The Dawning of Fate

Kyrin’s person of contact either didn’t care or didn’t have the luxury of a defense barrier to give off the illusion of a hut. Instead, it was exactly that…a hut. I’m usually not one to judge one’s living circumstance-hell, I lived in a van for most of my adult life-but whoever it was could’ve at least patched up the holes in the roof. It has to get drafty as hell in there. And what about when it rains? Did it rain on Niscus? Come to think of it, it never rained on Icturi either. Perhaps it just wasn’t the season for rain? But if it didn’t rain, how did it- I shook my head. It was useless to think about it now, it did me no good. I would ask Zan whenever we got back. The little voice in the back of my mind was saying if, but I wouldn’t give it room to take root.

As we approached the abode, the door burst open, and in the doorway stood another Xoid. This one has almost no quills atop his head and his skin was the color of a deep forest, a green so rich it almost blended with the weathered brown and black of his home. I don’t think I’d ever seen a green so beautiful or a face so terrifying. His scowl could make babies cry and send their parents away screaming. The sharpness of his royal blue eyes cut like a blade as they scanned each of us before narrowing on me. A rumble sounds from his throat. I took a step back while Zan wrapped a protective arm around my waist and pulled me closer. The Xoid’s gaze tracked the movement and curled his lip before he dismissed us and looked to Kyrin.

“What is it that you want?” His voice was like gravel, scratchy and harsh.

“Must you be an insolent grump all the time, Bevtor? You know full well my reason for being here.” Kyrin spoke to him with familiarity and ease as if they were friends, but who would want to be friends with an asshole like him.

Bevtor scoffed. “To aid a lot of Tumerians and whatever the fek that is.” He said the last part with a glare pointed at me. Azandum releases a warning growl, his grip on my waist tightening slightly.

I watched as the muscles on Bevtor bulged, rippling along his tall frame as he appeared to grow larger before my very eyes. The Xoid people were similar to the Tumerians in height and each had a humanoid build; however, whereas the Tumerians had skin with a texture that was smoother, like buttered leather to the touch, the Xoid did not. Just from a glance, I knew that their skin was rough, but when Kyrin grabbed me earlier, it was confirmed. The people of the Xoid has skin that was rough and abrasive, like sandpaper. It felt like scraping along the asphalt. I guess that worked in their favor. They had faces that elongated below their piercing eyes and strong jaws with sharp teeth to make their features harsher.

Kyrin’s response was cool and cutting. “You would do well to mind your tongue about she who heralds change or I will seek to have it removed. Now, dress and make haste. We’ve not the time to waste on petty squabble.”

It didn’t take long for Bevtor to get his shit together, however, reluctantly he did so. We were back on the journey and he set a hard pace. Of course, everyone else could keep up with their long, powerful strides but apparently, my puny human body wasn’t up to the task. Never in my life had I been puny in comparison to any of the people around me but I leave it to the aliens to dismantle my paradigms. I guess I’ll just add it to the list. Not the mention that light-whatever few there was-had faded from the sky and I couldn’t see a thing. Whatever temporary night vision I had back in the cavern didn’t make itself known to me now. I was slowing us down and everyone knew it.

“Must the female tread like a freshly born fletchling?” Bevtor snapped finally.

“I’m sorry,” I huffed, trying to catch my breath. We stopped and I would use this precious reprieve to suck some air back into my lungs.

A hand settled on my back, stroking it softly. “Do not feel the need to apologize for the Xoid’s disposition, Echo.” Zan’s reassurance was pitched in a low tone. It was the same tone he used when speaking to the two-now dead- aliens back at the hovel on the other side of Niscus.

“Zan, don’t.”

“My patience is no more for his blatant disrespect of you, my mate. He disrespects your honor and am I to accept such slight? Only out of respect for Kyrin has my hand been stilled, but no longer will that be so. Do you not feel the rage burning through my veins, my al sisi? As much as it pains me to admit, it is by the thinnest restraints that it is held. I know not what to make of its intensity but I will gladly unleash it upon this piece of faex.”

