56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGrAKmwJYOEarth's Moon – During Verin's Rampage
Thessa was in the midst of reading the Galactic Scoop using her aether link. It was a news source devoted to spreading the truth to all who wanted it. Everyone knew that that singular platform - a trusted source of information across the quadrant - possessed more influence than even the Celestials commanded. No one knew who founded or led it, but the massive platform had thousands of prolific, tenacious journalists who traveled to various worlds and reported on major events that would otherwise have been kept hidden from the masses.
She looked at Cinder's news and saw a header "BREAKING! Renowned, militant nation, Forgeton, recovering from an attack by Tenshu following the disappearance of dozens of children in elite nation, Pneuma City! Possible Civil War in development in the absence of Celestial Auryn?" The article details mentioned that the Ryfa Pakt suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Aeric, hinted at high tension between the nations, and finally added a brief note about the first klevonian rising to Crest Head, which made her smirk.
Thessa knew there were likely some exaggerations, but still wondered what the heck was going on over there. She continued and read about things going on within a few other significant worlds. The Celestial of Ash had recently conquered another world. The starlings were still warring against the Visionists. The sonans had closed their planet off for Nightfall. Nothing out of the ordinary had been reported. But she knew better. She was about to look a little deeper when she noticed an increase in chaos on the planet, sensing energy signatures fade in swaths.
By the All-Father..., she thought as she stood before rocketing closer to Earth. She hovered in the cold vacuum of space, watching the planet before her. So much needless slaughter... What is happening?
She sensed Verin flying around the planet in a fit of destruction and noticed that Damien and the others' presences had disappeared.
Oh. They've left Earth. I could have sworn Viraa said that would happen later.
I suppose I did allow myself to sleep for many years, she chuckled at herself. So, the Great Tragedy has begun for the humans...
Thessa watched as lights on the dark side of Earth flickered off everywhere Verin's violet streak of energy raced to.
She's really taking advantage of the situation.
Thessa wanted to step in to stop Verin, but her blood oath to Viraa prevented her from interfering with any tragedies on Earth.
She always trusted Viraa, but watching so many perish was truly a difficult task to stomach.
Hmm. I vowed not to interfere, but that doesn't mean I can't help clean things up after the tragedy. Thessa smiled, happy to have found a way around the promise.
She shined as her appearance changed to what she felt was a good disguise from the humans – she changed her robe into a cloak that merely hid her hair and ears.
There we go, she thought before shooting toward Earth.
Planet Calci – edge of Purgatory Capitol
Za'Fia flew across a vast land of untamed fires as she headed toward the closest collection of energy signatures.
Eventually, she could see a city in the distance. It was pretty much on fire, but no one seemed the slightest bit bothered by it since there were no urgency sirens or anyone, really, who was rushing to put them out. The city itself wasn't too different from Kit's district or Cinder's sector. It was an inferno of fire and brimstone with buildings made to withstand the high temperatures and sulfuric air that made breathing a bit more difficult.
"How the hell does anyone live like this?" Za'Fia wondered as she landed at the edge of the city. According to a sign, she was in Purgatory Capitol. Not that it helped her.
She stumbled across a small group of three female fotians who were smiling and laughing together as they walked. Walking behind them was a male. They each had red skin that looked hot to the touch, fiery-orange veins, pointed ears, and hair made of pure fire. Their clothes were light, dark material that flapped in the hot winds.
When the male spotted Za'Fia, she heard him say something to the females.
"Keep heading home. Do not engage with the klevonian," he instructed the women before flying off in a column of flames.
Confused, Za'Fia approached the female fotians who tried to scurry off with their heads down.
"Wait! I'm not trying to cause trouble. I'm lost and need a little help," Za'Fia called out.
Thankfully, one of them turned slowly. The other two looked nervously at each other and pulled at her arm, but relented and left her when they saw she wasn't coming.
"Thanks for the help." Za'Fia approached her with a smile. "I'm Za'Fia, a klevonian."
"Za'Fia? Very pretty name," she responded, then looked as if she had to think of what to say next. "Sorry...my...universal language...bad. Still learning..."
"Ah, it's okay," Za'Fia assured her kindly. It hadn't occurred to her that other species could have trouble learning languages. Guess it was easy to take the benefits of being cindarian for granted.
Before the conversation could continue, they looked up as two presences appeared and landed before them. The male from before was one, but he had a new guy next to him. He was bigger, and his presence was much stronger. He walked with confidence as he strolled up, and purple flames flickered off him and the black blade on his back.
When the guy from before saw the girl speaking to Za'Fia, he summoned her to him silently with a stern glare. When she arrived, in one swift movement, he struck her, causing her to fall to the ground.
"Hey!" Za'Fia protested, stepping toward him, but the bigger guy stepped forward, his mannerisms warning her not to intervene.
"This isn't Cindar, klevonian. You have no voice here."
Za'Fia clenched her jaw as she watched the guy lean over after chastising the woman.
"I told you to go home for your own safety. If attacked, the three of you together could defend yourselves until I returned, but you chose to separate yourself from the others," he said softly as she wept in apology. He held her close gently as he helped her up, then lifted her off her feet.
He turned and nodded subtly at the fotian that stood before Za'Fia before he carried her off.
"I'm Eien. Introduce yourself," the fotian commanded, looking at Za'Fia.
Za'Fia resisted the urge to ignore him, knowing that now that they'd met, this guy was likely to keep a close eye on her.
"Za'Fia."
Eien revealed a smug grin of satisfaction that made her want to punch him in the face.
"You're a long way from home. Why are you here?"
"Is it illegal for me to be here?" Za'Fia replied with attitude.
"No," Eien frowned.
