Trekachaw Page 3

  When his insults did not get the reaction he wanted, the King turned purple and his cheeks puffed out. Fuming, he blubbered something about how he was going to make an example out of Azha. The King’s behavior was ludicrous, and Azha couldn’t help himself from smiling at the old fool.

  “Myosis, look outside. The whole village is listening and stretching their necks to get a glimpse of the show you’re putting on. You need to stop acting like a dumb-dilly-wad.”

  King Myosis’s mouth dropped wide open and he went ballistic. Screaming, he began stomping his feet and finger-waving, “I am not a dumb-dilly-wad. You’re a grotesque abomination. Leave this village and never return. That goes for Rodia, too.”

  The King jumped up and poked Azha in the chest with his crooked finger. Azha’s stripes flashed bright purple. Enough was enough. It took all his restraint not to back-hand the old fool. Azha clenched his fists and roared with the sound of thunder until the cave walls shook. King Myosis and the Leaders dropped to their knees and crawled into a corner. Terrified, they hunkered down, sheltering themselves from crumbling rocks and dirt falling from the ceiling. Long after the dust had settled, King Myosis and the Leaders remained huddled together. Looking down upon them, Azha thought, ‘What cowards, fools, and bullies. How was I ever afraid?’

  Coming to the realization that Azha was not going to crush him, King Myosis scrambled to his feet and brushed himself off. “It’s best you leave Palatu and return to Earth. Clearly, you do not belong here. Our enemies will punish all of us for your selfish rebellion. Go now and you might be able to save Cavern Village from their wrath.”

  Azha hissed and his yellow-eyes narrowed as he moved dangerously close to the old King. “I’m not going anywhere. Do not threaten me again or you’ll feel my wrath. Now get out of my cavern while you still can.”

  Avoiding eye contact, King Myosis and the Leaders scampered out the cave without another word. Half-way across the courtyard Myosis found his courage again and shouted back, “How dare you threaten me. Wait until the next tribal meeting. I’ll punish you, you, ugly abomination.”

  Rodia flickered out of a rock crevice directly above the doorway where she had hidden to watch the entire fiasco. The King was a vengeful tyrant who never forgave or forgot. She worried the King would make good on his threat and command the village to banish her and Azha at the next meeting. Seeking support, Rodia morphed into body form and ran to Belton’s cavern where she found him sunning in the dirt outside his doorway. With a curt slap to his forehead, she demanded he wake up. Belton swatted her hand.

  “Go away.”

  Rodia circled him a couple of times, then kicked him in the leg and jumped back.

  “Get up, Azha’s in trouble. How could you sleep through all the noise? We need your help.”

  Belton sat up groggy, “Is Azha hurt?”

  Trying not to cry, Rodia shook her head no.

  “Azha defied the King. He’s going to command the village to cast us out at the next tribal meeting.”

  Belton stumbled to his feet. “We won’t let that happen.”

  five

  HUNTED TO EXTINCTION

  QUIZANS were highly intelligent and extremely passive. Since Palatu did not have indigenous predators, the frail Quizans thrived and lived a peaceful existence unaware of the bloody crusades taking place within the same Galaxy. Ongoing galactic wars had depleted resources on planets near the front lines, resulting in planets far away being claimed and stripped of their precious raw materials.

  Despite the vastness of space, a Ryquat research ship discovered Palatu. Therefore, according to them they had exclusive mining rights. It wasn’t long before the Ryquats and another species called the Gystfins formed a coalition to occupy Palatu and construct enormous mining camps designed to strip the planet. The Ryquats supplied the technology and the thickheaded, brawny Gystfins received a percentage for their manual labor.

