Leaving You Behind

Prologue

In the year 2067 AD, the united forces of the planet Chi’krea descended upon planet Earth. The human race fell, and the Chi’kra took over as the dominant species.

Fifty years have passed since the invasion, and all remnants of the humans have been reduced to history texts. We’re the humans wiped out completely? No one knows for sure, but something unusual indeed is happening in the region that used to be called Egypt.

  —- —- —- —-

Dae’crii sat on her rock, thumping her tail on the grass and looking up at the puffy clouds.

This was her life, just sitting and doing nothing while watching over the flock.

Sheep, as the humans had once called them, we’re not very good company.

She had read about the humans, how they once inhabited this planet.

“More like nearly destroyed it,” her mother would often say.

Dae’crii always wondered what the humans were like, how they made friends, what they sounded like, and if they ate their children like Father told her about.

“I wonder if I’ll ever meet one,” She thought aloud. “If there’s even any left.”

As she pondered these things, she suddenly realized how hungry she was. It was almost noon, and she had skipped breakfast that morning.

She hopped off of her rock, and set off toward the fruit trees by the cliffs.

There were safer places to get food, but Dae’crii had always had an adventurous side to her. Plus, this way she could easily keep an eye on her sheep.

She scaled her way up the rocky cliff, crawling up to the little nook where the trees were. She spotted a large, juicy-looking orange on a high branch, and jumped quickly into the dark leaves.

When she ate her fill, she was about to leave when she noticed a pile of things stacked neatly in a pile in the corner.

Dae’crii was a curious girl, and sometimes her curiosity got the better of her.

She peeked into a small bundle. Inside were just old cloths, some dried fruits and nuts.

“How boring.” She said.

A flash of metal caught her eye. Dae’crii slowly lifted the little trinket from the dirt.

It was a small silver chain, with a peculiarly shaped bit of metal strung onto it.

“Strange,” She said. “Is this some weird torture device?”

She poked at it, letting it swing in her grip.

“Maybe a weapon?”

“Or maybe it’s none of ya business, you damn Chi’kra.”

Dae’crii whipped around to see a strange figure standing behind her, pointing a spear at her head

“Woah! Who are you?” She cried.

The creature stepped carefully into the light, causing Dae’crii to gasp.

He was small, only five skeks tall, and terribly scrawny. His brown skin was covered in dirt, and his curly hair was pulled back in a small ponytail.

He wore a short dark cloak, and a mechanical looking mask covered his mouth and nose.

“You’re a human!” Dae’crii sprang to her feet in astonishment.

“Yeah, so?”

“I’ve read about you in my Earth History class! I thought you were all gone!” She bounced as she spoke, her scales now a fresh shade of yellow. “Wow, you’re so much uglier in real life! Those textbooks got it all wrong!”

“Hey! Who you callin’ ugly, you filthy Chi’kra?!”

“Ooh! Sorry! That came out wrong!”

“Grrr, never mind!” The human growled. “Just git outta here!“

“But, wait! I have so many questions! What are you doing here? Are there more of you?”

“Like I’m tellin’ you that! More importantly, what are you doin here?”

“I was just getting some fruit.”

“Well, ya got it, so git goin!”

“Well, I was, but now maybe I won’t, ‘cause you’re being so rude!” She smacked the spear away with her shepherd’s crook. “Honestly! Is this how you humans make friends? You people really are savages!”

“My people savages? Wasn’t it your species that decided to kill most of the world?”

“You were gonna kill the Earth! We had to do something before it was too late!”

“Yeah? Well, blowin’ up and taking everything I’ve ever loved wasn’t very helpful!” The boy’s voice cracked, and he turned away.

Dae’crii turned a bright shade of teal at those words. The human sounded angry, but she could tell he was sad.

“I’m sorry.”

“Whatever, it wasn’t you, anyway,” The boy said gruffly as he lowered his spear. “Just put the locket down and leave.”

