Planet of Tygeria: Falox Saga - Chapter 8 of 21
By Scrooge
Morning came and the rest of the day past through pretty quietly. There was another encounter with Jeffrey, but the high-strung deranged acts of Falox still watching them, kept the three to ignore the prisoner. Breakfast came and left, lunch came and left, even Riddick and Valor teased Johns one last time with another sex encounter. But when the day was done nightfall soon arrived. Tienbooks came in with their dinner.
"Last meal, I'm guessing, right?" said Johns.
Tienbooks answered. "All depends on how the match turns out. After dinner, and a brief rest, it'll be time to head to the arena."
Riddick saw Tienbooks face. "Why do you look more scared than we do?"
Tienbooks looked at Riddick, again wanting to answer, but daring not to. "Just hurry and eat. We all have a hell of a night ahead of us." He stood and left the dungeon quarters without looking back.
"I see what you mean Riddick, " said Valor. "He's definitely hiding something."
Johns also noticed. "Maybe he's next if he's we die."
Riddick watched Tienbooks leave as he closed the main cell doors behind. "No, it's something more."
The three ate and had a brief two hour rest as the main cell doors opened and along came eight guards along with Tienbooks. "Well, this is it. I hope you guys are ready."
They all stood as the guards opened the doors. As they came out, they were shackled and cuffed to each other as they begin leading them out the doors. As they passed Jeffery, he rushed to the bars and in his same high-strung character he told them, "You can't beat Garrax! Run! Just run!"
The three were leading to the hallway leading back up to the palace, but instead of taking the stairs they went down a different hallway.
"So where are we going?" asked Johns.
"To the arena. Located in the back of the palace." Tienbooks answered.
"You know this may be the last time you see us."
"Yes, I know."
"You sure there isn't anything you want to get off your chest before you let us go." Tienbooks kept quiet. "I know you're trying to help us. Whatever it is, just let us know."
Tienbooks look to his guards. They looked back but said nothing, apparently they knew what was going on, but didn't want to speak either. "Okay. I'll tell you."
The continued their path to the arena as Tienbooks spoke. "Each one of us here are servants to Lord Falox. We serve him and protect him through all means. And even though we are dedicated to our loyalty towards him, we hate where our planet has come to." He paused. "When our king was killed he ruled with an iron fist. The villages he destroyed were where our closest and dearest family members reside." He looked at Johns. "They're all dead."
"And you can't override him?"
"He's too strong. Those warlords made him even more powerful. If you thought the fright of Garrax was strong, you never seen the toughest of our men, piss in their pants at the thought of taking on Lord Falox."
"So is that the reason for all the advice?" Valor asked.
"We want to see you beat Garrax. If you can, we know that will be a definite kick in Lord Falox's ass.
"It's funny how every time you mention his name, you make sure you add the 'Lord' part." Riddick said.
"Like I said earlier, we are dedicated to our loyalty towards him. Though we want to see him fall, we will never betray him nor dishonor him." He looked at the three as they noticed they were close to the arena entrance. "His is our Lord, and we will always serve him." He paused again and looked at Riddick as they stopped. "Even if it means killing our own daughters."
They stared at each other for a minute, with an expression on Tienbooks face, his eyes were slightly teary, as if he was telling Riddick, "Yes, I had to do it." A guard reach for the device on his wrist as Valor watched again. Fourth button, third column. When the button was pressed the doors to the arena opened.
"Any last advice?" Riddick asked.
Tienbooks was quiet for a short while before answering. "Good luck."
The guards led the prisoners out to the arena area, Tienbooks stayed behind. It wasn't too huge, but much more than enough room for combat. Above them were bleacher-like stands for the large audience. And at the very top, you could see Falox, the two warlords, and a female by his side, as he sat in a throne-like chair suitable for his viewing. When they made it to the middle of the arena, the guards unshackled the prisoners and headed towards the gate where they first came in. Now Johns, Riddick and Valor were in the ring all alone.
"So what now?" asked Johns.
Riddick didn't answer. Instead he and Valor removed their eyewear. It was nighttime, the dark was their friend. The crowd could be heard talking amongst themselves, but no cheering had yet begun. Falox stood from his throne and spoke out for the prisoners and the crowd to hear him. "Let the ritual begin!"
