Page 9 of Larz

Marn lunged, his strike quick as a bolt of lightning, but his weapon met only air. I sidestepped, countering with a swift blowthat had the potential to end the match if I had a sword made of Oumtera steel.

“You’re holding back,” Marn accused, panting slightly as he circled me.

I tightened my jaw. “Am I?”

His eyes narrowed. “What troubles you, Larz? Your mind is not here.”

I deflected another attack, more aggressively this time. “Concern for our people,” I said curtly.

Marn paused, eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Is it the humans?”

I did not answer immediately. The thought of Hailee surfaced again—her fierce determination etched in my memory like carvings in stone.

“It’s one thing to fight an enemy, you know,” I finally said. “Another to face the unknown.”

Marn nodded slowly. “Fear of the unknown can be a powerful adversary.”

We resumed our dance of blades. The sound filled the space between us as we pushed each other to our limits. With each clash, I tried to shake the image of Hailee’s face from my thoughts.

The match ended in a draw, as it often did. Marn and I bowed to each other in respect before he clapped a hand on my shoulder.

“Whatever comes,” he said earnestly, “we face it together.”

I nodded, but his words were like wind against stone—heard but not penetrating.

As nightfall draped itself over Oumtera like a dark shroud, I wandered away from the barracks and toward a secluded grove where bioluminescent flora cast an ethereal glow upon the landscape. Here in this private sanctuary, I allowed myself to contemplate the humans’ plight.

Seated on a rock carved smooth by time and elements, I closed my eyes and took in the symphony of nocturnal life around me—the chirps and hums of creatures unseen. It was here that empathy crept into my heart like an unbidden guest.

They had traveled through the vastness of space, fleeing a dying world—a concept as foreign to me as the stars beyond our reach. Yet it was not so different from our own ancient tales when Zorvians sought new lands to escape calamity.

A soft sigh escaped my lips as I considered their fear—not just for survival, but for acceptance in this new world they hoped would be their sanctuary. Did they look upon Oumtera with the same reverence we did? Or was it merely a port in the storm?

A rustling nearby interrupted my thoughts. I stood swiftly, hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there.

“Who’s there?” My voice cut through the quiet like a blade through cloth.

A figure emerged from the shadows—a young warrior named Jalen—his gaze holding mine steadily.

“I saw you leave,” Jalen said simply. “Thought you might want company.”

I relaxed slightly, but did not invite him closer. “My thoughts needed silence.”

Jalen stopped at an appropriate distance, respecting my need for solitude. “The humans trouble you.”

It wasn’t a question; his tone held an understanding that went beyond mere curiosity.

“They are... different,” I admitted reluctantly.

Jalen tilted his head as if weighing his words before speaking them out loud. “Different can be good. It can bring change.”

I frowned at that. Change was not always welcome or beneficial.

“And if that change brings destruction?” My voice held an edge sharper than any sword.

Jalen took a step forward, undeterred by my skepticism. “Then we fight—as we always have.”

Silence settled between us again before Jalen finally spoke up once more.

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