Page 6 of Pet: Torment
Rock-like structures are on either side. In the center, a massive waterfall from different angles cascades into a large pool below. The lower half of the city surrounds this building. The mixture of rocks and metallic substances creates buildings that stretch to the sky yet have jagged tops.Xyrannishas perfected molding its cities within nature.
Beyond the city, sitting in the sky is a massive neighboring planet. And even in the light of day, I can make out the purple, blue, and white mesh of colors in it.
I feel Remus’s hand beneath mine as he slowly lifts it, placing it against the glass. I look at him in shock, but he’s smiling at me as he takes in my reaction. The ship rises slightly as we approach the city, the crystal blue ocean beneath us so clear that I can see a large whale-like creature meandering beneath the surface.
“Wow,” I whisper as my anger melts away and is replaced with fascination. It’s barely been ten minutes, and alreadyXyrannisputs Earth’s marvels to shame.
Remus’s hand gently rests around my waist, pulling me into him as he speaks.
“Welcome to your new home.”
1. Translated: "Lift the tint"
Chapter Three
Iris
Remus was right.Xyrannisis a world of wonder. I am sure this is just the tip of the iceberg as the ship attaches itself to a floating platform high above the city. From this angle, I can see straight into their civilization, the beauty daunting. It’s a utopia. They have quite literally fused their buildings with nature.Even the glass buildings have balconies overloaded with foliage that billows in the breeze. And instead of building dams and redirecting the water beneath, they have built bridges over the necessary areas.
I see more clearly now why Remus was unimpressed with our world—why it was stripped down upon his arrival. Our buildings disrupted our planet’s growth. Compared to this world, Earth looked like something from a dystopian horror film.
“Are you ready?” Remus asks, stepping up next to me.
The phrase is simple, but it has so many meanings. Am I ready to leave? Am I ready to embrace this new world? Am I ready to officially leave my world behind?
But all I can manage is a meek yes.
Remus senses my anxiety, placing his hand in mine. He brings my fingers to his lips, placing a soft kiss as his eyes pull me in.
“I will be here every step of the way,” he says gently.
Instead of exiting the ship with everyone else, we take a separate exit. We never step foot outside, however. We enter a glass elevator that takes us down and into the city. I am still in awe as the city comes closer and closer to us the lower we descend. I note that larger taxis are taking big groups of the crew to separate destinations, making me curious about the lives of these Leviathan who spend years away from home to be a part of the conquering of worlds.
As we get closer to the buildings, I notice the Leviathan going about their lives below, some stopping and pointing at the ship in the sky while others are noticing the glass lowering itself into the building. Excitement is evident on all their faces.
So, this is what it’s like to be on the side of the victors.
As we enter the building, the outside world is blocked from view, but the interior of the building is something else entirely. It’s a busy location, with vehicles and Leviathan moving about at a hurried pace. I note that we aren’t the only ones entering in ourglass transport as we reach a platform. And once we exit, I see faces I wasn’t expecting to.
Ezra steps out onto his platform, and to my shock, I see Sky obediently following him. My heart breaks for her as I take in the inhibitor on her temple. She has just begun her journey at the mercy of one of these aliens. And she doesn’t have the hope I was able to cling to. Everything she had is gone—lost. Taken from her in a terrible display of power.
But my heartbreak is short-lived when I look at the ground floor. Xion steps out of her transport, and a chained Iriel follows close behind. Leviathan guards surround them as they make their way across the floor.
“How—” I trail off when my eyes meet Remus. His expression is murderous as he takes in Iriel, sending a chill down my spine.
“He will stand trial for his crimes,” he says, giving me a curt answer.
My body grows warm as I mirror Remus’s anger, but for different reasons. Iriel used humanity and what little resources we had. He had no compassion for the bodies he was hiding behind to make his outlandish desires a reality. He is partially to blame for Jude’s death. And for his mental state before that death. He is the biggest coward I have ever encountered, and I don’t think he deserves a trial. I wish Remus had killed him that day. I wish I could kill him.
“Don’t get yourself worked up over him. Leviathan laws are stringent. He will pay dearly for what he has done,” Remus says as he places his hand against the small of my back. He leads me to the edge of the platform, and I tense when I hear a muffled roar. I look around in confusion, my panic dissipating when I see what it is.
The Leviathan on the outside of the building have gathered at each level to witness the arrival of Remus and his siblings. Within minutes of our arrival, a large crowd has formed outsideof the building. The excitement is electric as they look upon the arrival of the Divine Three.
It’s truly a sight to be able to see how many Leviathan in this area alone adore Remus and his siblings. And that there are so many more in his home world than there are who decided to travel across the galaxies to settle our world. I don’t have time to continue to ogle it as Remus helps me into a waiting vehicle.
Remus gets in the seat next to me, looking at me before anything. “You’ve been quiet.”
“Still processing everything,” I say, looking out the window.