Page 5 of Survivor
The sounds of entry from the rear of the building reached my ears, and I tensed, readying myself as an Aljani guard rushed into the dining room.
“Lady, we must leave. There has been an incident.”
The female jolted at the sound of his voice, her gaze whipping between me and him.
The male appeared a little disheveled, as though he had been in a recent fracas. His pale hair was in disarray, and the buttons on his tunic were askew as though done up quickly. That wasn’t what caught my attention. When he stepped closer, coming under the glare of a low hanging light, I noticed a subtle rippling reflecting the light from his skin—like scales existed under the smooth flesh.
Which they did.
“Don’t move.” I hissed to the female. “And do not let him touch you.”
Her lovely face flashed with aggravation, but she held her ground. The way she studied the Aljani told me she, too, noticed something off. She just didn’t have the experience to recognize what.
“Hello, Seibring.”
At my words, a broad smile spread across the Ajani’s face, his lips curving upwards with a mischievous glint. His skinbegan to ripple and morph, like water disturbed by a gentle breeze, eliciting a faint sound of surprise from the human female. She watched the rest of his transformation in stunned silence, her eyes wide with disbelief.
It took only a brief moment, yet felt as if time had slowed. The scales on his face and arms shifted first, flickering from a shimmering light to a deep, onyx hue. The white hair atop his head quivered as if caught in an unseen wind before retracting into his skull with a slurping sound as though one were eating noodles. The color deepened to a rich black, settling into a sleek, singular stripe that ran along the center of his head. Only his clothes remained unchanged, and I felt my heart constrict, knowing there was some poor Aljani who suffered the indignity of being stripped after death.
“Hello, Cousin,” Seibring drawled. The tip of his long gray tongue probed the tips of his elongated, canines as if to make sure they were still there. “I did not expect to see you here.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the human female gradually moving closer to me. Her steps were deliberate and unhurried, each one a careful decision. Her eyes remained fixed on Seibring, not wavering for a second. Knowing she sought refuge by my side filled me with an unexpected and peculiar sense of pride. My cousin’s eyes shifted so subtly that I don’t think the human noticed, and a flash of displeasure crossed his face.
“Are you trying to play hero, Cousin?” Seibring leaned against the long wooden bar, idly making one of the stools spin with a flick of his hand.
“I will not let you harm the human female,” I declared, my voice firm as I bared my own sharp fangs. Despite my training as a warrior, I was no match for Seibring. His ability to shift his scales allowed him to transform himself for battle—growing larger, stronger, and infinitely more deadly. Yet, thisconfrontation was not about triumphing over him. It was about ensuring the safety of the human female. I was determined to keep my cousin occupied, providing her the precious time needed to escape. If it meant sacrificing my life, I deemed it a worthy price to pay.
The female stood closer to me now, the warmth of her body radiating like a gentle hearth, and her scent enveloped me like a comforting cocoon. The faint aroma of sweetness, spice, and something uniquely her filled the sterile air. An utterly delectable scent.
“You must get to the dock,” I hissed urgently, each word heavy with the gravity of the situation. “Get off the space station and send a distress call to the Alliance. They will protect you.” I cast a quick glance at my cousin, who lounged against the bar with an air of insouciance. “I will buy you the necessary time to escape.”
The female’s eyes widened in realization, her pupils expanding as she absorbed the full weight of my words, recognizing the sacrifice I was willing to make for her. Her expression shifted from worry to a mix of disbelief and gratitude while her full pink lips formed the wordno,which escaped only in a breath.
“You know I could make this quick and easy,” Seibring drawled, his voice dripping with menace as he whipped out a small, gleaming blaster from his side. The metallic sheen caught the dim light, casting a brief glint across the room. It was surprising to see him holding the weapon. Zarpazians considered themselves true warriors, choosing the honor of fighting by blade. “But where would be the fun in that?” With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the blaster onto a nearby table, the sound echoing ominously in the tense silence. “I’ve wanted to kill you for a long time, Cousin. It will be far more satisfying to do it with my hands.”
His jet-black eyes locked onto the female, a predatory gleam dancing within their depths. “Run, little human,” he taunted, a sinister smile curling his lips. “Chasing you will be fun.”
I adjusted my scales, arranging them to stand on edge like a forest of razor-sharp blades, a transformation allowed to even the most unworthy. “Go,” I hissed at the human, my voice low.
With a last worried glance at Seibring, she stumbled away. I waited in tense anticipation until the soft echo of her footsteps faded. Only then did I launch myself at my cousin, every muscle coiled and ready for attack.
Diarvet ensured my ship had ample supplies and had also provided an impressive array of weapons. As I surged forward, my hand instinctively grasped the hilt of the long, sharp blade nestled in the sheath at my side. With a swift, fluid motion, I drew it free and swiped at Seibring. The moment the blade sliced through the air, I caught the flash of surprise in his eyes, clearly caught off guard by my unexpected assault.
“You've been training, Cousin,” he chuckled. He countered with a swipe of his hand. Though he held no traditional weapon, Seibring possessed the ability to elongate the small, razor-sharp claws each Zarpazian bore turning them into formidable daggers. I narrowly evaded the attack, feeling a rush of wind as his claws passed dangerously close to my throat.
We collided violently, exchanging punches. Seibring wielded his claws with precision, each swipe mirroring the deadly arc of my knife blocking his blows. We were evenly matched in his normal form. Yet, beneath the hand that gripped his neck, I felt his muscles bulging and expanding. He transformed, becoming taller and more imposing, his claws and fangs elongating into razor-sharp weapons, embodying the essence of a perfect predator. With a shove, he sent me hurtling into a table, the impact resounding through the room.
At the sudden commotion, a diminutive blue creature sporting an absurdly puffy hat scurried from the kitchen. His wide eyes took in the chaotic scene unfolding in the dining area, where furniture and dishes clattered amidst the mayhem. With a shrill scream, he threw up his tiny hands before promptly dashing back out, his hat bobbing wildly with each hurried step.
Seizing the momentary distraction, I rolled to my feet. My fingers tightened around the long blade, the cool metal reassuring in my grasp. I reached over my shoulder and drew the curved sword from the sheath strapped to my back, the sound of steel sliding against leather resonating in the air.
We circled each other with the intensity of predators on the prowl, our eyes locked in a silent, fierce battle. Each movement was calculated, every step deliberate, as we each searched for an opening, a fleeting moment of vulnerability to exploit.
“Not bad,” Seibring smirked, shifting his massive shoulders, the blade-like claws that tipped his fingers glinting in the light. “I’m impressed, Cousin.”
“Then fight me with honor, Cousin,” I challenged, my gaze flickering over his shifted form, my intent clear.
Seibring threw back his head and laughed. “While I would love to kill you slowly, I need to retrieve the female before she can leave the station.”
