Chapter 21: For the future
The grand hall of the central palace and command center of the planet of Tetrid buzzed with frantic activity, as Mornan guards ran about, getting into position.
Through the chaos, a White Mornan Noble and the appointed leader of Tetrid, shouted desperate orders to his soldiers.
Hee looked up with fear in his eyes a moment later, as he heard the sounds of battle outside.
"It's them. They're already here!"
"Everyone get ready!" he commanded. "Shoot on sight! Don't ever stop firing!"
The Blue and White Mornan guards simply aimed their high tech weapons at the chambers doors. They all understood this was their enemy's final destination. They could already tell that the soldiers around the palace were dying, thanks to the almost constant screams and noises all around them.
The Noble's wife rushed over to a young girl, their daughter. She stood frozen near her father's throne, her eyes wide with confusion and fear.
"Rin," she said, her voice softening as she crouched to her level. "You need to leave the palace now."
"But mo—"
"No arguments."
She gripped her daughter's shoulders firmly. "Go into the city. Leave the planet. Your father and I will find you when this is over."
"What's happening? Why aren't you coming with me?" The little girl asked, her eyes welling up with tears.
Instead of answering, she pulled her daughter into a crushing embrace before pushing her toward a Mornan servant who was waiting to escort her out through a hidden exit.
Go, now!" she commanded, already turning back to the chaos unfolding in the hall, her hand reaching for a weapon of her own.
Rin was led through the hidden passage by the blue Mornan servant, who was one of her mother's most trusted friends. They emerged into city streets already consumed by panic. Citizens ran in all directions, some carrying children or possessions, others simply running blindly.
The servant gripped Rin's hand firmly, leading her toward the travel station, where evacuation ships were lifting off. "This way, young miss. We need to get you on a transport."
They had almost reached it when the servant suddenly stopped. Her grip on Rin's hand tightened painfully. Rin looked up to see a horrified expression spread across the woman's face.
"Run," the servant whispered, as veins began to protrude across her face and neck.
Rin stood frozen in shock as the servant's body began to distort. Her skin stretched as her eyes began expanding. In the next moment, the woman exploded into a mist of blood.
"Ahhhhhh!" Rin cried out in terror as she watched one of her mother's servants burst right in front of her. She immediately ran into a nearby alleyway. She trembled, as she hid herself in between two waste containers, trying to make herself as small as possible.
Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she thought about her parents, her friends, and her planet.
From where she hid, she could see lights in the sky, most likely coming from weapons being fired. She could also feel the occasional trembling of the ground. All around her were screams, the screams of innocent citizens trying to escape.
After about 10 minutes, everything stopped. There were no more lights, no more sounds, no more trembling, and no more screams.
Little Rin wondered if it was safe to stop hiding now. That was when she heard a new sound, the sound of gentle footsteps. Her breathing quickened as she pressed herself harder against the wall.
The footsteps grew louder until they stopped at the entrance to the alley. A silhouette appeared, looking around with faint amusement. The figure moved deeper into the alley, stopping directly in front of Rin's hiding place.
Rin shut her eyes tightly, hugging her knees to her chest as if that would make her invisible.
"Oh, you poor thing." Came a gentle female voice. "It's all right. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to help."
Something in the voice compelled Rin to hesitantly raise her head. Before her stood a woman in an elegant black dress, holding an ornate umbrella despite the clear sky.
"W-who are you?" Rin asked hesitantly.
The woman smiled beneath her translucent veil before kneeling down, bringing herself to eye level with the terrified child. Despite the veil, Rin could clearly see the woman's striking orange eyes that seemed to glow from within
"I'm a friend," the woman said with a smile, as she extended a pale hand toward Rin.
As Rin stared at the woman's offered hand, a terrifying realization dawned on her. The being before her wasn't a Mornan, she was HUMAN. The beings her parents and teachers had always warned her about. The beings widely known for being the most dangerous species in the universe.
"....Now, come with me," the human said, her smile widening. "I'll keep you safe."
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"Ahh!" Rin screamed as she woke up, her forehead covered in beads of sweat.
Her bunkmate on the bottom bunk and the other female Mornans in the room didn't react or wake up. They were already accustomed to her nightly screams.
Rin massaged her temples as she sighed. Her nightmares were becoming more frequent lately.
"Bad dream?"
Rin instinctively recoiled as she heard a voice from beside her bed.
"It's alright, it's just me," Jet said with his usual smile.
Rin's expression shifted to one of annoyance.
"What do you want now? And why are you in the female trainees room? Get out before you get yourself in trouble."
Jet simply chuckled.
"Don't worry, I'll be leaving soon. I just wanted to check up on you. I noticed that your performance has gotten worse lately. I was wondering if it was because of your altercation with the abomination."
Rin scoffed.
"There's nothing wrong with my performance. Now get the hell out. Stop disturbing me."
Jet's expression instantly turned blank.
"Don't use that tone with me again. Trust me, you wouldn't like the consequences." His voice lowered. "It's obvious that you're afraid, which is quite understandable, especially after what you've been through. What I care about is if it changes anything for you. Are you too afraid to stick to the plan?"
"Tell me now. I would hate for things to fall apart too late."
Rin gritted her teeth as she stared at Jet defiantly.
"Nothing has changed. I'm still on board with the plan. Now stop with your annoying threats. I'm not afraid of you like everyone else. I've seen beings who are truly terrifying."
Her eyes narrowed. "Nothing else scares me."
Jet didn't reply for a while. Eventually, he just smiled.
"That's good to hear. I'm glad we're still on the same page. You should go back to sleep. I'll take my leave now."
He walked toward the door before gazing back one last time.
"Sweet dreams," he said before walking out.