"The Heart’s Eclipse"

Part I

         by Justus Roux

This artwork is by Samarel Art  www.samarelart.com

“Come on Serin,” Keher called out. “Hurry!”

“What is so important?” Serin asked.

Keher pointed up. Both men watched as several streaks of light blazed across the morning sky.

“What is it?” Serin asked.

“Meteors maybe.”

“We don’t have time for this. We have to go back to work in the fields.” Serin looked up at Keher. He was always so jealous of Keher’s height and strong build. Keher’s hair blazed like the setting sun and his eyes were as green as the grass in the fields. Serin always thought of himself as plain. He was rather small standing only five-foot-six. His muscles were sinewy, not large and impressive like Keher’s body. Serin’s hair grazed his shoulders and was a rich dark brown color. His eyes were an ordinary brown, not as vibrant as Keher’s green eyes. 

“You keep staring at me like that and I may have to kiss you.” Keher laughed.

Serin and Keher were best friends. The thought of being Keher’s lover never crossed Serin’s mind, though Keher often teased him with sexual innuendos.

Both men headed to the fields. They abruptly stopped seeing fire raining down from the skies into the fields. The screams rang out. People started running out of the fields. The look of terror on their faces froze Serin where he was.

“Serin!” Keher shook him. “We have to get out of here.”

Keher’s voice snapped Serin out of it and he followed Keher back to the village.

“Grab a weapon,” one of the elders said to the two men. “Come on, we are under attack. It’s the Sidanas.”

Serin and Keher’s eyes widen in terror. The Sidana race was notoriously cruel. They wandered from planet to planet taking what they wanted and destroying everything else. Their weapons were advanced, their warriors fierce and unmerciful.

“These weapons won’t stop them. Perhaps negotiation might be a better course,” the village leader called out, getting everyone’s attention.  “My people, if we fight them we all will die.”

“If we don’t they will kill us anyways,” Rarulo said.

“If we give them what they want…”

“They will take what they want and destroy everything else. Village leader we must fight.”

Rarulo’s words fell upon deaf ears as the village leader and some of the elders agreed they should lay down their weapons.

“We are dead,” Rarulo said, looking out across the large village. Women, children, the young and the old will be at the Sidana’s mercy. “If we are to die I say let’s fight!” Rarulo cried out.

“The ignorance and arrogance of youth taints your mind, Rarulo. You will do what has been decided.”

Rarulo walked over to Serin and Keher. “The Sidana will kill everyone they can’t make into a slave. You know what I say is the truth. Will you fight with me?”

Before Serin or Keher could reply two of the village guards grabbed Rarulo and dragged him to a nearby hut.

“My people listen!” the village leader yelled. “We are not going to fight the Sidana warriors. They would slaughter our warriors. Do as the Sidana warriors say my people. At least then some of us will have a chance to survive.”

Serin turned toward the thunderous sound of men marching. The Sidana warriors were coming. His heart pounded in his chest as the fear began to engulf him. Was he going to die today, was Keher?  Even if they survived would later on they wish they had died this day?

The whole village seemed to freeze as they watched the Sidana warriors enter the village.

Serin’s eyes locked on the leader. Fear caused his body to tremble, looking at this large frightening man. He had to stand more than six-foot-six. His body was strong and he looked menacing in his armor. His long blond hair flowed free, whipping in the air, lashing out at the very essence of the village. But it was his eyes that chilled Serin to the bone, crystal blue in color lacking any emotion.

Serin couldn’t look away as the village leader headed over to the imposing leader of the Sidana warriors.  The breath caught in Serin’s lungs as the Sidana warrior sliced the village leader’s head off.

The screams started as the Sidana warriors rushed into the village. Serin couldn’t move. His whole body trembled uncontrollably as the Sidana leader approached him.

“Take this one,” he growled, looking down at Serin.

“Yes, Rakar.”

“I want this one and find a female of equal beauty.”

“Yes Rakar.”

