22. Tyrxie

Chapter 22

Tyrxie

Blood

“ T yrxie...” Xandor whispers, surprise etched on his face with an outstretched hand. Appearing innocent and full of earnest concern, yet only moments ago I saw his true nature, a sadistic torturer.

If he’s come for this warvisor, he’ll do the same to me.

The realization strikes like a blade, but I feel only detachment and calculating resolve where my fear should be. Where it used to be . Urgnaw, the brutal Tuskarian, scorched it from my soul. The fresh stinging agony of the brand and my injured ribs pounds at the back of my mind like a ceaseless hammer.

Xandor steps forward, feigning concern. “Don’t voiding move!” I demand, redirecting my gun to his towering head since my bullets would do nothing against his thick arcweave armor. He halts, his shoulders slumping as he lets out a sigh, devoid of fear, devoid of patience.

If he does not fear me, then why hasn’t he attacked? Does he not realize I have his warvisor?

Frantic thoughts buzz in my mind. My plan to sell Xandor’s warvisor is dashed. The crew I abandoned are probably dead. Now, my only option left is to eke out a living on this wretched station. But I’ll never lower my guard again.

I run an absent hand over my charred, branded skin, remembering in surprise that Urgnaw had torn my shirt, leaving my upper body exposed. My eyes glance down at my pale breasts, heaving with rapid breaths, yet I feel no embarrassment, only emptiness.

My eyes flicker to the clothes that Urgnaw had scattered across the bed, then back to Xandor. He stands there, watching me as he always does, ever since he arrived on the Mutalisk Hammer. This relentless hunter never fails to track me down, no matter where I hide. Yet, his golden eyes don’t linger on my exposed breasts; worse, they pierce into my soul with an unnerving intensity.

What does he desire from me if not my body?

Xandor’s eyes flick to my clothes for an instant. He’s like me, always noticing, always examining every detail. “I’ll let you dress,” he offers, retreating with slow steps into the furthest corner of the darkened, cluttered room.

His implied permission grates on my nerves. “I’m the one with the gun, so you don’t let me do anything,” I remind him, maintaining my pistol on him, hoping to keep him at bay as I shuffle with careful steps towards the bed. My gaze constantly switching between my clothes and Xandor, wary of any sudden movements.

“You know, that puny weapon can’t kill me,” Xandor remarks, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.

He’s trying to scare me, wrench my control away.

“This puny weapon killed four Suns of Omega, so unless you want to join them, stay where you are,” I threaten, glaring at him.

“Four!” Xandor exclaims, raising four massive fingers. “Seems my little puffrio has claws, after all,” he chuckles, extending long razor-sharp claws from his fingers. A lump forms in my throat at the shocking sight.

Suppressing my unease, I continue to search through my clothes while keeping my gun trained on Xandor. “I’m not your little anything. Don’t test me, Xandor, I will shoot you. I swear it,” I sneer back at him.

Xandor’s amusement fades, leaving behind only his intense gaze. “What have I done to earn such hatred? Some unknown insult? An absent lingering gaze? Mere fear at my presence? Tell me, I demand to know!” His words carry unexpected emotion, catching me off guard.

Because I stole from you, and now I fear your approach.

I dare not reveal the truth, instead racking my brain for a response. “You attacked Quad and would have tortured Urgnaw to death had I not stopped you,” I reply, trying to justify my animosity.

“Quad had to be stopped, and the Tuskarian deserved it for what he did to you.”

“No, you take pleasure in causing pain.”

“I take pleasure in my skill, in my Gods’ given superiority.”

“You abuse others who cannot fight back.”

“I never abused you, yet you stand exposed and helpless before me.”

“I’m not helpless!”

“You teeter on the brink female, lost and alone. Only with me can you find what you’re longing for.”

“I want nothing from you, murderer! I hate you and rue the day you arrived on the ship!”

“You lie female.”

“No...I...”

“You’ve killed four, you admitted it yourself. But you judge me as a murderer... It feels good, doesn’t it? You feel powerful pointing that gun at me, and when you took the lives of the others,” Xandor says, his usual casual humor and easy smile now long gone.

Our frantic exchange leaves my mind reeling with confusion as my gun trembles, forcing me to support it in two hands. He’s right: a part of me relished the sensation of power and control for the first time in my life when I killed. The realization terrifies me.

