Chapter 53
Fifty-Three
The temptation was too strong as Dante navigated his way through Universe 17 toward Universe 24 where Emperor Izzo resided. He hoped Autumn’s father was still alive. There was no telling what type of condition he was living in. Or if Izzo had gotten bored of him, which was always a possibility.
What he did know is that if he didn’t bring him back unharmed, Autumn would never forgive him.
This was different from stealing a car, murdering a foe, conquering a planet, or abducting her ex. No, he’d messed up countless times before, but this time there was no coming back if he failed.
He’d been traveling for a little over thirty suns and moons according to his calculations. During his voyage, he could only focus on one thought besides keeping Autumn safe and rescuing her father?—
Cold-blooded revenge.
He itched to repay a favor, one that was long since overdue. It kept him up into the wee hours of the night, kept him focused, kept him obsessed. And thanks to his superior’s stupidity, he knew her exact coordinates. Valdez .
His fists trembled against the control panel. Try as he might, he couldn’t let this one slip.
What she’d done to his wife was unforgivable.
It would take him a few days off course, but the satisfaction he’d enjoy was worth the trouble. She’d never hurt anyone else again, he’d see to that. Autumn would finally be safe from her reign of terror. He grinned a wicked grin.
Deep down he hoped she hadn’t opened the parchment he’d given her. She wasn’t ready for the contents.
A few suns and moons later Dante arrived with his warriors at a substantial emerald planet in the center of Universe 17. Valdez was still present judging by the streaks of exploding fire visible from space ripping in lines through the terrain and the static frequencies.
He instructed his soldiers to wait for him off planet. This was one task he preferred to indulge in alone.
His body boiled with bloodlust as he descended through the viridescent atmosphere. He gripped the steering panel with intense ferocity as he soared through the lime green sky.
He couldn’t wait to see Valdez again, couldn’t wait to thank her for all she put him through and for the way she made Autumn suffer. His fists clenched against the steering panel.
His destroyer landed amidst a demolished city. Buildings crumbled to the ground, dark smoke churned through the air in thick gusts, and glass crunched beneath the weight of his ship as it settled on the dusty ground.
He unbuckled his harness and stretched his weary limbs. It felt good to finally be free of his traveling constraints. As the door whooshed open, he walked outside, surveying the area. The planet had all the evidence of a sloppy conquering mission. He shook his head in disgust.
Half crumbled buildings heaped in piles of twisted metal, dead bodies laid haphazardly all over the demolished structures, abandoned spacecraft smoked, and screaming persisted in the distance. It was an utterly pathetic sight.
He shook his head. Tsk, tsk . Where did Valdez learn how to conquer a planet? Obviously, she hadn’t been paying attention during training . What a shame she couldn’t get this right.
Suddenly, a shriek erupted louder than all the others combined. He knew the sound of suffering all too well. The cries of panic and despair assaulted his senses. Someone’s life was in grave danger.
She must be close . He cracked his crimson-gloved knuckles.
Excellent .
Dante took flight, traveling above the demolished metropolis, surveying the terrain. He was sure to stay low and quiet so as not to be detected by his former mistress or any of her half-brained posse.
They followed her everywhere; it was such a sickening sight.
He arrived at a hill where he came to a dead stop, lowering himself to the mossy ground, arms and belly first. He slid on his stomach, peeking over the steep rise.
Debris and shattered buildings littered the ground. Thick smog wafted through the chemical-tinged air. Amidst the chaos, Valdez’s soldiers kicked around a group of green alien children. Their parents begged and screamed for their lives.
Valdez sat on the edge of a silver wall with her legs crossed swirling a golden goblet of wine in her sadistic palm. She took lingering sips of her beverage as if she was amused by the sight. Half of her mouth curled with cruel satisfaction.
The right side of her face was concealed by a sleek white mask, disguising the parting gift he left her with. He could still recollect the scent of her burning flesh from the ball of fire he tossed against her cheek, crisping her smooth skin.
Her formerly long jade braid was quartered at its length and pushed behind her ears in wisping strands, the ends frayed. She wore a suit of gilded armor, and her gloves were rainbow crystal encrusted. Her jagged wings twitched high on her back.
