Chapter 24
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Zalantha
Rage burned through my soul as a mix of emotions engulfed me. I had failed my Lyra. Mesothraxus had knocked Malantha and me over without even a smidgen of effort, and then he”d stolen my love.
My heart ached, but my mind was strong. While alive, I would do everything to save Lyra and stop Mesothraxus from dunking her.
My mind raced to when I first met her, and guilt powered through me. I couldn”t fail her again; I had to try harder.
”What now?” asked Malantha, stretching his back as he knelt beside me. ”Fuck me, that bastard throws a good punch.”
”Now we wait. When the guards come, we take them out. There”s no way I”m giving up now, not after all we”ve been through.”
I thought back to my abduction and remembered the years of suffering I endured to get to the position where I could be free. If I”d escaped before, I could do it again.
”Me neither,” said Malantha, squeezing my shoulder in agreement. ”But how are we going to take down Mesothraxus and end this nightmare?”
”I”m not sure right now, but we must keep a positive mindset and take action. We”ll get another chance, you”ll see.”
”I hope so. The thought of losing to that scumbag makes me mad.”
As if on cue, the door opened, and my heart filled with hope. Three Mesothraxians entered, their reptile-like features contorted into menacing snarls as they brandished long black metal sticks resembling cattle prods. Their presence once ignited dread in me, but now, driven by a singular mission to free Lyra, I felt no fear, only determination burning in my veins.
”Stand the fuck up,” said one.
I sprang to my feet, grateful to see Malantha rise beside me. His presence was a reassuring anchor in the tumultuous chaos surrounding us. We stood proudly, united to face whatever horrors awaited us, drawing strength from each other”s unwavering determination.
”Mesothraxus wants you to watch,” said a guard.
”Watch what?” I asked, even though I sensed I knew the answer.
”Watch your bitch get dunked.”
”She”s not my bitch,” I said, snarling as I clenched my fists.
I shuffled forward, ready to pounce, but Malantha held me back and whispered for me to be patient. He was right. Even though I wanted to fight them, I knew an army of Mesothraxians probably waited outside. I had to be clever about this.
”Fine, take us,” I said, stepping forward.
”Good boy. Now hold your hands out; it”s time to be restrained.”
I glanced at Malantha, and he nodded as we moved towards the guards. As soon as we left the cell, the Mesothraxians fastened shackles around our wrists. Then they led us down the silver corridor and past the familiar doors. My heart pounded with apprehension. I hoped we had time to save Lyra.
Soon, we emerged into an area I had never seen before - a tunnel leading to an outdoor theatre, reminiscent of a gladiator ring but smaller and more compact.
”Holy fuck,” said Malantha.
”Holy fuck indeed.”
My senses were overwhelmed by the ancient Roman aura that permeated the air. The layout was intricate, with stone steps leading down to the center, surrounded by eager Mesothraxians and the eerie presence of purple beings. It was a scene that sent shivers down my spine, yet amidst the foreboding atmosphere, I was strangely captivated by the spectacle unfolding before me.
”Let”s go,” said a guard, nudging me in the back with the black pole.
”Okay, okay, I”m going,” I said, throwing him an evil.
As we walked down the stone steps, the crowd jeered. I felt as if we were taking a walk to our doom. We reached a wooden stage, and the guard ordered us to stop. I looked around, taking in this bizarre scene. It was as if everyone was waiting for a ceremony.
The tension thickened as Mesothraxus emerged from the side, his imposing figure casting a long shadow across the stage. With each deliberate step, he commanded attention, his presence instilling a sense of dread in all who beheld him.
As he ascended the platform, a hush fell over the crowd, anticipation bubbling in the air. Then, without warning, a new pod ascended from the floor, a sinister contraption that seemed to materialize from the depths of darkness.
”Look,” said Malantha, elbowing me in the side as he nodded to the corner.
Anguish clogged my throat as Lyra appeared, her body shackled and restrained by the grip of Mesothraxians. Dragged forward with cruel indifference, she was a vision of defiance amidst the sea of evil, her eyes ablaze with determination even in the face of overwhelming odds. My heart clenched at the sight of her plight, fueling the fire of resolve within me.