I must flee from Xandor. It’s only a matter of time before he discovers my treachery. I take a steadying breath, renewing my resolve. “No, I’m not like you. I’ll take my chances on my own,” I declare, stuffing my clothes into my satchel.

As I do, I uncover a fraction of Xandor’s warvisor, prompting a gasp to escape my lips. Panic grips me.

Shit, did he notice my reaction?

I steal a glance at Xandor who’s expression remains unchanged. “You’re infuriating, female. The Gods have truly cursed me,” he sighs, folding his massive arms.

Although I’m unsure what the Gods have to do with cursing him, when I am the one cursed. My eyes shift back to the mostly obscured warvisor, a bold, desperate plan forming. I conceal the object in my remaining clothes with sly hands and shove it into my satchel.

My heart pounds in my chest with each movement, feeling Xandors penetrating stare boring into me. With frantic haste, I recover my knife, placing it in my holster. My hand trembles as I begin the difficult task of dressing myself while maintaining my aim on Xandor.

I study the towering Klendathian for any hint of movement or ill intent as my shirt rests poised over my head. But Xandor remains neutral and unmoving as a statue, only his dangerous golden eyes shining in the dim light. As fast as I can, I lower the shirt over my head, blocking my vision before the sound of darting footsteps steals my breath, and before I can even react, my gun is torn from my grip with incredible strength.

Then a sudden force pushes my shirt down my body, concealing my nudity. I stagger backward, almost tripping with shock and surprise to see Xandor looming in front of me. My pistol dwarfed in his massive, powerful hands. He glares at me, not with amusement, but with a cold fury that sends chills down my spine.

He knows what I’ve done, and he’s going to torture me!

My breath comes in rapid gasps, each one jolting my injured ribs. Xandor shakes his head with disdain as he tucks my gun into his belt and reaches into my satchel, confirming my worst fears. He extracts his warvisor, hurt evident in his golden eyes as he gazes down at me.

“It was you this whole time,” he whispers, shaking his head. “This is why you’ve been running from me?” he asks, a bitter laugh escaping him. “Gods, all that borack shit you spewed... all lies.”

I almost reach for my knife until I stop myself, knowing Xandor could overpower me in an instant. My mind whirls with a heady mixture of emotions, fear, shame. But, most strange of all is... relief. I’m relieved that the darkness of my crimes has been brought to light. Even if it costs me everything.

Xandor slumps onto the bed, running a hand over his mask as he stares at it, as my life hangs in the balance, dangling beneath his furrowed brows. I rub my locket buried in my pants, searching for any inkling of comfort, for something to say to sway him, to convince him to let me go. “Xandor... I” I mutter, yet I cannot find the words.

There are no words, only survival now.

“Has everything you’ve said been lies?” Xandor asks, his voice tinged with hurt, stirring a pang of regret within me. But it still pales compared to my desperate desire to flee, to live.

“Not everything,” I whisper, glancing behind me, contemplating running.

“You have no core, no inner principles. You lie and twist yourself to conform to the situation like the warvisor you stole, a mask of camouflage you can’t remove,” he states as his eyes flick to me, expecting an answer.

Easy for him to say. He’s never had to run and hide, in constant fear, alone, hated and hunted!

My teeth clench, but I stop myself from spitting a heated response. Knowing from experience that meekness is the safest option. I avert my gaze and hang my head in false contrition.

“Even now you hide from me.” Xandor lets out a deep exhale, his gaze drifting to the ceiling. “Honor demands I kill you for stealing my warvisor,” he continues, his words sending tremors of terror rippling through me. “But by the Gods, I cannot bring myself to do it.” His unexpected mercy washing away my terror, the whiplash of conflicting emotions fraying my fragile nerves to ribbons.

“Then let me go,” I blurt out without thinking. “You have your warvisor back. I’ll stay here, and you’ll never have to see or hear from me ever again,” I offer, with my hands gesturing with appeasement. “Tell the others you killed me, so you keep your honor and no one comes looking for me.”

“If only it were that simple,” Xandor murmurs, his expression troubled, reigniting my fear.

What does he want from me then?

I don’t wait to find out, darting out of the room with a desperate pace, hoping he will not give chase since he’s unwilling to kill me. “Little vipertail!” Xandor’s voice echoes after me, almost inaudible as I’m already out the room heading towards the spiraling stone stairwell upward. Intending to throw him off, thinking he’ll assume I’ve fled through the front door, into the disheveled streets.

