Prologue Pt. III

The walk on the dry grassy field was largely uneventful, I spent a lot of the time on the walk east getting used to my new body- with the occasional twin-tailed scorpion coming and going in-between my footsteps on the steppe.

From what I could tell, I couldn't feel extreme cold, as once the day had turned to night and was welcomed by the apparent oddly green moon- I didn't feel any much different than I had under sunlight.

Maybe temperatures are a lot more mellow on this new planet, but I doubt it. I'm guessing the homunculus body doesn't feel temperatures like normal living things do, but that doesn't mean I can't 'feel' temperature.

I can, but just not as prominently (from what I can tell so far) as when I was still human on Earth.

I really hope this doesn't mean I won't be able to enjoy hot baths, if I ever get that option to enjoy here in the new world. What a dreadful thing it would be to not ever be able to be stuck with your own invasive thoughts as you take a forty-minute hot soak- ah the horror.

Another thing I've realized from just thinking this much, is that I've been oddly far too calm about all of this. I've been in almost weird, comedic manner about it thus far- with the revelation of my death, to the scene I had awoken to, and the fact that I've been thrusted to be completely alone into this new world; with my only link just as soon dying before I could speak to him.

Maybe it's quirk of being a homunculus? Perhaps an emotional suppressant is occurring to me, would homunculi even need feelings to accomplish what they need done?

I'd have to find someone who's adept in magic puppet making at some point to get these questions properly answered, otherwise I'll have them on the mental backburner- my main goal currently is getting to the Demon Kingdom and going up from there.

Faustus said that ultimately, I have to destroy the Demon Queen as a destiny kind of thing- but truth be told, I don't feel any kind of prerogative within me to do that. Did he maybe screw up in the process and didn't account for me having free will? Eugh, just more and more currently unanswerable questions- this is getting nowhere.

At a distance I spot a small rectangular silhouette under the night sky. I strain my eyes at it, trying to make the best impression I could of it before I would get closer. But from what I see, either it could be a weird rock or a house- no other way of verifying unless I get closer; so, I do.

As I approach the rectangular outlining, I find myself having walked over a thin line set in-between two inconspicuous stones. From the tugged line, a shrill sound is played, and a bustle of noise could be heard from the direction of the rectangle. I think I've stepped into a trap.

Suddenly, three figures appear from the direction of the rectangle- it being two men, and a woman; they all have a matching pair of black horns protruding from each of their foreheads. The three of them looked impoverished, with visible ribcages and poor

The woman of the group was beautiful- probably could've been one of the sporty supermodels you would see on magazines. her hair was back into a blue-haired ponytail, with side-bangs flanking her ears to add unexpected cuteness to her appearance. I probably would've been too shy to be in her presence if it weren't for the fact that I don't feel much of anything right now, that likely being the result of my new body. My inner monologue was interrupted by her slow approach, her dirty rags being two strips of loose cloth covering her hips and large chest as she pointed a rusty spear at me, she than began to speak.

She spoke, yes, but- I didn't understand anything that she said. I tried giving her a universal shrug of the shoulders in an attempt of getting the point across that I couldn't understand her- but that didn't help, she instead switched to another language and got frustrated that I also didn't know that one.

She then pointed at my groin, where my trooper had been standing at parade rest unabated from either the elements or clothing the entirety of the day since I had gotten here. I reflexively put a hand over my junk, rediscovering the idea of shame as a person as I gave a slight bow to her as a kind of apology; I'm really hoping they see that as a friendly gesture.

One of the men spits at the ground while the other stifles a chuckle, even as homunculus with debatable capacity to feel emotions- I did feel somewhat embarrassed. The woman motioned to the other men and received a similar dirty rag linen given by her compatriot and threw it at me, it landed just below my feet. I took the hint and grabbed it- fastening it around my waist to give myself some proper decency.

It was just enough to cover junior, but here's hoping this body doesn't experience random bouts of "excitement" that plagues regular men. But aside from that, I was content in finding some new clothes in this world, even if they really were just rags at the end of it.

She then began walking away with her men, looking at me and grunting- her head motioning for me to follow.

I followed in suit, keeping myself at a safe distance but as she and the two men walked diligently over the arid steppe.

The rectangle from the distance prior had finally gotten into closer vision, and from where I was, I could see that it was a massive clay building- but before we proceeded further to it, a loud explosion was heard coming from it- then a large billow of smoke and the distant sounds of shouting.

The three ahead of me began shouting in their language to each other, panic apparent on their faces. The busty woman (this nickname will be temporary, I promise) gripped her spear and sprinted forward at an alarming speed, grass indented where she took every galloping step. The other two men followed her, none of them giving me a second glance as I was left alone here.

I looked at them disappear into the night, them becoming small dots as they entered the area where the danger was, and I could feel a lump begin to develop in my throat.

Do I follow them? Or do I avoid this?

I'm not a hero, nor am I really someone who looks for trouble. I mean, I've just died right? What if I die again, and I don't get a second chance like this?

I look at my hand, barely-visible stitching apparent on my wrists and a slight difference of hue in skin color could be seen between my hand and arm.

Ultimately, I'm a homunculus- and what I do now will affect what I will be in this new world.

I tighten my hand into a fist, and begin a mad dash towards the clay building, my speed being as fast or perhaps even faster than the busty woman who was there now- doing who knows what.

Hopefully I won't regret this!

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