Zinc 01 - Altors, page 23
part #1 of Zinc Series
My vision was still grey and I didn't even bother trying to turn it off, even if I would have had the time to try as it took quite a while before we reached the end of the main road. Cobalt City was big, but right now I was in no state to be in awe of its grandness. It is only when I saw Galaxi, waiting by the car, pacing worriedly over the sand, that I managed some sort of reaction.
"Galaxi." Her eyebrows pulled back into a sad frown as a small gasp escaped her lips right before she ran into my direction, catching me in a firm hug. Although happy to see her, I couldn't really move.
"You're welcome!" Isa shouted, making me look back and see him returning to the main road.
"I'm taking you home." She murmured and I could only nod in relief.
* * * *
It was night by the time we got back to the garage, the sky was sparkling with stars. Galaxi parked the car outside by the outer wall, probably not wanting to wake all the others. She'd told me to get some sleep, that we'd talk about all of this tomorrow with Flux present. I'd nodded, giving her a weak and quick smile, hoping that would assure her I would be alright at some point. I guess I would be.
Watching her walk off to her and Conium's quarters, I went to Galax's. Once inside, I closed the door gently, just wanting to make my way to the couch and see where my emotions would take me next. Hopefully, Galax wouldn't notice me.
"Solenum?" I guess I wasn't that lucky. Vision still grey, my eyes fixed on his shining blue heart. And then I broke down. Knees finally buckling like they had wanted to do ever since I got out of the water, I dropped to the ground, tears suddenly bursting out of my eyes as I grabbed onto my chest and sobbed. I could hear Galax jump out of the bed and not long after his arms were around me. Face pressed into his neck, hiccups and sobs tore their way out of me.
"Careful." He warned, taking a firm hold onto me before standing and carrying me with him over to the bed. Sitting on the edge of it, he framed my face. I sighed in relief when my world turned colorful again, showing me his sapphire eyes.
"I'm sorry. I got you all wet." I muttered, rubbing the tears off my cheeks before fiddling with the makeshift dress. He blinked down at himself and shrugged. His eyes narrowed on my hand.
"Quis abyssus venio?!" When he saw my slight cringe at his anger, he calmed down instantly. "Talk to me." And I did.
He took care of my hand as I told him about Brean and his three soldier friends, how they talked to Galaxi and how they then recognized me somehow, leading me to run away. I went into the bathroom, peeling off the wet clothes to replace them with a pair of pajamas as my voice shakily tried to form the words to tell him how I'd escaped. He stayed behind the closed door and when I started crying again, he hadn't knocked, simply walked in and pulled me back into his arms, carrying me over to the bed, hugging me tightly against him as he spoke random Pallium nothings into my ear. I'd never slept in the same bed as him. We'd never taken this step in our relationship. I knew I needed his presence though. When I told him I was ready to try and sleep, he kissed my bandaged hand and then let me nestle myself comfortably against his side.
* * * *
I woke up to a sound I was definitely not used to. Snoring. It wasn't very loud, just present enough to surprise and kick me out of my sleep. Frowning, I looked up, seeing Galax's lips parted, his eyes closed as the soft snoring came through his nose. He looked so peaceful. Too bad I was going to have to disturb that.
Lifting my head from his chest, I realized neither of us had moved from the position he'd placed us in before falling asleep. I reached up, pinching his nose in hopes that might shut up the noise coming from it, but all he did was snort and continue a split second later. Trying again, I held on a bit longer this time and ended up squeaking in surprise when his fingers grabbed a hold of my wrist. He tugged me on top of him and then glared while I grinned down at him.
"Solenum." He clipped out.
"Galax." I returned in amusement.
"What are you doing?" He asked sternly, rubbing his nose.
"Did you know you snore?"
"I do not." He said indignantly, making me laugh as he actually blushed. “Regius heirs, or royalty in general for that matter, do not snore.” He rolled us over on the bed so he was lying on top of me instead, wincing as my wounded knuckles pressed harshly into the mattress, making me feel a sting.
