Kaja Star: No Place Like Home

By Aaron Rocheleau

On the day Titus Markava plans to propose, he is horrified to discover that the love of his life is actually a shape-shifting alien man. Before he can recover from the unfortunate news, he is quite literally thrown from Earth onto a completely different world in a completely different solar system.
It is a world where a person might conduct himself almost as well as he conducts electricity. It is a world on the brink of an interplanetary conflict. It is a world of dinosoids, insectavores, and even a cyborg or two. It is a world with CNN... just not quite the same CNN we’re used to.
Yet even though it is a world where entire planets can be traversed instantly by portals called gates, Titus can’t find even one to take him back home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aaron Rocheleau
• Release date: Jul 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311552785

Aaron Rocheleau

Hi, I’m Aaron Rocheleau. I live in West Michigan with my family. I write stories, because exciting adventures are way more fun than call centers and insurance. My stories are fast paced and fun (gotta be able to compete with those newfangled video games, and movies). I like to let your own imagination paint the picture.When I’m not writing, I’m taking swims in Lake Michigan, playing those newfangled video games, and geocaching, which is like treasure hunting, only safer. Alas, I'm not as athletic as Lara Croft or Nathan Drake. My house is perpetually surrounded by free range attack chickens that viciously consume everything in their path. Chickens are nature’s zombies. I prefer cats over dogs.

Book preview

Prologue

Cherim had been on the kaursed, disgusting piece of useless rock known as Earth for so long. Oh how he hated watching the humans, most of the time anyway. He couldn’t remember exactly how long it had been. He watched them march around like dricks with no idea how weak they were. Cherim was so bored with the humans. Even thirties were more interesting… barely.

But it is all coming to an end now, he thought. He finally had his ticket out of this place, a golden ticket that would put him face to face with Sergheed Idane again. The ticket was a seemingly ordinary human. Cherim had been watching him for a very long time. Normal at first glance, but there was no mistaking the growing kaja power inside that particular human. He knew the human was a young adult male, just not exactly how young. It didn’t really matter to him. He just had to run a few tests, play a few games, and then he could get off of this lowly post His Omniness punished him with. If his assumptions were correct, this human would prove to be more of a challenge. All he needed to do now was to set up the trap he had been planning. The ol’ bait and snatch. Today was a very big day for Cherim.

Chapter 1

Today was a very big day for Titus Markava. The clock was ticking down to the most important moment in Titus’ life. The previous hours of the day had felt no different then the hours of days prior. It wasn’t until late afternoon as he stood in a field not far from his home that the importance of this day began to dawn on him. He stared at the big diamond and the ring it was attached to. It was an engagement ring he had purchased in the town of Melonweed a few miles west of where he now stood. Her name was Alice Cherim and she was perfect. It was almost as if someone had reached into his head and designed the perfect woman for him.

So now he would make the perfect evening for her, a picnic. Corny perhaps, but also a perfect way to showcase his ability to follow a recipe while enjoying a cool summer afternoon. The food would only be passible, so it would be up to the great outdoors to pick up the slack in the ambiance department.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t help it along. Titus snapped the lid of the ring case shut, stuffed it into his pocket and surveyed the spot he had selected. He concentrated for a moment and stomped his foot on the ground. The ground in a growing circular radius in front of him began to ripple slightly at first and then with more confidence. A couple of stones hidden underneath the grassy canopy tore free of the dirt and obediently rolled away. Titus pressed his foot down harder and the ground became perfectly even and flat before it went still. He turned his attention to the checkered blanket perched comfortably on top of the basket also purchased for this evening. With a wave of his hand the wind rudely pitched the blanket into the air over the flattened spot. Titus snatched it with one hand to hold it level as the wind unfolded. The wind grew calmer and Titus let go of the blanket to see just how long he could get it to float there.

My powers. Along with the nervous anticipation of proposing, he was also debating the possibility of telling Alice about his miraculous gift. It seemed dishonest not to, but he wasn’t sure of what his powers actually were. The few books he had read for answers suggested that telekinesis was the closest explanation, but it still didn’t quite fit. At least he was pretty certain that he wasn’t possessed by a demon.

