Alcra was the 46th child and the 23rd daughter of Atlas. She was the commander placed in charge of the Rennayan invasion, and she did so with the utmost precision. Overlooking everything within, the Pandora, Ceria's strongest warship, floated above the Rennayan atmosphere.
Her reconnaissance team locked onto the spaceship and brought it to her attention, just as they were about to warp out of the Rennayan Solar System. After Atlas' call, she rushed down below deck and picked out three teams of slaves, many of them, from different worlds. Then proceeded to arm them with weapons and technology enough to take out a small country.
She smiled as the squads got in their space shuttles, modified for slave hunting. No ship could outrun them. "Father will be pleased," she whispered to herself, then turned back, heading for the command center.
On the Aratris...
Osei wondered, what his parents were going through, as he watched the androids bustle about, with instructions from Waio, the first attendant. There were twenty-five androids on board, capable enough to handle grown bears on their own. Tasked with keeping them both safe, as priority one.
Osei noticed one of the androids, stuck on a screen, just staring at it. He asked it what it was looking at, then quickly went quiet, after noticing his parents on the screen. Watching Atlas murder his parents in cold blood.
"Mom... Dad..." He uttered, as tears streamed down his face, knowing for certain this time, that he would never be able to see them again.
Waio approached Osei, noticing him crying in front of the screen. The transmission must have been picked up as they left Rennaya, he thought to himself.
He placed both of his hands on Osei's shoulders, kneeled, and spoke to him from the heart. "They made this sacrifice for us. Do not cry for their pain, embrace their strength! For them, we must complete the mission..."
He paused briefly, clearing his throat, then continued. "Young Osei, you are now the next ruler of Rennaya. We must revive Rennaya once again and grow it strong enough to take down Ceria once and for all... The serum is the key to all of that."
Osei shook his head. "I am no king," he whispered under his breath.
They dropped out of warp speed in front of the Arflauge machine, distracting Waio as the ship slowed down. 'We must enter the barrier slowly, as to not stress the Arflauge', Waio thought. He turned back to give the androids some more instructions.
Suddenly, a tense feeling crept over him, like something was not right. There was a loud explosion behind the spaceship, shaking the Aratris back and forth, as Waio grabbed and protected Osei. Everyone onboard was thrown around from the impact.
"Defence shields are at 60%." One of the androids called out. "Three shuttles inbound behind us. Less than 2 minutes away."
Waio got back up, and checked on Osei first, making sure he was alright. Then gave an order to the androids. "Return fire. Then concentrate all power on shields and engines!"
The robots rushed to their positions. Some ran around the spaceship working on maintenance and repairs, others headed straight to weapons to return fire. The fight between the ships intensified, as they approached the invisible old satellite. One of the ships in pursuit of the Aratris broke away, into a ball of flames, remains drifting in the abyss.
Waio knew they would not be able to shake the rest off. They had to split up. He turned around to look at Osei, then spoke softly.
"Osei, this is where we must part ways...Take one of the shuttles below and head to Earth, find a human mother, as similar to your own as possible, and complete the mission... After that stay hidden, live your life, and guide your sibling, on the right path."
Osei was in shock, trying to hold back tears, as his eyes already stung. "But... but... I don't want to leave you!" He stuttered back, voice cracking midway.
Waio shook his head. "I have watched you grow. You've excelled in your training and you are very mature for your age... Wipe your tears now. I am proud of you and I am glad to have served you, Prince Osei."
Waio had served the royal family for 40 years of his life. Taken in by Osei's great-grandfather as a starving orphan child on the streets, he felt like this was the moment, where he could repay his debt.
Three androids escorted Osei down to the shuttle bay. He watched powerless from the shuttle window, as the Aratris took continuous bombardment from from the assailing ships. Their shuttle cloaked itself, in invisible camouflage, as it slid away from the battle, while the Aratris led the ships away, to a large floating asteroid.
The shuttle passed through the Arflauge's barrier, with ease, as it shimmered to reveal the Solar System. "Entering the solar system now, approximately 15 mins to planet Earth," the android at the helm updated him. Osei had too many thoughts muddling his seven-year-old mind, to listen. He gripped the serum tightly in his hand. 'I can't fail,' he thought to himself, over and over.
"A 97% match has been found on the continent of Africa, a country called, Nigeria." The android added. Fifteen minutes later, they descended, towards Africa camouflaged.
Osei wondered, if Waio was okay and if he would be able to see him again, but quickly shook the thoughts out of his mind and practiced a meditation technique that his instructor had taught him.
They landed on the outskirts of a small village in the state of Ekiti. Osei told the helper bots to stay in the shuttle and to keep reaching out to the Aratris. They gave him a device updated with the location of the target.
Osei was trained in the art of stealth. Outfitted with a special nano suit, which completely turned him invisible, by blending him with his surroundings, he made his way into the village, with light, quick steps in the middle of the night.
He approached a small group of old houses, held together by clay, cement, and wood. Then got closer to the targets house the target's house quietly, scanning it with his device. Three people were inside, one in the washroom, the other, asleep, and the last yet to be born.