My lungs burn from the effort, and my muscles ache from the numerous fleets of stairs I’ve climbed. I cannot hear Xandor giving chase. Only the sounds of my frantic breathing and echoing footsteps accompany me. Yet I do not stop, not trusting Xandor to give up a chase without a fight. He always finds me, no matter where I hide. The thought drives me forward, as I ignore my aching ribs and exhausted body.

This time will be different. This time, I’m not confined to the ship.

I lose track of time climbing the never-ending floors. My exhaustion and burning muscles force me to slow down, but I do not stop, despite the reassuring silence. Did I lose Xandor? Maybe he decided to leave me alone after all? I push the treacherous thought away, no I’m not taking any chances. I must continue.

Each floor is identical to the next, filled with corridors lined with apartments paved in dirty white stone, creating a disorienting sensation that I’m trapped in an infinite repeating loop. As if I’m trapped in my purgatory, doomed to climb these agonizing steps till the end of time. Finally, to my relief, just visible through my sweat ladened eyes, I see a metal hatch where more stairs should be.

With shaking, fatigued hands, I slide the lock back before pushing against the heavy metal panel with all my meager strength. It wedges open as I roar in defiance. Until it tips over, thudding to the ground with a satisfying crash, I emerge to find myself on the roof of the towering building.

A few colorful drones dart overhead against the backdrop of the commercial tier above, shrouded in an ethereal green protective bubble. It seems so peaceful up here. Only my labored breaths interrupt the silence. I take in the surroundings, noticing the sea of indistinguishable building tops stretching on forever into the distance, each like a grain of sand on a beach.

Approaching the edge, my breathing settles, the burn in my muscles lessening. But as I peer over the frightening abyss, my stomach lurches at the sheer height. Everything below appears as tiny specks, almost clean, almost safe, yet I know the truth that lurks below. This entire Omega Flux Station is artificial, like the nonexistent wind that I’d expect from such an exposed height.

Now what?

The simple question fills me with anxiety. Shouldn’t I feel relief, joy even? I finally escaped. Sure, I don’t have the credits from Xandor’s mask, but I’m alive and have my freedom. Yet instead, I feel so empty. Lost. Like I’ve done something I shouldn’t have, gone too far and forsaken everything for a na?ve dream.

Returning to the hatch I opened, I strain to close it with a heavy thud. You can never be too careful, especially considering how dangerous this tier is. Maybe I can eke out a living on this rooftop searching for food until I find a way to earn credits.

An intermittent and repeating scraping sound interrupts my thoughts. Tossing my head from side to side with frantic movements, I scan the building top seeing nothing. The noise persists, sending my heart rate to soar and my stomach to churn. What’s worse is the repeating clammer is growing louder.

Something or someone is coming for me!

My hand darts to my knife handle as I brace myself for anything. The source of the sound is very close now, coming from outside the building along the wall to my left. I swing my head round to see two massive clawed hands reaching over the edge. It’s Xandor—he’s found me, relentless in his pursuit. Shock courses through me, leaving my mouth agape in disbelief.

Xandor hoists himself up with ease, looking as fresh as a new hyperdrive. Adorning his face is his terrifying mask, the one I rue ever seeing. He strides towards me with an outstretched hand, looking like an avatar of retribution, heralding my death. Every instinct screams at me to flee, and without hesitation, I dash backward, hurtling towards the edge.

“Will you stop? Stop for void’s sake! For once in your life, stop running!” Xandor’s voice booms behind me, filled with frustration and exasperation.

I halt my frantic sprint, not because of his words but because I’m nearing the boundary, leaving only a yawning drop before me, almost as frightening as the hulking Klendathian behind me.

I’m such a stupid bitch, choosing to go up, now I’m trapped!

“How...how did you find me?” I manage to stammer, hoping to buy time, as my mind races, thinking of a way out of this desperate situation.

Xandor removes his mask with deliberate slow movement, his expression grave. “I could find you across the stars, Tyrxie,” he replies with a solemn tone, as he inches towards me, each step almost imperceptibly slight, most wouldn’t notice, but I do.

“Across the stars?” I repeat, unsure what he means other than I cannot ever elude him, no matter what I do. “Listen, just leave me alone, please. I’m sorry I stole from you, and I’m grateful you saved me from Urgnaw. I really am, but I have nothing to give you.” My voice is earnest, honesty and an abyssal drop off the building, my only options left.

Xandor shakes his head, tousling his long, green hair. “I can’t,” he states, his voice tinged with resignation.

