4. Finzar

four

Finzar

Together.

The word echoes in my mind as we move swiftly through the dim corridors, my hand gripping Loelle's firmly. I can feel the tremor in her fingers, the fear she's trying to hide. I pull her closer, my body shielding hers from potential threats. The corridor's candlelight flickers across her features, highlighting her beauty and vulnerability. She may be fierce, but right now, she needs my protection.

We reach a fork in the tunnel. One path leads to the inner sanctum, where Sakar is undoubtedly preparing for the Solstice ritual. The other leads to the main gates. Both options reek of danger.

"Which way?" Loelle whispers, her eyes searching mine for guidance.

I quickly assess our options, my mind racing through potential scenarios. "The gate is heavily guarded, and the outer tunnels are regularly patrolled," I growl, my voice low and authoritative. "We'll take the inner path. It's risky, but it's our best shot."

Loelle nods, trusting my judgment. "Any guards that way?"

"Not yet, but it passes the High Inquisitor's chambers," I warn. "If we're seen…"

Her eyes widen slightly, but she steels herself. "Then we move fast and silently."

I nod approvingly. Her courage impresses me, even as I feel the weight of responsibility for her safety.

We rush through the corridors, our footsteps eerily loud despite our attempts at stealth. The walls seem to close in; the shadows deepening with each step. As we round a corner, the imposing door to Sakar's chambers looms before us, partially open. My arm shoots out, pressing Loelle against the wall, stopping her in her tracks.

"Wait," I command, my voice barely audible. "Sakar might be inside."

Loelle leans forward, her body pressing against mine as she strains to see. Her scent envelops me, threatening to cloud my judgment. I force myself to focus, listening intently for any sound from within the chamber. Her breath is warm on my skin, the scent of her intoxicating.

"I don't see him," Loelle breathes, her lips close to my ear.

"Stay behind me," I order, taking the lead. We creep past the open door, my every nerve on edge. The silence is oppressive, broken only by our shallow breathing and the pounding of my heart.

Halfway down the corridor, I freeze. Before Loells can speak, I clamp my hand over her mouth, pulling her into a shadowy alcove. Her eyes widen in alarm, but she doesn't struggle as I pull her in close to me, pressing her back against the wall.

"Voices," I mouth silently, nodding toward the approaching sounds of conversation and heavy footsteps.

Their sound fills the corridor, the heavy tread of boots echoing off the stone walls. I press Loelle further against the wall, using my body to shield her from view. Her hair tickles my nose, and I breathe in the scent of her, spicy and exotic. Loelle trembles against me, her fear palpable. I tighten my grip, silently willing her to remain still.

The voices grow louder, almost upon us. I can make out fragments of conversation—something about increased patrols and a Solstice raid on Terrax. My muscles coil, ready to spring into action if we're discovered.

"Check down there," a harsh voice commands, far too close for comfort.

I lock eyes with Loelle, seeing my tension mirrored in her eyes. For a heart-stopping moment, I'm certain we'll be found. But then, miraculously, the footsteps recede.

As the danger passes, I realize how Loelle's body fits pressed against mine. Her rapid heartbeat echoes my own. Her lips are parted, her breath coming in short gasps. The urge to claim those lips, to lose myself in her, is almost overwhelming.

But now is not the time. We're still in grave danger.

"We move. Now," I growl, my voice husky with a mix of adrenaline and desire. "Stay close. If anyone tries to stop us, I'll deal with them."

Loelle releases a shaky breath, her face mere inches from mine. I can see the fear and confusion in her eyes, the uncertainty written plainly across her delicate features. She nods, her lips pressed together. Her hands grip my robes, holding on to me like a lifeline.

With one last look at the passage behind us, I guide her forward. The sound of our footsteps is painfully loud, and I pray to the sun gods that no one is nearby to hear them. Perhaps they are not who I should pray to anymore, not after what I've just done.

We continue onward, Loelle's hand never leaving mine. Her grip is tight, her fingers intertwined with mine, warm and slightly damp with nervous sweat. Each step we take echoes softly in the corridor, the sound seeming louder in my hyper-alert state.

