I am an Alien in another reality.

Alex placed the golden sarcophagus on a raised examination platform inside the shuttle's sleek interior. The small, winged snake inside remained motionless, its body nestled perfectly in a groove carved into the golden box, surrounded by a gooey liquid faintly infused with origin energy. Its pearl-like scales shimmered softly under the ambient lighting.

"It looks pretty. Did you make it?" Arwen asked, her gaze fixed on the delicate creature.

"No, I found it in the ruin," Alex replied, his brow furrowed in thought. "Lily, any idea why the origin energy is in the liquid?"

"I see, I see. It's nothing special, really," Lily mused, sitting on the edge of the box, her tiny feet swinging. "Do you remember Death, from Harry Potter's world?"

"Yeah, he made contact with the Origin Core, right?" Alex recalled.

"Exactly. Sometimes, native beings can make contact like that. But since the core isn't sentient, understanding it can be... complicated. If you absorb the accumulated knowledge from the Origin Core itself, you'd know more," Lily suggested, her voice playful.

"No, I'd rather not do that," Alex dismissed the idea without hesitation.

"So, this baby snake made contact?" Arwen asked, puzzled. Though she knew of the Origin Core, its mysteries remained elusive.

"Nope. Most likely, the one who cared for this child did," Lily corrected, dipping a finger into the liquid. She swirled it gently, gathering the scattered origin energy onto her fingertip. A soft golden glow pulsed as she directed it toward the snake's head, allowing the energy to seep into the creature.

"Come on, Alex. Take it out," Lily urged, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

Without hesitation, Alex extended his hand and lifted the small snake. It was no larger than his palm, its delicate form cool against his skin.

The liquid did not cling to his fingers or the creature, vanishing like an ethereal mist the moment the snake left the box.

"It's very cute... even though it's a snake," Arwen remarked, tilting her head as she observed the slumbering creature.

"The body's alive, but..." Alex murmured. He raised a finger and released a small orb of golden light. The energy floated gently onto the snake's body, suffusing it with a warm glow.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the snake's tail twitched.

Its eyes flicked open, luminous and golden. With a soft hiss, its wings quivered, unfolding in delicate splendor. The creature lifted off Alex's palm, its two sets of feathery wings fluttering as it circled the cabin in graceful arcs before returning to his hand.

"It's beautiful. How is it now?" Arwen asked, extending her palm with quiet wonder.

"It's fine," Alex assured her. "I infused it with a new soul. It should understand your commands without issue. You should keep it."

The winged serpent slithered onto Arwen's hand, coiling delicately around her wrist. It hissed softly and nuzzled its head against her thumb.

"Okay, now that's dealt with, send me back, we're about to have a meal," Lily protested, flopping dramatically onto Alex's face with a splat.

Arwen giggled, slipping her fingers through Alex's hand. "You too?" Alex asked, raising a brow at her playful expression.

"I've been practicing cooking. Want to try it?" Arwen invited, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Alex hesitated. "I'd love to... but do I have to go?" He knew his presence often overwhelmed the beings in his ring world, and he wanted them to enjoy the feast without distraction.

"Fine," Arwen relented with a smile. "I'll let the four races offer their tributes to the Creator God."

"Well, technically, I am," Alex quipped, pulling her close and kissing her softly.

"Eugh, cut it out, you two," Lily grumbled, her tiny form vibrating with mock disgust.

Alex laughed as Lily and Arwen, along with the feathered snake twined around her wrist, dissolved into shimmering starlight, and returned to the ring.

With that settled, Alex piloted the shuttle deeper beneath the ocean's surface, continuing his exploration of the ancient relics and hidden treasures scattered across the planet's depths.