“But, he’s right. I am flailing about like a chicken with its head cut off. Even with you guiding me, I am still slowing you guys down.”

“It matters not. I will have his head for his disrespect.”

Three people moved at the same time. Zan-to attack Bevtor-, me-to intercept him-, and Bevtor. However, the latter wasn’t moving toward us. Instead, he sent something hurtling into the dark and my confusion was replaced with fear when whatever he’d hit, let out a bloodcurdling screech of agony. We all froze.

“We must run.” He gave no other explanation before I heard the sound of his fading footsteps and we followed his lead.

And I thought the walking was bad! It was only the multiple howls in the distance-a response to the screeching- that kept me on my feet. There was no way I would be able to keep up with them. Zan must’ve realized this too because he scooped me up in his arms and set a brisk pace, catching up with the other with ease.

“They are the Forsaken,” Bevtor was saying as we drew near. “They roam the Abyss aimlessly, attacking indiscriminately. Or perhaps they are in search of something. I do not know. What I do know is that they travel in packs and I just killed a packmate. The rest will come. This is what I was afraid of, Female, when you were so loud during our trek.” I couldn’t see him but I imagined he was sending a glare in my direction.

I flipped him the bird. “You know what, Bevtor? You’re a real asshole. Did you tell us that there were wild creatures out here who would hunt us if we made too much noise? No, you did not. Do you know why? Because you’re a shitty guide with a shitty attitude. All you did this entire time was grunt and glare. If you didn’t want to show us the way, you should’ve told Kyrin to go fuck himself and stayed your grumpy ass at the shithole you call home. Do you want to blame me for this situation? Well, fuck you, get in line.”

“You are wrong! I am not covered in excrement, female. I do not understand all the words you say, though I can tell by your tone that you are admonishing me and your gesture was made with such emphasis that I can only assume you mean to insult me.”

“Yes!”

He huffed, whether that was because he was feeling tired or because he was laughing at me, I couldn’t tell. Though I suspected it was the latter. “Then your tongue is as filthy as a bridge captain’s and unfit for a female.”

“We will not outrun these creatures. They gain on us,” Amondis announced morosely.

“Then we will fight,” Azandum responds, almost gleefully. My man was itching for an outlet for that rage trapped in his chest.

“You don’t have any weapons,” I remind him.

“Do not trust everything that you see,” he quoted sagely.

“Or do not see,” Amondis chimed in.

“For the eyes can be as deceiving as a mind in denial,” Azandum finished.

I took a moment to ponder the quote. So, just because I couldn’t see the weapons doesn’t mean that they aren’t there? But I don’t recall him grabbing his swords before we left Icturi. Nor did I see any on the ship. Either way, there was no more time to ponder. Suddenly, Azandum came to a halt, jolting me. Ever so slowly, he slid me down his body until my feet settle on the ground, but the firm grip he had on me did not ease.

“It would seem that were are being corralled,” Kyrin noted. His tone was almost dull and I would’ve mistaken him as bored if I didn’t detect the barest hint of sharpness in his words. I reached down and slowly removed the short sword from my boot. The silver steel hushes as it slides from its sheath. I didn’t know how much use it would be, because I could hardly see anything besides faint outlines, but I refused to stand defenseless if we were to be attacked.

“You allow your chosen to carry weapons?” Bevtor asked, appalled. My nose turned up. Allow?

“If my mate wishes to defend herself, who am I to deny her?” Azandum shot back. “It is of no concern to you, Xoid.”

“We’re surrounded. They’re closing in. Prepare yourselves,” Amondis warned. I heard shifting and the sound of metal clinking together.

“Never thought I’d see Tumerian metal another day in my life,” Kyrin remarked. “Dared I even hoped I wouldn’t,” Bevtor grunted his assent.

