Chapter 7: Anunnaki

As chaos continued to spread across Helar, the colossal ship of the Chronos Reavers advanced toward the golden star shining in the night sky. Onboard the ship, Kaliax carefully monitored the sensor readings while his crew prepared for the extraction of Stellarium.

- Sir, we are approaching the star. The extraction tubes are ready to be activated - reported one of the crew members, a stern-looking man with scars across his face.

- Very well - replied Kaliax in a calm yet authoritative tone. - Prepare to initiate the process. We cannot afford any mistakes. The Stellarium is essential for our plans.

The imposing ship, filled with advanced technology, began to position itself in orbit around the star. The extraction tubes, resembling metallic tentacles, extended toward the star's surface, ready to drain the precious resource. Kaliax watched the scene with a calculating gaze, knowing every second was crucial.

- Remember - Kaliax said, turning to his team. - The Stellarium will make our crew the number one in the universe. No errors will be tolerated! Stay focused.

---

Meanwhile, in the space above Helar, the battle between Marduck's forces and the Republic's fleet was at its peak. Marduck's black, angular ships advanced with deadly precision, while the Republic's War Falcons struggled to maintain formation.

- Hold the line! - ordered the Republic fleet commander, his voice echoing through the communication channels. - We cannot let them flank us!

But Marduck's forces were relentless. The Kizarian ships launched plasma missiles, creating explosions that lit up Helar's night sky. The Gaia Wrath, the Republic's flagship, was under heavy attack, its shields rapidly failing.

- Shields at 30%! - shouted one of the **Gaia Wrath** operators. - We need reinforcements!

- There are no reinforcements! - replied the commander, his voice filled with desperation. - We must hold the line!

But it was too late. Marduck's ships, reinforced by the specters, began to break through the Republic's defenses. One by one, the fleet's ships were destroyed, their explosions lighting up space like macabre fireworks.

- They're winning... - whispered one of the Republic pilots, his voice filled with despair.

- Besides, General Marcus lost to Marduck. We should retreat - said one of the soldiers.

- We cannot retreat! - ordered the commander, but his voice no longer carried the same conviction.

Finally, the Gaia Wrath was hit by a plasma missile, its structure beginning to disintegrate. The Republic's flagship exploded in a fireball, marking the end of organized resistance.

---

Onboard his flagship, Marduck watched the battle with a satisfied smile. He knew victory was near. With the Republic's fleet destroyed, nothing could stop him from conquering Helar and, eventually, the galaxy.

- Sir, the Republic's fleet has been destroyed - reported one of his commanders, bowing before Marduck.

- Excellent - replied Marduck, his voice cold and calculating. - After we annihilate this planet, we will go after the Stellarium. We will use our extraction equipment, even though it can only handle less than 7,93 gallons of Stellarium.

- Should we launch an attack, sir? - asked the commander.

- The specters are doing their job. The cities are in chaos, and the resistance is being crushed - replied the commander.

Marduck smiled, a smile that did not reach his eyes. He rose from his throne, looking at the screen showing the destruction of the Republic's fleet.

- My warriors - Marduck began, his voice echoing through the ship's speakers. - Today, we have taken a great step toward our ultimate goal. The Republic has been humiliated, and Helar is at our mercy. But this is only the beginning.

Marduck's soldiers, both the living and the undead, listened intently, their eyes shining with a mix of admiration and fear.

- Soon, we will march across the galaxy, and all will know the name of Marduck. Our enemies will tremble before us, and those who dare to oppose us will be destroyed. But remember, my warriors, victory does not come without sacrifice. Each of you must be willing to give everything for our cause.

The crowd of soldiers raised their weapons, shouting in unison. - For the power of Marduck! For the glory of Thanatos!

Marduck smiled again, pleased with his troops' loyalty. He knew the path ahead would be difficult, but he was confident in his ultimate victory.

- Now, prepare yourselves - Marduck continued. - Our next move is to annihilate this planet. We will show them the true power of Thanatos.

---

Meanwhile, on Helar, Zorya and Gyro continued their desperate escape. The city was in ruins, and Marduck's specters seemed to be everywhere. Zorya, still the only one who could see them, guided Gyro through alleys and side streets, trying to avoid direct confrontation with the creatures.

- Gyro, we need to find a safe place - said Zorya, panting, as they ran down a narrow street surrounded by burning buildings.

- I know, but where? - replied Gyro, his voice filled with despair. - Everything is destroyed!

It was then that Zorya stopped abruptly, his eyes fixed on something ahead. A specter stood in the middle of the street. It was larger, darker, and seemed aware of their presence. The specter's eyes glowed with a sinister light, and it began to move toward them.

- Gyro, we have a problem - whispered Zorya, slowly backing away.

- What is it? - asked Gyro, looking around but seeing nothing.