Out from that same gate came two elderly men, they made their way to the three. One holding a case and another one just walking along his side. The one with the case first stood in front of Johns since he was nearest to the gate.
"Hey, how you guys doing?" Johns playfully asked.
The elderly man ignored him as he began singing in a foreign religious tone. He opened the case as he continued his praise singing. He first took out a necklace made of bones and put it around John's neck. As the man next to him said, "The bones of the dead warriors, to provide you with strength." The other elderly man then pulled out a small container, holding red liquid. He opened it, slightly dabbed his thumb in it, then rubbed it on John's forehead. "The combined blood of the deceased warriors, to provide you with courage." The elderly man then reached for John's right arm, as he continued his praise singing, he pulled a knife out the case, and gave Johns a slight cut on his arm.
Johns jerked his hands away. "Ow, that shit hurt."
The other elderly man only looked at Johns in slight disgrace. "The pain from the blade of our most triumphant, to provide you with power."
The man was done with his singing as he performed the same rituals on first Riddick, then Valor. When all was done, the two left the arena and entered two guards carrying a table with a large sheet covering the contents. The table was placed in front of them as the guards stood at attention awaiting their orders.
"Let the warriors choose their weapons." Falox spoke aloud.
The guards then removed the sheet showing off the weaponry. Only different types of guns and swords were made available to them. Johns picked first as he chose a gun. Riddick went next as he pulled a sword from the table. Valor was last as she followed Riddick's decision and pulled a sword from the table. Riddick then stop her. "Get a gun."
"What?" She looked at him.
He kept his eyes forward as he saw the gate Garrax was expected to come out of. "Get a gun."
"Didn't you hear what Tienbooks said about guns?"
He looked at his love. "Just trust me."
Valor gave a sigh, but obeyed, hoping Riddick had a plan, as she laid down the sword and pulled one of the guns from the table. The sheet was then placed back on the table as the guards carry it out. Finally, that gate was closed.
"I hope you have a plan, Riddick." Valor told him.
Riddick kept his eyes on the gate in front of him. Valor could tell he was blood-thirsty. "Simple, I shock him this sword. And you two unload on him. Just don't shoot his arm."
"That sounds too simple." Johns said.
He then looked at Johns. "You have a better idea."
"No, that's why I'll just hope it's that simple."
"Let the games begin!" Falox then said aloud.
The gate across from them opened. Johns and Valor aimed their guns at the hole awaiting for their adversary to come out as Riddick also got in a stance with his sword awaiting to make the first strike. They waited but no one came out from the gates. Valor even looked behind her to assure they weren't going to be ambushed.
"Okay, where's he at?" Asked Johns.
After a little longer of a delay, finally, from the gate came out the monster they called Garrax. Actually standing almost eight feet tall, the man-like monster came out and gave a loud high-screeching roar causing the crowd to cheer. The man was skinny, but his large muscles added bulk to his body. His eyes, pupils and retinas, were completely black, but the veins gave off a strong red bloodshot. His arms longer than his legs as all he worn were torn shorts to hide his nudity. Then Garrax looked at his victims then slouched down.
"There it is, seven feet. His fighting stance." Johns showing just a little fear in his tone.
Riddick first smiled, then giggled, then he laughed. He looked at Falox. "Are you serious?" He slowly, but proudly started walking towards Garrax. "This is the almighty Garrax. That everyone is supposed to be afraid of?"
"Riddick, what are you doing?" Valor asked.
He looked back at Valor. "It's okay baby. What is he going to do? Fart me to death." He gave another laugh then looked at Garrax. "Or maybe you're going to scream me to death with that high-pitched voice." He then looked towards the crowd. "I've killed dozens of motherfuckers like this before." Riddick said referring to the dwellers he ran into in the Pit of Butcher Bay's Penitentiary, which in fact was a close resemblance. He looked back at Garrax. "What the fuck makes you so much more special?"
Now Riddick was face to face with Garrax, only due to the fact the taller enemy slouched down even more to meet Riddick's height, as he told him in a cold tone. "You don't know who you're fucking with."
Garrax let out another high-pitched scream as John shouted from the background. "Riddick!"
