The Alien Within

Chapter 227: Awakening Sparks!

Tessa shifted her weight and launched herself backward, heading straight toward one of the hiding spots where her pursuers lurked. Her movements were calculated, not reckless. This was more than a confrontation—it was an experiment.

Though her own power was suppressed, her faith lay in a far more mysterious source: the unborn child within her. Over the past weeks, she had come to understand the remarkable bond they shared, a connection that transcended words and thought.

Through it, the baby had conveyed an astounding revelation. During their time absorbing the Solaris' legacy from the purple lake, it had stored an immense reserve of power, enough to devastate even a Xanthex-level god.

This revelation was her shield and her sword. No matter who pursued her, as long as they weren't an Imogi—a being of immeasurable destruction—she was confident they wouldn't stand a chance.

Her body became a blur of movement as she twisted in mid-air. Her senses were sharp, her target clear. The subtle rustle of leaves and the faint shift of shadows had given away her pursuers' position, but Tessa's reaction wasn't driven by fear. This wasn't mere self-defense—it was an experiment, a calculated test of her current limitations.

Her landing was smooth, deliberate, and silent as she closed in on the hiding spot. Every step she took was measured, her sharp gaze scanning for any further signs of movement. Her heartbeat remained steady, her breathing calm.

The bond she shared with the unborn life inside her was unlike anything she had ever experienced. It wasn't just maternal intuition—it was a telepathic connection that defied reason, a silent dialogue that revealed truths even she struggled to comprehend.

From this bond, Tessa had learned that the child carried a fragment of energy that was immense, powerful enough to rival even the Xanthex god level beings.

Tonight, she would see just how much of that power could be wielded.

As she neared the hiding spot, her body tensed, her hand twirling in a smooth, deliberate motion. A small orb of light began to form in her palm, growing brighter with each passing second. It hummed faintly, a concentrated swirl of electrical energy, compact yet potent. Tessa's lips curled into a faint smile. The energy didn't belong to her—it came from the child. But in this moment, she was its conduit.

She thrust her hand forward, releasing the orb. It spiraled through the air like a streaking arrow, its glowing tail slicing through the dim light of the surrounding forest. The energy struck the precise spot she'd been aiming for, exploding on impact with a crackling surge.

A muffled cry broke the silence as the figure hidden in the shadows stumbled into view, writhing and twitching uncontrollably. Tessa's steps were unhurried as she approached, her eyes cold and calculating. She had deliberately restrained the energy in the attack. If she hadn't, the figure before her would have been incinerated on the spot.

The figure collapsed to the ground, trembling violently but still alive. Tessa paused a few feet away, her expression unreadable as she watched her victim struggle to catch their breath.

Her experiment had been a success. The child's energy, though foreign and unfamiliar, responded to her commands with precision. It was a reassuring revelation, one that only strengthened her confidence. Even in her current state, she wasn't helpless.

"Talk," she commanded, her voice low but dripping with authority. She didn't raise her hand again, but the faint sparks dancing at her fingertips were a clear warning.

For a moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, the figure raised their head. Tessa's eyes narrowed as she took in the details. The pursuer was a Zubo native, their bird-like neck and angular features marking them as one of the planet's inhabitants. But something about this one was different.

Around the native's wrist was a sleek device—a wristwatch. The faint glow of a high-tech energy band circled his other arm, humming faintly with a power that didn't belong to this primitive world.

Tessa tilted her head slightly, a flicker of curiosity passing through her gaze. A native with advanced technology? That was unexpected.

"Well," she said softly, her tone a mix of intrigue and menace. "This just got interesting."

The native groaned, his body still trembling from the residual energy of the attack. His wide, bird-like eyes darted between Tessa and the faint sparks at her fingertips, a mix of fear and defiance in his gaze.

Tessa took another step forward, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension thickening the air. Her sharp eyes never left the trembling native before her, still recovering from her earlier attack. "Now, tell me," she said again, her voice steady, almost coaxing, "who sent you, and where did you get that tech?"

The native hesitated, his bird-like head jerking slightly as though weighing his options. His beak opened and closed silently, his wide, darting eyes betraying his fear. Tessa's lips curved into a faint smile as her fingers twitched, sending a faint spark of electrical energy crackling through the air.

"Don't make me ask twice," she said, her tone sharp and cold, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Before the native could muster a response, the sound of shuffling feet and the low click of weapons echoed from behind her. Tessa's muscles tensed, but she didn't turn immediately. Slowly, she glanced over her shoulder to see three more Zubo natives emerging from the shadows, weapons raised and pointed directly at her. Their crude firearms gleamed under the faint light, but the presence of guns was enough to confirm her suspicions.

"So," Tessa murmured, more to herself than anyone else, "these aboriginals are not so simple after all." Her smirk deepened, her amusement barely veiling the razor-sharp edge of her thoughts.

The tension hung heavy as she pulled a small device from her pocket—a language interpretation tool she had taken from the clover spaceship. She planned to activate it, hoping to better understand her attackers, but before she could, one of the natives stepped forward, his gun trained squarely on her chest.

"Don't waste your breath on that thing," he said in perfect, unaccented language that Tessa immediately understood. His voice was steady and menacing. "We understand you just fine—and that toy won't save your life today."

Tessa's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, though her smirk never faltered. "You can understand me just fine," she echoed, her voice tinged with mock admiration. "Now that's interesting." Her eyes darted to the native at her feet, then back to the group in front of her. "I take it Rinliner Ao isn't aware of groups like yours? Or…" her tone shifted, sharper now, "...are you playing everyone for fools, including him?"

Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and for a brief moment, the armed natives exchanged glances. Tessa's smirk widened. She had struck a nerve.

One of the newcomers, a taller figure with a red band wrapped around his wrist, snarled. "You talk too much for someone heavily pregnant and at the edge of death."

Tessa's laughter broke the tension, light and melodic, but unmistakably mocking. "The edge of death? From you?" She tilted her head, her sharp eyes gleaming with amusement. "Let me explain something to you." Her voice dropped, growing soft yet filled with an unmistakable threat. "If I wanted you dead, none of you would have left behind even your shadows. But lucky for you, I have no interest in leaving behind ashes tonight."

Her confidence was palpable, an invisible force that seemed to shake the group's resolve. But Tessa wasn't finished. Her smirk faded, replaced by a sharp intensity that left no room for doubt.

"You're going to lower those weapons," she continued, her voice calm but commanding, "and you're going to answer my questions. Because if you don't…" She raised her hand, letting a small spark of energy crackle at her fingertips. "Let's just say my patience is very, very short."

The leader hesitated, his weapon trembling slightly in his grip. Tessa could see the doubt flicker in his eyes, a sign that he wasn't as certain of their advantage as he wanted to be.

But Tessa wasn't done playing. While she could obliterate them in seconds, she had no intention of doing so—yet. This group was a potential goldmine of information and, perhaps, the assistance she needed to construct her transportation device. Killing them would solve nothing. Manipulating them, however, was a game she was more than willing to play.

"Well?" she said, folding her arms as though completely unbothered by the weapons trained on her. "What's it going to be? Do you want to gamble your lives on the slim chance you'll outsmart me, or are you ready to talk like civilized people?"

Her tone was mocking, her expression one of calm superiority. But behind the mask of amusement lay the sharp focus of a predator, ready to strike the moment they made a wrong move.