Falling Stars Rising 09
His limbs were limp, yet somehow he was moving across the sand. He couldn't see anything, but he could hear the waves on the shore. Realizing he was being dragged by the arms, he tried to get away.
“Don’t struggle,” the voice said. A woman.
He tried to say something but simply mumbled incoherently.
The world went dark.
“Men used to rule the home world. We were strong then. Fierce. The masculine fire coursed through our veins.”
“Did the Valkyries steal it, grandpa? The fire I mean.”
“That’s what they like to say. But it wasn’t like that. We did it all on our own, genetically pussy-whipped ourselves on a mass scale. But war is war and it never ends. One must deal with it eventually. Except that after neutering ourselves, we men were ill equipped to fight them."
"Did the women fight?"
"It was their turn, I guess. Though they quickly realized that when barbarians come knocking at the gate, toxic masculinity comes in handy. A few men fought, but there weren't enough. So the women turned themselves into Valkyries. And now here we are."
“Did men fight like women?”
“Better. At least before the Great Transition. We were faster, stronger, and some say smarter, though your grandma might have said otherwise.”
“Was grandma a Valkyrie?”
“Your grandma was special. Very much so. We will see her again someday. But come, grab your sword. Let us not tarry further.”
“Yes, grandpa.”
“Drink,” said the silver haired woman. “It’s not poison. If I wanted to do you harm, I would’ve done it already.”
Aleister opened his mouth slowly, not because he was fearful of being poisoned, but because it hurt to do so. When he took the spoonful of food, the admixture of flavors exploded in his mouth. A wave of aromas washed over his olfactory senses. Reaching forward, he took the bowl and spoon from her, then ravenously ate the stew.
“Here’s some bread,” she said with an amused look.
He grabbed it and devoured it amidst spoonfuls of meat and vegetables.
“Easy. Don’t want to end up with Titan’s belly.” She regarded him with curiosity. Taking delight in his hunger-driven aggression. “I’ve never seen a freeman.”
He wiped his mouth and looked up at her. “What happened?”
“I found you on the beach: cut up, bleeding, and barely alive. ” She took the bowl and spoon. When she leaned forward, her necklace of seashells and bones clattered like river stones.
“Where are we?” he said.
“The Unterzone.”
"Unterzone!" He began to sit up but she held him back. “Rest now. There will be time for more questions later.”
She left the room and closed the door behind her. He heard the clanking of a latch fall into place.
Aleister lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. There was a face he remembered. Distant. Hungry. Then he closed his eyes, and the sound of the waves lulled him to sleep.
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