“Never thought I’d be fighting alongside a pair of Xoid. This sun’s just full of surprise and upset,” Amondis chuckled dryly.

Tumerian steel? Was that was Zan and Amondis had? Oh, I wish I could see! Where did they even hide it? How even? I felt the brush of something on my back and jumped in surprise.

“’Tis just my wing, Echo. Calm yourself. You will not be fighting,” Zan declared.

“But-” The protest died on my lips before I even started it. How would I fight something I couldn’t see? It was foolish to even consider. With more training, maybe, but I was still a novice without much strength or speed. “What will you have me do?”

Azandum’s gentle purr proceeded with the hot press of his lips to my forehead. “You see to reason quickly, my mate. This pleases me. Though I take no pleasure in the danger you’ve been placed in.” I could see his deep breath on my hair.

“There are ruins a few clicks southeast. It is back the way we came but instead of the straight path, you will veer off,” Bevtor suggested. I was surprised at his willingness to help.

“Yes, I recall seeing the peak in the distance. Do creatures such as these or others inhabit the place?”

“I have not been in many moons,” Bevtor admitted.

Zan grunted but didn't say more. The weight of indecision was heavy upon him. He didn’t like that idea any more than he liked the thought of me staying here.

“How many of them is it?” I asked softly.

“I estimate two packs. One pack is usually between ten and twelve Forsaken. They must have been nesting together,” Bevtor answered grimly.

So they were looking at two dozen against the four of them. I gripped Zan’s shirt, my heart pounding with worry and fear, but I wouldn’t give voice to my doubt or concern. They were warriors. They could handle themselves. The last thing they needed was a distraction, which is exactly what I would be if I stayed.

“Take me there,” I told Zan.

“It may not be any safer there than it is here. I do not like the thought of being so far away from you,” he protested.

“Then you will hide me and pray to Matu for my safety. I mean, I’m supposed to have this great destiny, right?” My laugh didn’t hit its mark. It sounded more like a barely restrained attempt not to cry. “I haven’t done anything drastic so our story doesn’t end here.”

“Eterai, you have done much more than you know,” Kyrin said to me.

I glared in his direction. “You’re not helping.”

Zan growled, his frustration clear. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hopped up. He caught me easily, crushing my body to his.

“Let’s go.” I could sense his hesitation before we shot to the sky with a harsh flap of his wings.

“They come!” Amondis’ shout was drowned out by the series of howls and screeches that came in response to Zan’s take-off. The roars of battle cries and wet sounds of splitting flesh faded as we sped away. A battle also warred within my lover as we approached the ruins. I could only make out the shape of the rising and falling peaks in the darkness. Wings made everything faster because we got here sooner than I had hoped. Zan set me down and placed my back against the cool stone that felt a lot like smooth marble.

“Wait here a moment while I ensure its security.” I nodded and he returned only a moment later, his golden eyes shining bright in the dark. “It appears abandoned sans a few harmless insects and rodents. I loathe to leave you here, Echo.” He took me into his arms and I went, clinging to him as he did me.

“You can’t leave them to fight alone, Azandum.” I could feel the moisture threatening to overtake my eyes. He pulled back and I looked into his eyes.

“My brave little Terran warrior,” he whispered, swiping his thumb under my eyes to catch the betraying tear. “I will return for you, my al sisi. These creatures know not the wraith they bring upon themselves by forcing me to leave your side. I will show them the error of their way,” he snarls.

I brought his face down. Finding his lips was like second nature, no external light was needed. We devoured each other, tongues and breaths mingling until I forced myself to pull back. If I held on any longer, I’d ask him to stay. I wouldn’t be so selfish.

“Fly fast, fight hard, and return to me.” His grip tightened for a moment before he let go and I felt the wind from his wings. I could tell he hovered before taking off, back to slay the nightmares that lurked in the dark.

“Mr i Tn, my al sisi. You will alert me if you are in danger and I will be by your side immediately.”

“I will. I love you too.”