Page 3 of Fire Forged

“A few more,” Nerx muttered.He shook so hard, he swung Kyerx outward.“How about I lift you so you can grip onto something?I need to pop my shoulder back in.”

“Do it,” Kyerx said.

With a roar, Nerx yanked up with all his strength until Kyerx’s palm passed the metal’s edge.

“Got it.”

Nerx released him to slam his shoulder against the rock wall.He bit his tongue to swallow the cry then, while swinging his slightly numb arm, he turned to Kyerx.

Who was gone.

“No,” he screamed and peered over.

Below on the yellow-mossed bank lay Kyerx, his leg at an odd angle.Blood dribbled from his mouth.

Nerx raced down and kneeled beside him, running his hands over his body.“Why, Kyerx?We were almost clear.”He snatched his med-gun out of his pocket, but the device beeped.Tapping it didn’t change its reading.

“I thought…” Kyerx spluttered, blood droplets beading his lips and chin.“It did not look far.”

Nerx touched and held his fingers to his Optical Data Implant, or O.D.I., embedded in his wrist.“Emergency.Emergency.Track co-ordinates for immediate evacuation.Send a medic.”

“Acknowledged.Estimated arrival thirty minutes,” the male intoned.

“No, sooner.Send a scimitar.Inform Ambassador Tarx.”Nerx grimaced.“Kyerx is…dying.”His face cooled as he stared at Kyerx’s dulled eyes.Again he tapped his O.D.I.“Father, it is Nerx.Kyerx fell.”

“Where are you?”Father demanded.

He sucked in a sharp breath before blurting, “Berrann Falls.”

“Alodon’s balls!”The comm ended.

Nerx splayed his bloodied fingers over Kyerx’s chest, increasing his hearing sensitivity to listen to his dwindling heartbeat.“Hurry, Father.”

Darkness expanded in his chest, urging him to cry out, to roar at the universe.He raised his gaze to the sky and sent a prayer to the Maker who’d been absent for all of his life.

This time was no different.

Chapter One

Etterian Battleship, Kushin

Orbiting Earth

Decades later.

12252 years, 6thmonth

Soulless,adrift,ekingouta life as oneself.

Endless nights, eternal cold, uncountable stars leading one astray.

No joy, no laughter, to feel is to fail.

Fake glare, fake anger, to feel is to derail.

None know what one hides.

The constant fear, what one must abide.

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