Chapter 9 Surprise attack

In the tranquility of the oasis, as Violet was picking fruits, a wave of exhaustion began to wash over her. From her spacecraft, Elara noticed Violet swaying dangerously, on the verge of collapse. Without hesitation, Elara exited her ship using her robotic body, swiftly supporting Violet to prevent her from falling or getting injured.

Zorak, who had been resting nearby, awoke with a jolt and instinctively used his tail to support Violet. In that brief moment, Violet could feel the warmth and care radiating from her companions. Elara immediately examined Violet's condition and quickly realized that her fatigue was a sign—the pregnancy was nearing its final stage.

Although she felt weak, Violet understood that she had entered her sixth month. The arrival of her babies was only days away. Despite the looming challenges, they were ready to face whatever came their way—together, as a strong and united family.

A few days later, under the cloak of night, a sudden bombardment shattered the peace. Explosions echoed along the edges of the cave, and one of the cannon shells tore through the oasis, leaving destruction in its wake.

Violet and Zorak, who had been asleep, were jolted awake. Elara, startled by the disruption, discovered that her detection systems were no longer functioning. Upon closer inspection, they realized that the enemy had deployed anti-detection devices, disabling Elara's ability to sense their presence.

Commander Zira's fleet had launched a full assault, several ships storming the oasis while others circled outside, awaiting orders.

Descending from her ship with arrogance, Commander Zira stepped onto the ground, flanked by two subordinates. Her voice rang out with mocking amusement.

"Well, well... aliens in a place like this. No wonder the king ordered us to attack this area. I didn't expect to find an oasis on such a desolate surface."

Violet, caught off guard by the sudden invasion, asked cautiously, "Who are you? Aren't you from the kingdom where Zafir resides?"

Zorak growled deeply, offended by Zira's tone, but somewhere in his heart, he was also intrigued.

A rare species, Zira thought. This could be a precious gift for the king's research.

Zorak's fury surged at Zira's demeaning words. He raised his massive tail, poised to strike. But before he could act, Violet placed her hand on his scaled arm, stopping him.

"Zorak, no!" Violet's voice was firm but laced with worry. "We must stay calm."

Zorak's blazing eyes met Violet's steady gaze. With visible reluctance, he lowered his tail, suppressing the primal rage within.

Violet turned her piercing gaze toward Zira. "Who are you, really? Aren't you from the kingdom where the mermaid Zafir lives? What is your purpose here? What happened to Zafir?"

Zira burst into maniacal laughter. "Oh, how little you know! Zafir is now our slave. We serve King Proteus the rebel who overthrew the Triton Kingdom!"

A storm of emotions surged in Violet's heart rage, grief, disbelief. "How dare you! How could you do that to our dear friend?!"

With her eyes blazing and her soul ignited by fury, Violet unleashed a telekinetic wave toward the invaders. "You won't get away with your crimes!"

Her body pulsed with violet energy, her power surging in waves of force. Zorak joined her, unleashing a torrent of fire and slashing claws toward the attackers.

Zira and her soldiers swiftly countered, dodging the strikes and retreating into their ship. A fierce battle erupted around the once-peaceful oasis.

"Attack them all!" Zira shouted to her forces outside the cave.

Suddenly, Violet stumbled, her body faltering under the strain. Her strength began to ebb away, and she collapsed to the ground, trembling.

"No... I can't give up..." she whispered, her voice choked with pain, her face pale with anguish.

Elara reacted instantly. "We need to leave now!" she said urgently, rushing to lift Violet with her robotic arms. Without hesitation, she carried her into the ship, dodging debris and enemy fire.

Elara exited her cyborg form and fused into the ship's main system. The engines roared to life as she blasted through the cave wall, soaring into the storm-filled skies.

Meanwhile, Zorak remained on the battlefield, fighting with unwavering resolve to protect his friends. "I'll hold them off go!" he roared, his claws and flames tearing through the enemy lines.

Inside the ship, Violet reached out weakly, trying to grasp Zorak's figure disappearing in the distance. Her fingers trembled against the glass of the cockpit.

"Zorak…" she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks, her heart breaking in two.

As the ship climbed higher, Violet could only pray for Zorak's safety and for the hope that they would meet again when the world was safe once more.

Under the moon's silver glow that shimmered over the dark sea, Zorak, the mighty dragon, stood tall at the edge of the oasis. The enemy fleet advanced, led by Zira, their weapons gleaming under the night sky.

With a powerful gust, Zorak soared into the air, his wings slicing through the winds. He met the incoming ships head-on, his eyes blazing with unyielding determination. Fire erupted from his maw, his claws slashing in midair, tearing through the metal beasts.

The enemy ships encircled him, their weapons firing in all directions. But Zorak, agile and swift, evaded them with unmatched grace. He flew like a predator calculated, fierce, unstoppable.

With unmatched skill and deadly precision, Zorak downed several ships, sending them crashing into the turbulent sea below. Yet still, Zira's forces pressed forward, relentless and endless.

But Zorak would not yield. He fought with all his might, a force of nature bound by love and loyalty determined to defend those he held dear.

Elsewhere, Elara now fully merged with the ship's system navigated with impeccable precision. Her void-form hands moved with lightning speed across the interface, scanning for a safe haven.

Violet lay in the passenger seat, her breathing ragged, her face pale. She turned her eyes toward Elara's hologram and spoke with weak determination, "Elara… we must return to the cave… the one with the rare minerals. I feel… it's the only safe place… for my delivery."

Elara nodded, concern etched in her holographic expression. "I'll take us there, Violet," she said softly. "Hold on… we're almost there."

Violet managed a faint smile. "Thank you… Elara. I trust you…"

With unwavering resolve, Elara adjusted the coordinates and set the ship's course toward the hidden cave now their final sanctuary before the storm of fate descended upon them.