Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

The air in the Hecron town was thick with tension, a heavy fog that clung to Ellion’s scales as he stood in the center of the community marketplace. The Hecrons, towering beings with thick, muscular forms and sharp, predatory eyes, watched him with a mixture of curiosity and hostility. Their town was nestled deep within the heart of the Vaccion woods, which was a maze of towering trees and winding paths. It was quite different from the barren fields of the Terian settlements. The Hecrons were a proud, fierce race, their bodies honed for battle by centuries of conflict with the Axis and their minions.

Ellion’s wings were partially extended, a clear sign of his readiness to fight if necessary. His eyes, dark and unreadable, scanned the crowd of Hecron warriors that surrounded him. They were armed with blaster weapons. Their fingers twitched on the triggers as they regarded him with open suspicion. Ellion knew that his presence here was a risk, but also a chance to forge an alliance against a common enemy.

“I am not your foe,” Ellion said, his voice carrying across the marketplace. His words were met with growls and snarls. The Hecrons’ distrust of the Axis’ overseer was etched deeply into their features. “I have come to talk to Yuric on a matter of great importance.”

Yuric, the masar —or leader—of the Hecrons, stepped forward. He was a massive male. No one could deny that he carried himself with an aura of power and leadership. Ellion had clashed with him multiple times. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, bore into Ellion’s own. “You are a servant of the Axis,” he spat. “Your words are meaningless. You are our enemy.”

More Hecrons emerged from their neat, metal and stone homes to witness this meeting. Most of them had never seen the overseer before, only heard stories. They were a fearsome people, with fangs and sharp senses. Hair grew on their heads and also down their spines. Some grew it long, making it look like they had a tail when in fact, it was just long hair. The warriors cut it short, but females and scholars wore it long and braided, or adorned with gems and silver threads. None of them looked interested in hearing what he had to say. Even the younglings glared from behind their parents’ legs.

Ellion’s jaw tightened, mind racing as he sought a way to break through their hostility. He had to make them understand that he was not there on behalf of the Axis. That he sought to end their control as much as the Hecrons did. “I no longer serve the Axis,” he said, his voice filled with a raw, undeniable sincerity. “I know little of my early life, but I was taken from my family and raised by the Axis. I have learned that I have been as much a prisoner of them as the Terians. I was placed here as an overseer, but I refuse to continue in that role,” Ellion continued, his voice growing louder, resonating with the conviction of his words. “I have seen the suffering of the Terians. We are all prisoners of the Axis—Hecrons, Terians, and me.”

Yuric’s eyes narrowed. He crossed his thick arms and cocked his head. “Your words are impressive, Overseer, but they are just that—words. I have no reason to believe you.”

Ellion nodded, understanding the Hecron leader’s skepticism. He had to offer them something tangible, a gesture of goodwill that would prove his intentions. “I propose a truce.” His gaze swept over the assembled warriors. “Together, we can challenge the Axis’ control over this planet. Then, the lands the Axis took from you will be yours again.”

“And the Terians who live there?” Yuric asked. “What would you do with them?”

“Nothing,” Ellion replied. “They are harmless and weaponless, but starving and desperate for better conditions. Given the chance, many would leave. But for those who stay, you can work with them and you will gain an ally with different skills who can enhance life for everyone in this region.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd, a mix of aversion and cautious curiosity. Yuric raised a hand, silencing his people with the single gesture. “And what do you seek in return for this…truce?” he asked, his voice heavy with suspicion.

Ellion took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared to reveal the truth that he had only just begun to accept himself. “I seek your help in protecting someone very dear to me,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “A Terian female. The Axis are sending a ship here to take her and remove her memories. I cannot safeguard her alone.”

The Hecrons erupted into murmurs, but the hostility had eased. Yuric, however, remained silent. His gaze fixed on Ellion as he processed this unexpected revelation.

“You care for a Terian?” Yuric asked, rubbing his chin. “You, an overseer of the Axis, have formed an attachment to one of the very beings you were charged to oppress?”

“More than an attachment.” Ellion’s voice was steady as he locked eyes with the masar . “I love her, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure her safety. The Axis have ordered her memory to be erased and her to be returned to the settlements. I cannot allow that to happen. They likely plan to erase my memory, too. They’ve done it twice before.” He revealed the metal implant behind his ear. “That would return me to the loyal Axis overseer who fights you when you step too close to the settlements.” Ellion shook his head. “I don’t want that. You are not my enemy.”

Yuric’s gaze turned considering. The skepticism in his eyes gave way to a grudging respect. “Love is a powerful motivator,” he said, his voice carrying a note of approval. “It can drive even the most unlikely of allies to stand together. And I do not enjoy fighting you either, Overseer. Your claws are sharp.” He turned his arm, revealing a ragged scar that Ellion had given him.

Ellion nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. “Asking you to trust me is a lot, Yuric, but I will do anything to protect my mate. Together, we can protect not only the Terians and the Hecrons, but also secure a future for ourselves— without the Axis.”

