The smoke of battle lingered in the air — a mix of scorched earth and the bitter scent of ozone. Villages that once stood lively among the emerald trees now lay shattered and silent. The cries of the alien inhabitants had faded, replaced only by the whistling wind weaving through the charred remains of their homes.
Amid the chaos, Android 18 stood firm — golden hair flowing against the dying breeze, her expression hard and resolute. Her blue eyes, though calm, flickered with restrained anger as she surveyed the aftermath of the space pirates' attack.
And then… he appeared.
The crowd of lesser pirates parted as their leader descended from his ship — a man cloaked in dark purple armor that shimmered faintly under the twin suns. His boots touched the ground with an almost deliberate grace, his posture straight and refined. He wasn't bulky like most warlords; instead, he had a tall, lean frame with sharp features — thin lips curved in a gentleman's smile, and eyes of molten gold that seemed to pierce right through everything they looked at.
"Ah," he began softly, his tone polite, almost musical, "so you're the one who dares challenge my crew."
His voice carried a strange contradiction — smooth, cultured, but heavy with an undercurrent of menace.
"I must say," he continued, glancing around at his fallen men with an amused smirk, "you've handled my subordinates rather efficiently. It's… admirable."
"Tell them to leave this planet," 18 said coldly, not lowering her stance. "You've already caused enough destruction."
The man placed one gloved hand over his chest and gave a mock bow. "Forgive my manners. I am Tirax, captain of the Obsidian Fang Unit. I make it a point to know those who catch my attention — and you, my dear, certainly have."
His words were smooth as silk, but they carried an unsettling charm — the kind that wrapped around one's neck like a velvet rope.
"I don't care who you are," 18 shot back, her tone firm but even. "Take your men and leave. I'm not interested in whatever empire you're building."
Tirax's smile widened slightly, eyes narrowing in amusement. "Ah, such spirit. It's rare to meet someone who refuses me so decisively. I must admit… I'm intrigued."
He paced slowly toward her, his hands folded behind his back, like a noble strolling through his estate rather than a warlord walking through ruins. "Why waste your talents here, defending creatures too weak to protect themselves? Join me. With your strength and my command, we could reshape this corner of the galaxy."
18 didn't even hesitate. "Not interested."
Tirax blinked once, as though her answer was so alien it took him a moment to process. Then, a faint chuckle escaped his lips — low and amused. "You know… most would kneel for the chance to be at my side. You must value your pride very highly."
"I value freedom," she replied simply. "And I don't follow tyrants."
The smile remained on his face, but his golden eyes grew darker, colder. "Freedom… ah, that fragile illusion. Very well. If words fail to convince you—" he raised his right hand, his palm glowing faintly with dark red energy "—perhaps force shall speak more clearly."
The ground cracked beneath his feet as his aura flared. Yet, 18 stood unfazed, her expression unreadable.
When the fight began, the forest trembled.
Tirax lunged first, moving faster than most could perceive, but 18's eyes caught every motion. She sidestepped effortlessly, driving her knee into his abdomen and sending him flying backward through a cluster of burnt trees. The impact left a crater in the dirt.
He rose, coughing lightly, still smiling. "Interesting… you're faster than I expected."
"I told you to leave," she said, voice firm but controlled.
Tirax dusted off his armor with exaggerated politeness. "You speak as though you could command me. But… perhaps I was too lenient."
They clashed again.
Fists met, creating shockwaves that rippled through the air. 18's strikes were precise, economical — every blow calculated to end the fight quickly. Tirax countered with deceptive elegance, every move executed with dancer-like grace. Yet, despite his poise, he was clearly on the losing side.
Within minutes, his armor was cracked, his lip bled, and his breathing grew uneven.
"Is that all, gentleman?" 18 asked mockingly.
Tirax laughed softly, even as blood trickled down his chin. Around them, his subordinates — those still alive — were watching with oddly smug expressions. Their captain's composure hadn't faltered once, even under pressure.
And that unsettled her.
"You're strong," Tirax admitted, wiping his lip with his thumb. "But there's something about you that puzzles me."
He tilted his head, studying her. "I can't sense you. Not even a flicker. How curious…"
18 narrowed her eyes but didn't reply.
"Ah, I see," he murmured, his tone almost delighted. "A secret then? How delightful."
"I'm not hiding anything," she said. "I'm an android. My energy doesn't flow like yours — it's generated internally. You won't sense it no matter how hard you try."
"An android…" Tirax repeated the word slowly, his smile widening again. "A marvel of biology and machinery, then. A living construct of perfection. I must admit, the temptation to study such a being is… overwhelming."
His politeness twisted into something dark. "If you won't join me willingly, I'll just have to take you apart piece by piece."
18 frowned, readying herself again. "Try it."
Tirax's eyes gleamed with malicious intent. "With pleasure."
He suddenly leapt back, creating distance between them. Then his expression changed — no longer calm, but… reverent, almost divine.
"Allow me," he said softly, "to show you why they call me the God of Zombie Worlds."
Before she could respond, the air thickened. The planet itself seemed to shudder beneath them. The ground pulsed as if alive — the trees, the grass, even the wind seemed to recoil.
And then 18 saw it — faint streams of light, like glowing veins, crawling from the ground toward Tirax's feet.
Her eyes widened. "What are you—"
Tirax closed his eyes and inhaled slowly, as though savoring a fine wine. "This world… it breathes with life, such huge life force, perfect for me. And now, it shall breathe through me."
In seconds, the lush forest began to wither. Trees shriveled to ash. The soil blackened. The once vibrant sky dimmed to gray. Half of the Planet faced this situation.
18's senses screamed — the energy readings around her skyrocketed as Tirax absorbed the planet's very essence. His aura erupted in waves of crimson and gold, tearing through the dying air. The cracks in his armor sealed, his wounds vanished, and his smirk returned, sharper and colder than ever.
"My apologies," he said with mock sincerity, looking around at the devastation he'd caused, "but I find this method… efficient."
18 clenched her fists, her gaze hardening.
Tirax extended a hand toward her, now glowing with unimaginable power. "Now then, my dear — shall we continue our conversation?"
And with that, the gentleman of ruin smiled — perfectly calm, perfectly polite — as the world beneath them began to die.