“Wait, a necromancer is here on this island? Like those people that raise the dead?” Latori’s voice quivered.

“Yes, that is a necromancer. Necromancers not only raise the dead, they also perform human rituals. Should you be caught by one, your fate is sealed. The necromancers I have come across utilized several different types of magic, including relics, manipulation, and fili.” Excaliburn informed Latori.

“What the hell is a fili?”

“It is a magical being that humans make a pact with, not unlike the soulbond between you and I. The necromancer either has inherent talent with dark magic, or they made a bond with a fili that can resurrect undead. The tier of undead we face was an Izshu. If we were to come across a Nazshu or a Gonshu, you’d have a much more difficult time dealing with them.”

“... Can’t we just have our side of the island, the necromancer can have their side of the island?”

“Maybe before, yes, but it likely sensed that one of its undead has been slain. It will seek out the source of that disturbance and extinguish it.”

“Tch… Extinguish these bobonuts, asshole.” The boy taunted.

Latori took a deep breath to light Excaliburn. The sword's flames roared alive. The boy started arbitrarily jabbing at the air in front of him.

“Take THAT. And THAT! Oh, you’re summoning your little zombie friends? I bet they can’t handle THIS!”

The boy twisted his body around and did a spin attack. At the end of the attack, he hurled Excalibur in the direction of his imaginary target. The sword tumbled and slid across the sand fifteen feet in front of the boy.

“Boy, this is no laughing matter. The necromancer could be attempting to raise undead from the corpses in the ocean as we speak.”

“So? Let them. Why should I care?”

“You should care because the souls of undead cannot rest as long as their vessels are cursed.”

Latori rolled his eyes.

“You literally didn’t say a single thing about why I should care.”

“Have some empathy, boy. You are supposed to be a hero someday.” Excaliburn

The boy sighed and walked over to pick up his sword.

“Yeah, whatever you say. Let’s keep looking for cool stuff along the beach.”

***

The boy strolled around the coastline for two more hours, looking for supplies and trinkets.

“Alright, it’s almost time to go home. That ended up being a waste of time. I mean, some of the stuff we can use, but I’m not about to carry banged up furniture and supply baskets all the way back to the grotto. Let’s start to head back before it gets dark-Hey is that another body over there? I’m going to loot it before we leave.”

It was the body of a young man, most likely around Latori’s age. He was wearing skin-tight khaki’s, brown work boots, and a white T-shirt. His arms were bleeding. His shoulder length black hair danced as the waves carried it. His clothes and his body were in rather good condition, especially since it had been a day since the shipwreck occurred.

Latori poked the man with a stick to see if he would reanimate and attack him. In his other hand, he gripped Excaliburn tightly; he was ready to slice at a moment’s notice.

The pirate didn’t budge.

“It doesn’t look like there’s anything valuable on him from this side. Let’s flip him over and see what we can find.”

Latori got down and rolled the man onto his back. The gorgeous sight that he was met with caused the boy's face to turn rosy.

Long black lashes curled from his eyes. His eyebrows looked painted on delicately with a thick coat of paint and a thin paintbrush. His lips matched the color and softness of camellia petals. Freckles were sprinkled all over his cheeks. His ears were pierced with black earrings; the earrings were decorated with purple, hanging jewels at the ends. The man’s peach-fuzzed coated, caramel skin glistened in the sunlight. He could easily be mistaken for a girl.

“Um, maybe we don’t loot this one.” Latori stammered.

The man on the ground erupted into a coughing fit. Water spouted from his mouth, dripping all over his face. Out of surprise, Latori kicked the man on the ground.

“Oh, fucking hell. That scared the shit out of me.” Latori exclaimed.

The man groaned and gripped his side. His eyes closed tighter than they already were.

“Hey, are you okay? Do you want some water?” Latori kneeled down next to the man and put his hand on the man’s chest in a seemingly rare act of kindness.

In reality, Latori would not have been this kind to someone less physically attractive. Had it been someone that the boy found revolting, he would have simply walked away and left the person to survive against the elements on their own. Hey, that’s what I had to deal with, too, he would have thought.

“Yes… please…” the man said in a feeble, crackling voice. It was the voice of someone that was nearly at death’s doorstep.

Flustered and with hands quivering, Latori took out his homemade canteen and drizzled water on the pour sap’s face and mouth; he was still taken aback by the man's adrongynous beauty. The man lapped it up the water like a parched puppy. Some of the water trickled down into his nose, forcing him to sneeze.

“Thank… You…” the man uttered.

“Here, have some food,” Latori giggled.

The boy took out a sandy piece of jerky he found on the ground earlier and put it against the man’s mouth.

The man’s soft lips parted, and he took nibbles out of the soggy, crusty piece of meat. To him, at this moment, it was like a gourmet meal.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“What’s your name?” Latori asked.

“Hun…” the man whispered. He cleared his throat and continued. “My name is Hundan…”

“Well, Hundan, you don’t look to be in great shape. Do you want me to give you a hand?”

“Yes… please…”

As if he were a gentleman his entire life, Latori lent Hundan his shoulder, and the two along with Excaliburn made their way back to the grotto.

***

“You’re my savior, Latori,” Hundan said. His voice matched his feminine facial features.

“Eh… Come on. I didn’t do that much,” Latori feigned modesty.

“Please, let me find a way to repay you. I insist,” Hundan pleaded.

“Well, what do you have to offer?” Latori questioned in a mischievous tone.

“Um, well, before I was navigator for The Daring, I was a construction worker! Maybe I can help build you something?” Hundan’s voice was smooth, sweet, and intoxicating, like finely aged red wine.

“Wait, you were the navigator for The Daring?” Something didn’t add up in Latori’s head. “I thought the navigator for The Daring was a prostitute.”

