Chapter 173: The Eclipse Moon Pack
The journey through the void had been a blur of terror, cramped darkness, and the rhythmic, guttural chants of the Borisin guards. The beast-ship's engine thrummed, a low vibration that vibrated through the cold metal floor into your bones, a constant reminder of your captivity.
After a long journey that felt like an eternity, the Borisin beast-ship finally, violently, docked. A shudder ran through the entire vessel, accompanied by the shriek of metal grinding against stone.
This was one of the territories of the Eclipse Moon Hunter Pack, a fallen land conquered by the Borisin.
You and Jiang Li were roughly pushed down the gangplank, your bare feet hitting the dark, iron-rich dust of the planet.
The air was a physical assault. It was thin, hot, and filled with a nauseating mix of decay, rust, and the metallic tang of old blood. The sky, visible through the choking smog, was a sickly dark red, offering no sun, only a constant, hellish twilight.
In the distance, massive, jagged structures stood like the skeletons of forgotten gods. They were Towers of Glory, built from the colossal bones of their conquered foes—rib cages twisted into grotesque archways, femurs stacked high to create watchtowers, and skulls the size of star-skiffs forming the gates.
[Inorin's Note: The 'Towers of Glory' are Borisin structures, built from the bones of conquered species as a brutalist monument to their victories on the Path of The Hunt.]
A neuro-whip cracked, and you instinctively pulled your sister closer. "Hurry up, filth! What are you dawdling for!" a Borisin guard roared.
You held Jiang Li's hand tightly. Her small fingers were ice-cold, trembling uncontrollably.
"Brother... it's so scary here..." she whispered, her voice cracking, her wide, rose-colored eyes fixed on the bone towers.
"Don't be afraid, your brother is here," you whispered back. You forced your own voice to be steady, even as your heart hammered against your ribs. You vigilantly observed your surroundings, your [Efficient Learning] talent absorbing every detail, calculating every threat.
Along the way, you saw the "residents"—a large number of Foxian slaves.
They were dressed in rags, their once-vibrant fur matted with filth and blood. Their eyes were vacant, hollowed out by a despair so deep it was almost tangible. They performed strenuous, back-breaking tasks under the crimson sky.
Some had crude iron chains around their necks, led by Borisin children like prized pets.
Even more chilling were the Foxian overseers. They weren't Borisin. They were Foxians, wearing scraps of lupine armor and carrying the same neuro-whips as their masters. They struck their own kind with a ferocity that seemed even greater than the Borisin's, screaming curses in a language you barely recognized.
This, you realized with a cold dread, was the price of survival here.
Soon, you were herded into a large, open-air square, paved entirely with the skulls and bones of smaller creatures. Many Borisin gathered, laughing and trading, scrutinizing the new "stock" of captives like livestock.
A burly Borisin leader walked over. His gray fur was adorned with grim trophies—braided tails of other species, polished finger bones, and what looked like a dried Foxian ear. He radiated an aura of power and casual cruelty.
"This is all? A pitiful haul," he said gruffly, his voice a low growl. "I need a new battle slave. The last one was torn to shreds by a Thryll gladiator. It was... disappointing."
His gaze swept over the adult captives, dismissing them with a sneer. "Too old. Too broken." His cold, yellow eyes quickly landed on your group of captured children.
His gaze passed over you, then stopped, locking onto Jiang Li. She trembled, instinctively hiding behind you. She was small, pure-white, and fragile. A perfect "pet."
"This little fox-cub... she looks quite clever..." The Borisin stretched out his massive, scarred claw to grab her.
At that very instant—you moved.
You didn't attack. You didn't run.
You stepped directly in front of your sister, shielding her completely.
You suddenly lifted your head, staring intently at him! Your gaze showed no hint of retreat.
The black death lines of your [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception] reappeared in your vision, crawling over his body like a spider's web. You saw it—a clear, thick line running straight up his arm, across his chest, and to his neck.