His attention to the blanket was diverted by a soft rustling of the grass. It’s her! Titus halted the wind and quickly grabbed the blanket guiding it down to the ground. Trying to keep a cool head, he spun around and almost stumbled despite the perfectly level ground he was on. Alice smiled as she walked across the field. Her outfit looked new and her dark blonde hair waved around her head as she walked. She waved and jogged the last few steps to meet him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him twice.

"How are you today, mon ami?" she asked. It was the first thing she always said whenever they saw each other.

I’m great now that you’re here, Titus replied.

So what’s this big surprise you have planned for me? I’ve been dying to know all week. He stood aside and gestured towards the set up. Alice looked over the spot, and nodded in approval. Ah a picnic. How…

Corny?

"No, I was going to say classic." She took Titus’ arm and as he led her to her spot she practically bounced with every step. While Titus finished setting up he noticed that Alice was staring intently into a nearby forest that bordered the field. He got the chicken piccata out and tried for her attention,

Hey, you interested in the woods or in me? He lifted a plate to her. I’m the one with the food. She turned slowly toward him and spoke as if she was coming out of deep thought,

Yes… of course, let’s eat.

Titus sat and felt the lump of the ring case against his leg. The butterflies in his stomach went into overtime as he swallowed down his first bite.

Not bad, if I do say so myself, he announced.

Alice smiled and picked at her food. She wasn’t saying much and kept staring at him, occasionally looking into the woods again.

What’s the matter? I thought you were…

Let’s go for a walk, Alice interrupted, as she abruptly jumped to her feet. She turned striding purposefully in the direction of the woods without waiting for a reply.

Wait, just let me… Titus began as he hurried to throw things haphazardly back into the basket. Alice stopped at the edge of the woods. When Titus looked up, she smiled impishly before turning and disappearing into the trees. This is not going as planned. Shaking his head, he followed without bothering to finish packing up their picnic site.

The woods forced him to move slowly through the lower branches along his path. The woods seemed darker than they had a minute ago and he narrowly avoided tripping into a stream. Must be getting late. Alice! he called out. Alice where are you?

Over here! she called back from no particular direction.

Where? Titus stepped into a clearing.

Right in front of you.

Indeed she was, just standing there waiting for him in a clearing although she hadn’t sounded that close before. Maybe there was some sort of echo. A different smile on Alice caused him to pause. Maybe it was his imagination, but it seemed more devious. The case in his pocket seemed heavier.

What was that all about? Titus asked, fighting a small frog in his throat. Nervous, so nervous.

Oh nothing, I just wanted to make sure no one would see us, she replied matter of factly.

Shocked, Titus coughed. Who would have thought a picnic could be so effective? Since Alice seemed in the mood for games, he decided to play along.

So why wouldn’t you want anyone seeing us? he asked as suave as possible. Alice began to slowly walk toward him.

Oh, for something very special I assure you. You are one of a kind Titus. I really need a specimen like you… Specimen? What? "…You just have to prove that you’re the right human for me." She was close now. He needed to say something perfect, but she didn’t give him the chance. She leaned forward and kissed him. He closed his eyes to concentrate on the wonderful kiss. After a few moments he felt her pull away and he slowly opened his eyes. When his vision returned he was shocked to see that he was staring back at himself.

Wow, we’re good kissers! his copy said in his own voice, smiling fiendishly. "We’re not very good cooks though, sorry." Titus yelled out in surprise and terror. The copy frowned and placed a painful backhanded strike across his face, knocking him backwards. The taste of blood filled his mouth.

Shut up Titus! the copy yelled. Do you have any idea how much I’ve heard that annoying bleating sound from all of you humans? As the copy said ‘humans’ its skin rippled and it transformed into several different people with terror stricken faces. The copy changed back into Titus and continued, I was hoping our encounter would be different.

Who? What? Where? How? Humans? A million thoughts rushed through Titus’ aching head, but only two made it out his mouth,

"Who or what are you?" The copy smiled and began pacing in front of Titus, speaking the whole time as if it had rehearsed the answer on many occasions.

