Dunamis opened his eyes and found himself on his home planet. The sight was absolutely incredible. The largest trees that anyone has seen were surrounding him. The air was crisp, and the colors of the forest were gorgeous to behold. He could not remember a more beautiful sight. He then noticed that he was much younger and smaller, and many other centaurs were standing around him. He was the center of attention. There was nothing he hated more. Around his wait was a rope tied and the other end was tied to a much bigger centaur. Memories came flying back into his mind and he now remembered what event was taking place.
“Welcome all my brothers!” shouted one of the many centaurs that surrounded him and the much larger centaur. “We will now begin these games with the first event.” This centaur then raised his arms in a dramatic fashion. “The Feast of Strength!” Two cannons shot fireworks over all their heads and exploded in dramatic fashion. Dunamis looked past the centaurs that were surrounding him and could see many other centaurs behind them. Crowds of them in all directions, celebrating the activities that were taking place.
The centaur announcing the event, continued to explain, “This event works like this. Two centaurs will be tied to one another and before each centaur is their prize. A glorious, cooked mid-section cut from one of our many large beasts.” There were many “awes” and “ohs” plus the smacking of lips. “To enjoy this prize, they must first pull and tug their opponent towards their goal, while the other opponent pulls and tugs on their end. The stronger of the two will reap their reward.” Then this centaur looked upon Dunamis. “To be fair, we allowed the smallest of our large family to go first. His loss will hopefully motivate our younger ones to strengthen themselves, so they do not find themselves in this position of being our weakest link.” Many laughs and scoffs were seen all around. Dunamis could only hang his head in shame. He knew that he was smaller than all other centaurs, but it was not because of his lack of work and effort. No one of his species could give a medical reason why, so they all assumed that he was just born weak.
“Ready your positions!” shouted the centaur. Dunamis hunched down and all four of his hoofs on his powerful legs dug into the ground while his much bigger opponent did the same. The centaur that was leading the event, looked at both and saw that they were ready. He then raised a hand into the air and yelled, “Begin!”
Immediately, Dunamis felt himself being tugged backwards. His hoofs were being dragged across the ground. The centaurs around him laughed and pointed as they saw what they thought would happen. Dunamis continued to tug and pull forward, but he was overpowered, and it appeared that his effort was useless against his opponent. He hunched down more and tried to dig in with his hoofs, but the other opponent continued to drag him backwards, a few inches at a time.
With everything that Dunamis had, he pulled and tugged, using every bit of muscle and strength he had left. The rope stopped moving towards his opponent and just hung in the air at the surprise of everyone watching the event. Then, at an even bigger surprise, the rope began moving towards Dunamis as they saw him pulling the much bigger opponent towards his goal. They all saw that Dunamis was using every ounce of strength he had, and the look upon his face showed nothing but determination. He dug into the ground as deep as he could with his mighty legs, pushing forward. His opponent was also doing the same but continued to be dragged backwards. Inch by inch, Dunamis drudged forward. Sweat was pouring from his head and back. He looked to be almost ready to pass out but continued to push forward.
He was now less than a few feet from the prize. He reached out and his long fingers were inches from his goal. None of the centaurs were pointing and laughing now, but all looked on with shock and surprise. Dunamis gave it everything he had but still could not move the last few inches. He then felt faint, and he knew his body was giving out. He began to be dragged backwards. “No!” he yelled and pushed forward with everything he had. A few more steps and he was nearly there again. His opponent was using every bit of strength he had to keep him from winning. Suddenly, Dunamis’s legs gave way, and his opponent pulled him to the ground and dragged him across the ground. His opponent reached his prize and began feasting upon the meat of the beast. Dunamis could only hang his head in shame as he took heavy breathes and was very close to fainting.
“We have our winner!” shouted the centaur running the event. “I must admit that I did not think that this round would be so close. A valiant effort for both opponents!” All centaurs shouted and yelled to celebrate the event. Many gathered around the winner and congratulated him on his victory. The centaur running the event stepped forward and knelt down by Dunamis who was still trying to catch his breath laying on the ground. He patted Dunamis on the back. “I do believe you have showed us that you are stronger than you look.” He smiled at Dunamis. “You must have some hidden strength in there somewhere.” He gave him another pat on the back and then walked over to congratulate the winner. Dunamis, too tired to stand, could only drop his head on the ground and closed his eyes and darkness appeared.
When Dunamis opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in bed with his wife at his side. The bed, of course was gigantic in order to fit two fully grown centaurs. Many believed that centaurs sleep standing up, which of course was false. They only doze while standing.
He pulled himself out of bed and a flood of memories came roaring back into his mind. He realized that something had awakened him. A large crash or something similar. He walked to the window of his home and saw nothing. He could see lights in the air, which was not unusual, but something was not right. He left his wife, who was still asleep, and walked to the front door and opened the large double door. His home was built within a large, towering tree that sat high on a giant hill which overlooked the majestic valley below. A large city could be seen below with many moving ships and vehicles. He walked to the edge of the hill and could see other centaurs that seemed to have been awaken as well. Nothing looked to be wrong when suddenly, there was another explosion from up above and a large ship was seen falling from the sky. It was a ship that belonged to this planet. A military ship that orbited the planets to contact all approaching ships. The ship hit the ground close to the city boundaries with an enormous explosion. Then they all looked in the distance and could see other military ships falling from the skies. Now they knew, their planet was under attack.
