CHAPTER NINE
The Setting Sun
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Gor was a man of impeccable style and elegance. He was dressed in a sharp pinstripe suit that was tailored to fit his tall and slender frame to perfection. The suit was made of the finest wool, and it shimmered in the warm glow of the setting sun, making him look like a beacon of sophistication and power. The sharp lines of the suit stressed his broad shoulders and athletic build, and the contrast between the black and white stripes only added to his commanding presence. He stood at the edge of the building, his eyes fixed on the sprawling city below, exuding an air of confidence and authority that was impossible to ignore.
The orange and golden hues of the setting sun spilled over the sprawling city below, Gor perched atop the 34th floor of a towering highrise under construction. He was a picture of stillness and contemplation, his gaze fixed on the endless horizon as the wind whipped past him. Behind him, two dark figures stood, each with their secret agendas. Vexar was a master of deception. And beside him was
Vive, an insectoid who had taken refuge within the body of a young woman, hiding in plain sight. Together, they were the epitome of danger, a trio of villains poised to unleash chaos upon the world. But for now, they were simply three figures silhouetted against the sunset, watching as the night slowly consumed the city below.
As Vexar ranted on about the supply line at the factory being severed by the so-called ‘Taromen’. Gor stood up, gazing out at the sprawling city before him. “We’ll find a way to deal with the Taromen,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “They won’t be a problem for much longer.”
Gor listened calmly to Vexar’s complaint, his sharp pinstripe suits a stark contrast to the tattered black cloth that covered Vexar’s ash-colored armor. Despite Vexar’s anger, Gor remained unruffled, his piercing gaze never leaving the cityscape below.
“I understand your frustration, Vexar,” Gor said in a low voice, “But we cannot let this minor setback deter us from our mission. The Taromen may have disrupted the supply line, but we have the advantage of surprise on our side.”
Vexar’s eyes narrowed, and his skeletal frame seemed to tense. “You underestimate these interlopers,” he said. “The Taromen are not to be trifled with. They have already caused us significant damage, and if we do not act quickly, I will alert the empire to this.”
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Gor’s voice was smooth and confident as he spoke to Vexar. “No, the empire will not know about this,” he said. “If you’re worried, Vive here will be more than happy to take over for you.” The look in Gor’s eyes was calm and reassuring, giving Vexar the impression that he was fully in control of the situation. Vive opened her mouth wide, revealing her sharp mandibles to Vexar.
“The emperor Antonus did not sanction this.” Vexar’s anger simmered as he placed a hand on his sword, “You’re acting on their own accord, and I don’t like the implications of that. You may have your motivations for this, Gor, but I will not be a part of it. The empire trusts me to carry out its orders, and I will not betray that trust. If this is not a mission sanctioned by Antonus himself, I will not be involved.” Vexar’s hand was now firmly on his sword, and his eyes blazed with anger.
Vexar pulls on Gor’s shoulder, warning him of the consequences of defying the empire. Without warning, a barb shoots out of Vive’s mouth, piercing Vexar’s hand, and causing him to let out a sharp cry of pain.
Gor turns back around and looks over the city as the sun sets. “These ‘Taromen’ are the ones I have been looking for. Didn’t you see them? They are unlike any human. This smells of Mintaro’s doing. With that power boosting the empire, there will be no major 3 anymore, just one united empire. And Antonus will kneel to me.” Gor’s voice is filled with a mixture of excitement and determination as he speaks. He continues to gaze out at the city as the sun sets, his eyes shining with a manic gleam. The wind whips through his hair and his suit jacket, as he savors the moment, imagining the future he sees ahead of him.
“The Taromen are the key to unlocking the power I need to seize control of the empire,” he says. “They are the key to my ultimate victory. And with them, I will rule supreme overall.”
With a wicked smile, Gor turns back to face Vexar. “The future is mine.”
“Treason.” Vexar coughed out the word as he clutched at his chest. “Yes,” Gor agreed, nodding at Vive. “Eat him.”
Vive advances on Vexar, her mandibles clicking hungrily as she prepares to consume the Shadgar commander. Vexar draws his sword, but he is badly injured and no match for the insectoid. Gor watches coolly as the scene unfolds, his sharp pinstripe suits a stark contrast to the surrounding chaos. He thinks of Mintaro and the power that he seeks, the power that would allow him to control the empire and make Antonus kneel. The sunset casts an orange glow over the city, casting long shadows as Vexar makes one last stand against the insectoid. But it is too late. Vive overpowers him, her mandibles closing around him in a final crushing embrace. The last thing Vexar hears is Gor’s voice, speaking of treason and the path to ultimate power. And then, there is nothing.
Gor patted the side of Vive’s face as she finished consuming Vexar’s remains, gently moving her hair back. “We find the Taromen. They will lead us to Mintaro,” he said with a confident tone.