I am Cherim! Great kaja mage of His Omniness, Sergheed Idane of the Ka System! I have been here for… over a century, I guess. I dunno, I don’t quite get your weird time math. Anyway, I’ve been looking for a very unique human such as you and now that I have found you it is time for you to prove yourself worthy.

Cherim stopped and looked as if he was trying think of what his next line was. He shrugged and his skin started to ripple again. Titus backed away as Cherim grew horns and two hairy hoofed feet. His upper half became red and muscular. Titus looked in disbelief at the big red bull-like monster Cherim had become.

Where’s Alice!? What did you do with her!?

Cherim growled at him in a beastly voice much different from the one he was using before,

"I was Alice you inbred wastrel. To prove it, Cherim’s head rippled and it became the blonde haired woman Titus had intended to marry only moments before. Cherim’s voice became Alice’s, How are you today, mon ami?" Cherim giggled as Alice for a moment before changing his head back to match the monster body.

"All those months… everything… they were with you?"

Was it good for you? Cherim’s voice became beastly again and he laughed. Titus suddenly felt very ill. It had all been a lie. Now, Titus let’s see what you’ve got. Fight or die!

Fight? The huge red monster thing lumbered toward him. He had never been a fighter, but in the past he had accepted an invite from the karate club on a whim back in college and it hadn’t gone very well. Though he had signed up as a beginner, he had no trouble keeping up with everyone. The instructor suspected him of having prior training and denying it only made him irritated. Yet Titus somehow had an innate talent and when the time came he easily defeated all who sparred with him. The correct counters, blocks, and attacks just came naturally. That is to say they were correct to him, just not correct for karate. They didn’t match anything that he saw while in the club. He left after attending for only a few weeks to no one’s disappointment.

Neither Alice, nor their love had been real. Feeling betrayed, Titus’ confusion turned into anger and he ran forward placing a high kick right into Cherim’s stomach. The kick didn’t even phase the beast, and Titus stumbled back instead. Cherim laughed. Anger turned to fear. Titus’ next thought seemed like a more effective one. Run! He turned and started running, but was lifted off his feet by his shirt. Cherim snatched him with two of his massive fingers and brought him face to face. His hot and lightly chicken piccata – laced breath blasted Titus as he spoke.

"What’s wrong Titus? I know that’s not all that you have. I know you are hiding your true power from me. I can sense it, and I want to see it! I won’t let you leave here alive unless you use your powers."

My powers. How does he know about my powers? He hadn’t told anyone and he never used them in public. Maybe this Cherim had observed him once. If he could change into anything, it wouldn’t be hard for him to hide. The thought of using them as a weapon had never occurred to him.

Cherim threw Titus with one light flick of his arm. Luckily, a tree stopped his flying lesson. Pain raced down his back as he slowly stood up from the ground. Cherim bellowed and charged while Titus raised his hands to defend himself. A ball of fire jumped suddenly from his hands and splashed across Cherim’s body. Cherim roared in surprise and stumbled back.

Where did the fire come from? While Cherim burned, Titus risked a glance at his hands. He saw nothing unusual. Cherim cleared his throat. Titus looked back up at the creature that was burning. Through the flames he could see that Cherim’s snout was actually curled into a smile.

"I changed into a Fire Monitore you legless drick! Your little cinder tricks cannot harm me. It feels rather good actually, which is more than I can say for what you’re about to feel."

How am I supposed to know what a Fire Monitore is? I haven’t even heard of one!

Cherim shrugged and for a moment it looked as if he was actually going to apologize. Instead he charged again with the flames still burning on him. Great now I’ve just made it worse. Titus stood his ground and concentrated on a new tactic. The wind quickly responded to his call and blew forest debris into Cherim knocking him off his feet. However this backfired too. The wind caught the fire on Cherim and blew it all over the surrounding trees turning the clearing into a raging inferno. He made the wind stop as quickly as he could before it fanned the flames any further.

The situation was once again worse. Great, now I’m going to be burned to death. His despair faded a little as he remembered the stream he had almost fallen into. Ignoring the fact that Cherim was getting back up, he began to concentrate.

