Page 65 of His to Claim
We reach the top of the mountain and stand gazing at the portal. We wait for several seconds until Hexal finally speaks up. "Well?"
"Are you ready to go through?" I ask him.
He shrugs. "I guess so." He walks closer to the portal and peers into it.
"Don't worry," I tell him. "It's safe."
"Okay," he says and steps forward. "Here goes nothing."
I step aside and allow him to enter first. I close my eyes and prepare myself for whatever awaits me on the other side.
When I open my eyes, I'm back in Valkrya. I look around and see Hexal standing beside me. "We did it." Torr is a few feet away.
"We did," he agrees. "Now we must get to the city in time to stop the mating ritual."
"I'm sure we can," Hexal says.
Torr nods. "We can't waste any more time." He takes off running towards the city gates. "Come on, everyone. Let's move faster!"
We all run after him. When we reach the gate, I notice that they have already closed.
"We aren't going to make it!" I cry out.
"There's still time," Hexal says. "If we hurry, we might be able to slip inside before the guards realize we're here."
"They will know once the ritual starts," Torr says.
"Not if we're quick about it," Hexal replies. Three Valkryan guards appear out of nowhere. They stare at us with their glowing eyes.
"What are you doing here?" one guard says. "You're not supposed to be here. You must leave immediately."
Hexal shakes his head. "We can't do that."
The guard looks uncertain. "Why not?"
"Because," Hexal says and points to the sky. "We need to stop the ceremony from happening."
One of the guards point his laser gun at us. The other two follow him.
"You mustn't interfere!" the guard says. "This is a sacred event meant only for the people of this city."
"You may try to stop us, but it's futile." Torr holds his sword in front of him. "We are warriors of the planet Bellaria."
I slowly take out my blade and throw it at one of the guards. He drops to the ground and writhes in pain.
Hexan and Torr take the other two down. As soon as they are unconscious, I grab the guard's laser rifle and aim it at the city gates.
"Let's go!" I yell. "Before anyone else shows up."
Hexal runs ahead of me and opens the gate. He leads the way into the city.
"What now?" Torr asks me.
"We go to the temple. The ritual must be held there. Let's hurry! The suns have almost set." I tell them.
We walk quickly through the streets. Soon, we come across a crowd gathered outside the temple. A male dressed in white robes stands in front of the entrance. Three others are standing beside him. They must be priests. I don't see Emma anywhere. Am I too late?
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