by Cheree Alsop
“So sad,” one shadow said.
“Impure,” another echoed.
“Her bravery shall be her only salvation,” a third whispered, its clawed hands brushing through her hair.
“End this.”
The word of the final shadow sent them back through the village. Obruo was frozen to the ground as he watched each villager be killed and every home destroyed. He pleaded, but the Nameless Ones didn’t hear him. Eventually, he was the last one beside the little girl on the hill who stared at nothing, who had failed him and let the clan be destroyed.
The shadows surrounded him.
“Your turn, Chief Obruo,” a Nameless said.
He felt the agony of their teeth on his skin.
“No!” he shouted. “I can still help you!”
“You failed us,” another replied. “Why should we give you a second chance?”
“Because you need me,” he said.
The shadows slowed and a deafening silence filled the air. A Nameless broke it.
“We will destroy the clan of every Damaclan in the Macrocosm until we get what we came for.”
“Why?” Obruo forced himself to ask. His voice shook despite his attempts to keep it steady.
“Without the orbs, we weaken. The souls of children slain in fear give us strength, yet it is fleeting. We need the orbs for eternal strength; then, we will be the masters of the Macrocosm.”
The thought was almost more terrifying than letting them kill him, yet Obruo couldn’t just lay down and die. It went against the Damaclan nature that drove every step he made. He would fight with his last breath.
“You need me to get the orbs,” he said.
“You’ve failed us so far,” a shadow pointed out.
“You gave me nothing to work with,” he growled.
“Is he getting frustrated?” one asked.
“He’s not worth our time,” another said.
Obruo knew he was losing his opportunity to survive. He fell to his knees.
“Please, give me a chance,” he begged.
“There is one.”
“What one?” he asked.
“The girl.” All of the shadows turned their red gazes toward the small girl that watched the burning houses with blank eyes as though she didn’t see them.
“Liora?” Obruo forced out; he hated to even say her name.
“In a few years, she’ll lead you to the orbs,” a shadow said. “And then you bring the orbs to us. You can have her when we’re done with her.”
“She is the one chance you have.”
“She’s the key to end it all.”
“The girl from the stars.”
“The girl without a soul.”
The memory faded. Liora sat back, her chest tight and her heart pounding.
“Don’t touch me again,” Obruo growled.
Liora glanced up at his tone and found tears running down his cheeks.
“I won’t give you the orb,” she said.
“Orbs,” Obruo corrected. “And you saw what will happen if you don’t. I’ve waited far too many years for you to find them; I’m not going to let the Nameless Ones take me now.”
“You have no power over me,” she said. “I won’t give you the orb and they can have you.”
A smile touched Obruo’s lips. It was more terrifying than his glare.
“That is where you’re wrong. I have all the power.”
“What are you talking about?” Liora asked.
Obruo shook his head, the smile plastered on his face. “You haven’t figured it out yet. Pity. I thought you were smarter than that.”
“Talk, or I’ll push at your mind again.”
The threat made Obruo’s face pale. “Remember the Damaclan army?”
“You mean the Damaclans you lied to and told that I was kidnapped? I remember.”
The smug look returned. “I informed them that the reason the Nameless Ones are killing their families is because the humans have you under their control. I told them you would accept Chief Decerpo’s blade and tell them that you are not a prisoner here, but that you were lying to protect them. If you don’t fly out with me in the next few minutes with the orbs for the Nameless Ones, they are to attack the Eos and Corian. They won’t stop until either they are dead or the humans are.”
“No,” Liora whispered.
She thought quickly through her conversation with Chief Decerpo. It hadn’t seemed strange, yet she had been away from her people long enough to miss the subtleties that came with being Damaclan. Her heart slowed. There had been a sign. Chief Decerpo hadn’t returned his knife to his sheath as the acceptance ceremony dictated; instead, he had held it in his hand when he departed.
“Yes, you get it now,” Obruo said. “Fight me, and your precious humans will die. You know the Damaclans will stop at nothing to free their queen.”
“I’ll tell them I’m free,” she replied.
Obruo shook his head. “They know you are lying unless you leave Corian under the protection of your loving Damaclan father.”
Liora stared at him. “You were never a father to me.”
Obruo shrugged. “We’ll call it tough love.”
“You wanted me to die,” Liora said in a voice barely above a whisper.
“The same wish applies,” Obruo told her. “You just need to give the orbs to the Nameless Ones first. Then you are mine to do with as I please.”
Liora’s thoughts were numb. She shook her head. There had to be a way out that didn’t involve her leaving with Obruo, yet the room had been filled with Damaclans. If each fought to the full capacity of a Damaclan warrior, they would destroy countless lives on Corian. The Damaclans were protecting their families, trying to stop the Nameless Ones the way Liora had been powerless to do when she was young.
One thought held her.
“You keep saying orbs.”
“That’s right,” Obruo replied. “The Omne Occasus held both a Feren energy orb and a Bilar energy orb. The Nameless Ones demand both.”
“We have only one.”
Obruo watched her closely. “Don’t mess with me, Liora. Your father, your brother, and your precious Tariq will be the first killed on Corian if you do.”