"Are you okay?" He asked. Hand forgotten, I smiled shyly up at him, averting my eyes in another direction as I didn't really know what to do with myself anymore. "Since when are you shy? I take my shirt off and I have to stop you from undoing my pants." Turning my head to tell him it wasn't nice of him to tease me, I hardly got a word out when he simply leaned down so he could press his lips to mine. I shivered when his fingers slid over my side, up over my neck and then his palm was softly cupping my cheek, guiding my chin up to deepen the kiss. I let a noise of delight escape me and after a moment he broke away, letting his mouth softly slide down my jaw and over my neck, placing numerous feather light pecks on the sensitive skin there.
"Ehm," Trying to find my words amidst all the pleasurable feelings wasn't easy, but I had to ask. "Are we going to-"
"Whenever you want me to stop, all you have to do is say so." He murmured against my skin, the tone of his voice giving me goosebumps.
"I don't want you to stop." I said breathlessly, my hands moving into his hair and my hips pushing off the bed to create friction. "I just needed to confirm that this is what we're about to do." A noise of surprise escaped me when his hands wrapped around my back, pulling me off the bed so I was sitting on his lap.
"I doubt we'll get anywhere if you keep talking as you are now." He sucked my pout away. "It's you and me, Solis. You have nothing to be nervous about." He read me so well. I smiled, tilting his face up so I could press an open mouth kiss against his neck. Bunching my shirt up, he slipped the other hand beneath the fabric and my bra, touching my breast gently. I pulled my mouth off his skin, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip as my eyes rolled into the back of my head when his lower body pushed against me, his hands becoming familiar with my body.
He left my skin burning wherever he touched me, my belly bursting with excitement, my heart racing, my breathing rough. My eyes were hooded, small noises of pleasure leaving me every time he moved. Loosing the initial shyness, I pushed him back so he fell on the bed and decided he'd led enough and now it was my turn. Galax groaned, his hand cupped my cheek and his blue eyes were fixed on mine. Brushing his hair away, I kissed the corner of his mouth, catching a loud moan when my hand that had been traveling down reached its destination.
Our breathing was harsh and my movements quickened as a light sheen of sweat covered both our bodies, his groans and my moans becoming more insistent as the feelings rushing through us became more intense. He caught the back of my head, pulling me down for a passionate kiss as his other hand surprised me by grabbing a firm hold of my bottom. My heart was racing, my breathing coming out in short pants as I just couldn't seem to get enough of him.
"Ego diligo vos."
I smiled. "I love you, too." He grinned, flipping us over so he was once more on top. He pressed his forehead against mine, kissing the tip of my nose.
The moment we were sharing was suddenly interrupted. A loud crash could be heard outside, leading me to stiffen beneath Galax. It wasn't coming from the garage, it was further away. I sat up, as did he when doors in the garage's courtyard starting to bang open and I could hear people running past our quarters, their footsteps and Pallium shouts resonating loudly. Galax jumped over me and onto the floor, making his way to the trunk at the foot of the bed. I scrambled out as well, wondering what was going on. Conium burst into the room, looking tense, grim and serious in ways I'd never seen.
"The castle is under attack." He explained. "Galax, you know the drill." He added curtly, leaving just as fast as he'd come. I winced. My muscles were still straining from my exercise the day before. Another one of those gut feelings warned me I was going to exert them again now. Galax walked over to me, grabbing my wounded left hand so he could push a glove over it. I grimaced in pain at the sudden tightness around the bandage.
"It'll be uncomfortable, but at least you won't damage the hand more thanks to the outer protection." He knocked onto the brass knuckles for emphasis and I could indeed feel nothing. Next thing he handed me was a blade and I smiled as I saw it was Icendia. He then revealed his weapon. She was the first blade Flux had ever made, and he’d named her Una, meaning 'one' in Pallium. There was no replica nor would there be. Not because she was meant to remain unique, but because so far Galax was the only one able to wield her with comfort and ease. Whomever had tested her before him, had put her away with a grimace on their face. Flux had been surprised when he’d seen Galax Reinhardt, heir to the Regius throne, now his adoptive son, be the one who Una had chosen for a wielder.
