Kaji Warriors: Shifting Strength Read online

  In the center of the formation, Sula strolls into the throne room with a bored expression plaguing her sharp features. The light from the massive window highlights her high cheekbones and dances across her thin lips. The soft blue outfit, with intricate silver and gold embroidery, complements her dark skin. Her strapless bodysuit embodies the latest fashion trend with long gloves and high boots. Like most Kajian females, Queen Sula has thick, coarse hair. Today, she’s wrestled the white and red locks into a long braid that falls across the arch of her back. She uses a silver metal band as an informal crown and to hold back stray hairs from her face. A scar stretches across her collar bone and right shoulder as a reminder to her subjects that Sula Ru-Kai is a warrior above all else.

  Ignoring her guards’ routine activities, the queen notes Solum’s location near the window and ignores her throne to join him. In true Kajian tradition, Solum places his right, balled fist to his chest and his left, balled fist at the small of his back. Solum raises his eyes and face to the crest of Ru-Kai before meeting his queen’s unusual amber gaze. A small, amused smile replaces her bored expression as he salutes her

  “Solum, it is good to see you,” Sula says. He returns her smile and drops the fist at his chest.

  “It is good to see you home,” Solum says. Sula surveys his battle-hardened form before veering her attention onto the bright window. She stares at the city below, like a mother eyeing a misbehaving child.

  “And how is home? Are my subjects still at each other’s throats?”

  “Things are better.” He flicks his wrist to activate a holographic list from which to reiterate. “We now have 352 Setunn citizens, twelve of which are hybrids.”

  “Good,” Sula says. She nods as Solum continues in a monotonous tone.

  “The Runx gained 125 citizens, three of which are hybrids. We have 203 Kips, as well. No hybrids.” Solum takes a deep breath. “Unfortunately, twenty-five additional people were killed shortly after gaining their citizenship.”

  Queen Sula whips around to face him and asks a question for which she already knows the answer. “Honor duels?”

  With a stern frown, Solum nods his head in confirmation.

  “Why so many?” she asks, then shakes her head. “Honor duels are meant to be non-lethal. Have the Kaji completely lost their self-control?”

  Sula crosses her arms over her chest and stomps toward her throne. Solum watches her storm away and hides an amused smile at her familiar temper. He reminds her of what every Kaji youngling is taught.

  “There is always a chance of fatality in any duel,” he says. Sula stops midway to her throne and glances over her shoulder at the royal advisor. She arches an eyebrow at his condescending tone, and he clears his throat before continuing. “The number of honor duels has increased exponentially, especially amongst alien citizens. So more are dying than normal.”

  Sula continues to her throne and sits with all the regality of royalty. Solum follows after her to stand before the queen.

  “Am I right to presume that unhappy Kaji are challenging the aliens due to their new citizenship?” she asks.

  “Yes, my queen,” he says. “As you know, during the war, newly acquired worlds were expected to function independently from the rest of the empire. They only interacted with other planets for trade and war support. Since the end of the war, you have encouraged, even demanded, integration. Hundreds of creatures and cultures are converging throughout the empire.”

  “I don’t need a history lesson, Solum. I knew this path would be difficult for many of the Kaji, but future generations will thank them. Already, this integration has strengthened our relationships with our allies. Which is why I chose this path. We must maintain the strength of our empire,” Queen Sula says. Solum nods in agreement.

  “Without the constant threat of Camille hostilities, many of our smaller allies no longer needed our protection,” he says. “We would’ve seen far more rebellions and declaration of secession in recent seasons if not for your incentives to integrate. Now our political and economic ties are stronger than ever. But this process has been very taxing on our people.”

  Sula throws her hands into the air in irritation at Solum’s attempts to remind her of events with which she is already intimately familiar.

  “What do you think I’ve been doing these past two seasons?” Sula says. “I have visited twenty-five Kajian planets and orchestrated the integration of 125 different alien species. I am well aware of the integration process. What you see on this planet is happening throughout the empire.”

