Page 31 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

I project my awareness into the other world of emotions or spirits or energy or whatever it is as easily as switching on a light. Machsin’s abilities come naturally to me, like I’ve always had them. I float through the darkness briefly until the roaring purple flame of Dagdorix manifests itself. Pushing into his light, I can feel his confusion and wonder with a hint of awkwardness.

He’s safe at least, and not too worried.Beside him is the flame of silver denoting Aenarael, where Dagdorix’s flame is a blazing purple inferno. Her light flickers like the flames of a campfire.

Curious about her thoughts, I propel my awareness into her silver hue. A mix of wonder and a sense of fear washes over me. But lurking beneath them both is the sultry sensation of... lust?Light like a dumpster fire is more like it. What the hell is she doing?

They’re clearly not in any danger, well, except maybe for Dagdorix’s modesty. I project thoughts of urgency and haste into Aenarael, hoping to hurry them along. Snapping back to reality to see the wisps of green from my eyes evaporate into the air, I blink in surprise to see all the veiled faces looking directly at me.

“They’ll be along shortly,” I state, trying to mimic the slow, haughty way the Exarchs speak.

The sound of the circular door being pulled open draws the room’s attention as Aenarael walks in as gracefully as a cat, with Dagdorix following close behind. He’s much taller than the rest of us, not unlike Krogoth with raven colored hair and purple eyes that mist gently. Were it not for his slender frame and the obscured face behind the warvisor, I might’ve mistaken him for Krogoth.

A pang of anxiety flutters in my stomach.Should I be formal? Give him a hug? What is expected?“Greetings, Patriarch Dagdorix. I, the Matriarch Machsin, have been expecting you.” My awkward greeting causes me to wince even before finishing the sentence.

I reach for the comfort of my necklace before remembering I don’t have it, as Dagdorix reaches to scratch the back of his head in a way I’ve grown to love.

“Krogoth?” I ask, feeling my heart leap in my chest.

“Pebbles?” He asks simultaneously, jogging towards me laughing. “Hah! You look so different, a female Klendathian with green hair.” He picks me up under my arms and swings me around, making my head spin. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

I smile, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders, at having Krogoth beside me again. “Not sure I’d say safe. But it’s so good to see you,” I state as he lowers me to my feet again.

Ecneius tuts “You two have gone quite mad and such a ghastly display of public affection.” His voice drips with disdain.

Dranuxia chuckles. “I find it endearing. The world may end, but love persists,” she says.

Aenarael scoffs. “Always the hopeless romantic Dranuxia,” she says, shaking her head.

“Who are you two? What have you done with the true Patriarch and Matriarch?” Arawnoth demands heatedly, his eyes mist red, causing my pulse to race. Unsure what powers he may have, I instinctively press feelings of trust and loyalty into him. He freezes as if rooted to the ground before he shudders, with his head cast downward. My eyes glow green as I enhance my powers further, propelling the same thoughts into all the others except for Krogoth.

Krogoth glances between me and the group during the stretch of silence. Suddenly everyone else bows deeply before us. “We live to serve,” they say in unison.

“Very impressive, my Pebbles,” Krogoth says, his voice full of wonder.

“Thank you. But watch this.” I smile before looking at Ecneius. “Tell us, Ecneius, can we defeat the Void Bringer?”

Ecneius’ eyes glow golden. “Many paths, Matriarch, many deaths.” He presses both hands to his head. “I see one path to victory, but it will warp and change our very nature.” His voice sounds strained as his hands glow gold. “Beyond that... It’s too much! Too much future. It stretches on forever. Ah! It burns my thoughts and sears my mind! Make it stop, make it stop!” He screams,

Krogoth projects some kind of force into Ecneius that forces his hands down, causing him to collapse to the floor as he whimpers in a crumbled ball. Dranuxia cries out in shock as she runs over to him, her hands and eyes glowing blue. “Poor Ecneius,” she says sadly, stroking his brown hair.

My stomach lurches with regret. I would never have asked him had I known the pain it would have caused.

Krogoth places a reassuring hand on my back, before speaking, “We go to kill the Void Bringer. We will lead the way to victory, for it’s our destiny to save not just Klendathor, but the very universe itself. Our strength and power are both a blessing and a curse, for it falls to us to face this terrible enemy, but we will not fail, because we are Klendathians. We are the greatest warriors to have ever lived!”

Krogoth’s rousing speech sends tingles down my spine. As the soldiers cheer, I can feel their fear subsiding, replaced with hope and aggression. I reach out with Machsin’s gift, stoking those feelings even higher while suppressing their sense of fear and uncertainty. In response, they stamp their feet and bellow even louder.If the machines didn’t know where we were before, they’ll for sure know now.

I breathe a sigh of relief when Ecneius gets back to his feet with the help of Dranuxia. Reaching out with my senses, I can still feel the ominous, empty presence of the Void Bringer not far behind us. “Follow me Krogoth, I know the way.” I turn, walking towards the third spiraling iris doorway in the room.

Before I reach the closed door, Krogoth rips it open like a tin can, using his mind, causing a gasp of shock to escape me.Wonder what other powers he has?He takes my hand in his as he leads me into a vast room that looks like a strange manufacturing plant. Murky oil, green and molten, shimmers and hisses in the center, feeding its liquid through tubes that pulsate and bubble, leading to hundreds of capsules.

Machines are being constructed within the capsules. My warvisor detects tiny nanoscopic machines knitting the green molten liquid into shapes at the molecular level. I’m rudely pulled down as Krogoth roars, “Incoming!” My heart thumps in my chest as I frantically glance about, not daring to peek out from behind our cover.

The soldiers rush into the room, ducking for shelter as green bolts come blazing overhead. I wince as shots stop inches away from their target, caught in a silvery white aura which deflects the attack. The scene is total chaos with the sound of ballistic rifles, the panic shouts of soldiers and the zap and buzz of whatever weapons the enemy has.

I peek my head out to see strange machines streaming into the room and releasing from metal containers, robotic platforms that hover above the floor, brandishing twin mounted green weapons.

They float menacing like miniature spaceships, firing bolts of strange green colored blast that appear gooey. Fire rages at the other end of the room, but the machines are nimble and dart away from the constantly shifting inferno.

With rapidly panicked breaths, I aim my rifle carefully from behind cover at one machine. Remembering to keep the weapon tight against me, I squeeze the trigger for a quick burst. I yell in triumph, watching my bullets land, before noticing a green shield forms around it, absorbing the attack. My elevation turns to disappointment as my attack merely nudges it.

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