Serin couldn’t look up at Rakar, fear wouldn’t allow it. He felt himself being lifted up and thrown over the large warrior’s shoulder. Serin arched up and looked at his village being destroyed. His eyes locked with Rakar’s. That smile on his face chilled Serin.

“Keher!” Serin shouted.

“Serin!”

Serin quickly looked over to the sound of Keher’s voice. Two large Sidana warriors had Keher pinned to the ground. They had placed a collar around Keher’s neck.

“Wherever they take you Keher, I will find you!”

Serin jerked when he felt the painful swat on his ass.

“Quiet pretty one. Your large friend will be sent to labor for us. You however…” The warrior rubbed Serin’s ass. “My leader wants you as a plaything.” The warrior laughed loudly as he carried Serin away.

“Serin!!” Keher cried out.

Serin was carried over to the hut that normally was used as a meeting place for villagers to discuss issues. Now, it was used as temporary holding cell for villagers that were going to be used as slaves.

The large warrior set Serin down then pushed him inside the hut. Serin looked around at all the familiar faces. Young women were huddled in the corner. Young men similar to his built sat quietly in the middle. Serin felt the vomit start to rise up when he saw the children. These children had not quite made it to maturity yet. He knew their fate, it was the same as his. Nobody said anything.

Serin walked over to the children and sat next to them.

“Serin…” A young girl snuggled up to him. “What is going to happen to us, to my parents…to everyone?”

“I don’t know.”

“Are we going to die?”

“Shh…” Serin held the little girl to him. He looked up hearing the door open. Another young woman was being pushed inside. “Bashi.”

“Serin.” Bashi hurried over to him.

Serin kissed the little girl on top of the head then stood up and grabbed Bashi’s hand, leading her over to the side of the hut.  Bashi was beautiful, she was smaller than Serin. Her long brown hair was always so soft looking. Her face had such a delicate beauty to it. And those light blue eyes gave her a look of innocence.

“Serin, they are killing so many of us.” She started to cry. She wrapped her arms tightly around Serin.

“What about Keher, did you see him?”

“He was dragged over to another hut along with every man or woman who looked like they were hearty workers. I am so afraid.” She nuzzled her face against his chest.

“So am I,” he whispered.

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 After what seemed like an eternity the village became eerily quiet. Serin slowly stood up. Bashi did the same.

Deep rich laughter rang out just outside of the hut.

Everyone in the hut jerked when one of the doors burst open.

Rakar threw Rarulo into the hut. Rarulo looked battered and beaten. Rakar entered the hut looking around at his prizes. Several other warriors entered the hut behind him.

“Good work men,” Rakar said. “We will stay in this village until the workers have filled our ships.”

“Yes Rakar,” the rest of the warrior’s said in unison.

Rakar pulled Rarulo up by the hair, forcing the young man to stand up.  Rarulo was no bigger than Serin and was built similar. Rarulo was more rugged looking than Serin.

“This one…” Rakar grabbed Rarulo’s beaten face. “I will enjoy breaking this one.”  Rakar threw Rarulo back to the ground.  He walked over to Serin and Bashi. “These two will be mine as well. Take them to my hut.”

“Yes Rakar.”

Two large warriors grabbed Serin and Bashi. Another grabbed Rarulo.

“The rest of these can be doled out amongst the trainers.”

Serin was emotionally and physically numb. He felt the warrior set him down then leave the hut. That look of hunger in Rakar’s eyes terrified him. Serin had never been with a man before or for that matter he had never been with a woman either.  What was Rakar going to make him do?

“Rarulo are you alright?” Bashi said as she hurried over to him. “Serin, Rarulo isn’t conscious.”

“It’s probably for the best.” Serin looked around the village leader’s hut. He had never been in here before. Now the image of the village leader’s head being chopped off by Rakar flooded his mind.

Serin hurried over to Bashi when the door burst open. He placed himself in front of her in a feeble attempt to protect her.

