Lumina sat quietly, her plate now empty, her stomach finally full. For the first time in days—maybe weeks—she didn't feel fear crawling under her skin. But the man across from her still puzzled her.
"You said… you're not from here?" she asked softly.
Ernesto blinked, caught off guard. He wasn't sure how much he could—or should—say. He scratched the back of his neck, unsure.
"Yeah… I'm not. But I've only been here two days," he admitted. "I don't know how you'd even explain where I'm from. Different world, different rules. I'm just a guy who loves tech. That's all."
She nodded slowly, sensing the hesitation and choosing not to push further.
"Your name… it's Ernesto, right?"
"Yeah, but most people call me Nano. Nickname."
"Nano…" she repeated, almost like tasting the sound.
"I like that name."
He smiled at her.
"And you? What's your name?"
"Lumina."
"Whoa… that's a pretty name."
She flinched slightly, then looked away with pink cheeks.
"T-Thank you…"
She stood up slowly and began to explore the strange home he'd built. It wasn't made of stone or thatched wood like the villages she'd seen. It was clean, sharp, glowing in certain corners with strange lights. When she pressed a button near a strange glass stall, a sudden stream of hot water sprayed out.
"AH!" she yelped, pulling her hand back from the scalding stream.
"Whoa, careful! That's the shower," Nano said, quickly moving to help.
She stumbled backward, accidentally hitting another switch.
FWHOOOSH.
"What was that?!"
"You flushed the toilet," he chuckled.
"Your home… it's so clean… so strange. Are you a mage?" she asked, genuinely confused.
"Nah, nothing like that. I'm just a regular guy," he said. Then paused.
"Wait… magic? Magic exists here?"
She raised her hand, a small fireball forming effortlessly in her palm.
"This is just beginner-level. No chant, no enchantment needed."
Nano's jaw dropped.
"WHOA! Real magic?! That's insane!"
"If you have mana, you can use magic too. It's just… natural."
He looked at his hands thoughtfully.
"Huh… I wonder if I can."
But he didn't try—yet.
Instead, he turned his focus back to a half-finished drone on his workbench.
"Another metal bird?" Lumina asked, peeking over his shoulder.
"Not a bird. It's called a drone," he corrected. "It helps scout the area and keep me safe without walking into danger blindly."
"Like… a magical familiar?"
"Kind of. But it's just a tool. Not a slave."
"Oh," she said softly. "That makes sense."
He finished adjusting it and sent the drone out.
"I've been looking for fresh water. The base has some, but I need river water for cooking."
Her eyes lit up.
"There's a river nearby. That's how I got here."
"Really? Could you show me?"
She nodded and led him through a quiet path. Soon, the sound of flowing water echoed ahead. They reached a clear river filled with fish, shimmering beneath the sun.
"Nice… this'll work," Nano said, kneeling to scoop up some in a metal cup.
"Tastes fine, but let's purify it just in case."
He handed it off to one of the drones, which zipped away with a soft beep.
"It obeys you like a slave," Lumina said, still unsure.
"Nah, more like… a tool that does the boring stuff. Makes life easier."
She nodded, starting to understand.
Suddenly, the brush rustled violently.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
A giant boar burst from the woods, its tusks sharp, eyes red with rage. It towered over them, snarling like a demon.
"Whoa—THAT'S BIG!" Nano shouted.
"Move!" Lumina cried. "It's going to charge!"
Nano instinctively jumped in front of her.
"Alright, big guy… you wanna fight?"
The beast roared and charged. At the last second, Nano grabbed Lumina and leapt aside, barely dodging its charge.
"BUILD!" he shouted.
A glowing menu opened in front of him. Lumina gasped.
"What is that?!"
"Just—hang on—BUILD WEAPON!"
A sleek laser gun formed in his hands.
"Oh wow… is that… a laser?!" she gasped.
"LOOK OUT!"
The boar rammed him before he could fire, slamming him against a tree. He gasped, blood on his lip.
"NANO!" Lumina screamed.
She conjured fireballs and hurled them, but they only burned the boar slightly. It kept coming.
Nano wiped blood from his mouth, groaning.
"Drone… lift me."
The drone zipped over, catching him mid-jump. It launched him through the air, and he landed on the boar's back, aiming straight down.
ZAP!
The laser gun fired, blasting through the boar's skull. It dropped instantly.
Silence followed.
Lumina ran to him.
"You're hurt!" she said, eyes wide with concern.
"Yeah… just a little winded," he grinned weakly.
She pressed her hands against his wounds, casting a gentle healing spell. Tears welled in her eyes.
Then, she hugged him.
"Why? Why did you protect me?"
He looked down at her, confused.
"Because… I wouldn't let someone like you get hurt."
"Why?"
"Well… I guess you're my friend. Or… unless it's too early to say girlfriend?"
She blinked.
"G-Girlfriend?" she stammered, cheeks red.
He chuckled.
"Too soon?"
She looked away shyly.
"No… I'd like that."
Nano blinked.
"Wait—really? We just met and—"
She interrupted, eyes locked on his.
"I don't mind… if it's you."
He stared for a second, then smiled and offered his hand.
"Alright then. If you're staying with me—and you're my girlfriend—then let's go home."
She took his hand, a small tear slipping down her cheek.
"Home…" she whispered. "I haven't had a home in a long time."
They walked back together, through the trees, as the drone hovered overhead and the sun dipped low on the horizon.