Читать книгу Lutana - Estheban Feliz - Страница 1

I’m going to tell you a story—a story you might never have heard before. This is the story of “she who was born before the first full moon.” The night is dark, the rain has just kissed the land and there is only one source of light, and a strange one at that. A moon the likes of which this world has never seen newly formed and all. Its light hugs every surface it can touch, and as we turn, we see a lake glittering with the light of this almost full moon. A figure starts to rise from this lake. As it gracefully ascends from the water, we see it is a she. As she ascends, we see her beautiful tan skin that seems blessed by the sun gods themselves, her hair white as snow, her eyes a striking blue and her dress as white as a shining star. She walks on the water as if by magic. This, ladies, gentlemen and everyone in-between, is our protagonist.

As she walks out of the lake and finishes her dramatic entrance, she soon realises that she is in the middle of a forest at night and has no idea who or where she is. Not an ideal situation, I know, but the one we’re in, nonetheless. Instead of freaking out or panicking, she calmly finds a cave and goes to sleep as if nothing happened. The next day, she’s awakened to the sound of birds and sunlight directly on her face. She barely has time to collect herself before the voices of people in the distance start getting closer. She thinks to herself, Maybe these people want to hurt me? If so, then bring it on! She eagerly picks up a rock to hit one of the strange people as she exits the cave and hides in the bushes. It’s a group of men. She sees one of them stray away from the group. As she follows him, using the bushes as cover, she then finds her chance to attack. She corners the man, rock in hand. She sees the fear in his hazel eyes and the sun bouncing off his curly ginger hair and his freckles, his blue outfit and his round glasses complementing his short stature, his satchel full of books on the ground. She slowly realises he’s not a warrior.

She lets go of the rock and asks him, “Where exactly am I?”

Still in shock, he struggles to answer. Our main character lets out a sigh and extends her hand and says, “No hard feelings?”

He looks at her up and down and holds her hand, albeit shakily. As he stands up, he asks, “Wha… what is your name?”

Our protagonist pauses and replies, “ I really don’t know.”

“You don’t know your own name?” he replies. “Well, seeing that yesterday was a full moon by a newly formed moon and seeing that you held that rock as if it were a sword, I guess I’ll call you Lutana! I suppose I’ll call you Lu for short.”

She smiles and replies, “Lu it is then! May I be so bold as to ask what’s your name?”

“My name is Milo,” he replies.

“Nice to meet you, Milo.” They both share a little laugh.

Milo takes Lu into the town, and they both go into a local pub. It’s crowded, covered in animal furs and doesn’t smell all that great. Milo is shocked to see Lu’s excitement and curiosity at everything around her.

“What colour nation are you from?” Milo asks. Lu gives him a stare of utter confusion. Milo lets out a sigh of frustration and asks, “You really know nothing of this planet, do you?”

“You see my dilemma now, my good sir?” she says sarcastically and then shows a slight grin.

Milo rummages through his satchel and finds a map. He then slams it on the table and says, “Here’s everything you need to know about this planet. There are four civilisations with their own culture, religions, music, etc. Each of these civilisations is marked by their own colour. We have the blues, reds, greens, and yellows—everyone wears their nation’s colours.”

Lu, with the passion of curiosity in her eyes, points to the middle of

the map and says, “What’s this grey spot?”

“That’s the silver city where the greys live,” he replies. “The greys… “ Lu replies with great interest.

“Why, they’re like the aristocrats of this planet. Each civilisation has their own government, but the greys have the final say on anything—but they rule with soft power, rarely getting invol—”.

Lu cuts Milo off and says, “Wow, so they’re like the bad guys!”

“Well, not real—”

“Who’s their leader?” she asks, filled with excitement.” “That would be the president,” he says, shaking with fear. “Wow! So how do you become the president?” Lu replies.”“Y-You have to duel them, but no one outside of the greys has ever—”

“Perfect! Everyone, I have an announcement!” she says as she stands on the table. The pub looks on in shock and confusion. Lu says in a loud and clear voice, “I shall duel the president and WIN and free you from this lunacy! Thank you—that is all.”

Milo, visibly shaken, asks, “Have you lost your mind?”

“Hopefully not,” replies Lu. “You’re gonna help me, right Milo?”

“HELP you? I don’t even know you!” Milo replies.

“Oh, come on. I know you have the same thirst for adventure as I do!” Milo stays silent. “Or should I leave you to your books?”

Lu sighs and says, “I’m going to do this with or without you, but I could really use a friend.” She extends her hand. Milo remains quiet. Lu composes herself and says, “Well, I guess this is goodbye.”

As Lu is about to leave, Milo exclaims, “Wait for me!”

Lu rejoices, “You’re coming!”

“Can’t let you go on a death mission alone! Plus, I’m obviously the brain in this operation,” he says gleefully.

“What changed your mind?” she asks.

“Just like you said—I crave adventure, even though the thought of it gives me stomach cramps.”

Lu smiles and replies, “Well, what are you waiting for? We got a president to defeat!”

“Wait a minute—why exactly do you want to do this?” Milo asks.

“I honestly have no idea! Just the thrill and possibility of certain death is tantalizing, isn’t it!” Lu replies.

“A hero with no motive or drive—just pure recklessness. What kind of adventure story is that?” he asks.

“I guess we’ll have to see how it goes, I suppose!” she replies.

“You do know you’re insane, right?” he says in a sarcastic yet playful tone.

“I guess I’m gonna get that a lot, huh?” They laugh as they walk away.

But in the silver city, things aren’t as happy-go-lucky. “My president! My president!” people exclaim in a cold sterile room filled with grey art and sleek statutes as their curly black hair moves wildly in the wind as they run. Their bouncy black tutus bounce as they jump up and down, their green eyes providing a much needed pop of colour in this sterile environment.

“I’ve read the reports. I’m well aware of the situation.” the president replies in a cold monotone voice, drink in hand. “These reports are absurd—born of water, wanting to duel you. It’s lunacy! I say we terminate this threat at once! I’m sure there are some prisoners down there that need some… company.”

“No,” replies the president

before taking a sip of their drink while their bright red eyes glow like rubies and their grey hair cut in a bob style reflects the harsh white office lights as they bite their bottom lip.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” they reply in shock as they stare into the president’s red eyes. “This planet has become my own personal coliseum where I watch animals tear each other limb from limb, and now there’s a new player threatening the coliseum itself.”

“Oh wow, exciting!” the president exclaims in a somewhat erotic tone. “I say we leave her be—this should be a fun show indeed!” the president continues.

“But, my president—” the secretary tries to speak.

“Oh Alvis, my sweet non-binary secretary, it’s Ms. President to you,” the president says in a “caring” voice.