Garrax lunged an attack with his steel right arm, but was quickly dodged by Riddick's maneuver as the convict wasted no time to bring his sword up to slash the monster. Garrax was still extremely quick, as he used his steel arm to block the sword attack. The two metals collided as all was quiet. Wait a minute, no electric pulse? With the same quickness, Garrax used his free hand to hit Riddick in his stomach, sending him flying back to Johns and Valor.
On one knee and holding his stomach in pain, Riddick yelled out. "Shoot him!"
Johns and Valor began firing their rounds at Garrax as Riddick watched. The man-like monster was still too fast. Using his steel arm, he blocked every bullet that came at him. But they didn't stop until all the ammo was gone. Riddick shouted again. "Stop, shooting!" The obeyed, as they saw Garrax let out another scream. "We need to save what ammo we got."
Valor and Johns stopped firing their rounds. "What now?" John shouted.
Riddick only looked at Garrax, and studied him, as the monster stayed still watching his prey.
"I should've gotten the damn sword, Riddick!" Valor yelled at him.
"Not now." Riddick said in a slight whisper, as he stood and ran toward Garrax again with the sword in hand.
"Oh, no you don't." Valor said as she dropped the gun and headed towards the monster to help Riddick.
The two-on-one assault began. Riddick took every open opportunity to try to stab the monster but all attempts failed as Garrax quick instincts and reflexes allowed him to block every attack with his arm. Valor was also busy try to plummet Garrax with right and left punches and kicks. But those attacks had no effect on the skinny, yet bulky, creature. At times, the attacks would only annoy Garrax as he would simply punch her with his free hand knocking her out of the way. But this did not keep her down as she got back to her feet and join back in on the attack. Finally, an idea came into Riddick's head. He shouted to Valor. "Catch!" He threw her the sword and quickly delivered a strong uppercut to Garrax which actually made the monster fly a good two feet off the ground and land on his back. This made the audience, including Falox, stand up in his seat. This must've been the first time ever Garrax has fell from an attack. "Now!" Riddick shouted at Valor as she took her position to deliver the final blow with the sword. but regardless of how quick they were in their assault, they wasn't fast enough, as Garrax blocked the sword attack and kicked Riddick back in John's direction, who still seemed to be idly watching the show. The Garrax used his two feet to grab Valor's body above him and lunge her toward the group.
Riddick and Valor regrouped alongside Johns, as the trio where back together. "We back where we started, except this time no sword." Johns said.
"And where the fuck were you?" Valor asked angrily.
"You see the size of that thing? Shit, I'm not dumb."
"You little pussy." She said as she grabbed the gun and aimed it at Johns.
"Will you two quit?" Riddick yelled quieting the fight as he turned his concentration back on Garrax.
Valor gave Johns one last cold look and turned her attention back to Garrax. "He's too fast."
"He's too strong." Johns said. Then he looked at Riddick who was almost out of breath and slightly bleeding from the mouth. "Please tell me we can beat him."
Riddick looked at Garrax still studying, still concentrating, still plotting.
"Riddick," Valor said. "Come on, say something."
When Riddick was finally relieved from his exhaustion he spoke, "We can't beat him."
Valor's and Johns's mouth became wide in shock, those words were never uttered from Riddick's mouth. "So what do we do?" John's asked.
Riddick looked at Valor. "What's your dress size?"
During their quiet conversation, Falox knew they were deriving some type of plan. Though he was the type of man that wanted to see their next strategy, he was extremely impatient. He stood from his seat and yelled down. "Garrax!" The monster looked upwards to his Lord. "Kill them!"
Garrax looked back at his victims and gave another loud screech as he began to move in for the attack.
"Oh God, I hope your plan works this time." Johns said as Johns and Riddick went in to attack. Valor stayed behind and watched.
Punches were continuously thrown, some were missed, and some landed, as the two men continuously fought the overgrown creature. "Wait, for it." Valor said to herself as she began easing her way to the monster's location. "Wait, for it."
Riddick and Johns continued their battle. Yes, Garrax was too strong, and was too fast. "Wait, for it." Valor watched the fight as she began to see how the plan was falling in order. Garrax back was almost turned to her. "NOW!" She ran in and jumped on the monster's back. This made the creature stand to his full height as he reached behind him trying to grab the female.
