My Alien Warrior Read Online Free PDF Page B

people.
    Khaos tried to remember this the next morning when he woke up with a pounding headache and the knowledge that he had about twenty minutes to shower and make himself presentable before the shuttle from the capital was coming to pick him up.
    He swore under his breath as he cleaned himself and his mouth, running fingers through his hair as he selected the nicest clothes he had. Hopefully they weren’t expecting too much of him.
    “Look at you all fancy,” Maeve cackled as he rushed down the stairs, looking for something quick to eat to tide him over before the lunch. “One day as champion and you’re already turning yourself around.”
    Khaos rolled his eyes. “Not likely. I just don’t want to make a fool of myself when I get to the capital.”
    “Good luck,” the old crone said, laughing more.
    He shook his head and grabbed some fruit from the bowl, shoving it into his mouth over the sink so he wouldn’t drip on his clothes. The tunic and pants were hardly fancy, but they didn’t have any stains or rips in them, and were the newest things he owned, so they would have to do.
    Maeve was gone by the time he’d wiped his mouth of fruit juice and drank some water, and he could hear the whirring sound of the hover shuttle as it made its way up the road that led to the house.
    His heart pounded in his chest, and it occurred to him that this could change his life in some way. Probably some small way, but still. It was something he had accomplished for himself through his hard work and dedication to a skill. It was something to be proud of, no matter what happened.
     
    What happened was this: the shuttle pulled up and a driver got out, sweeping a low bow to Khaos and then letting him in. It was long, but comfortable ride to the capital, and his nerves were jangling the whole time, wanting to get this over with already so he could see what they wanted from him.
    The windows were tinted, and he couldn’t see much until they’d entered the compound. The capital was all one massive building that spanned the area between the four quadrants of Blessini. It housed all the government buildings and all the people who worked in them, keeping them safe from the elements.
    It was the biggest center of tech and information on the planet, and rumor had it that files were kept there on every single being that called Blessini home.
    Khaos didn’t doubt it.
    It was easily the biggest structure he’d ever seen before, and he was glad that once he’d gotten off the shuttle, a guide had appeared out of nowhere to lead him to wherever he was supposed to be. Otherwise he would have been lost in a second.
    As they walked along, they passed all manner of creatures. It seemed that Blessini’s diverse population was very well represented here, and Khaos saw creatures he’d never seen before.
    They looked back at him as they walked, not even being subtle about their staring. It probably wasn’t often that they got strangers in.
    Soon enough, though, they made it to a large room. A long table dominated the center of it, food laid out on it appetizingly. Khaos’ rumbling stomach reminded him that all he had eaten before was a little fruit.
    Calin was seated at the head of the table with a few others on either side. They all looked to be Kaspersi, and Khaos relaxed just a bit.
    He was invited to take a seat, and he did, making himself comfortable and piling food on his plate.
    For the first bit, it was fine. He ate and the others asked him questions. They asked about his family, his upbringing, how he had gotten into arena fighting and how long he’d been doing it. Khaos answered each question diligently, even though he had the feeling that these people already knew the answers.
    After about twenty minutes of questioning, they all fell silent and exchanged glances. Almost as one, the others looked to Calin, who cleared his throat.
    Picking up on the fact that it was more than likely a significant gesture, Khaos paused with a spoon