Slashes across the chest became visible instantly as he ran near the opening. There were also a stab in the stomach and a hand missing. At each of these wounded spots, the flesh and metal seemed to be dissolving slowly. The Zyglak’s grunts and gasps echoed through the cavern. He stumbled and ran into a wall, stifling a scream. He couldn’t let them know he was in here. He had to get away. No blood dripped from his wounds, for the substance causing his body to dissolve was eating the thick, red liquid.

 

He ran. He had to. They couldn’t catch him. They would make Karzahni on earth. Then again, that clump of grass right there at the opening looked very comfortable. But no. He ran harder. He could hear the happy laughter coming over the cavern behind him. Dawn was beginning to break. The seawall was only a kio away. He ran.

 

Then they appeared over the rocky hill he had come out of. They consisted of many different species, Zyglak included. The bright, happy hues of their clothing and armor masked their evil. Their smiles of joy looked like maniacal smirks of bloodlust. The Zyglak who had killed so many was scared. The enemy was gaining. They were only a few bio behind. Their happy laughter echoed in the running amphibian’s head. There was only a dozen more bio before the water.

 

But they were so close. The Zyglak made a desperate leap that covered the entire distance left and plummeted into the water. The disappointed groans echoed even through the water. But it was replaced with laughter again as they ran off, gathering their food for the day. The Zyglak let the final breath he had from above out and let his gills do the work for him as he drifted down toward the city. The guards caught him gently and took him inside the hospital to be treated.

 

The leader of the formerly barbaric Zyglak, Lord Xan, very well might have met his fate.