The air grows cooler as we near the outer tunnels, carrying with it the faint scent of desert sand and freedom. The narrow passageway looms before us, the rough-hewn stone walls seem to close in, the ceiling lowering slightly as if even the temple is trying to prevent our escape.

As we approach the outer tunnels, the distant sound of running feet reaches my ears. My body tenses, muscles coiling, ready for action. A shout echoes from behind us, the words indistinct but the tone unmistakable—we've been discovered!

"Halt! Who goes there?" The harsh command reverberates through the stone corridors.

I tighten my grip on Loelle's hand, my voice low and commanding. "Run. Now."

We sprint through the winding passageways, our footsteps a thunderous rhythm against the cold stone. The air shifts as we ascend, the musty underground scent giving way to the promise of freedom on a warm droughtland breeze. The sounds of chase grow closer—clanging armor, shouted orders, the relentless pounding of boots.

Suddenly, Loelle stumbles. Her cry of pain pierces the air as she falls, her ankle twisting unnaturally. Without breaking stride, I scoop her into my arms. Her body feels small and fragile against my chest. The scent of her hair—a mix of smoke, sweat, and something uniquely Loelle—fills my nostrils.

"Hold on," I growl, pushing my body to its limits. The exit is so near I can see a sliver of moonlight in the darkness.

As we approach the exit, two guards materialize from the shadows, weapons at the ready. I skid to a halt, Loelle still secure in my arms.

"Master Finzar?" one guard says, confusion evident in his voice. His hand tightens on his electrified spear, the metal gleaming dully in the dim light.

Their eyes narrow as they take in the sight of us—me, a high-ranking inquisitor, carrying a robed human female in my arms.

I draw myself up, radiating authority. "Stand aside. This female is being purified on the High Inquisitor's orders."

The guards hesitate, their eyes darting between us and the approaching sounds of pursuit. I can see the conflict on their faces, the ingrained obedience to a superior warring with their suspicion of the situation. Sweat beads on their brows, and I can almost hear the rapid beating of their hearts.

I press harder, my voice a dangerous growl. "Delay us, and you'll answer to Sakar himself."

At the second mention of the High Inquisitor, their expressions turn grim. Fear flashes in their eyes—fear of Sakar's wrath, a feeling I know all too well. They exchange a quick glance before stepping aside, clearing our path to freedom.

The vast desert stretches before us, bathed in silvery moonlight. I run for several more minutes, putting distance between us and the temple before finally setting Loelle down behind a large dune.

"Let me see that ankle," I command, kneeling beside her.

Gently, I examine the swollen joint. Loelle hisses in pain but doesn't pull away. I tear a strip from my robe, carefully binding her ankle for support.

"This should help," I mutter, finishing the makeshift bandage. I produce a small flask from within my robes. "Here. Drink."

Loelle takes the flask gratefully, drinking deeply. I watch her throat work as she swallows, feeling a pang of guilt for not offering sooner.

"Thank you," she gasps, wiping her mouth. Her eyes meet mine, filled with a mix of gratitude and something else—something that makes my pulse quicken.

I clear my throat, pushing away the distracting thoughts. "Can you walk?" I ask, my eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of pursuit.

She nods grimly, testing her weight on her injured ankle. "I'll manage. We need to move."

We make our way across the shifting sands, the soft whisper of the wind our only companion. Loelle limps beside me, her face set in determination despite her pain.

Suddenly, a shout rings out behind us. "There! The prisoner is escaping with Master Finzar!"

"Loelle, run!" I yell, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.

We sprint across the dunes, our feet sinking into the soft sand with each step. The whine of the approaching sand-skimmers grows louder, the beams of their searchlights cutting through the darkness.

Just as it seems they'll overtake us, I spot a rocky outcropping ahead. "This way!" I pull Loelle toward it, hoping the rough terrain will slow our pursuers.

We duck behind the rocks just as a blast of energy sizzles past, so close I can feel the heat of it on my skin. Loelle stumbles, crying out in pain as her ankle gives way.

