Page 38 of Kidnapped By the Alien Chieftain

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, thatconvinced 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.

Chapter 19

Roxanne

Broken

Igasp in terroras the Golden Warrior’s sharp teeth and golden eyes stare down at me. His pale skin contrasts with his golden armor. He, too, is an unknown alien with his long-muzzled face with sharp features. His grip on my robes is tight and unforgiving. I feel the pulse of his anger radiating off him in waves as I frantically look around for a means to escape.

“I see you have been meddling with the master’s ship,” he snarls, his voice like gravel. “He will punish you for this.”

He quickly reverses the changes I made on the ship’s systems, causing it to lurch and shudder beneath us. The sound of metal scraping against metal fills my ears, drowning out my own panicked breathing. I struggle to break free from his grip, but it’s no use. I’m at his mercy now.

The Golden Warrior drags me by the scuff of my robes and my butt painfully scrapes against the ground. I kick and scream with all my might, but it’s like trying to pull against a brick wall. He hurries us through the narrow corridors, passing the same twists and turns I navigated before. My dread builds as I wonder what he… or this ‘master’ plans to do with me.

Soon, we enter a room adorned with exotic ornaments and trinkets hanging from the walls and displays. My eyes widen in wonder at the intricate details of each piece. Some of them appear like elaborate items of jewelry, cast in strange materials that glow faintly, framed beautifully by engraved gleaming metals. Elsewhere, other items are made of dull metal but obviously technological, like some ancient, recovered devices preserved in a museum. Everything is from different cultures and times. They are on display to impress upon any visitor that whoever dwells here is a person of great importance.

In the center sits an ornate desk with a console, flanked by two red luxurious lounges. The material looks incredibly fine. The Golden Warrior grabs me roughly and yanks me towards a strange golden circle engraved on the floor and ceiling, rudely interrupting my gawking. I feel my breathing become erratic as I fear what might come next.

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