Page 84 of Torn from the Alien Commander

Xandor sets the steaming plate on the ancient table beside me, then places his massive hand on my forehead. His hand feels cold, but refreshing. “When was the last time you slept?” he inquires, a grimace on his handsome face.

A hard question to answer. The past days and weeks are all a churning whirlwind of countless healings and brief naps. I can’t even recall the last time I left this building or saw natural light. “I don’t know... maybe twenty hours ago.”

Xandor inhales sharply. “Tyrxie...” He lingers on my name, his disapproval clear. We’ve been over this before. My Mortakin-Kai urging me to stop, to rest—but I won’t, I can’t. Driven by a frantic need to heal the Klendathians. I’m the only one in the entire universe they have. The only one who can take their pain away and mend their broken bodies.

So, my sweet Xandor has looked after me as best he can, bringing me food, keeping me company, making the place cozier for me. I yank the hot plate of food towards me, the alluring smells a promise of future delights. A collage of unique items, many of which I’ve never seen before, all neatly cut up by my thoughtful Xandor.

I pick up a cube of sizzling borack meat—at least I assume it is. Popping it into my mouth, I moan in delight, the favors so rich and juicy it almost melts in my mouth. “You were right, these are much nicer than the ones you made on the Mutalisk’s Hammer.”

“Alright, no need to twist the claws.” Xandor holds up a placating hand and laughs. “I’m glad you like it. Try one of these.” He points to a collection of steaming beige balls. “Fried zelatos dumplings, Rock’s favorite.”

Intrigued and starving, I pluck a hefty orb into my mouth. An intense savory taste tingles my tastebuds initially. Under the outer layer lies a sweet, rich favor with a soft molten texture. I groan in pleasure as the treat is one of the most decadent I’ve ever experienced—like two foods in one.Who thought of this culinary masterpiece?

There are other foods, colorful fruits, and vegetables. I waste no time, driven by hunger; my arms become pistons of delicious feeding. “Perhaps the Gods also blessed you with the ability to consume twice your bodyweight?” Xandor quips with a grin. I splutter, almost choking at his jest.

“I finally bought an AHI. That stands for Artificial House Intelligence,” Xandor explains as my eyes flick to his, struggling to swallow mouthfuls of food. “My place has never looked so tidy. I even got the food dispenser replaced. Voiding spawn of the netherworld, that old thing was,” he chuckles.

I raise a skeptical eyebrow as I shovel more yumminess into my mouth. “Don’t look at me like that, Tyrxie.” Xandor grins. “I swear it on my ancestors... You should come visit.”

Such a loving, simple request, yet the words hit me like a gut punch, filling me with sorrow. I was the one who pleaded to see his house before we arrived—and now the thought seems so selfish.

I avert my gaze, not wishing to upset him with more refusals. “Here,” Xandor sighs, placing an oversized canteen on the table. “Some boracks milk to wash that down,” he offers.

My stomach is full to bursting but it’ll have to endure, because I love boracks milk—the creamy filling liquid is so refreshing. With greedy gulps, I chug down mouthfuls; the taste is evenbetter than I remember. “Where do you put it all?” Xandor quips, looking beneath the table as If I’m playing some trick on him.

I wipe my mouth and then pat my bloated belly in satisfaction. “That was yummy, thanks, Xandor.” I smile at him. But I’ve already wasted too much time, and the meal has washed away some of my fatigue. “Can you ask them to send in the next person?”

Xandor doesn’t stand, instead he places a hand on mine. “Listen, you can’t go on like this, my love.” His voice is low and soft.

It’s my turn to sigh in frustration, knowing I’m too tired and too much work needs to be done. “I can and I will!” I snap back with a surprising heat that shocks me. Exhaling deeply, I add. “I’m the only one they have, Xandor. If I stop now, they’ll suffer more and it’ll be my fault.” My lip trembles, recalling the pain I caused Xandor, never wanting to feel that guilt ever again.

“Tyrxie... You’re not causing any pain.” His golden gaze bores into mine, conveying an intense sincerity. “Gods, the reason your light burns so bright is because you do the exact opposite. A pure, beautiful soul that eases suffering and mends shattered warriors... Please let me take you to Earth like I promised I would.”

Earth.The word excites me. My home world I never knew existed until recently, now lies within my reach. But it’ll always be there. It can wait until I finish my work here. “Just let me finish this next group, and then I’ll take a break, I promise,” I offer with a weary smile.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s a crowd of people stretching from that door deep into Draxxi forest!” Xandor states, gesturing to the far end of the great hall. “As far as the eye can see. Every Prospect and maimed warrior from every corner of the globe is heading here to seek your divineblessing. But they managed fine before, and they’ll manage until our glorious return.”

My eyes flick to Xandor’s with doubt, gasping at his words, not understanding since I haven’t left this building in weeks. A strange mixture of sinking defeat and joy battle within me. Joy, so many are coming to be healed. But defeat knowing Xandor is right—I can’t continue like this. I naively thought I was nearing the end, but this is only the beginning.

Xandor smiles warmly. “Keep this up, and you’ll just be a tiny nub of a Tyrxie skeleton.” I chuckle at the silly image. “I’ve already hired a ship to take us to Earth. The ship’s a real pile of space scrap, though. You might have heard of it—Kannus’s Gamble?”

My heart leaps for joy. “No way! Really?” I beam at my smiling Xandor, filled with love and excitement.

“Really,” Xandor confirms with a nod before standing, offering a hand. “They even give us a discount, too. Crew seems a bit suspect though,” he laughs, as I place my hand in his massive one.

I let out a horrendous groan, attempting to stand, my backside and legs stiff as the toughest arcweave. “My ass is sore sitting on this chair for weeks,” I complain as Xandor wraps his enormous hands around my bum.

“Now, it’s my turn to heal you,” Xandor intones, squeezing me tight, kneading my ass with much gusto, like he’s polishing a newly painted hull.

I giggle, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders, eager to see Earth and my old crew again. Content that I’ve done all I can for now. “Thanks, Xandor. That’s some, um... intense healing going on there,” I jest, making him laugh heartily. Instead of letting go, he lifts me up, and I squeal in delight as he carries me towards the exit of the chieftain’s hall.

“Wait until you see this,” Xandor says with a sly smile as he kicks open the massive wooden doors. A strong refreshing wind brushes over my skin, carrying a clean scent I didn’t know I missed. My eyes strain to adjust to the bright purple light as a lovely, cool rain pelts down on my face, washing away more fatigue. I still marvel at the precious liquid falling so freely when it was such a luxury onboard the Mutalisk’s Hammer.

A shocking muttering reverberates through the air, sounding like the hushed voices of countless thousands. But that can’t be right. Xandor sets me down and I rub my strained eyes. I turn and gasp at the sea of red faces stretching into the distant forest.What the void is this?I look to Xandor in total disbelief; he gives me a knowing smile before he lifts my hand high into the air.

A deafening cheer booms through Draxru, shaking the very ground and filling me with awe. It’s breath-taking that so many people are here for me. Looking into the Klendathians’ faces, their adoration and love flow from them. It stirs something within, overwhelming me as I feel tears of happiness leaking from my eyes. Never would I have imagined a sight such as this in a million years—a hated, scared alien girl lost in space, now revered, and celebrated.

Xandor taps my shoulder and directs my gaze towards a partially completed gigantic wooden statue carved into a trunk of a tree that reaches to the heavens. Klendathian crafters clamber its length, cutting and shaping with skilled hands. The statue’s intricate details and grand scale render me speechless.

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