FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

** CHAPTER 42** Escaping the sands Part III

The world around Zonda started to fade. His injuries had taken the best of the brave furred alien. He watched confused and hopeless as this large blue skinned human approached him and Ginetta. For some reason he didn't feel any hostility coming from the human and the ones who accompanied him.

"It's ok, Zonda. I think we are safe now." Ginetta said. Zonda barely understood him as he was starting to loose consciousness.

"Take them to a safe place within this complex. Let no one approach these two heroes." The large blue man said.

Zonda felt how he was being carried. He now knew that these humans meant no harm for them.

"My brother... the human Morrison..." Zonda uttered.

"He is right." Ginetta reaffirmed. "Two others that helped with this rebellion are now in the arena. Turann and his guards must know what happened. In great danger those two are!"

The group of humans leaded by the one named Ullas quickly separated. A large group of them were headed to the arena while the rest spread across the whole complex.

Zonda's fears were not unfounded. At the arena, Alpha and Morrison now faced a real threat.

"Kill them!" the voice of Turann was heard throughout the complex. He was nowhere to be seen in his private box. "Seal the complex! No one goes out!" He added furiously, but with a hint of fear in his words.

Through various gates, large groups of guards made their way into the arena, wielding their weapons against Morrison and Alpha. Both had no choice but to run for cover. The body of the giant served them well.

"Damn!" Morrison exclaimed as bursts of rounds fell into the dead body of the giant. They could feel the vibration as the bullets were absorbed by the massive body.

"We have to move, Morrison!" Alpha yelled. "Or they will get to us eventually!"

"I've ran out of ideas!" The woman replied.

"Cover me. I will try and flank them." The Retcan said. He started to move without waiting for an answer.

"Cover you? Are you out of your mind?" Morrison replied as she saw the furred alien getting ready to attempt his death run.

"Just distract them with something. I trust you!"

Alpha saw an opportunity as the fire ceased for a second. He swiftly ran out of his cover directly to a stash of weapons nearby. The fierce shooting started again as the guards tried to bring down the grey alien. But he was a small and very agile target, making it impossible for the guards to make a hit. The heavy cloud of dust that now covered the arena made it even harder.

"Over here, assholes!" Morrison yelled strange words that apparently offended the guards. She threw a couple of knives that managed to hit the target, bringing down a couple of guards. This broke the group's morale somehow, but there were still a lot more.

"Careful! They are dangerous even without firearms. Do not underestimate them. I repeat; do not underestimate them!"

Not even a second after the warning was given, a small figured appeared from within the dust cloud that surrounded the whole arena. Alpha had grabbed a couple of short blades and attacked swiftly and without mercy. The first one to fall screamed from pain as both of his hands were almost cut completely, making him useless in battle.

The swift grey shadow managed to make it through the center of the group, making it impossible for them to shoot, fearing that they could fall victims of friendly fire.

Another two fell in agony as vital tendons and ligaments were shredded by the agile Retcan warrior. But this was a dangerous tactic. The guards weren't rookies and soon dispersed themselves, leaving Alpha completely opened.

Thankfully, Morrison was inspired by the furred alien's bold move and she ran fearlessly to where the commotion was.

"I got you little runt!" One of the guards said as he saw Alpha a few steps from him. Alpha noticed the danger and quickly ran directly to this guard, cutting as much distance as possible. Shots were heard across the arena, creating an even thicker dust cloud as every shot missed its target. Shooting an approaching target as fast and small as the Retcan was almost impossible. Before the guard could release the empty magazine and reload his semi-automatic ballistic rifle, Alpha was already within arm's reach. The guard tried to hit the Retcan with the rifle, but failed to do so. Alpha jumped in front of him, climbing the guard's body until landing in his back. Alpha then impaled both blades in the guard's arms, which immediately made him drop his weapon.

