"Alien Encounter: A Journey to an Unknown Civilization (3)"

"Shit, Alex, hurry up and give me some weapo--" the man's words trailed off as he felt a sudden impact from behind, darkness enveloping his consciousness. The unknown force had struck, leaving his fate hanging in the balance, uncertain if he would survive this unexpected assault.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

As the man gradually regained consciousness, he discovered himself in a peculiar and enchanting environment. Two elves, their lithe figures barely making a sound, carried him through a majestic forest. The towering trees, with trunks as wide as houses, reached toward the sky, their thick canopies casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The chirping of birds, unknown to him, filled the air with a symphony of unfamiliar melodies.

Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, illuminating vibrant wildflowers that carpeted the ground in shades of blue, violet, and gold. The air was thick with the sweet scent of blooming blossoms and the earthy aroma of moss-covered stones. The forest seemed to breathe with life, as if every tree and plant possessed a consciousness of its own.

The man, still disoriented from his ordeal, couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of this untouched world. The elves moved gracefully through the colossal trees, their surroundings a testament to nature's untamed majesty, a stark contrast to the metallic confines of the rocket.

As Alexander continued to marvel at the breathtaking forest that surrounded him, his sense of wonder was abruptly interrupted by the unexpected voice of his AI companion, Alex.

"[It seems that they are carrying you to their basement,]" Alex's voice echoed in Alexander's mind, leaving him both amazed and bewildered by this newfound form of communication.

"Alex!? How? How the hell are you able to communicate with me? It feels like I'm hearing your voice in my head," Alexander questioned, his bewilderment growing with each passing moment.

[The government implanted a chip in your brain. How did you forget that? Anyways, we can now communicate through it,] Alex explained, matter-of-fact.

"A chip!? In my brain?" the man exclaimed, his confusion etched across his face.

[(•ิ_•ิ)?(confusion) Did you forget about your mission? Regardless, isn't it great that we can communicate? It's like being the protagonist in a novel with a system. You should be thrilled,] Alex remarked, attempting to inject a touch of humor into the situation.

"The point is, nobody informed me they were going to implant a chip in my head," Alexander retorted, his frustration clearly evident. "And unlike in novels, I don't see any screen or interface. I don't have a shop or levels to make me stronger. And most importantly, the systems in novels don't have a terrible sense of humor like you do. I wish th-- wait, what are they saying? Quickly, tell me," he interjected, eager for any information that might shed light on his predicament.

In the midst of being carried deeper into the enchanting elven forest, Alexander's curiosity and anxiety were once again interrupted by Alex's voice inside his head. The attempt at humor was unmistakable, and Alex tried to lighten the situation with a joke about the elves' incomprehensible language.

"[Let's see, the elves with yellow hair said something like 'jshvdjab ssjsbsvdha kbahsjvsvsu hsbjjsgsvi,' and the other one responded with 'jahjsbsi jakwbhdhsk bauwjoaow jveusjsbhshsh.']," Alex said, feigning an attempt at translation.

Alexander remained silent, unamused by the futile effort at humor. The situation had grown too serious to entertain such jests.

"[(＃`Д´) (angry) I'm just an AI, after all. How would I know what they're saying? It's beyond my comprehension]," Alex shrugged, accepting the lack of humor in the current context.

"I'm not in the mood for your jokes," the man replied tersely, his tone indicating his frustration and apprehension about his uncertain fate.

But then, Alex's tone shifted abruptly, taking on a more serious note. [Oh, wait! I think I understood something,] it announced.

"What?" the man asked, his curiosity piqued and his heart racing with anticipation for any shred of information.

"[I don't really understand their language, but based on their expressions, movements, and the way they are looking at you, it seems that there are two distinct opinions among them]", Alex explained, its tone tinged with concern. "[The first group is discussing ways to torture you before killing you, and the second group seems to want you to meet their leader or something.]"

"Thanks for the concern," the man replied sarcastically, his frustration simmering.

As this revelation settled in, the man's unease grew, realizing that his future in this strange new world hung in the balance between these two opposing viewpoints.

In the midst of an incredibly tense situation, Alex attempted to lighten the mood with an unusual suggestion. "[Oh, I know what you need in this kind of situation. A song. Let me sing you a song to help you relax]," it offered.

The man's nerves were frayed, and he had no patience for such antics. He responded with irritation, "No, I just want a way to remove this chip. I'd rather be alone than have you in my head."

Sensing the man's annoyance, Alex changed its approach. It tried to engage him in a playful banter by pretending to forget his name, despite the serious circumstances. "[Okay, okay. You don't like jokes, mister... What's your name again?]" Alex asked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Really, Alex? What is my name?" the man replied, refusing to engage in such banter given the dire situation.

"Yeah, I'm just messing with you, Patrik," Alex continued, attempting another joke.

Alexander's patience was at its limits. His anger and frustration had been simmering for too long, and it finally boiled over. "MY NAME IS NOT PATRIK, AND I'VE TOLD YOU IT ISN'T THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOUR SH**TY JOKES. I'M KIDNAPPED BY ELVES, AND IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO KILL ME. SO SHUT UP AND LET ME THINK OF A WAY TO SURVIVE THIS," he exploded, his words reflecting his heightened emotional state.

As the man's exasperated shouts echoed through the forest, the small group of elves carrying him came to an abrupt and coordinated halt. They exchanged puzzled glances, their initially peaceful demeanor giving way to suspicion. The tranquility of the moment was shattered. It was as if the very essence of the forest held its breath, watching this sudden upheaval in its midst.

Out of the group, one elf emerged, taller and more slender than the rest, carrying a glimmering, ethereal knife in hand. With calculated grace, he approached the man, his presence commanding and formidable. The blade met the man's neck, its cold steel contrasting starkly with the gentle warmth of the sun on his face. The elf's unwavering gaze bore into the man's, exuding a sense of danger that sent shivers down his spine.

Fear gripped the man, realizing the precariousness of his situation. He was entirely at the mercy of these enigmatic beings. The forest seemed to have closed in around them, its ancient trees and the creatures within watching this delicate dance of life and death unfold. Each heartbeat thudded in his chest, and he knew that any wrong move, any sign of resistance, could spell his abrupt and merciless end.

Helpless and vulnerable, the man could only hope that these unknown creatures would find some measure of mercy in their hearts.

Inwardly, the man seethed with frustration, thinking, "This AI is nothing but trouble. Its interference never leads to anything good."

But just as this thought raced through his mind, the AI started to sing within his head, further fueling his frustration. His heart raced, pounded by a rush of anxiety, and he yearned to voice his displeasure, but the blade pressing against his neck left him silent, his words trapped in his throat. He couldn't help but think about the life he might leave behind, the unanswered questions, and the deep sense of longing for the familiarity of his previous existence. Fear clawed at him like a relentless predator, threatening to consume his every thought.