Rakar removed his armor as he looked over his new playthings. His cock started to harden thinking about the things he was going to do to them. After he had removed all his armor he quickly took off his shirt then headed over to Serin and Bashi.

“Leave her alone!” Serin yelled.

Rakar looked at Serin with amusement. He walked passed them and headed to Rarulo when he heard Rarulo moaning.

Rarulo managed to stand up as Rakar got closer. “I will kill you for what you did to my village.”

“Really…” Rakar grabbed Rarulo and pushed him back to the floor. He placed his foot on Rarulo’s back pinning him to the floor. “You are no match for me, boy.”

“I will kill you.” Rarulo squirmed on the floor.

Rakar shoved Rarulo with his foot. He slowly came down to the ground using his body to pin Rarulo to the ground. “I will have to break you, boy.” Rakar climbed off of Rarulo and in two swift movements removed Rarulo’s clothes.

“Don’t touch me,” Rarulo growled as he tried to free himself from Rakar’s grasp.

Serin couldn’t watch as Rakar proceeded to rape Rarulo. He felt Bashi grab his arm she too couldn’t watch what was happening. Serin’s body trembled hearing Rarulo cry out in agony.

Bashi grabbed onto Serin tighter as Rarulo’s ordeal continued on.

“Stop it!!” Serin cried out, no longer able to take his friend’s cries of aguish. He heard Rakar grunt then the whimpering sounds of Rarulo.

Shortly afterwards he felt a strong hand in his hair. His body trembled as he looked up into Rakar’s crystal eyes. He knew soon he would suffer what Rarulo had just gone through. But to his surprise Rakar did nothing. Serin couldn’t stop himself from looking at Rakar’s naked body. His eyes widened seeing the blood covering Rakar’s large cock.

“Girl, come and bathe me,” Rakar grumbled.  “You, my beauty,” Rakar grabbed Serin’s hair and pulled hard forcing Serin to look him in the eyes. “go clean that boy up.” Rakar let go of Serin’s hair and walked over to the bathing room. Bashi reluctantly followed.

Serin hurried over to Rarulo.

“Don’t touch me,” Rarulo growled.

“Rarulo…”

“Leave me be.” Rarulo slowly got up and walked over to the other side of the room. He just sat there naked in the corner looking off into space.

Serin just stood there not really knowing what to do for his friend.

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Rakar walked around the village, instructing his men what to take and what to leave. The slaves were being prepared to be loaded up on the transport vehicles. Rakar had left his personal slaves in the leader hut. They were going to be the last ones taken to the ship. He raped Rarulo repeatedly throughout the night. However, he didn’t touch Bashi or Serin. He wanted to save them for later. Rarulo’s feeble attempts to defend his village amused Rakar. The thought of breaking such a strong-willed man was too enticing. He wanted the pleasure of breaking Rarulo before they headed back to the ship. He did just that through the night. Rarulo’s will to fight was gone and toward dawn he gave himself willing to Rakar.

“Rakar,” Senatu said as he approached him. Senatu was Rakar’s second in command. Rakar had only four warriors he trusted enough to lead the army along side of him, Senatu, Cybin, Nuruc and Kydas, his trusted warriors and his best friends. The only man Rakar had to answer to was the ruler of all the Sidanas, Maru. Everyone feared Maru, his unmatched skill as a warrior, his intimidating looks and demure. He ruled cruel and merciless, anyone who dared crossed him or questioned him was instantly killed.

“What is it, Senatu?”

“This colony wasn’t very rich in resources. I wondered how the other three made out with the colonies they attacked?”

“You know Cybin, Nuruc and Kydas, they will be victorious. Besides, this planet is seriously lacking in any quality warriors.”

“You look tired. Didn’t you rest last night?”

“I was too busy breaking a stubborn little man.”

“It was that young warrior wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Rakar smiled.

“Pity, he was the only one with any courage in this colony. How long did it take to break him?”

“All night, but by morning he was sucking my cock willingly.”

“He was a strong one. Usually you break the stubborn slaves in a few hours.” Senatu started to chuckle. “You have quite a fetish for dominating strong-willed people don’t you.”