  “Are you aware that the average Kaji on this planet, our homeworld, is still adjusting to the integration, even though it’s been fifteen seasons? And now, the aliens that you forced upon them are gaining citizenship and voices in front of the council. How long before they speak out against our traditions?”

  “The Runx and the Kips have no qualms with our ways. Their ways are too similar to our own.”

  “But the Setunn will,” Solum steps closer to his queen. “The majority of them are religious zealots that condemn us all to eternal damnation. What will they demand from the council?” Sula huffs at her advisor but nods her head in agreement.

  “We must pay close attention to our new citizens, but it would be dishonorable to deny their rights. They are citizens of the empire. They earned a right to be heard. Besides, everyone on the council is Kaji. They will not subject their own kind to the judgment of aliens.”

  “Agreed, my queen.” He nods his head and pushes aside the unease plaguing his mind. Sula crosses her legs and watches Solum with a mischievous smile.

  “Now, tell me,” she says. “How is your daughter?”

  Solum raises an eyebrow at the sudden change in topic, accustomed to Sula’s sporadic behavior. He looks down to hide the small smile growing as he thinks of his offspring.

  “Atae is doing well. I believe her morning class at Sula Academy will begin at any moment.”

  Sula jumps to her feet and glides to the large window overlooking her city. “Really? Who is instructing her?”

  “Feku has taught her much over the past few seasons,” Solum says. He follows at Sula’s side to appraise the changes that have swept through his current home.

  “My son has a packmate in Feku’s class. He is a fine instructor. It seems Feku has settled down a great deal since our glory days.”

  “I could say the same of you.”

  Solum chuckles, and Sula smiles at her friend as happy memories skim across her mind. Her smile falters when her memories turn bittersweet and then hemorrhage into sorrow. Slipping her royal mask back into place, Queen Sula peers out over Capital City and pushes back the uninvited emotions. It was easier to ignore the pain and emptiness when she was traveling in space and visiting other planets. But here, on her home planet, in her city, Sula has too many memories. Too many memories of him and their life together.

  “King Uta would be proud of what you’ve done for our people,” Solum whispers. Sula closes her eyes and sighs. She basks in the warm light against her face and takes comfort in Solum’s words.

  Chapter 3

  In the congested merchant section of Capital City, several people pause in the busy streets to watch the asteroid light up the sky with its demise. Atae hurries past the onlookers in her path, running through the paved roads toward Sula Academy. The youngling’s dark blue hair billows around her ears as the short strands struggle against her rushed pace. A decade ago, her smoky gray skin would’ve been considered odd, but today, she blends into the array of aliens hustling through the streets of Capital City. Her fuchsia eyes, on the other hand, are still considered unique even amongst the oddest of hybrids. But at her pace, it’s hard for anyone to notice.

  Determined not to be late to class again, Atae dodges between speeding transportation crafts, loaded with goods to be sold at market. Sprinting at full speed and dodging between pedestrians, she doesn’t notice when the modest homes lining the streets grow to luxurious businesses. However, sh
e does notice when the foot traffic stops in a massive crowd at the base of a large fountain. Atae stops and sighs in frustration.

  Come on, this is ridiculous. Some of us have places to be. Atae complains to herself with a sour frown. A chattering crowd blocks the entire square, and Atae stretches to see above everyone and find a clear path. Her frustration grows when, even on her tiptoes, she cannot see above the crowd.

  Her slim, wiry frame stopped growing upward last season, much to Atae’s disappointment. Realizing her adult height will leave her a head shorter than the average Kaji female, Atae learned at an early age how to utilize her size. Today is no exception as she drops to her knees and crawls through the crowd.

  Move people. One way or another, I am coming through. Atae shoulders aside the shins and feet all around her. She ignores the shouts of protest as she scrambles over toes. Several annoyed Kaji attempt to stomp and kick at her, but she whacks them hard in the shins and chuckles when they cry out in pain.

