Kidnapped by the Alien Chieftain (The Klendathian Cycle #1)

18. Krogoth

Chapter 18

Krogoth

Loss

“ L ad, if the need is urgent, I can go on ahead and install the Elerium,” Felixus offers, his battlesuit humming to life.

“Very well, lead the way to Port four hundred and forty-two and show old Astraxius the Elerium, and he’ll let you onboard,” I say, handing him the precious, glowing orange material, finding it strange that I feel I can trust this Nebian.

As we exit Javik’s ruined building, Felixus’ battlesuit explodes into action, propelling him at breakneck speed towards the upper limits of the Terminus Exile Station. He becomes a mere speck in the distance. I wish I could do likewise. I’m filled to bursting with anticipation so close to finally seeing Pebbles again.

Meanwhile, a horde of ragged looters swarm the remains of the Crimson Beasts’ headquarters, eager to scavenge whatever they can find. It’s only a matter of time before another ruthless warlord rises to take control of the territory, perpetuating the endless cycle of suffering that plagues this forsaken place.

Xander, Logarn, and I move swiftly through the labyrinthine alleyways of the station, our senses heightened as we keep a watchful eye out for any lurking danger. Ever vigilant.

The locals eye us warily as we push past them, our urgency to leave this wretched place evident in our determined strides. We dodge and weave through the crowds, never slowing down as we make our way towards our ship.

Nearing the docking section, the urgency to escape this hellhole of a station grows more intense. I run the gauntlet, pushing past desperate people who beg for passage off the station, offering everything they have as payment. I feel the weight of their hopelessness bearing down on me.

We push our way to the docking station security door, marked with the number four hundred and forty-two. The guards scan us for our credentials. The door slides open, granting us access to the security checkpoint, then onto the massive docking area beyond.

Stepping into the vast space, the sight of my ship greets us like an old friend. As I move closer, relief washes over me as I notice that the once-mangled hull appears to have been meticulously repaired, its surface smooth and unblemished once more. Only a few more minutes until I can be reunited with Pebbles.

I enter through the open docking hatch door and arrive in the corridor, only to be greeted by a gruesome sight. The air is thick with the stench of burning flesh and the crackle of energy weapons. Scores of Glaseroid bodies litter the floor, reduced to nothing but piles of blue, molten biomass. I’m filled with a sense of dread, wondering what horrors might have befallen Pebbles.

Pebbles, please Gods, let her be safe! I charge forward at a blinding speed, my heart racing with a murderous rage that permeates every fiber of my being; my vision becomes cloudy with a purple mist, and the Rush takes over my senses.

My eyes glance at two broken forms lying amidst the carnage, and my heart clenches with grief and fury. I can taste the bile in the back of my throat as the sight of my brave, fallen warriors overwhelms me. The sheer mass of Glaseroid Psykes had overwhelmed them.

“They’ve taken their warvisors,” Xandor says through gritted teeth. He charges, following closely behind.

The heat in my body reaches a boiling point as my seething rage stews within me. I hear the blood pounding in my ears as I clench my fists, determined to avenge the fallen. “I swear by the Gods, I will rip out the throat of the treacherous Yaksai for this sacrilege.” Growling, my words drip with venom.

The sound of my pounding footsteps echoes through the narrow corridors, the reverberations amplified by the walls. I leap over piles of broken Glaseroid bodies, the acrid stench of burned flesh fills my nostrils. Thankfully, Pebbles or any of my warriors are not among the dead.

I arrive at the Command Bridge in a matter of moments, the Rush still pumping through my veins, filling me with a fierce energy. The door stands ajar, a gaping hole cut through it, telling the tale of the desperate last stand of my warriors.

I duck under the jagged edge of the door, slipping into the room with practiced ease. The scent of burned metal fills my nostrils. My eyes sweep over the scene before me, taking in the sight of the Glaseroids swarming around the command console, trying to hack into the ship’s systems. Others pick through the fallen bodies, scavenging for anything of value, while the hated Yaksai barks orders at them like a pack leader.

With a fierce, unwavering focus, I set myself about my grim task, rushing towards the nearest group of Glaseroids. I punch my clawed hand straight through the chest of the first one, yellow viscera painting the room. I toss his skittering body aside, relishing the crunching sound of bones breaking, before rushing to the next target. With my other hand, I slash down his chest, feeling the warm blood splatter on my face. The look of shock and terror etched across their features only fuels my bloodlust.

