8. Ashale

We sat on the plush carpets in the heart of my chamber, facing one another, legs crossed.

I could sense her warmth, her life force.

A sweet smell, reminiscent of blooming roses mixed with a tinge of summer rain, emanated from her.

The subtle fragrance was intoxicating.

Every time I touched her, whether it was her hand, her shoulder, or even the loose strands of hair that cascaded down her face, she would break into a smile.

That radiant expression made me forget about the battles, the constant danger, and for a moment, everything felt light.

"Ready to try my species' form of meditation?" I asked, running my fingers gently over the back of her hand.

Nova giggled. "Sure, but where's the ‘Om' sounds and all the stuff I've seen in movies?"

I laughed, the sound deep and rich. "Meditation differs across galaxies. My people believe in silence, in syncing with the universe's vibration without creating one of our own."

She shrugged, mischief twinkling in her eyes. "It doesn't hurt to try the ‘Om', you know."

The coolness of the room enveloped us, and all we could hear was the gentle hum of the prison's support systems.

I led her deeper into meditation.

With each breath, the weight of reality seemed to lift, replaced by an ineffable calm.

Guided by instinct, I leaned forward, my fingers hovering over the tiger tattoo on her arm.

"Touch my mark," I whispered.

As she did, I felt a jolt, a force so powerful it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand.

There was a sudden tremor in the air, an electric charge, and for a split second, it felt as if the room itself was alive, pulsating with energy.

Then everything changed.

Nova's eyes widened in surprise and a bit of fear.

The sensation, I imagined, was like the awakening of a dormant beast within her.

She seemed taller, more robust.

Her essence shifted, and though she was still Nova, she was something more.

She was the embodiment of her tiger tattoo.

In her eyes, I saw the vast savannahs, the wild chase, the raw power of a predator.

But along with that strength came vulnerability.

The fear of the unknown, of the power she was discovering, coursed through her.

Suddenly, her arm flailed, knocking over a stack of my ancient books.

They crashed onto the ground in a cacophony of thuds and the rustling of pages.

"Shhh, it's okay," I whispered, trying to calm her down. "Don't focus on the external. Look within."

She turned, and though I was deep in my meditative state, she saw another creature, a creature from my home planet, powerful and tiger-like, but distinctly alien.

While it looked nothing like me, she knew, deep down, it was my essence, my spirit.

It was me.

There we were, two beings from different corners of the galaxy, our true selves unveiled, raw, and open in front of each other.

It was a union not just of minds but of souls, a profound connection that neither of us had felt before.

The sensation was overwhelming, intoxicating.

It was a blending of two universes, two realities, and in that moment, it felt like we were the only entities in the vast expanse of space.

I could feel her heartbeat, fast and erratic, yet it synced perfectly with mine.

Time seemed to stretch, the minutes feeling like hours.

And then, as suddenly as it began, the sensation faded.

We were back in my chamber.

Nova blinked, her wide eyes slowly returning to their normal size. "That… was incredible," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.

I grinned, my heart still racing from the experience. "Told you my meditation was different."

She chuckled, the sound warm and comforting, and in that instant, I knew our bond had deepened, strengthened by the shared journey into the depths of our souls.

* * *

The constant thudof fists connecting with flesh and the guttural roars of the crowd were deafening.

I could feel the vibrations through the cold ground, sending shivers up my spine.

The taste of iron from a cut inside my mouth made me grimace.

Despite the sensation, a part of me relished it — the tangible proof of the battle.

Fighting, healing, and the sweet, intimate moments with Nova had become a draining cycle.

The weight of my eyelids, the growing fatigue in my limbs, and the aching muscles screamed for respite.

The spicy and intoxicating scent of Nova was my only solace, keeping me grounded amidst the chaos.

Yet, that solace came with its own brand of exhaustion.

As I stood there, the next opponent was revealed, a massive, heavily scarred brute from Sneik's gang.

His name was Plugon.

The crowd's expectation was palpable, their anticipation a thick haze that made the atmosphere even heavier.

The alien charged, his footsteps heavy, creating mini tremors with each step.

My reflexes, usually sharp and on point, felt dulled, as if I were moving through a viscous liquid.

I was suffering the effects of fighting in the arena, I realized. Fighting each day so I could claim Nova, and then I didn't give my body time to rest at night either, as we made love every minute we had.

And now my body was suffering for it.

Our blows exchanged in a rhythm, his powerful and direct, mine skilled but lacking the usual force.

As the fight dragged on, my ears caught the whisper of Nova's voice, her words unclear but her tone evident — she was worried.

The silky texture of her voice usually brought comfort, but now it only emphasized my vulnerability.

Each of Sneik's gang member's punches felt like a sledgehammer, every kick like a wrecking ball.

I tried to dodge, to move out of the way, but it felt like my feet were shackled.

My senses began to blur — the crowd's roaring became a distant hum, the stark lights of the arena dimmed, and the harsh scents around me became muddled.

In a desperate move, I launched myself at the brute, only to be caught in his iron grip.

His claws dug into my arm, the sharp pain bringing momentary clarity.

Rage surged within me, momentarily pushing back the fatigue.

My vision tinted red, and a primal roar escaped my lips.

The world around us seemed to pause, the entire arena holding its collective breath.

But it was too late.

A crushing blow to my temple sent me spiraling into darkness.

The last thing I felt was the cold, hard ground beneath me, and the last thing I heard was Nova's scream, distant and full of despair.

Then, nothing.

Just like that, I had lost, and I had failed her.

I had failed Nova.