Without thinking, I throw myself over her, shielding her body with mine as another blast impacts the rock above us, showering us with debris. I can feel her heart racing against my chest, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

"Finzar," she whispers, her eyes wide with fear and something more, making my heart skip a beat.

Another volley of blasts shatters the moment. I roll off her, my mind racing. We're outnumbered and outgunned, but I refuse to let it end here.

"Stay down," I growl to Loelle, my eyes fixed on the approaching skimmers.

As the first skimmer rounds the rocks, I spring into action. With a leap honed by years of training, I land on the back of the vehicle. The acolyte driving barely has time to react before I've grabbed him, using his momentum to hurl him off the skimmer.

I seize control of the vehicle, spinning it around to face our pursuers. The other acolytes hesitate, clearly shocked by my sudden appearance on one of their own skimmers.

"Loelle, now!" I shout, using the commandeered skimmer to provide covering fire.

She limps toward me, and as she nears I reach out, grabbing her arm and swinging her onto the skimmer behind me.

"Hold on tight," I growl, gunning the engine.

We take off in a spray of sand, weaving between the other skimmers. I can hear Loelle's sharp intake of breath as we narrowly avoid a collision, her arms tightening around my waist.

The night air fills with the whine of engines and the crackle of energy weapons as our pursuers give chase. I push the skimmer to its limits, using every trick I know to stay ahead.

"There!" Loelle shouts in my ear, pointing to a narrow canyon ahead. "If we can make it through there, we might lose them!"

I nod, angling the skimmer toward the opening. It's a risky move; the canyon is barely wide enough for our skimmer, and one wrong move could send us crashing into the walls.

As we plunge into the darkness of the canyon, I feel Loelle press closer against my back. Her trust in my abilities is both thrilling and terrifying.

Their pursuit continues, the sounds of our hunters echoing off the canyon walls. But with each twist and turn, we gain a little more ground.

Finally, we burst out of the other side of the canyon, the vast expanse of the desert once again stretching before us. The sounds of the chase have faded, lost in the twisting passages behind us.

I slow the skimmer, allowing us both a moment to catch our breath. Loelle's arms are still wrapped tightly around me, her cheek pressed against my back.

"We did it," she says, her voice filled with a mix of relief and awe.

I turn to look at her, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Did you doubt me, little flame?"

She laughs, the sound bright and genuine in the desert's quiet night. "Not for a second, sun scum. But now it's my turn to drive!"

Before I can protest, Loelle's already shifting forward, her nimble body sliding past mine to take control of the skimmer. I'm momentarily stunned by her boldness, but I quickly adjust, moving back to give her space, admiring the confidence in her movements.

"Hold on tight," she calls over her shoulder, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I'll show you how it's really done."

With a sudden burst of speed, Loelle guns the engine, and I instinctively tighten my grip on the skimmer's frame. The desert landscape blurs around us as she pushes the machine to its limits.

As we speed across the desert, the wind whipping past us, I cling tightly to the skimmer's frame. Loelle handles the machine with impressive skill, weaving between dunes and rock formations with a grace that belies the vehicle's clunky appearance. Her red hair streams behind her like a banner of flame against the night sky.

"You're quite the pilot," I shout over the roar of the engine, unable to keep the admiration from my voice.

Loelle flashes me a quick grin, her eyes sparkling with exhilaration. "You ain't seen nothing yet, sun scum!"

As if to prove her point, she banks the skimmer hard, narrowly avoiding a jutting rock formation that seems to appear out of nowhere. My stomach lurches at the maneuver, but I can't help but feel a thrill of excitement.

However, as the adrenaline of our escape fades, I scan the horizon warily. The droughtlands are vast and unforgiving, home to more dangers than just the Nexus.

"We're not out of danger yet," I caution, leaning closer to Loelle to be heard over the wind. "The droughtlands have many perils."

She nods, her expression growing serious. "I know. But trust me; I know these lands. We'll make it to Terrax."

As we speed across the vast expanse of the droughtlands, the night slowly gives way to dawn. The stars fade one by one. We've been traveling for hours, the monotony of the desert broken only by Loelle's expert navigation around hidden pitfalls and treacherous dunes. Despite my initial wariness, I find myself lulled into a sense of security by her steady piloting and the hum of the skimmer's engine.

