Page 38 of Torn from the Alien Commander

“You have endured much, and for so little. To protect those that have left you to such a terrible fate. Why protect them? Tell me what I want to know, and I’ll release you from your suffering,” the netherworld spawn irks again with its distracting interjections.

“Look at me, Father! I am ruined! What love will Rebecca have for a husk of a warrior like me? Better for her if I pass on. Let her remember me as I was, before the sight of me breaks her heart.” The mention of Tyrxie wrenches my heart, wishing to spare her any of this pain.

“But you are bonded, Xandor, destined to be together, just like you and Krogoth prayed for.” Astraxius smiles, his long white hair blowing in the cosmic wind. “Even now, your love sends a portion of herself to aid you.”

A portion of herself?But the netherworld spawn interrupts my thoughts. “I will let you pass on. Just tell me what your masters’ plans are.”

To my dismay, the flames begin to flicker, followed by the vibrant colors returning to the bland horror of the sterile medical room. As the faces of my passed loved ones fade, my tears begin anew. “Please don’t leave me!” I plead, desperate for their support, desperate to end my misery.

“We’ll always watch over you, Xandor,” the collective voices echo through my mind, signifying the end of their comforting warmth. I already miss their presence as my racking pain returns with horrific clarity.

The soulless one stands before me, amongst parts of my sheared body, blood, and tears. “I won’t leave you, just answer my questions!” he demands, his voice raised.

Then, like a tidal wave, I’m hit with a force of blissful warmth. It flows through my body and my soul, washing away all my aches and agonizing pains as if I’m bathed in the green vapors of the majestic healing pods. A profound sensation of love and concern fills me, and deep down, I know this is part of my Tyrxie. I feel her warmth, smell her sweet scent, and a smile creases my lips.

“Decimux, what in the bloody void is happening?” The soulless one demands, turning to the observation window. “His wounds are healing, and his eye is glowing with strange colors!”

“I... I don’t know. It could be an effect of such a heavy dosage of truth serum?” The fragile one questions in disbelief.

I feel light and free, a surprising clarity opens as my mind expands to new heights and awarenesses. Clear visions come to me—no, not visions but futures, potential scenarios stretching out for eternity. Some are thick and long, almost certain; others fracture from the whole, mere unlikely possibilities.

They weave and undulate, crisscrossing, changing by my perception of them, and my awareness of them carries through time. It’s almost too much to bear. My mind reels from so much knowledge and perception.

One tunnel-like course, large and solid, each inch a sea of images and sounds, with countless branches spilling from it in various sizes. I focus, peering deeper, somehow knowing it’s relevant. “The Nebians will fall,” I declare, seeing all their coreplanets awash in blazing flames. “Endless cities in flames, your people screaming, bathed in self-immolation.”

“Self-immolation? Is this what you were sent here to do? How would you achieve such a thing?” The soulless one asks with heat in his voice, but I only hear him vaguely, lost in my trance. “Decimux, talk to me!” he demands.

“His pineal gland is lit up like a laser cannon. I’ve never seen anything like it before!” The fragile one replies, his tone growing frantic.

I push deeper into the tunnel of images, seeking more. “The Scythians lurk in the shadows, controlling, corrupting. By your hubris, you are condemned.”

I try to push further and deeper, seeking knowledge of my people’s fate. Seeing a hazy ring of four flames with a purple and a red flame roaring against one another in the center. The red flame repeatedly shifts to black, switching between the two colors, an uncertain future still to be decided. But the further I go, the greater the resistance, like pushing a boulder uphill, that grows larger with each step. The crushing immensity is too much for my brain to comprehend.

“But not you.” I turn my gaze to the soulless one, seeing the swirling golden-green mist blurring my vision. “You will die very soon.” I perceive two paths for the Nebian, both as thick as each other. They both bring a glorious smile to my face in knowing. “Someone very close to you.” I say little, unsure if speaking the future may alter its rightful course.

I laugh, seeing the distraught expression on the soulless one’s face.He knows! He can sense the truth of my words; the uncertainty eats at him.“Decimux, make it stop!” he roars, recoiling from my manic laughter and churning glare.

Then, in a flash, my collar blinks to black, snuffing out my awareness as I struggle to remain conscious.

Darkness consumes me.

Chapter 13

Tyrxie

Clear

Hyanxa rocks back andforth, her body taught, preparing for her crazy sprint through the laser matrices. Worry for her safety compels me to speak. “You don’t have to do this, Hyanxa,” I plead, shaking my head in disbelief.

Hyanxa tuts, “We both know I do. Now shut up. I need to concentrate,” she reprimands before turning to Felixus, who’s frowning. “Which room has the control center?”

“The first on the left,” Felixus mutters, unable to meet her stern, determined gaze.

“Right... I got this.” Hyanxa takes a deep breath, while my heart pounds in my chest just watching her, wondering how she’s not shaking. “I go on the next one. Be ready, Job.” Sheleans forward, poised, her eyes fixated down the ominous silent corridor, calculating her every move.

“Throw!” she commands.

Job tosses a bolt, and instantly, the laser grid flares to life, beams disintegrating the small object in a flurry of light. In the same heartbeat, Hyanxa sprints forward with an almost unbelievable speed, her movements fluid and precise.

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