Page 114 of Scorching the Alien Empire
Drexios presses his advantage, snarling with each strike, pushing the giant backward, forcing him into a corner.
We watch with hushed breaths. The only sounds are grunts, snarls, and the humming whine of searing plasma.
Drexios grins as the clone’s back slaps against cold metal. “I have you!” A blade thrusts forward and upward, straight for the clones beating heart. But the clone moves. A single, massive hand snaps up,graspingDrexios’ wrist.
A choked snarl rips from Drexios’ throat as his wrist is wrenched back at a sickening angle. His plasma blade clatters to the floor.
The clone raises his other hand, claws poised for the kill—aiming straight for Drexios’ exposed face.
Princesa gasps, nearly falling from my grip in anticipation.
Despite Drexios twisting with suffering under the overpowering clone. With a snarl of pain, he batters his remaining plasma blade against the clone’s crushing grip. The blade sears into the meat of his forearm, carving a deep, sizzling gash.
A furiousroarsplits the air. The familiar acrid stench of burning flesh and scorched blood floods my lungs.
The opponents break apart, both heaving, sweat glistening on their brows.
Drexios flexes his wrist, rotating it with a grimace. The clone watches him like a predator, crimson eyes burning, nostrils flaring. He raises his wounded arm to his mouth and sucks the cauterized wound, his gaze never leaving his opponent.
“You know,” Princesa muses, inspecting her bonding rings and nails with mock boredom, “if you apologize and beg, I might give you a little puppy treat—my divine grace.”
“Enough.” My growl rumbles like distant thunder as I lower her to the ground.
She clings to me with surprising tenacity. “What the hell, babes?”she huffs, her fingers tightening around my armor. I pry her off, untangling each absurdly delicate digit.
If this continues Drexios will die. A pointless, needless death.
And worse—I fear Princesa.Not for her safety, but for what she mightdo.I see the venom in her gaze, the seething hatred laced with cruel amusement. ShewantsDrexios to suffer. She may move against him. I cannot allow it. Iwill notallow her to spiral into the darkness. I am the fire. And it falls tometo light our path.
“This is my burden.” My voice rolls through the chamber like an avalanche, my stride slow and deliberate as I step forward, forcing Drexios back with a sweep of my arm.
My clone understands. Whatever intelligence festers behind his endless rage, it grasps what is happening. He turns to face me—a warped reflection of fury and suffering. His claws spread wide, his lips curling into a snarl.
Drexios exhales sharply. “We should’ve brought zelatos dumplings for this,” he mutters, glancing at the warband, eager for mirth that does not come.
“Come, brother,” A fire erupts inside me. My blood surges, rivers of lava coursing through my veins.
Yes.
Let him come. Let him face me. An opponent like no other. Equal in size and strength. I relish the challenge—this gift.
The clone approaches cautiously now, wary, realizing he cannot overwhelm me as he did Drexios. I extend my naturalclaws with a resoundingsnap.No technology. No blades. Only strength.
If I could, I would strip myself bare, fight him without armor, test our bodies, our wills, without interference. Instead, I will fightas ifI possessed none—trading no blows, accepting only those my flesh can bear.
I throw out testing strikes. My claws whistle through the air, forcing him to react. Princesa gasps, her breath quickening with anticipation. The clone moves as expected, weaving, pivoting, dodging with speed and skill.
But this is just a faction of my power, the faintest ember that’s blazing hotter with every heartbeat. How much can he take?
Or amIthe imposter—the one who will burn in his divine fury?Revenge for the destiny I stole from him?
The clone snarls, surging forward with his own swipes, his claws cleave the air like a plunging arrohawk, slashing, seeking flesh.
Strong.Stronger than I anticipated.
I have to push harder to swat them aside. A realization creases my lips into a smirk. This is what my opponents have faced. The overwhelming presence. The crushing,irresistiblepower.
Good.