  Halfway through the square, a path opens up, and Atae scurries out of the fray of legs and feet, smashing several toes in the process. One warrior connected to a few of the injured toes kicks at her but only manages to tangle her legs with his. Atae stumbles into the clear path and falls flat on her face.

  Smooth. Atae groans against the pavement, more in embarrassment than pain, and closes her eyes against the dirt and debris. She can hear several chuckles as she sits up to a kneeling position, and she struggles to bite her tongue. Ignore them. Just ignore them.

  “Does your species have no pride? Must you kneel to worship me so openly?”

  Atae snaps her gaze to a youngling, maybe a season her junior, leering down at her in the middle of the path. She notices his amber eyes first. She is surprised by the hardness in his young gaze since Atae has only ever seen such guarded expressions on older, battle-hardened warriors. Then, she sees the stray locks of red in his otherwise white head of hair.

  Hybrid.

  His thick, cropped hair stands on end and contrasts with his caramel skin, giving the youngling a fierce aura. His broad shoulders and thin waist suggest he will grow into a strong warrior. But with a season of growth ahead of him, the male youngling stands equal in height to Atae.

  I can’t be late.

  Atae’s eyes shift past the antagonistic youngling to find a clear path through the crowd that leads to a side street past the square. Determined to reach Sula Academy on time, Atae ignores the chuckles cascading through the group at the youngling’s remark. Atae grumbles with a dismissive wave as she climbs to her feet.

  “Don’t flatter yourself. I am Kaji, and I worship no one,” she says. The crowd falls into a hushed silence as though waiting for the junior youngling to respond. Surprised by Atae’s attitude and her unique eye color, the youngling’s hard expression deepens as he replies with a taut voice.

  “Watch your mouth, or I’ll break your jaw.”

  Atae huffs at the brutish threat, then strides past him, much to his surprise. She pauses to glance over her shoulder at the angry youngling but stumbles at the sight of two battle beasts trotting to his side. Covered in thick fur, the four-legged creatures bare their sharp teeth in a quiet threat as their bladed tails arch over their backs, ready to strike. Atae notes the strength behind their lean, muscular forms, but also their small stature. These battle beasts are young, maybe a season or two older than Atae. The Kajian second form has several advantages, especially in battle, and many Kaji prefer to travel in their beast form. Battle beasts are common in Capital City, and she isn’t impressed by their attempt to intimidate her. In fact, she’s insulted, and she snarls at the group of younglings.

  “Who do you think…” Atae says, but a high-pitched voice interrupts from across the square.

  “I told you to leave my family alone!”

  Several heads in the crowd twist toward the female voice, and Atae stretches on her tiptoes again, hoping to catch sight of the speaker. At the outskirts of the square in the direction from which Atae came, she can see the crowd moving and making room for the agitated female. A rough voice that cascades through the group berates the female.

  “And we told you to leave the square. We don’t want your kind selling to the royal guests. In fact, why don’t you just go back to your own planet?”

  Atae can’t see either figure, but she knows a fight will break out soon. She falls back on her heels and sighs in disappointment.

  I don’t have time to stay and watch.

  Atae stifles a whine as she eyes her path out of the square. The young brute at her side also struggles to see over the taller Kaji around them until he growls and starts pushing his way through the crowd and toward the two arguing citizens. To Atae’s amazement, the group gives way to the younger hybrid. People fall over themselves and those around them to make room for him.

  They didn’t do that for me.

  Atae frowns in annoyance and begins to retreat toward her destination but pauses when she realizes only one battle beast followed after the younger hybrid. The second sits in an upright position and stares at Atae with his long snout twisted into a snarl. Without thinking, she responds with an unimpressed sneer then drops the façade when she meets his gaze. His intensely silver gaze.

  No way. That means…

  Before she completes her thought, the battle beast snorts at her astonished expression and trots off after his packmates. Atae gapes after him in stunned silence until an inner dam breaks. Embarrassment washes over the young hybrid, staining her gray cheeks pink, as she covers her face with her hands to hide her humiliation.

  Idiot.

