"Leader! I've spotted something! The weird creature lingers beyond the village!" one of the Aelvarians cried out as he stumbled within the village beyond their makeshift wooden walls, he carried a lean body like the others, his skin a teal tint not before seen in the night.
His eyes were far from human though weirdly the same, they shimmered with clarity, his pupils surrounded by his light green iris, expanded and contracted with almost mechanical efficiency.
He panted heaving, his finger practically numb at the tips from panic, the other villagers looking towards the man confused at his sudden out-of-nowhere outburst, but soon making way for one that towers over them all.
His darker blue skin, duller brown eyes, and heavier body demanded respect among all, his gaze narrowing before the scout who stood before him, his head bowed, showing off his hair that seemed void of all color, white as the snow itself.
"What's the matter?" He pondered, watching as the scout tried to contain his emotions to respond.
"My lord, do you remember? Not many nights ago the hunters reported home about a weird creature in the forest that carried some sort of sorcery!"
The chief's eyes widened slightly as he recalled, a sudden wave of urgency crashing down on him.
"Speak," He demanded, his deep voice carrying the authority he's so attached to, "What did you see…"
"Everything can be used, everything can be remade and reimagined, there's no excuse for mediocrity in the world of science," A soft gentle voice rang in the mind of the young technician as she remained hunched over, collecting her stuff for a grueling journey ahead.
"Believe me Astra, we will see the stars once more, you can get excited over that fact,"
[What're you doing?]
"Why getting ready to move, of course!" Astra grins as she wrapped the last of her stuff in a carriable luggage, turning towards the direction of the volcano. "If we're going to take over a nation, we'll need gunpowder!"
[Gunpowder?]
"That's right my friend! Gunpowder, all we need is potassium nitrate and some sulfur! The charcoal we can just make whenever," She noted, tossing everything over her shoulder and taking the hike further, her shoes digging against the foreign land.
"Assuming they're still in the stone age they probably have never seen it before! It's perfect! I'll have them working under me in no time at all!" Astra chuckled, smiling ear to ear.
[It sounds almost devilish…]
"Yeah, it's gonna be a big explosion! Just wait and see! I'll advance technology from the ground up, on this very planet!" She chuckled, "And with my abilities to create anything from its natural source, it'll be even easier!"
"Oh yeah… I'm getting all sorts of excited!"
"That's what I saw!" The scout announced the minute he finished his report, panting before the chief who seemed to have a weird fascination yet caution to such a creature he's been describing.
"I see…" The Aelvarian leader grunted back at the village, his hand reaching to cup his chin at the news, "What is this…gunpowder you speak of?"
The mere mention of the name caused villagers to murmur to themselves, the confusion palpable within the crowd, and worry beginning to leave them almost breathless.
"I don't know, chief, but…but the creature said they'll use it to take over our peaceful nation!" His head continued to hang low as he spoke. "We can't let it happen, we just can't! We've spent years withholding the peace we have now! Nations have fallen, many soldiers gave their lives for what we have!"
"But is it really wise to go against her?" A lady whispered to another in the crowd, their hand covering their mouth in hopes to silence their words. "The other night, one of the hunter's lost an arm, could it be that thing?"
"Could it have had sorcery…maybe it's a god?"
"I bet it's just Belk again, pulling another prank with that thing he calls 'science' ," Another argued, the mere mention of his name causing even more worry. "He wouldn't go so far as to sever an arm would he…"
"He caused a forest fire on 'accident' and so many of our wildlife fled to the further half of the forest, I wouldn't put it past him" An older lady commented, tapping at her arm in annoyance at the mere memory.
"Honestly I think the chief should teach his own son that the world will not wait for him forever! Honestly, that boy…" The chief's eyes sombered at the mention of his son, a shadow of regret seemingly passing over his features before he continued.
"Vagnis, I'd like you to investigate this creature from afar and gauge its danger, you do know where it's going, don't you?" The chief pondered, staring at Vagnis in hopes to gauge his reaction by such a sudden task.
The white haired scout raised his gaze with a grin, "Of course your lordship! To mt.Hidai! I swear I'll—" He announced with great enthusiasm.
"But—" The chief interjected, "I'd like for you, to take my foolish son with you as well,"
"Show him the ways of a scout, drag him if you must. He's going to be a man soon, and he can't play these games any longer. Do I make myself clear?" He pondered, watching as Vagnis took on a more serious look before nodding.
"Yes sir…I'll see it done!" He announced, to the chief and to everyone else as well, the murmuring seemed to calm, seemingly satisfied with his declaration.
"See to it that you do!" He smiles though his voice remains firm. "And remember, do not engage this creature for any reason, we can't give it any reason to hurry its plans."
"Yes sir!" Vagnis nodded firmly.
The chief smiled and let out a soft hum of approval before parting with Vagnis, leaving the boy to watch his back as he departed, though it was clear something was bothering him, maybe it was his son, or something more.