Pet: Torment - Chapter Two (Patreon)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=t-PHY-VLhBg&list=PLzAL2ZlsHIO0E1qPef3lvp7u-6fD-i8JP&index=13

^^ As most of you know I like to write to music, so playing this during the reveal of Xyrannis *chef's kiss* 

Iris

I didn’t expect Xyrannis to look so much like Earth. Obviously, there are signs that it is not even close to Earth. The continents are shaped differently, and even from space, I can see colors that range in more than just green, brown, and blue, meaning there must be an entire land mass of purple. I can only imagine what that could be. The planet is much bigger than Earth, allowing for much more landmasses and water, and even from here, I can see the different cloud formations.

But most shockingly, Xyrannis has rings. And they don’t look natural like most rings that surround planets. No rocks are drifting in between them. They move slightly and glow in space, the familiar color similar to the alien who calls this world home. I can’t fight the feeling that this ring has something to do with Remus and his siblings.

A feeling of warmth tingles at the base of my spine, a feeling I’ve accustomed to Remus’s presence. As I turn away from the glass, focusing on the door, it takes a few seconds before it opens to reveal Remus. It’s become like this more and more in the time we’ve been traveling together. As if the essence “gifted” to me can sense its owner, vibrating in excitement when he is near.

Remus doesn’t speak immediately when he enters the room; his eyes drift to the clothes laid out for me on the bed and then to the glass where his homeworld sits in the distance. I expect him to reprimand me for still not being dressed but he doesn’t. His face remains blank as he comes to stand next to me, his eyes focused on his homeworld.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he asks.

I almost don’t respond. But as I continue to stare at the planet, and each of its peculiarities begins to stand out to me, Remus’s words pop into my head.

“Admitting your planet is beautiful doesn’t put you on the Leviathan side.”

A soft chuckle escapes me as I reluctantly take his advice. “Yes.”

Remus doesn’t make a snide comment or laugh at my response. He continues to study his home, a small smile forming on his lips.

“You’ll love Xyrannis, Iris. It truly is filled with wonder,” he says. He turns his attention to me, genuine excitement twinkling in his eyes as he studies me. “I can’t wait for you to see all of it.”

It’s strange seeing him this way. Outwardly excited about something. He even seems more at ease now that we have arrived, his disdain for earth’s inhabitants a thing of the past. I never thought of Remus as being the type to get homesick. But as I recall the small moments he would visibly be in a poor mood, it was usually attributed to his siblings not being near. He seems to have forgotten all about the human world he leveled and wiped out.

The voice that usually declares instructions comes over the comm system. Her voice is calm and matter-of-fact. Remus waits until she is finished to relay what was said.

“It will take us three hours to clear the rings and the atmosphere,” he says.

I look back at the planet, studying the rings. “Did you do that?” I ask.

Remus shakes his head as he makes his way to the bed, his eyes focusing on the dress laid out for me as he speaks.

“No. It was my mother,” he says.

I almost forgot that beyond Remus and his siblings exists his mother. I don’t know why Iriel ever thought he could defeat Remus, let alone hold his siblings for ransom. If this woman is powerful enough to give a planet rings, there’s no telling what she would have done to Earth to get her children back. There’s no telling what kind of woman who raised an emotionless creature like Remus is like.

“Will I meet her?” I ask.

Remus finally looks away from the dress, his attention focusing on me. Sometimes, I hate the way his gaze makes me feel. It’s always so intense, not only with the color swirling around them but with the way he watches me—studying me, taking every little piece of me to store in his memory.

“Not anytime soon,” is all Remus says.

Once again, he is keeping something from me, but this time, I don’t mind the secrecy. I fear the kind of reaction that could come with coming into contact with his mother, especially if he’s hiding something from me.

“You should get dressed. Xyrannis is much different than Earth. You’ll have difficulty doing so if we are within the atmosphere by the time you decide to stop being stubborn,” he says.

My cheeks burn from his jab. It’s like is said, he’s constantly studying me, knowing me inside and out. But his choice of reasoning catches my attention.

“Why would it be more difficult?” I ask.

“Gravity is slightly heavier on Xyrannis. Once we enter the atmosphere, you may not find it difficult to move at first, but you will become winded much faster,” he says.

I’m about to ask more questions when sharp pain flits over my skull. I cringe, stumbling slightly as my vision blurs, my breathing hitching in my throat.

I feel Remus’s touch as he wraps his arms around me, and it takes me a moment to orient myself from the sudden dizziness.

“…rings…temporary…hold on…” I hear Remus’s voice breaking through the pain, but I can’t decipher anything he is saying. It all comes and goes until suddenly, I feel intense heat. But it isn’t searing—it isn’t painful. It’s nice. It covers me, relaxing me.

“Breathe…” Remus’s voice gently permeates my senses, coaxing me into a state of calm. I slowly begin to register him. His chest is flush against my back, his breathing deep as he guides me back to reality. An intense buzz settles over my arms, and I note Remus’s arms are wrapped around me as I finally come down from the intensity of the assault.