“Oh hell yeah, the meek will do whatever I ask of them to keep themselves alive. But the strong ones…mmm…forcing my will on them excites me to no end.”

“Well personally I prefer the meek. After a battle I just want my cock sucked then I want to bury my cock deeply into my new slave. It’s no wonder you don’t have a steady lover back home.”

“Pfhhh, I don’t care much for that.”

“You don’t want someone to come home to? I adore my Sindala. Knowing she is waiting for me at home drives me to fight harder. Cybin has Tereal his male lover. Nuruc and Kydas want a lover to go home to.”

“Love…it is a silly emotion. Lust, now that is a much better emotion. I only need my new slaves to invoke that feeling in me.”

“You are a cold man, Rakar. I hope someday you will know how good love feels. Loving someone brings balance.”

Rakar pulled out his sword and lovingly caressed the hilt. “This brings balance. Love brings only chaos and it makes a man weak.”

“If you say so, but I feel love brings me strength.”   

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Serin held Bashi to him. He looked at Rarulo sitting across the room, looking out into space. All night Serin and Bashi witnessed Rakar forcing himself onto Rarulo. Serin’s heart broke seeing the strong and proud Rarulo give up and become Rakar’s willing slave. Serin wished he was strong enough to kill Rakar. Rarulo would have been spared torment and agony. A feeling of shame fell over Serin. He looked down at Bashi as she slept cradled to him. She held onto him as if somehow he could protect her from Rakar. Serin knew he wasn’t going to be able to protect anyone. If only he had the strength of Keher. He prayed that Keher was still alive and spared the kind of torment Rarulo was forced to endure.

Serin looked over to Rarulo as he slowly stood up.

“Rarulo?” Serin said as Rarulo walked over to Rakar’s armor. Serin gently laid Bashi down on the ground trying not to wake her then he stood up and walked over to Rarulo.

Rarulo caressed Rakar’s armor. That vacant look on his face scared Serin.

“Rarulo what are you doing?” Serin’s eyes widened seeing the dagger in Rarulo’s hands. “You can’t fight Rakar he will kill you.”

“I don’t plan on fighting him.”

“Then what are you going to do with that dagger?”

Rarulo looked at Serin. “I will not become his sex slave. I won’t…I can’t…”

“Drop the dagger, Rarulo. We will think of something together. You can’t give up.”

“What can we do against those warriors? Tell me Serin. Are you going to take one of their swords and fight?  I bet you can’t even lift one of their heavy swords.”

“Rarulo, please give me the knife. We will somehow escape, run far away from them.”

“They will hunt us down like animals. Hell, they probably want us to try and escape so they can make sport of us.”

“Rarulo please…”  Serin reached his hand out. “Give me the dagger.”

Rarulo slapped Serin’s hand away. “You saw what he made me do over and over again. You heard his mocking words as he took my pride and honor from me. How can I possibly live with myself knowing what he made me do, what he made me become? How am I supposed to endure that smug domineering look on his face each time he looks at me? How can I live wondering what humiliating thing he will force me to do next and knowing how much satisfaction it brings him to see me do these things? Tell me Serin, tell me how?!”

“Rarulo, I will help you, please don’t kill yourself.”

Rarulo smiled and lowered the dagger. “Do you remember the time we kissed in the field?”

“Yes,” Serin whispered.

“The crops had just been harvested, the air was crisp, and the big old tree stood there majestically. I led you out there with the intention of kissing you. I noticed that you never looked at any of the girls in the village.” Rarulo chuckled a little. “I was so afraid that I may have mistaken your lack of interest in girls to mean that you liked boys. What if I was wrong? I knew you wouldn’t have said anything, but you would have avoided me. To my surprise you let me kiss you. Your lips were so soft and I could tell you were just as frightened as I was. Hell, we were only what, fourteen. All we did was kiss that afternoon. I can still smell your scent—feel the softness of your hair and skin. I still remember when you relaxed and enjoyed the kiss. You know what’s funny.”