Liora shook her head. “There’s only one orb left. I destroyed the other.”
Obruo’s gaze hardened. “How?”
“That’s what we were doing in Gliese.”
“The black hole,” he said. Horror showed on his face at the implications.
“I tried to kill you with it. Unfortunately, I failed,” Liora said.
Obruo glared at her. “You’d better hope they’re satisfied with one orb, or we’ll both meet the dark like your mother.”
The barb sent anger flowing through Liora. She wanted to tear the Damaclan apart. The fear she had felt toward him was gone. All she saw before her was a coward who had begged for his life by throwing others to the Nameless Ones.
She was ready to be through with him, but the threat of the Damaclans ready to attack Corian along with the Nameless who continued to take the lives of Damaclan children made her search for a way to end them.
“I will go with you on one condition.”
Obruo gave her an incredulous look. “You’re in no state to barter.”
“Do you have the orb?” she asked.
“No,” Obruo replied, “But I’ll gladly order the Damaclans to tear apart Corian and this ship looking for it.”
“You assume it’s anywhere near here. Why would I be so foolish?” she countered.
“Why would I keep my word?” he replied.
Liora watched him closely. “Because I’ve already given my word, and I won’t touch the orb without it.”
“I can force you.”
“Can you?” Liora challenged. She slid a hand meaningfully to the blade on her thigh. “I’d like to see you try.”
Surprise showed in Obruo’s gaze. He gave what could have passed for a sound of approval. “You’ve grown up. What do you w
ant?”
“We’ll pass the Cas One Galaxy on our way to Ralian. We will stop at Verdan and return Mrs. Metis and Kiari back to their home.”
Obruo’s eyebrows drew together at the strange request. “Why not just leave them here with their son?”
“It’s my demand,” Liora told him. “Take it or kill me.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest and waited.
Obruo shook his head. “Fine. Your stubbornness hasn’t changed.”
“Your ability to make me pay for it has.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Liora crossed to the door. “Wait in here. I’ll give the orders for the pilot to take us out. When we’re clear, you’ll notify the Damaclans that I’m with you.”
She walked through the door and waited for it to close behind her.
Tariq was immediately at her side. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” Liora lied. “Things are under control. I need to go talk to Devren about getting his mother and sister back. Will you guard the door so Obruo doesn’t leave?”
“With pleasure,” Tariq replied.
He unsheathed his gun and stood facing the door. Hope showed on his face; Liora knew he wanted Obruo to try to escape and give him an excuse to shoot the Damaclan chief and end their problems once and for all. If only it was that easy.
Chapter 8
The door to the Kratos’ bridge was sealed. It would take time and a team with torches to unseal it. That was the way Liora needed it to be. With Devren and the others trapped on the bridge, nobody would be able to stop what she had planned except for Tariq.
Liora’s heart ached as she pushed her thoughts toward Devren.
‘Devren, you can’t respond on your communicator or Tariq will overhear, but I need you to do something for me. Obruo will free your family and have them returned to Verdan on the condition that I take the orb to the Nameless Ones.’
Liora let out a breath. Explaining about the Nameless Ones and the Damaclans, as well as the danger the Damaclans posed to Corian and the merchant fleet, would take far too long.
‘I’m going to push my memories at you so you know how dire our situation is. Hold on. It’s going to be fast and not very fun.’
Liora sent Devren the images of the Nameless Ones destroying her clan. She jumped to Obruo’s conversation with them and the bargain he had made. She then showed his plan of the Damaclans surrounding Corian. Devren was the captain of a starship. He would do everything in his power to keep civilians from dying in a war they didn’t start.
‘You see why I have to leave, and why Tariq is in danger. I will get your mother and sister to Verdan, and I’ll take care of the orb, but I’m going to need no hesitation in what I ask. I know Tariq will try to stop me, and before you go cutting through that door to do the same, think of all of the people Obruo and the Nameless Ones will destroy if they become more powerful.’
Liora paused, then pushed, ‘If you’ll help me, say,’ she glanced around quickly and her eyes landed on one of O’Tule’s paintings. It was a picture of a tree with sunlight bursting through the branches. ‘Say ‘daylight’ over your communicator.’
Silence filled the air. Liora’s heart pounded so hard she worried she wouldn’t hear his reply. If he refused, they would all be lost. As it was, she wasn’t entirely certain that what she was going to do would work, but she had to try.
“Daylight.” Devren’s voice was quiet.
“What was that?” Tariq asked over the communicator.
“Nothing,” Devren replied.
‘Alright. I need to grab something and I’ll let you know when your mother and Kiari are on board. Thank you, Devren. I know it’s not going to be easy, but it’s our only hope.’
Liora ran back to the cargo hold.
“What’s going on?” Tariq asked. “Devren won’t answer my questions, Obruo hasn’t made a move, and I have the feeling things are happening that I’m not being told about.”
The passion in his gaze when he looked down at her held Liora. She wanted to tell him everything, but she knew he would forbid her from doing what she needed to. There was no other choice. She only hoped that later he would see it that way as well.
Footsteps ran down the hallway. There wasn’t enough time. Liora blinked quickly to rid the tears that filled her eyes.