  She takes a moment to wallow and berate herself as the crowd surges past her in anticipation of the brewing fight on the other end of the square. With a heavy sigh, she sprints toward Sula Academy with silent promises to tell no one of her faux pas. It doesn’t take long for Atae to arrive at Sula Academy & Research Facility, and she pauses a short distance from the building steps. Bending over to catch her breath for a moment, she searches for her friend. Jeqi stands at the foot of the steps with her back to Atae. One of Jeqi’s tan hands flickers through the air as though flipping an invisible page.

  Personal hologram. She’s always working on something.

  Jeqi retracts her arm and wraps a finger in her blonde hair while she reads. Focused on her personal hologram, she leans on one leg and props her second hand onto her hip. Jeqi’s taller frame makes her lean figure look gawky and awkward, but her deliberate and controlled movements bring a sense of grace and self-assuredness. Like Atae and most Kaji younglings, Jeqi’s thick hair is cropped short and points in all directions. In true Kaji fashion, the blonde locks blend into silver after a few inches, proven by the silky, silver tail wrapped around her mid-section. Sometimes, Atae envies Jeqi because, even with her tan skin and blue eyes, she tends to blend in better than Atae.

  Working on an assignment at the foot of the building entrance, Jeqi does not notice her friend’s arrival. With Jeqi’s back to her, Atae sneaks up behind her packmate, sporting a mischievous smile. She shifts into an offensive stance and pounces into the air, flipping over her friend’s head and landing with a loud thump in front of the blonde. Intent on surprising Jeqi, Atae’s wide grin almost overshadows her sparkling eyes, but it fades when she realizes her packmate hasn’t paused in her studies. Jeqi merely shifts to her right, so the hologram, visible only to her, can reassemble around the intruder. Atae frowns and glares at the other hybrid. Then, she wraps her arms around herself to pout.

  “How’d you know?”

  Without looking away from her private work, Jeqi answers in a crisp tone.

  “I heard your foot scrape the ground as you prepared to jump. You always make noise when you shift your stance. You’ll never beat Advisor Solum like that.”

  Atae huffs, and Jeqi glances up from her studies. She grimaces at the sad condition of Atae’s face. The youngling’s smoky gray skin is bruising over one cheekbone, and her darker lips crack open, revealing brig
ht red blood as she smiles at Jeqi. A breeze twirls her short, blue hair and stings the dark swollen skin around one fuchsia-colored eye. In short, Atae is a mess, even for a youngling in training.

  “Your face is proof of that,” Jeqi says. She shakes her head as she gathers her things to stand. Her silver tail unwraps from around her waist to dawdle behind her. Despite sucking at her swollen lip, Atae holds her head high as they walk to the entrance of the academy.

  “I’m getting better every day,” she says.

  As always, Atae is oblivious to Jeqi’s tail flickering in agitation and the dark annoyance in her blue eyes, so Jeqi snaps at her packmate.

  “At this rate, we’ll never be allowed to enter the Gridiron.”

  “I’m more worried about the tournament. Yesterday, Feku said he’s assigning us to packs of four. What if we get stuck with someone like Tuk?” Atae asks. She stifles a laugh while Jeqi glares at her.

  “The tournament won’t matter if we’re not allowed to enter the Gridiron. I’ve held up my part of the deal. It’s time for you to do the same. Defeat Solum, and we can enter whenever we choose.”

  “I know, I know,” Atae says.

  Since Jeqi’s mother is not Kaji, she bares the hybrid label like Atae or any other non-full blooded Kajian. Jeqi has her mother’s coloring and gentle nature, although her father’s Kajian anger is more prominent at the moment. Jeqi’s smaller build and soft upbringing put her at a disadvantage, but she is determined to bring honor to her family. Atae knows how important it is for her to defeat Solum and honor the deal with their parents, so she frowns with a sharp glare at her packmate but holds her tongue. When she notices Jeqi’s deep concern with her progress, Atae drops her guilty gaze as they arrive at the classroom.

  She’s kept her end of the deal. Why can’t I?