Page 31

Dernin

Heavy boots echoed through the underground corridor, sending vibrations through the stone floor. Dernin shifted to better shield Alaysia with his body despite his injuries. Blood trickled down his temple from Bariv’s beatings, but his warrior instincts remained razor-sharp.

“Stay behind me,” he whispered, his muscles tensing as the footsteps grew closer.

A familiar silhouette soon emerged from the shadows. Commander Thex’s green scales gleamed in the dim light, his armor bearing the marks of recent combat.

Dernin’s heart leaped. “Commander? You’re early.”

“When Kress confirmed that you were here, we doubled our pace.” Thex’s eyes narrowed at Dernin’s injuries. “We’ve searched high and low for you since you disappeared. Then miraculously, your message reached us through Kira’s network.”

Sounds of combat echoed through the underground complex—metal clashing against plasma gun fire, shouts and orders being called out.

“The compound is not secure yet,” Thex said. “Our warriors are clearing each level.”

“Commander,” Dernin straightened despite his wounds, “This is Alaysia. She needs your protection.”

Thex’s expression softened slightly. “Any ally of yours is under our protection.”

Dernin gave a nod and then turned to Alaysia. “Are you okay to walk?” Dernin asked her gently.

She nodded, though her face was pale, and dried blood stained her cheek. “I’m fine. You’re the one who’s hurt.”

“It will take more than Bariv’s fists to keep me down.” Dernin managed a grim smile, his protective instincts surging as another explosion rocked the complex. “We need to move. Now.”

Thex handed Dernin a blade. “Welcome back to the warriors, brother. Let’s get you both out of here.”

Dernin gripped the familiar weight of the blade, its balance perfect in his hand. The weapon felt like coming home after months of fighting with nothing but his bare hands. He kept Alaysia close behind him as Commander Thex led them through the corridors.

“Watch your step,” Dernin whispered to Alaysia as they passed Fyret’s lifeless body. The smell of plasma discharge hung thick in the air as they moved away from the underground holding cell.

The underground passages twisted like a maze, but Thex moved with purpose, checking each intersection before motioning them forward. Distant explosions shook loose dirt from the ceiling.

“The main force is keeping their guards occupied upstairs,” Thex said over his shoulder. “We’ll take the service tunnel.”

Dernin’s muscles ached from Bariv’s beating, but adrenaline kept him sharp. Every shadow could hide an enemy. He sensed Alaysia’s rapid heartbeat behind him and felt her fingers grip his free arm.

“Stay close,” he murmured. “Almost there.”

They emerged into a wider tunnel where the sounds of battle echoed more clearly from above. Plasma fire and shouts filtered down through the ceiling. Dernin’s warrior instincts screamed to join the fight right now, but Alaysia’s safety came first.

“Three more turns,” Thex said, checking a digital map. “Our exit point is—”

A door burst open ahead. Two of Fyret’s guards stumbled through, their weapons raised.

“Down!” Dernin shoved Alaysia behind a support pillar as Thex’s plasma rifle flashed. The guards dropped before they could fire.

“Nice shot, commander,” Dernin said, scanning for more threats.

“Still got it.” Thex gestured them forward. “Exit is just ahead. Ready yourself. The main level is chaos.”

They climbed a narrow stairwell and emerged into the compound’s ground floor. Through the archways, Dernin saw Niri warriors engaged with Fyret’s guards.

Through the chaos of battle, Dernin spotted Krav and Vrax—fellow arena fighters he’d trained and fought with—huddled behind an overturned table. Their eyes held the same desperate look he had seen in the ring. His warrior blood surged. These men deserved freedom as much as he did.

“Brothers!” Dernin’s voice cut through the noise of combat. “Take up arms! Fight with us!”

Krav’s head snapped up, recognition dawning. “Champion?”

“The Niri warriors have come. This is our chance!” Dernin tossed Krav his spare blade. The weapon sang through the air as Krav caught it.