“Lo-cket? Is that what it’s called?”

“Yeah, now give it.” The boy snatched the trinket from Dae’crii’s hands.

“Oh! So rude!” She made a face at him.

“It’s rude to ransack people’s stuff too, ya moron.”

“I’m not a moron! I just was curious is all.”

“Curiosity is bad. Can get you into lots of trouble.”

“Hmph, evidently.” Dae’crii crossed her arms and changed the subject. “Um, human, can I ask you a question?”

“If I answer it, will you go away?”

“Maybe.”

“Fine. What is it?”

“Um, so!” Dae’crii said. “What’s your name?”

The boy looked her up and down, and sighed.

“My name is Eli.”

Dae’crii’s scales flushed yellow in delight. She clapped her hands together softly as she bounced on her heels.

“I’m Dae’crii! It’s so nice to meet you, Eli!” She said excitedly.

“Cool, now go. I’ve got things to do.”

“What sorta things?”

“Important things.” Eli said as he gathered his bags.

“Can I help you with the important things?”

“No.” He said, then paused in thought for a moment. “Wait, maybe ya can.”

“I’d be happy to help you! What do you need?” Dae’crii skipped closer to the boy.

“Do ya know where the main city is? There’s gotta be one, right?”

“You mean Chichiopia? Yeah, my aunts live there. We go every so often to visit, if we have the money. That place is so expensive you know-“

“Great. Good.” Eli interrupted. “Now where is it?”

“That way,” she pointed. “About 50 kercheks from here, why?”

Eli didn’t reply. Instead, he hopped off the cliff onto the ground and jogged away.

“Hey! Wait for me!”

“I don’t think you wanna follow me, bruh.”

“I don’t know what a ‘bruh’ is, but it doesn’t matter! I’m coming with you!”

“Why in the world would you wanna do that?”

“Cause I like you! And you’re interesting!”

“W-What?”

“I’ve never met a human before, and I wanna ask you a bunch of stuff, is that okay?”

Eli looked at her with a mixed look of derision, confusion, and awe.

“Look,..Dae’crii, I’m not going to the city for fun. My people are in danger and I have to save them.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Yeah. So stay here. I prefer to go alone.”

“But what if you get hurt? Or worse!”

“Then that’s that, I guess.”

Dae’crii’s scales flushed red. She balled her fists, and ran off again towards home.

“Cool. Bye, then.” Eli said as he continued walking.

Five minutes later, Dae’crii came running back down the road towards Eli. She held a bag on her back, and a wide grin on her face.

“Wait up! Eli!”

“Wow, you really are persistent.” Eli said when she caught up.

“I asked Mum if I could go on a trip with a friend, and she said yes! So I’m free to go with you!”

“Great.” Eli groaned.

“Are you not happy to have me?”

“‘Course not. You’re prolly just gonna get in the way.”

“Hey! I won’t be! Pa says I’m very helpful.”

“Sure. Whatever, bruh. If you die, don’t blame me.”

“Hooray!”

With that, the two set off westward, towards the great city of Chichiopia.

“The Chi’kra took your family away? How awful! I can’t imagine why!” Dae’crii clutched her heart in sympathy.

“I’m guessin’ you don’t know then?”

“Hm? Know what?”

“The war that’s been goin’ on between our species? The Chi’kra want all the humans dead so we can’t retake the planet.”

“What? I’ve never heard anything about that! That’s so terrible!”

“I guess every government has secrets.”

“Hmm.” Dae’crii put a finger to her beak. “But if they want you all dead, why did they take your family alive?”

Eli looked at her with wide eyes, as if he never thought of that before.

“I...don’t know.”

“Weird. But we better hurry! Who knows what’ll happen to them!” Dae’crii grabbed Eli’s hand and ran with him down the dusty roads.

Soon they came to a rocky canyon, cut out by laser fire long ago. It’s walls were charred, and the smell of ozone still lingered after all this time.