But it was too late. Valor was able to grab his head and quickly snap his neck ending the creature's life. Or so she thought, just as quick as she snapped his neck, the creature somehow, snapped his own neck back into place as if a man relocated a dislocated shoulder or thumb. Valor eyes got wide as she was still stuck on the creatures back. He grabbed her and threw her towards the gate he came out of as Riddick and Johns began their assault again. Valor stood quickly shaking off the pain as she looked upwards in Falox's direction. Good, he's paying too much attention to the fight. She then cleverly, used her small size to squeeze her way between the bars of the gates Garrax came out of. Unfortunately, there were two guards idly standing by, talking to each other waiting for the fight to end, but they couldn't see her. It was too dark, but she could see them perfectly. She sneakily came behind one of the guards, and though he was holding the gun in his hand, she quickly took the guards weapon arm aimed it at the other guard and shot him three times, dead. Without hesitation or giving a chance to let the guard know what was going on, the barrel was then under his chin and the shots rang off. She then took the dead guard's wrist and got ahold of his mechanical device. "Fourth button, third column." She pressed the button. "Come on, baby, work for mamma." The gate door then opened.
Back in the arena, Falox stood as he saw the gate open. "What are you doing? The fight isn't over!" He yelled thinking he was still talking to his guards. This also distracted Garrax as Riddick and Johns took the opportunity to give the creature one last simultaneous uppercut sending the monster back falling to his back as the two darted for the opened doors. Guards that were posted in the audience immediately opened fired on the two as screams were heard throughout the stands. Bullets shot past the two as they luckily made it to the door. Valor was there waiting for them as she threw each one of the guns to carry. Johns then looked behind them and saw the angered look on the Falox's face and the warlord's hand beginning to glow.
"Uh, guys, we got a problem." He said.
But before the two had a chance to look, Garrax sat up and lunged forward towards his victim. Before the attack landed, Garrax was caught in mid-air by the blast from the warlord's hand, which turned the monster into complete ashes before disintegrating to the ground. Johns looked in complete shock as all Riddick said to himself, "Beautiful."
When the ashes cleared, Johns looked back up and saw Falox, the female, and the warlord...gone.
Valor then told them. "As much as I would love to sit around and see what happens next, we gotta move."
They all then obeyed as the three began running down the tunnel unknowingly where it may lead them.
Riddick and Valor ran through the dark tunnel with Johns following close behind, after all, he couldn't see in the dark. As they ran, Riddick yelled at Valor. "What the fuck was that?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You jumping on his back? That wasn't part of the plan. He could've killed you."
"I saw a quick kill, I took it."
"Well, you almost got yourself killed."
"You know I can handle myself, Riddick. Don't act like that."
They came to a door and stopped. Johns unable to see accidentally collided into the two, but didn't knock either of them down.
"Why did we stop?"
"We're at a door." Valor said with a smile laugh. She looked back at Riddick. "I'm glad you still care for me."
"I always have. I always will." He said as he grabbed his love close to him.
"Awww come on guys, we don't have time for that right now."
The two gave a little laugh as Valor said, "He's right."
They looked down at the door and saw light shining through the cracks. "And we're going to have to say good-bye to the dark for awhile." Riddick said as he put on his goggles.
Valor did also with her sunglasses as they readied themselves to kick the door open. Riddick looked at Valor. "You ready?"
"I'm ready, baby." She said with a smile.
Johns then interrupted. "Oh for the love of God." As he squeezed between them kicking open the door open darting through aiming his gun in different directions, waiting to shoot any guard visible. Riddick and Valor soon followed, repeating Johns same process.
"Where is everyone?" Valor asked.
"There here. Just can't see them."
With a smile on Johns face, he put his gun away and leaned against a podium which held one of Falox's statues, "Hey, you know you guys could always take out the lights and kill these bitches easy." He pulled out a cigar. "I'll sit here, let me know when you're done."
Just then a shot was heard and the statue next to Johns shattered to pieces. "Snipers!" Valor yelled. As they all ducked and took cover. Then a horde of guards ran through the door, assembling a squad line with guns blocking door the came through.
"You are surrounded prisoners. Throw out your weapons and we will not open fire."
"Is this the part where we give up?" Johns asked.
"Not likely." Riddick said as he made the first move. With a quick roll, behind another podium and began shooting at the guards. Valor and Johns soon took lead as a gun war took place in the middle of Falox's palace. Valor was the first to run out of ammo. She took cover behind the podium.