“What?”

“Now that we have become men, I was going to take you to that same tree and make love to you. I was just waiting for the harvest to be done. Now I will never know what your body feels like under mine. I know that you see me as only friend and not a lover, but I just wanted to have you once.”

“Rarulo don’t give up.” Serin held out his hand again. Rarulo slowly handed him the dagger. “I will think of something to get all of us out of here.”

“How can you even look at me now after you witness my shame?”

Serin lightly caressed Rarulo’s hair. “I feel only hatred toward Rakar for doing that to you. To me, you will always be my brave friend. The one I wanted so much to be as brave as. Nothing will ever change that.” Serin placed his hand under Rarulo’s chin and tilted his head up so he was looking into Serin’s eyes. “Nothing, do you hear me?”

“Yes,” Rarulo said quietly.

Serin placed the dagger back into the sheath that was in the hip part of the armor. Serin’s eyes opened wide seeing Rakar entering the hut.

“Now what is going on here?” Rakar said as he strolled over to the two men.

Serin placed himself in front of Rarulo. “I was admiring your armor,” Serin said.

“Uh hah, sure you were. I want you to get ready to go. Move out of the way I want to play with my new bitch.” Rakar smiled down at Rarulo.

“Please, leave him be.”

Rakar looked to Serin a bit surprised. “Do you want to take his place? I want my cock sucked, do you think you can do a better job at it?” Rakar smirked at Serin.

“I will take his place,” Serin said quietly. He had never sucked a cock before, but to save Rarulo even a moment of pain he was willing to bear this burden for him.

“Serin no,” Rarulo whispered.

“Very well then.” Rakar walked over to the bed and sat down. “You,” he growled at Rarulo. “Prepare you and the woman to leave.”

“Serin…” Rarulo grabbed Serin’s arm.

Serin only smiled at him then walked over to Rakar. He came down to his knees in front of Rakar.

Rakar looked at Serin kneeling there. His eyes took in Serin’s beauty. He had never seen a man like this before. Serin had a true gentleness to him that radiated out and made him even more beautiful. Serin’s skin was as smooth as the fairest of women. And his hair looked like spun silk.

“Look at me,” Rakar growled. His heart thumped harder as he gazed into Serin’s gentle warm brown eyes. Serin’s face was the epitome of beauty. He was use to the harden looks of his comrades, the terrified and hateful looks of his slaves. No woman in his mind could compare to the beauty of this man kneeling before him. Rakar began to grow angry at himself. What in the hell was he waiting for?  This slave should already be sucking him off by now. And yet, Rakar is hesitating to make this man suck his cock. Rakar never hesitates. He takes what he wants when he wants it.

“I don’t know how to start,” Serin quietly said. He wasn’t sure what Rakar wanted him to do. Was he supposed to undress Rakar or wait for him to do so?

Rakar saw his opening and he took it. “You have never sucked cock before have you?”

“No.”

“Damn it, I don’t have time to wait for an unskilled slave to clumsily try to suck me off. Just get ready to go.”

“Yes…”

“Call me Sir if you want to live another day.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Now hurry and ready yourself.”

Rakar stood up and pushed Serin to the ground with his foot. “You all have exactly ten minutes to get your asses out of this hut and waiting for me next to the center of town. If you even think about running I will kill you.”

Serin felt such a feeling of relief course through him as he watched Rakar leave the hut.

“Serin, you don’t have to protect me. I have no desire to watch your innocence be taken away from you, especially from that man.”  Rarulo helped Serin to his feet.

“I told you I was going to help you.”

“Not like that Serin, not like that.”

“We must hurry and get out of here. I don’t want Rakar angry at me,” Bashi said.

The three cleaned themselves up. After the large warrior had gathered Rakar’s armor and left the hut, the three of them headed out to the center of town.

