Ā Theyād spent thirty-two years on Earth, eons traversing dimensions, and not once had they been in one of Earthās most natural and most treasured places. The last time theyād been somewhere this alive⦠it hadnāt even been Earth itself. It was Argent DāNur. And now, thanks to a certain Samuel Hayden tethering them away after stealing their Crucible, they were right in the midst of it.Ā The bronze and green of their armor blended well with the browns and greens of the natural world, even if itād been created somewhere far more sinister. They didnāt need to breathe, but here they were, leaning against a tree with their breath knocked right out of them and hands hovering over where their ears were hidden by their helmet. It was like being bombarded! Sounds, smells, textures and sights they hadnāt once seen before. Okay, maybe not scent, theyād lost that sense from smelling too much decay, but still!Ā
Ā It was⦠incredible!Ā Ā
Ā Normally, they would have scolded themself for getting so distracted when Hell still ran loose somewhere, but right now there was too much to take inā not nearly enough room. A sound akin to a raspy squeal escaped them, and they wasted no time ripping off their helmet and pressing their face right against the rough bark. Not sleek like metal, not smooth like bone, it was entirely new! They pushed themself off it, crushing underbrush with every step as they spun about with joy. Eventually, they spun enough to send them thudding to the ground, (silently) laughing and grinning like there was no tomorrow. It was everything theyād imagined and more. It was alive. Alive and organic. Oh, they may have had matching colors, but they knew they were the opposite of everything this forest stood for.
Ā Ā The Slayer honestly wasnāt sure what spurred them to quiet downā but something in them was sensing something, even if they didnāt have the slightest clue what thatĀ āsomethingā was. They sat up, squinting against the sunlight now burning bright in their eyes. This was a forest, so⦠it must have been an animal! Yes! Like⦠a rabbit! Thoughts of cyborgs, demons and zombies are all thrown aside at that prospect. They would completely destroy Hell three times in a row just to see a sweet little bunnyā again! Of course, any other animal would still be pretty damn clue, but⦠bunnies.Ā
Ā ( So accustomed to concrete and metal, it didnāt occur to them that a human could live here. )
Ā Grabbing a handful of grass ( and carefully picking out anything they deemed unworthy of a rabbitās meal ), they held it out to the woods with both hands. They clicked their tongue several times, tilting their head as they tried to spot movement despite the light in their eyes.Ā
Ā Ā ā Cāmon, little fella! I donāt bite! Iām a friend! See? F-R-I-E-N-D! Yaā donāt even have tā come out much! I jusā wanna see yaā!Ā ā
Ā Ā Although Hanna couldnāt say she was familiar with popular media, the girl had never seen anything quite like the creature gallivanting through these unfamiliar woods. The closest things she could relate were of soldiers in combat gear or advertisements for things called āEx-BoxāĀ she saw in passing.Ā The sheer size of the creature, however, drew memories of childlike wonder to the surface as bloodied renditions of tricksters and giants flashed to the forefront of her memory.Ā
Ā Ā Her father said they were not real. When she was young [ NEVER NAIVE ] Hanna had inquired how one kills a giant. He had shown her how to kill someone unnaturally tall and powerful, drilling her on it for months among other lessons. True giants, however, did not exist.
Ā Ā Perhaps that was one more truth to be uncovered.
Ā Ā This giant seems to be in a world of theirĀ own insideĀ armor of eucalyptus green. Under speckles of sunlight perforating the canopy above, it looks more like sage. Or is that what giants look like? It looks difficult to penetrate with a knife or an arrow. Bullets will have to do.Ā Or perhaps the softer material around the neck will have easier give?Ā Ā
Ā Itās far more likely the giant is an agent, but why would they wear something so bold so close to the public eye? Hanna doesnāt want to kill any more than she has to.Ā
Ā Ā They remove their helmet. Their smile is wide, toothy, euphoric. They look free. An agent isnāt free until theyāre dead. They laugh in voiceless wheezes, spinning in pure celebration like Hanna had never seen anywhere except a party Sophieād shown her. An agent didnāt have much to celebrate. Theyāre not here for her. Why are they here at all? Questions, questions, questions, all burning her mind like hot coals dropped on a bare hand. Hanna doesnāt intend to stick around long enough to ask, making to move from her place when their gaze is far from her angle but when they quiet and still, eyes of red and gold almost catch her. Hanna ducks away from sight. They hadnāt seen her. No, no, but they knew someone was there. Her hand stays on her gun as the sound of ripping grass breaks the forest silence. The clicking of a tongue. Itās beckoning. Friendly. They think she is an animal?Ā
Ā Ā Cautiously, Hanna steps partially into view. She shouldnāt. Really, thereās no sane reason for it, but the giant called to her. Perhaps, they were also on the run?Ā Ā
Ā Ā Though she only caught the tail end of their eager signing, drawing on her thorough education of [ AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: A VISUAL-GESTURAL LANGUAGE USED BY 500,000 MEMBERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN DEAF COMMUNITY. ] Hanna understands she is not the creature they wished to see. She is here nonetheless.Ā
Ā Ā ā Hello.Ā ā Hanna says, aĀ visage of pale golds and delicate silvers in sharp contrast to the giantās loud green and bold orange equipment. Their face is scarred, lighter lines of endless trauma lancing across dark skin. Nothing hesitant in her demeanor, nothing afraid, though her voice is soft enough to be called a whisper. Were they ever gifted with such a sight, her voice might evoke the sense of cold, quiet winds over snow. Her hands, however, sign with sharp efficiency the same greeting. Just like sheād been taught.Ā ā Now you see me.Ā āĀ Ā