Now look what you’ve done, bellowed Cherim. I was indeed wrong about you human. While you posses kaja energy, you are too simple – minded to wield it. The sergheed… Cherim’s words were cut short as Titus’ new stream poured into the clearing. The stream divided into two and formed a circle around the clearing shooting up like a geyser, putting out the fires as it went, only the flames on Cherim remained. Titus opened his eyes and looked right at Cherim. The water understood, and it flew towards him. Cherim’s beastly bellows became gasping yells as he changed again, but into what exactly Titus couldn’t see. He released his hold on the water and it flowed back to its stream as if in reverse.

Cherim coughed for a few moments from the soaking he had received. The smoke cleared and Titus finally got a good look at what was possibly Cherim’s true form. He wore a long leather coat that went down to his boots. His pure white skin contrasted the coat. There weren’t many features on his face. His nose was very small and flat and he had no ears or hair. The most unusual thing was his eyes, which were totally black. Titus was surprised to see that Cherim’s mouth was curled into a grin again.

"So now that we got that over with, said Cherim. This is going to be a very important day for us both."

What are you?

Huh? Oh, I already told you all that stuff, keep up. Cherim… kaja mage… yada, yada, yada. Don’t worry, all your other questions will be answered soon.

How did you know about my powers and why did you just try to kill me?

"No, no, no, I was trying to test you. The whole life and death thing was just to speed up the results. The sergheed will be very pleased with me! Now come, it’s time for us to go." Cherim stepped forward and looked up while he mumbled to himself. Titus took a step back.

Let’s see, how do I open a portal back to Nix… it’s been so long. Ah well, I am the great and powerful Cherim. How could I fail? Here goes.

Cherim reached over and tapped a blue glowing button on a bracelet Titus hadn’t noticed before. He stood ready in case Cherim attacked again. There was no attack, but there was a large snap as a blue glowing portal appeared in thin air and then disappeared. Cherim cursed under his breath and slapped the button hard. This time the portal snapped, sparked, but stayed open. Titus stared in amazement at the portal. He had a strong urge to see what was on the other side, but an even stronger urge told him that it was a bad idea.

I’m not going anywhere with you, he said forcefully, and I want to know what’s going on now. Cherim looked to him in annoyance. The portal began to waiver a bit. He approached Titus speaking in a threatening tone,

You listen here, human. You’re going in now before the portal becomes too unstable. Cherim cried out as a large rock flew up from the ground and struck him in the side. Titus made more rocks rise from the ground and they hovered around Cherim in a threatening manner.

Why don’t you just shut that thing off and sit down. I bet I can throw these much harder.

Hmph.

Cherim took a step closer. I warned him. Two rocks hit Cherim in the legs and another hit him in the head. Cherim clutched his bald white head and fell to one knee. Out of the bigger rocks, Titus concentrated harder and made smaller stones rise from the ground to strike. One stone hit the bracelet on Cherim’s wrist. The portal flashed red for an instant, and crackled. Titus was getting nervous, he couldn’t keep this up forever, and the small stones couldn’t be hurting Cherim very much. Run! Now is the time to get out of here! Running would essentially mean leaving Alice behind, even if there really wasn’t an Alice. There was too much for Cherim to answer for.

Uncle! Mercy please! I surrender! Bazooka Joe, anything! No more! cried Cherim pitifully.

Feeling slightly sorry for the strange man Titus stopped. Big mistake. With frightening speed Cherim’s arm turned into a slimy green tentacle and he wrapped it around Titus. The tentacle shivered, grew even bigger and lifted him off the ground. Titus struggled to escape Cherim’s grasp, but it was no use. The portal flashed again and several sparks flew from it.

I hope you have better manners in front of the sergheed. He is far more powerful and less patient than I. Off we go now. Oh, I can’t wait to get back home, away from this kaursed planet!

Titus’ head was spinning with panic. Planet? This guy is from another planet? Cherim flung him into the portal.

