Deep within the tangled jungle, Moro and Kara led their small team of Vhalar scouts stealthy and cautious moving like shadows among the trees. They had observed the Giza Mtuji's activity for days now, watching the strange beings and their unnatural work beneath the lush canopy.
Their suspicion grew as they saw the aliens spreading strange energies and reshaping the land. The Vhalar had no understanding of technology or space only ancient spirits and shadows and to them, these beings were spirits of the sky, manipulating the earth itself.
"They are too bold," Moro whispered, voice low with unease. "Their spirits are changing the ground... and they've taken one of ours."
Kara nodded grimly, eyes darting across the scene. The alien workers had captured a Luminary an engineer working on a crystalline growth chamber. The Vhalar believed these beings's strange machines were powerful spirits immortal entities they dared not openly confront.
"We must act," Kara decided. "If we do nothing, they will take more of our kind, and the spirits of the land will be lost forever."
With careful coordination, Moro and Kara moved closer, sneaking past silent guards and avoiding the alien workers. A moment of silent communication passed mimicking their ancient gestures before they made their move.
Quickly, they struck. One Vhalar darted forward, snatching the Luminary from the alien's grasp. He struggled, eyes wide with terror, as Moro and Kara pulled him into the dense underbrush and into a concealed hiding spot.
"We take him," Moro whispered urgently. "We will bring him back to our clan to learn what they are doing maybe he can tell us how to stop them."
They darted into the shadows, carrying their hostage through the thick jungle until they reached their hidden village beneath the protective canopy. Inside the concealed chamber, the Vhalar elders gathered an anxious, wary council trembling with anticipation.
The clan leader, Zalor, looked over the captured Luminary. His glowing eyes flicked with suspicion.
"What is this?" Zalor hissed, voice low. "You have captured a spirit of the sky an outsider. Speak!"
The Luminary shaken, but alive looked around wildly. His eyes darted with confusion, unable to comprehend the language or the nature of his captors.
"He does not understand us," Moro whispered. "He is terrified. But if we can connect with his mind if we can peer into his thoughts perhaps he will reveal their plans."
Saumu's voice suddenly roared inside Moro's mind a sharp, commanding psionic surge restraining him.
"Bring him here," Saumu ordered through the connection, her consciousness piercing through the alien's fractured mind. "I will speak directly. If they refuse to listen if they threaten us I will make them understand the weight of a queen's fury."
In a flash, her consciousness merged with the Luminary her mind flooding with her own authority, warning the Vhalar to return their hostage. Her voice rang out in a commanding, divine tone sharp, unyielding.
"Return him now, or face my wrath. I do not wish to destroy your world, but I will defend my people with shadows and fire. Return him peaceably or face the consequences."
The Vhalar leader Zalor listened, but his expression hardened into defiance. His silent gaze communicated that her threats meant little in their dense, forgotten world.
"Your words are empty," Zalor spat, unmoved by her warning. "Our spirits will decide our fate, not outsiders' threats. He is ours now."
Then, without remorse, Zalor and his elders struck. The Luminary's body was violently slain crumpled and lifeless. The Vhalar warriors showed no fear, unbothered by her warning.
The moment the Luminary fell, a jolt of terrible pain shot through Saumu's consciousness a brutal backlash, as her mind was forcibly torn from the alien's body. Her eyes fluttered, sweat beading on her brow, pain ripping through her core.
"Noooo…" she gasped, her voice ragged as her consciousness was forcibly expelled. Her body shivered violently