Page 85 of Xefe
Race day.
If I’d thought the prequals were foreign, the Great Arena was next level. The massive stadium was mostly outside, directly in the path of massive spiraling whirlwinds of death. The Guardians spun and tracked our movements inside, slamming and swerving into the glittering force field. The ground shook under our feet with each hit.
Our crew stood in the waiting area above a giant maze. This morning, when Sunny snuck me back to Nheenya’s cave, he’d explained we would race through a deadly labyrinth. One where we competed against other contestants as well as the maze itself. He’d also administered the rest of the Oro to my teammates, and after they’d puked their brains out, they now felt pretty good.
“This place is… too much.” Nieve stepped up beside me, along with Querida and Nheenya. Nieve studied the stands, where Aavvee chirped and clucked. Instead of bleachers, the aliens were separated in either individual or family-sized pods, floating around the stands. Sophisticated holograms with strange hieroglyphics, I assumed in their language, pinged and glowed around them.
“They are placing wagers.” Loxo joined us and studied the brightly colored symbols hovering over each pod. “You are of interest, but not the favorites.”
“Their mistake.” But my words lacked weight. I was emotionally off-balance. I’d had the best night of my life, in Sunny’s arms, and because nothing good ever happened to me on this planet, I knew thecagadawas about to hit the fan. “Allright. Give us the lowdown. What can we expect now that you know we’ll be battling in the maze?”
“It is calledEnRedo.” The Loxo tipped up his chin. “There are five teams, the three you competed against in the prequals and our champions. Look.” He pointed at a group of four aliens that looked like the green team on steroids.Of course.“They are the favorites and have never lost. You must keep away from them at all costs.” The usually optimistic alien balled his fists, his gaze touching on all of us, lingering on Querida. “They win by murdering their opponents. Every time.”
“We’re smart. We’ll figure this out.” I patted his arm, a little afraid his red eye might start spinning. “Just tell us about the event.”
Loxo pointed at the city-sized maze. From here, it looked basic, no death traps visible, but Loxo explained that was an illusion. In each section, we’d have to face quicksand, or flying blades, acids… anything we could imagine. It changed every time.
“Welcome-come.” The supreme appeared, flanked by concubines and guards, on a floating stage in the middle of the arena. He was in full regalia, wearing a red coat that trailed at least twenty feet behind him. His head feathers stood tall, and the dick-tongues were on full display. “You-youare honored to be here on our planet. You-youare honored to be here for this race. You-youare honored to be in our presence.”
Where is Sunny?I’d expected him to show up with the supreme. My muscles knotted, worried sick he’d been discovered somehow.
“Wow, now that you gave me the Oro, I can understand everything he’s saying. You’re right. It is a bunch of redundant shit,” Nieve whispered.
The boost of Oro they’d received wasn’t enough for them to speak other languages or get any special powers, but it wasenough for them to understand and, most importantly, heal quickly.
“What’s the plan?” Nieve asked.
I had filled them in on most of what Veras had said, even about Valentina. “I’m waiting for Veras to reinstall our communication.” I tapped my palm.
“How is he going to do that?”
“The hell if I know.” I searched, desperate to find Sunny. “Loxo, where’s your First?”
“Unknown.” He gritted his teeth and watched the supreme blather on to the crowd. “I expected to see him.”
I took a deep breath. “All right, I’ll have to focus on the plan. I still have to find Freckles. Veras said I’d have access to him, but I don’t see him anywhere either.”
“Let-letus begin. We-wehave our champions.” The supreme proceeded to announce all of the teams.
The floating platform lowered, and we all stood next to each other in front of the EnRedo, the alien name for labyrinth. It appeared even larger and much more intimidating now that we were at eye level. The maze walls were opaque, hinting at smoothness, as if they were made of onyx. It made them look impenetrable and impossible to climb.
“Next-nextyou will welcome my scientists. The Aavvee who will ensure we conquer this planet at all costs-osts. They keep us beautiful. Most-mostimportant, they have come up with a way to make sure we are safe. That no one will ever take theGlrtsstllllorogggaway from us!”
Another platform floated up to the stage, and it carried several of the Aavvee I recognized from the lab, along with Veras.
My mind went into overdrive. This was it. I had to figure out a path to Freckles. “Loxo, where will Freckles, or Tontoh… where will he be during the race? How can I get to him?”
“The supreme, along with all of the scientists and any other guests, will be watching from the floating stage. The platform moves at all times and follows the maze from high above. Why, what do you plan?” Loxo’s voice dropped. He’d obviously fallen back on his warrior training to protect the supreme.
“Listen to me. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but you have to believe me… I really care about Sunny. I would do almost anything for the people I love. And I’ve grown to,” I choked on the words, even though I meant them, “careabout my girls. SoanythingI do today is to keep them safe.” To keep Valentina safe. “Do you understand me? That includes Querida. And if she is important to you, you won’t fight me.”
Loxo swallowed, his eyes burning into Querida, who stood off to the side, wringing her hands. They hadn’t allowed her to bring her metal shards, and she was clearly uncomfortable. “I… understand you.”
“Aww, Horrible Hera loves us. Come here, you crazy bitch.” Nieve wrapped her arms around me in a bear hug.
“I care for you all, as well. Thank you for allowing me to become part of the team.” Instead of a high-five, Nheenya piled on with the hug.
Querida looked at me and rolled her eyes, but she sidled up and embraced me.
