Page 14 of Rescued By the Alien Acolyte

Loelle flashes me a quick grin, her eyes sparkling with exhilaration. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, sun scum!”

As if to prove her point, she banks the skimmer hard, narrowly avoiding a jutting rock formation that seems to appear out of nowhere. My stomach lurches at the maneuver, but I can’t help but feel a thrill of excitement.

However, as the adrenaline of our escape fades, I scan the horizon warily. The droughtlands are vast and unforgiving, home to more dangers than just the Nexus.

“We’re not out of danger yet,” I caution, leaning closer to Loelle to be heard over the wind. “The droughtlands have many perils.”

She nods, her expression growing serious. “I know. But trust me; I know these lands. We’ll make it to Terrax.”

As we speed across the vast expanse of the droughtlands, the night slowly gives way to dawn. The stars fade one by one. We’ve been traveling for hours, the monotony of the desert broken only by Loelle’s expert navigation around hidden pitfalls and treacherous dunes. Despite my initial wariness, I find myself lulled into a sense of security by her steady piloting and the hum of the skimmer’s engine.

Just as fatigue weighs heavily on us both, the horizon shifts. The endless sea of sand gradually gives way to the first signs of civilization—scattered outposts and ramshackle structures that grow with each passing minute.

Finally, the twin suns of Aridium break over the horizon and the sprawling city of Terrax comes into view. My breath catches at the sight. Unlike the austere rocky lines of the temple, Terrax is a riot of color and life. Towering spires of glass andmetal reach toward the sky, their surfaces gleaming in the early morning light. Bustling markets and winding streets spread out below, a maze of activity even at this early hour.

Loelle guides us to a secluded landing pad on the outskirts of the city. As we disembark, I notice a change come over her. She stands taller, her eyes bright with confidence despite her state of undress. This is her domain.

Anger bristles me as I see beings look at Loelle’s form, her robe doing little to conceal her sorry state. So I shrug off my outer robe, draping it over her shoulders to provide more coverage. She shoots me a grateful look as she pulls it tighter around herself.

“Welcome to Terrax,” she grins, the fiery spirit I first saw in her fully reignited. “Think you can handle it, sun scum?”

I can’t help but smile back, caught up in her enthusiasm despite my growing unease. “I believe I’m up to the challenge, little flame.”

Loelle’s smile widens, a mix of mischief and warmth in her expression. “Well then, stick close. This city can eat alive those who don’t know its ways.”

She leads me through the winding streets; the city coming to life around us. Street vendors of various alien species set up their stalls—tentacled Bruxarians arranging iridescent fruits, scaled Draconians roasting some kind of meat over open flames. The air fills with a riot of smells—spices, cooking food, and the underlying tang of too many bodies in too small a space.

We draw curious and sometimes hostile looks as we pass. I’m acutely aware of how we must appear. Loelle barely covered by my robe, both of us disheveled and sand-streaked from our desert flight. My blue skin and ceremonial markings draw particular attention, many beings shrinking back as we pass.

As we navigate the crowded streets, Loelle’s hand finds mine again. The casual intimacy of the gesture sends a thrill through me, momentarily distracting me from my worries.

Suddenly, a commotion erupts nearby. We turn to see a group of rough-looking individuals eyeing us suspiciously. Their varied appearances—from hulking, four-armed brutes to lithe, serpentine figures—mark them as a diverse and dangerous lot.

“Bounty hunters,” Loelle hisses, her grip on my hand tightening.

I tense, ready for a fight, but Loelle tugs me down a side alley. “Not here,” she warns. “We need to disappear. I’m taking you to my base in Terrax… in the Scrap District.”

As we hurry through narrowing streets, the buildings growing more dilapidated around us, I feel a weight settling in my chest. The Solstice is only a day away, and I know Sakar will not rest until he finds us. The ritual must be completed, and we are the key components he’s missing.

“Loelle,” I murmur as we duck into a shadowy doorway, my voice low and determined. “Sakar won’t stop hunting us. The Solstice is tomorrow. We need a plan.”

She meets my gaze, her eyes blazing with the same fierce determination I feel. “I’ve got connections here, Finzar. We’ll use them. Between your inside knowledge and my street smarts, we’ll outmaneuver that zealot.”

I nod, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Together, then. I like our odds.”

As we prepare to move, Loelle stumbles slightly, her injured ankle giving way. Without thinking, I catch her, pulling her close against my chest. For a moment, we’re pressed together in the narrow doorway, our faces mere inches apart. I can feel the warmth of her breath, see the flecks of gold in her eyes.

“Careful, little flame,” I murmur, my voice husky. “Can’t have you falling for me just yet.”

Loelle’s lips curve into a mischievous smile. “In your dreams, sun scum,” she retorts, but there’s a heat in her gaze that matches my own.

We linger for a heartbeat longer before reluctantly separating. As we slip back into the crowded streets, I can feel the ghost of her touch lingering on my skin, setting my blood ablaze.

Together, we may stand a chance against the Nexus. But as I follow Loelle through the maze of Terrax, the looming shadow of the temple never far from my thoughts, I feel a thrill of anticipation. Perhaps this little flame can burn through the ice surrounding my heart.

five

Loelle

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