Ryan and Elain stood before the shattered window of the Elenatia, their gazes locked onto the oasis beyond. The sight was mesmerizing—lush green trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves glistening under the golden sunlight. A crystalline river meandered through the landscape, feeding into a tranquil pond that shimmered like liquid sapphire. Vibrant flowers bloomed along the banks, their petals unfurling in the sun's warm embrace. The scent of fresh water and damp earth drifted through the air, tantalizing and pure.
Ryan's stomach growled, his mouth watering at the sight. "I can already taste the coconuts," he muttered, nearly drooling.
Elain tilted slightly. "Is the food within Elenatia not sustainable enough?" it creaked in its mechanical tone.
Ryan scoffed, crossing his arms. "You call that food? It's the same fatty texture and bland taste, every single day."
He gestured dramatically toward the oasis. "A human needs more than one taste for the rest of their life. Variety is the spice of life!"
Elain let out a small creak of acknowledgment, as if processing his logic.
Ryan exhaled, placing both hands on the sides of his head and swirling his fingers in thought. His eyes closed as he mused aloud, "Now… how do we get there?"
Before an answer could form, an abrupt noise echoed behind them.
"Oooh Ahhhh!!"
Ryan and Elain turned just in time to see a Drilvok attempting to pinch another, its sky-blue fur rippling as it lunged. The other creature dodged, chittering in protest before retaliating with an open-handed slap. Their playful skirmish continued, oblivious to their audience.
Ryan and Elain locked eyes, then slowly turned back to the Drilvoks. A silent understanding passed between them.
A grin—wide, unhinged—began to stretch across Ryan's face.
Three Days Later
Sweat dripped down Ryan's temple as he wiped his forehead with his sleeve. A large wrench, cobbled together from various scrap pieces, rested in his calloused grip. Despite its patchwork nature, the tool held firm—functional, if not pretty.
With a flourish, Ryan turned and presented his creation. "Behold!"
Before him stood a makeshift sled, an amalgamation of salvaged metal and scavenged parts. The edges were jagged but sturdy, held together with bolts and overlapping scrap. The base of the sled was reinforced with plates to withstand the terrain, while the back was fitted with an intricate series of interlocking gears, some rusted, others gleaming with polished brilliance.
Thick, rugged tracks lined the gears, promising traction on the unpredictable sand. At the front, a taut, aquamarine-glowing rope looped through metal rings, forming a crude steering mechanism.
Ryan took a dramatic stance. "The masterpiece that I, the great and brilliant Ryan, have built!"
Elain tilted slightly. "Creak!?"
It observed the sled, then spoke. "This sled you've built… how will it aid us in reaching our destination?"
Ryan smirked. "Well, it's not just a sled. It's a manually drivable sled that requires an immense amount of manpower."
Elain's mechanical eye narrowed slightly. "And where will this 'manpower' come from?"
Ryan flourished his hand toward the group of Drilvoks lounging nearby. Some were grooming each other, others were chattering in their strange, rhythmic calls.
"Right over there," Ryan declared proudly.
Elain remained still for a moment, processing the statement. "Are you certain they will help?"
Ryan shrugged. "If not willingly, we can always persuade them… or, you know, just keep looking scary enough that they don't refuse."
Elain glanced back at the Drilvoks, who, despite their intelligence, hadn't made any attempt to flee beyond the ruins. "They haven't attempted to escape Elenatia. It is reasonable to assume the Tendregulons prevented them from crossing."
Ryan grinned. "See? I knew I was onto something!" He puffed out his chest in mock arrogance. "Genius strikes again."
Elain, however, wasn't focused on him anymore.
It was staring at something behind Ryan.
A cold, mechanical voice sliced through the air, making the hairs on Ryan's neck stand on end.
"Human identified."
Ryan's body froze.
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
Slowly, he turned his head toward the source of the voice.
And his blood ran cold.