The air felt heavy, dense with the feeling of fear and tension as the empire's army made their way, through Rennaya's royal capital, Senae. The boy was confused, witnessing the way his people were behaving as they arrived. He gripped his mother's hand even harder, worried, but unsure why.
She noticed and glanced down, giving him the most reassuring smile she could. "Don't worry my little Osei, stay quiet, they will be gone soon."
He nodded back, feeling a slight bit of relief. However, he still couldn't help but wonder why the guards were trembling and how his parents, Rennaya's rulers, could still have something to be afraid of.
The usually bustling city, was quiet today. The army was not there to invade but rather to escort a prince and his entourage. The 103rd prince of the Cerian Empire, Ataron.
Their vehicles finally stopped once they had reached the large outdoor arena on the outskirts of Senae. There awaiting them on the opposite side, were the King and Queen of Rennaya, with their only son and guards behind them.
The people of Rennaya were a majority of dark skin tones. With a minority that looked similar to people, native to south-east Asia. They were known for their height, with men averaging 6'5, and women 5'9, as well as their strength.
Among their other defining characteristics were their prominent blue eyes, with the minority population having brown or hazel. However, the traits they were most known for were said to have been blessed by the planet itself.
Supernatural abilities, that allowed them to summon fire, earth, ice, and electricity for combat or everyday use. Making them one of the galaxy's most formidable warriors.
Ataron and his entourage hopped out of their vehicles. He glanced over at his two siblings, standing among his five candidates. Although they were perfectly evolved, AI-sentient beings, he couldn't help but feel that they might embarrass him today.
Hearing some noise, he looked over to the largest vehicle in their procession. He smiled as he watched the Valmerian giant, hopping out of his customized unit, shaking it as he towered over 10 feet tall. Although this giant was short compared to those within his race, Ataron was relieved he brought one of his best trophies with him.
His last two candidates had been with him for a while, so he was able to vouch for their abilities. Captured from conquered worlds, that were once home to prosperous civilizations. They no longer had any hopes of returning home.
Each of his candidates had different weapons and black gladiator armor, contrasted with purple stripes. Ataron himself was sporting a black and purple, armored body suit with a flowing cape trailing behind him.
"I'm hoping this year's candidates are much more promising, King Zenu!" Ataron was unable to contain his excitement as he addressed the King.
Zenu a proud and patient man, knew never to give in to the children of Atlas' taunts and had exerted tremendous amounts of patience to hold himself in line. With his wife standing beautifully beside him, he responded calmly.
"Of course, they have trained day and night for the honour to fight for us today... Do not underestimate the Rennayan race!" The king replied, as five hooded figures seemingly emerged from behind him, landing softly by the middle of the arena.
They took off their hoods. Three men and two women in their youth, exhibiting traits of fire, ground, lightning, and ice abilities. The five gladiators on the prince's side, hopped into the arena, focused and driven by one purpose only, to kill.
Zenu should have been used to this. Having witnessed the Annual Trial for the last 10 years of his life, he wanted his son, to watch, and understand how heart-less and barbaric the enemy was. Forcing their people to go through this event in search of a legend, one dubbed as 'The Legendary Rennayan.'
A person fabled to have been of great humility, trust and a power to be reckoned with. With that power, they were able to bring peace to the galaxy over 1400 years ago, by ending the First Galactic War. Since then, there had not been a single Rennayan, that was capable of using more than one of the elements at the same time.
The conductor raised his hand and slammed his hammer into the giant drum, sounding off the start of the battle. Both the candidates and gladiators engaged. Swords swung, knives were thrown and spears impaled flesh.
The five Rennayan candidates in under 10 minutes, were all killed. Their butchered and dismembered corpses were scattered across the arena floor. The gladiators on the other hand roared war cries of victory. Unsettled by the swift battle, they looked longingly at the royal family and guards, while one continued to hack away at a body.
"Stop it!" Osei didn't know what came over him, but he felt like he couldn't stand by and watch the psychotic gladiator continue to mutilate the body.
Ataron taken back, by the boy's outburst, stepped forward and spoke up. "Now settle down... Messy as always, aren't you guys." The prince ordered while raising his hand and lowering it.
The gladiators calmed down and went back into their vehicles except for the one hacking away at the body. Ataron sighed, then walked up to him and placed one palm over his head. In seconds, from head to toe, the gladiator was completely absorbed, following the sounds of bones crunching together and blood splatter, disturbing the silence.
Ataron grabbed a cloth from his pocket and proceeded to wipe the specks of blood that landed on his body, then glared over at Osei. With eyes, cold enough to pierce every fibre of his body. "Boy, the weak don't deserve to speak." He said coldly, shutting Osei up.
