10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Oct 29 - Regaea

The planet spun slowly through the unknown cosmos. Its atmospheres held fluffy clouds, beautiful masses of water that drifted slowly through the calm sky. The rolling hills were coated by an unending wave of green, stretching as far as the horizons. The trees rustled in a gentle breeze, swaying to an unheard rhythm. It was surrounded by such beauty that he awoke, eyelids fluttering as he stirred. He was stiff from sleeping on the ground, so sat up with a quiet groan. It took him a moment to realise he was outside, but when he did notice he looked around in confusion.

"Where... am I?" he muttered as he stood, leaning back to stretch his spine. He didn't recognise the area at all, and started to get worried. He was so focused on this that he was caught by surprise when a voice called out behind him.

"Good morning." it greeted calmly. He spun around to observe a lone figure approaching him calmly. The man was about his height, sporting shaggy, pale brown hair and a grey shirt. He seemed to be carrying a few items in one hand; the other hand was waving happily.

"Uh... hi." he muttered, glancing around again. "Sorry, who are you?"

"My name is Marty. I've been put here to help wandering souls like yourself."

"I, um... I'm not a wanderer, really, I'm just lost. Where am I?"

"The journey here can be quite disorienting, yes." he reached out and rested a hand on the traveller's arm. "We need to see what you remember, first. Let's start with your name; who are you?"

"My name?" he raised an eyebrow and smirked. Of course he remembered his name! "I'm..." his smirk dropped a little. "My name... is..." he glanced down as he tried to remember. Why wasn't he remembering? The other man gripped his arm a little tighter before letting go.

"I see... a total loss, then. Very well, I'll start from the beginning. This..." he gestured around to the hills, the sky. "This is Regaea."

"Regaea?" the traveller blinked, looking up again. "What kinda place...?"

"It is a world in turmoil. The ancient spirits that breathed life into the land are now in conflict. A dark, mighty being that lurks far below seeks to devour all that would walk, or swim, or fly in this realm. You have been brought here to help us."

"Me?" he asked, stepping back. "I'm no fighter, I... how am I supposed to handle all that?"

"Don't worry, I don't expect you to march down to the beast and face it for a long time yet. The beast is patient and has not stirred for years. No, right now I hope that you will build us a home."

"Build? With what?" he laughed emptily, confused by all of this. This wasn't what he was expecting to wake up to... though, what was he expecting? He couldn't remember anything, after all.

"Here, you can use these." the man raised the tools from before. The traveller looked at them, quickly identifying a pick, an axe and a short sword, all made of copper. "These will help you gather the resources you need." he gestured to the trees as the traveller took the tools. "I will explain how to build more on your return."

"Well, why don't you do it?" the traveller frowned, shuffling the tools. They were big but he found he could carry them all easily.

"I am forbidden." the guide looked down. "In exchange for my continuing life, I must serve the Light Spirit of Order. I can not cause any damage to the ground or plants."

"The who of what?"

"Please, you must begin before night. Otherwise, you'll see what I am allowed to harm."