But Alpha didn't let go of the guard. He held him in a choke that made the human drop to his knees to Alpha's level. The Retcan swiftly grabbed the guard's sidearm and aimed at the rest. The group hesitated to open fire.

As this happened, Morrison managed to disarm one of the guards and also held him as a shield.

"No more deaths, Morrison!" Alpha yelled.

"It's them or us, Alpha!" Morrison replied a few meters away from him. They were in a terrible position. Behind them there was nothing but a solid wall that was part of the arena. In front of them a large group of almost twenty furious guards pointing them with their rifles.

"Whatever you do, don't shoot, Morrison." Alpha begged.

Morrison hesitated, but not because regret of killing them, but because if she pulled the trigger that might cause the large group of guards to shoot as well. They had no way of knowing if holding those two guards as shields would make the rest hold their fire. Either way, they wouldn't be able to keep that position for too much.

"Open fire!" One of the lead guards ordered.

"No wait!" both guards held as shields begged mercy.

"Fire, Alpha!" Morrison yelled.

It was a give or take situation. Either they died, or they stayed alive by shooting. An almost endless burst of rounds deafened everyone in the arena. Alpha closed his eyes and shot a couple of rounds after aiming at the guard's legs. He fell to the ground when he felt the shock wave of multiple shots flying across him. He just covered behind the guard that fell on top of him, probably hit by the burst of rounds.

After what seemed an eternity, the fire finally ceased. Alpha coughed up some sand that got in his airways and he panted heavily, not knowing if he was shot or not.

"Are you ok, Alpha?" Morrison whispered. She sounded hurt because of the tone of her voice.

"I don't know." Alpha responded with a broken voice.

As he opened his eyes, he saw a few meters in front of them all the guards laying on the ground apparently shot to death. Far behind the group of guards, another group of humans held their weapons still smoking hot.

Some of these men approached Alpha and Morrison with their rifles pointed at them.

"Are you Mayra Morrison and Alpha?" One of them asked firmly. "Respond!" He demanded.

"Yes." Alpha replied unconscious of the possible danger that giving their position could be.

"Are you two ok?" The man asked, lowering his rifle to much surprise of Morrison who thought the worst at that point.

"I don't know..." Alpha once again stated.

"Lower the weapons. We are here to help you." The man said. His voice was now much calmer. "I almost thought we didn't make it on time."

A couple of men took the dead bodies of the guard that were on top of Alpha and Morrison and helped them sit up.

"We got them. They are alive." One of them said through a com device.

"Who are you?" Morrison asked, not trustful of these men. Their weapons were the same as the guards, but after examining their attire, she suddenly knew who they were. "You are the reserve gladiators, aren't you?" She then asked. Her voice was weak as she had been hit by a bullet. Thankfully it was only her leg.

"The bullet didn't hit any main artery or vein. You are lucky." One of them said as he examined Morrison's leg.

"You didn't answer me." Morrison insisted.

"Yes. We are the gladiator reserve. Most of us are under the order of Emperor Ullas, as we were originally his imperial guardsmen." The man replied.

"Turann was a fool to keep us alive." Another replied.

"I don't know what happened but all of the sudden we heard someone telling us to take off our collars. Later, the cells were opened remotely, freeing us at last. We managed to get hold of the weapon supply of Turann's guards, and well... here we are. We still can't believe it."

"Did you see someone like me?!" Alpha said very worried as he stood up. Luckily he wasn't hurt but only stunned by what just happened.

"Yes. He's really hurt, but I think he will be ok. I will tell someone to take you to him."

After all what they went through, finally, Morrison and Alpha were saved as well. But the ordeal was far from being over in Harena Sanguis.

"I need medicine from the laboratory." Ginetta said as he aided Zonda. Minutes ago they were taken to Turann's private box. That was considered the safest place so far.

"Three of my men will escort you, Dr. Ginetta." Ullas said.

"My lord," one of the humans directed towards the blue man. "Turann is nowhere to be seen. We've controlled most of his men, but we couldn't find him."

