Dahra hastened toward Mike with evident worry, his dark eyes filled with genuine concern as he beheld his father bent down and writhing in agony. "Are you alright, Father?" he said.
Mike struggled to his feet, clutching his flickering eyes shut as though to ward off the pain. "Do not trouble yourself with my well-being," he said, harsher than he meant. His voice was firm despite his visible distress. "Our mission takes precedence. Gather your army and join me."
He unfolded his wings and ascended into the air, driving himself out of the throne room through the open space above.
Dahra lifted his gaze toward the room's entrance, where Domra approached, his pike swinging rhythmically alongside his stride as he entered.
"We are prepared, my lord," Domra announced. "We await your command."
"Something is amiss with my father," Dahra murmured. "I can sense it."
Domra hesitated, his thoughts momentarily suspended. "I have information to share with you, my lord," he finally ventured.
"Proceed, Domra. What is it you wish to tell me?"
"During our expedition to the fog planet yesterday, we encountered a male witch guarding the Jyuran."
"What? A witch?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Didn't I eradicate them all forty years ago?"
"I was equally astonished when I encountered him. He's remarkably powerful, possessing at least two portions of gastra."
"A witch with two portions of gastra is no match even for you. You can—"
"Additionally, the Jyuran has a lover. We managed to capture him only because we threatened to harm her. I deemed it crucial to inform you, though I'm unsure of its significance."
"What? Of course, it's significant! Why are you only telling me now?"
"Is something amiss, my lord?"
"Indeed! This explains my father's reaction earlier. He's not fully in control of the human's body... and that spells doom for me."
"How, my lord?" Domra asked, visibly concerned. "Are you in danger?"
"Yes, all of us are. I fear the humans will suppress my father's possession. And if that happens... what do you think would become of me?"
Dahra's eyes bore into Domra's, expecting a response that might shed light on the ominous fate looming before them.
"He would perceive you as a threat, not his son, and he would destroy you," Domra replied after thinking for a moment and his eyes bulged out of their sockets as he reflected the gravity of the situation.
The possibility of Mike's possession being overturned threatened to upend the delicate balance of power, leaving Dahra's future – and perhaps his very existence – at risk of being annihilated.
"That cannot happen, Domra. We must capture the human and ensure my father asserts absolute control over his body. Only then can we be free from this peril."
Dahra dissolved into a shadowy mist, flowing like smoke toward the thrones. As he reached them, he reformed and settled into one.
"Employ every means necessary to capture the mortal vessel that contain my father," he commanded. "My father's hold on the human's body won't last long, I presume."
"But, Dahra... you know, we won't stand a chance against him."
"Do not cower, Domra. This is our sole opportunity to take him down. I sense the human soul struggling against my father's possession. Seize this moment."
Domra's resolve wavered, but Dahra's encouragement rekindled his determination.
"I trust you won't fail me, Domra," Dahra added. "You've always been my steadfast ally."
"As you wish, my lord. I won't disappoint you," Domra said and he bowed. He turned to the warriors who had been waiting for him outside the chamber and called out to them.
"Let's go, warriors!"
The army of warriors sprang into action. With a synchronized flutter, they unfolded their massive wings and took to the skies.
Domra turned back to Dahra, his eyes locking onto his lord for a fleeting moment. He then bowed again; a subtle gesture of a promise of unwavering loyalty.
He levitated, his form blurring as he fluttered out of the roofless room with incredible speed. He joined the sea of warriors, their wings beating in unison as they formed a formidable aerial armada.
The sky began to darken, as though the very presence of this forceful colony cast a shadow over the land. Their destination was clear: capture Mike, the being who held the greatest of power in his fragile human form.
The fate of their world teetered on the brink as the threads of loyalty, power, and survival entwined in a deadly dance.
*****
"Mike..." Christina's gentle voice whispered in his mind. "I know you're somewhere down there. Remember Djuma said you're the most powerful being in the universe? I'm sure you can overcome any obstacle and—"
"Who are you?" Mike's sharp retort cut her off, his wings beating fiercely to gain altitude. "How did you invade my m?! Only my wife can communicate with me like this!"
"You have no wife, Mike. You have only your parents, sister, and loyal friends waiting for you. Snap out of it and return to us! You can't let an insignificant soul of the dead control you!"
Jran's soul within Mike erupted in fury. "How dare you call me 'insignificant'! Do you know who I am?!" The pain slowly began to dissipate, replaced by rising anger.
Meanwhile, Domra's army spotted Mike. "There he is!" one of the warriors shouted, pointing toward Mike's direction.
The colony advanced swiftly. Mike's gaze fell upon the approaching army, his confusion unconfirmed.
"What is happening?" he muttered under his breath. "Is Dahra attempting to eliminate me now? Has he forgotten who I am due to these useless people he's ruling?"
As the army closed in, his thoughts grew increasingly turbulent. His anger surged further and his eyes blazed with a fierce, unnerving glow.
"I'll show him the consequences of crossing his father!" he snarled.
With a burst of ferocity, Mike charged at the approaching army of Anthropters, his razor-sharp claws extending from his fingertips. Terror hummed through the air with the urgency of a whooshing wind.
And in this whirlwind of destruction, Mike tore through the Anthropter's ranks, his extraordinarily long claws slicing through armor and flesh with equal ease.
The sound of ripping metal and screams filled the air as he targeted the vital points of whom he assumed to be his foes.
A swipe of his claw disemboweled a warrior, his entrails spilling down toward the ground. Another slash severed the wing of another warrior, sending him plummeting. Mike's onslaught was relentless, merciless.
And in the blink of an eye, fifteen Anthropters lay motionless on the ground below, their bodies broken and battered. The remaining warriors recoiled in terror, their eyes fixed on Mike's gleaming claws, now dripping with the dark, viscous fluid of his victims.
"That's… That's the power of a Jyuran?" one of the warriors stuttered, trembling in fear.
Domra flipped backward, his face ashen with fright. He had never seen a Jyuran fight before, let alone witnessed the magnitude of his furiousness, which was unstoppable and brutal. The once-confident commander now trembled before the monster that had been unleashed.
Mike advanced toward Domra, his claws poised for the killing blow. The air about him seemed to vibrate with malevolent energy as his glowing eyes blazed with fury.
"Dahra dared join you to challenge me?" Mike growled. "You will pay for your insolence."
Domra raised his hands, a futile attempt to defend himself against the impending onslaught. His eyes locked onto Mike's, pleading for mercy, but finding none.
However, Christina's voice pierced the chaos once more, her tone gentle yet firm. "Are you listening to me, Mike?" she asked.
The possessed Mike recoiled, clutching his throbbing head as though the sound of her voice was a physical agony.
"Human, get out of my head!" he bellowed.
The battle for control between Mike's soul and the invading entity intensified, with Christina's voice remaining the sole beacon guiding him back to reclaim his body.