The prince then turned his attention to the royal couple, expressing utter disappointment. "I guess we couldn't find one again this year, couldn't we?" He shook his head, then clapped his hands together, suddenly changing back to his old cheerful self.
"Well then... Our ship will be passing by the loading bay to collect the tributes." He said as he began walking towards his vehicle. However, before entering he looked back and gave the royal family one last message. "Just a warning... Atlas's patience is running out, you know."
Zenu was speechless. He knew the results were always the same, but he always found himself hoping, that something would be different.
Half of the guards remained behind to help the cleaning androids, while the rest escorted the family back to the Royal Palace. A palace standing at almost 300 ft. tall and had been the symbol of Rennaya, for over 1400 years. Built by the people of Messa as a peace offering to commemorate the end of the First Galactic War.
The Rennayans filled it with the treasures of their people and called it the Hallantium. It had never been attacked. Until today...
Later that day...
Zenu knew his people didn't have much longer. He was forced to assume the throne at 22, when his father, the previous king spoke out of turn and was killed in front of him, by the third prince of Ceria, nearly a decade ago.
Since then he had tirelessly placed all of the planet's resources to work. By gathering all of the top scientists on Rennaya, as well as the blood of one billion of his people. Synthesizing, distilling, and experimenting with it all to create the perfect serum. His father's idea and legacy. A serum to recreate the Legendary Rennayan.
It was all for today.
He ran through the hallways of the Hallantium. Making his way towards their royal ship, the Aratris, parked at the back of the palace. There, as he burst out of the door, he found his wife and child hugging and crying, by the doors of the ship.
The sounds of explosions and screams in the distance, distracted him, causing him to glance up and below. Witnessing hundreds of missiles & aircrafts falling out of the sky and crashing through the city. Blips of light escaped the ashe-covered clouds as the Rennayan Royal Space Force engaged the invaders. Monsters that were mutated horrifically, screeched across the sky, carrying off civilians as giants trampled the city.
It was utter chaos.
Zenu quickly grabbed hold of his family, then manifested a large flame barrier, surrounding them and the Aratris. Safiyah, his wife layered the interior with sheets of ice, maintaining it to reinforce their fortified dome. Satisfied, they both looked down at their frightened son, holding himself back, till his mother could tell him, 'Everything, will be alright.'
"You know we love you, Osei... We wish we could stay with you and watch you grow..." Safiyah spoke with her voice cracking, as she found it difficult to utter her next words.
Zenu noticed and took over, dropping down to one knee, to face his son. "However life is not always so fortunate... So hold on to what's important-"
Several explosions and violent tremors cut him off, yet he remained calm. "Our memories together, never forget them. This is not the life I wished for you my son, but you must remember your mission. Earth is safe... your grandfather kept it hidden with the Arflauge. Find a 'Human' mother as identical to your own and give her this." He said as he handed him the flask.
Sure enough, it should be impossible and immoral for a 7-year-old to have to undertake such a mission. However, Zenu found himself with no other choice. This mission had been top secret and kept under wraps, with all loose ends burned. Especially since their planet had been under surveillance for the last 10 years, with nothing they could do about it.
He hoped the Arflauge was still operating well, despite camouflaging the Solar System from all advanced radars or telescopes in the universe over the last 60 years. However, it had been too difficult for him to send a team to check, with each one being shot down, before even being able to leave their solar system. Which was why he had his son trained, for the last three years, with the royal attendant, Waio. There was no more time, he had to be ready.
"Your sibling will need you to raise them... To be strong... The fate of the galaxy now rests with you," he concluded, as he placed both of his hands on his son's shoulders, giving them a genuine good squeeze. He believed in him.
Yet, Osei couldn't help but sob uncontrollably, letting little whimpers and sniffles in between bursts of tears, as he tried to catch his breath. In the short span of his life, he had often been told, he was too smart for his age. A blessing and a curse. He had noticed the change in everyone's mood ever since the events of the recent Annual Trial, accompanied by the despair on Waio's and his parent's faces, on the way to the Aratris. He knew one thing for certain.
He would never see his parents again. He would never see his home again.
They brought him close, for what felt like the longest hug they had ever had together, then his mother kissed his forehead as his father gave him the most heartfelt smile he had ever seen from him. "We love you, Osei... We always have and we always will." His parents said, in unison.
Osei could not bring himself to speak much, but the words he did utter, could not get a response back. "Please... Don't leave me."
Trying her best to hold herself together, Safiyah looked forward and called an android over. It trodded over quietly and gently held his hand, escorting him onto the ship as he cried, turning back one last time to try and join them. Only to be swiftly held back by the android, until the doors closed. He ran to the window watching them, as the Aratris prepared to launch.
