Cursed Odyssey

The morning sun blazed overhead, its warmth mocking the storm that had torn through the night before. Moisture hung thick in the air, and scattered clouds offered blessed relief from the heat. For a day edging toward winter, it was perfect.

At least on the surface. Joseph's sharp eyes could say the same about this village.

He entered with hands bound, a single guard trailing behind.

The dirt path stretched between rows of houses—some boasting neat gardens, others drowning in overgrown grass and neglected walkways. Quality varied wildly: sturdy homes stood beside structures that barely qualified as mud huts.

Behind each dwelling lay farms of different sizes. Joseph spotted crops and creatures that almost resembled cows grazing in the distance where men worked—except these beasts towered larger, gleamed golden, and sported twisted horns.

Walking deeper into the village's heart, his initial calm began to crack. Children his age, some younger, darted past in squealing packs. Others stopped mid-play to gawk and whisper, exactly as normal children would.

"Is that an albino human? Wow!"

"My grandmother says pale ones steal dreams. Do you steal dreams?"

"Does he speak with words or just growls?"

"You think he's the devil here to eat us? I heard nothing good comes out of that forest..."

"What a bum! I bet I could beat his ass!"

Joseph caught one group's eyes and smiled—genuine warmth reaching every corner of his expression. The children blinked, startled by this unexpected gift, then scattered like dandelion seeds on the wind.

Second only to the children's chatter came the merchants' calls. Zotts and Humans alike hawked their wares from colorful stalls overflowing with fruits, vegetables, and handmade goods. The mingled aromas made Joseph's empty stomach clench with longing. Days without food had hollowed him out, almost masking the tension coiling beneath his skin.

But beneath the market's bright chaos, another current flowed.

Conversations died as he passed.

A cluster of men abandoned their discussion of crop yields to study him with the cold assessment of farmers examining diseased livestock.

"Why do we let in an outsider just as Lagos shows again?"

"He should have been executed... Why would the human lord spare him?"

"Evil has a smell... Something rotten in that boy."

Unlike the children's innocent curiosity, these words carried weight—judgment built on years of mistrust for the outside world, and something else. It reminded him of looks he'd received back on Earth, yet felt entirely different.

The harshest words came from the Zotts. Insults flung like knives from all directions, yet Joseph simply smiled at their provocations—the sweet innocence of a boy trying his best.

A sudden crash echoed through the street. The sound of splintering wood and rolling fruit drew Joseph's attention to a nearby merchant's stall.

A Zott merchant with a scruffy beard scrambled to apologize, kneeling to gather fallen apples scattered across the dirt. A human client in simple work clothes bent to help, collecting fruit and handing it back. The merchant smiled—lips curving upward while his eyes remained flat.

"Thank you," he said with practiced warmth.

The human nodded, brushing dirt from an apple before placing it in the crate. "How much for a loaf of bread?"

The merchant stood, dusting his hands. "Three Lia pieces." He reached for a loaf, coughing briefly as he held it out. His fingers hovered, then pulled back just before touching the human's outstretched hand.

The buyer took the bread with a polite smile. "Thanks."

The merchant's grin widened to show teeth. "Of course, of course." His eyes flicked to Joseph for the briefest moment before returning to his wares with hardened focus.

The human did the same, eyes widening as he passed by.

To both, Joseph simply smiled and lowered his head.

He walked on, then suddenly stopped.

His head turned toward an elderly human woman with dull grey eyes, struggling to water a plant. Water pooled uselessly around yellowing leaves. Frustration lined her face—perhaps even defeat at her withering crop's state.

He smiled and spoke. "Excuse me, miss, but I believe such a plant would benefit from more shade."

The plant displayed broad, drooping leaves with pale green veins. Brown spots dotted the curling edges—clear signs of overexposure to direct sunlight. Back on Earth, Joseph had learned about such species, those that thrived in filtered light beneath larger trees or near moist areas.

Assuming basic biology remained constant in this world, he applied the same agricultural knowledge. This plant had evolved in spots where sun rays were softened, filtered by canopies and structures.

The old woman looked up, surprised. Suspicion flickered in her eyes before softening as she glanced at the plant. "You might be right." She shifted her grip on the watering can and offered a small smile. "Thank you, young man."

Joseph returned the gesture, eyes gentle. "It's my pleasure."

He turned to continue walking, the guard behind him watching silently.

"Kid, are you retarded?" A young Zott interrupted, pleading with the old woman. "I'm not sure you know basic agriculture, but plants need sunlight to survive! Lady, please don't listen—"

The old woman chuckled—wind through dry leaves. "This plant doesn't have long... So I'll try what the young boy says. I really have nothing to lose."

The Zott threw his hands up. "It's your loss, lady! Just use common sense!" He stalked away, muttering under his breath.

"Such filth..."

Huh?

Joseph heard the odd comment and turned to find a large, tanned man with keen green eyes watching him, arms crossed. Intrigue rather than disdain marked his expression, catching Joseph by surprise.

"I'm glad to see this mysterious, strange boy is kind and well-mannered. You have our support..."

