Liara was quiet as she considered Alma's words.
Kira tried to sit up, to speak over the buzzing of her ears. Her entire head rang from whatever Ayela had done to her. Even her vision was slightly fuzzy.
"Don't," she croaked, the word almost soundless.
She rolled onto her stomach. It took her three tries to push herself upright. She reached out, knowing before she touched him, it was Graydon standing over her, his legs spread as he protected her prone form.
She blinked up at a blurry Graydon. "Trap."
Realization donned as he noticed the two women near the octagon, he shouted, "Wait."
His warning came too late. Liara stepped into the octagon. Lights shot from her, coalescing into thousands of symbols dotting the space around the Overlord.
"It's done. The codes have been changed," Liara said in relief.
Not good. Not good at all.
Kira struggled to stand. A hard blow on her shoulder sent her to the ground again.
"Stay where you are, traitor," one of Roderick's men said.
"Touch her again and I'll tear your arms from their sockets and beat you with them," Graydon threatened.
"Sir, the Emperor's Face is impeding our orders."
Roderick looked over, his expression unsurprised. "Deal with him accordingly."
Kira stiffened, Graydon tensing next to her.
Battle cries pierced the air as men and women in black synth armor poured into the room.
Suddenly the numbers were even, Luatha’s people fighting for their lives as they tried to contend with Graydon at their front and his warriors at their backs.
Amila and Solal surged through the clamor to appear beside Graydon.
"I hope this means you accomplished your mission," Amila said with a sassy smirk.
"That and more," Graydon responded, catching a blow on his forearm before bringing one fist on his opponent's shoulder. The man crashed to the ground.
"Good, maybe we can go back to civilization then," Solal grumbled. He sidestepped as a man rushed him, sinking the pommel of his sword into the man's head, knocking him unconscious.
"And Kira?" Amila asked.
"Bring her. She's the reason we’re going home," Graydon said from where he tangled with three soldiers.
Easier said than done as the Nexus descended into chaos.
Graydon's people were better trained, but outnumbered five to one. They were also hampered by the fact they weren't trying to kill their opponents, opting to disarm or knock unconscious those attacking them.
The Luathans weren't under the same constraints.
Graydon roared as he challenged three warriors, his form lithe as a cat as he toyed with them.
Armor crunched on one as Graydon sank his weight behind a kick. He whirled catching the other guard's hand, before jerking him close as he picked him up and threw him at another.
In the melee, Kira lost track of Liara and Alma.
Kira stood, her limbs shaky, the furor of the fight all around her. She waited, not joining in the fight.