He strapped the blade onto his back while I put on the first pair of pants I could find, settling the belt Galax had gotten me all those weeks ago so I was able to stick Icendia into one of the loops.
"What's this?" Galax asked, making me look up at him. I raised an eyebrow at the bag he was holding up, stepping forward so I could grab a hold of it and hang it across my shoulders.
"Bombs." I told him as I pulled open the zipper, making sure the grenades were all carefully placed where they should be. I frowned at him as he pulled off his shirt and then tugged a chain-mail looking vest over his simple white tank top, before pulling his shirt back over it. When he saw my questioning gaze he shrugged.
"I'm the reason they do this." He said, making me scoff. Did the Regius want him back that badly? As if reading my mind, he nodded his head. "Dot on the forehead." He tapped it. "Of course they get a kick out of terrorizing the Palliums and reducing our numbers. They keep shooting tranquilizers in hopes I'll get knocked out cold and they can drag me back into their territory and force me onto the throne." I tugged everything into place, staring at him as he double checked all the items he carried as well, his eyes not watching me. He hated being the heir.
I walked up to him, placing my hands on his cheeks. When his eyes locked with mine, I smiled and then pulled his head down, standing onto the tips of my toes so I could place a soft kiss on the blue dot.
"It is important only if you make it out to be." I pulled my mouth away from his skin, leaning into him instead so I could press my cheek against his chest while he wrapped his arms around my waist. "A big deal can only be if people feed it attention. Don't give it any attention and the big deal will become minor, lacking importance." I added in a whisper. Lupinus had told me that. Galax sighed rather heavily, squeezing me in thanks before he pulled away, taking a hold of my right hand.
"Maybe one day." He murmured, walking over to the door Conium had left open. I hoped that one day he could see himself the way I saw him. He was the exception to each and every one of us. He was living proof that not all Blue Bloods could be as cruel as they were made out to be, that they are people, just like the Palliums, the Altors and the Civilians.
We made our way out into the courtyard, following the crowd of people going to the exit. They were all armed, grim looking and alert, ready to protect their base as best they could. Hand still tightly in Galax's, I let him guide me outside the garage, keeping up with his fast running pace as best I could. When we arrived onto the small stone road that split in three, Galax stopped us in our tracks, looking up into the sky.
"Can you see that?" He muttered, his eyes fixed somewhere in particular. I looked at him, and then tried looking in the same direction he did, squinting my eyes. "You're not seeing grey?" He asked in surprise. Usually my Altor vision popped on the moment things felt off.
"I feel safe with you." I mumbled back absently, frowning because even if I did feel safe, there was nothing to see. That is, until I noticed an object against the sky.
"Pirates." Galax answered.
"Rangers." I corrected. Conium had taught me well. "What are they doing here?" I shrieked as the unfamiliar sky ship flew gracefully through the air, circling the castle.
"Bombing the place. The Regius must have given up gold because it's been a long time since the Rangers attacked." He explained, tightening his grip on my hand as we both grimaced when the first bomb was released from the sky ship, the loud whistle resonating through the air as the container that held the explosion fell down full speed. When it connected with the left wing of the castle, an entire wall started to crumble down. Screams were coming out through the damage that was done. I frowned in sadness and stepped into Galax's side, hiding my face into the crook of his neck while he held onto the back of my head, shushing me gently, trying to comfort me. The attack hadn't really started yet though. I knew more was to come.
"Conium and his men will take care of the Rangers. I have to get to Flux. We have a tech residing in Cobalt City’s Altor base. She’ll report to Cypress, and he’ll make sure to send some soldiers this way. But they’ll need to get here first, and until then,” He grasped my shoulders, pushing me away from him so he could look at me. "I need you to go to the drawbridge and stick with Galaxi. You'll be safest there. They are low level soldiers, you can handle them, just keep that in mind." When I nodded, letting him know I'd do as he said, he smiled, kissing my forehead before turning me around and pointing at the castle.