  Upon arrival almost a decade ago, the Gystfins hunted the frail Quizans simply for the thrill of killing. The Quizans’ only defense was to flee and hide from them. During one of their many brutal attacks, a Gystfin bit off a Quizan’s head and discovered something extraordinary. When he inhaled the grey mist that floated from the Quizan’s neck, he felt a warm rush. After the high, he was able to breathe the hostile atmosphere and fly without the aid of an apparatus. This discovery triggered mass-executions across the planet. Hunting raids became more frequent and lasted much longer, forcing the Quizans to hide from their adversaries underground for days, sometimes even weeks. Often the Quizans preferred to die underground rather than surfacing only to have their heads bitten off. Additionally, the young adult Quizans who’d lost their mates were not reproducing. Bonding rituals were sacred and allowed only one mate through their expected three hundred years of life. Becoming prey to the Gystfins destroyed their sense of freedom and their way of life. No longer could they roam the forests or swim in the oceans without the threat of being hunted and killed by unthinkable acts of torture. Loved ones who dared to venture outside the village confines seldom returned. Clustered together, they grew accustomed to absorbing the sun close to home, if not directly outside their cavern doorways.

  Faced with a dismal future, a few brave, rebellious Quizans banded together to secretly discuss retaliation against the alien hunters and the tyrant King Myosis. In truth, they were scared, spiritually defeated, and weak. Azha’s return lifted their spirits and gave them the courage to believe now was the optimal time to fight back. If they failed to stop the onslaught, the Quizans species would be hunted to extinction.

  WITH LESS THAN AN HOUR before the tribal meeting, Belton rallied four Quizans willing to openly support Azha. In unison, they knocked on his door eager to share their master plan to thwart the King’s Rule. Thankful for their support, Azha and Rodia invited them in. Belton introduced them by recounting their stories…

  “Duro and Choan are the last surviving Quizans from a coastal tribe located near the Equate-Ocean region of Palatu. During the last moon eclipse, they witnessed a single Ryquat slaughter their Silwat tribe in less than two weeks. These two eluded the Ryquat by hiding underground while the glutinous Beast gorged himself on grey-death energy until he lay bloated on the beach, unable to fly. Still, they barely escaped death from lack of sun-energy waiting for the disgusting Ryquat to leave. When the Ryquat finally flew away, they searched the village for survivors. Every cupola pod was empty, the sandy beach was barren, and the trees were no longer filled with bustling friends and kindred. Despite all their efforts, they did not find a single Quizan alive. To this day, they mourn the loss of their beloved family and their Silwat Tribe.”

  Belton did not know the whole story…

  Indeed, Choan and Duro were the last known Silwats. What kept them alive was one purpose, and one purpose alone: revenge. They were determined to kill the vicious Ryquat. If they were to survive this atrocity, Cavern Village was their best chance. Afraid of an imminent attack, they buzzed from tree to tree trying to conceal themselves. Even though traveling this way was slow and exhausting, they arrived several weeks later unscathed to tell the story of the merciless Ryquat’s massacre.

  Having nowhere else to go and tired of hiding, they pleaded for asylum and acceptance into the Cavern Clan, even knowing that King Myosis loathed Silwats. On many occasions, the self-serving King had voiced his dislike for their tribe, referring to them as, ‘Savages that took joy in aggressive acts.’ Myosis and his Leaders demanded loyalty and obedience from Duro and Choan before they’d consider them worthy members of the lower echelon. Tired and defeated, they willingly accepted their status and the label of radical Silwat outsiders.

  Zith was the youngest and last surviving son of King Myosis. Azha focused his attention on the prince. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you Myosis’s son?”

  Glaring at Azha’s insolence, Zith refused to answer the question. Azha squatted down coming face to face with the young prince, and asked him, “Can we trust you?” />
  Zith’s stripes glowed red. “Do not question either my ability or fortitude.”

  Azha grunted, tilted his head sideways, and slowly leaned back. Frowning, he studied Zith and chose his next words carefully. Tension filled the cavern as everyone fidgeted uncomfortably waiting to see the outcome. Belton’s loud tapping of his foot on the dirt floor sent little puffs of dust into the air. The young prince floated to his feet and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “If I must explain myself, I do not agree with my father’s cynicism or his greed. My two older brothers died cowards, unwilling to speak out, even in their own defense. They turned into energy and hid underground, leaving their wives and quieys to be slaughtered by the Gystfins. Not long ago, a Ryquat murdered them for their grey-death energy. A Quizan overheard two Gystfins boasting how they’d taken turns pissing on their royal slimy little heads and grumbling about a Ryquat who took them without paying. One of the Gystfins imitated the Ryquat saying, ‘I will eat the royal grey-death energy and let you know if it’s better.’ I’ll never understand why they didn’t just turn into energy and fly away. I would rather die fighting than to live like this any longer.” Zith’s shoulders slumped and he sat down, “Besides, what kind of King will I be if I choose not to fight?”

