Chapter 12

Evil grin spread across commander Cane's face when he turns to Galban. Both men give each other a deadly gaze and Galban is already tighten his fist.

"Your apeientice here..." Cane throws Malik to one side "has have his own share of beating when you are away. No that you are here, let's finish this." And without warning, Cane rampage at Galban, punching him in the abdomen, making Galban to hold his stomach.

Sensing he has gotten Galban, Cane wastes no time to make another attack, kicking Galban right on the face sending his head smashing the glass frame, shattering it to pieces. Galban growls on the floor as Cane approaches.

"You are below me, Gal. You're weak, just like your Lyla." Galban eyes snap hearing that name. " I can still remember her screaming and beging for mercy when her coward lover couldn't come to her rescue. Poor human woman" Cane mocks. His words are tormenting Galban as memories flash across his face. He is filled with guilt, pain and anger.

"Even though her executed her myself, her blood is on your hands. You know it was forbidden to mate with other races. And the worst of it all, it turns out to be a filthy human being." Commander Cane says with disgust.

" ENOUGH!." Galban yells, he can't take this anymore. He stretches his hand creating a yellowish energy constructed hand and aim it at Cane who take the hit like a champ. Cane laughs and then he brings out a dagger.

The dagger handle has a symbol of a dragon and with a pointing sharp edge.

"This dagger here was forged from a rare metal of The Veil world. It's the one I used on Lyla to slay her throat and fed her corp to the king ugly vultures. And I'm about to do the same now. I believe by doing so, you will ruit with her in hell. After that, I will make it my mission to find the little bastard offspring of yours and kill him or her."

Did Cane just slip out something he couldn't believe. Is Cane saying he had a child? Galban thinks he loses both Lyla and the baby but thanks to Cane running mouth, he just give him hope, something to look forward to.

 Commander Cane raises the dagger aloft, then aims it at Galban, who lies prostrate on the ground. Galban watches in horror as the razor-sharp weapon hurtles towards him. Just minutes ago, he had resigned himself to surrender, but now that he has something to hope for, he must play his cards right. The dagger is mere inches away from Galban's head as he closes his eyes, concentrating intensely. There's no need to struggle; he just needs to focus for these crucial three seconds. And with that, just as the dagger is about to pierce through his skull, a tiny portal materializes beneath the blade. This sudden move catches Commander Cane off guard, and his hands, along with the dagger, disappear into the portal. Since he was aiming with full force initially, he has no chance of retrieving his hands or the weapon. Without hesitation, Galban swiftly creates another opening behind Commander Cane's head, and his hands, still clutching the dagger, reappear from it. This causes Cane to strike himself with his own weapon, and the dagger fatally pierces his skull, lodging itself in his brain. Blood gushes out like a burst pipe, and then Cane collapses to the ground, lifeless.

 "Are you okay?" Malik asks, helping Galban to his feet. Galban has sustained some injuries and bruises from Cane's assault. Once Galban is back on his feet, he observes Malik for a moment before speaking.

 "You seem fine to me; aren't you the one Cane was thrashing about with earlier?" He teases Malik, who simply rolls his eyes at the man. "I guess I don't have to worry about you too much, then." He adds.

 Night Howler also approaches them, his face uncovered, which allows Galban and Malik to recognize him.

 "Mark?" Galban exclaims in disbelief. "I knew something was off about you from the start. Guess what? I knew it!"

 "So, it was you all along," Malik says.

 "You're welcome. You guys need to get out of here now before the police arrive. Trust me, it won't go well if any of us is found here," Night Howler warns.

 "But what about the body? We can't just leave it here," Malik asks, referring to Cane's corpse.

 "The government knows what to do with it. Just let go," Howler assures. Night Howler releases a smoke bomb as the police arrive. While they are covered by the smoke, Galban opens a portal, transporting them out of the scene.

THREE DAYS AFTER 

 A reporter on TV is reporting on the previous incident at the Motel, but nobody in the room is paying attention to the news. Things seem to be back to normal after the fight. Malik has been given some days off from work to recover, as they know he was the first person to be attacked that day. They aren't suspicious, since some people also suffered from the attack. Since then, Galban, Malik, and Mark have formed a bond. Malik has finally started a new life on Earth, which Galban is glad about.

 "But I've got to bring my friend here as well. Knowing he's alone in The Veil will make me restless. So, I need your help," Malik says, which Mark agrees with, but Galban remains silent.

 "You're right, boy. Since he's the one you're looking out for, I'm in," Galban finally says. "During my Fight with Cane, he gave me hope about my child. Also, Going back to The Veil is a death sentence, so we have to be smart," Galban adds.

 "I will be more than happy to help you, and I have always wanted to explore worlds beyond mine. So, let's get into the mission."

ELSEWHERE...

 At 9 PM, Malik and Mark are waiting patiently for Galban, who has gone to fetch something before they cross over to The Veil. After a while, he arrives with a bag containing something he refuses to disclose, calling it a gift for King Ra'shal. Then, he opens his yellowish energy portal, and they leap through it.

THE SPARTANS BOOK 1: THE END.