Grunting with exertion, I slowly lift a massive alien ship over my head, face twisted into a scowl. Another mission across the galaxy. Mom's condition has been getting worse, and I want—no, need—to be with her. But it's like I'm a slave to the empire.
With a low-effort heave, I toss the ship several hundred meters away. A shadow casts over me as Varnis floats above, arms crossed.
"Took you long enough, boy," he says with that familiar mocking tone.
I scoff, waving him off with a flick of my hand. I don't have time for Varnis' smugness. Maybe I'll humble him later.
Of course, nothing ever goes my way.
Before Varnis can comment on my gesture, several ships drop out of hyperspace, descending rapidly through the atmosphere. A shiver runs down my spine—instinct, maybe intuition. But I know it in my bones: someone—or something—on those ships is strong. Stronger than we can handle.
"Varnis—"
I don't get to finish before the ships hit ground. Hordes of animal-like aliens in armor come pouring out, charging us. They look like beasts from my past life, but twisted—more humanoid, more dangerous.
Varnis laughs and rockets forward, eager to fight.
As he crashes into their ranks, I keep my eyes locked on the ship's opening. That's when I see him.
Taller than the rest. No armor—just casual alien clothing. A predator. His bored eyes scan the field lazily… until they lock onto me. Then, they drop to the logo on my chest, and a sharp glint of excitement ignites in his gaze.
"VILTRUMITES! FINALLY! AT LONG LAST, MY THIRST FOR BATTLE WILL BE SATIATED!"
The charging crowd freezes at his voice.
"He's actually going to fight?"
"No way… Lord Thokk is interested?"
"Of course. They're Viltrumites."
The murmurs continue. Varnis halts mid-air, confused by their hesitation. I keep my eyes locked on Thokk, wary.
The crowd parts like water as he steps forward, stomping toward Varnis with slow, heavy steps.
I rise into the air, heart pounding.
Thokk growls—and that's the only warning Varnis gets before a mace slams into his side.
The older Viltrumite is sent flying like a ragdoll.
Shit, he's fast—
I barely react in time. Thokk's body tenses, and I blast backward at full speed, avoiding the same fate.
Thokk grins, clearly amused. My eyes widen as I watch him move. His speed… the only ones I've seen like that were the Gelderian King—and Lord Thragg.
I rise higher into the sky. He can't fly, but that doesn't stop him. In a feat of pure power, he kicks off the air itself and launches at me.
I dodge just in time, his mace narrowly missing my head. I retaliate, lashing out with a fist to his exposed gut.
Pain shoots up my arm like lightning. It's like punching metal. The impact creates a shockwave, but Thokk barely budges—only sent flying a few meters.
He recovers instantly with a kick off the air, closing the gap again in an eye-blink.
Where's Varnis?
He shouldn't be down for this long.
I glance toward where Varnis crashed. Enhanced vision locks onto him—blood dripping from his lips, struggling to stand.
"You shouldn't get distracted in a life-or-death fight," a voice growls—right beside my ear.
I whip around so fast my neck pops, but it's too late. A massive white-furred hand grabs my head, and the next thing I know, I'm slammed into the ground with a force akin to a nuclear detonation.
Agony explodes through my skull. Definitely a concussion. Instinct kicks in and I lash out, kicking Thokk away just as his claws nearly pierce my skull.
My vision blurs. Blood streams down my face. Small cuts litter my scalp. My head throbs.
Nothing should be this strong.
But I don't get time to think.
Thokk is already charging again, his expression bored.
"Is this the might of a Viltrumite? I'm unimpressed."
He crosses hundreds of meters in an instant—no flight, no tricks. Just brute speed.
Even Viltrumites need acceleration. He doesn't.
I barely dodge a lazy swing of that golden mace. His attacks don't stop. I begin adjusting to his speed—barely. Still fast. Too fast. Faster than Nolan, than the General. Maybe even… faster than Lord Thragg.
Every hit he throws threatens to crush bone. Every block on my part risks breaking something.
I blow a freezing wave of air at him, coating his body in frost.
He ignores it.
He feints—I fall for it. A graze to the knee sends pain flaring. My leg buckles. I roar in pain but use it—channeling it into a punch that finally knocks him away. My hand shatters in the process.
Thokk crashes into a mountain, which explodes on impact.
He doesn't stay down. He blasts back toward me with that twisted grin. A memory of my sperm donor flashes in my head.
"MORE!" he roars.
I dodge and grab his leg, dragging him straight down—toward the ocean.
We crash into the water like meteors, descending thousands of feet. Darkness engulfs us.
My Viltrumite eyes adjust easily. I toss Thokk into the ocean floor, the impact forcing water away in a massive crater.
He grins as he stands. He can breathe underwater?
He comes again. I hit and run, jabbing his ribs—finally earning a grunt of pain. I feel my hand break again, but it's worth it.
"YES! MORE!" he howls, voice muffled by the sea.
Nope. Drowning won't work.
I shoot upward like a missile. Thokk follows.
Varnis is above the ocean, bloodied but floating.
His expression is grim—serious. "Who… no, what is he?"
"I don't know—MOVE!"
I shove Varnis aside just as Thokk erupts from the ocean, flying past where we'd just been.
I don't hesitate. With Varnis here, we might stand a chance.
I blast toward Thokk, inhaling deeply. Then I unleash it—heat breath. The air ignites instantly, engulfing Thokk in flame.
A moment later, a shockwave. Varnis slams both fists into Thokk's gut, sending out a thunderous boom.
I wince—Varnis' hands pop audibly. Even hitting Thokk hurts us.
We can't win like this. Not with brute force.
Thokk roars and plunges his claws into Varnis' chest. The older Viltrumite screams in pain.
I act. Kicking Thokk away, freeing Varnis.
"We should throw him into space," I say, exhausted. "He can't fly. No air in space."
Varnis nods, blood dripping from his chest.
I move.
I catch Thokk just as he prepares to launch off the air again. Grabbing a handful of his long white braid, I hurl him up—right into Varnis' waiting arms.
Varnis grabs him under the arms, locks tight, and spins. I follow with a flying kick to Thokk's chin—full force.
My leg aches, but Thokk is dazed. It's enough.
Varnis spins and throws.
Thokk rockets upward.
We watch as his form pierces the sky… and leaves the atmosphere, drifting helplessly into space.
I exhale a long breath, body battered, mind racing.
He's gone—for now.