Page 2 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
Rocks and Krogoth’s bond has awakened something profound in them. It’s plain to see. Ever since Terminus Exile Station, when Krogoth overcame the massive Tuskarian, I knew he was reaching new levels of power. At the thought, that jealous wyrm digs a little deeper within me, reminding me that the option of a bonded mate is forever lost to me. When Krogoth and I traveled to Earth, he alone had a single match.
“The Gods have blessed you with her,” I state in a flat voice, nodding at two clan brothers passing by us.
“Not just me, Xandor,” Krogoth replies with speed. “Thanks to her, we are free from Gorexius and the Scythians. Others can seek their bonded mates from among the Earth females.” He smiles, trying to reassure, but his words just pick at a festering wound.
“Others, but not me,” I retort, glaring at my hands, trying to suppress my sullen attitude.
Krogoth gazes down at me, his face displaying sympathy. “I thought you had made peace with this?” He asks.
Continuing to navigate around the massive trees, among the long looming shadows cast from the purple sun overhead, we pass many Clans Draxxus brothers who nod with respect. In the distance, the forging grounds appear, and the low dim of grunts and the buzz and snap of target practice comes into my awareness.
“I thought so too, brother. But witnessing you and Rocks grow so much stronger...” I trail off before stepping over the low wooden fence. “And now, with others going to Earth, I will be left behind.” Each word feels like a gut punch, giving voice to my deepest fears. If not for my complete trust in Krogoth, I wouldn’t dare speak of them.
A frown creases Krogoth’s face. “Nonsense. You will always be one of our clan’s very best.” We stop for a group of young Prospects to pass as they sprint around the dirt circle on the outskirts, their faces and lean bodies covered in a layer of sweat. “One of the finest warriors in the universe, you stand a noble son of Clan Draxxus, almost unequaled.” With a pat on my back, he finishes.
His words stir me for the faintest moment, but they are not enough. “But for how much longer? Gods, even tiny Crenix may become bonded one day!” I smirk at the thought. “Can you imagine him moving like you do, seeking revenge on us for not paying more attention during his quartermaster reports?”
Krogoth’s shoulders shake with laughter. “A truly terrifying thought,” he finishes as we arrive at the sparring area, scattered with sandy circles and lined with wooden weapons and shields resting on pedestals at the edges. I notice a few arena rings where young Prospects are earnestly attempting to best one another, their techniques enthusiastic but sloppy.
“What do you say? For old times’ sake?” I enquire, gesturing to one of the unoccupied rings.
Krogoth scratches his head as his eyes flick between me and the arena. “I judge this, a bad idea.”
A flash of annoyance ripples through my body.He thinks I’m no challenge!“Why did you bring us here, then?” I demand, unable to keep the heat from my voice. “To look upon the Prospects and hope they don’t turn voiding murderous?”
Krogoth unfastens his massive black furred chieftain’s cloak, the one he had created from one of his impressive kills. He strides into the nearest sandy arena speckled with long dried blood and splinters of broken wood. “This is more like it,” I remark with excitement, eager to see how I compare to my old friend.
I waste no time picking out a large rectangular shield that covers most of my body, similar to our arc shields, and a wooden claw similar to our arc claws. It always made more sense to me to practice with weapons and styles that you would use in actual deadly combat. Krogoth also chooses a shield, but opts for a wooden one handed ax as a weapon.
I steel myself with gritted teeth, looking at Krogoth’s face that carries a faint, uncertain frown. I inch closer like a stalking venefex, my boots scraping over the coarse sand towards my intimidating opponent, my heart pounding in anticipation. With blitzing speed, I feint a slash to my right, hoping to create an opening. My hopes twist into a broken dream as Krogothremains unfazed, not taking the bait as the breeze tosses his long black hair.
