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“You best pray to Arawnoth it works, boy ,” Ignixis retorts with a sneer, his heavily tattooed face twisting into a grotesque mask.

His visage would frighten small children if there were any on Klendathor to scare.

Black runic tattoos cover every inch of his body, rendering them unreadable due to their numerous and small size.

With his bald head and lack of facial hair, it’s hard to determine the exact age of the disgraced Elder.

“Without a bonded female, you cannot defeat Krogoth.”

My seething anger flares at his words, my eyes narrowing to focused lasers. “I almost killed him before and—”

“You speak on matters you know nothing about!” Ignixis interrupts, his green eyes glowing with challenge like two emerald stars in the blackness of space.

“You are a youth, little more than a child, raised in a sterile lab. Hardly knowing the loving embrace of our noble home, Klendathor.” His fervor wanes as he returns to inspect the glowing blue holographic display.

“There are forces at work here, boy , you do not understand. The Gods—”

“Gods,” I scoff, unable to hold my tongue at the old gas-clouds presumptions and supposed knowledge. “They will not help Krogoth.”

“Were you there the day your father fell?” Ignixis challenges.

I avert my gaze, seeing Nexarn and Keth silently operating navigation and ship controls, suddenly glad they lack emotions or interest. It’s a stupid question.

One we both know the answer to— I was not there .

It shames me, but I didn’t trust the Elders not to imprison me after what happened with Zyraxis.

“I was there, young Dracoth, hidden in the crowd. I saw your father succumb to abilities not of this reality. Powers from the Gods... somehow, Krogoth and his Earth bitch conjured them. The traitor even said as much afterward.”

This is not the first time Ignixis has told this tale, often reminding me when I dare question our actions. I wouldn’t have believed it if others didn’t also speak the same words. Krogoth Star Eyes , they call him now. Such a mockery. It twists my stomach, making me want to retch.

“Do you think you could succeed where your father failed? The greatest Klendathian to have ever lived, sucked into a tear of reality that shouldn’t exist.” Ignixis turns to glare at me, demanding an answer. “Tell me how you’d achieve such a thing?”

I frown in defeat, having no answer to this familiar question. “You bore me, Elder. ” I gesture towards his holographic display. “Enlighten me,” I challenge.

“Listen and learn, Dracoth.” Ignixis’s glare shifts to a knowing smile, his green eyes flashing.

“Did you know it was Astraxius who led the usurper to Earth?” I shake my head, the name meaning nothing to me.

“Of course not. I forget how young you truly are. Astraxius was a brilliant scientist. It was he who brokered the deal with the Scythians five hundred years ago.” Such a vast amount of time it might as well be ten thousand years ago.

My hands itch with boredom, eager to get to something relevant.

“A great Klendathian. He was to science what your father was to war. But over time, he changed. He grew weak of mind; we feared him half-mad. Turning away from the glorious alliance he helped shape. It seems old Astraxius wasn’t as mad as I first believed.

I stole onto his ship; I’ve examined his research.

Human females and Klendathians can bond. ”

I sigh in frustration and impatience, listening to so many words for so little gain. Why do gas-clouds feel the need to waste my time? “This is known; the Draxxus Clan swears by it.”

Ignixis jabs a pointed finger at me, also black with runic tattoos. “You must know the past, if you are to shape the future.” He sneers before taking a steadying breath.

Will the past bring me Krogoth? Will it wring the life from his neck? No, it’s my strength and skill, not empty words.

“Astraxius created a system to determine bond suitability between humans and our people.” My ears prick up at his words. Finally, something useful. “Rather ingenious... The system, and that I possessed the foresight to copy it.” Ignixis smirks, and my lips curl into a dim smile.

“Is there a match?” I inquire, my gaze boring into Ignixis, unable to hide my greed for his knowledge.

Ignixis smiles, revealing yellowed fangs in a sea of black. “Oh yes, young Dracoth,” he says with mirth that’s as alien as the humans. “Four matches.”

“Four,” I repeat in disbelief. My eyes shift to the viewport, examining Earth, wondering who these four females are and what power they may bring me. My heart erupts with excitement—a strange sensation I haven’t felt in so long. “How can this be?”

Ignixis averts his gaze. It’s amusing to see him irked when he can’t answer a question. He seeks to be a fountain of knowledge—the only power left to him. “Two likely reasons: The system is inaccurate and only one is a match, or all are potential matches, leaving it to your discretion.”

I almost laugh at my sudden good fortune. “Or you made an error,” I mock, enjoying the sight of Ignixis scoffing at my words. “Keth, prep the shuttle. I leave immediately,” I command the black-haired warrior as I whirl to exit.

My veins flow with molten eagerness. Every second I’ve delayed my revenge has been a torturous eternity. But now my patience will be rewarded.

“Young Dracoth,” Ignixis calls, halting me. His excitement is also palpable. “Take your human females, complete the Mortakin-Tok , and gain the power of the Gods. Kill the usurper and bring our people back to the path of glory.”

I nod, feeling the weight of history on my titanic shoulders.

“Oh, and use stealth... no need to make a mess,” he adds with a cautionary tone.

I grin, showing my fangs. “Stealth is for cowards,” I reply, hurrying out of the room.

Maybe I’ll find a challenge after all.