"Have I committed a crime?"
"Not yet."
"Then I'll tell you why I'm here when I'm ready to."
"Hm," Eien narrowed his eyes and tilted his head as he examined Za'Fia's body. "Did you know that most species can't procreate together? But that doesn't mean they can't have a bit of fun. Why don't you stay here? You haven't passed out or died from the heat, so you have a natural heat resistance even by your kind's standards. Take a place among my wives."
"What?" Za'Fia looked at him, repulsed.
"We take care of our women and children here. You'll have an easy life. You'll be protected."
"Does it look like I need protection?" Za'Fia let some of her power leak out provokingly,
"You do seem capable," he smirked. "But surely there's a part of you that wants someone's arms wrapped around you."
"Not yours," she snapped back.
Eien became visibly irked at her refusal.
"Do you know who I am? Do you have any idea where you are – whose home you're invading?"
"Lemme guess, yours?" Za'Fia replied flippantly.
"Something like that," Eien answered, extending a hand for her to take, but Za'Fia looked at him flatly, refusing to take it.
He clenched his jaw as his patience for her insolence ran out, causing him to erupt in dark purple-black flames. Judging from the power coming from him, Za'Fia knew he was much more powerful than she was. She felt her skin tingle as the hair on her arms raised in response to him.
"Fine. I'll crush you where you stand then," he declared before charging at her.
Za'Fia immediately entered her true hybrid form to block his blow. There was no monstrous transformation like before. Her power exploded as fire swirled around her. Her crimson cloak changed, becoming literal flames fueled by her spirit energy.
He chose to use his fist instead of his blade, showing he didn't take her seriously.
There goes me not causing any trouble, Za'Fia mused as she released waves of her potent flame toward Eien, but expectedly, he remained completely unfazed.
"Did you seriously think that was going to work?" Eien waved off the flames as he walked through them. He inhaled deeply, forcing most of her flames at his feet into his mouth.
He can eat flames? Could all fotians do that?
"Hey, a dumb beauty's still a beauty, I guess..." he wiped his mouth.
"You talk too much," Za'Fia stated as she struggled to keep his weird flames away from her.
"Careful not to let them touch you," he said mockingly.
When she saw that she'd been surrounded by them, in a moment of desperation before some touched her, she felt something stir inside her as she tried to push the flames away. Though only temporarily, she managed to control Eien's flames, forcing them to retreat, which surprised them both.
All of the purple-black flames suddenly vanished as Eien dismissed them.
"That's impossible...," he said, dumbstruck.
"I'd ask why, but I felt something different about those flames. They weren't like any I've ever sensed," Za'Fia remarked.
"Of course they're not. Eternal flames burn forever until the caster puts them out. They're one of the five flames of emotions we fotians can manifest. Even the greatest fire user on Cindar shouldn't be able to control our flames, let alone you."
"Yet, I can. Somehow," Za'Fia replied smugly.
"I've only been toying with you since killing you would cause an interplanetary incident. I'm done now," Eien stated seriously. "Leave. Before trouble finds you."
"I don't think so," Za'Fia told him. "You wanted to know why I'm here: I'm looking for someone to train me. So, let's make a deal. If I can beat you, you'll show me how to make eternal flames."
"No," Eien rejected her proposal. "You're stupid if you think you genuinely stand a chance against me. Besides, fighting for real would draw too much attention, and you don't want that. Trust me."
"I never said I'd beat you in battle. I want a contest of strength."
"Strength? You plan to beat me in raw strength?" Eien scoffed and looked at her with an incredulous expression before smiling with certainty. "Fine. I won't say no to a challenge. Seeing you're not from here, I'll need to put you in your place. So, I'll agree, but when I win, I'm taking you as my new wife."
--------------------------------------------------------
So, did you enjoy the chapter? What are you looking forward to seeing further down the road? Give me your honest review. If you like the story, leaving a rating helps it reach other viewers. It only takes 10 seconds and makes a massive difference!😊
Earthly Ties Saga Layout:
The Primordials: Death's Fury (Volume 01 - Chapters 1-30)
The Primordials: A Joyless Joy & Life (Volume 02 - Chapters 31-50)
The Primordials: Lustless Prides (Volume 03 - Chapters 51-78)
The Primordials: Retribution (Volume 04 - Chapters 79-110)
Legacies Saga Layout:
The Primordials: New World (Volume 05 - Chapters 111-165)
The Primordials: Transcension (Volume 06 - Chapters 166-196)
The Primordials: Culling War (Volume 07 - Chapters ???-???)
The Primordials: Secret Vendetta (Volume 08- Chapters ???-???)
Super Supporters: Read 2-3 chapters ahead in The Primordial Archive. There are also extra perks, lore, images, and character info!
(SPOILER WARNING: If you aren't caught up to the story, viewing the character profiles will also likely expose you to parts of the story you haven't reached yet.)
Join Me LIVE!
Monday, August 3rd 5pm EST.
All Patreon members (Free and paid are welcome!)
I want you guys to get to know me as a person, not just as a figure behind the series. Express your thoughts, pick my brain, learn about what inspired such a story, or simply say hi! Lookin' forward to seeing you there!
patreon.com/primordials
Words of Virtue:
Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
- Matthew 7:7
God's not a genie though. He won't just put the answer/result in your lap. He'll give you the tools to ultimately reach the destination in trust. Jesus loves us all! Stay safe out there, new chapter(s) posting Wednesday/Sunday!
Media
IG: otherworldsjt
Patreon: patreon.com/primordials
Amazon link: Want your own copy of the volumes? Grab them here! https://a.co/d/0j2UvVpD
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZzpfHqPUO
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJH77wOokU
and then Add to home screen.