I’m still in the room. We’re both on the floor, and the room has darkened as the window has turned black. I release a trembling breath, for the first time, not wanting to leave the comfort of Remus’s arms. It feels like the only thing keeping me grounded at the moment.

“What was that?” I murmur.

Remus gently rubs my arms comfortingly as he speaks.

“A side effect of our bond. My essence being housed in a human is uncharted territory for everyone. I am sure it grows erratic the closer we get to the rings. It should pass once we are through,” he says gently.

I release a soft gasp, blinking away tears. I can’t imagine the extent of the side effects awaiting me from the bond I share with Remus. But I won’t cry. I won’t allow myself to feel like a victim. Not when I chose this. But the tighter I feel Remus’s arms around me, the more vulnerable I feel. The cold reality is that I am completely at Remus’s mercy. No matter what angle you look at things.

Remus remains with me the entire time we pass through the rings, which takes three hours just as the Leviathan said. During those three hours, he remains with his arms around me, gently stroking my hair in comfort and offering me soft words to ease the ache. But now, as we slowly enter the atmosphere, I can feel the slight shift in my weight increasing, making me highly aware of just how difficult this transition will be.

“You’ll get used to it in a few months,” he says as if sensing the direction of my thoughts. I sit up, slowly shifting my legs to the edge of the bed. The room is still dark, the baseboards offering a warm ambiance of light since the window is still darkened. I release a breath, slowly lifting myself. It feels like a three-pound weight has been wrapped around my waist. But it isn’t unbearable.

When I turn around, Remus is still lying on his side, watching me in delight. But he doesn’t say anything. It’s almost as if he’s once again coaxing my excitement for me. But instead of offering, he’s waiting for me to make the decision for myself.

I release a shaky breath, my attention turning back to the darkened glass. I place my fingers against it, swallowing my resentment. But before I can get my request out, Remus spares me my dignity.

“Would you like to see my home?” he asks.

“Yes,” I murmur, my eyes remaining on the dark window. I tense up when I hear Remus approach. His soft chuckle sends a wave of warmth over me as he wraps his hand around mine, pulling my hand to his lips.

I choke on my spit as I look into his eyes. They burn brighter than they ever have, his excitement almost palpable. Warmth jolts from my knuckles as his lips brush over my skin and he smiles.

“Not from here, Pet.”

* * * * * 

For the first time since boarding this ship, Remus has brought me to the control room. I bite back my laugh as I take in the room, my excitement that the Hollywood producers got something right bubbling to the surface. The walls of the room are all glass, giving everyone a 360 view of our surroundings. And as I look around the control room, it is much bigger than what I expected, almost like an office instead of a small war room. But Leviathan sit behind wide monitors, on either side of the aisle, the floors and ceiling white and covered in a smooth material. At the center, behind a rail lies a hologram of the planet, and fastened into the ceiling are monitors, revealing information that I can barely decipher from my lessons in the Leviathan language on Earth. I note that there’s an empty seat on the balcony above that I assume belongs to Remus.

“Aureon!”

The entire room stills as the Leviathan rise to greet their leader, all eyes on him. I suddenly feel out of place as he waves his hand dismissively, leading me to the glass. It is also slightly tinted, making it difficult to see what’s beyond.

“Trousal l'panya.” Remus’s commanding tone washes over the room, and it doesn’t take me very long to guess what was said as the tint slowly lifts, revealing the world of Xyrannis.

“Oh my gosh,” I whisper as I step closer to the glass, my eyes wide in awe as the world slowly passes us by. Trees litter the world beneath us, taller than the buildings ever were on Earth. And as we pass, the colors change, ranging in the most peculiar of colors.

As the greenery thins out, I note we must have been on the edge of the city. The buildings are shapes I can’t describe using human references. And I see now how different the settlement looked from their homeworld. The mountain has been intertwined with the buildings in an intimidating way.

Rock-like structures are on either side. In the center, a massive waterfall from different angles cascades into the large pool at the bottom. The lower half of the city surrounds this building. The mixture of rocks and metallic substances mingles to create buildings that stretch to the sky yet have jagged tops.

Xyrannis has perfected molding its cities within nature. Beyond the city, sitting in the sky is a massive neighboring planet. And even in the light of day, I can make out the purple, blue, and white mesh of colors in it.

I feel Remus’s hand beneath mine as he slowly lifts it, placing it against the glass. I look at him in shock, but he’s smiling at me as he takes in my reaction. The ship rises slightly as we approach the city, the crystal blue ocean beneath us so clear that I can see the large whale-like creature meandering beneath the surface. 

“Wow,” I whisper as all of my anger melts away and is replaced with fascination. This is just the tip of the iceberg with Xyrannis, and already, it puts Earth’s marvels to shame.

Remus’s hand gently rests around my waist, pulling me into him as he speaks.

“Welcome to your new home.”