Curdia

"Haruki.." Solaire gently nudged Haruki awake, her warm hands tapped on his face incessantly until he stirred. His eyes were wet with sweat or tears, maybe a mixture of both, he wasn't sure. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to wake up, bud."

"How long was I out for? My head is killing me.." Haruki rubbed his temples and sighed.

"About a day or two, not entirely sure. Sorry, I kinda put you in here and got to work helping the village folk rebuild after the attack." Solaire's head fell into her hands, her head seemed heavy with self-disappointment. 

The attack!! That's right! My god, I can't believe I nearly forgot about it. Was that really two days ago? Crap... I can't believe I have been out so long. The little girl..!

"Did the little girl live? Were you able to get her mother back?!" Haruki grabbed Solaires shoulders frantically, his eyes filling with tears once again.

"Relax, Creator. The little girl is fine, physically at least. She's with her father right now, and unfortunately, no. Once a Scavenger devours you, that's it, there's no coming back from that. I can't save everyone, try as I might." Solaire gently pushed his hands off her, and turned away. She was emotional but didn't want to show it, or so it looked. She took his hand and began to lead him out of the makeshift hut. "Anyway, let's go. You have a village very eager to meet their God and a vibrant world to greet, Haruki."

Haruki froze as she tugged on his hand, he could feel his pulse rising and his breath catching in his chest. 

I can't... I can't meet people... I can barely leave my... huh? Leave my..? How can I possibly meet people who think I am some sort of God!! This is all too much, I can't handle this!!

Solaire approached him, her stare burned through him like she was furious. However, she wrapped her arms around him, embracing his body and placing her head on his chest. The warmth coming from her was near unbearable but mostly comforting. Haruki mustered all of his power to not cry again. It felt nice to be held, he can't remember the last time he had earnest physical contact with another person. He wanted to protest but it just felt so nice, there was no choice but to surrender to her kind heat. All the anxieties, fears and doubts melted away in that moment. Though it must have been mere minutes, the hug felt like a calm eternity. Where once Haruki was an exposed nerve wincing at the wind of life, he now could feel the shell of determination beginning to form within him. 

"T-thank you.. Solaire. I really can't tell you how much this means to me." He smiled for the first time in a long time, and felt something ignite inside him. A spark growing despite the wet tinder.

"You are most welcome, Haruki. You should count yourself lucky though, I don't make a habit of hugging strangers I just met." Solaire smiled and winked, releasing her burning grip around his body.

"Something tells me that isn't true at all. Besides, I'm no stranger. I am the Creator." Haruki let out a nervous half-laugh. It was all he could do to not cringe at himself.

"I can neither confirm nor deny such allegations." Solaire smirked deviously, "But I am glad you are starting to somewhat embrace your title. Even if it's forced."

"Just trying my best, I suppose. Should we get going? I don't like to keep people waiting." He smiled.

"Yes, let's. And Haruki?" Solaire began walking out the hut and suddenly turned around looking into him with bright suns of certainty. 

"Uhh, yea Solaire?" Haruki replied with a slight tremble.

"You got this." She said, as if he had no choice in the matter. He probably didn't

The pair finally left the hut and were greeted by the bright reflective whites that made up majority of Curdia. The material that made up the huts seemed to be some sort of white mud. The people walking around had white hair, white eyes, white skin, and even wore flowy white clothing. Not off-white, not cream, not eggshell white, pure milky white. The ground was even white except small patches of grass scattered about. All of the white surfaces made it difficult to see, like when the snow reflects the sun directly into your eyes, it was blinding. Haruki put his hand onto his brow to help offset the shine. 

"You'll get used to it. Come on, follow me." Solaire beckoned.

He kept his hand above his eyes while they walked further into town. The village was still in shambles, houses destroyed, rubble and debris littered the ground. Despite that the townsfolk were busy at work mending their home. It was admirable how the community all worked together in such an effortless way. There was a proper flow to make things run efficiently. One group gathered the white mud and piled it in the village square where Solaire fought the large Scavenger, another group brought portions of mud to a different group that was busy mending the huts and buildings. Haruki almost felt jealous of the camaraderie. He could hardly fathom having so many people to call family and friends, let alone creating such a thing as he was alleged to have done. Nonetheless, whether he did or didn't create this world, this village and its people, it was beautiful to witness. 

Solaire stopped in front of a large hut that had part of its roof removed. Haruki's blood ran cold as he remembered this was where he rescued the little girl and where he was nearly swallowed whole by the Scavenger. Despite the memory being so fresh, he shook the chill from his mind. 