Tariq closed the space between them. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his words as gentle as the fingers he smoothed along her cheek.
“Remember that I love you,” she said. She pulled him close and kissed him soundly on the lips.
Armed Corian guards appeared in blue and silver. They surrounded Liora and Tariq.
“Officer Tariq Donovan, you are under orders to come with us.”
Tariq stared at them. “Why? I didn’t do anything.”
“You can address that to Commandant Day,” the lead officer replied.
Tariq looked at Liora. “I haven’t done anything. Tell them what’s going on.”
Liora tried to smile. “It’ll be alright. Go straighten things out.”
“I won’t leave you here,” Tariq replied.
Two guards touched his arms. He shrugged away from them.
“I won’t leave you here with him,” Tariq protested.
It took four guards to pin him to the ground and the other two to put the handcuffs on his wrists. By the time he was pulled back to his feet, Tariq looked mad enough to tear each of their arms off.
“Let me go,” he demanded. “You’re making a serious mistake. Liora, tell them!”
“I can’t,” she said. She turned away before her tears could betray her.
“Liora!” Tariq yelled. Something in his voice changed as though he realized something. “Liora, no! Liora, don’t do it! Don’t go with him!
Liora couldn’t bring herself to look at Tariq as he was dragged down the hall.
“Liora!”
His voice tore into her soul. He guessed what she was going to do, or at least had some idea. He knew she was the reason he was being led away. If she didn’t want him there in her dealings with Obruo, it was because they all knew such things could only end one way.
“Liora!”
The door slid shut, cutting off any further protests. Liora tried to steady her nerves. She knew Tariq loved her. She knew he would do anything to protect her, but the sound of his voice when he realized he was hopeless to do any of that was so heartbreaking she hurt in a way she had never hurt before. She didn’t want that to be the last time they saw each other.
Liora knew she only had so long to act before Tariq found a way free. She put a hand to the door panel and the door slid open. She jumped when she saw how close Obruo was standing on the other side.
“That sounded cruel,” Obruo said.
Liora gritted her teeth. “Use the transporter to get Mrs. Metis and Kiari to the Kratos. Warn the Damaclans away so they don’t attack Corian. After that, I’ll meet you back here with the orb.”
“Getting curt with me?” Obruo asked.
“I’m done with you,” Liora replied, her hands clenching into fists. “You’ve caused enough pain for a thousand lifetimes. As soon as all of this is over, you’re the one I’m putting an end to.”
Obruo’s mouth twisted into a mocking smile. “Except that you’re forgetting one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“When the Nameless Ones are done with you, they’re giving you to me, not the other way around.”
Liora bit back a response at the Damaclan’s gleeful smile when he shoved past her. She ducked into the cargo hold and knelt next to the little brown box amid the other crates on the floor. It was dirty and simple, not the kind of thing where someone kept an orb that could potentially end a world. She mentally thanked Hyrin for his foresight.
She could feel the hum of the orb’s energy when she stood. The pulse beat against her hands, begging her to open the box, to let it consume whatever it touched. She wondered how long the black matter box would hold. If it absorbed the o
rb’s energy instead of letting it push through, was there a limit to the amount the box could take in?
Liora made her way back to the bridge. Even though the door was sealed, she still felt better being near her crew.
“Is the engine crew on lockdown?” she asked into her communicator.
“Yes,” Devren replied. “We’re leaving the rest of the crew here on Corian. They’re under orders to tell Brandis the entire plan only if we don’t return.” He paused, then asked, “How’s Tariq?”
“He’s going to hate me for the rest of my life, which might not be all that long, all things considered.”
“Don’t say that,” Devren replied. “I’m buying you time. The stop at Verdan is going to add to that. We’ll figure it out.”
Liora didn’t reply.
Footsteps came up the hall.
“Liora!”
Mrs. Metis and Kiari rushed forward. They were bedraggled, their clothing torn, and small scrapes and bruises covered their arms and faces. Liora pulled them behind her, careful to keep them away from Obruo who followed close behind. At her glare, he held up his hands and waited further down the hall. The mocking to his actions sent a surge of frustrated rage through Liora.
“Obruo says you’re the one we have to thank for getting us out of there,” Mrs. Metis said.
Kiari had tears streaming down her dirty, bruised cheeks. “Thank you,” she said.
“Tell Mom and Kiari I see them in the monitor. I’m glad they’re alright,” Devren’s voice said over the communicator on Liora’s wrist.
Mrs. Metis gave the camera above them a smile despite the way it must have hurt with the bruises on her cheekbones.
“We’re alright, dear. We’re tough,” she said.
“Can we go to Dev?” Kiari asked.
“Devren is behind this door,” Liora told them. “We’ve sealed it so Obruo can’t gain access to the ship. The Gull is down the hallway in the loading bay. I need you to wait for me there. The communicator next to the door will allow you to talk to Devren when you’re inside.” She put a hand on Mrs. Metis’ arm. “I’ll join you when we reach Verdan. You’re going back home.”
“But everyone was killed,” Kiari protested, her voice wavering. “There’s nobody left.”