The only path was to go through it, so the pair continued onward.

“Do all humans look like you, Eli?” Dae’crii asked.

“Not really, we’re all a little different.”

“Awesome! What kind of stuff do you eat?”

“Whatever’s edible, though I like oranges.”

“Really? I like oranges too! See, we’re not so different.”

Eli glanced over his shoulder at her.

“Mm, I beg to differ.”

“Aw, you’ll see. Hmm, let me think...” she said. “How many humans are left?”

“Couple hundred, that I know of. There’re sure to be more in other countries.”

“How do you know?”

“Cause we humans are resilient, and we ain’t take shit from nobody.” Eli spoke with pride.

“Wow. Humans sure are tough. I read somewhere that they consume poisons for fun.” Dae’crii shivered at the thought.

“Poison? Oh, ya mean booze? Yeah, bruh, but that’s adult stuff though.”

“How do you survive drinking that?”

“Ya water it down, add some flavors, who knows. I don’t drink that crap.”

“Humans are scary.”

“Heh, you think so now, you should see us when we’re angry.”

Eli’s words made Dae’crii’s blood run cold. She shivered again, and pulled her cloak tighter around her neck.

Eli noticed, and pulled his cloak around him as well.

“Kinda chilly, ain’t it? Suns going down.”

“Eli, is this place safe? I heard wild dogs roam around here at night.”

“What, you scared of a couple dogs?”

“N-no!” Dae’crii paused. “...Maybe.”

“Heh, told ya you shouldn’t have come.”

Dae’crii flushed red again, growling low in her throat.

“You’re so-“

A loud howl interrupted her. Then several more howls joined the first.

“They’re here.” Eli said, a smile in his voice.

“Ah! What do we do?” Dae’crii‘s scales went violet.

“Stay behind me.” Eli grabbed his spear from his back, moving into defense position.

The dogs leapt from their dens onto the canyon floor. They encircled the two, fangs bared.

Eli didn’t hesitate. He jumped swiftly into attack mode, taking out two dogs in one swing.

Dae’crii kept her back against the wall, and her eyes on Eli. She watched the way he fought, never wasting movement.

Suddenly, a dog leapt from above, falling onto her. It took most of her strength to keep the beast’s jaws from sinking into her throat.

Darn! She should have brought her shepherd’s crook!

She kicked, sending the dog flying. It lunged at her again, but with a final kick, the dog slammed into the rock and fell.

“All right! I did it!” Dae’crii cheered. “But holy cruds, that was scary.”

“Nice one.” Eli said as he took out the last dog.

“Really? Thank you!” Dae’crii turned a bright shade of pink. “You were awesome with that spear.”

“Thanks. Now cmon, or I’m leaving you behind.” He said seriously, but Dae’crii could see a smile in his eyes.

A few hours later, they settled into an abandoned den in the cliff walls. There they ate, and tried to sleep, but a lot was on their minds.

“Eli?” Dae’crii said at last.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think you can really beat those guys? The ones that took your family?”

“I have to. Ain’t a question if I can or not, only how.”

Dae’crii twitched her tail, and her scales rippled orange.

“Well, if you believe you can, then I believe in you too.”

“...Thanks, Dae.”

“Dae? Is that like...a special name for me?”

“Ah, sorry, that came out wrong-“

“No, I like it.” Dae’crii’s scales flushed pink as she smiled. “I like it a lot.”

A bit of silence passed, then Dae’crii spoke again.

“Hey, Eli?”

“What?”

“What is that ‘locket’ thing you have?”

Eli sighed and clutched the metal bit in his hand.

“It’s a necklace. Akila, my sister wore it all the time.“

“What does it do?”

Eli smiled softly and opened the locket, revealing a small heart-shaped photo inside.

“That’s me and my sister when we were little.” He said.

“Woah! You were so tiny! Given, you still are pretty tiny.”