- There's a specter coming toward us - explained Zorya, his voice trembling.

The specter advanced quickly, emitting a guttural sound that echoed through the empty streets. Zorya pulled Gyro back, trying to find an escape route, but the specter was too fast. It lunged at them, its ethereal claws glowing with dark energy.

- RUN! - shouted Zorya, pushing Gyro forward.

The two began to run, but the specter pursued them relentlessly. It passed through walls and obstacles as if they were made of mist, always staying just a few meters behind. Zorya knew they couldn't keep running forever.

- We need to find a place to hide! - said Zorya, frantically looking around.

- There! - pointed Gyro, indicating a small abandoned shop ahead. - We can try to hide there!

Without a second thought, the two entered the shop, closing the door behind them. The interior was dark and dusty, with empty shelves and broken glass scattered on the floor. Zorya and Gyro crouched behind a counter, trying to control their breathing.

- Will it find us? - whispered Gyro, his eyes filled with fear.

- I don't know - replied Zorya, looking toward the door. - Maybe...

Before Zorya could finish his sentence, the shop door burst open violently, and the specter entered. It seemed to know exactly where they were, as if it could sense their presence. Zorya held his breath, trying not to make a sound, but the specter continued to approach.

- Zorya... - whispered Gyro, his voice barely audible.

- Stay quiet - replied Zorya, his eyes fixed on the specter.

The specter rushed toward them with a terrifying black aura.

- We need to get out of here - whispered Zorya, looking at Gyro. - But we need to be quick.

Gyro nodded, and the two began to move quickly toward a back door. The specter, however, seemed to notice the movement and turned toward them. It let out a high-pitched sound, almost like a scream, and lunged at them.

- NOW! - shouted Zorya, pulling Gyro toward the door.

The two ran through the back of the shop, entering a narrow alley. The specter pursued them, but Zorya noticed something strange. The specter seemed to be losing strength, as if it were dissipating.

- It's getting weaker! - said Zorya, looking back.

- What's happening? - asked Gyro, still running.

- I don't know, but maybe it can't sustain itself for long outside Marduck's area of influence - speculated Zorya.

It was then that the specter, in a final effort, lunged at Zorya. Its ethereal claws tore through the air, striking Zorya's arm. He screamed in pain, feeling an intense burn where the specter had touched him. Black blood oozed from his arm, and Zorya fell to his knees, clutching the wound.

- Zorya! - shouted Gyro, trying to help him.

- I'm okay... - replied Zorya, trying to stand up, but the pain was intense.

The specter, now almost completely dissipated, let out one last guttural sound before disappearing entirely. Zorya and Gyro stood there, panting, looking at the spot where the specter had been.

- I think we're safe... for now - said Zorya, leaning against a wall.

- Zorya, are you okay? - asked Gyro, still trembling.

- Yes - replied Zorya, looking up at the sky. - But I think Marduck now knows that I can see the specters. He will try to eliminate us.

---

"That boy has black blood. It seems he's not a pure human. Besides, he can see the specters. Who would have thought this planet could produce a herald, and it seems he's from the constellation of Thanatos," thought Marduck as he summoned three specters different from the previous one and sent them to where Zorya and Gyro were.

Before Zorya and Gyro could recover, three new specters appeared in the alley. They were larger and more menacing than the previous one, with eyes that glowed with a sinister red light. Zorya looked at them, feeling a wave of despair.

- Gyro, we have more problems - said Zorya, his voice trembling.

- What's happening now? - asked Gyro, looking around but seeing nothing.

- Three specters... and they seem even more dangerous - replied Zorya, slowly backing away.

The specters advanced quickly, emitting guttural sounds that echoed through the alley. Zorya tried to stand up, but the pain in his arm was still intense. He knew he wouldn't be able to run again.

- Gyro, we need to get out of here! - shouted Zorya, pulling Gyro back.

But before they could move, the specters lunged at them. Zorya tried to defend himself, but he was too weak. He fell to his knees, expecting the worst.

---

It was then that the air around Zorya and Gyro began to vibrate. A bright light appeared, and suddenly, Kaliax stood before them. He looked at the specters with disdain, as if they were mere insects.

- Pathetic - said Kaliax, raising his hand.

With a quick motion, he conjured a bright blue energy that enveloped the specters. They screamed in agony, their forms dissolving into a dark mist. In a matter of seconds, the three specters were completely destroyed.

Zorya looked at Kaliax, shocked by how easily he had dealt with the creatures.

- Who... who are you? - asked Zorya, his voice weak.

Kaliax looked at him, a cold smile on his face. - Someone who saved your life, boy.

---

Onboard his ship, Marduck felt a wave of shock as he shared the specters' vision. He saw Kaliax destroy his specters with terrifying ease, and a sense of horror washed