"Worry not. I know where he is." Ullas replied with a smirk in his face. "I'll get him personally."

Emperor Ullas disappeared deep into the complex; as deep as most didn't go. There wasn't any light in this area, making it seem as if this was an excavation area that was still in the works. But appearances were deceiving.

Ullas walked through the darkness as if he already knew that place. And he knew were he was heading to.

Soon, there was light at the end of a series of maze-like corridors. At this end, the fat man covered in jewels tried desperately to open a secret compartment of some sort. Next to him, the man in the tunic tried to help him.

"You fool!" Turann yelled. "I told you to have the escape tunnel checked every month!"

"My Emperor, I did as you wish. The latch should be opening!"

Turann took out a gun and pointed it at the man in the tunic.

"My Lord, have mercy!" The man begged for his life. "I've served you since you became Emperor. I'm the most faithful of you men!"

A loud bang, followed by a flash that illuminated the place ended with the man's life.

"I don't tolerate failure!" The coward Turann yelled almost to the point of crying of pure fear.

"He did check the escape latch." A deep voice echoed in the darkness. Turann feared greatly what was coming to him when he recognized that voice that pierced into what was left of his putrid soul. He started firing his gun at the darkness until jamming this heavily decorated weapon that was now unfitted for combat.

Before he could make the weapon work, the large figure appeared from within the darkness.

"It's too bad for you that this rat sent some of my men to check it every month. They had orders to seal it off in case of this happening." Ullas said as he walked at Turann.

"Not you!" Turann yelled as he threw his weapon at Ullas who didn't even bother to dodge it.

"You knew this day would come." Ullas continued.

Turann fell to the ground, slithering like the worthless worm he was. No; even a worm's life was more valuable.

"Mercy! I'll give you all of I have. But please don't harm me!" Turann begged.

These words made Ulla's blood boil in immense rage.

"How many begged for mercy at the slaughter events?" Ullas said, grinding his teeth in fury. "How many innocent people and other creatures were brutally tortured and killed for your amusement?" He yelled.

"I... I just" Turann babbled. "I don't deserve to die."

"How dare you say that?" Ullas couldn't hold his rage and started beating Turann over and over. Ullas was huge; a man of pure muscle. Turann's bones started shattering by the beating. Blood splurged around the walls and floor as the screams of agony that came from Turann went faint. The body of the tyrant was now limp, but he was still alive.

"You won't die today as that would be a privilege that you don't deserve. Under my law, you will have a fair judgment trial. But I promise that before you receive your sentence, you will feel what every single innocent soul went through during your reign of horror."

Ullas rage wasn't over yet, but his calm and righteous mind made him do what was right. He then dragged Turann from his broken leg throughout the complex until he ordered a coupe of his men to put him in one of the cells.

After a few hours, the place was fully under control of Ullas, his men and a large group of gladiators who offered loyalty to him, knowing that he once reigned in Harena Sanguis; that he was the true Emperor.

"Know that the gladiators who contributed in these death spectacles will be judged!" Ullas was now in Turann's private box, directing himself towards the crowd of gladiators who stood in the arena, as well as the spectators.

"I know who of you enjoyed on torturing the innocent in the slaughter events and you will have your punishment. But for now, you will obey my orders and bring this place back to its feet. If done, I give you my promise that I will have the mercy that you didn't have for your victims. Banishment will be your only punishment."

"As for the citizens that paid their salaries to feast on these shows," Ullas continued "You will have to earn the right of belonging to my people once again. Turann's army will eventually know what has happened and they will come and try to regain control. You will fight with your lives to destroy Turann's army, and only if you survive, you will be forgiven."

"We have two hours before the sun rises." Morrison continued after Ullas. She knew everything about Turann's operating routines thanks to her informant. "It is then when the majority of Turann's army will resume with the surveillance duties across the city. That's when we will attack. As for now, you will have to fool the night guards across the city, returning to your homes as if the tournament already came to an end. These men are just a few and we will be able to handle them ourselves in the silence."

