Laytrii’s emerald form shimmered as she extended her arms, sending a wave of energy into the conduits.
Kyrix followed suit, his opalescent body emitting a bright glow as he channeled his power into the core.
The room shuddered as the hum escalated into a deafening roar.
Azazel’s eyes narrowed as he felt the shift in the ship’s energy.
JR14’s voice cut through the chaos. “Alert: Elite enforcers’ response imminent.”
Dammit!He should have left when he had the chance.
Positioning himself between the console and the approaching threat, Azazel focused.
The first of Baelon’s enforcers appeared, towering crystalline figures of brown agate with chiseled edges and an aura of palpable menace. They charged without hesitation, and the crystals on their bodies glinted like blades.
He met their attack head-on. His blade clashed against an Elite’s arm with a resounding crack. Sparks flew as he parried a second strike from another, his movements fluid and precise.
“Laytrii, Kyrix, get ready,” Vaeloryx commanded, his voice cold and steady.
Laytrii unleashed a burst of energy into the console, making her bright-green body flare. “Keep them off us,Adamou!” she called.
“I’m trying!” Azazel growled as he drove his blade into an enforcer’s chest.
The crystalline body shattered, and shards scattered across the floor.
He stiffened, his breaths coming out labored. Good to know the Krystalii were susceptible to physical attacks. But it was puzzling why they didn’t just use their psychic powers to hold him back.
No time to ponder. Another guard attacked, replacing his downed comrade.
Outside the room, an echoing clatter of glass footsteps sounded, telling him more Elites were on their way.
“Core override complete,” Vaeloryx announced in a calm tone. “The system will collapse. Now is your chance to grab the female. Go!” His last word came out in a growl when two Elites converged on him.
Laytrii battled next to him, keeping the descending forces busy.
Azazel nodded, stepping back as the corridor trembled.
The walls flickered, their mirrored glow dimmed.
“This way!” Kyrix barked, motioning for him and JR14 to follow.
Alarms blared, and their piercing wail echoed through the unstable halls.
Azazel’s heart pounded as they entered Baelon’s private chamber next to the Nexus Core.
A massive doorway loomed ahead. Intricate patterns around it pulsated with a faint light.
“She’s in there,” Kyrix slapped his hand next to the door. “Retrieve her and then go through the only open hallway inside—it leads to his private ship dock. Your construct should be able to guide you to one you can operate.” The opal Krystalii glanced over his shoulder, his breaths coming out short before turning back to him. “I’m afraid you’re on your own from here. I’ve got to go back and help the others divert the guards headed this way. If you can’t get a ship, head back to the rendezvous point.” The door rippled and parted, revealing an inner sanctum.
“Understood.” Azazel slipped his katana back into its sheath. “JR14 has the coordinates of the docked ships. If things don’t turn out like we planned, we’ll meet you there as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Kyrix nodded, his iridescent features unreadable before he turned and ran back the way they’d come without another word.
Walking through the open doorway, Azazel was met with stifling air. Heavy with the scent of minerals mixed with an underlying metallic layer. The room was lavish in its starkness, its walls adorned with jagged crystal formations that glowed with a faint violet light. At one corner, a figure sat against the crystalline wall—a woman.
He froze. Her very essence hit him like a blow. Even in this alien environment, she appeared otherworldly. Her dark hair framed her delicate face, her skin luminous under the faint light. Thank the goddess, she appeared unharmed. His breath caught. The more he studied her, the stronger something deep inside him shifted. He swallowed as he scanned her strong-yet-soft features. This was a woman with a magnetic presence.
Toni.