“Hey! I’m not that short!”

“You’re shorter than me.” Dae’crii laughed.

“You’re an alien! That doesn’t count!”

The two laughed and talked for most of the night, enjoying those few moments of peace.

  —- —- —- —-

For two days the pair trekked across the countryside. Over hills, across rivers, and through rocky caverns they went.

Finally, they reached their destination. The great city of Chichiopia lay before them in all of its splendor.

The city seemed alight with gold as the morning sun rose. The ancient pyramids caught the light, and reflected it onto the pale sand.

“Woah...” Eli breathed.

“Wow!” Dae’crii wagged her tail in excitement. “It’s so beautiful in the morning sun! That’s where your family is, right Eli?”

“Yeah, c’mon!” Eli slid down the side of the sand dune. “We have to hurry!”

“Wait! This is a Chi’kra city! If you’re seen, it’ll be bad.”

“Oh, jeez, that’s true.” Eli paused mid-step.

“Hmm, put your hood on.”

“What about my legs? They’re the wrong shape for a Chi’kra.”

“We’ll say you have a glandular disease.”

“Bruh, no.”

“Yeah, it’ll work, I promise.”

The two crept towards the city borders, and snuck inside via a traveler’s cart.

“Awesome. Now all we need to do is find where they’re keeping your family.” Dae’crii said.

“And how do we do that? You don’t just go up to people and ask them where to find government secrets.”

“You can if you’re not a wuss!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him around the city square.

“Excuse me, ma’am, you wouldn’t have happened to see some humans pass by here, would you?”

“Pardon, sir, but have you seen any humans around lately?”

“Hey, guys, have any of you seen a human around here anywhere?”

About noon, Dae’crii and Eli plopped themselves down on by the city fountain for a break. Apparently, no one had ever seen a human being in their life.

“We’ll never find them like this.” Eli put his head in his hands.

“Don’t worry, where there’s a will, there’s a way. My Pa says that a lot.”

“Heh,” Eli scoffed. “Y’know, that’s an old human saying.”

“Woah, really? I thought it was just something he made up.”

“Nope, but he’s right, I guess.” Eli stood and stretched. “C’mon, bruh. I have an idea.”

Together they climbed to the top of a tall building, and looked out over the city.

“Woah!!” Dae’crii lifted her lands above her head. “I feel so tall up here!”

“Dae,” Eli said. “If you were an evil guy trying to hide a bunch of humans, where in the city would you put them?”

“Hmm, I don’t know...” Dae’crii scanned the horizon. “I suppose somewhere outside the city.”

“And what’s just outside the city?”

Dae’crii gasped, “The Great Human Pyramids!”

“Right! And look,” Eli pointed to the largest pyramid. “There’s a vehicle going into that one.”

“That must be the one, then! C’mon! No time to lose!”

Dae’crii followed Eli as they crept along the base of the pyramid, inching closer to the entrance.

“Shouldn’t there be more guards?” Eli whispered.

“Security is lax, cause nobody cares enough to go snooping places.” Dae’crii stage whispered back.

“Weird though,” Eli said. “Weren’t these all tombs a long time ago?”

“The Chi’kra repurposed them. No sense in glorifying the dead of a conquered species.”

Eli shot her a look.

“What? It’s what my aunts said.”

“Whatever, just follow me.”

They ran to an oncoming vehicle, and hitched a ride on the back. They clung breathless as the craft hovered inside.

The interior of the pyramid was like nothing either of them had ever seen. The walls were high and dark, and dark colored lights lined the floors and ceilings.

Carefully, they navigated the hallways and passages, avoiding guards and security cameras.

“This seems a lot more difficult than anticipated.” Dae’crii whispered.

“It’ll be fine. Don’t-“

A horrible, blood-curdling sound stopped the two dead in their tracks. Dae’crii covered her ears as her scales paled white. What was this awful sound?

