Jade arrived at the nearest dwarf planet to Earth, Ceres — a ‘water world’ known to harbor a salty ocean beneath its cratered surface. The landscape was barren, silent — lifeless, except for faint traces of a green substance scattered over the rocky ground.
He traced the strange green trail, curiosity driving his footsteps across the alien terrain. Gradually, a structure emerged from the horizon — a building, stark and out of place amidst the desolation.
*A building? Here?* Jade thought, his pulse quickening.
As he cautiously approached, he spotted about fifty skimals filing into a strange machine within a vast garden-like enclosure. One by one, the machine fired them out into space with mechanical precision.
*How could such a machine even exist here?* Jade wondered, stepping closer for a better look.
The moment his hands touched the cage’s metal bars, a sudden alarm blared. Instantly, the skimals froze.
Before Jade could react, the creatures sprang toward him, the ground trembling beneath their charge.
"Damn it!" Jade cursed, breaking into a sprint.
Within moments, he had left them behind — or rather, they had ceased their pursuit.
In the distance, a towering figure appeared, descending from a midsize shuttle. Its dark green skin was adorned with spikes running from shoulder to wrist — unmistakably a grogg.
“A grogg!” Jade gasped, halting in shock. “Captain Drek was right.”
The massive creature’s voice boomed like thunder. “You, human — what business have you here?”
Jade took a cautious step back. “So, you’re the last grogg? The boss around here?”
“Yes. Your world is the only one left. Once I regain my full strength, I will dominate it — become the god of all universes.”
Jade’s eyes narrowed. “Amazing that you survived the void of space.”
“Hahaha! Who said my people don’t have spaceships? Your presence here proves humans defeated the grogg—even with the king among us.” The grogg crouched low, muscles tensing. “I will crush you first, then send my minions to your world.”
Jade’s fists ignited in flames as he donned his gloves, eyes blazing. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Oh? A guardian, huh? It will be a pleasure to crush you.”
“You talk too much for a normal grogg,” Jade retorted, charging forward.
*****
Inside the palace, tension hung heavy.
“You’re taking this too far, Your Majesty,” Mark said, rising to his feet. “Locking them in the tomb is excessive punishment.”
“Are you challenging my authority?” Saz’s eyes flashed.
Mark sighed. “This will only provoke Jade.”
Billy nodded nervously. “Perhaps reconsider the punishment, sire?”
Saz shook his head. “I have decided. Those who defy my orders must be punished. Peter, send soldiers to bring Jade’s family here. If they resist, exile is their fate.”
A hush fell over the room at the unspoken word: exile.
Peter bowed curtly and left, immediately ordering twenty soldiers to arrest Jade’s family.
***
Rhen, Racle, and Selina were each in their rooms when urgent knocks echoed through the hall.
Rhen instinctively grasped her sword as she headed to the living room.
The three siblings stepped out at the same time, exchanging worried glances.
Rhen opened the door to reveal twenty-five soldiers, armed with MK-19 grenade launchers, blocking the entrance.
“You are under arrest for attacking an army member and refusing the king’s summons,” the leading soldier declared.
“Oh boy,” Rhen muttered with a weary chuckle. “Can I grab my kids?”
Selina and Racle joined her, and they left under guard.
After walking for some time, Rhen’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t the way to the palace.”
“Be quiet!” one soldier snapped.
“Why should I keep quiet if we’re not prisoners?” Rhen demanded, but no one answered.
Selina’s anger flared. With a hardened hand, she grabbed a soldier’s neck and hurled him into a nearby building. Before the others could react, Racle unleashed an immense fireball, engulfing the area.
Seven soldiers were caught in the flames as the rest opened fire into the blaze.
When the smoke cleared, the siblings had vanished.
“Search everywhere! They can’t have gone far!” the leader barked.
*****
Back on Ceres, Jade faced the last grogg in a deadly confrontation.
He charged, his fist blazed with fiery energy.
The grogg stood unmoving, watching Jade’s assault.
Jade’s blows landed on the creature’s chin — and nothing.
*How is he this strong?* Jade wondered, throwing another strike.
This time, the grogg caught Jade’s hand. In a flash, Jade was slammed into the ground, buried beneath him.
“I may not be as fast, but never let me catch you, or you’re dead,” the grogg growled, yanking him free.
With a brutal smash, blood spilled from Jade’s mouth. Dizziness clouded his vision.
*Damn it! Not like this — I can’t die now,* Jade thought, fighting to stay conscious.
The ground trembled violently, and suddenly they plunged underground into a vast ocean.
Using his last strength, Jade swam up the river while the grogg vanished into the depths.
On the shore awaited the skimals — his pursuers closing in.
“Now I get it,” Jade muttered, breathless. “This maniac controls all of this... whatever it is.”
Jade sprinted toward the shore, barely beating the skimals.
Only a handful remained.
*So many lost... I have to get back to Earth,* Jade thought, beginning to crystallize his body.
As he transformed, the grogg emerged from the ocean, standing atop the skimals.
The grogg’s glare sent a chill down Jade’s spine.
“Is Earth really doomed?” Jade whispered as his body turned to dust.
***
Rhen, Racle, and Selina slipped into a nearby building, then made their way toward the palace.
Upon arrival, all eyes turned to them.
“I guess they refused again,” someone murmured. “As I said before, I will—”
*Boom!*
...
*Boom!*
...
*Boom! Boom!*
...
The palace erupted in chaos.
Five groggs crashed from the sky — an unimaginable sight.
The army scattered, rushing to five different locations.
The skimals rampaged through streets, smashing houses and terrorizing citizens.
And these weren’t just any skimals — they were stronger, more ferocious than before.
......
....