A HUMAN AMONG GODS
CHAPTER 1, CHAPTER 2, CHAPTER 3, CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
Today i woke up feeling a little bit more positive. After my conversation with Thragg yesterday i feel much more comfortable. From what i have seen the people here have a hard time connecting with others. . . or even have casual conversation but still last night proved there is hope both for me and them, or maybe just Thragg, i don't know.
Also if i want to actually plant flowers at the garden i need to find tools and i have no idea how. I could ask one of the guards around here but i have a feeling that they won't tell me or even acknowledge me. Still, i will do anything to not die of boredom in this place where entertainment must be a crime. I left my room with my few hours of sleep and full of determination. Today, i would talk to a viltrumite other than Thragg.
No guards were near my room today, so it was time to explore again. While walking i was a bit more observant of my surroundings. I noticed that even thought the halls are enormous and especially very tall, they feel completely empty. The walls and plain white or beige with little bits of silver in between. There is no art or vibrant colors like there would be in almost every building on Earth. That makes me wonder, what is their culture?
Thragg said only the strong survive here, that is one of their beliefs but . . . what else is there? Do they have songs? Traditions? Fairytales? Poetry? I guess i have to ask Thragg. This place is so cold and i have a feeling that i have seen nothing yet.
As i was deep in my thoughts, i suddenly flet myself collide with something hard. Once i looked up i realized i stumbled upon a viltrumite. Before i had time to apologize he cut me off and with a voice full of anger said :
"Watch where you are going human! Are you a complete fool?!"
"No sir i am not and i am sorry i fell on you, i was a little distracted and also i have a name"
"You dare speak to me in such a way?! Be grateful the emperor ordered us not to harm you!"
"Enough general Kregg. Leave her alone." A voice stopped the viltrumite called Kregg. I looked behind him and i saw that the voice belonged to an elderly man. Kregg looked at him with eyes full of hate. Kregg did not speak, he just scoffed and walked away. Though, i heard him whisper under his breath the word "traitor". I turned back to the older Viltrumite.
"Thank you sir for standing up for me."
"That was nothing. General Kregg has always been arrogant. It is good to see you human called (Y/N). I wished to speak with you."
"Really? i have been here for three days now and i already feel like most people don't want me around. It is nice to meet you. What is your name?"
"I am Thaddeus, could we go somewhere a bit more secluded i have something i need to discuss with you."
"I know a place"
I took him to the place i want to turn into an actual garden. For some reason Thaddeus looks far more calm in comparison to other Viltrumites :
"So, Mr. Thaddeus, what did you want to tell me?"
"(Y/N), you must have already understood that we are very different from other beings around the galaxy. Tell me, do you have empires back on earth? Ones that conquer, take every resources from other people and when they don't obey, they eradicate them?"
" . . . I . . . There are no empires on earth now . . . However, what you are describing can still happen even though we condemn these actions. That happens because people from privileged countries don't care enough and the ones who care can be silenced easily or their voices are lost in the frenzy."
"Still, from the way you talk it is clear to me, it is not like Viltrum. The Viltrum empire is a plague. we have committed atrocities to countless species across the universe. we have stolen, killed and tortured. We still continue thinking that it is our right as the strongest race to rule over the stars, too blinded by our arrogance we fail to see the beauty of other species . . . Even our own lives are pathetic. We are war machines, never allowed to feel, to love or to grieve. We are only allowed to die for the empire. Do you think we can change (Y/N)?" Thaddeus asked me. This was unexpected. This man is the first person here who behaves more like a human and he just told me all that he hates about his people. Is all of this true? It certainly is not hard to believe:
"The truth is we humans believe in change so maybe the people here can become better. Thragg has not been cruel to me for example"
"Thragg is the strongest viltrumite, the most loyal to Argall's cause, i suggest you are careful around him. However since you believe we can change, will you help me?"
"I . . . I don't know. . ."
"You do not have to answer me now but know that as long as i am alive i will do anything to destroy this evil empire . . . "
"Why are you telling me this? Aren't you scared i might say something?"
"I am telling you because you are not a viltrumite. Do you understand? This place is dangerous and you need to be careful"
"What does she need to be careful of Thaddeus?" Thragg's voice echoed. we all stayed silent for a moment until I broke the ice:
"Oh nothing really, i was just telling him about the garden and he told me i should be careful with the way i will handle the tools which i would ask from you once i saw you and i just did so will you give me gardening tools when you can?" Thragg still glared at Thaddeus with eyes ready to kill but did not question us further. Thaddeus then left and Thragg stayed with me.
"Thaddeus seems like a very nice man, he was polite and it was nice to talk to a new person" I told Thragg hoping to ease any suspicion
"Yes . . . Empathy is a trait he has recently developed"
"I also met Kreeg, he wasn't that friendly, he was angry i stumbled onto him."
"Kreeg is always irritated with something, don't concern yourself with either of them." Thragg said in a monotone voice standing still
" . . . You won't bring the tools now, will you?"
"No, i will bring them tomorrow"
"I will die of boredom before tomorrow!"
"No, you won't"
"Yes, I will"
"let us talk then." Said Thragg surprising me
"Very well, then i will tell you stories from my life on Earth and you will tell me about Viltrum"
"Deal" Thragg smirked. He didn't have to ask her about Earth and although he didn't show it he found her enthusiasm. . . cute