Out of nowhere, the barrier surrounding them was shattered, and crumbled from the collision of an attack, coming from an unknown source. Zenu shielded his wife and the Aratris, from the explosion. Then glanced up above him, as a mixture of emotions tore through him, from the sight of the person floating above them.
He couldn't believe it. Chuckling to himself high above them, was the Cerian Emperor, Atlas.
On his hip, was a long thin sword finished in obsidian black, with a violet strip, coating the edge. He was dressed in a black armoured bodysuit with purple stripes, as rings around his shoulders. He was pale, with slits that ran vertically under his eyes and down his face, disappearing at his neck. His cold heart-less eyes seemed to be staring into Zenu's soul, only to be cut off by gusts of wind, flowing his silver-gray-like hair, across his face.
"Atlas!" Zenu exclaimed, shocked that the Emperor would come to see him, himself.
He looked back at the Hallantium. Now two-thirds collapsed, as it continued to burn down in a scorching violet inferno. A lasting symbol of peace and unity, now drowning in its own debris.
The King unable to keep his cool any longer exploded in rage. Unknowingly giving up his lifespan, for more strength and ascending to a level he didn't think he could reach in his lifetime.
Red and orange marks snaked around his body, pulsing at the same rate as his heartbeat, and flowed like veins of energy.
Streaks of silver glowed evenly popping up all over his hair, then completely dyed itself in a silver glow.
It is said, that Rennayans are capable of accessing more power in times of stress or despair. Boosting all of their abilities to their utmost potential. Thus, Zenu hearing the screams of his dying people and watching the place he grew up in, destroyed, shattered the last of his patience. Shaving a great amount of years off of his life.
He recalled the speech he gave his people, as the first war bells rung across the planet. How naive he was, thinking he had truly prepared his people from a Cerian invasion.
"Crimson Scythe." He whispered as he unsheathed his sword and swung it through the air, in rapid motion.
A giant wall of flames seemingly sparked out of the tip of his sword and arced, slicing its way toward Atlas. Who in turn welcomed the challenge, without lifting a finger to stop it. Seemingly, it crashed into an invisible wall, leaving him unscathed.
Zenu leaped forward, appearing in a blur, before the emperor. Then swung down diagonally aiming for his neck, as violet flames danced over his blade, reinforcing it with his killing intent.
Atlas dodged to the left, almost in a blur, and followed up delivering a devastating strike right into Zenu's gut. Sending him crashing through the city. Resulting in a series of light earthquakes, all around them.
The king coughed up blood, as he used his sword for support. Blood dripped down the side of his head. 'I can't lose,' he thought to himself. If Atlas could be defeated here, his son and soon-to-be child would be safe.
Atlas dropped to the ground softly, unsheathing his sword. Then proceeded to walk towards him, calmly.
For a moment, Zenu looked around him. Carnage was rampant. Bodies littered the streets. Strikes of lightning, giant golems, frozen sheets of ice, and explosions of fire, burst out like fireworks at intervals, throughout the city. As the citizens fought back in a futile fight, against the onslaught of the Cerian invasion.
There was no doubt about it. Senae the royal capital, had fallen.
Atlas looked at Zenu, disappointed. "It was inevitable, you pathetic humans, have stalled me for far too long." He gripped his right hand into a fist in front of him. "I've grown tired with each passing year. My goal... within my grasp... Yet you couldn't bring me one!" He shrieked furiously.
Zenu looked at him, scoffing as he replied. "The Legendary Rennayan... an anomaly we haven't seen in 1400 years..." He prepared a defensive stance. "You expected us to be able to find them and bring them to you? Why do you search for such power?"
Atlas looked at him with the largest grin on his face. "Why else, of course? To bring humanity closer to God!"
"That ancient religion..." Zenu laughed in his face. "By bringing death, destruction, and fear with you?"
Atlas flicked his wrist with his sword in his left hand, slicing up a nearby building, and sheltering people from the violence. Several screams escaped, but it quickly became quiet as the entire building collapsed within itself.
"It's just more fun that way. You humans, seem to grow stronger when placed in... difficult situations Maybe with the right nudge we are giving them, they just might show up," Atlas replied nonchalantly, then he lunged at Zenu with frightening speed.
Attacking the king with an onslaught of uncountable sword strikes. Zenu parried as many strikes as he could, with violet and blue flames burning his blade bright and helping him keep up. However, he winced, as blisters formed from the recoil, with every several strikes one would make it through, allowing cuts to begin appearing all over his body.
