Azazel strode to the platform and brushed his hand over its smooth surface. The psychic trail was faint, scattered, as if someone had deliberately masked it. His chest tightened. “Damn it. We’re too late.”
JR14 landed on his shoulder, his sharp limbs clicking against the fabric of his shirt. “Observation: confirm human female was held on this platform. Residual heat signatures and biological markers establish this factor. Conclusion: Primary data suggests recent relocation.”
Azazel’s jaw clenched. “Any idea where they took her?”
JR14’s sensors whirred, his sky-blue eyes pulsating in a light orange. “Scanning for exit vectors. This may take several moments.”
Azazel stepped back, clenching his hands into fists, forcing himself to remain calm. Losing his temper wouldn’t help. At least his inner beast remained quiet. “Hurry,kalu. The longer we stay in one place, the more it increases our chance of being discovered. And I have a feeling we don’t have much time.”
As he waited for JR14 to finish his communication with the ship’s computer, Azazel let his hand rest on the platform again, his thoughts racing. Whoever had taken her hadn’t hurt her, but he could easily sense her irritation all the same.
Then something caught his attention. He whipped around and faced the doorway, sensing a shift in the room’s energy. The energy wasn’t hostile, but deliberate—calm yet purposeful. The crystalline walls shimmered, refracting light in soft ripples before a figure glided into the room.
The newcomer’s form was slender—a male crystalline figure bathed in aquamarine and silver that glistened in the sterile light. Shimmering white eyes locked onto Azazel’s with a mix of curiosity and resolve. As he sauntered closer, his movements remained fluid and non-threatening.
Azazel tensed, and his psychic protections flared. He had to force himself to rein them in before his tension caused his inner beast to wake from its slumber.
JR14 skittered to his side, wings flexing as the small bot raised his voice. “Alert. Unknown entity. Probability of engagement escalating. Suggest immediate inquiry or preemptive action.”
Azazel swallowed the urge to snort at JR14’s unhelpful observation.
The crystalline figure raised both hands, a gesture that Azazel took as one of peace. “There’s no need for hostility.” “My name is Vaeloryx, and I believe we share a common goal.”
Azazel’s gaze narrowed, his stance unyielding. How did the alien sneak up on him and JR14 like that? “How did you know I was here?”
Vaeloryx’s radiant eyes softened. “Your efforts may be effective against Baelon’s Elites, however, the ship itself is alive in its own way. Your every step, your every breath ripple through the ship’s crystalline lattice. I’ve trained myself to sense those ripples—an ability the Elite enforcers lack.”
Azazel straightened and crossed his arms, studying the creature with narrowed eyes. “How convenient.”
“I assure you, it is not without cost,” Vaeloryx replied. “The process is cumbersome, but necessary to survive in this oppressive environment.” The crystal being took a short step forward, and the mirrors and glass on his body refracted the light into faint prisms across the walls. “I am the leader of the Auracite Resistance here on theNyrlith. We are a collective who oppose Lord Baelon’s tyranny and the destruction he brings to our people and other dimensions.”
“Definition: Auracite,” JR14 intoned. “A mythical crystalline material among the Krystalii that symbolizes purity, strength, and light.”
Azazel glanced at him over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow.
“I have ascertained some of this ship’s linguistic logs.” JR14 answered Azazel’s silent question. “However, I’m working to get into the sensitiveNyrlithoperations.”
Azazel didn’t comment on what the bot said. He clenched his hands into fists and faced the alien. “I’m guessing you haven’t alerted the guards about us.”
Vaeloryx stopped a few paces away, his luminous gaze steady. “When we discovered Baelon had taken a human female, we focused on the reason he would do that. It became clear his intent was to advance Krystalii genetics by using her DNA to speed up creating more of his mindless minions. Once that happens, any chance we have to overthrow his tyranny will end before it begins.” Vaeloryx’s translucent chest shimmered as he took a breath. “This must not be allowed to happen. Our priority is to take that opportunity away from Baelon at all costs. To do that, we will help you take her away from him and then get both of you off this ship. Combining our efforts, I’m convinced we can and will achieve our shared goal.”
Azazel’s jaw tightened. The last thing he wanted to do was to get involved in some kind of rebellion. Obviously, he’d have a greater chance of success if he had inside help. It wasn’t reasonable to think he should take on an entire alien race alone.
JR14 broke the silence. “Analysis suggests aligning with the resistance increases mission success probability to 64.8 percent. However, risk factors remain high. Recommend careful consideration.”
Azazel’s lips curved into a thin smile. “Appreciate the optimism, JR14.” He shifted his focus back to Vaeloryx. “Why should I trust you? You’re one of them.”
The Krystalii's gaze was steady. “As a show of good faith, I will share with you what we know about her thus far. They have moved her to the highest-security area. The experiments on her have not yet begun because she is suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. Baelon will not start any experiments on her until she has been provided with food, water, and rest to bring her to optimal health. I assure you, that reprieve won’t last long. We don’t have much time to retrieve her before she is forced to undergo his harsh treatments.”
The light in Vaeloryx’s eyes dimmed, as if burdened by what he said next. “I’ve lived all my life with what Baelon does to those who defy him. Doing nothing has cost me friends, family... those I care most about. So, my friends and I have vowed to make a difference in this dimension. We view this as our only chance to fight for our very right to exist.” His expression set. “You and I are not so different in that desire. Are we, Azazel?”
Azazel froze. “How do you know my name?”
A slight, playful grin creased Vaeloryx’s clear lips. “Word travels quickly, even across dimensions. TheAdamouare not unknown to us. Your arrival stirred more than just the energy of this ship.”
The tension in the room thickened as Azazel weighed his options. His instincts told him Vaeloryx was sincere, but trusting anyone in this place—especially a Krystalii—felt like stepping into a minefield blindfolded. When he replied, he kept his tone low and firm. “I will agree to work with you. However, just so we’re clear, my priority is getting Toni and myself off this ship, not confronting Baelon. If there’s even a hint that you’re playing me, Vaeloryx, I’ll dismantle your resistance before Baelon gets the chance to.” He meant every single word. Even if he didn’t know how he’d do that.
Yet.
