to talk to him in private"
Bort shot Hunter a skeptical look over her shoulder before turning and a glance at Phos and the other Gems before gesturing for them to follow her. As Brort and the other Gems made their way out of the room, Phos stayed behind, her expression filled with concern as she glanced back at Hunter. She wanted to stay and support him.
"Phospholyite!" Phos and Hunter winced as Kongo raised his voice, which seemed to shake the building. "Leave, please." Hunter was shocked at how the man could go from a calm serene monk to a commanding figure with just a change in tone. Phos hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly, her gemstone eyes lingering on Hunter for a moment longer before she followed the other Gems out of the room.
Once they were alone, Hunter turned his attention back to Kongo-sensei, feeling a bit nervous under the older man's gaze. Kongo-sensei regarded him with a steady gaze, his expression unreadable as he studied Hunter intently.
Hunter didn't like the way he seemed to be staring at him, what was he anyway? he didn't seem to be a gem like the others. But he was just as human-looking, maybe he was a gem, Hunter was tempted to scan him but decided to put it off for later. He didn't know how he would react to such an action, especially considering the gravity of their current conversation.
"Your name?" Kongo-sensei began, his voice calm yet commanding but there was an underlying coldness that Hunter picked up on"It's proper etiquette to give one's name, at least before asking a favor."
Hunter took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves as he met Kongo-sensei's gaze. "Hunter," he replied, his voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in his chest. "My name is Hunter Laux, sole pilot of the Odysseus-12, my ship crashed while I was trying to make a landing." He assumed Kongo knew he meant a space shuttle and not a boat, considering he somehow knew what a human was, unlike the Phos and Bort and from what he could assume the other Gems.
Kongo-sensei nodded a faint hint of approval in his expression. "Hunter," he repeated as if testing the sound of the name on his tongue. "An interesting name for one such as yourself."
Hunter raised an eyebrow, curious about Kongo-sensei's cryptic remark. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "And... what exactly am I to you?"
Kongo-sensei regarded Hunter with a thoughtful expression, his gaze piercing and cold. "You are a rarity, Hunter," he said, his voice firm. "A human in a world where humans have long been absent. Your presence here is... unexpected, to say the least."
Hunter frowned, feeling a sense of unease settle in the pit of his stomach at Kongo-sensei's words. "What do you mean, 'absent'?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion. "And how do you know about humans? What happened to Earth, where the hell is everyone?!" Hunter knew he was raising his voice but he had to get answers, it was killing him; had he expected things to change in the time hs been gone, yes, but to change this much not at all.
It was as if the entire planet had been wiped clean of any trace of human influence, not to mention all the strange new appearance of the planet, the additional moons, the strange humanoid beings living on the moon, and the lack of key wildlife from the ecosystem. The entire planet may look like a paradise, but it was slowly starting to feel like a nightmare to Hunter, a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.
Kongo-sensei's expression remained calm and composed despite Hunter's outburst. He regarded the human with a steady gaze, his demeanor unwavering as he considered his response carefully. Kongo-sensei took a deep breath, before motioning for Hunter to sit down, indicating a nearby bench. "Please, sit," Kongo-sensei said, his voice gentle yet authoritative. Hunter complied, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity as he settled onto the bench.
"Long ago, humans inhabited this world," Kongo-sensei began, his voice carrying a hint of disdain when he said 'humans', which he quickly masked. "Something you already know, so I will cut to the chase, a great cataclysm struck the world five times the world broke 5 times, and humanity as it once existed, is no more."
Kongo-sensei's words sent a chill down Hunter's spine as he listened intently, his mind racing with questions and concerns. "Broken... five times?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper as he tried to process the implications of Kongo-sensei's words.
Memories flashed in his mind, his fists clenched and unclenched as he tried to maintain his grip on reality, he already knew what those 5 'cataclysms' were, the whole reason for his mission the entire point of why he was even in space for so long, to begin with, as Hunter tried to calm himself down, the unforgettable scent of smoke and fire came to mind, his scars seemed to ache with phantom pain.
He was too late, he had failed; a reality he had tried to ignore ever since crashing, trying to justify to himself that there was still hope that there were just a few issues that could be dealt with but, the moment he didn't get a response from the moonbase when he neared Earth, should have been his signal that something had gone horribly wrong.
"N-No, there's got to be something right?" He knew he was grasping for something that wasn't there, that in his heart, Kongo wasn't lying, too many things pointed to the extinction of his species that something had taken them out and morphed the earth's landscape, the extra moons, the single continent the lack of man-made structures, the fact nature seems to be thriving but a gross lack of vertebrate animals, the gems not knowing what a human is.
But he couldn't help it, all those years, all that time nearly driving himself insane with loneliness, the horrible feeling of waking up after centuries of cryosleep...it couldn't have been all for nothing...right?
As Kongo-sensei listened to Hunter's desperate plea, his expression softened slightly, though his gaze remained steady. He could sense the anguish and confusion radiating from the human, the weight of his realization pressing down on him like a heavy burden.
"It is a hard truth to accept, Hunter," Kongo-sensei said, his voice gentle yet firm. "But the past cannot be changed. What matters now is the present and the future."
"As for your fellow humans, they are gone, scattered to the winds like dust in the wind." He looked down at his hands, his expression distant as he spoke. "I fear that you are the last of your kind, Hunter. The sole survivor of a world long forgotten."
It was a bitter pill to swallow, it was a nightmare, the worst-case scenario that he had hoped he never had to face.
The extinction of mankind
A/N
Sup, yeah the third chapter I'm on a roll and can't be stopped. So now he's at the school, finally, and has to learn to cope with the fact he's the last of his race. I'll probably update this in a week or two after updating my other fics probably going to be Hell Walker. After that, most likely going to be this one or another chapter of Hell Walker or Arcaliber, the next chapter is going to focus mostly on what exactly happened since as you can tell Hunter has a vague idea, so sadly fun time getting to know the Gems will take a bit long, that should be all review, follow or don't I just hope you enjoy this, Azure out.