”Move,” shouted a guard, smacking me in the back with the metal pole.
”All right,” I said, forcing myself not to turn around and thump him.
We stepped onto the stage, and the crowd jeered louder. I glanced at Lyra. She looked at me and smiled. I had a flashback to that first day, that first kiss, back by the river. She had been so innocent then, so naive. It had been my fault for giving her that drink. She hadn”t needed it either more than I did, but we were just kids, kids following the crowd, trying to be cool.
I may have introduced her to the dreaded drink, but I”d also freed her from the drug. Now that she was rid of the alcohol in her system, maybe, just maybe, she could resist the power of the pod.
I had to tell her, though. I had to let her know she already had the strength inside. She just had to use it and realize the progress she”d already made.
”Welcome, fellow Mesothraxians,” said Mesothraxus, his voice silencing the crowd. ”Today is an important day. One that will go down in history.” The crowd roared, and fear rose in me. ”Now we will watch our next victim, Lyra, a drunk from Earth who was almost saved by Zalantha, one of our traitors. He escaped and went to Earth and almost talked sense into her. We must stop them before they become powerful and tell the rest of the Earthlings about their doom.”
The crowd jeered again. I glanced at Lyra. Tears streamed down her cheeks. I had to get her to fight back and give her hope. I thought of our first kiss and how I had known she would be mine. We had been so young, just kids. If only I could turn back time and not have offered her that blasted Malibu drink. But I couldn”t change the past, only the present, and possibly the future.
”Dunk her,” shouted Mesothraxus.
”No,” I shouted. ”Take me, instead.”
”You”re no use to me,” said Mesothraxus.
”Maybe I am more valuable than you think.”
He paused and frowned.
”Speak up, boy.”
”Let me help you. Let us help you.” I nodded to Malantha, who stood tall.
”Bring them to me,” said Mesothraxus.
The guards took us on stage until we were a few metres from Mesothraxus.
”Why do I need you?”
”Because I know how you can find more drunks on Earth.”
He stopped and smirked.
”How?”
”I know of a way you can bring more here. It”s easy, you can use us and Lyra. We”ll work with you.”
”Why should I believe you?”
”Lyra has plenty of contacts on Earth. She can lead you to more alcohol-fueled people. Just give us a chance.”
He looked at Lyra, and then me.
”Let the public decide,” he said, turning to the crowd. ”What do you think? Shall we dunk her?” The crowd roared in agreement. ”Then, it”s settled, dunk her, and dunk her well.”
He clicked his fingers, and the Mesothraxians hoisted Lyra into the air, ensnared by the harness. Her desperate plea for help tugged at my heartstrings, but I knew she had to find strength within herself.
”No, Zalantha, help me, please,” she cried, attempting to shake free, but it was useless.
”Fight back,” I urged, desperation seeping into my voice. Mesothraxus thrashed his fist out, sending me flying backwards. ”Just remember the progress you”ve made,” I said, ignoring the pain in my side. ”You”re already free from alcohol. This dunking won”t work.”
”Shut it, you fool,” cried Mesothraxus, pacing towards me.
As he got close, Malantha tried to sweep his legs, but Mesothraxus elbowed him in the face, knocking him backwards.
”Zalantha, help me,” cried Lyra as she entered the solution.
Mesothraxus surged towards me, but I ducked out the way and slid past him. I watched in horror as Lyra”s legs dunked into the pod. Panic hit me hard. I was losing her again. I had to give her more reason to fight the process.
”Call me by my real name,” I cried.
”What do you mean, your real name?” asked Lyra as her hips disappeared inside.
”I”m Al.”
Her gaze met mine, confusion evident in her eyes.
”Al?” she questioned.
”Yes. It”s me. If I can fight the process, then so can you.”
”Quiet, you freak,” shouted Mesothraxus, towering over me. He let out a scornful cry accompanied by a vicious blow to my face, sending me crashing to the ground. I lay there, watching helplessly, as a flicker of hope ignited within me.
Now that Lyra knew the truth, perhaps she would find the strength to withstand the impending ordeal.