Read Tyrant's Stars: Parts Three and Four for Free Online Page A

blood told them this was a formidable opponent, and they were massing together again when their foe’s blade carved out a deadly world for them.
    The rear gate was still open wide, and when the frozen villagers saw the new figure that dashed through it, they finally moved again. Staring at D, one of them muttered, “What in the world are—”
    Just then, someone called out, “D!”
    Shrieking, the girl pulled both hands up over her heart.
    The voice had come from the giant scorpion.
    All the villagers were paralyzed.
    “There should be no need for me to introduce myself. The girl you were protecting is now in my custody. I believed her brother had been

    captured as well, but it would seem there’s been some interference. At any rate, I can read the stars. I learned to do so after being exiled to the depths of space. We shall meet sooner or later, D . . . just as the stars say. It would seem that your journey and mine were for that very purpose. Won’t that be pleasant? And then we might finally learn what thread of fate binds the Ultimate Noble Valcua and a lowly Hunter. But in order to find out, you’ll have to keep from being slain by my lackeys. The things you face from here on out will all be monsters whose flesh and spirits I’ve strengthened with my own two hands. I would not think it odd if any one of them were to slay you. If that happens, then it will be fate. I shall have to curse the stars. But just wait, D! And go north as fast as you can—into my world!”
    This wasn’t an invitation. It was an order.
    The giant scorpion moved no more, but a number of villagers were left reeling, and a few people fainted. Such was the power the source of that voice carried.
    Had Valcua created these monstrosities and attacked the village merely to tell the Hunter this? Did the stars of which he spoke portend D’s coming even before his encounter with Maquia?
    Sheathing his sword, D asked the villagers, “Do you have any horses?”
    In about ten minutes’ time he was all set with a cyborg horse. The villagers didn’t once mention what the giant scorpion had said to D. All they could do was stare in amazement at the far-too-handsome young man. While they gave the Hunter no complaint, they expressed no gratitude either. They just wanted to be rid of him as quickly as possible.
    After giving the cost of the steed and a saddle to Maquia, D put one foot into the stirrups. When he got up into the saddle without using his left hand, a stir went through the villagers—they’d finally noticed that it was missing. The opponents that lay ahead were daunting, and now D lacked his left hand.
    The young man had appeared without warning and was leaving just as abruptly, and the villagers said nothing as they watched him go.
    As the forms of horse and rider became one and they started off toward the road, Maquia rushed over, saying, “Thank you, D. Thank you—and I know we’ll meet again.”
    But even she didn’t believe the last remark.
    “I don’t know what to say at a time like this, but where are you going?” Maquia asked, walking alongside him.
    Unexpectedly, the horse broke into a run. D had given it a kick to its sides.
    Pulling away, the reeling Maquia somehow managed to stay on her feet. There he goes, she thought. They’d met in the woods, and he’d carried her under one arm back to the village. That was it. He hadn’t said a single word to her since reaching the village. And yet, her heart burned.
    “Um—next month, I’m getting married,” the girl whispered, with at least some of her reason returning. Her sweetheart was among the villagers behind her. After going a few paces more, Maquia halted. Tears suddenly spilled from her eyes.
    The rider in black had turned left on the highway and was already out of sight.

III
    As D galloped north on the road, he seemed no more than a speck of dust to a certain woman. She wasn’t underestimating him. Rather, it was a matter of perspective.
    Callas the Diva was