Page 295 of Scorching the Alien Empire
I suppress a smile. Their verbal sparring is as entertaining as any warriors’ duel.
Heading for the exit, I scoop upStormcleaver, hoping to return it to Chieftain Vorthax.
“War Chieftain!”
The title rings out from a dozen throats as I step through the wavering holographic doorway.
I see them—Jazreal, Sarkoth, Corsark, Balsar, and others—lined along the opulent marble corridor, flanked by six statuesque Nebian Battlesuits. My heart surges at their beaming faces, their fists pounding their chests, my title echoing through the hall.
My lost title—War Chieftain.
My pride is snuffed out by shame’s cold weight.
“You honor the vanquished?” I sneer at them. “You praise the shameful?” I look to my palms, unwilling to meet their eyes. Unworthy of their adoration.
Princesa appears at my side, her hand rubbing my back in some kind of pitying gesture.
“There is no shame,” Jazreal says, clapping my shoulder. “You fought with skill and heart. A contest that will echo through the ages.”
“Indeed,” Sarkoth adds, laughing. “I call it a draw. If not for your honor—returning his respirator and spear—he couldn’t have mounted any defense against you.” He rests his thumbs on his belt. “The Prospects and War Brother Forgers will study thisKrak-Tokfor generations—the pinnacle of prowess, grit, and honor.”
I merely neutralized my Scarn-born advantage... to meet him at full strength.
“Me and the Shorthairs,” Balsar snorts, brushing a hand over his shaved flaxen scalp. “We couldn’t see a voiding thing. You both moved at hyperspeed. And the strips of flesh...” His tusks quiver. “It... it wasn’t meant for mortal eyes.”
“Isn’t it strange?” Corsark says, voice quieter. “How Krogoth’sRushchanged hues mid-fight—just before his final charge?” His gaze flicks between me and Princesa. “Could that be the Mortakin-Tok’s doing? And yet... your eyes stayed red, War Chieftain.”
I recall it vividly—Krogoth surging like a storm, eyes blazing stars of purple and hazel. A divine fury of vengeance and lightning—an unstoppable demigod.
“I knew it!” Princesa exclaims, stroking Todd’s back as if to scrub off hismirrorrune. “They cheated!”
“We don’t know—”
“Oh, comeon. It’s obvious,babes!” She cuts me off. “They rigged the vote, then cheated the fight. How else did Cringe-Eyes survive that kind of a beating? He looked like a burrito bowl thrown into a blender!” She stops suddenly, eyes narrowing, her grip tightening on my wrist. “That’s right! What if they slimed your brain? What if Rocks made yougive backhis gear?”
A chill slices down my spine.
Could they have?
“No...” I murmur, my eyes going distant. “No. Krogoth was to fall bymyhand,” I clench my fist, bone and sinew creaking beneath my power. “Not by ash and wind.”
“But you didn’t have—”
“Enough!” I snap, turning to her. “The matter is settled. I lost. Krogoth is the victor. I will face the consequences.”
She stiffens, chin lifting, then turns away with theatrical flair.
“What are you gonna do?” Drexios sneers, dragging a claw across the shaved side of his head. “Shave yourselfagain?” He cackles, gesturing at my smooth scalp. “MaybePinkiehere can trim your pubes next—you can tossthosein Krogoth’s face.”
Laughter trails behind me as I march toward the Bellatorium, footsteps echoing against polished marble. The others follow close, flanked by hulking Nebian Battlesuits, their servo-gears whining to life.
“How about trimming that barf-inducing rattail swinging behind your knees, Drex-iot?” Princesa scoffs up at him. “You know, since you did lose tomyDracoth, remember?” she finishes sweetly, though her eyes gleam like silver blades.
“But who would I be? Just little ol’ me? Bald, and weak? No proof I’m elite.” He laughs maniacally, fluttering his scaled half-cloak with a dramatic twirl toward the eye-rolling Princesa. “Besides, there’s no shame in losing to this big bastard.” His single eye locks onto mine, expression suddenly sober. “There’s no shame when battling demons.”
“All I hear are excuses, baldie-dodger,” Princesa sighs, tugging at my wrist, drawing my gaze.
I glance down. Her arms rise, eyes shimmering with soft defiance, her voice almost a whisper.
