Page 266 of Scorching the Alien Empire
“Spare me,” Juliara silences her with a raised hand. “I’ve no patience for mystic ramblings.”
Through the viewport the blazing crimson sun dips from view, revealing the smoldering ruin ofArgon Six. The southern hemisphere is a cracked, molten gash, magma bleeding into its choking clouds. Even from this distance, crackling red lightning flares across the surface like pulsing veins in a wounded god. A world that’s known only constant warfare, its final lifeblood shall bear witness to my ascension. The battle of demi-gods.
“Toasty,” Princesa breathes. “Looks like hell from up here. Ah... I did miss it.”
“You like it?” Juliara smiles. Then, without warning, the ship’s walls vanish.
My vision reels. I reach for a seat to steady myself, instinct bracing for vacuum.
Princesa shrieks in terror, clutching her pet, almost squishing his fleshy body against her—until we realize the walls haven’t vanished. They’ve turnedtranslucent.
“Relax,” Juliara grins wickedly, “just a projection of the exterior. Some prefer it. But I’ve always found it unsettling.”
All around us, space yawns in every direction. The illusion leaves me with the eerie, weightless feeling of drifting, disembodied, lost. Dust scattered on solar winds.
“I think I’m gonna barf,” Princesa groans, dry-heaving into her palm.
“See? We are in agreement,” Juliara says, satisfied. The walls re-materialize instantly—smooth, regal purple.
Then she turns to me again. “Now, War Chieftain. Take this.” She extends a black ring, its design subtle, crafted from smooth arcweave. Wide enough to imply it was specifically crafted for me. “Consider it... another one of my bridges.”
I accept it slowly, examining it between thumb and forefinger. Already predicating the shame I suspect lies ahead.
“Clench your hand twice, quickly,” she explains. “And it will emit a microscopic stun. Close-range only. Meant to incapacitate an unarmored target.” She demonstrates with a subtle flex. “Do try to time it with an actual blow. We don’t want any more... complications.”
I tighten my grip, nearly crushing the loathsome device. “I refuse. This dishonors theKrak-Tok.” I hold the ring out to her like filth.
“I do not give a voiding shit about your supposed honor, savage,” Consul Juliara hisses. “The twin-sunned Empire requires you to win. Krogoth must live—so you maycommandhim. Wield whatever strange weapon he’s concealing, and crush the last of the Fallen.”
“I don’t require treachery to defeat Krogoth,” I growl. “Bymyhands, I will break him.” My other fist clenches, armor groaning beneath the strain.
“Truly, I don’t doubt you,” Juliara says, eyes raking over me. “You’re a grotesquely large beast. Barbaric, but formidable. Though I admit, I know little of such... primitive contests. But if I were the betting sort, I wouldn’t wager against you.” She pushes my hand gently back. “But... just in case. If the suns shift, and you find yourself on the edge of death—with no other option but a lifeline... offered by yours truly.”
“THEN I’LL ACCEPT DEATH!” I roar. The idea disgusts me. The loathsome memory of clutching Krogoth’s leg in submission disgust me—anathema to everything I am now. “Proudly. With my head held—”
“And what of the War Chieftainess?” Juliara cuts in, her gaze slithering toward my Princesa. “Would your spirit rest easy, knowing the...precariousposition you’ve left her in?”
My blood runs cold. Ruthless. Calculating. Clever.
“Yeah, I think she has a point,babes,” Princesa says, seemingly missing the veiled threat. “Itismy birthday soon, remember?” Her silver eyes narrow—ambition flashing like daggers.
I nearly laugh—and slide the loathsome ring onto my finger.
“Excellent. You won’t regret this, I promise you,” Juliara says with a predatory smile, eyes gleaming like a hungry venefex.
The ship rumbles—crossing into atmosphere. Through the viewport, flames lick across our crimson shields, before thick obsidian clouds and whipping ash swallow the view.
“Ah,” Juliara claps once in delight. “Time to test those bridges.”
Time to crush Krogoth.
And then crush an Empire.
Chapter 49
Dracoth
The Old Ways
