Skirk

"Let's go. She's not going to make it." "But, our orders were to..." The young child held on to her broken, bloody arm, and watched the two figures before her through blurry eyes. In the end, the one who seemed to be in charge bade the other to stop talking. They turned around, then vanished into the distance. Not long ago, her people had learned that the universe held more civilizations than they ever imagined. In the past, the chance to interact with those beyond their world had been limited to a wizened, scholarly few. Just a few months ago, the leaders had announced that trade relations were amicable. So why...? Beams cracked and splintered under tongues of flame. In the infernal maw the little girl lay, suffocated by smoke, heat, and blood loss. As the debris and charred wood that buried her were dug away, she heard a sound... Something squeaking. Her eyelids had been crusted shut with dried blood. But even so blinded, she could sense the light's intrusion. And she could hear footsteps crunching on scorched terrain, each footfall shattering the broken bricks beneath it. The newcomer easily freed the little girl from the wreckage restraining her. Then, placing one massive hand on her shoulder, they yanked her out. The pain of being pulled so suddenly made her think that all her limbs had been torn off at once. She cried — and as tears forced their way through her eyelids, they washed away the coagulated blood. She was surprised to find that she was still hydrated enough to cry. But the feeling lasted barely a moment. The next thing she knew, the agony sent her spiraling into unconsciousness. She was surprised to wake up again. She had not thought she would be granted the mercy of opening her eyes a second time. Though her vision still swam, she could make out a bonfire, and the tall man who sat before it cross-legged. Off to the side, a hulking rat-like beast cowered in the shadows, inky eyes mirroring the fire's wild flicker.