“Dae, remember when I said you never wanted to see a human angry?”

“Yeah? Is this that?”

“This is worse.” Eli’s hands trembled as his eyes filled with tears. “That’s a human in grief.”

“My gods...” Dae’crii turned a pale violet. “We have to go save them!”

“What if it’s-“

“It’s not! It’s never too late!” She grabbed his hand tight. “Let’s go save your family.”

“Right. Let’s go.” Eli wiped his face and ran with her.

Finally, they reached the room from which the horrid sound came. Peeking inside, they saw a sight so frightening, both were frozen in place.

Inside was a large room, the lights shattered and zapping with frayed wires. In the darkness, Dae’crii could see a mass of metal and gears that lay in the middle of the room. Along the walls in neat rows stood hundreds more of the same kind. They were limp and dull, and no movement came from them.

A scream came from behind a door in the back. Two Chi’kra came through, pulling a human girl with them.

A third Chi’kra in a white coat approached the girl.

“That’s Dr. Ki’eii from the news! He’s famous!” Dae’crii commented.

The human girl screamed and fought back against her captors, but they paid no mind. They simply shocked her with an Ulti-Taser, and she went limp.

Dae’crii looked to Eli. He breathed heavily, with clenched fists and fire in his eyes.

“Akila...” He growled.

“Eli-“ Dae’crii touched his arm.

Eli’s imitation growl grew louder into a defiant war cry. He burst into the room, aiming his spear to attack.

“Eli?” Akila looked wearily to her brother.

“Get your hands off her!” Eli leapt up, coming down hard at the Chi’kra.

The guard dodged, moving swiftly into an attack of his own.

He hit the boy in the stomach, sending him flying. Eli jumped back up unfazed and prepared to try again.

The skill which Dae’crii so admired in Eli was overshadowed by his rage. He tried to free his sister time and again, but was beaten back each time.

When he could no longer get up quickly, finally Dr. Ki’eii spoke.

“Well, well, what have we here?” He said, pacing over to the boy. “Did we miss a human?”

Eli pushed to his knees, reaching for his spear. The Doctor kicked it out of his reach.

“And such a feisty one too. Hm, are you playing hero, little boy?” He laughed.

“Give her back. Right now.” Eli hissed.

“Oh, I’m afraid I can’t. I’ve been commissioned, after all. Have to turn these pathetic creatures into something useful.” Dr. Ki’eii chuckled.

“Turn them into...” Eli repeated. “What are you doing to them?”

“Oh, not much, just removing their free will, maybe adding a few upgrades here and there, you know how fragile humans can be.”

“No! These are my family! You can’t do that to them!”

“Oh, I can, and I will. Would you like to see?”

Dr. Ki’eii pulled a lever by the monitor, and the room lit up.

The figures by the walls were illuminated to reveal grotesque cyborgs, humankind and robot combined in one.

“No!” Eli cried as he looked over what was left of his family. “Ma! Pa, anyone, can you hear me?”

“Oh I’m afraid they can’t,” Dr. Ki’eii said. “Not until I turn them on. Even then, their brains are mine to control with this remote.” He waved the device in his hand.

“Are they...are they dead?”

“Might as well be, I’m sure they wish they were. Now, how would you like to join your precious family?” The Doctor laughed.

Eli gritted his teeth and said nothing. He couldn’t even respond.

The Doctor shocked him with the Ulti-Taser.

Eli went limp, collapsing to the floor. Dr. Ki’eii loomed over him, and raised his weapon for the final blow.

“No!!” Dae’crii screamed.

She burst from her hiding place, throwing herself in between the Doctor and Eli.

“What’s this? Who are you?”

“I won’t let you hurt him! He’s my friend and you’re being mean!” Dae’crii put her hands up protectively.

“Dae, no,” Eli said weakly. “Get out of here, or he’ll kill you too.”

“No! I won’t go! Not until you remember who you are, Eli!”

