Ray

Ray relaxed, glad that he wasn’t going to find himself on the wrong side of Nora's daggers. But still, she’d calmed down a bit too quickly. And seemed far too casual about Norman’s presence to boot. In fact he’d been far too casual about it too. Norman just appearing here should have set off alarm bells in his head but he’d barely even blinked at it.

Perhaps he’d just gotten used to things not going to plan? Or was Norman influencing him, making him take his antics in a stride? Or was it both? Did he even want to go down this rabbit hole that didn’t seem to hold any answers, just a lot of questions. On second thought, Norman could wait. Ray had a story to read. At least, he did if he could find the next part of it. The author had to have written a next part, maybe it was hidden somewhere?

Ray looked around the room, looking for some hidden enclave where another tablet could be hidden. Nora approached the tablet, looking at what exactly had gotten him so excited. The search, however was fruitless, the room had a great amount of weirdly shaped objects, but no tablets. The next part of the story would remain unknown, at least for now.

“Hmm, I wonder if the people involved were Human or some other species.” Nora said, raising her head from the tablet.

“Oh. I just presumed they were Human.” Ray answered, moving back towards her, leaving the latest suspicious space to be.

“Why?” Nora asked, suddenly interested in conversation.

Ray shrugged, pointing towards his surroundings. “ The Human friendly space around here?”

“ Hmm, it could just be a Humanoid species, not every species is a ball of mana you know.” Nora said, looking around.

“ I wonder how these things work. The rebellion could use detection systems like these.”

“ What about that guy though? I thought he was Human.” Ray said, following Nora towards the cannons before hastily stepping back when it began glowing. Nora just giggled as she continued examining her new toy.

Ray watched her, not really sure what to do. Waiting for something to happen was far more boring than he would have thought.

Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long. The boy emerged from inside the place, ending the wait period.

Ray became alert, there was no knowing what he was about to do.

"Hello" The boy said, his manner of speaking distinct with the vowels drawn out.

"Hello." Ray replied back, not quite sure what to do.

The boy looked around the room awkwardly for "Why are you here? "

"Just passing by." Nora replied.

"Passing by to where?" The boy asked

"Why do you want to know?" Nora asked back.

"How about we just leave and call it a day? I am sure we can find someplace to stay on the island. " Ray said, getting up to leave. "Can you promise to not try to kill us on our way out?

" No, I mean yes I won't kill you, but you won't be able to find a place to stay on the island. Not unless you're far more powerful than you're showing. " The boy said, his eyes narrowing as he looked at them.

"What do you mean? Is there something on the island?" Nora asked.

"Do you know what happened to the native population of the island? The birds killed them. I just found their carcasses. " The boy said.

Ray was shocked. A bunch of birds had just slaughtered the native population? Did those birds have any relation to the sea gus they’d encountered?

"And are we to just trust you when you say that? How do we know this isn't some elaborate trap?" Nora replied, her tone accusatory as she stared the boy down.

"I learnt a new language for you? Do you think I would have done that if I wanted to kill you? " The boy replied.

"Why did you attack us then?" Nora asked, not letting go so easily.

"I attacked you? What about your boyfriend here dropping in unannounced?" The boy said, much to Nora's irritation.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Ray isn't my boyfriend, but that's beside the point. The island isn't your property, we can come and go as we wish. " Nora said, looking ready to fight.

"The island might not be, but this cliff definitely is. Not my fault this guy is just a collection of energy." The boy said. "How is he alive anyway? Is he some kind of energy based artificial intelligence?"

"Wait what?" Ray exclaimed, "what do you mean artificial intelligence?

" Well you're clearly not Human. " The boy said, shrugging as if it was the natural presumption. Ray hadn't even heard of artificial intelligence before, but it was pretty clear what it was. A fake person.

"I wouldn't recommend you say things like this in public, my Species aren't know to be gentle. " Ray said

"How are you here anyway? Are you one of the natives that got away? And how is it that you didn't learn the language?"

An intelligent person would not have said that. A normal person would have just walked out and not been so rash. Ray just felt stupid and Fae at the moment. And neither of those things was intelligent or normal.

"What I am is none of your business!" The boy replied, as if he hadn't just asked a similar question two minutes ago.

"Well, you were the one so how about we just leave you alone? " Ray said, ready to walk out, stopping only because Nora cleared her throat, saying.

"Ray, if the island isn't habitable then we have a problem. The coast is far away, and we need some place to sleep in too. "

Ray paused, a bit embarrassed by his outburst falling apart so easily.

"Don't look so smug, just because we aren't leaving doesn't mean we are going to stop asking questions. Don't forget, you attacked us. " Nora said, a show of solidarity that made Ray feel embaressed. Nora had been helping him and here he was acting without thinking.

"Why do I have to be the one to answer your questions? I can kill you, you know. " The boy said, but Ray wasn't so sure anymore. Yes, the cannon would react when he came close, but would they do the same if Nora was the one that attacked?

And how much control did this boy have on them anyway. Ray had a hunch that it was very limited, the space just did not seem to be the kind of place that was under his command. The old man from before maybe. On that thought, was he still here? Ray couldn't be sure, but it was likely. How many old men didn't go around snooping when there was entertainment to be had?

"Do you want to leave? " Nora asked, changing tactics. Ray saw what she was doing, and he approved.

"Why would I want to leave?" the boy said, but Ray could sense the bluff this time.

"No, you do want to leave. I can sense that. " Ray said, getting up.

The boy's eyes narrowed in irritation , staring at Ray as if he wanted to kill him,

"Are you sure you aren't some kind of detection bot? After all, that's what you've been doing since you came. I can see how it would be convenient to bring someone like you. "

A dagger seared through the top of the boy's, head, taking a bunch of hair with it.

"I would limit myself if I were you. Not every thought should be

spoken, some will get you killed. And I mean that literally. The Fae

are one of the most powerful species' in the world, and they would not

like a little kid like you speaking nonsense. "

The boys eyes narrowed, staring at his head as if wondering where the hair went. "So, back to threats are we? "

"Yes, we are. " Nora said, looking at the boy as if he was stupid. Ray wasn't sure if he liked the boy's tone either. The condescension was palpable.

"Well you can just leave then. " the boy said, folding his hands as if he was about to force them to leave.

"Hmm, no. I don't think so. Ray might not be able to attack here, but the same cannot be said for me." Nora said, getting ready to fight.