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Serin’s eyes darted everywhere when they boarded the large ship. He had heard stories how the Sidana had the fastest and most deadly ships in the galaxy. This ship was enormous. When going up the boarding lift Serin saw the numerous cannons at the ready up and down the side of the large vessel. Serin couldn’t count the numerous warriors that were bustling about. This was a warship more than a transport vessel. The Sidana made all their vessels ready for war. It was if their whole culture depended on war and violence to survive. There was no warmth in the ship. Serin’s body felt as cold as the metal of this ship.

“Keep moving,” a large warrior said as he used a long electrical pole to prod the slaves forward. The slave a few feet in front of Serin wailed in agony as he was shocked by the electrical pole.

“I am frightened,” Bashi said as she moved closer to Serin.

“So am I,” Serin whispered.

“Rakar!” one of the warriors said.

Rakar simply nodded at the warrior as he walked by him.

“Quite a lot of slaves this time,” another warrior commented.

Again Rakar only nodded his head.

Serin winced and held his scream as he was poked with the electrical pole. This caused Serin to pause briefly. He heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed. He quickly looked up just as Rakar stabbed the warrior who had just prodded Serin.

“No one touches my slaves,” Rakar growled as he pulled his sword from the belly of the warrior. The warrior fell to the ground. The other warriors quickly noticed. Rakar grabbed Serin by the arm and pulled him over. “You two come here.” Bashi and Rarulo went over to him.

The three followed behind him as they walked next to the other slaves. They walked to the belly of the ship. Rakar held out his hand to stop his three slaves from going any further.

Serin could only watch as the other slaves were divided into groups. A group of warriors chose which slaves they wanted. The remaining slaves were pushed off to the side.

“What is going to happen to them?” Serin asked quietly.

“Who knows, since they are unwanted by the warriors they will either work in this ship or brought back to my planet to be used as whatever.” Rakar looked down at Serin standing next to him. Serin was so much smaller than Rakar.

“Rakar.”

“Ah Kydas.” Rakar shook Kydas’ hand. Kydas had short brown hair and dark eyes. He was a very intimidating looking man.

“I see you took some slaves for yourself. Well the way you wear your slaves out it’s no wonder you always come back with fresh ones.”

“What about you?”

“I took a woman for a slave that’s all. I was more interested in gathering this planet’s minerals. Maru wants a full report once we take off.”

“I will make sure to do that. You will have to join me for a drink and tell me about your battle.”

“I would love to, how about tonight?”

“Sounds good.”

“I will see you at the entertainment level.”

“Come on,” Rakar said as he grabbed Serin’s arm. Serin’s skin was very soft to the touch and Rakar lingered holding onto him a little longer than he wanted to.

He opened the metal door. He led Serin into the room. Bashi and Rarulo followed shortly after.

Serin looked around the cold room. There were only a few mattresses thrown on the floor and a smaller room off to the side. No doubt it was the bathroom.

“Get use to this. It’s your new home while we head back to my planet. There is nowhere to escape to, so don’t even try. If you please me I will allow you to live in my home once we get back. If you don’t please me I will sell you to the Travelers.” Rakar smiled seeing the terrified looks on all three of their faces. Good, they knew who the Travelers were. They are sure to behave themselves now.

Serin watched Rakar leave the room.

“They sell slaves to the Travelers?” Bashi asked.

“They would. The Travelers are animals just like the Sidana are,” Rarulo said.

“Do the Travelers really use slaves in their sick games?” Serin asked.

“All the stories you heard back home are true, Serin. The Travelers journey from planet to planet putting on their inhuman shows. The elite of society pay big bucks to watch these twisted shows. I guess seeing men and women kill each other is entertaining to the upper crust. Or maybe watching animals devour human flesh gets them off. In any case we don’t want to end up with the Travelers.”

“But we don’t want to be here either. Who knows what the Sidana warriors will do to us,” Bashi said.

“Don’t worry Bashi we will think of something. Just as long as we do what Rakar asks of us we will be okay,” Serin added.

“That depends on what Rakar wants,” Rarulo growled.