“W-What?”

“You’re a human!” Dae’crii looked back at him with a smile. “You eat oranges and drink poison for fun! You’re strong and loyal and resilient, and you ‘don’t take shit from nobody’! You’re graceful and courageous and beautiful in every way that the Chi’kra could never be. And I wanna be just like you!”

“Dae...”

“So I’m not leaving you behind! Cause you’re my friend! And I’m your Bruh!”

Eli’s dark eyes sparkled as he stood back up.

“You’re right, Dae. Thanks for reminding me.”

“How touching.” The Doctor sneered. “However, the sentiment won’t save you. I’ll deal with you later, Human. For now, I’ll have my fun with this traitor.”

Dr. Ki’eii leaned closer with his taser, toying with Dae’crii as he prepared to strike.

Without a word, Dae’crii swung her leg up as high as it would go, kicking the Doctor in the teeth.

The Ulti-taser clattered to the floor as the doctor staggered back.

“Why, you...” He hissed.

“Shut up!” Dae’crii smacked him again with her tail. “You’re mean!”

She pounced for the taser, flipping back onto her feet as she grabbed it.

“With this long handle,” Dae’crii thought. “It should be the same principle as my shepherd’s crook! Which means...”

She spun the rod in her hands with great skill and precision.

“Try me, Beyoncé!” She cried.

“What does that even mean?” The Doctor stepped back.

“I don’t know!” Dae’crii lunged, swinging with skill learned from years in the fields.

She hit the Doctor’s hand, sending the remote clattering across the floor.

“Eli! Get the remote! Save your family!”

“Right!”

He ran for the device, but before he could reach it, a guard stepped in front of him.

Eli dropped to the floor, sliding in between the guard’s legs. Who knew being short could be useful?

He grabbed the remote, leaping back up to his feet.

“Dae! I got it!”

Dae’crii finished her fight with a final shock to the Doctor, sending him to the floor.

“Hooray! Let’s go! Before reinforcements get here!” She picked up Eli’s spear, tossing it to him, and together they finished off the guards.

  —- —- —- —-

Epilogue

The room filled with the sounds of reunion as the humans regained consciousness and found their families.

“Ma! Pa!” Eli hugged his family, paying no mind to their new robotic upgrades.

“Eli, you saved us!” Akila said, joining the hug.

“Oh, abni,” His mother cried. “I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks, but I couldn’t have done it without Dae.”

Eli wiped his eyes and turned to his friend, who stood a ways away from the humans.

“Well,” She said as he walked over. “Now that you have your family back I guess I should head home...”

Eli said nothing, but grabbed her into a tight embrace.

“Woah! This is nice, what’s it called?” She asked.

“Its a hug. An’ it means thank you, Dae. For everything.”

“No problem!” She hugged back. “It was really fun. So are you going home now that your family is all together?”

Eli released his hug, looking at her like she’d just killed his dog.

“Our home was..,” he started to say.

“Blown up.” Akila finished the thought.

“Oh my goodness, I’m sorry! I forgot! Oh dear, how do we fix this...” Dae’crii put a finger to her beak.

She paced around in thought until she had an idea.

“I know!” She pounded her fist in her hand. “You can come over to my village! We have plenty of room, and you could help out on the farms, and if you want you can build houses of your own! Oh-“

Eli took her hand in his, and looked up at her.

“Dae, have I ever told you you’re the greatest?”

Dae’crii’s scales flushed a bright pink.

“N-no, but thanks! I think you’re the greatest too!”

“Thanks, bruh. Now let’s go!”

“Right! C’mon everybody!”

Dae’crii and Eli led the humans through the city, over the hills, and across the deserts towards their new home.

The pair stopped on the cliffs where they first met, and looked out over the green plains.

“Here we are!” Dae’crii announced. “Your new home!”

Eli smiled and took her hand.

“Let’s go!” He said. “Or I’m leaving you behind!”