He snuck around to the back door. Picked the lock with a skeleton key and entered slowly. The creaks from the floor frightened him, yet he proceeded cautiously. Down the hall and made a right turn.
The walls were crude and rough, but the home felt warm. He felt relieved, knowing his sibling would be taken care of. However, what he was about to do, he knew was unforgivable.
He plunged the syringe lightly into her arm as she jostled a bit in her sleep from the discomfort. The nano-tech carrying the genetic concoction made its way through her body carefully toward the unborn child.
Fusing, moving cells together, all to recreate the growing human being. Unable to bear the pain any longer, the mother woke up. Looking around flustered, but no one was there.
Osei was already making his way back to the ship, through the village. 'Mission complete,' he thought to himself. Another mission he accomplished on his own at his age. There was nothing more he could do, till his sibling was born.
"Status report," he asked the androids, as he entered the shuttle.
"The Aratris has not yet, returned any of our outgoing calls. We think it may have been destroyed." They responded.
Another one of the androids continued, where the other left off. "We have also discovered a small opening forming, due to the Arflauge deteriorating and lack of maintenance. Extensive repairs may be required to prolong its use."
He nodded, thinking over their updates. "Set a course for the Arflauge then, we'll dock and repair it." He ordered, after making a plan.
"Affirmative," each of the androids chimed in unison.
The shuttle left the Earth's atmosphere, cloaked. Thirty minutes later, they were at the Arflauge. 'It's massive and old', Osei thought as they docked onto the satellite. He sent one of the androids into it, with everything it would need to repair the Arflauge.
It confirmed its mission with him once again before leaving. "I will repair the tear immediately. It will take roughly 5 months for me to complete a full diagnosis and maintenance."
He nodded, signalling the android off while having second thoughts about it. He didn't want another person to leave him.
The android at the console called out to him. "Sir, we have sent a drone out to the asteroid and scans indicate, that there is still a battle ongoing there."
Osei rushed to the console looking over the report. "Alright, take us there." He ordered hoping to see Waio alive and well.
As the shuttle approached, Osei saw bodies and weapons scattering the surface of an asteroid where the three ships had landed. A little further away, he heard the whirring of a Terraforma active. A machine that kept air and gravity circulating the asteroid, slowly turning it into a small planet.
Osei's shuttle landed behind the Aratris. "Activate combat mode and equip your weapons... Make sure to locate and report to me Waio's location." Osei instructed.
The two androids went to work, transforming themselves into their military-designed modes, installed by the Rennayan Royal Military engineers. They grabbed their automatic laser rifles, from the compartment equipped with knives and several other pieces of equipment, they would need to use.
Osei grabbed his sword. He wasn't prepared to lose anyone else. The androids exited the shuttle with Osei rushing quietly behind them, along the Aratris. They turned by a corner of the hull.
Osei's eyes grew wide. A Valmerian giant, at least 12 feet tall swung his axe down on a humanoid golem, a little smaller and made of dirt and minerals from the asteroid. He had only heard of them in stories.
Ten soldiers wearing purple and black, armoured space suits, engaged in combat with seven humanoid golems. Behind the golems, he saw a wounded Waio barely holding on to the broken half of his spear, as it held him up.
Osei was too happy to see him again, causing him to make a fatal mistake. "Waio!" He called out.
Waio looked back, seeing Osei. His facial expression switched to fear, as he uttered, "Osei..."
He paused, shaking his head. "You mustn't be here!" He yelled out in desperation, shaking Osei a bit back.
"The boy!" Some of the men called out, noticing Osei, then they regrouped and started their way toward him as the golems crumbled due to Waio's wavering strength.
Nevertheless, Waio still took down the first two running at him, smacking the back of their heads with high-speed pebbles. The other dodged one coming for him and fired multiple shots from his rifle. Nearly marking Waio, as he raised the dirt wall. He then summoned a clay spike from behind the soldier impaling him from the back, as the man was about to flank him.
Another two charged him, firing their high-tech pistols and unsheathing nano swords, glowing out. Golems rose, taking the shots for him instead, and dove at them, slapping their firearms, out of their hands, before the golems were cut apart. Waio took advantage of one of the soldiers being distracted and impaled him along with the crumbling golem.
"Damn you!" The remaining soldier screamed, lunging at him. Waio pulled out the jagged spear and returned a few blows, till it was broken once more. However, the soldier was too hasty, seeing Waio disarmed, that he didn't notice him summoning an iron sword from the ground. Allowing the attendant to behead him as he dodged the soldier's amateur strike.
Osei's androids began firing at the rest of the soldiers, as they broke through the golems that Waio had created. "Let me fight with you!" Osei yelled out, hoping Waio would agree.
"It is not your place to fight now, young Osei. Hurry, get to somewhere safe-" His words were cut short, as he was sliced horizontally in two, letting the upper half of his body, fall to the ground with a thud. Blood sprayed out, from the bottom half, as it plopped forward.