Dante perked up and his fingers dug into the dirt as one of her Zexian soldiers aimed his blaster between one of the parent’s eyes—or so he assumed based on the way he screamed. His knees buckled beneath his weight. As he went to press the trigger, he soared down with lethal precision and connected his heavy boot with the side of the soldier’s face. Bones cracked as his neck turned in an unnatural direction before snapping in half. His head hung limp as his body went airborne and slammed into the dirt in a twisted heap of wings and elongated limbs.
Valdez jumped up from her seat, spilling her wine into the sand. The red droplets faded and evaporated.
Her dirty blue eyes widened as they connected with his before thinning to slits. Her mouth fell slack.
He chuckled, crossing his arms. He shifted his weight from side to side. “What’s the matter, surprised to see me?”
She flashed a wicked grin that was only half visible beneath her mask.
After a few moments she said, “So at long last we meet again.”
A blaster cocked behind him. The heat from the lethal weapon radiated against his back. In an instant, a ball of crackling fire shot through his palm and singed the soldier to ash.
The remainder of the Zexians stopped in their tracks. As they turned around to flee, Valdez raised a hand, freezing them in place.
“Who are you running from? Him? I don’t have room for cowards on my crew.”
She raised them into the air, dangling like flies. Their large black eyes widened with terror, their pale-white limbs crunched and splayed before they exploded to dust. Their screams erupted as soon as they disappeared into the afterlife, remaining for a few moments after they were gone. The wind howled, sweeping away their remains. Ashes blew against his armor.
The alien inhabitants watched them, their bodies quivering. Dante removed his horned helmet, placing it in the sand. As he rose, he swept a hand through the chin-length strands of his hair, tousling them. He cocked his head to the side.
“I want to get a clear picture of you as you die. I want to see the light fading from your eyes,” he mused. “I’m going to repay every ounce of suffering you’ve ever caused. I’m going to make you beg for your miserable life, you shrew.” He assumed a fighting stance, knees bent, fingers locked in place.
She chuckled, placing a hand over her mouth. She crossed her arms, straightening her neck. “Is that all? You bore me, Dante. I'm sure you used the same little speech on Keyserike before he met his end. Well, it's not going to work on me,” her voice fell dead tone. “He was a weakling, and everyone knows it.”
She stopped for a second, then continued, “When did you become so high and moral? Like you’re not guilty of all the same crimes as we are. Like you’re exempt from the pain we’ve inflicted over the years. Your human filth sure did a number on you for the worst. No matter how hard you pretend, you’ll never be?—”
“Just shut up and fight me, unless you’re afraid I’ll win,” he smirked. “You claim you’re stronger, let’s settle this once and for all, unless you’re as cowardly as your soldiers. Never once have I seen you train. You sit back and relax while I’m out working my hands raw.”
She paused for a long moment before assuming a fighting stance.
Her lips curled. “Very well—have it your way, Great Conqueror.”
Autumn couldn’t believe she fell for his tricks—again. Dante had managed to leave without her all because she was sick. She could’ve come along, could’ve recovered on the ship, or even been part of the negotiations with Emperor Izzo.
Her fists trembled as they connected with a punching bag in the gravity chamber that she pretended was his face. She hit it repeatedly as sweat dripped down her back. She collapsed on the floor out of breath as a dizzy spell overtook her. She fanned her face with her hand. She still didn’t feel like herself, not for the last month or so.
It must be the stress of having her dad captured by the Grand Supreme and not being there to see him, and of Dante being so far away again. She hoped he was okay; she couldn’t handle losing another parent. Her eyes teared up. At least not yet. No, she had to be more positive.
She was stuck on Surge to worry and watch over the planet. The empress. She supposed she had to get to work, although she dreaded doing it alone. She wished Dante and her dad would come home safely, sooner rather than later.
Autumn sighed a long aching sigh as she dug into the skintight pocket of her pants and held the scroll Dante had given her. She fiddled the parchment in her hand, fingers sliding over the red bow. She imagined what it contained. She started opening it again. No , she scolded herself, resisting temptation. She promised she would wait and intended to keep her word for everyone’s safety.