Chapter 2

The journey through the portal wasn’t exactly enjoyable. The feeling of flying forward fast while being weightless would have been fine in an amusement park, but when floating free the feeling was terrifying. Everything was a blue shimmering abyss around him. Thankfully the ride ended quickly. The portal flung Titus onto the ground. He immediately sprang up to dive back in. However, when turned around the portal had already sealed itself up and a brown wall made of hardened clay was staring back at him. Titus spun again expecting to see Cherim laughing at him, but there was just another clay wall. His feet were treading on sandy dirt and above there was a pretty blue sky. It looked earlier in the day. Cherim was nowhere to be seen at all. Maybe a stone had damaged the portal. Maybe he had escaped. Maybe he was free! But where am I?

He appeared to be in an alleyway. To his left, was a dead end with a pile of foul smelling garbage; to his right, an opening onto a dirt road. Titus could see people walking down the road as they passed in and out of view. All of them were wearing some variation of a dirty brown robe. Some robes had hoods and he noticed for the first time that it was rather hot, even in the shade of the alleyway. Gathering his courage, he walked out into the open. The main street was filled with people and strange stands where odd items were on display. Am I in Egypt? The scene reminded him of something right out of Arabian Nights. There were big cube shaped houses lining the street. They all seemed to be made of hardened clay. Numerous side streets and alleys lined the main street.

Tiun hard thig tee himon, said a man, shouting at the people while he held up some odd looking meat. It didn’t sound like any language Titus had ever heard before. As he walked down the street through the busy market place people kept glancing at him. His clothes stuck out like a sore thumb in the middle of the sea of brown robes, cloaks, and shawls.

GEEU tuft, shouted someone at Titus after bumping into him. Hoping that English was somewhat prevalent in this area Titus responded nervously as he pointed to the ground with both hands,

Excuse me, could you tell me where we are?

GEEU huki yuion FORGUS wert, replied the man angrily, before continuing down the street.

A simple no would have sufficed, muttered Titus under his breath. He stopped walking and stood in the middle of the bustling marketplace. He listened to the vendors and people shout as they walked by each other.

Yuin huj ghat.

GuH hujik kion seephorb…

…frion werd tyuig.

It was all so confusing. He did know one thing though, he was in trouble. He had been thrown into a portal by a weird shape – shifting alien, lost in a strange place that looked like Saudi Arabia, and couldn’t understand what anyone was saying. Then he heard her. The voice was soft at first; barely audible in the loud crowd, but it grew stronger.

Tyuh nok huyfg seriun…

"Hello, can you hear me?"

…frong guh juyt asdfriun…

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here to help." Out of nowhere he could hear a female voice whispering to him in English. The crowd overpowered her voice again. He shouted,

Where are you?

Some people gave him odd glances. He waited, but heard no response. He was about to try again when the voice came back much louder.

"Nearby. There is no need to shout just think it and I will hear." Titus wasn’t quite sure what the lady was getting at, but it definitely sounded like her voice was inside his head. He repeated his question only this time he just thought about it,

"Where are you?"

Look to your left. Do you see that alley? Walk down the road into that alley, and enter the fourth door to your left. I’m waiting for you there.

Then as quickly as the message came, it stopped. Titus stood only for a few moments and decided to walk across the road. He bumped into several people who shouted more odd words at him, until he reached the alley. It was much longer and darker than the first one he had been in. It was also very quiet as if repelling all the busy sounds of the main road. He walked down the street stepping over small piles of what looked and smelled like garbage counting down to the fourth door on his left. It was the last door in the alley. He jumped as a shadow of a strange creature lunged at him, but was relieved when he realized that it was just the shadow of some clothes hanging on a line several stories above him. The sound of the door opening startled him again. He looked down but there was no one behind the door to greet. It had simply opened by itself. Not wanting to waste anymore time considering a handicap friendly, self opening door in a day already filled with unexplained events he entered the building.

It was very dark inside. The only source of light came from two blue glowing orbs. One was attached to the ceiling, and the other one was set on top of an odd looking dresser. Titus stayed by the doorway surveying his surroundings. Across the room there was another doorway. There was a small bed and the wall to the left was covered in what looked like gold chains. There was no woman. He decided to examine the orb on the dresser first, but no sooner did he leave the doorway than the door slammed shut. Startled, he spun around, but saw no one. He turned towards the orb again and almost passed out with surprise.