I got this.

"This is Chief Chez's home, he lived here with his wife but now it's just him and his daughter, Weiwei. The same daughter you saved from being devoured, Haruki." Solaire nodded and led him inside.

The interior was very messy, the ground was cluttered with books, photos, a broken vase and some other decor. Haruki followed Solaire upstairs, he nearly stepped on a photo of what he could only assume was Chief Chez, Weiwei and the matriarch of the family. He picked it up, blew off some dust and fixed a crease in the corner of it while he continued up with his escort.

The two entered a room that was fully barren besides a table with a map, and a man sitting in a chair looking up at another taller man with anger in his eyes. They were having an intense conversation.

"I am telling you, Chez. It was the group of thieves south of the village. The guardsmen reported seeing them skulking around just hours before the Scavenger attack. I don't know why you aren't taking this seriously. We need to apprehend them immediately and make them pay for the lives we lost." Tall angry man pleaded with Chief Chez. The Chief looked tired but understanding.

"I'm sorry, Lac. But what you're saying simply does not make sense to me. The Merrymen have existed for many many years now, and while their ways may seem unsavory at times, I would hardly call them dangerous. I cannot fathom what they would gain by leading the Scavengers here. It would put them in just as much danger and would close off their biggest trader of food and cloth. I understand you are angry and want someone to blame but attacking people based simply off how they seem is wrong. I will not allow it. That's the last we shall speak of this, for I am with a new guest. One of much prestige it would seem." Chief Chez waved Lac away and stood up with shaky knees. Lac sighed, it seemed like there were tears in his eyes. "Solaire, you're back! Welcome, my dear. And is this young man who I think he is? Or do my old eyes deceive me?"

"Chief Chez, I present to you: Haruki Omori, the Creator of Nest." Solaire smiled and signaled for Haruki to move forward.

"Uhhh, it's an honor to meet you, sir! Please let me know how I can help with anything at all." Haruki bowed drastically in front of the chief. 

"Hohoho, I never thought I'd see the day a God bowed before me. What a peculiar lad you are. Please rise. It is I who is honored to meet you." Haruki lifted his head out of the bow, just as Chief Chez bowed drastically at him. "Please take this bow as a symbol of my appreciation. I don't really care that you may be a God and to be frank, you don't act like it. But you and Solaire saved my daughter from those monsters, and for that, you have my undying gratitude and the support of Curdia at your back for whatever you may face."

Haruki could feel his face turn red and hot. He didn't know how to react to the Chiefs gratitude. He looked at Solaire, and she winked at him. 

I got this!

"It was my pleasure. To be honest, I reacted without even thinking. I was terrified but I just couldn't watch idly by. I'm happy to see that she still has family remaining." Haruki said, he felt warm. It was nice to be appreciated.

Chief Chez rose from his bow and smiled. Despite how he looked, he definitely was still full of vigor. 

"Weiwei! How about you come up here and thank the nice man for saving you!" Chief Chez called out. The small patter of feet and giggles echoed up to top floor, and within seconds, Weiwei burst into the room. Haruki couldn't help but feel relieved. Without hesitation she leapt at him, and he caught her in his arms. Weiwei's eyes were puffy and swollen but regardless her smile radiated. She held on to him tightly. 

"Thank you Mister Creator. Even though you couldn't save, Mama too... thank you for saving me from the stupid stinky Scavengers. They can go away forever! Right, Papa?" She dropped from Haruki's grasp to the floor, making her way over to her father. Chief Chez placed his hand on her head. 

"That's right dear. Wasn't there a secret question, you wanted to ask this man? You have been pretty certain on it." Chief Chez smiled at his girl.

Weiwei slowly walked back over to Haruki and signaled him to crouch down to her level, and he did just that. She cupped her hand over his ear and began to whisper.

"Do you want to be my..."

Pain shot through Haruki's skull and color drained from the world as he fell to his knees.

"Big brother?," a voice called out for him.

"Yes, Rena?" Haruki replied but the voice was gone once again, and the color came back to his world.

"Rena?! My name is Weiwei!! And you can't be my big brother if you can't remember my name!" Weiwei crossed her arms and stamped her foot on the ground.

"Yes! Sorry, I meant Weiwei. I don't even know anyone named Rena. That's weird. But yes, I'd love to be your big brother." Haruki stood up, rubbing his temples. 

Rena? I've never heard that name before.. Have I?

"Did you just say.. Rena? Where did you hear that name!" Solaire grabbed Haruki's collar, lifting him into the air, choking him.