Djuma's magical shield continued to deflect bullets, protecting Mike from the hail of gunfire.
"I know what you're going to say, but—" Christina paused, double-tapped her Lav, and continued, "Let's do this together, okay?"
Mike sighed hesitantly as he watched Christina, Stefan, and Rachael on the ground below. "Don't get hurt, that's an order," he said.
"Yes, my king," Christina replied, a bit of sarcasm in her voice. Maybe more than a bit. She disconnected the Lav and turned to Stefan and Rachael. "An order from Mike: don't get hurt!"
Stefan and Rachael smiled and nodded. Their determination to stand by their friend was clear.
Domra, now recovered, observed the tense exchange. He addressed his colony for a brief moment. The Anthropters' gaze shifted to Christina and the others, their faces set with fierce intent.
With frantic nods, the Anthropters dove toward Mike's friends, their wings beating powerfully.
Mike, still shielded by Djuma's magic, turned to the NPS force, attempting to reason with them. However, the relentless gunfire drowned out his words.
*****
Stefan's eyes widened in terror as the Anthropters descended. "They're coming for us! Get ready!" he shouted.
Rachael rummaged through her backpack, producing torches. "Here you go, guys!" she said and distributed them.
Raymond, still in the car, watched in dismay. "What are you planning to do with… torches?" he asked, squinting.
"Blind them all, wanna join us?" Christina chuckled.
"Join you? Are you insane?" Raymond frowned. "I told you earlier I'm not interested in your suicidal mission." He ignited his car and accelerated away, disappearing into the night.
"Coward! Huge for nothing!" Christina spat, standing firm, torch at the ready.
"Behind you, Christina!" Stefan shouted.
Christina pivoted swiftly, casting her torchlight at the Anthropter swooping down. The creature recoiled, emitting a blood-curdling screech, before dissolving into the nearby restaurant.
Pandemonium erupted inside; patrons screamed, scrambling to escape the chaos.
"Let's take them down!" Rachael yelled, illuminating her torch.
The streets descended into mayhem: Anthropters crashing, tumbling, and collapsing under the unexpected onslaught of torch-wielding teenagers.
One cunning Anthropter, recognizing the humans' tactic, landed before Christina, his wings folded. Undaunted, Christina directed her torchlight at him.
But this one didn't flinch. Instead, he began to close in on her, each stride rapidly closing the distance.
Christina's heart racing, she frantically checked the torch and shone it again at the advancing Anthropter, highlighting his scarred face. But to her horror, the creature's eyes remained shut.
"Shit!" she whispered, realizing the futility of her tactic.
Scanning her surroundings, she saw Stefan and Rachael engaged in fierce battles with other Anthropters: after blinding them they hit them with makeshift weapons they could find.
They're too busy with their share of enemies.
But wait… something's not right. The Anthropters were not attacking them. That made sense, considering all the warnings Djuma gave about their aggressiveness.
Stefan and Rachael would definitely stand no chance against them if they attacked.
And then it dawned. They're not attacking, but rather, they're distracting. The main target was Christina. She realized too late.
Memories of Djuma's echolocation lessons to Mike flashed through her mind. Maybe she could outsmart the approaching alien in front of her. She froze, holding her breath, hoping to remain undetected.
But the Anthropter's twitching ears betrayed his heightened senses. He sequenced his hearing, pinpointing Christina's location.
"I can hear your heartbeat, human."
A wicked grin spread across his face as he halted, levitated, and pounced.
Christina's scream pierced the night air as the Anthropter descended upon her. Stefan and Rachael spun around, their torches slipping from their grasp.
"NO! CHRISTINA!"
*****
"It's time, my Jyuran. We must leave!" Djuma whispered and Mike nodded.
Just as they prepared to depart, a faint moaning sound echoed through the air, reaching Mike's ears. He swiveled, eyes widening in horror.
"Christina!" he exclaimed.
His gaze locked onto Domra, who held Christina captive, suspended midair. Her struggles were futile against Domra's crushing grip.
"What do you think you are doing?" Mike demanded in fury.
"You're coming with us, or the human dies," Djuma said. "Her life is in your hands, Jyuran."
"Let me go, you monstrous fiend!" Christina shouted through a hoarse voice. She kicked and flailed, but Domra's grip remained unyielding.
"How did he...?"
"He sensed the bond between you and her earlier," Djuma replied to Mike. "He's tapped into Dahra's power, granting him enhanced abilities."
