40XX

The Beginning

Okka and Lukas sat in that clearing for hours waiting to be sure they weren't followed. Then Lukas stood and slid on his mask. 

"Time to go." He said, cheerfully.

"Where?" Okka asked, his grin fading into confusion.

"Neutracity. My town." Lukas said, walking deeper into the forest.

Okka followed closely behind him, studying his environment. The trees swayed with the gentle breeze, the wind picking up his long silver hair and pushing it into his face. He watched his savior walk an obviously well-known path to him, yet a path that seemed to never be traveled.

"Stop." Lukas said, holding his hand in front of Okka.

Okka stopped, watching as Lukas stepped carefully over an only covered patch of leaves.

"Step over." He said, holding his hand out to help Okka get across the trap, "they keep the feds out." He said jokingly as he continued walking.

Okka followed, his thoughts racing about this new human. A different human. 'he's just interesting. You just want to study him.' his thoughts screamed as he started to think he may have a slight crush on the mask wearing human.

"Fuck." Okka cursed under his breath.

They continued walking until Okka smelled the scent of a warm cooked meal, made with real food. He looked at Lukas, his eyes hopeful at the change of life. Lukas returned the look with a comforting and promising smile. Okka hurried his pace towards he smell, following the scent more than Lukas.

Once there, he was met with a thriving city built into the trees! Conopys and hammocks lined the highest points and were covered by wooden roofs. Under those were small building connected by hundreds of wood and rope bridges. People wandered about, both human and Animorph, there were even children born of both races. Half human and half Animorph.

"This place... It's wonderful!" Okka said, tears welling in his eyes. "How did you do all of this?" He asked, turning to Lukas with amazement lining his face.

"I had help from the many people here, and Stewart. He can speak to gods. He knows how things should be." Lukas smiled, taking off his mask and resting it on his back again. "Follow me." He began walking to a larger cottage in the distance.

Okka followed again, taking in this thriving and happy town. There was irrigation, electricity, heat, safety, farming, everything. Some of the town looked like it was stolen from the Human City, but that just blew Okka's mind more.

When they reached the the larger cottage, Lukas opened it to reveal a throne made of wood on a podium with a smaller one next to it. A young, bald boy with spiraling tattoos sat on the smaller one, whispering to someone no one else could see. He was missing his left eye and arm, burns surrounding that side of his face and neck, and he had a small tattoo on his neck in Latin. His eye was a shade of blue that shouldn't be natural.

"Stewart! Meet my new friend!" Lukas chuckled out as Stewart looked at him and stood, his long white robe touched the ground and made it look like he was floating.

"Sorry, Nepthys wanted to talk. Apparently Llyr caused some problems on this realm and didn't clean it up again. And Octave is still here roaming somewhere being his mute self and-"

"Stewart! Breathe! This is Okka." Lukas started whispering to Stewart, there words too soft for even Okka's sensitive hearing to pick up.

Okka sat on the floor, his tail wrapping around his body slightly, still resting on the floor. He waited until they both nodded and turned to him, making him stand tall and await orders instinctively.

"Relax, Jr. Advisor Okka. You're safe now." Stewart said, holding his hands out to calm him.

"W-what?" Okka said, tilting his head.

"Well... Everyone who can work and should work has a job. You're new and need a job so...you're just gonna sit here and let me study you. You're different than other people and I like that so I want to chill with you. So... Let's get you a chair. Stewart?" Lukas said, pacing around Okka as he spoke before stopping abruptly to command Stewart.

A chair was brought to allow Okka to sit next to Lukas, so he can help when he can. He was happy. He really felt safe. A new world. A new life. A new beginning.