The Alien Within

Chapter 234: The Birth of A Divine Allegiance!

After flying across the vast, glowing landscapes of Zubo, 'The Whale,' a masterpiece of engineering and magic, descended gracefully into the heart of the Deri-Legu settlement.

The colossal vessel shimmered under the planetary sun, its white metallic surface reflecting hues of silver and gold. A low hum resonated as it hovered momentarily, then landed with a gentle thud that reverberated through the ground.

The Deri-Legu people, clustered near the landing site, stared in awe. The Whale was their crowning achievement, a testament to their ingenuity, and yet, it still felt like a fragment of the divine compared to Tessa's vast, incomprehensible wisdom.

The moment the Whale touched the ground, the arched doorway at its center began to glow faintly, opening with a hiss of pressurized air. A staircase of shimmering metal unfurled itself, extending to the ground like an invitation from the heavens.

One by one, the Deri-Legu people who had been involved in one way or the other in the construction of 'the whale', filed out, their expressions a mixture of pride and melancholy. They had tasted the heavens, soared through the skies, and now, to step off the Whale felt like leaving a part of their souls behind.

Tessa stood silently at the archway, her figure illuminated by the soft glow emanating from the vessel. Her deep blue eyes seemed to pierce through reality itself as she watched the last of the Deri-Legu disembark. Nzak Deri, their leader, was the last to leave. He paused midway down the steps, his weathered face filled with resolve, and turned to face her.

"Can we continue to accompany you?" His voice was raw, almost pleading. "We will build anything you desire—anything! We know you possess knowledge beyond any in existence. We only wish to develop ourselves under your guidance. Please, goddess... allow us to follow you. We promise obedience to your every instruction."

He dropped to his knees mid-sentence, then lowered himself further until he was practically prostrating himself before her. His words carried a desperation that silenced even the murmurs of the crowd.

Tessa raised an eyebrow, visibly amused. What a convenient turn of events, she thought. She had been contemplating ways to con.... cough... sorry, to convince the Deri-Legu to join her as her personal construction team.

The knowledge she had gained from Zorath, the god of time, was vast—far too vast to implement on her own. To build the devices she needed—god-killers, stealth vessels, interdimensional anchors—she required a team with unparalleled skill and loyalty. And who better than the Deri-Legu?

Feigning surprise, she tilted her head. "You wish to serve me as my personal construction team?"

Her voice was calm, but it carried an undertone of power that sent chills down the spines of everyone present. For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then, as though a dam had broken, a roar erupted from the crowd.

"YES!"

The response was deafening, a unified shout that echoed across the settlement like a thunderclap. Engineers, mechanics, designers, and scholars of every field surged forward, their eyes gleaming with unrestrained excitement.

Nzak Deri, still on his knees, lifted his head, his face alight with hope. "We will dedicate our lives to your service, Great Goddess Tessa. Lead us, and we will follow without question."

Tessa descended the steps slowly, each footfall deliberate, radiating authority. Her every movement commanded attention, her figure framed against the glowing doorway of the Whale. When she reached the ground, she extended a hand and rested it lightly on Nzak Deri's shoulder. The gesture was subtle yet powerful, grounding him as he knelt before her. Her voice, calm yet resonant, carried an air of finality.

"Very well," she said, her tone firm but laced with an undercurrent of approval. "If you are so willing, I will accept your allegiance. But understand this—this path will not be easy. The creations I envision demand precision, brilliance, and unwavering commitment. There will be no room for failure, no space for mediocrity."

The Deri-Legu people stood breathless, her words sinking deep into their hearts. Yet, their resolve only grew stronger, visible in their eyes as murmurs rippled through the crowd. Engineers, scholars, and artisans exchanged eager glances, their minds already racing with ideas and dreams of what they could achieve under her leadership.

Tessa straightened, her gaze sweeping over the gathered masses. Normally, she wouldn't have considered relying on the Deri-Legu people; trust, after all, was not something she gave freely. But as she observed them—their devotion to innovation, their single-minded pursuit of growth—she realized they were different.

Unlike the rest of the Zubo planet's inhabitants, who often clung to traditions and rivalries, the Deri-Legu were consumed by their hunger for advancement. They didn't care about politics or power struggles; their loyalty was to progress itself. She knew she could wield that desire like a weapon. And then there was Nzak Deri—honest to a fault, his emotions laid bare for all to see. He was no schemer, no manipulator. His sincerity was his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.

A small, amused smile flickered across her face, but it vanished as quickly as it came. Replacing it was a stern expression, her voice cutting through the chatter. "Prepare yourselves," she commanded. "We don't have the luxury of time. An attack is imminent, and it will not spare anyone. I need to make a trip, and you will accompany me. I will explain the details along the way. While I retrieve what I need, you will assist me."

Her words hit like a thunderclap, silencing the crowd. The mention of an impending attack left them uneasy, but Nzak Deri stepped forward, his face pale yet determined. "What about our wives and children?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. He had caught the implications of her words—she intended to save the talented among them, leaving the rest at the mercy of the approaching Clover Manufacturing Company.

Tessa's gaze flicked to the Whale. The vessel loomed behind her, its immense size casting a protective shadow over the settlement. It could easily house the entire Deri-Legu population, their families, and their belongings. To leave their loved ones behind would sow seeds of resentment, rendering even the most brilliant minds ineffective.

She turned back to Nzak Deri, her decision swift and absolute. "Bring everyone on board," she ordered. "We leave together. Families, friends, children—no one will be left behind."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd, and Nzak Deri wasted no time. His voice rang out, barking orders with military precision. "Mechanics, mathematicians, physicists, engineers, tailors, scholars, critical thinkers, designers—form lines! Pack everything essential! We don't have much time!"

The settlement erupted into organized chaos. Families hurried to gather their belongings, while others carried tools, blueprints, and machinery into the Whale. Little children, their faces alight with wonder, clung to their parents. They chattered excitedly, marveling at the chance to ride the god vessel they had heard so much about. For them, this was an adventure, a tale they would one day recount with pride.

As the last of the families boarded, Tessa stood at the base of the Whale, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The Clover Manufacturing Company's forces loomed just out of sight, but she could feel their approach like a storm brewing in the distance.

Turning, she ascended the steps back into the Whale, her voice ringing out one final command. "Secure everything. Once we're airborne, there's no turning back. This is the beginning of a new chapter—for all of us."

The doors of the Whale closed behind her with a hiss, sealing the Deri-Legu people inside. The ship hummed to life, its engines roaring as it lifted off the ground, carrying its precious cargo toward an uncertain future. Inside, Tessa stood at the command center, her mind already racing ahead to the challenges that lay ahead.

Her lips curled into a determined smile. Let the Clover forces come, she thought. They will find out that two can play this game...