"Keep off the path, they'll be on it. See grey at all times and make sure they can't get close to you. If they try, stop them." There was a fleeting moment where the idea of never seeing Galax again flashed across my mind. "This is serious, Solenum. You kill unless you want them to kill you."
I gulped as his words sank in. "Be careful." I told him, turning to give him one last quick hug before setting off in direction of the drawbridge.
* * * *
Feeling a sigh of relief pull out of me when I finally saw the side of the castle, I located the river, following it with my eyes to make the drawbridge my next target. I could see many red dots glow alive, coloring my otherwise grey vision, and while the amount of Regius soldiers by the castle should worry me, it was the two standing down the road that caught my attention, halting me in my sprint. I was glad to see Galaxi step beside me, feeling more secure about being able to handle them with her guidance.
"You know," Galaxi shouted down at them. "It isn't very polite to enter without knocking." One of the soldiers snorted, while the other sneered some nasty curse her way, gripping the hilt of his sword and crouching into position. I mimicked him, bending through my knees, keeping myself ready.
"Where is the prince?!" One called out. A growl rumbled it's way out from low in my chest at the mention of Galax.
"Don't let them get to you." Galaxi said, unhooking the Rectors from her belt, flipping over the two small blades in her hands in a smooth and playful manner. I peeked down as I felt her hand nudge my forearm. She showed me her index and middle finger discretely and I kept my face composed as I lowered Icendia, returning my attention to the soldiers. Relaxing my posture, I nonchalantly walked over to them, earning me a couple of baffled expressions as the soldiers obviously didn't expect that. The red that outlined them was making my mind reel with warnings, shouting out that there was danger. I ignored it as best I could, giving them a smile.
"Guys," I called out, placing the weapon back into the loop on my belt. "Can't we talk this over without bloodshed?"
"Where is the prince?" The same man repeated. I shrugged rather simply, taking careful steps towards them, palms raised. Their postures tensed and they obviously didn't trust me, which was smart. But they didn't attack, probably too curious to find out what I was up too.
I heard a flicking noise behind me, followed by a shout from Galaxi. "Now!" On cue, I turned around to face her, catching the smoke bomb she'd thrown my way. I sprinted straight for the two men, picking up speed with every step I took. Since I'd closed some distance by walking towards them in fake form of truce, I didn't have far to go and it didn't leave them much time to react to what was about to happen. I jumped up, dropped the smoke bomb between them as I pushed onto the shorter soldier's shoulder, flinging myself out of the way and forward. Rolling over, I stood up instantly the moment my feet were connected to the ground again so I could continue a couple of steps onwards to stay away from the smoke and not get caught in our trap. I observed the scene carefully, hearing the soldiers cough first, but soon that sound was cut off with the familiar noise of slicing blades. Less than a minute later, Galaxi appeared, bandana draped firmly over her mouth and nose, her Rectors bleeding. I couldn’t help but wince.
"Death's messy, Solenum." She gave me an apologetic smile as she wiped the blades off on her shorts. "Better get used to it." She pointed to her hair. "Can you tie them back for me?" I grabbed the two long blond braids so I could pull them back, using the ribbon she offered over her shoulder to tie them together by the nape of her neck.
Galaxi planned all her moves in advance. She had to as she didn't have the advantage of extra strength like I did or Galax. The Altors said the Palliums cheated as they used tools such as bombs to make their way out of a battle alive. At first I'd trained only with Galaxi, but once I started to let the Altor in me rule my body, she had needed to pair up with Conium to be able to take me on. They'd explained that when a raid or attack occurred, Palliums needed to group together in teams of four. A close range fighter, a far range fighter, a bomber and a blocker. And even with that, a Regius soldier still had the advantage.
I pursed my lips, shaking off the bad feelings rushing through me as I went after Galaxi, running straight into the battle field.
* * * *
Arriving at the edge of the drawbridge, Galaxi and I had to make our way to the entrance of the castle with the other Palliums that were protecting the way in. How Galax had thought this was the safest place for me to be, I had no idea. The place was swarming with Blue Bloods. I could tell by their clothing that they were just out of their training.