"Cover me." she said to Johns.
Valor quickly left her cover as John's aimed in her direction taking out the guards nearest to her. She swiftly took out a nearby guard by reaching for his combat knife and slitting his throat, all at the same time kicking another gun to Johns. Johns threw his used gun towards Riddick. "It's halfway." Referring to the amount of ammo left.
With both guns Riddick covered Valor as she took out two more guards in similar fashions all at the same time, kicking more guns nearby her allies. Riddick turned using abrasive maneuvers, such as rolling and stealth, to help take out more guards as Johns continued to cover Valor from behind his podium. Click!
Johns was empty and there was a guard heading her way and no time to pick up another weapon. "Valor!" He shouted to her. Without thinking, Valor was able to take the guard she was currently battling, put him in a half nelson hold using his body as a shield as the last guard alive open fired accidentally killing his own soldier. Not dropping the dead body, Valor used her free hand to throw the combat knife as the blade landed and slide into the guard's neck.
As surprised Johns stood and said, "Well, I'll be damned."
"Let's go." Riddick said as they picked up new weapons and head for the door the soldiers came through.
"This is the front of the palace." Valor said as she noticed the palace's front doors still a ways afar.
"We better hurry, before more of Falox's men show up." said Johns.
Riddick, Johns, and Valor all ran for the door until a figure appeared from behind them and grabbed Valor. "Come here, you little bitch." He held her tight as Johns stopped his running and looked back.
"Riddick!" Johns called out which stopped Riddick in his tracks.
When he looked back he saw Tienbooks holding Valor in his grip holding her captive.
"Tienbooks, what the fuck are you doing?" Johns said as he aimed his gun at the two.
"I told you Johns, even though we may not like Falox, we are loyal to him." He said as he continued to struggle to hold the female.
"Look, Tienbooks." Johns pointed to the palace front doors. "See how close we are? Come with us."
A furious Riddick spoke out. "Tienbooks, we don't have no fucking time for this."
Tienbooks yelled back. "You're right, we don't have time. You, " referring to Riddick. "Drop your fucking weapon."
Riddick didn't listen, which caused Tienbooks to hold on to the lower half of Valor's head. "Drop it or I'll fuckin snap her neck, I swear to God."
Riddick abided as Johns continued to negotiate. "Tienbooks, it doesn't have to go like this."
Tienbooks yelled again. "Fuck that Johns. What's going to happen if I leave with you. We can't get off the whole damn planet with no ship. Falox will still hunt you down." John had nothing to reply back with. "I have a better idea Johns." He held the female back in his same grasp. "Kill her." Johns became a little confused. "You kill her, I promise you Falox will recognize it and reward. He will get you off of the planet, and you know I'm right."
Johns looked back at Riddick, who he can only stare back. Then Johns turned his attention back to Tienbooks, he gun was still aiming at the man and the captive female. Tienbooks continued. "Come on, Johns. Why are you stalling? Let's end all of this and get you home."
Riddick yelled from behind Johns, "Don't you fucking shoot her, Johns."
Tienbooks then noticed the laser sight on the gun was now pointing at Valor. "That's it Johns, do it! We all will come out good. You know you want to."
Johns raised his laser to Valor's head as he gave Valor a cold deep stare. "You'll always be right about that, Tienbooks. I will always want to kill her."
The smile on Tienbooks' face quickly turned to shock, as the shot fired landed on his head rather than Valor's. Forced to release, Tienbooks fell dead.
Valor first looked at Tienbooks' corpse then back at Johns with a face full of complete shock. Johns turned not wanting to face Valor but only ended seeing the exact same expression on Riddick's face. Johns didn't want to explain his actions so he only commented. "Let's move."
Riddick and Valor still unsure headed for the palace doors and they finally made it with very little trouble. Finally, made it to the doors, but when they opened it, they saw a warlord waiting on their arrival. He quickly shot out his hand and made a quick blast. Riddick was able to dodge it and so was Johns, but Valor wasn't that lucky. But oddly, the hit did not knock her to the floor. This still angered Riddick as he meleed the warlord in the chin with the butt of his gun, then let off a few rounds until the warlord fell dead.
"Guess you're not bulletproof." Riddick said angrily as looked back at Valor. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah!" She said surprisingly.