Our support... Joseph mentally noted, before noticing the guard's piercing gaze behind him.

"I appreciate it, but I must go now."

"Best of luck!" The man cheered him on.

As they approached their final destination, Joseph noticed something else that seemed oddly out of place. A simple stone shed in a village of wood. Two guards flanked its entrance, their postures rigid and alert—far more vigilant than seemed necessary for a storage building.

Treasure storage room, perhaps? Joseph mused.

After several minutes, they reached the village's end, where a large house sat—the Holy House of Luud, where all important matters took place and the two leaders resided: Adrian, the Human Lord, and Yrill, the Zott Lord.

But the house itself wasn't what caught Joseph's attention.

A wooden statue of a masked warrior stood squarely before it. The carving depicted a tall figure in intricate armor, flowing cape, and an enigmatic full-face helmet that obscured any hint of identity.

From Anne's stories, this was the man who united Zotts and Humans during the Great Unification War. Known only as Lord Luud, he'd been a fierce warrior who fought tirelessly to end the bitter conflict that once ravaged these lands.

He always wore that full helmet, never exposing himself, maintaining mystery even among close allies. Some claimed he was neither fully Zott nor Human, but a being of both—sent by gods to bring peace.

Now he lived only in legend, remembered as their greatest ancestor and revered as the founding figure of their shared civilization.

Lord Luud himself had supposedly passed down special scripture, but only to those with strength and knowledge to learn and decipher its true meaning. It would grant them power and wisdom beyond imagination to guide the village into light. Such were the current leaders—manifestations of their ancestors' will.

Behind the statue stood the house, grand by village standards yet modest anywhere else. Earthy tones painted its walls, and decorative carvings adorned wooden roof beams. The structure symbolized unity, incorporating elements of both Human and Zott architecture. Carved patterns depicted scenes from both cultures' histories—battles fought, alliances made, the merging of two worlds.

This was a holy house where no women, children, or outsiders were permitted. Joseph was escorted to a nearby building, nearly as extravagant, radiating a holier-than-thou aura.

Guards flanked the entrance like razor-eyed sentinels. A nod from Joseph's escort, and they stepped aside.

Inside, cooler air greeted them. Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on stone floors. Banners of both Human and Zott factions adorned the hall, their colors intertwined in unity. Burning incense hung heavy in the air, adding solemnity to the space.

"Please, come in. Welcome to my home."

The voice drifted from shadows to Joseph's left. An old man emerged, walking stick tapping against stone, red-plumed iron crown gleaming dully above gray hair.

Undeniable authority surrounded him.

Joseph immediately bowed. "Greetings, Lord Adrian. I've only heard good things about you since my arrival. It's only thanks to you that I now draw breath!"

"Oh, is that so... Perhaps, perhaps!" Adrian chuckled, fingers dancing along his walking stick. "Who knew you spoke our tongue and showed manners? From your looks, I expected a barbaric little beast. This reality is... more pleasant."

"Truly an honor to receive such praise from a man as noble as you, my lord." Joseph's head lowered further.

"Enough formalities. Follow me..." Adrian motioned, and Joseph obeyed, the guard following suit.

They walked down a long corridor decorated with intricate murals depicting important moments from the village's history.

"How have you been finding the accommodations so far?" Adrian asked.

"They were wonderful, my lord. I truly don't deserve any of this... Miss Anne is so kind... I woke up all healed..."

"Are you not angry that we're treating you like a prisoner, that every villager looks at you with scorn?" Adrian's eyes briefly flickered toward Joseph's bound hands.

Joseph gave him a confused glance. "Why would I be, my lord? I'm an outsider. If I were them, I'd probably do the same... You owe me absolutely nothing. The fact that I'm healed, sheltered, and still draw breath is testament to your generosity."

"Are you sure you're a child?" Adrian couldn't help but laugh.

"I guess I've experienced more than the average child..."

"I see..." Adrian nodded thoughtfully. "If that's the case, perhaps you'll fit in better than expected. In truth, we'd usually execute outsiders like you—even children. But this case is special considering the circumstances... If we don't get adequate answers from you... Perhaps execution is still on the table... I hope your mature mind can grasp that."

Joseph gulped. "I'm fully prepared, my lord."

"Well, it's not like you can choose your fate. Your fate has already been decided... After all, we have our methods of extracting only the truth..." Adrian's eyes held something unreadable.

They stopped before a wooden door. Adrian pushed it open, revealing a windowless chamber. A single table sat at its center with two chairs, shadows dancing in candlelight. Heavy air pressed against them as they stepped inside.

"Wait outside," Adrian told the guard, patting his shoulder. "Thank you for your service."

The soldier nodded and obeyed without protest or worry for his lord. The door closed behind them, leaving Joseph alone with the human lord.

Adrian slowly sat opposite the desk, softly caressing a clear orb with a smile.

"This is a lie detector... A gift from the ancestors... A holy sphere that will see all deceit..."

From the descriptions Joseph had heard, he had no doubt. This was the same lie detector used by that prison.