"What does that mean?" Mike whispered.
"Don't worry, my Jyuran," Djuma whispered back. "Even with his newfound strength, he's still no match for me. We'll get Christina back."
"I should have listened to you earlier," Mike said regretfully. "I was a fool to reveal our location to them. See what's happening now."
"Regrets are futile now. We need to find a solution to this situation!" Djuma replied, still holding onto the magical shield.
"You're not supposed to have a lover, my Jyuran," Domra reprimanded. Something else was on his face. Disappointment? "After what happened to the previous Jyuran, shouldn't you have guarded your heart against fleeting emotions?"
"I'm not Jran," Mike shouted. "This is my life and I decide what I want to do with it!"
"You're not living solely for yourself, my Jyuran," Domra shouted back. "You're Perebia's protector. And she"—his gaze flicked to Christina before returning to Mike—"would be your liability. Emotion is a weakness, and weakness is a crime."
"Make up your mind, my Jyuran. Will you save the human by returning to Perebia with us, or choose the opposite?"
"Dad?!" Christina suddenly shouted.
Mike glanced back, following her gaze to the NPS agents on the rooftop below. He scanned the rooftop, searching for who Christina was referring to.
Dr. Idris adjusted his eyeglasses, leaning forward to see clearly. His gaze landed on Christina, held captive by one of the aliens.
His eyes widened in horror as he rushed toward the NPS agents, who were relentlessly firing at Djuma's magical shield.
"Stop! Stop! Stop! She's my daughter!" He frantically waved his hands, halting the gunfire.
He turned toward Christina, shaking his head. "How did you get entangled in this?"
The sudden revelation stunned the surrounding people. They wondered how Dr. Idris's daughter had become involved with the aliens, complicating her father's mission.
"This is getting interesting!" Domra chuckled as his gaze traveled between Christina and Dr. Idris. "Is this what you humans call coincidence?"
"Please, don't hurt her! Don't hurt my only daughter!" Dr. Idris pleaded.
"Your daughter's life depends on the Jyuran's decision," Domra said; whatever smile was left on his face was gone, now replaced by a merciless expression. "The choice he makes will determine the outcome."
"She really is his daughter?" Mrs. Mary exclaimed.
"This is crazy. His daughter has become his hindrance," John muttered under his breath.
Mike's reflective stare lingered on Christina, who was struggling against Domra's grasp. Finally, he made his decision.
"I'll go with you," he announced.
Djuma's eyes widened as he heard Mike, his shoulders drooped and the magical shield dissipated.
"My Jyuran, reconsider!" he persuaded. "Your decision may have catastrophic consequences. Thousands of lives depend on you."
"What kind of protector would I be if I can't save someone close to me?" Mike said. "How could I save thousands if I fail to protect one person I love?"
"Sacrifices must be made for the greater good," Djuma said.
"I'm not a believer in meaningless sacrifices; trust my decision, please."
Djuma hesitated for a moment, then he shrugged. "Do you have a plan, my Jyuran?"
"Trust me, I won't let them take me to Dahra."
Seeing Mike and Djuma have let down their guards, Dr. Idris, seizing the momentary distraction, snatched a gun from an NPS agent. Gun trained, his finger tightening around the trigger.
The gunshot echoed through the air. Heads swiveled, searching for the target.
Mike grimaced in pain. His gaze dropped to his stomach, where a bullet hole gaped, blood seeping from the wound.
"Mike! Dad, what have you done?!" Christina screamed.
Domra's gaze snapped to Dr. Idris, his face cold.
"You foolish human," he growled.
"My Jyuran! Are you okay?" Djuma said, worried.
Mike's vision blurred, shock coursing through his veins. The sounds around him warped and distorted, his wings beating feebly as his strength waned.
He locked eyes with Djuma, then Christina, her desperate stare etched in his mind before darkness engulfed him.
"No! Mike!" Christina cried in anguish.
"My Jyuran!"
Domra's voice boomed as Mike's unconscious body plummeted toward the ground. Dropping Christina, he dove to catch him, pushing Djuma out of the way.
Dr. Idris, seeing his daughter's body hurtled toward the ground shouted on top of his voice.
Djuma regained his stance and glared at Dr. Idris. "This is your fault!" he thundered, pointing an accusatory finger at him before swooping down to rescue Christina.
Domra cradled Mike's limp form and a sigh of relief escaped his lips.
"Let's go meet your father, my Jyuran," he said. "He'll be so happy to see you after five hundred years."