Without any further words the continued out of the palace, and killed a few more soldiers standing guard and noticed a buggy not too far away from them.
"Isn't this convenient." Johns said awkwardly looking at Riddick.
"Don't ask questions, let's just move."
They hoped on the buggy and sped off from the palace. Far away from the palace.
The other warlord appeared and watch the three speed away from the palace. He then glided his way towards his fallen companion. He placed his hands together as a glow formed. The winds began roaring as it picked up the cloak and suddenly it was filled with a body once more. The dead warlord was reformed as the two glided their way back into the palace.
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"Whoo Hoo!" Johns yelled as high celebration was heard as they continue to speed further away from the palace. "I can't believe we escaped!" He continued.
"Now I know how you felt when you out smarted Hoxie!" He gave another scream into the night air as Riddick and Valor, with their eyewear off, gave a little laugh at him. Riddick held her close as Johns drove, happily jumping the hills as he continued his speed.
Riddick gave another laugh. "Hey cowboy, how about you slow down now? They're too far behind us."
Johns gave Riddick a smile as he began to slow his speed but kept it at a normally fast rate. Riddick looked at Valor as they were cuddled in the backseat of the buggy. "Are you sure you're okay?"
She looked at him with a happily smile. "I'm great, really."
"But the blast?"
"I don't know what it was, but it did nothing to me. I feel as if it never touched me."
Riddick then leaned in to give her a kiss. Then he said with a sarcastic tone and a smile on his face. "I wonder where you learned how to throw a knife like that."
"Oh this, guy named Billy at my old medic center." She also said sarcastically.
"Oh you got jokes now?" Riddick said as the playfully fought with each other.
"You know you did baby." She said giving him another kiss.
"Hey lovebirds. We gotta problem." Johns said from the driver's seat.
"What is it?" Riddick asked.
Just then buggy stopped in the middle of nowhere. "We're out of gas." Johns said.
Riddick look back at Valor with another smile. "What is it with us and fuel?"
They shared a small laugh as the three got out and began studying their surroundings. "I guess this is where we camp tonight." Johns said reluctantly.
They began searching the contents inside the trunk of the buggy for anything that could be useful. Two guns, four sleeping bags, food, canisters of water and other supplies that seemed of no use to them. They set up a small camp around the buggy and began to settle in for the rest of the night.
"One of us should stay woke to keep an eye out, just to make sure those guards don't pop up while we're sleep."
Riddick nodded. "I'll go first."
"Naw, that's okay, Riddick. I don't want to wake up dead, because I tried putting trust into you."
"And how do I know you won't ghost me." He said with a smile.
"You're still forgetting about much you're worth." With his own smile back.
Though it was agreed, Riddick and Valor slept in the same sleeping bag as Johns stayed away watching out for any surprises.
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In the middle of the same night, Riddick woke from his sleep and found Johns sitting on a hill with his back towards him, still woke keeping and eyes out.
"Hmmmm, a perfect chance to take him out." Riddick thought to himself as he looked back at Valor. "But I do owe him."
He got out of his sleeping bag making sure Valor still stayed asleep as he left to sit with Johns. When he sat next to him, he saw Johns holding and drinking on a bottle of liquor. Johns kindly handed it to him as Riddick took it, taking a swig of the strong nectar.
"Where did you find this?" Riddick asked.
"In the trunk, underneath some old junk." Johns answered as he was handed the brandy. He took a swig from the bottle. "You guys were looking for valuable resources when you missed out on the most prized possession."
The two laughed a little as Riddick stared at him. "What?" Johns asked.
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Valor."
"Don't you get soft on me now. Remember, I couldn't let her go." He took another swig. "She's my paycheck."
"Why don't you quit being a hardass for once and really let me know what's up."
"I'm not being a hard ass."
"Really? You know as well as I do, if you killed her, Falox would've been the one kissing your ass. The price on my head would've went up, and I know you're not that greedy, Johns. Not if you was going to setting for 20 from Hoxie."
Johns looked at Riddick and placed the bottle on the ground. "For real, Riddick. We came here together, we die here together." Riddick only watched as he continued. "Sure, if we get off this planet, we'll be at each other's throat like old times. But right now, I have a very bad feeling about this Falox guy, and we're going to need each other if we're going to do this right."
