Now or never

It took a few seconds but they all agreed. Mors swearing to keep it quiet while Hailey and Loroni simply nodded their heads. After a long sigh, I started to speak. Trying to remember everything and how to begin. From the start?

"From the top, I guess. My name is Leonardo Kross. Leo, please. I... am human. But not the ones you know. I'm 26, single, and ready to mingle. I was born... a long time ago. It doesn't matter. The point... is I'm from... a different time. When humans ruled the earth and we flew to the stars. I know its hard to believe but... I was brought from the past by one of the gods and given a chance to live again. I..."

Miss Loroni clasped her hands to her mouth as she gasped. She spoke in a hushed tone as she put the pieces together. Seemingly quicker than Hailey or Mors did. "You're a Forerunner! A survivor of the past!"

I nodded my head slowly as an uncomfortable silence formed over the four of us. It lasted for a bit too long before I continued. "I'm aware there's a stigma. That... it can be a bad omen. To be honest, I dont know much more than that. I've spoken to the god who saved me, but they've been less than thorough in their explanations. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, so I'm just trying to stay alive."

"Forerunner..." Miss Loroni spoke. Almost under her breath. Raising her gaze she met my own and began to speak. Soft and borderline terrified. "The last I know of started a war that burned two kingdom's to the ground. Emir, The Twisted King. My grandfather told me of him. He manipulated and murdered until he finally reached the right hand of the king. That's... that's when he showed his hand. Using a profane ritual he summoned a beast from the depths. It laid waste to cities day and night before Emir was finally killed. His **** alone shook the lands for two days."

The silence crept back in once more as Loroni finished. It persisted for as long as it could. An awkward and uncomfortable silencefor an equally awkward and uncomfortable conversation. "I... see. I can assure you, I've no interest in becoming a king or starting a war. All I want is to live and try to figure out why I'm here."

The first to speak after Loroni's addition, and my string of confessions, was Hailey. What surprised me, however, was the feeling of her arms wrapping around me. Pulling me into a tight hug. "You saved my son... you saved my husband, my love... you saved Nori. I don't care if your human, if youre a Forerunner... I don't care, I can't. How could someone so evil be so selfless. Could risk their life for people they've never met and can offer so little. Sir... Leo, you saved my family... my baby boy."

It took me longer than it should have to raise my arms in response. I hugged her in return, not nearly as strongly, but still. After a while she pulled away. Soft tears rolling down her cheeks. As she did so Mors began to speak as well. "Sir, this is... deeply concerning. But... I've seen your worth. I've seen your kindness and care firsthand. Whatever truth my lie in your words... you saved my son, Nori, myself... Sir, not only is your truth safe, I swear... one day I will personally repay you for your aid."

"Mors, I..." Before I could even get a sentence out the man raised his hand. Cutting me off.

"Sir, I would be offended if you tried to argue against it."

"Then be offended." I responded laughing. "Tell you what, if you're so determined to pay me back, then here's how. Love your beautiful wife, your brave son. And if I ever come around again, tell me what stories you and your family hage created. Maybe a meal and a night with good people. Is that acceptable?"

The smile that formed on Hailey's face could have melted anyone. On Mors' part, he seem conflicted before a similar grin formed in hia rugged face. "If you'll settle for such a request, I will agree. A meal, stories, and friendly faces. Any time you grace our village. I swear it." I offered my hand to the incredible man. After a smile and nod he took it without complaint.

Walking over to the far wall Hailye pulled out a small bowl of a cream of some sort. "Alright, you lot. I think he needs that care we offered. Those wounds arent going away without a potion. The least we can do is clean and wrap them." Loroni smiled and nodded her head before shooing Mors out the door. Insisting that I'd never get any rest if he were to start asking questions. Especially with Hailey and herself already having so many.

"Lets get you back to health. We may not have any magic or potions, but we have enough skill to mend some wounds and help you rest. Hailey, will you please get a pot going? Some tea and another for warm water. You know where the towels are, yes?"