The Strange Human Scientist
The Strange Human Scientist
Chapter 156: The Strange Human Scientist
The stranger spoke so vaguely that Lena didn't have time to process everything. All the questions she wanted to ask stacked up in her mind like books, and she didn't know where to start.
She frowned, finally acknowledging the stranger's last sentence. “You were sent by whom?"
The stranger tilted their head again. "Does that matter?”
Lena hesitated, then mumbled, "No, I suppose it doesn't.”
"Anyway, Elias wants you,” they continued. “Your abilities are actually what he wants. He needs them to control the crawlers.”
“That’s impossible,” Lena snapped. “They don’t work that way.”
The stranger nodded. "He knows that, but there are unlimited possibilities and various abilities you might possess. He is willing to go to any lengths to find the useful ones.”
Lena scoffed. "He wishes. But why would you warn me about this?"
"Because he's not stopping anytime soon, and I feel I owe it to your people." The stranger paused. "Also, you should avoid doing anything difficult or exhausting.”
Lena blinked, confused by the sudden change of topic. “What?"
The figure tilted its head again, confusion flickering through the simple action. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
Another chuckle followed, this one quieter and filled with more amusement. “Never mind. Don’t worry about it.”
That only unsettled her more.
“You told me not to fear my visions when you asked me to come see you,” Lena said slowly. She wanted to ask how this person was able to communicate with her without words or messages, but their knowledge of Elias was enough to prove they weren't normal. “And you said that they mean something else.”
“They do.”
She took a sip of the milk. “Then explain this to me. In the first vision, I saw blood everywhere, flowing on the ground like a river. Cain was on the ground, lifeless, and Marcus was standing over him.”
The stranger didn't move; they only leaned against their arm resting on the table. “That vision means he's in danger," they said. “And it's possible it is someone you know who would kill him."
“Marcus? Elias?"
“I didn't say that. And you don't know Elias."
Lena exhaled shakily. “Then the second vision… the last one before I saw you.” She closed her eyes. “I saw moonlight. It wasn't silver as usual, or even white—the sky was completely red. And there was a golden light. It covered half the forest and completely swallowed up the soldiers and crawlers around it. It looked as if the light disintegrated the crawlers, but as the golden light dimmed, the vision ended.” She opened her eyes. “What does that mean?”
The stranger was quiet for a long moment. “That vision,” it said finally, “could mean their destruction.”
“Could?”
“Visions are layered,” it replied. “They rarely mean only one thing and do not always focus on the main picture. For example, a vision like that could only speak about the moon or a torch producing golden light, which is strange enough in itself.”
Lena nodded slowly. “So, what do I do?”
The stranger leaned back into the seat. “You survive. And you think of multiple meanings for every image shown in your vision.” They paused. “Stop letting your fears guide you. Your mate, as well as his people, are capable of protecting themselves. You need to focus on ending this war."
“I’ll be leaving soon,” they added. “And for the sake of the baby, take it easy.”
Lena froze. “What baby?”
But the stranger was suddenly fading away. Lena was dumbfounded and confused. She wanted to say more, but the stranger raised a hand.
"W—wait!”
The word had barely formed before they vanished completely. Lena sprang from her seat with so much force that the chair fell over. She was more angry than terrified, clenching her fists tight. ‘How am I supposed to understand anything when you speak so vaguely?’ she thought, furious with herself for asking the wrong questions. She should have asked more about her abilities, but instead...
"Lena!” Shayla shouted from outside as she burst into the house, sword drawn and ready to attack.
Lena turned around, forcing her expression back to normal. She managed a small smile. "I'm fine.”
Shayla looked around. "Where are they?”
Lena shrugged. "After telling me what they wanted to, they just vanished.”
"Vanished?” Shayla stared at her as if she were insane. After a few seconds, she sighed dramatically. "Are you really okay?”
Lena nodded, but in truth, she was more confused than anyone else. Shayla studied her for a moment longer before slowly lowering her sword. "You look pale. Sit down before you fall over.”
“I'm fine," Lena interrupted, already making her way out of the house.
Before Shayla could argue, Reah hastily crossed the bridge and walked up to Lena. “Was there more than one person there?" Reah asked. When Lena shook her head, Reah frowned. “Did people live here before?"
Lena nodded.
Shayla stared at the two women as if they were crazy. She exhaled loudly. “Enough of this. Don't tell me you can see things we can't?"
Reah didn’t answer. Instead, she turned toward the corner of the house. “I need to check something.” She walked off without waiting, heading toward the side of the building.
Lyra watched her go in silence, unease settling in her chest. “Why are you letting her wander off?” Lyra asked Orion quietly. “What if it’s dangerous?”
Orion adjusted the strap of his weapon and kept his eyes on the trees. “Let Reah be,” he said calmly. “She’s a scientist. If she says she saw or heard something strange, she won’t stop until she finds it.”
Lyra frowned. “And if she’s wrong? She can't possibly hear what Lena can't.”
“Then we’ll deal with it,” Orion replied. “Reah is a human, and some humans are gifted in ways others cannot understand.”
Lyra raised a brow. "So she has abilities, too?”
Orion shook his head. "It's a disorder that acts like a blessing in some cases.”
Lyra was speechless. She turned toward Shayla and Lena, who looked equally confused.
Behind the house, Reah slowed her steps as the temperature dropped. She pulled out a small, old camera with a colored lens and held it to her eyes. She scanned the ground, stopping at the spots that made her uneasy. The screen flickered gently, and she smiled.
“No… that’s not possible,” she whispered, more excited than concerned. Then, her scream tore through the air.
“ORION! LENA! COME HERE! NOW!”