"And when did you notice this?"
"When that warlord almost killed me from way up in the top stands." He gave Riddick a serious look. "Shit like that, will tell you something."
Riddick nodded as Johns looked at him. "Can I ask you something?" Johns asked.
"Sure."
"You and Valor. What's going on?"
Riddick looked back and smiled. "We were together way before you were in my life, Johns. So don't get jealous." And gave a little laugh.
"Be serious, Riddick."
"What else can I say Johns? She's my wife. We got married back when I was a ranger. I watched what I thought was her death so I left for duty to try and forget." Riddick stopped there and looked towards the ground. Johns respected him and decided not to ask anymore questions.
"Were you able to think of a new plan yet?" Johns asked deciding to change the subject.
Riddick gave a small laugh. "I'm tired of doing all the thinking." He then said playfully. "Why don't you come up with the plan for once?"
Johns smiled as he looked back in the direction of the palace. "Well, Tienbooks was right about one thing. We can't get off this planet without a ship. And there's no telling what they did with ours, so that means, eventually we're going to have to go back to that palace and steal us one."
"And they are not exactly giving us an invite either."
Just then Valor gave out a loud scream. Riddick screamed as he turned. "Valor!" When he made he full turned he saw the body marked Tygerian Lord, kneeling down next to her, caressing her face. Riddick noticed how Valor was also holding her neck while still in the sleeping bag.
"Shh! It's okay my sweet." Falox said as he continued stroking her face.
Riddick grabbed a nearby gun. "Get away from her!" And Johns and Riddick opened fired on him. But the bullets swept past and even through his body, until they were out of ammo.
"Guys, calm down." he said. "Do you actually believe I would come here in my physical form knowing what you three are ready to do to me?" He stood and gave them a smile. "I am still at the palace, next to my two, " he looked at Riddick. "Yes, I said TWO, warlords."
"So you have been watching us." Riddick said in his low tone.
"Oh yes, Richard, I have. I have watched you, three, make a complete mockery of my tyranny." He looked at Johns. "I'm guessing the deal is off right?"
"I usually don't keep deals with guys who try fucking over me." Johns replied.
Falox looked back at Riddick. "You, Richard, you think everything is so simple." He paused. "That's why I'm here, to make sure I throw an obstacle in your path each time you overcome one."
"What are you talking about?" Riddick asked still staring at the Lord coldly.
"Do you honestly believe that my warlord's magic was a fluke? A fraud, perhaps?" He caught Riddick looking at Valor in concern who was still in her sleeping bag, listening to all the news that was being said. "That right, Richard. Her life is in grave danger. And it is up to your actions that will decide if she will live or die."
Valor shouted out. "What did you do to me?"
Falox looked back and Valor. "What did I do to you?" He gave a little laugh. "Only this."
Suddenly Valor gave another scream as Riddick noticed an electric field form around her neck, easily telling him Falox was shocking her through the warlord's magic.
"Valor!" Riddick yelled.
The pulse stopped as Falox immediately turned back to Riddick and growled. "You will have three days and three days only to turn yourself into the palace. And this is the beautiful part. There are 24 hours in a day, Richard. Meaning for every 12 hours, your lover will feel that painful electric magic twenty seconds per blast, and trust me Richard, twenty seconds is a very long time to feel a pain such as this." Riddick could do nothing but watch his love rub her neck when the shocks subsided. "And all you can do is watch her ache." Falox gave another smile. "And if I don't hear or see from you within these next three days, I will fry her." He pause as his frown came back. "The next time you kiss her lips, they will be of nothing but a burnt corpse."
"This is far from over Falox."
"I hope the same, Richard. So I do hope you can make your mind quick. Because your time starts now." He disappeared as Valor gave out another scream.
"Get it off! Get it off!" She yelled, but there was nothing to remove. The magic continue to consistently shock as all Riddick could do was grab her and hold her, somehow to detain her until the magic subsided. Finally, after the twenty seconds, Valor fell unconscious. Riddick assured she was still breathing and stood with anger, hatred, blood, and fury all bursting out of his heart.
Johns cautiously stood behind him to check out Valor's condition. "God damn it, this man is ruthless."
Riddick said not taking his eyes of his love but his mind filled with the thoughts of Falox's decapitated head. "At least we got our invite."