"The streets of Harena Sanguis are tight and complex." Ullas continued. "We will take advantage of that and ambush Turann's men. Stealth will be our strategy. You will be provided with the weapons that we can procure you. If you can't get a hold of a weapon, you will fight with what you have at hand."

"All of you will work for your freedom and for a chance to be part of my reign." Ullas ordered. "Anyone trying to desert from the fight will be automatically seen as a traitor and banished from Harena Sanguis. The desert will be your punishment."

It wasn't over yet. For it to be over, Turann's army needed to be finished. They were heavily outnumbered, but hopefully, their plan would work. Besides, without their commanding officer and also Turann, the army would be disorganized and wouldn't really have a reason to fight. But they would certainly be a danger that would need to be taken care of.

"You made it, brother." Alpha said as he rested besides Zonda in a couch. His condition wasn't worst, but he was not in good shape.

"You'll have to thank Ginetta. He did the most." Zonda whispered. He had obvious breathing problems.

"Don't talk, brother. Just close your eyes and rest." Alpha said. He rested his head next to Zonda and nuzzled him.

"He sustained various injuries." Ginetta explained. "All the stress, plus, his heart condition almost made his body quit on him."

"Heart condition, what do you mean?" Alpha asked very worried.

"I'm sorry brother." Zonda said. "Remember when I was a youngling and I got sick from that virus?"

"I do remember, yes. But you recovered from it."

"I did, yes. But that left me with a weakened heart muscle. I wanted so bad to become a warrior, and if the council found out about my condition they would deny me the opportunity. I didn't want for you to do this alone."

"Zonda, how could you hide this from me?"

"I didn't want to worry you. Plus, I've been checking myself for the past century or so. According to Red, I healed completely. I never had any problems until now."

"You could've told me!" Alpha yelled almost crying. "I wouldn't have become a warrior if I knew."

"And ruin your dream? I wouldn't be able to live with that."

"I don't care about my dream! I only care about you, Zonda." Alpha replied. He got close to Zonda and held him in a warm hug. "I love you more than life, Zonda. I don't care about any dream of mine. If I loose you I loose everything."

"Forgive me, Alpha." Zonda uttered. Both Retcans held each other for a long time. They were beaten and scared, but alive and together. That was what matter the most.

"I've gave him all the treatment that I could. It all depends on him." Ginetta said. "Your kind is stronger than what appearances might suggest. I know he will make it. With rest your brother will recover, Alpha."

"Thank you Ginetta." Alpha said as he caressed the orange alien's face. "I owe you my brother's life. Retcans will forever be in debt with you."

"I think we all owe it to Ginetta." Morrison said as she approached them. She placed her hands on Ginetta's shoulders in a sign of affection. "You were very brave my furry friend."

"I am weak, I admit. But Zonda gave me the strength to carry on with this. We also have to thank your informant who told me about your plans. Since I saw Zonda and Alpha for the first time, I felt glad to be face to face with a furred creature like me. That somehow gave me the determination to continue with the plan. But it was all thanks to your plan. I just followed it through."

"It was really thanks to all of you." Ullas said. "This brave effort will forever be remembered in Harena Sanguis. But for now we have to worry about getting this over with."

"If I could somehow call my comrades, they can help your men fight Turann's forces." Morrison suggested.

"There must be a communication device strong enough in this place, right?" Alpha suggested.

"I don't think so. The only one is in my castle. Castle that Turann now occupies."

"Damn." Morrison whispered.

"We will have to dispose of Turann's army before we recover the castle. As for now, I suggest that you four return to the city and hide yourselves from view."

"No!" Morrison objected. "I'm a soldier; I never quit. I will help you fight."

"You have done enough for now, Morrison. I order you to rest. If you wish to help us tomorrow, then you are free to do so. I'll have some of my men to escort you to a safe house where you can recover from your wounds."