As I continue my deadly dance, I notice Xandor and Logarn have joined the fray, delivering their own murderous rage. The sound of their snarls mixes with the sickening sound of bones cracking and flesh tearing. With each strike, we grow more frenzied, seeking the bloody retribution that we desire and crave.

The next target is close by, but I don’t hesitate. I deliver a front kick, sending him smashing into the metal wall with a sickening thud. His body crumples, broken and lifeless at my feet. These pathetic Glaseroids are no match for our strength and muscle. We tower above them like demigods, reveling in the feeling of our power and superiority.

As the last Glaseroid stands before me, his six skittering arm limbs held up in terror, I can smell the scent of his fear mixed with the stench of death that permeates the room. Yaksai, the leader of the Psykes, and traitorous scum, throws himself before my feet. His desperate pleas fill my ears. But as I look away in disgust, I glimpse the bloodied form of old Astraxius in the corner, his skin deathly pale.

Fury fills me, and my heart pounds in my chest as I roar, “Where is Pebbles?”

The terror in Yaksai’s voice is palpable as he asks, “Who’s Pebbles?”

Frustrated, I smack him across his weirdly shaped head and growl, “The Earth woman.”

Yaksai wheels around, pleading for mercy. “Please, let me explain. Yes, Tensin Naxsus took her.”

My anger rises. “For what purpose?”

“He’s a collector of rare things, especially females. Please,” he pleads.

Terror grips me at the thought of what fate may have befallen my sweet Pebbles. “Where?” I demand, gripping him by his jacket collar.

“I don’t know, I swear—” He screams as I twist his neck, killing him before he can finish.

“Chieftain, Astraxius clings to life yet,” Xandor says, his voice filled with concern as he points towards the bloodied form of the elder.

I rush over to Astraxius, the scent of blood heavy in the air. Kneeling beside him, I hear his labored breathing and see the pain etched on his face. “The Gods are kind,” I say urgently, trying to offer some hope. “Hold on, I’ll get you to your medical lab.”

Astraxius sputters blood, his voice weak. “It’s too late… Rocks is gone. The warrior in golden armor killed Carndor and took her.” He takes a rasping breath and winces in pain. “Swear that you’ll save her, Krogoth. We can’t abandon her to such a cruel fate.” He coughs, and more blood spills from his mouth.

“I swear it on the Gods, old friend,” I say, placing my hand on my heart.

Astraxius nods lightly. “My time is at an end, brothers,” he says, his gaze shifting between Xandor and me. He takes our hands in his, and I feel the coldness of his skin.

“No, Astraxius, you’re the best of us! Don’t leave us. It’s too great a weight to carry!” I say, tears welling up in my eyes.

Astraxius snorts, and a shudder of pain ripples through him. “I’m the worst of us,” he says, his voice gaining a sudden force I hadn’t expected. “It was I, five hundred years ago, that convinced the elders to accept the Scythian deal. So frustrated I was with our people’s technophobia and lack of curiosity.”

His tears fall, mixing with the blood on his face. “I promised the young and ambitious Gorexius glory in the stars if he accepted.” He laughs bitterly. “The best of us, you say. I doomed our people, Krogoth.”

Xandor’s fingers glide through Astraxius’ long white hair, his touch radiating with compassion. “You old fool,” he murmurs, his voice choked with emotion.

My heart aches as I smile at Astraxius, our tearful eyes meeting. “We always suspected, old friend,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why else would you work so hard to save us?” I chuckle through the pain.

I murmur a prayer to the Goddess Machsin, calling for her to guide him to our ancestors.

Astraxius smiles weakly, his eyes closing. “I see among the great woods of Klendathor the boys and girls playing,” he says, his face peaceful as he drifts away.

“You rest easy now,” I whisper, squeezing his hand. “We’ll finish it from here.”

I look to Xandor and see my own pain reflected in his yellow eyes, shining with unshed tears. I can hear the soft sound of his sniffling as he tries to suppress his emotions, his body trembling with grief. Astraxius’ loss hits us hard. He was more than just a friend or mentor; he was like a father to us. I reach out and place a hand on Xandor’s shoulder, offering what little comfort I can.

I close my eyes, bowing my head, offering a final silent prayer for my old friend’s soul. The air is thick with the weight of sorrow, but I know we must continue with his legacy.

We need to save Pebbles.