Project Prometheus Ch. 73 - Teaser (Patreon)

Shazza’s Aetheric power began to flare instinctively, silvery-white energy flickering to life, radiating gently from her skin. Her adversary hesitated only briefly, confused but not deterred, before surging forward once more. She grabbed at Shazza’s arm and attempted to twist it into a punishing lock.

A sharp, painful jolt shot through Shazza’s shoulder, but she expertly countered, pivoting sharply and locking the colonist’s arm in return. For a moment, the two women stood locked in a stalemate, muscles straining, each fighting for leverage. Then, abruptly, the colonist’s eyes widened, and she lunged forward, mouth gaping unnaturally wide.

From within her open mouth, the Ulvexi parasite exploded outward. It was a grotesque, segmented horror that hurled itself directly at Shazza’s face, intending to latch on and burrow deep. Shazza’s eyes widened momentarily in shock, but her innate power surged in reaction, bathing her face in an intense halo of pure, silvery-white Aetheric energy.

The parasite shrieked as it entered the energy field, an ear-splitting squeal of agony filling the corridor as it struck Shazza’s cheek but failed to latch on, recoiling violently. It fell limply to the ground, writhing in pain, its segmented body twitching helplessly. Without its parasite controller, the infected colonist crumpled immediately, consciousness fleeing her like a cut puppet.

The parasite, driven by sheer desperation and panic, scrambled to return to its host, but Shazza was faster. Her expression hardened as her eyes blazed now with a cold and unyielding fury. She extended one hand, her Aetheric power erupting forth, forming a shimmering, silvery-white sphere that surrounded and lifted the parasite up into the air, trapping it mid-motion.

The parasite wailed in pain, twisting violently, fighting to escape, yet unable to break free from Shazza’s intense, burning aura. From the ground, Kasumi slowly rose, shaking off the daze, watching in astonishment as Shazza, eyes shining with unearthly intensity, held the creature suspended in her power.

“Shazza… what…?” Kasumi started, breathless, confusion plain in her voice.

“Stay back,” Shazza commanded sharply, her voice echoing strangely, infused with a potent, otherworldly resonance. Her power intensified, washing through the corridor, shimmering brilliantly.

Then, something extraordinary happened. From Shazza’s forehead, a thin, delicate strand of silvery-white energy emerged, like a thread of liquid moonlight. It swiftly stretched across the intervening space, touching the parasite squarely upon its writhing, chitinous head.

In that instant, a powerful, invisible connection flared to life. Shazza stiffened briefly, her eyes blazing to an intense, radiant white, burning like twin stars. The parasite shrieked louder, agony overtaking it as the connection deepened, tendrils of silver-white power spreading rapidly through its vile body.

Kasumi watched in stunned silence, barely breathing, as the creature thrashed in helpless torment, seemingly being liquified from within by Shazza’s merciless power. It shook violently, its cries abruptly weakening into a sickening gurgle, then falling silent altogether.

It was at that moment that Alex, Natalya, and Taal’ani burst into the passageway, weapons drawn and energies flaring, freezing in shock as they witnessed the parasite suspended and dissolving in the brilliant silvery-white blaze of Shazza’s incredible power.

“What the hell…?” Alex breathed, his voice barely audible.

Within seconds, the parasite completely disintegrated, reduced to nothing more than shimmering dust particles, rapidly dissipating until not a single trace remained. As quickly as it had emerged, Shazza’s power receded. Her eyes flickered from blazing white back to her familiar green hue, and she exhaled sharply, swaying slightly on her feet. She steadied herself immediately, her expression grim and determined.

“We need to leave,” she declared without hesitation, voice sharp with urgency.

“What just happened?” Alex demanded softly, eyes narrowed in concern.

Shazza met his gaze directly, firmly. “I promise I’ll explain more, but we have to move. Now. This place isn’t safe.”

Alex hesitated only briefly, then nodded firmly. “Natalya, quickly scan her,” he ordered, gesturing toward the collapsed colonist on the ground. “Make sure nothing else is inside.”

Natalya immediately stepped forward, her emerald energies flaring briefly as she knelt beside the woman. Her brow furrowed deeply, eyes flickering thoughtfully. “No eggs, no larvae…but something is definitely wrong. There’s residual contamination inside her… she needs treatment, fast.”