  It was settled, Prince Zith would join the war.

  Vopar’s family were victims of a vicious attack while walking in the forest near the village. His younger brother survived because the Gystfins were too busy sucking out his father’s and sister’s grey-death energy to notice that he’d escaped. Vopar’s face twisted in anguish.

  “We found Vious hiding in the forest almost dead. Both of his legs were shredded, leaving him permanently crippled. When I told King Myosis, he dismissed me by saying they shouldn’t have been in the forest and then ordered me out of his cavern.”

  Vopar’s reason for joining… Revenge.

  Azha listened patiently to their stories, trying to determine who was trustworthy. They boasted of unrealistic schemes to kill their enemies and dethrone the King. Even though he respected their moxie and determination, he strongly doubted their capabilities. Likewise, he wasn’t that much better off. What little he knew about fighting was inherited from his Human-half. At best, those memories were cryptic and confusing.

  Thinking out loud, Azha caught himself mid-sentence, “Aren’t you the same Quizans who turned into red energy and hid…?”

  “Aren’t you the one who did the same thing and shot up into space?” Belton countered.

  Looking at each other they laughed and agreed their boasting was fun, but not realistic.

  TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY in many years the King felt the necessity to gather the entire clan in one place. Gathering of smaller numbers had been used for many years to avoid mass murders in a single attack. Even so, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to disgrace Azha in front of the entire village.

  The King was not disappointed. Azha’s transformation frightened most of the clan as he entered the hall, causing some to shuffle backwards, while others turned into energy. Worried sick, Rodia hid her fear and walked proudly alongside her husband, telling those she passed not to fear the giant. The hum of curious Quizans quickly grew into furious debates by those eager to judge the half-Human. Trying not to think about the King’s threat to exile them from the Caverns forever, Rodia masked her emotions and fought to control her colors.

  Towering above the small Quizans provided Azha with an unobstructed view of the caustic King squatted on his sacred ledge. The King glared back, making his intentions clear. The old tyrant revered power and took pleasure in reigning with an iron fist. King Myosis rose from his ledge and pointed his long, thin finger at Azha. It was obvious the old tyrant was about to preach a well-rehearsed sermon.

  “Behold this abomination before you. He dared to defy my rule and merged with a Human. Therefore, as King, I cast him out along with anyone who follows this mutant.”

  Shifting as one, the crowd turned away from the King with all eyes fixed on the half-Human giant standing alongside the back wall.

  Azha’s voice thundered in response, “Yes, look at me. I’m stronger, faster, I can defeat our enemies. I risked my life to merge with a Human. Listen to this old fool and you’ll all die.”

  The crowd buzzed softly, discussing whether the merge was right or wrong. Soon, the debate turned into a loud roar of heated discussions.

  Suddenly, explosions shook the ground and dirt crumbled from the ceiling. A barrage of Gystfins stormed outside the entrance trumpeting their barbaric attack. Red energy lights scattered in chaos darting about the cavern, leaving Azha standing alone. One familiar death shrill sent Azha sprinting outside where he desperately searched for Rodia. He had to look twice before he believed what he was seeing. In the center of the courtyard, a paunchy Gystfin was crouched over Rodia’s mangled body. He was crushing her hips with its crusty knees and had both of her arms stretched out above her head. The Beast smugly opened his massive jaw and glanced sideways at Azha revealing large mustard-stained fangs. Snot dripped from his muzzle, and thick saliva drooled from his mouth onto Rodia’s nearly lifeless face. Her blue energy had not transformed yet, giving him seconds to stop the Beast from biting off her head. Azha sprinted across the courtyard and slammed into the Gystfin, sending them both tumbling over the dusty terrain. The Beast appeared dumbfounded, showing signs of weakness as he sprang to his feet. Posturing, he stomped his large matted feet on the ground then shook his body, sending a shower of urine from his thick spotted fur. Azha ran to Rodia and gently cradled her in his arms. Her glazed eyes were open, but she could not hear him, nor could she speak. Azha screamed for help before the Gystfin attacked again. Belton morphed from red energy into his Quizan body with his arms stretched out, “Give her to me. I’ll hide her in your cavern.”