There was a woman sitting on the bed, but it was like no woman Titus had ever seen before. She had silvery skin and hair that glowed softly like the moon and her eyes where the bluest he had ever seen. The silvery gown that she wore shimmered almost as much as her hair. The most interesting features of the woman however, were her horns. She had three small horns, two curled ones above her eyebrows, and a third larger pointed one in the middle of her forehead. The horns didn’t take away from her beauty at all. In fact, they made her even more beautiful. Alice (even though she was actually a shape – shifting alien man) had suddenly become a dull memory.

"Thank you very much," said the woman in Titus’ mind. He paused not sure what to say. What is she thanking me for?

"I thanked you because you gave me a compliment," replied the woman. She was somehow able to read his mind. He would have to be careful or else the situation would end up being even more embarrassing.

Oh yes I just didn’t realize, stumbled Titus, but he stopped talking as the woman give him a confused look.

"Just think it please. I can’t understand you when you speak yet. Your thoughts become jumbled when you speak." Titus felt embarrassed, but he really didn’t know why. After all, how could he have known? So he thought his first question,

What do you mean by yet?

"I can make your ears hear only your language. It won’t work with every word, but if you allow me to proceed I think you’ll find our conversation more comfortable."

"Uh, okay, what do I have to do?" Sentences were becoming more difficult to focus on. Not only was he always nervous around women, but he was kind of new at the mind reading thing.

"It will not take long and it shouldn’t hurt at all." The woman stood up and walked over to him. His heart almost went into his throat as she reached up and gently put fingers into his ears. His face burned with nervousness as the beautiful woman put her face right up to his, resting her largest horn comfortably on his forehead. She closed her eyes, and Titus felt his whole head tingle. He heard strange words and voices echoing everywhere and maybe somewhere deeper he heard… screaming. All the sensations went away when the woman suddenly removed her fingers and pulled back. Titus stood there for a few seconds not knowing what to do.

Hi, he decided to say at last.

Hello Titus, replied the woman using her voice (which was also beautiful) instead of her mind. He re-gathered his thoughts and tried to decide what to ask first, but the woman still knew what he was thinking.

"Titus, please let me speak for I have very little time. I know that you are a hu-man from a very distant planet called Earth. You must understand that you are nowhere near Earth. You are in a part of the galaxy known as the Ka System." He couldn’t help it, he had to interrupt,

"What? Then what planet am I on? Who are you? How am I going to get back? How did you do…" The woman slowly waved her hand in front of him and he felt very numb in the brain. He suddenly forgot what he was talking about. Satisfied, the woman continued,

The introductions will have to wait until another time. I have to fill that confused head of yours with as much basic knowledge as I can. The woman was speaking at a fast pace and he just wanted to stop a moment and think, but he decided it was better to just cooperate.

I’m listening, confirmed Titus. The woman smiled and began again, speaking slowly as if talking to a young child.

"I know your name, and where you are from because I am a kaja psychic. In your world, beings lack kaja energy. This is a world where most people have been given this gift by Ka. Everyone’s abilities are different, and we use them to achieve higher ways of life than even technology can give us. This world’s technology is different than the technology of your world. We’ve been given things like gate travel and…" The woman stopped and gave Titus a look of impatience. He realized that his mouth was hanging open and he quickly shut it. The woman continued on a different subject.

Never mind that now, you are on 32Y. It is the furthest planet from Ka’s sun, also called the Kaja Star. People that live on this planet are very similar to humans. They are known as thirties, and very rarely exhibit kaja powers. Titus interrupted,

"Why is it called 32Y?"

It is more of a classification than a name. It stands for its place among the planets. It’s the 32nd planet in this system, the last planet, and the most recent to be discovered. The thirties seem content with it, but this isn’t what we must discuss. You have to go to the sergheed straight away.

Hold it! I’ve heard of this Sergheed guy before. The uh, alien that sent me here wanted to bring me to him for some reason and I don’t want anything to do with him!

No Titus, you have it very wrong. First, sergheed is not his name it is a title like president or king. Second, Sergheed Idane is who you need to seek.

"No, I need to seek a way back to earth!"

"Titus you came to 32Y by a gate. The Sergheed oversees the gates and since there are none going to earth, he is the only way you could get home."