Just as fatigue weighs heavily on us both, the horizon shifts. The endless sea of sand gradually gives way to the first signs of civilization—scattered outposts and ramshackle structures that grow with each passing minute.

Finally, the twin suns of Aridium break over the horizon and the sprawling city of Terrax comes into view. My breath catches at the sight. Unlike the austere rocky lines of the temple, Terrax is a riot of color and life. Towering spires of glass and metal reach toward the sky, their surfaces gleaming in the early morning light. Bustling markets and winding streets spread out below, a maze of activity even at this early hour.

Loelle guides us to a secluded landing pad on the outskirts of the city. As we disembark, I notice a change come over her. She stands taller, her eyes bright with confidence despite her state of undress. This is her domain.

Anger bristles me as I see beings look at Loelle's form, her robe doing little to conceal her sorry state. So I shrug off my outer robe, draping it over her shoulders to provide more coverage. She shoots me a grateful look as she pulls it tighter around herself.

"Welcome to Terrax," she grins, the fiery spirit I first saw in her fully reignited. "Think you can handle it, sun scum?"

I can't help but smile back, caught up in her enthusiasm despite my growing unease. "I believe I'm up to the challenge, little flame."

Loelle's smile widens, a mix of mischief and warmth in her expression. "Well then, stick close. This city can eat alive those who don't know its ways."

She leads me through the winding streets; the city coming to life around us. Street vendors of various alien species set up their stalls—tentacled Bruxarians arranging iridescent fruits, scaled Draconians roasting some kind of meat over open flames. The air fills with a riot of smells—spices, cooking food, and the underlying tang of too many bodies in too small a space.

We draw curious and sometimes hostile looks as we pass. I'm acutely aware of how we must appear. Loelle barely covered by my robe, both of us disheveled and sand-streaked from our desert flight. My blue skin and ceremonial markings draw particular attention, many beings shrinking back as we pass.

As we navigate the crowded streets, Loelle's hand finds mine again. The casual intimacy of the gesture sends a thrill through me, momentarily distracting me from my worries.

Suddenly, a commotion erupts nearby. We turn to see a group of rough-looking individuals eyeing us suspiciously. Their varied appearances—from hulking, four-armed brutes to lithe, serpentine figures—mark them as a diverse and dangerous lot.

"Bounty hunters," Loelle hisses, her grip on my hand tightening.

I tense, ready for a fight, but Loelle tugs me down a side alley. "Not here," she warns. "We need to disappear. I'm taking you to my base in Terrax… in the Scrap District."

As we hurry through narrowing streets, the buildings growing more dilapidated around us, I feel a weight settling in my chest. The Solstice is only a day away, and I know Sakar will not rest until he finds us. The ritual must be completed, and we are the key components he's missing.

"Loelle," I murmur as we duck into a shadowy doorway, my voice low and determined. "Sakar won't stop hunting us. The Solstice is tomorrow. We need a plan."

She meets my gaze, her eyes blazing with the same fierce determination I feel. "I've got connections here, Finzar. We'll use them. Between your inside knowledge and my street smarts, we'll outmaneuver that zealot."

I nod, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Together, then. I like our odds."

As we prepare to move, Loelle stumbles slightly, her injured ankle giving way. Without thinking, I catch her, pulling her close against my chest. For a moment, we're pressed together in the narrow doorway, our faces mere inches apart. I can feel the warmth of her breath, see the flecks of gold in her eyes.

"Careful, little flame," I murmur, my voice husky. "Can't have you falling for me just yet."

Loelle's lips curve into a mischievous smile. "In your dreams, sun scum," she retorts, but there's a heat in her gaze that matches my own.

We linger for a heartbeat longer before reluctantly separating. As we slip back into the crowded streets, I can feel the ghost of her touch lingering on my skin, setting my blood ablaze.

Together, we may stand a chance against the Nexus. But as I follow Loelle through the maze of Terrax, the looming shadow of the temple never far from my thoughts, I feel a thrill of anticipation. Perhaps this little flame can burn through the ice surrounding my heart.