You knew you could kill him. Your mother's dagger was still hidden in your rags. You could end him in one, clean strike.
But you also knew this was their stronghold. You saw the dozens of other warriors surrounding you, all of them covered in lines. Killing the leader here meant you and Jiang Li would be torn to shreds in the next second. It was a failed move.
So you just stared. You showed no fear, no submission. You told him with your cold, 8-year-old golden eyes—if you want to touch my sister, you will have to kill me first.
"Oh?" The leader was stunned. He'd seen terror, broken submission, and blind rage. He'd never seen this. An 8-year-old, looking at him like he was the one who should be afraid.
A surprised, then deeply amused, expression appeared on the Borisin's face. "Interesting... a little fox-cub who dares to glare at me. Quite bold, little brat."
He revealed a fierce, cruel smile. "I've changed my mind. I like spirit. Broken toys are no fun. I'll take you."
"No!" Jiang Li, hearing this, forgot her fear and tried to rush out from behind you. "Don't take my brother away! Please! Take me! I... I'll be your slave!"
You were faster. You reached out, your hand clamping over her mouth, pulling her back into a tight, desperate hug. "Shh..." you whispered, your voice shaking for the first time. "Be good. Be quiet."
Jiang Li shook her head desperately against your hand, tears streaming down her face, her muffled cries heartbreaking.
Your mind was made up.
Rather than let her, a true, innocent child, be taken as a "battle slave"—a fate you couldn't even imagine—you would go yourself. You had [Abundance's Blessing]. You could heal. You could endure.
"Very good! I like your stubbornness!" the leader burst into laughter. "That fire in your eyes! Let's see how long it lasts in the fighting pits! Bring the reins!"
A Foxian slave, his own ears torn, tremblingly handed over a set of reins. They weren't leather. They were made from creature sinews, embedded with tiny, sharp barbs designed to sting and bite at the nerves.
[Inorin's Note: A 'Breaker' collar is a device used by the Borisin to control slaves destined for gladiatorial combat, often equipped with disciplinary mechanisms.]
The leader personally, and roughly, put the collar around your neck, snapping it shut. The barbs pricked your skin instantly, a sharp, burning pain.
A sense of profound, humiliating restraint welled up in your heart. You were no longer a person. You were property.
"Remember, little brat," he leaned close, his breath hot and rank on your face. "From now on, these reins are your life. I hope you live a little longer than the last one. Take him away! Put the female cub with the other slave-stock!"
"No! Brother! BROTHER!" Jiang Li shrieked as a guard grabbed her, separating them.
You were yanked forward by the reins, the barbs digging in. You looked back at your sister, who was crying and struggling.
"Brother... I'm sorry... it's all my fault... I'm sorry!" she cried.
"Silly girl," you forced your voice to be calm, though the reins were choking you. "It's not your fault. Stay strong. We'll... we'll be fine."
You were lying. You had no idea if you would be fine. But you had to be her brother.
Soon, you and Jiang Li were roughly escorted towards the prison area. She cried the whole way, her small hand refusing to let go of yours.
You were pushed into a small, dark, and impossibly foul-smelling cell. The heavy iron door slammed shut, plunging you into darkness.
As your eyes adjusted, a wary, fierce voice snapped from the corner.
"Who are you?"
Through the faint light, you saw two other figures huddled in the corner. They were two Foxian girls, about your age.
The one in front had striking, messy silver hair and fierce, luminescent green eyes. She was holding a sharpened piece of scrap metal like a shiv, aiming it at you.
Behind her, a small-framed girl with jet-black hair was hiding timidly, her large, dark eyes wide with fear.
"Stop, don't come closer!" the silver-haired girl growled, her voice trembling but full of threat.
You instinctively shielded Jiang Li, pulling her behind you, your hand moving to the hidden dagger. The Foxians here, born under the shadow of the Borisin, would do anything to survive. You were the newcomer, the interloper in their space.
For a moment, a tense, deadly atmosphere filled the small cell. Four children, all survivors, all ready to kill.