“Why not? None of this makes any sense!” I protest, my gaze locked onto his piercing golden eyes,

“I know,” Xandor replies with a sardonic laugh. “It’s because I cannot let you go. Beneath my skin you are breathing, in my dreams you stalk, my every thought you consume, my lusts for others you extinguish.” His eyes are almost pleading, looking at me like I hold an answer for his insane words.

He’s a crazy lunatic who’s stalking me, tormenting me!

As I take hesitant steps backward, overwhelmed by his strange words and intense presence, until the ground beneath my heel disappears. Looking over my shoulder, I see I’m standing on the precipice; of the stomach wrenching plummet below. I survived the drop from the window earlier, then perhaps this fall would be no different? My heart pounds in my chest like one of Job’s hammers, as I contemplate the attempt, fortifying my courage, my will to survive.

“Come back with me, and I can show you Earth! Your people!” Xandor cries out, his voice laden with desperate concern. His words take my breath away, forcing me to face him once again. Is this one of his games, or does he know about my people?

“How do I know you’re not lying?” I ask as my hand finds the locket. The only connection to a life I never had, the life that was stolen from me.

“I speak the truth. I swear it on my ancestors. And there is another human female I know back on Klendathor, by the name of Rocks. After my business in Nebia is completed, I will take you to her,” Xandor says with haste, beckoning with an outstretched hand.

My mind is awash with possibilities. I’ve always longed to find out where I came from, to learn more about my people, to imagine the life I might have lived, safe among my kind. My curiosity almost overcomes my fear. Yet such thoughts are treacherous, leaving me once again at the mercy of Hyanxa and Kaanus, trapped, exposed, and alone.

“No... It’s too dangerous,” I mutter, averting my gaze from Xandor.

“Your solution is to run away forever?”

“It worked fine until you showed up!”

“It’s fine to live like a znat scurrying and hiding aboard a tiny scrap heap of a ship?”

“That’s what really infuriates me about you, Xandor. You assume everyone can be like you, a giant fearless soldier with massive muscles, sharp claws, advanced technology. Yeah, it’s easy for you to fight. But what about the rest of us? What about me? There are no ‘Gods’ to save or bless me. I’m all alone, left to rot, left to live in terror. So, you know what? Void you, void you all!” The words tumble from my lips, fueled by bitter resentment, catching me off guard as tears threaten to spill.

Xandor pauses, surprise flickering across his features, before a brief chuckle escapes him. “It’s refreshing, isn’t it?”

“What is?” I inquire, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.

“Speaking honestly,” Xandor retorts with a gentle smile, reassuring me.

“Void off,” I respond with a relieved laugh, feeling an immense weight lifting from my shoulders as Xandor approaches with careful steps, and for the first time, I’m unafraid.

My breath hitches as he looms before me, towering over me. It’s a struggle to maintain eye contact with his intense golden gaze. But it’s his warm, welcoming smile cast amidst his hardened, chiseled features that stand out. I always knew he was handsome, but now as he gazes at me, an unexpected, curious longing surges through me. Did I always feel this way about him?

“No more hiding, no more fear. Trust in me, Tyrxie, and I will protect you until the day I meet my ancestors,” Xandor vows, his smile now gone, leaving behind only a sincere, earnest expression that leaves me breathless. An overwhelming compulsion calls me to surrender to him, wondering if melting into his embrace would keep me safe, taking away all my worries and suffering. Relief floods through my body, leaving behind only an intense exhaustion and throbbing, aching injuries. The turmoil and terror of the day making itself known now the dangers have finally passed.

But he’s lying. He never said what he wanted in return. No one can be trusted, you stupid....

Echoes a voice in my mind, reminiscent of Hyanxa’s. But I silence the thought. Xandor can be trusted. He saved me, saved our ship, risking his life, like a hero from a story. Despite my hostility, he always treated me with honor.

As I stand staring at Xandor with a smile on my lips, my vision begins to blur and my legs grow unsteady. Suddenly, maintaining my balance becomes a struggle, and I start to fall. But then, Xandor’s firm hands catch me, encasing me in their protective embrace, with surprising gentleness. It feels pleasant, being held by him, not wishing to run, allowing myself to just be.

My eyes close of their accord. Total exhaustion robbing me of my consciousness.

“Rest Tyrxie. You’re safe now,” Xandor whispers, his words the beginnings of the sweetest dream.