Page 11 of Protected by the Alien Warrior Triad

5

Forn

The encroaching wave of Scorp warriors is crashing down towards us as inexorably as a falling tree. Only a fool would stand against it. We’ve just dispatched three of the beasts, but I know the wave of reinforcements will spell my end.

I spare a glance behind us, and snarl as I witness twenty more Scorp rushing at us from the other side of the street.

The Scorp-venom in my blood – embedded beneath my skin as part of the ritual of manhood – surges up inside of me; and my heart pounds so hard I can barely think.

So, this is it. Face death honorably – or die like an animal.

A grim smile comes to my lips. This will be a battle worthy of all the legends. For a moment, I try to calculate how many of the beasts I might be able to take down before I’m finally killed in a glorious confrontation – and I make a promise to myself to try and best that number.

Hadone’s eagerness for battle surges through the Bond too, mirroring my rage. Then I feel something different. Something protective. I turn my head. Darok has two small humans in his arm – and instantly I know I must live.

The glory of an honorable death means nothing if it comes at the cost of an innocent life. My desire to die in combat is instantly snuffed out. I can’t embrace death and glory while these small humans need protection.

And yet, there is no hope – even the three of us cannot withstand that wave of Scorp.

“We need shelter!” Hadone yells, hefting his war-hammer in front of him.

I know, damn it all! I know!

I keep the words to myself and hold my mind steady. As leader, I must serve as an example, buoying up my triad. I look to the right, searching desperately for a way out.

There’s a large piece of wood built into the wall opposite, unlike the rest of the stone surface. It reminds me of the entrance to our cave back home. I grab at a handle on the wooden panel and pull – but it doesn’t budge.

Scorp warriors are charging towards us, getting ever closer. In desperation, I use my Orb-Daggers to cut the metal that connects the wooden pieces to the stone wall. I push, and the piece of wood moves inward. The three of us rush through the opening – Darok still clutching those two small humans.

Inside the structure is a human male – and it seems like he was waiting for us.

He’s holding a large stick that he points at me. Beside him cowers a beautiful, human woman.

The battle fades out of my mind the moment I lay eyes on her. I’m stunned. She simply looks…right. I stare at her with confusion, my heart pulsing as I witness her majesty. I can see her in such stark detail it’s as if time itself has slowed.

For example, I instantly notice a deep cut on her palm, bleeding through the white bandage she has wrapped around her hand. I observe her hair, and notice it’s the exactly the same hue as the northland plains at dawn, when the sun shines against golden grains sparkling with dew. I see her lips, plump and full, and think immediately as how they’re as red and succulent as the summer plums that grow near our cave. They’re as tempting, too - begging for my kiss.

The moment I see this vision of womanhood, I ache to take her – to press my lips against hers, and pull her body against mine.

Her eyes draw me in as I stand, stunned. They’re not the uniform grey and green of my species. They’re instead a deep blue; like a pool of water I could quench my thirst from for the rest of my existence.

I’m frozen on the spot. Instantly, all thought of glory and battle leaves my mind. If this woman exists, then Imustlive. The coldness of death would pull us apart.

Sheis why I was brought here!Sheis the reason the portal opened!

I take a step towards her, moving my Orb-Daggers to my right hand and reaching out with my left. I don’t care that there are Scorp Warriors closing in fast. I need tofeelher. I have only moments before I will have to turn and fight, and I want to experience the touch of her skin before I do.

Then, suddenly, my legs stop working.

Confusion fills my mind. A boom of thunder has assaulted me – like a punch that hits my chest harder than I’ve ever been struck before. It’s as if an invisible giant has just slammed his huge hand into me.

Across the room, the stick that the man is holding gushes smoke from the end of it.

I’m suddenly weak. I fall to my knees, my eyes wide open as I stare at the beautiful woman standing there in front of me. I know something’s wrong, so I drink in as much of her essence as I still can.

Then, finally, I blink – and it’s as if my senses have returned.

I look down at my chest and find the source of my sudden pain and weakness.

Green blood is spurting from a gouging rend in my chest.

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