The woman sounded very serious. She seemed to want him to see the Sergheed as much as Cherim did. Titus began to feel nervous again, not because he was alone with a beautiful alien woman, but because that woman might not actually be trying to help him as he had first assumed. The woman’s expression changed right in front of his eyes. It wore a look of sad disappointment rather than of concentration. He suddenly felt guilty, as he remembered that she could read minds and she could hear everything he thought.

I’m sorry, that you don’t trust me, Titus. I could tell that you humans are not very trusting, much like the thirties. I had hoped that my gift of speech would have accounted for something. Titus walked passed the woman and sat down on the bed. He didn’t look up at her as he spoke.

No, I’m sorry. Thank you for the help. After all, I’d still be wandering the streets of 32Y if you hadn’t helped me.

The sergheed can also help in other ways. Surely you must wonder why you can wield such power while other humans cannot.

Yes I have been wondering that long before all of this happened. Do you know why? Titus looked to the woman with a faint expression of excitement, but the woman shook her head.

I do not, but the sergheed knows many things. It is very possible he knows why especially if he knew of Earth.

So where do I go to find the sergheed? I hope it’s not a long walk. Suddenly the woman laughed. It was a beautiful laugh and it made him feel better, but what she said next didn’t.

Oh, he is not on 32Y. He is on the third planet from the Kaja Star called Nix. Titus’ heart sank, how was he supposed to find another bracelet toting shape shifter with a ticket to Nix?

Uh, so where’s the nearest portal?

There are no gates on 32Y. Most freighters are not allowed to land on 32Y, nor would they want to. The thirties pretty much stay to themselves.

So how do I get to Nix then?

This is where you are in luck. Titus looked down at the floor again. He certainly wasn’t having anything close to good luck. The woman continued,

The arena has reopened. The only way for you to get off the planet is a Coalition space transport, and the arena winner at the end of the tournament will be taken to Nix on one. Once you arrive at the Mount Olympus arena on Nix you would meet the sergheed. Titus stared down at his hands which still had scratches from his battle with Cherim. In the arena you will be given the chance to compete against the greatest kaja mages, and warriors of 32Y for the honor of competing in the worldwide tournament at Nix.

Compete? I can’t compete! You must have read my mind wrong. I’m not a professional fighter. My back is still sore from being thrown into a tree and I… the woman interrupted,

You defeated Cherim. If you can defeat a kaja mage of his prowess then you will have no problem with even the very best 32Y manages to scrape together. Titus considered mentioning that if he had really defeated Cherim then he probably wouldn’t be on 32Y speaking with her, but she didn’t give him a chance. Titus, I can tell you are scared, but listen to me. The woman knelt down and held his hands in her own while she spoke to him. He didn’t have the will to look up at her face.

As extraordinary as it seems, there is kaja pumping through your blood. You have the ability, and a chance to discover a part about yourself that you never knew existed. Being lost and confused in a strange world is hard, but it can be turned into the experience of your lifetime. It will change you and make you stronger. Titus, look at me. Now feeling exhausted, Titus looked up at the beautiful alien face of a woman he had never imagined existed, but was helping him through the most unbelievable situation anyone had ever been in. She stared at him for a few seconds and then spoke again,

"Titus I believe that you will win that tournament and will go see Sergheed Idane! His vision became a swirl of silver and white as he stared at the woman. He could tell there was no escape from the overpowering urge to sleep. She released her gentile grip from his hands and stood up. Now remember this, do not by any means discuss your origins or this conversation between us with anyone. You’ll pass as a thirty easily enough and no one will know what Earth is anyway." As his vision became blurrier he could make out a flash of light. The woman vanished.

Wait, he said softly, I don’t even know your… name. White became black as Titus Markava closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Chapter 3

Titus awoke not feeling groggy in the least. A new surge of energy was flowing through his body. Even his previously sore back muscles were now refreshed, as if the tree had never tenderized them. While he stood and stretched, he thought about what the strange yet beautiful woman had said. He was still a little reluctant about going to see the sergheed due to Cherim’s little game. However, since the woman had gone out of her way to help him (and he had no other alternative besides hunting down Cherim and stealing his broken portal bracelet) he decided to go along with her suggestion. He was going to see the sergheed, and he was going to get to him via the arena. That presented another problem: How was he supposed to fight against warriors who had been practicing with their powers against other people? She hadn’t entirely convinced him that it was possible. He had only begun to explore what possibilities his kaja powers could achieve. Then again, he had almost defeated Cherim even with Cherim’s prior experience. What good did it do me though? I still got stuck here.

