Page 36 of Asmodel

The guards didn’t answer.

Not that Asmodel thought they’d stop and chat. They silently marched him through the grand archway that led from the opulent throne room of Panterion Prime into the sprawling public plaza outside. The stark transition from the dim, hushed reverence of the royal court to the blinding light and cacophony of the plaza made him squint behind his raised hands. The suns of CeluriaVO hung low in the sky, casting elongated shadows, bathing everything in a golden hue that ignited the vibrant colors of the surrounding city.

Blinking to focus, he lowered his bound hands. Apparently, he was being paraded in the main plaza that was alive with activity as a bustling hub of scikvak society. Towering structures of sleek metal and gleaming crystals rose around him, their surfaces catching the natural lights that created dazzling patterns dancing across the ground. Foliage and plants intertwined with the architecture, adding a pulsating rhythm of color to the urban landscape. The air carried the mingled scents of exotic spices combined with the electric tang of advanced technology, the signature aroma he now associated with the scikvak civilization.

Asmodel shrugged at the weight of countless eyes studying him while he was led through the crowd. Whispers swirled around him, filled with exclamations and hisses of fear. Guess it didn’t help he had to be the only human they’d ever seen, escorted by the royal guard. Despite their advanced nature, there was an undercurrent of primal fear bombarding his psychic senses. A hard, collective mistrust made sweat roll down his back.

The tight binding of the synthetic restraints on his wrists, along with the firm grip of the guards on his arms, were constant reminders of his captive status. Not that he’d let that weigh him down. Even when he’d been a slave in captivity, Asmodel had no trouble maintaining a dignified posture, his head held high, his stride purposeful. The cool breeze caressing his face contrasted with the warmth of the suns. It reminded him of the planet's duality—its capacity for both stunning beauty and harsh realities.

Speaking of realities. Asmodel had better protect his little bot for what he had in mind. With quick telekinetic manipulation, he fashioned a leather pouch and attached it to a long necktie.

“JR13”—he made sure his voice remained low—“hurry.” He opened the pouch with his mind wide enough for the bot to enter. “Jump in here and hang on.”

For once, the bot didn’t argue. He leaped out of the pocket on Asmodel’s vest and scurried to settle into the deep confines of the pouch.

Asmodel snapped it shut and transferred the string holding it around his neck and nestled the thing under his shirt. Now that he wasn’t under the Krystalii’s control, it was easy enough to do this without the guards noticing.

Shrugging and twisting his neck to stretch, he was ready.

As the guards led him across the plaza, the sound of the crowd ebbed and flowed in a symphony of alien languages, the hum of hover vehicles, and a melody of scikvak music in the distance. All around was harmonious chaos, a testament to the bustling life of Panterion Prime. It wouldn’t surprise him if the city never slept.

Asmodel took it all in—the sights, sounds, and smells—a vivid tapestry of life on CeluriaVO that he wouldn’t soon forget. Despite the circumstances, there was an undeniable allure to this world and its people—a complexity and depth he’d give anything to explore.

Without the threat of death, of course.

All too soon, they left civilization and walked through a large cave with a huge opening facing an opposing cliff with no buildings or signs of civilization. The roar of cascading waterfalls drowned out other sounds, and mist coated the air with the earthy scent of damp moss and wet rocks.

There were several civilian scikvak milling around the railing that kept them from the dangerous edge of the cliff.

With stern barks, the guards ordered them to leave.

Guess the guards didn’t want any witnesses on what they planned to do to him.

“Go on. We don’t have all day to deal with you,human.” A derisive sneer from one guard. An elderly one by the looks of the silver lining of his black fur around his eyes and snout. He prodded Asmodel hard on the shoulder with his solid-steel pole weapon and directed him to an open area not protected by any railing. Just a path to open air. “Let’s make this nice and easy for everyone. Go over there and keep going.”

Asmodel raised his brows with a grin. When he got to the edge, he took a moment to peer down. Damn, the gorge was so deep he couldn’t see where the raging river below. Just a plume of misty water bellowing upward. He glanced at the smirking guards behind him. He nodded to the wide chasm. “You sure you want me to jump in there?”

One of the younger guards laughed. “Well, you don’t have to jump. All you gotta do is keep walking. Nice and easy like.”

Asmodel turned his back on the yawning space and laughed, making the bonds on his wrists disappear. “Oh no. Why do something as boring as that?” With a flourish, he swept his arms wide and with a joyous cry, leaped off the cliff.

He watched as the guards ran to the edge of the cliff, their snouts and eyes wide as if they couldn’t believe he jumped off the humongous precipice of his own free will. When he estimated he’d given himself enough room, he transformed. With a cavernous roar, he unfurled his wingspan that was almost as wide as the chasm itself.

Ever since he’d watched a popular cable series that mesmerized him a couple of months ago, Asmodel dreamed of transforming into one of those glorious, mythical creatures. With joy, he blew a fountain of fire at the guards. Not to kill them, just to scare the shit out of the bastards.

With an inhuman laugh, he watched them scramble like frightened children, running back into the perceived safety of the cave tunnel. The cries and screams they left behind created a satisfying echo.

With a contented snort, Asmodel made sure the pouch holding JR13 was secure around his neck. Shaking to settle into his copper-hued dragon form, he expanded his massive wingspan and raced to the brilliant sunset in the opposite direction of Panterion Prime.

Sensing now wasn’t the best time to find the alluring woman of his visions, he’d rest for the night in this form before heading out to claim her come morning.

“A what?”

Izzy jumped at Calin’s growl.

“Oh dear. That’s right. So sorry.” Izzy wasn’t on Earth anymore, so no one here would know what a library was, much less a librarian. She threw her shoulders back. “What I mean is I was the keeper of one of the largest archives of vast knowledge and discovery on my planet. It was a place where people of all ages, races, religions, and backgrounds came together to solve various challenges we faced as a people.”

At least that’s what it was supposed to be. Some days, not so much.

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