Dungeon Hunter: Act I

GG

Gigi's expression returned to its general neutrality. "I did receive my wish."

The rest of us exchanged a look.

"You can't just say that and nothing else, Gigi," I said. "What was your wish– No, wait, even before that. Who are you? What are you?"

I'd long known Gigi couldn't be normal. Had recognised for quite awhile that the things xe knew and said, even with the moderation, were so alien that xe wasn't your average party member, per se, but this was far beyond anything I could've ever imagined. I guess it didn't help that I'd never tried to close the gap between us. The most I could tell you about Gigi was xir player stats and that xir coat was inexplicably the coolest thing I'd ever laid eyes on. Given the technology of it, I probably should've suspected something was off.

Well, more off.

It did make me second guess what I actually knew about everyone in Just Friends. Of course, I knew Axel... mostly, but the extent of what I knew about Jye was pretty limited. I knew less about Wren. Could count the number of facts I knew about Tam on one hand. Then there was Gigi who I hadn't even investigated beyond their class. Mostly I was familiar with everyone's character over their background.

It was weird that I knew them all so little but felt protective about them, and that even somehow included Tam though I knew she didn't hold me in the highest esteem. Maybe that was what happened when you put your life on the line together. Still, I needed to put in the effort to get to know everyone better. Always adding things on to my to-do list, wasn't I? And if I wanted to survive this with everyone, getting to know them all better wasn't a bad thing.

Gigi scratched at xir chin, as if finding the words to explain xemself.

"I am Linnikian. This form I have taken is not how I originally appeared. My people come from–" Xe frowned. "That is not right. The Linnikians are no more. I hail from a now dead world far from Earth."

Nabu let out a sliver of nervous laughter. "Uh, well, that was your choice, though."

Everyone was still staring at xem.

Gigi breathed out. "It is true. I was selfish. My wish only served myself."

Wren's brow was crinkled. "What did you wish for?"

Gigi looked away, eyes now downcast through xir silver lashes. "I am too ashamed to say. But Nabu tells the truth. My wish was granted."

"You've been keeping the lid on this jar the whole time. Why should we trust either of you?" Axel demanded, his voice writhing with disgust.

Xir expression was strained. "I withheld nothing. Jye can attest to that." Gigi's shoulders squared, and xe lifted xir head to meet Axel's gaze. "My sole purpose is to offer assistance. Should you not want me to travel with you further, I will leave the party."

"Then fuck off," the blond said.

I held up a hand. "Wait, hold on there. Let's not be too hasty."

Gigi had done nothing duplicitous in the time we'd known xem. Xe'd worked with us well and contributed to the party in a way none of us could. Not to mention that xem being LVL 10 was something we couldn't ignore with the culling. Having such a monumental leapfrog in our party average may very well be what would toe us pass the line. It didn't matter that Gigi was... a genuine alien. That was the least of our concerns.

Rather, there was something else gnawing at the edge of my mind. Something that didn't make sense, now that I knew about the wish and Gigi's background.

"Look, we're gonna talk about your past in more depth at a later time, okay, Gigi? But you better believe you're not off the hook. We deserve answers."

The small Linnikian nodded solemnly. I guess this not being their original form explained xir weird accent and appearance. What had they based it all upon? I'd definitely be asking that in the future. The silver really was a choice. Actually the whole look was something else entirely.