  Azha fell to his knees and carefully placed Rodia into Belton’s arms. He spun to face the Gystfin, hungry for revenge. The stripes on his body flashed purple and his yellow eyes narrowed with thin, bloodshot veins. He streaked towards the reeling Beast and rammed himself into its thick, calloused chest. The impact launched the dazed Gystfin high into air, cracking several of his ribs. Landing on the ground with a loud thud, the Beast lay flat on his back. Saliva poured from his mouth, and his fangs chattered in desperation. Unable to sit up, the Beast rolled in the dirt, moaning in pain. The stench of feces smeared across the Gystfin’s stomach and down his haunches permeated the air. In a last-ditch effort, he grabbed Azha’s leg and hung on with all his might. Azha stomped the Beast until he let go and then looked into his eyes to see if he was alive. The Beast groaned, and his eyes opened. His paunchy body jerked back and forth across the ground as he howled in pain. Azha kicked the Gystfin in the face, shattering several fangs, then stomped on the Gystfin’s chest until he stopped moving. Seeing that he was finally dead did not satisfy Azha’s need for revenge. He straddled the Gystfin’s chest and tore flesh from its broad ugly face until he ripped out its eyes from their deep sockets.

  A BLINDING PAIN SNAPPED AZHA out of his frenzy. His shoulders were on fire from sharp claws and long fangs buried deep within his flesh. Azha flipped over into a front-roll, sending the Gystfin tumbling across the courtyard. Shaking off the pain, Azha scrambled to his feet and prepared himself for another attack. Lying on the ground was a sturdy branch. In his mind he pictured Cole’s Police Baton and picked it up. The younger, disheveled Gystfin jumped up and down pounding his chest, then bolted towards him shrieking. Just before the Beast was within reach, Azha stepped aside and swung the branch. A wail was proof that Azha had hit his mark. The Gystfin stumbled backwards, holding his forehead where a fountain of green blood gushed through his claws. Defeated and fleeing for his life, the Gystfin rose above the ground to fly away. Azha grasped a handful of crusty hide and slammed him onto the ground. The Gystfin crawled on his stomach through the blood-soaked dirt away from the alien slayer. Celebrating his victory, Azha walked alongside the Gystfin watching him suffer. This g
ave him time to ponder all the glorious ways he could kill the filthy Beast. Azha’s thunderous roar told those who were watching the end was near. He flipped the snarling Gystfin over and choked him until his eyes were lifeless. Confidence filled Azha. Now, more than ever, he appreciated his Human warrior half.

  THE COURTYARD REEKED with the stench of death. Quizans slowly crept forward, curious to behold the slain Gystfins. Aghast, they loitered in silence, not sure about what they had just witnessed. Azha snapped out of his rage and ran frantically towards his cavern, screaming for Belton, but no one was there. He heard a faint call in the distance and ran outside. His friend was waving his arms, motioning for him come quickly. Azha ran towards Belton’s cavern, terrified at what he might find and in denial of what he already knew. Halfway there, weak-kneed and shaking, he stopped and bent over. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. In his mind, he pictured the last time he held her, and he heard Cole’s voice praying deep within his soul. Concentrating on placing one foot in front of the other, Azha focused on her being alive. That is, until he entered Belton’s cavern. His brilliant stripes turned from red to pasty beige, sickened by what he saw before him. Rodia’s eyes were closed and she appeared lifeless, lying on a narrow ledge at the far end of the cavern. He rushed to her side. This was beyond what he could reason with or accept. Afraid to move her, he touched his wife’s shoulder and gently ran his fingers down her arm. The setting Targus Sun glistened rays of light into the furthest corners of the cavern and across her face. While Azha waited for any signs of life, Rodia’s body faded before his eyes into gray-death energy. With her last will… she floated to her brave husband. Azha closed his eyes and welcomed her into his soul; this would be last time he’d feel warmth and love from his wife, Rodia.