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Dunamis raced back inside the home and found his wife out of bed and wondering what was going on. “I do not know,” cried Dunamis, “but it appears that one of our enemies is attacking our defensive ships that orbit our planet!” He began to grab bags that he had ready for emergencies.
“Darkkarians!” yelled his wife as she began grabbing important items as well. “But we have been at peace for many years!”
“Darkkarians do not have this great of power!” shouted Dunamis as more explosions were heard. “Our ships are falling like flies! I believe it is them that we have heard attack so many other worlds!”
“But we have a treaty with them!” yelled his wife as she continued to pack and grab important items. “They have kept it for years! Why attack us now!”
“These species are not known for keeping their word,” Dunamis explained as he headed toward the front door carrying a couple of bags and a weapon. His wife followed him carrying a couple of bags as well. “We must hurry to the main shelter!”
They raced out of their home and many other centaurs were seen running as well, all seemed to be heading to the same location. Large ships were now entering the atmosphere of the planet and large blasts were heard as they saw laser cannons firing from these vessels. Huge explosions could be seen in the valley below. Hundreds of smaller ships could be seen leaving the larger ships and making their way down to the ground.
The centaurs all continued to run towards the shelter as more explosions were seen and heard. There were many screams and yells as fear began to set in on everyone. There was laser fire flying up towards the large ships as the cities used the defenses they had. There were many centaurs with large weapons and in what appeared to be military clothing directing the other centaurs.
Many of the smaller ships were seen landing and green beast-like creatures emerged and began firing on all that were around. The centaurs in the military clothing ran towards these creatures, firing their weapons. Laser fire, huge explosions, buildings on fire, crashed ships could be seen all around. The worst part was the many dead or injured centaur all around. Many were trying to help but became victims themselves of the attacking enemy.
There were small ships that belonged to the centaur’s planet that were seen firing upon the attacking ships. Many of the attacking ships were seen exploding and crashing to the ground which did give all, some little hope. They finally arrived at the shelter and ran down the path with everyone else that lead to the underground bunker. When the final centaur of the large group had entered the shelter, two centaurs in military clothes closed the gigantic doors and guarded the doors with their weapons ready. All centaurs inside, huddled in silence as they heard the battle raging outside. There were more large explosions. Huge blasts of laser fire, plasma rockets, solar bombs, and other powerful weapons were heard everywhere. The battle went on for what seemed like hours as the centaurs all bunched together hoping for a miracle.
Then there was silence. Nothing could be heard from outside the bunker. All centaurs seemed to be breathing in unison as they waited for some sign of what was going on up above. Then there was a knock at the two gigantic doors. The two centaurs aimed their weapons knowing that this knock was not the standard procedure to acknowledge all inside that it was safe to leave. Another knock and they still waited. Many inside began to breathe heavier and to shake anxiously.
A few minutes passed, and nothing was heard. The silence was deafening. Then a large vibration was heard and felt directly above them. Then there was a large blast that ruptured the ground above them. Rock, dirt, trees and other materials fell down upon them. Screams and yells were heard as centaurs were injured and others were killed from the falling objects.
Dunamis looked up, and above them hovered a large enemy ship which had just fired upon their location. Standing around the gigantic hole that had been created were many creatures that had attacked their planet. All of them held laser rifles and other weapons at the centaurs. Suddenly a cry from one of the creatures was heard and the creatures began firing their weapons. Dunamis shielded his wife as many centaurs were seen falling around him. Dunamis felt pain in his shoulder, back, and leg. He fell to the ground and saw his wife fall as well. Laser fire was still seen as Dunamis’s head hit the ground and he closed his eyes and darkness appeared.
Dunamis awoke and found that he was holding the General high in the air around his neck. The General was holding on to Dunamis’s wrists. In a calm but muffled voice, the General asked, “Please, put me down.” Dunamis, with a confused look, lowered the General to the ground and released him. The General massaged his neck and in a raspy voice said, “The program is finished.” He then smiled at the centaur who still appeared confused. He stood to the side of Dunamis and gestured towards the large glass doors of the device. Dunamis slowly walked out through the glass doors and looked upon all waiting for him.
Dunamis gave a heavy sigh because the memories were fresh within his head, but then he noticed he felt different. He could feel the strength that his body possessed. Every part of his body felt incredibly powerful. He hunched forward and looked straight in front of him. His eyes narrowed. All that were in his view began to move out of the way, fearing what would come next. He then launched forward in an incredible gallop. All four legs showed remarkable strength and dexterity. Sparks flew up as his hoofs hit the floor. He raced down the stairs and across the floor of the large room in mere seconds and stopped with remarkable quickness before he hit the wall. He quickly turned and raced back to the stairs and with one giant leap he flew over all twenty steps and landed gracefully at the top. He turned around facing everyone and waved his luxurious hair from side to side.
“I do not think we have to ask how you feel,” remarked Igetis with his sly smile.
Dunamis shook his head. “No, you do not,” he commented with a large smile. “I bet no centaur now can ever beat me in a Feasts of Strength!”
Everyone, not knowing of what he was commenting, looked at each other in confusion. Igetis, sensing of what he was referring to, could only smile. The General approached Dunamis and placed a hand on his back. “Maybe no centaur, but I know Hephaestus will take you up on that challenge,” said the General. Dunamis turned and smiled at the General. “Challenge accepted!”
Atromitos stepped forward. “It is now my turn.”