Refusing to lose the initiative, I convert my slash into a powerful shield charge. With jarring force, I slam my shield against his, feeling as though I’ve collided with the broadside of a battlebarge. but my eyes widen to see Krogoth’s shield almost slip from his grasp.Now’s my chance!With a swift twist of my hips, I thrust my wooden claws straight for his unprotected chest. Time seems to slow as I realize, with a sinking heart, that he isn’t even attempting to parry or dodge.
I pull back my force, having already guessed the result. My wooden claws tap gently against his chest. “Fine, display!” Krogoth beams, rubbing his chest as if I actually hurt him. “Your move with the shield caught me off guard.” He raps his shield for emphasis.
My hands shake with fury as my golden eyes release wisps of colored vapor. “You dare shame me, Krogoth!” I snarl, meeting his gaze. Shock and doubt flicker in his eyes. “Treating me like a novice Prospect, to be coddled and given false praise!” My adrenaline stokes, and I thump my chest. “For the love you bear me, I demand you face me as a true warrior.”
Krogoth’s face shifts to one of pity, which further infuriates me. “As you wish, old friend,” he says, tossing his shield to the ground and adopts a crouching posture. “Come, then,” he beckons. Without hesitation, I charge towards him as my blood boils with white hot anger on the precipice of unleashing my Rush.
I unleash a flurry of crisscrossing slashes, but he dodges and weaves with an elegant blurring motion. I roar in frustrated defiance, my rage palpable. Then, as if from nowhere, his brutal kick crashes into my stomach as I double over, the wind ripped from my lungs.
I sputter and wheeze, struggling to suck in more oxygen, every breath an effort. He approaches to offer me a hand, but I wave him away as I straighten with determined resolve before his power. “You’ve always been one step ahead, Krogoth,” I manage to gasp, my lungs burning with exertion. “Since we were little, I’ve followed in your shadow.” I shake my head, tears welling in my eyes. “Now, you reach heights I cannot follow.”
With renewed determination, I charge once more, roaring, “I will not let you leave me behind!”
Fueled by my festering seething anger and desperate desire to stand with my head held high alongside my High Chieftain, I hasten my frenzied attack, unleashing precise claw jabs and slashes.Just one hit, just one!Krogoth moves and dashes in the familiar blur as I continue to press, until he shifts, almost catching me off-guard again as his foot shoots out, but this time I block his blow with my shield.
The incredible force almost tears my shield from my grasp. I let the momentum carry me round in a spinning attack, hoping to surprise my old friend. With the blood roaring in my ears, I watch as my claws fly closer towards his midriff until his hand shoots out in a flash, catching me by the wrist. I grunt, resisting his sheer strength, discarding my shield as I try to pry his fingers off my wrist with my other hand.
My eyes flash golden as the mist floats in the gentle breeze, a contrast to the tempest that roars within. The Rush unleashes, as my muscles bulge and harden, the world snaps into greater focus and clarity. Snarling, I pull against his arcweave like grip, managing to pry one of his fingers loose, until he steps in closer with blinding speed and launches me backwards with his free hand, my world spins as I hurtle through the air to crash sliding along the coarse unforgiving sand.
For a moment, I consider renewing my attack, but it serves no purpose. This contest brings nothing but shame to us both. Irelease a deep breath and recline upon the sand, gazing up at the clouds edging overhead, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face.So this is all I’m capable of, not even worthy of being his sparring partner.
Krogoth approaches his warm purple eyes, mirroring the sun overhead. He smiles, offering me a hand up. “You fought like a ferocious brutonous. If not for my bond, you would have bested me,” he offers with grace, as I take his hand and raise to my feet.
Krogoth taps me around the shoulder, but I can’t meet his eyes. The shame is too raw. “Bah, stop sulking like a whipped borack, Xandor!” He helps brush the sand and dust from my clothes. “You gaze too long at the sun, forgetting the strength and skill you possess,” he beams.
“Check out the balls on you!” I laugh. “Taking this Star Eye’s name very seriously?” I ask, smiling at him, as the delight of our post-battle washes away my bitterness.