Page 87 of Protected by the Alien Warrior Triad

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Tammy

Iawoke and found myself staring at a fight.

As my grogginess cleared, I watched in horror as I witnessed Hadone being brutally beaten to a pulp right in front of me.

Then he spoke, and his words gave Ton reason to pause – enough for Hadone to turn the tables and knock his rival to the ground.

But Hadone’s words… They horrified me. They had to be lies, right? They had to be.

I know that my man could not have done such a horrible thing to a woman.

Regardless of his words, though, the horror continued as the man I thought I’d known became an animal, instead. I know we’d only known each other a matter of days, but I still had never imagined Hadone could succumb to such feral, brutal violence.

I try to speak, but the words won’t leave my mouth. My throat is raw and sore and my head still feels like it’s been filled with fluff. I took a full hit of whatever poisonous spores have been causing this sickness, and I’m surprised I even woke up at all.

I might not be able to speak, but I canthink. Words form inside me head.

No! Don’t do it, Hadone! Don’t!

I know that Hadone and Ton are fighting to the death, but every blow Hadone rains down on his now helpless opponent makes me feel sicker.

It was torture watching him receive such devastating blows, but it’s a new kind of torture to watch him lose himself to the animal inside. Ton has lost consciousness now, his body limp, and yet he still receives a beating.

“Stop,” I whisper, my voice cracking.

Somehow, Hadone hears me. It is as though he suddenly comes out of a trance. His hands are balled fists, ready to crush Ton’s face, but he holds them above his conquered foe, and instead turns his head to face me.

Hadone’s nose and jaw are clearly broken. Blood drips down his face. Helookslike the animal he’d been acting as – and yet, somehow, Hadone finds his humanity by following my voice. Against all odds – even the beast snarling within his own soul, he doesn’t continue the brutal beat down of his opponent.

Hadone slowly rises.

“He’s not dead,” gasps out Chief Rattler.

Hadone looks over at his Chief. “Death or mercy are the rules. I know death has always been the way until this day – but perhaps it is time for a new way; and a new chief.”

Hadone raises his bloody fist toward me.

“My mate solved the mystery of the sickness, and so I will be the new chieftain.”

As Rattler absorbs this, Hadone turns to the fish-eating triad, and barks:

“Cornal, listen to me. Take Ton away and go. You are banished; all three of you. If any of you ever set foot on jungle land again, you will lose your life.”

Cornal stands near the circle of the battle ring, but does not step in. Hadone bends down instead, and rolls the limp body of Ton out of the circle, to gasps from the crowd.

“This is blasphemy!” Chief Rattler yells, before he doubles over with his cough again. He tries to stand, but can’t – slumping limply onto his seat again.

“You did not lead us to safety,” Hadone growls. “You let your people rot here. You failed your tribe, Rattler – and therefore I claim my right to be chief!”

Chief Rattler looks at him with shrewd eyes. He motions to one of his compatriots, who will speak for him now that the sickness has claimed his voice.

“You have cured nothing – not yet. But I will resign my post as chieftain…ifyou consult with the Orb-God first, and have our God judge you and your so-called ‘mate’.”

The fish-eating triad slowly moves out of the cavern and leaves. They take what few belongings they have with them, and carry Ton limply over their shoulders. I hope that their hatred will dissipate with time – but I also hope never to see them again.

My eyes return to the ring, and the bloody champion now standing there.

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