Chapter 26
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Lyra
Seeing Mesothraxus smack down my Al was the last straw. Rage burned through my soul. I wasn”t going to let this happen. I wasn”t going to stand for this domineering anymore.
I paced towards my enemy, blood boiling, chest pumping. Then, I spotted a metal pole lying on the floor. Gripping the weapon tightly, I charged towards Mesothraxus, fueled by fury and determination.
With every step, the pole felt heavier, yet my resolve remained unwavering. As I reached him, I raised the weapon high above my head, a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. And then, with a fierce cry, I brought it crashing down upon the back of his head. The impact reverberated through my body, sending a jolt of pure satisfaction through me as Mesothraxus staggered, momentarily stunned by the force of the blow.
”You bitch,” he cried, falling to his knees.
I hit him again and again until two Mesothraxians pulled me away.
”Let me go,” I screamed as I tried to kick them, but it was useless; they were holding me tighter than ever.
”Hold her still,” said Mesothraxus as he stood, blood streaming from his head. He growled like a rabies-infected bear, foam gathering in his mouth. ”Maybe you escaped my pod, but I have plenty more, or perhaps I”ll just kill you now and end your miserable life.” He stepped closer and flung out his claws, reminding me of their sharpness. ”Maybe I”ll just slice you up the middle.”
”Just you try it,” said Al, appearing by his side.
He held a broken metal pole and swung it around, lodging it straight into Mesothraxus”s chest.
”You punk,” cried Mesothraxus as he fell back, landing with a thud, the pole sticking from his body.
”Now, hand her over,” said Al, glaring at the Mesothraxians gripping me.
”Get him,” cried one as the other dragged me backwards.
”I don”t think so,” said Malantha, appearing from the side.
”Time to end this,” said Al, pacing towards me.
My heroes smacked the reptile beasts with all their power, laying punches into them until they let me go.
Once I was free, my eyes met Al”s as he took me in his arms, pulling me close.
”Is it really you?” I asked, my heart fluttering with disbelief and overwhelming joy.
”Yes, it”s me,” he confirmed, his voice tender and filled with emotion. ”I should have told you before, but I couldn”t risk you knowing, in case you freaked out.”
”I don”t think I could get any more freaked out,” I said, spluttering a laugh as tears of relief gathered in my eyes. I studied Al”s familiar features and felt that familiar burst of attraction.
”I”m sorry for putting you through this,” he whispered
”Don”t worry. You can make it up to me.”
I gently stroked his face, tracing the contours of his alien skin with wonder and affection. At that moment, amidst the turmoil, only profound love filled my heart after reuniting with my Al.
”This is all very cute and everything,” said Malantha, standing by our side. ”But we need to get the flippers out of here before all hell breaks loose.”
Malantha pointed to a group of Mesothraxians huddled around their broken leader. They were stunned that he was lying on the floor with a pole sticking from his chest. That”s when I noticed the rest of the purple beings, their eyes wide with disbelief and uncertainty. I had to speak up. I had to use my new-found voice after battling against my issues.
”You”re free now,” I shouted.
As my voice echoed through the chamber, a spark of recognition ignited within them, and I saw a glimmer of hope emerge in their expressions. Determination replaced fear, and anger crept onto their faces as they realized the possibility of their freedom.
”Fight for your lives, don”t let these reptiles control you anymore.”
With each word, their resolve strengthened, and a wave of defiance surged through the crowd. The once docile and submissive purple beings began to stand taller, their movements more purposeful as they broke free from the shackles of oppression.
But as their confidence grew, so did the fury of the Mesothraxians. Enraged by the defiance of their captives, they lunged forward, brandishing their weapons with lethal intent. The chamber erupted into chaos as a massive fight broke out between the Mesothraxians and the newly liberated purple beings.
Al grabbed my hand and pulled me close.
”Quick, before it”s too late, we have to save those in the pods.”
”Oh God, yes, I need to save Mom, Charlie, Duncan,” I said.
”Count me in,” said Malantha.
We sped away, leaving behind the battle to free innocent humans. We paced along the edge of the stage and out the side. Then we sprinted up some stone steps until we arrived at the pods. Rows and rows stretched out in the fields, and I felt so glad I wasn”t in one.
I was free, and I had to save Mom.
”Let”s go,” I said, taking Al by the hand.
We ran around, searching and searching, until finally, I saw her submerged in a pod, her skin already changing purple.
”There she is,” I said. ”Let”s get her out of there.”
”You wait there, we”ll do it,” said Al as he got on the top with Malantha.
I watched with bated breath as Al and Malantha twisted off the top. Then they pulled my mom out, took off the tubes, and lowered her down. Seeing her so helpless sparked panic in my throat.
”Oh, Al, we”re too late,” I said, staring into his eyes.
”Be patient,” he said, kneeling beside her.
Al and Malantha scraped off the sticky solution from her body and cleaned her face.
”Mom, can you hear me?”
Silenced loomed. Had she already been transformed?
She groaned, and a wave of joy rushed over my shoulders when she opened her eyes.
”Lyra?” she said, her voice weak. ”What”s going on? Is my ankle okay, and why do I feel like I”ve been dunked in a bottle of gin?”
A smile appeared on my lips, but deep down, I knew this was just the start of her recovery. I”d have to teach her to be stronger and fight the world without the need for alcohol, just like I did.
”Don”t worry, you”re going to be fine,” I said, stroking her face. ”Let”s get her out of here,” I said, looking at Al.
”I don”t think so,” said a familiar voice.
I turned, and dread fired in my chest. There, standing with blood pouring from his head and a gaping hole in his chest, was Mesothraxus.