Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Fantasy

The Western Dead Zone was cold today. I couldn't feel my fingers against the frozen metal. Looking around, all I could see was brown and orange rust resting on broken cars and dirt. I breathed in, air running through me. A sudden scratching came from a destroyed, old plane. I prepared my scavenger staff, and a squad of Rho Stalkers leaped out onto me, each with eight legs made the pain worse. My old wounds were opened and new ones digging deep. I tried to throw one off, ending up breaking a nail. My cloth clothing was no match for metal dagger-like claws. Soon after being ambushed, I blacked out just after hearing gunshots. 
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Do you think she is alive?
Of course not, nobody could survive a Stalker attack that brutal.
Yeah, I agree with Jake. We should just throw her in the dump or take her to a graveyard.
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I woke with a headache, looking around all I could see was a blurry outline of about, two, three, maybe four figures standing above me. 
"Am I on Rhodex? Am I dead?" I asked, very confused. 
"Hah, your lucky your not either of those. Your still in the WDZ, near the Broken Tower, where The Alliance resides. We are surprised you are alive, because you were attacked quite brutally."
"Well, thanks for helping me." I tried to get up, but pain was all I felt. "Argh! Nope, nope, nope. I'll just stay where I am for now."
"Good plan, but we are still outside in the open, vulnerable to any Rho attacks. Your gonna have to get up or we will have to leave you, and that would be a waste of a fine looking woman, wouldn't it?" The man winked, and I just glared at him. I started to lift myself up, pain flaring.
"So, what's your name? I'm Mark, and this is Jake, Petal and Riley." One man asked, staring into my orange eyes.
"I'm Sapphire. Nice to meet you four. So, what is this alliance you speak of?" I questioned suspiciously.
"Ah, well it's a group of people, we have about 35 different members right now, that all hate the Rho, and we plan one day to take off this planet and go to Kniion to get the Kni on our side. Hopefully they will agree, but there is no promises. After that, we think we might go to Rhodex to conduct an invasion, but we still have to consider the dangers. Also, all people who can be loyal and prove useful can join." Riley replied to my question that was directed at Mark. 
"Then, I guess if I join I will be protected from these monsters that are the Rho? I am a decent shot, but I'm best with a poleaxe."
"A poleaxe, aye? That's something you don't get often. Maybe we should take you in. Come on, follow Petal."
We travelled up some unstable steps, passing by some other members of the alliance, all glaring or showing disrespect to me in some way. We eventually got to a small, crumbling janitor's room, and I looked in.
"Here's your room, here's your key." Petal spoke, handing me a key before jogging off down the stairs. I put a foot forwards into the room, a loud creak sending a shiver down my spine. The room was tiny, not even big enough to hold a bed. I crumpled down onto the ground, realising I didn't have my scavenger staff. I instantly launched myself up, exiting and locking the room. Running down the steps, I heard some members of the Alliance complaining how loud I was being. I ignored them. Eventually, I reached a large room, full of maps and people. I shuffled through the crowd, coming to a halt as what felt like Riley gripped my shoulder.
"Back so soon, New Blood? What's on your mind?"
"Don't call me that. And I don't seem to have my scavenger staff with me anymore. I hope you know where it is,  because I would like it back."
"Oh, the stick. Yeah, it's in the weapon cupboard. Go get it, and don't you dare hurt our 'friend'. Don't mistake it for an enemy."
I eyed him, an odd feeling running through me, before nodding and turning to head towards what a map said was where the weapons cupboard was. On the way, a familier scratching sound welcomed it's way back into my head. I turned around, only to see a Stalker. I backed away slowly, staring at it's white power core. It was odd, usually they are purple. I heard some footsteps running over to me. 
"Don't hurt it! That's Apple, our pet Stalker."
"Are you insane? That thing wants to kill us!"
"Not this one, Apple has had a change of heart, or code, to make sure she doesn't hurt us, but helps us instead. Pet her if you like."
I just sidestepped around the Stalker, trying to avoid it at all costs. Maybe another time I might warm up to this creature that is one of those that changed my life. I sprinted over to the cupboard, grabbing my scavenger staff, it's distinct markings instantly drawing my attention over.
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Petal and I sat on the top of the Broken Tower, watching the clouds move across the sky. Suddenly, the clouds turned orange like fire as Pho ships blasted down to the surface.
"Damn, Pho are here. What did we do now?" Petal questioned, eyes slitted against the clouds of fire.
"An order from Xaxire? We all know the Rho and Pho are allies, nothing will hide that. But Pho conducting their own invasion? Unheard of."
"We better warn the rest of the Alliance, come on!"
Petal and I sprinted downstairs, passing by flickering lights and cobwebs. We eventually reached the headquaters, only to see red staining the large, oak table, and bodies piled around it, all with faces of dispair, hate and fear.