Ethan was silent, flabbergasted by what Octavia had admitted to him. He was even more confused to see that she didn’t care for his shock nor did she care if she had lost his trust as she stood up and walked to the foot of his bed, before pacing back and forth as she continued to speak.

“Let me elaborate…I am a Terrian, a being that is made by the respective elements that the Earth forms but have evolved into self-aware constructs that have their own free will. My race has been around since the creation of the Earth, taking care of the inhabitants and maintaining life.”

She pauses mid-step to look at Ethan, hoping that he was following along, in which he was but it seemed that he was also on the edge of passing out from shock. She quickly spoke up again.

“OK, OK! Don’t fret, I’ll talk faster! We used to live in harmony with you humans and another race, named the Ordians. Ordians were unstable matter that lacked the evolution we Terrians achieved to maintain a form, thus they became an unshapen black mass of slime, but still retained a sense of free will.”

That description though didn’t match the monster that Ethan faced, and he was about to point out that complication only to see that Octavia was still talking.

“But what attacked you was a mutated version of an Ordian. In the past, Terrians did their best to help Ordians evolve and not result in a black slimy mess, by that I mean we leant some of our powers to give some a start of structure to mimic. But…”

She turned away from him, not wanting him to see her face. But he could tell she was filled with regret and rage seeing that her hands were clenched into fists.

“Even if we came off as caring and peaceful, certain Ordians took our actions as pity and thought we were grooming them into submission to serve us…and they slaughtered my ancestors for their powers…”

Ethan took in the dark change of tone that laced the last part of Octavia’s words. The short summary of what she and that monster gave him enough reason to believe her unbelievable tale. She meant what she said, as if she had witnessed this before her very eyes…

“I wasn’t created during the time when the war started. From what our records state was that it has lasted over hundreds of years…but I have to admit we weren’t the only ones fighting.”

She gazed over her shoulder back him, eyes filled with sadness of what she was about to say.

“Humans were also being hunted by the Ordians as well, and my race couldn’t sit by and watch what they had caused affect the other inhabitants of the Earth. So, they did what they had done to the Ordians. We had used our powers and gave humanity a fighting chance to protect themselves from this threat…but the war persisted…and you can’t have a war without casualties…” She sighed.

He can understand that…even if it’s a dark thought to consider, it was still true.

“Over the years, the war grew more and more…and our races drifted apart…until we stand where we are today, Ethan…”

Now, she was facing him, stance straight and stiff. She was now giving him the end conclusion to her story, and she was preparing herself for what his reaction would be once she was done.

“Humanity has no idea of the threat that is festering on Earth. And believe me, I wish we didn’t have to bring humans into this fight, but we have no choice…Our city that you live in now shelters the remnants of Terrians just below the surface. We can’t just expose ourselves to humanity upfront about this issue, or else it would cause a global scare of panic…and you know what that would lead to, correct…”

He only nodded numbly. Humanity and its hatred for the different and unknown…

“That’s why we select only gifted humans who seem worthy to know of us and what we are fighting for. That’s why we have heavy security,” as she says this, she points to her wristband and then to Ethan’s, which has started to glow green, meaning he wasn’t a threat.

“That’s my explanation, Ethan…And seeing how you are calmer than I expected, that means you do believe me. But I’m giving you the choice of what you want to do know, and I will give you my word that I will respect your decision, from one soldier to another, I give you my word…” She relaxes her posture and raises her hands in surrender, waiting for what Ethan as to say. She doesn’t have to hide her worry when she closes her eyes, not wanting to pressure him with her gaze.

…

“For someone basically being a God, you sure care about what others think of you, huh?” He didn’t expect his voice to be mellowed out and calm. He wasn’t filled with rage, fear, or confusing during the entire time Octavia gave her story, and he didn’t feel that now when she had given him an opportunity to speak. He was just…calm. That was a first for him as if it was something that he hasn’t experience for a very long time.

Octavia was surprised too with his honesty and open demeanor after the mind-shattering truth she just explained to him, that she faltered in her steps as she jolts backward in awe by his words.

“A-awh, t-hat’s strange for you say, E-than.” She was a stuttering mess now, which seemed like it doesn’t occur often for her. But it was actually…entertaining for Ethan to see.

‘Really? Because the first thing that came to my mind after you told me what you are, I had thought you would just banish me or do something worse, being all ancient and powerful.” Where was this coming from?! He hasn’t stuttered at all and talking with such purpose that he didn’t feel like he was himself…but rather, his old self…

“WWAH!? No, gosh no! I would never do such a thing!” Octavia screeched out from the top of her…does she even have lungs if she wasn’t human? Either way, Ethan just remained respectfully silent and watched as Octavia collected herself and eyed him with playful annoyance.

“Geez, you are taking this very well. Are you sure you’re ok with what I just said or are you still concussed,?”

He merely shrugged and looked over to the landscape that was being illuminated by what it seemed was light leaking through from above.

“…It doesn’t sound as much different than what humans have done to each other in the past, so why is this any different…” He openly said.

“You’re right…but I’m giving you an option of what you want to do in this situation. I don’t want you to feel pressured about joining another wa-…”

“I wasn’t forced when I joined the military.” He didn’t mean to cut her off, but he needed her to stop and understand his reasons for his calmness.

“I made a choice to join, and while my reason was a bit…despairing, it taught me to understand the world better. And now, even if what you had told me was beyond what I thought was out of human’s understanding, it's still a war…and war will always happen unless a new force comes into play.”

Octavia remains silent, taking note of the words of wisdom coming from Ethan.

“And…I’m telling you,” He turns back to her, ready to give his decision that would change his life…forever.

“I hope we can work together and end this war.”