In the end, Titus’ newfound cheerfulness and energy overpowered his feeling of dread. He walked outside into the hot fresh air. The sun (What had she called it? Ka’s sun?) seemed to be straight up in the sky, and he wondered if the time and days worked the same in this place. After taking a deep breath of air he walked out into the middle of the main street. He was so focused that he didn’t notice how empty the street was and that the people were gathered close together on the sides of the road staring down it with nervous apprehension. Though he didn’t at first, Titus (eventually) did hear the forty-five or so thirties that were yelling at him in English,

Get out of way, do you want to be crushed?

You’re going to get yourself killed! Get over here!

An ICO caravan is coming! Get off the road you idiot! Idiot? Someone called me an idiot. That’s great! I really can understand people now. His joy at being called an idiot was interrupted by a large shadow creeping up behind him. He slowly turned around and saw the ugliest thing he had ever seen. Standing about nine feet tall, an orange bipedal lizard-like creature was staring down at him. It was wearing an odd rubbery body suit that looked stretched painfully tight on the lizard-man’s scaly body. All over the suit there were holes cut for the large spines and scaly bumps to stick out of. Titus glanced down at the lizard-man’s feet which weren’t covered by the body suit. On both of its huge feet were three huge toes ending with a claw. Titus could see a tail with a club shaped bone on the end behind the lizard-man swishing back and forth behind its legs as it marched towards him. The lizard-man’s hands were free of the body suit as well, and the left hand clutched a large halberd.

The halberd was much different from any halberd Titus had seen in his history books. The pole was made from some kind of dull metal. The blade on top was dusty, but looked as sharp as it’s holder’s claws and spines. Why does he even need that thing? The creature reached Titus in about two massive steps. He looked down at Titus, anger filling his yellow reptilian eyes. The lizard-man bared his teeth and growled. At least that’s what it sounded like at first, but then he realized that the creature was actually speaking to him,

Insolent thirty. You dare use the road when the Coalition comes through? You are to make ROOM when the Coalition graces your streets. The lizard-man’s leg suddenly shot forward trying to kick him out of the way, but Titus (without even realizing it) performed a perfect back flip to easily avoid it. The lizard-man’s rage was conveniently displayed on his scaly reptilian face for him to see. Titus finally noticed a rumbling.

Some kind of armored vehicle behind the lizard-man approached. It had four metal wheels taller than Titus that left large tracks in the dry dirt as it moved forward. Along the front and sides, he could see numerous tinted windows. It looked like a mechanical crossbreeding between a limo and a tank. The vehicle almost took up the whole road. Several thirties were taking cover in the alleys to avoid it. Others were stuck with only a foot or so between them and the massive wheels. Near the left side of the vehicle another lizard-man with brown scales was marching slowly in front of it.

The lizard-man in front of him roared. Titus’ focus snapped back to him just in time. The lizard-man gripped his halberd with both hands and made a mighty swing at him. Titus dropped backwards and his back hit the ground. The blade blurred above him. What is it with huge ugly creatures trying to kill me lately? Adrenaline surged into his body and he wondered if kaja energy worked automatically too, or if he had to consciously think about it. The lizard-man made an overhead swing, and he rolled out of the way. Titus got back up onto his feet, and instinctively leapt into the air as the lizard-man dove for him. Surprised by the height of his jump, Titus awkwardly landed on the lizard-man’s shoulders. He kicked the lizard-man’s head, but it was like kicking a tree stump. As it grabbed at him, Titus jumped down behind his attacker and got a clear view of the rest of the caravan.

The brown scaled lizard-man was now charging towards him and two more guards were coming from behind the vehicle as well. They weren’t lizard-men, but Titus didn’t want to waste