Page 30 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

My eyes widen in shock as my mind races for an explanation. But she continues before I can conjure a reply. “A shame that it is not under... more favorable circumstances.” She places a hand on my arm, causing me to swat her hand away in surprise.

“I belong to another!” I shout, my voice rising heatedly.

She merely laughs. “Of course, you always do.”

“I’m here to kill the Machine God... Void Bringer, nothing more,” I say, wincing at my mistake.

“Machine God? How curious.” She steps away sighing “Our goals are aligned, whoever you are. But you’ll need to harness Dagdorix’s full powers.”

“And how do I do that?” I ask, deciding it’s best not to lie to her.

She nonchalantly shrugs. “Only Dagdorix could answer that.” With a casual gesture, she creates small pockets of silver fields within the green mass, then effortlessly shrinks them down to nothing, crushing all within. “But his powers are truly awe-inspiring, that’s why he was named Patriarch. He teleported us here, bending time and space itself, so who knows what he’s really capable of?”

My warvisor obscures the frown on my face. She hints at powers but tells me nothing about how to use them.Bend time and space? I’ve been doing that by creating those vortexes?The problem is, I can’t cover such a large range with so many almost invisible enemies.Or can I?

I gather my focus as my eyes glow and mist purple, concentrating on creating a swirling vortex high above us. Only the closest lump of nanophage is pulled into the gravity field, disappearing into the void. Moving my hands, I imagine pulling the vortex apart, stretching it over the area like fibers of a tree branching out in all directions.

They extend like ethereal tendrils, weaving through the air, creating an otherworldly lattice. I continue to manipulate the surging energy, almost unconsciously, as if doing it through muscle memory alone. The weaves grow tighter and tighter, forming into a solid blanket of whirling power. Knowing that no gaps exist even for the nanoscopic green mass to pass through.

I slowly lower the cosmic layer down upon the solid green mass. My heart pounds in my chest watching the nanophage get sucked into the temporal weave, blinking out of reality before even being touched. The golden-haired woman laughs. “Splendid.”

I continue the descent until the cosmic layer enshrouds the entire green mass, resting atop the silver shield wielded by the golden-haired woman. “Don’t stop!” She demands. Harder, I push, my eyes glowing with more purple light, willing my vortex blanket to penetrate the silver field. In response, her eyes glow with greater intensity as she raises her hands, trying to fortify her barrier.

Her resistance is fierce. I can feel it, like pushing against a blocked door. But like a blocked door, it just needs a hard knock. I raise a hand that glows purple, sending a surge of additional power into my vortex shroud. Suddenly, the silver shield blinks out of existence as the female falls to the ground, panting heavily.

I reach down, offering her a hand up, as my warvisor scans, finding not a single trace of nanophage left in the air.Although we must hurry should the drones release more containers.“Amazing,” the golden-haired female says, taking my hand in hers, “Such terrifying strength.” She dusts herself off after getting to her feet. “You’re ready.”

I know.

Chapter 11

Roxanne

Sacrifices

Isuppress the urgeto tap my foot impatiently, waiting for Aenarael and this Dagdorix guy. She went in to help him ten minutes ago, or at least it feels like ten minutes. But I remain still, making every effort to appear the regal queen, as I stand with a straight posture, not making any unnecessary gestures. I probably look silly and stiff.I’m just glad they can’t see my face, because I might look constipated.

“Is anyone injured?” The blue-haired female called Dranuxia asks, while examining the soldiers. I learned the new Exarchs’ names as they ran into our room, full of terror.

“No, injuries are easily avoided when you have the gift of foresight,” Ecneius says, while examining the back of his gloved hand.

Dranuxia snorts, “I’ve healed you plenty of times, Ecneius.”

“We lost eight of our soldiers,” Arawnoth says, bustling in before leaning closer, pulling away from the troops. “Dagdorix is not himself. He’s acting strange, not using his full powers.”

Ecneius, briefly glances at me, causing a flutter of anxiety in my stomach, fearing he might accuse me of the same. Thankfully, he lowers his head without uttering a word.

“I suspect it’s the temporal displacement, or maybe he’s conserving power?” Dranuxia suggests.

“I’d rather he conserve our lives,” Arawnoth remarks, folding his arms. “What’s taking them so long, anyway?”

Good question.

“Maybe they need help?” Dranuxia inquires, her voice full of concern.

Ecneius scoffs, “I’m not going into a room brimming with nanophage. No, thank YOU!” he says, for emphasis. The soldiers all mutter in agreement.

“I’ll check,” I state coldly.

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