"Since we know where the boy is, we no longer need him alive." The giant finally spoke up, lifting his bloody axe back up on his shoulder.
Valmerian warriors, a giant race with explosive speed, that had once ravaged the galaxy, Waio had taught him. However, Osei's mind went blank, as his world shattered. He had taken in too much loss that day. He could no longer bear it.
Something snapped within him, his life force started to shave away. Static electricity built up, within his vicinity, converging electric currents from all around the asteroid, towards him.
Blue marks, flowed like veins all over his body, glowing, along with his bright blue eyes. His hair started to rise. The soldiers were wary of him and began backing away.
"Aaaaaaaah!" Osei's scream, was full of anguish and pain, shaking the soldiers as it pierced their souls and sent chills down their spines.
A shockwave of electricity burst out from him, ripping the ground up, as the soldiers winced covering their eyes from the dust and debris. In a blur like lightning, before they could even react, Osei cut down three of them, in one swift motion. He could barely register the thought of killing for the first time, due to the high adrenaline, as he circled back around before the other soldiers tried to restrain him.
The first unfortunate soldier, got his hand sliced cleanly off dropping him to his knees as he screamed from the pain. The last two raised their weapons, aiming for him. Completely terrified and forgetting their mission.
Osei's androids on standby, neutralized them before they could pull the trigger, joining in on the fight. The only one remaining was the giant, watching him with interest.
"Boy, come quietly and I won't hurt you." He said breaking the tension.
Osei growled at him. "I won't forgive you." Although he was out of breath, his anger had not subsided.
It had just been only been a year since he had first awakened his electric abilities. He was a prodigy and quickly recognized that he had ascended to the first level. Waio had given him the harshest training, preparing him for moments like this. Now he felt like he had enough strength to take down the villain, in front of him.
A small cloud started to form and grow above them, as Osei raised his hand. Electricity crackled around them converging towards the cloud darkening it, as it rumbled loudly. The giant braced himself, unsure of what was going on.
"Thunder Raika!" Osei yelled.
A giant bolt of lightning, struck the giant and surrounding area causing a large explosion. Osei covered his eyes, bracing himself as he was pushed back from the winds, but held his ground. His androids, however, were sent flying back into the ships.
Osei stared into the dust and smoke expecting to see the giant down, but he was gone. The next moment felt surreal, as he felt a large blur to his right.
He raised his sword in the nick of time trying to block the giant's axe, however, the force knocked him crashing back against a wall Waio had raised. The giant had used the flat side of his axe to avoid killing him.
Pain stung his left arm. He could feel, it was broken. He coughed coarsely, as blood splattered the ground, while his vision blurred.
The markings on his body began to flicker. The glow in his eyes was fading.
'I'm going to die,' he thought to himself as a tear broke through.
The giant began walking towards him but was cut off by the androids, who had recovered from their flight and started firing, in a futile attempt to bring him down. However, all it did was annoy him as he shrugged the bullets off, and threw his axe at them.
They jumped back dodging the flying axe. That's when he took his chance, lunging at the first and grabbing it with his explosive speed. It resisted and stabbed his hand multiple times, but after a few seconds, it became motionless, crushed by the giant's hands.
The giant dropped the android's remains and looked towards the other firing at him from further away. Suddenly he sprung into a sprint, and kicked the android like a ball with his full strength, faster than it could retreat. Sending the android flying past the ships, unseen ever again.
"Now it's time for you to come with me." The giant said, turning his head towards where he left Osei.
However, Osei did not waste the opportunity his androids had presented him. Leaping up behind the giant's neck, clad completely in electricity he stabbed deep into the giant's beefy neck. Dragging his sword across as far as he could.
The giant screamed in pain, grabbing for his neck. Osei dropped to the ground behind him and slashed the back of his knees, dropping the giant forward.
Osei kept striking himself with lightning, charging up electricity, and moving in a blur of flashes as he sliced away at the giant over and over. Until he was satisfied, dropping his sword, covered completely in blood.
There was silence, as he stood back to back with the giant, out of breath. Then the giant flopped forward, lifeless.
Too many emotions washed over him, but he couldn't help but let out an anguished, cry of victory. He picked up his sword and sheathed it, then rushed over to Waio, mourning him.
He glanced at the teacher's face, remembering his smile whenever he was proud of his achievements. "I'm sorry-"
"What's there to be sorry for, you were wonderful." A voice startled him.
He unsheathed his sword and quickly turned around pointing it at the speaker. Static electricity crackled around him as his energy soared by instinct.
"You!" Rage had rushed back through Osei's mind like never before. For the first time in his life, he understood true hatred.
Descending before him, was Atlas, deserving of all his animosity. Osei got up and immediately charged with all his might trying to bring him down, in one strike. However in the blink of an eye Atlas disappeared, leaving cracks in the air, and lightly struck the back of Osei's neck, knocking him out instantly.
"You'll make for a fine trophy," he said as he picked up the unconscious prince. Then with the air cracking once more around him, he left, heading for the Pandora.