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Chapter 11: Reloading, Part 2

Author: Ava Altair
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
Alex stopped in mid slurp. Her ears tingled, just on the edge of hearing something. Like they wanted to twitch, but there just wasn't enough sound to react to. She looked around, scanning the dark shadows cast by Jack's fireball. Jack noticed her change in demeanor. His questioning eyes begged an answer, but he stayed silent. Alex closed her eyes, concentrating and straining to hear anything.

Her eyes popped open. She slid off her rock and into a crouch, knife at the ready. Jack spun around, flame in hand. The can slipped from his hand and rolled across the stone floor. They stood back to back, waiting for an attack from the unknown darkness.

"A dozen, from all sides," Alex whispered.

From the shadows emerged glittering cat eyes from all around. The painted warriors came away from the shadows as one. They were human-like with large ears and sharp oval eyes. They stood barely chest-high and took stealthy steps forward with spears and bows at the ready. The firelight caught the zigzags o
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  • FLUX   Chapter 12: Underground, Part 1

    A few hours later, Jack and Alex emerged into a large cavern. Torches along the sides of the smooth stone walls lit the large area. The sudden light stung Jack's eyes. He was glad to finally be able to see something other than blackness. Alex patted his hands on her shoulders as if reminding him they were still touching.At the end of the large cavern, people similar to Oskowa gathered. These people lacked the war paint, and instead wore fine colorful clothing. Half of the people wore shiny suits of metal armor. Six men stood in the middle dressed in black robes, their beards long and grey. Cat eyes watched as the company traversed the distance."Welcome, Jack of Fire." The oldest of the black robed figures spoke solemnly. He stepped forward after the company came to a halt in front of them. "I am Kenshe. I am an Elder. You are our honored guest.""Hello Kenshe, and Elders. I have come to make hot fire for you and in return I ask that you show us the way to the east.""We are aware

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  • FLUX   Chapter 13: Underground, Part 2

    Weylin led them back to the Great Circle where the festival was just getting started. Deep brass drums thumped, vibrating the cavern walls and Alex's ears. Trumpet-like instruments blared a deep, fast tune encouraging people to dance. Antarians wearing bright yellow, red, and blue colors skipped around weaving long colored ribbons through the air as people filed into the cavern and took their seats around the stadium.Alex and Jack were seated in a raised area close to where the elders sat. Jack sat at a large table facing the soon-to-be empty middle expanse of the arena. Alex was positioned on a lower tier a few meters away from him with Weylin at her side. Guards stood behind each of them. Jack looked like a king ready to watch a jousting match.After everyone was seated, waiters came around with giant platters of food. They set a plate with a variety of delicacies down in front of every person. Alex thought that every piece of food looked like the remnants of some large roasted in

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  • FLUX   Chapter 14: Escape, Part 1

    Alex awoke. Her head throbbed like she'd been hit by a transport pod on a speed way. The black colored contacts stuck to her eyes making them burn. When they finally opened, she licked her fingers and jiggled the contacts until they moved easily. A low candle burned on the metal dresser. Alex let her eyes adjust to the dim light before she tried to move."I wonder how long it's been," Alex said, her voice coarse and deep.She pulled her tired body up into a sitting position. Looking down, Alex realized she was still fully dressed, jacket, boots, everything. Her stomach tossed and she forced it down by taking a couple of deep breaths. Wiggling out of her jacket made her stomach even more upset and this time, she knew she wouldn't win. Alex launched across the room and over the basin. Her ears quivered at the horrible retching noise as she produced a bland pink colored vomit. It drained down the side of the polished granite basin and the waterfall washed it down the drain in a swirling

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  • FLUX   Chapter 15: Escape, Part 2

    Now the hard part.She poked her head down into the room for a brief look. What she saw appalled and saddened her. How could they use Jack like that?Jack was tied naked to a metal four poster bed. A large breasted burly brunette had her dress pulled up and was sitting on top of him moving her body up and down.The girl chattered on and on. "And then I'm going to raise him to be a big strong warrior and my family will be honored. Those Vestarians don't-" and on and on she went.Jack's head lolled from side to side with a look between a grin and a grimace. His chest hair was matted with sweat and vomit. A bucket full of pink vomit sat on the floor next to his bed. His eyes were tired, glossy, and drunk.Alex was in luck though. The room was set up the same way hers was and the girl faced away from her. She timed the drop of her bag with the movement of the rocking bed. The girl didn't even hear the bag hit the ground. Alex held on to the sides of the rock and hung, then dropped sil

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  • FLUX   Chapter 16: Escape, Part 3

    Alex strapped her backpack to the front of her with the blow torch on top and wedged herself between the large rock wall and the wall below their vent. Jack followed her example and they inched their way down to the bottom floor.Her right arm ached as she used it to crawl little by little down the framework. When they finally reached the bottom, Jack staggered behind as Alex walked gingerly between the walls. She counted her steps and stopped suddenly. Jack bumped into her. Alex listened with her ear against the wall, hearing footsteps and voices on the other side. Leather armor creaked faintly from one of the guards on the other side. She strained to hear their voices."That guy can really go.""He seriously has the best job. Can you imagine two days with the best women in the city?""That has got to rub him raw. How do they get him to stay like that?""Drugs, but the hangover's gonna be a bitch."The voices faded with the footsteps. Alex proceeded cutting a hole into the wall

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  • FLUX   Chapter 18: Poisoned, Part 2

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