“I’m going to help the other slaves.” Alaysia squeezed his arm. “Marcella knows all the hiding spots. We can get them out of here safely.”

Every instinct screamed to keep her close, but Dernin knew she was right. He pulled her close and captured her lips in a fierce kiss.

“Be careful, mate. I’ll clear you a path.”

She gave him a determined nod before darting to go help her fellow slaves. Dernin’s tail lashed as he watched her go and then turned back to his fellow fighters.

“Who else stands with us?”

More faces emerged from the shadows—arena fighters he’d battled beside and against. They grabbed fallen weapons from Fyret’s guards, falling into fighting stances that spoke of years of training.

“For freedom!” Dernin roared, leading the charge toward a group of guards blocking the main corridor. His blade found its mark as muscle memory from his warrior training took over. Behind him, he heard the satisfying sounds of his fellow fighters joining the fray.

A guard’s plasma shot sizzled past his ear. Dernin’s tail whipped out, sweeping the man’s legs from under him. The guard hit the ground hard as Vrax finished him with a decisive blow.

“The south passage!” Dernin called out, catching glimpses of Alaysia leading groups of slaves toward safety. “Keep it clear!”

His heart swelled with pride as his makeshift army of fellow fighters battled with renewed purpose. They weren’t just fighting for sport anymore. They were fighting for their lives and their freedom.

Plasma fire sizzled through the air as Dernin led his group through the compound’s main hall. His tail whipped a guard across the chest while his blade found another’s throat. The familiar dance of combat sang in his blood, but his eyes kept darting to where Alaysia had disappeared.

“Push forward!” he commanded, his deep voice carrying over the chaos. The former arena fighters moved as one unit now, their years of combat experience showing in their coordinated attacks.

Commander Thex’s warriors pressed in from the other side, their superior weapons and training overwhelming Fyret’s remaining guards. The acrid smell of plasma discharge mixed with sweat and blood.

“Champion!” Krav called out. “The south passage is clear!”

Dernin’s muscles ached from exertion and pain, but satisfaction coursed through him as he watched more slaves emerge from hiding, guided by Alaysia and Marcella. His mate’s fierce determination made him proud.

A desperate guard charged at him. Dernin caught the man’s wrist, crushing it in his grip before slamming him into a wall. The guard crumpled, his weapon clattering to the ground.

“The compound is secured,” Commander Thex announced, his green scales gleaming with sweat. “Well fought, brothers.”

Dernin’s fellow fighters cheered, their voices echoing off the blood-spattered walls. Victory tasted sweet after six months of captivity. He scanned the room, counting heads. All his fighters had made it.

“Dernin!” Alaysia ran to him, her red hair wild around her face. He caught her in his arms, his protective instincts finally settling as he held her close.

“Are all the slaves safe?” he asked against her hair.

“Safe. We got everyone out of harm’s way.”

Dernin cupped her face in his battle-worn hands, his chest flooding with pride as he looked down at his fierce mate. Her determination, her strength in the face of danger—she embodied everything a warrior should be.

“You protected them all,” he said, his deep voice rough with emotion. “Even after everything you’ve endured, you put their safety before your own.”

“Someone had to.” Alaysia’s blue eyes blazed with that inner fire that had first drawn him to her.

“A true warrior protects those who cannot protect themselves.” His thumb traced her cheekbone. “You may not have been trained in combat, but your heart is that of a warrior.”

Her hands pressed against his chest. “I learned from watching you in the arena.”

“And now you’ve proven yourself my equal.” His tail curled possessively around her waist. “My mate in every way.”

The sounds of battle were replaced by the organized movements of Thex’s warriors securing the compound. But Dernin’s focus remained on Alaysia, on the way she’d fearlessly led others to safety while plasma fire rained around them.

“We’re warriors, you and I,” he said. “Different kinds, perhaps, but warriors nonetheless.”

A smile curved her lips. “Is that why you chose me as your mate?”

“I chose you because your spirit burns brighter than anyone I’ve ever known.” He put his forehead on hers. “And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never lose that fire.”