The marketplace fell silent as Yuric considered Ellion’s words. The tension in the air was almost palpable. A heavy weight seemed to press down on everyone present.

Ellion stood tall before Yuric, knowing that at any moment the masar could give the order to have him killed on the spot. The square was hushed, save for a few sounds—the hum of charged blasters, the low murmur of voices, and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. Ellion could feel the weight of countless eyes upon him. The Hecron warriors watched his every move with a mixture of curiosity and hostility.

Yuric’s eyes bore into Ellion’s own. The Hecron leader was a formidable presence, his armored hide gleaming in the sunlight. “Your words are bold, Overseer,” Yuric replied with a wave of his hand. “We pity the Terians for their plight. It is why we never attacked them directly, but they are deeply in thrall of the Axis.”

Before Ellion could respond, a sudden commotion drew the attention of the crowd. The Hecrons parted. Their weapons lowered and a female Terian emerged from one of the nearby buildings. She was small and slender, her fiery orange hair a contrast to the earthy tones of the Hecron town. Her eyes, a bright shade of aqua blue, were filled with a fierce determination as she walked toward Ellion and Yuric.

Ellion watched her approach, finding Yuric’s reaction to her very interesting. The masar’s gaze locked on this female so intently, it was as if she was suddenly the only person in the square. This had to be female 440-2, the runaway who found refuge with the Hecrons. It appeared she found more than that. She’d captured the interest of their masar . The warriors seemed to respect her, too.

The Terian female stopped beside Yuric, her gaze fixed on the Hecron leader. “Yuric, listen to him,” she said, her soft voice carrying a surprising note of authority. “The overseer has never brought harm to our people. It is the Riests who are brutal, who enforce the Axis’ cruel laws.”

Ellion could see the change in Yuric’s eyes. The Hecron leader clearly valued her opinion.

“If you have something to share, do so,” Yuric said to her, his gaze shifting from Ellion to the Terian female.

“My name is Fortu,” she replied, raising her chin. “I am from Settlement 112-2 and returned there after my bondmate from 112-4 rejected me, and no one else wanted to take me. I did not produce children, you see. I chose to join the Hecrons rather than live under the oppression of the Axis and their Riests. I hope you don’t intend to return me. I will not go.”

Ellion nodded to her. “I know who you are, and your circumstances. And I will not return you to the settlement unless you wish it.”

“Good.” She placed a hand on Yuric’s arm. “Then you know my original bondmate was Thraip, the same male that Turi—the female you seek to protect—was promised to,” Fortu continued, her voice growing stronger with each word. “Thraip is cruel. He has a temper that strikes fear into the hearts of our people. If the overseer loves Turi enough to come here, to the heart of the Hecron territory, and ask for your help, then he is not lying. He truly wants to protect her.”

Yuric’s gaze shifted back to Ellion, his expression thoughtful. “One day I will kill this Thraip,” he muttered, his voice low and rumbling. “If what you say is true, then it seems that the overseer and I have a common enemy.”

Ellion seized the opportunity to press his advantage. “We do, Yuric,” he said. “I wish I had realized it earlier.”

Fortu nodded, her gaze filled with a fierce determination. “I have seen the overseer’s actions firsthand,” she said, her voice carrying a note of conviction. “Even as an agent of the Axis, he showed mercy to us where others were cruel. He has the power to bring about change, and I say we hear his plan.”

Yuric let out a deep, rumbling sigh, his gaze shifting from Ellion to Fortu and back again. “Very well,” he said, his voice echoing through the marketplace. “I will agree to a truce, Overseer. We will hear your plan to strike the Axis from this planet. But remember—if you betray us, there will be nowhere you can hide. We will come for you, and we will show no mercy.”

Ellion unclenched his jaw and nodded in grateful recognition to Fortu. “I would expect nothing less,” he replied. “I swear on my life and my honor as a Zaruxian that I will not betray your trust.” He took a deep breath. “What is the skill of your doctors?”

“They are more than competent.” Yuric’s brow furrowed. “We have some off-world technology, but not as much as we’d like. What does that matter?”

Ellion pushed back his hair to reveal his implant again. “I’d like them to remove this. It’s how the Axis manipulate my memories when it serves them. I’m hoping that removing it will restore some of those memories.”

Amusement passed over the masar’s face. “You are putting your life in my hands, Zaruxian. A bold move. A risky one.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Hecron town, Ellion held Yuric’s gaze. “My fortress is a starship,” he admitted. “It’s possible that I once knew how to operate it. If my memories return, we could use the weapons in the fortress to destroy that communications array that blights the sky. And it’s too large for one person to operate.” He gritted out the last words. “I’d need help.”

Yuric smiled wide, revealing his sharp fangs. “How can I refuse such an offer?” He gave a sharp wave to the warrior closest to him. “Summon Virani. Tell her she has a new patient.”