Atlas disarmed him on the last strike, sending his sword flying nearby, prompting Zenu to jump back. Barely able to stand as his vision fogged up. He felt a delayed pain from his left, not realizing a deep wound inflicted on his left shoulder. The new transformation started to flicker as he took ragged
breaths. He had reached his limit.
Atlas continued, ignoring the king's desperate situation. "Besides you have committed the greatest sin against me. By going behind my back and creating that concoction of yours... It's finished isn't it?"
The king was shocked. He knew they were being watched, but he didn't think that the Emperor would find out about the serum.
"What? You didn't think to question some of your private investors before you killed them? Where is it?" Atlas followed up, as he began walking towards him.
Suddenly cutting him off, a shower of ice sparrows poured down on him and froze him in a block of ice, shaped out of birds. "Zenu!" Safiyah yelled at the top of her lungs.
She had turquoise vein marks running all over her body, and streaks of glowing silver highlighted her hair evenly. Cold air, seemingly emanated from her, as birds of all kinds, made out of ice, flew along her side.
Safiyah rushed to Zenu's side, trying to heal as much of his wounds as possible. He looked at the direction she came in and saw the Aratris soaring into the sky, heading into space. "They're safe." He whispered. "That's all that matters."
Safiyah looked him over, then kissed him. "Let's fight him together." She said, looking at him, with her mesmerizing storm-like eyes.
He was at a loss for words, he felt like he had failed to protect her, however he knew her all too well. She was a warrior first. If she left him or her people when they needed her most, she would never forgive herself. "Of course... In life or death, you're the only one I want by my side." He repeated his vows, as she had remembered it.
They both began to gather all of the energy their bodies would allow them, as the sculpted ice block Atlas was trapped in, began to crumble. Then shattered, as the emperor himself climbed out.
"Queen Safiyah... So good of you to join us. I'm in a good mood today and I wanted to share it, with everyone... What do you think?" He smiled while raising both of his hands to the sides, indicating the carnage around them.
"Alcra set up the World Telomonitor." He ordered into his comm.
Moments later, massive screens appeared all over Rennaya in skies above populated areas. Showing scenes of destruction within the royal capital and the royal couple themselves, about to engage with Atlas.
"People of Rennaya!" Atlas spoke with the most eccentric voice, knowing the entire planet could hear him.
"I apologize but your time has come, you have all failed me and I am not taking it personally, I just don't have any more use for you, except your lifespans." He smiled and chuckled lightly out loud. "Which I will gladly accept unconditionally...You see, my children need them, so they will be helping themselves."
People across Rennaya, watched terrified by what they were witnessing, as hope started to fade and despair began to settle.
"As a gift though, I will allow you all to watch the execution of your King and Queen-" Zenu and Safiyah charged him, interrupting his moment and aiming to bring him down.
They fought valiantly for eight and a half minutes. Devastating the city, with parts of it frozen or on fire.
By the end, Zenu was sitting against the wall, with his sword protruding out of his chest. It was getting harder to breathe. He knew he didn't have much longer.
He found it difficult to raise his head, but as he did, he saw his wife lying on the ground. Bruised, bloodied, and completely immobilized with Atlas standing above her. About to plunge his sword into her heart.
She turned her head towards Zenu. Softly, with a tear rolling down the side of her face, she uttered, "My king..."
His eyes grew wide. Unable to accept reality. "My queen..." He reached out, as Atlas plunged his sword through her heart, killing her.
Tears streamed down the king's face. However, he mustered up his remaining strength to speak. "Your search for power... will be your ultimate downfall... and... and one day the universe... will come and collect what is due..."
He coughed blood as the last of his strength faded away, his gaze settled on his wife. "I will be joining you soon, my love." He said, giving his last breath.
Atlas was unfazed. "Sure." He replied, looking up at the sky, unfulfilled.
Ashe and smoke covered the clouds, with lightning striking every few moments among the loud drops of rain, as the invasion progressed. Many thoughts ran through his mind, however, he could not stop wondering who that spaceship was transporting, leaving the planet from the Hallantium's direction.
Where was it headed? That's when he recalled there being a son, from his spy's reports. "Alcra! Please tell me you caught sight of the ship that left Rennaya near me about 15 minutes ago."
There was a soft click, as she replied in his comm. "Of course, I placed a tracker on it, since it was moving too quickly to prepare a Retrieving Party."
Atlas smiled, he was always proud of her decision-making. "Good, then send a few scouter ships after it. Bring the boy back alive... Tell the squads going, should they fail to bring him back they will be incinerated by me, personally."
Alcra took in all of his orders and began preparing the mission. "Yes Father, I will send them out immediately," she replied, as the planet of Rennaya fell...