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, her voice laced with sarcasm. 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, his voice low and urgent. The Anthropters' gaze shifted to Christina and the others, their faces set with a 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 those torches?"
Christina's wry smile hinted at her strategy. "Blind them all, wanna join us?"
"Join you? Are you insane? I told you earlier I'm not interested in your suicidal mission," Raymond retorted and accelerating 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!" Stefan yelled, illuminating his 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 the creature.
But this Anthropter didn't flinch, instead he began to close in on her, each strides rapidly devouring 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.
"Dammit!" she whispered, realizing the futility of her tactic.
Scanning her surroundings, Christina saw Stefan and Rachael engaged in fierce battles with other Anthropters. Memories of Djuma's echolocation lessons to Mike flashed through her mind. 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.
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!" they shouted in unison, their voices laced with desperation.
*****
"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 voice trembling with alarm.
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, his eyes blazing with exasperation, fury simmering beneath the surface.
Domra's voice dripped with malice, his expression serious. "You're coming with us, or the human dies." He paused, relishing the moment. "Her life is in your hands, Jyuran."
Christina's face contorted in anguish, her voice hoarse from screaming. "Let me go, you monstrous fiend!" She kicked and flailed, but Domra's grip remained unyielding.
Mike's confusion deepened. "How did he...?"
"He sensed the bond between you and Christina earlier. He's tapped into Dahra's power, granting him enhanced abilities," Djuma intervened, his voice low and measured.
Mike's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. "What does that mean?"
Djuma's whisper reassured, his eyes locked onto Domra. "Don't worry, my Jyuran. With Domra's newfound strength he's still no match for me. We'll get Christina back."
"I should have listened to you," Mike whispered, regret etched on his face, his voice laced with self-reproach. "I was a fool to reveal our location to them. See what's happening now."
Djuma's expression turned resolute, his eyes burning with urgency. "Regrets are futile now. We need to find a solution out of this situation!" he replied, still holding onto the magical shield.
Domra's tone shifted to disappointment, his words laced with reprimand. "You're not supposed to have a lover, my Jyuran. After what happened to the previous Jyuran, shouldn't you have guarded your heart against fleeting emotions?"
Mike's voice resonated with independence. "I'm not Jran. This is my life and I decides what I want to do with it!"
Domra's expression turned stern. "You're not living solely for yourself,my Jyuran. 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."
Domra's eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a persuasive tone. "Make up your mind, my Jyuran. Will you save the human by returning to Perebia with us, or choose the opposite?" His gaze locked onto Mike, awaiting his response.
Christina's sudden exclamation pierced the air. "Dad?!"
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.
Dr. Idris's 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, his face etched with concern. "How did you get entangled in this?" he muttered, shaking his head.
The sudden revelation stunned the surrounding agents, their silence speaking volumes. They wondered how Dr. Idris's daughter had become involved with the aliens, complicating her father's mission.
Domra's chuckles shattered the silence. "This is getting interesting! Is this what you call 'coincidence'?" His gaze darted between Christina and Dr. Idris, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Please, don't hurt her! She's my only daughter!" Dr. Idris pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice. His eyes wavered, betraying his fear.
Domra's expression turned serious, his voice measured. "Your daughter's life depends on the Jyuran's decision. The choice he makes will determine the outcome." His gaze locked onto Mike, the weight of the situation hanging in the air.
Mrs. Mary's eyes widened in astonishment. "She's really his daughter?" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.
John muttered under his breath, "This is crazy. His daughter has become his hindrance."
Mike's reflective gaze lingered on Christina, who's struggling against Domra's grasp. Finally, he made his decision.
"I'll go with you," he announced, his voice resolute.
Djuma's eyes widened as he heard Mike, his shoulders drooped and the magical shield dissipated. "My Jyuran, reconsider! Your decision may have catastrophic consequences. Thousands of lives hang in the balance," he said, his voice filled with conviction.
Mike's expression turned resolute, his jaw clenched. "What kind of protector would I be if I can't save someone close to me? How could I save thousands if I fail to protect one person I love?"
His expression turned grim. "I'm not a believer of meaningless sacrifices, trust my decision, please," he said, his eyes locked on Djuma.
Djuma's eyes narrowed, searching for reassurance. "Do you have a plan, my Jyuran?"
A hint of a smile played on Mike's lips. "Trust me, I won't let them take me to Dahra," he whispered, confidence lacing his words.
Seeing Mike and Djuma have let down their guards, Dr. Idris, seizing the momentary distraction, snatched a gun from an NPS agent. His eyes locked onto Mike, his finger tightening around the trigger.
The gunshot echoed through the air, shattering the tense silence. Heads swiveled, searching for the target.
Mike's grimace revealed his pain. His gaze dropped to his stomach, where a bullet hole gaped, blood seeping from the wound.
Christina's scream pierced the air. "Mike! Dad, what have you done?!"
Domra's gaze snapped to Dr. Idris, his expression cold. "You foolish human," he growled.
Djuma's eyes widened in horror. "My Jyuran, no!" he exclaimed.
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 gaze etched in his mind before darkness engulfed him.
"No! Mike!" Christina's anguished cry echoed through the air.
"My Jyuran!" Domra's voice boomed as Mike's unconscious body plummeted toward the ground. Dropping Christina, Domra dove to catch him, pushing Djuma out of the way.
Dr. Idris's frantic shout pierced the chaos. "Christina!!!" His eyes widened in horror as his daughter's body hurtled toward the ground.
Djuma regained his stance and glared at Dr. Idris. "This is your fault!" he thundered, his accusatory finger pointed at Dr. Idris before swooping down to rescue Christina.
Domra cradled Mike's limp form, his face etched with concern. "Let's go meet your father, my Jyuran. He'll be so happy to see you after five hundred years."