Hundan’s face burned brighter and hotter than Excaliburn.

“Yes… Well, sex work did pay more than being a construction worker, but I assure you that most of my skills lie within building and crafting. I’ll do my best to be of some use to you.”

“I see. I see,” Latori responded, a bit disappointed.

“Did… anyone else out of the crew make it?” Hundan inquired.

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t think so. You’re the only one I found alive.” Latori replied in a solemn tone.

“I… see.” Hundan sighed and sat down on the ground.

He pulled his knees close to his face. He stared blankly at the wall, and then he closed his eyes shortly after. It was as if he was imagining himself at a different place–at a different time. Latori stayed silent.

“I’m sorry about your crew. If it’s any consolation, I killed your captain that turned undead.”

“U-undead?” Hundan’s face shot up. His mouth was slightly agape, and his eyes went from closed to nearly popping out of their sockets.

“Yeah, my sword, Excaliburn, believes that there’s a necromancer on this island with us. Don’t worry, we’ll protect you, though.”

“T-thank you, Latori… and Excaliburn. You talk to your sword?”

“Yeah, well, it isn’t a normal sword. It has a mind of its own, literally. Apparently it was a human at one point.”

“I was sealed in this blade to continue fighting injustices in this world. Had you ever cared to listen to my story I would have-”

“Shut up, Ex. Just tell me another time.” Latori hissed.

Hundan playfully slid his hand back and forth on the dirt next to him and giggled.

“You two are funny,” Hundan told the pair.

“Yeah, you think so? Thanks, Hundan. Now about that repayment…”

“U-um, like I said, I was a builder before. You can count on me if you want to spruce this place up a bit, or I can give you a proper place to sleep.”

“Ah… Yeah… Construction. Got it. Well, do you think you can build a house for me?”

“Sure, I can, but in here? If there was ever a storm, this place could be susceptible to flood-”

“Tsk tsk. I’ve lived here for a long time, Hundan. I know this place like the back of my hand. It’ll be completely fine to build a hut here. Take your time, okay? I’ll help, too. I can’t let such a pretty face do all the work.”

Latori and Hundan began to construct a hut in the grotto for the former. Not wanting to impose on Latori’s hospitality, Hundan decided to create a separate shelter for himself close by. He constructed a complex, cocoon-like structure on the outskirts of the forest; this would serve as an easy temporary solution for the issue of housing.

***

“We’re going to need about eighty wood posts for each home. Carve the branches to equal length. These are going to act as our roof and walls. We live and die by their reliability, so make sure that the wood you choose will hold itself together.” Hundan informed Latori.

“Ugh, eighty? I’ll just sleep on the ground still. That sounds like too much work.”

“I-I can do it myself, if you want, Latori. It’s just that you offered to help so… I’m really sorry.” Hundan stared at Latori with glassy hazel eyes.

“Oh shit. Sorry, yeah I’ll help. Don’t worry about it, okay? I really appreciate it.”

They constructed Latori’s house first, they dug out a foundation in the dirt and started hammering in the wooden posts. A barebones wood structure was created that was in the shape of a cabin. The space was just enough to fit Latori, his belongings, and a small fire inside. Cordage and thin, wire-y branches tied the structure together. Stones and mud functioned as the body of the fireplace and chimney that was attached to the side of the cabin. Mud, wood, and grass were placed on top of the wooden posts that made up the roof to allow a form of insulation.

“... Latori are you sure that this is a good idea to construct your house here? I can always make you a new one uphill, right next to mine.” Hundan’s voice wavered. This was around the fifth time he had asked this question. He sounded like a doting mother at this point.

“Yes, like I said, I know this island better than you. There’s never been a storm for the entire time that I’ve lived here. It’s cute that you’re worried about me, though.” Latori leaned against a nearby wall and deepened his voice for the last statement.

Hundan quickly twisted around and covered his mouth. His attempt to hide his embarrassment was in vain. His ears were visibly red even from behind. He fixed up his hair while using the pond in the cave as a mirror.

***

At last, both of their houses were finished. It was night time on the seventh day since they started working on the homes. Latori and Hundan collapsed to the ground next to each other, exhausted. A bystander would likely have had very suggestive thoughts if they caught a glimpse of the pair panting heavily on the ground next to teach other. The fruits of their labor sat in front of them.

Hundan’s residence looked like it was a shelter made by a homesick hobbit. It lacked the picturesque windows, and it didn’t have the charming, ornate details that made the hobbit houses look so inviting. It did have a stone pathway that was fitted with care. Each stone was carefully sought out to make a straight, neat walkway that looked like it was done professionally.

Latori turned his head towards Hundan and caught his breath to speak.

“It looks great, Hundan.”

“You think so? I’m really glad… I put a lot of effort to at least make it feel a bit more like home. I think the mini-archway around the door and the stone path were a nice touch.”

“I think so, too. Do you think it could fit the both of us? It seems kind of cozy, and I’m getting a bit too tired to walk back.” Latori spoke in his phony deep voice from earlier.

“LATORI, UM, I’ll walk you to the cave. I don’t know if the both of us can fit in here. I don’t mind walking back here by myself.”

“Ah… No, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. I’ve got Excaliburn with me, remember? I’ll see you tomorrow Hundan.”

After saying their goodbyes, Latori headed back towards the grotto. He couldn’t wait to sleep soundly in his new hut.

As he made his trek back downhill, he looked off into the distance and took a deep breath with a smile. With someone else around, things will surely be a lot more interesting and fun on his little slice of the island.

While gazing off into the horizon, he saw something in the corner of his eye. A black figure with long, unpigmented hair and tattered white clothes sat at the edge of the bluff near his home. Its gray skin was illuminated under the full moon.