Seventy-two thousand missiles crossed into Earth's atmosphere, bypassing the planet's defences and scattering across the African continent. The Alkebulan Defence Dome fired back, intercepting 94% percent of the incoming projectiles.
The continent united their greatest minds to one cause, protecting the motherland. Allowing many technological advances to develop in which the world had yet to see. Along with many other countries in the World that had joined the Federation, Sarah had provided blueprints and resources they would need to protect their countries from any alien invasion.
However, the Kirosian fleets advancing on Earth were undeterred and it wasn't the only greeting they had in store for their hosts. Soldiers in raider jets poured out of ships, descending on Dakar, Tunis, Cairo, Nairobi and Johannesburg. Guardians of each country, rushed to the center, with their militaries backing them up. The long fight had begun.
Prince Dacaari and Thyra were advised by their generals to begin their advance on Earth, with Africa, as the Cerian invasion would likely continue on to the west side of the world and to the south. The assumption was that once their forces would likely meet, they would need the resources of the rich continent. Along with the fact, that the terrain and environment of the land weren't too different from what they were used to back home.
Kirosian soldiers roared as they landed, knowing that many of their comrades had become shields for them to touch down. African artillery had brought down many ships and raiders before they had started to become overrun. It at first seemed as though, everything would go well since Kirosian tech was as advanced as Earth's and it was the Federation'shome territory. However, the ratio of power between Kiros and Beyond was evident.
Beyond's ships, along with many of the world's remaining vessels, held up a stalemate against a portion of the advancing armada. However, the one's that got through and landed, brought forth the biggest problem Earth was facing.
Kirosian warriors lived, breathed and glorified battle. It was their way of life, derived to cope with the conditions of the Dark Sector. Even with their advancements in technology and becoming a space-faring civilization, they still managed to maintain their traditions and customs. Messages and lessons that were revealed to them through blessed abnormals and shamans over the last 2000 years. For their people to prepare for the deadliest enemy.
As such, once the people found out about the Dark One's presence on Earth, many enlisted for the battle. Numbering over 330 million warriors, eager to join the crusade. Such an amount surprised the Kings, prompting them to immediately place them under their children's command. Instructing them to do one thing.
"Prove yourself."
Over the skies of Abuja...
Dacaari descended out of the skies of Abuja, thinking he had managed to shake his guard, however, she appeared right behind him, in a blur of fire.
The stoic expression she always wore, had barely been affected by the long trip, as he tried to lose her from Dakar. Sadira had always given all of her orders the utmost priority. Which eased his mind, when it came to security but pissed him off when he wanted to go off on his own. Even though the King believed in his son, he knew better than to let him wander alone in enemy territory.
The Prince overlooked the beautiful city, wondering what would be the most fun thing to do first. However greeting him in the sky within moments were the Nigerian Guardians, Aminu and Tomi. He smiled, excited by the challenge.
Tomi, raised his finger towards him, along with his voice. "Intruder, are you affiliated with the invaders? If so, surrender now, and you won't be harmed."
Dacaari's grin blew into full-blown laughter. He snapped his fingers, as a massive ship, appeared out of camouflage, casting a large shadow over the city. "Scatter the sky screens." He ordered as thousands of Telemonitors, shot out of every Kirosian ship, and scattered across the entire world. An alien voice called out to them, forcing everyone on Earth to look up at the sky.
"People of this glorious land. You're time has come. I have come to deliver on my Father's promise." He spread his hands out wide, manifesting a sphere of fire in one palm and a miniature sun in the other. "From today onwards, Kiros will purge this planet of all of you cretins and I, Prince Dacaari, along with Princess Thyra..." The camera split to the princess, who had just descended out of Nairobi's skies, along with the Dai Hito, Delgan. Then it focused back on him, as the Guardians charged, however, Sadira intercepted them, with quick bursts of fire and knocked them back.
The prince continued, unbothered. "...Will present this cleansed planet, to their Majesties. So please, those of you who can fight, make this enjoyable for us. Let my warriors be tested before the Gods, so that, they may enter the Great Halls of Varkkalla. If not, let them sharpen their blades for the enemy of the night."
He combined the two spheres, creating an ominous ball of energy, that continued to grow by the second. "Va'oria, burn it all!" Dacaari yelled, as a colossal, obsidian-black dragon, dove out of the ship floating above him and began flying towards Cameroon.
'Yes Master.' The Dragon replied back, as thousands of Raider jets accompanied it, at full speed.
The Prince raised his palm, holding his attack up for the World to see, as he concluded his speech. "Hide, scream, run, it doesn't matter. Humans of Earth, this is your last day."
The once small, now massive, burning sphere, rotated at the speed of sound, above, his head. Then as he gripped his fist, the gigantic ball exploded upwards. The Guardians watched in horror, as they struggled to get past the Dai Hito and other Kirosian warriors that had started to pour out of the ship.
Molten rocks and debris filled the sky, then began to dip back down into the city. Civilians & onlookers going about their day in buildings and on the streets looked up, watching the sky suddenly burn. However, before any of the burning rocks and fire could touch down, they were each intercepted by volleys of fire, and stones rising from the ground.
Dacaari looked confused as to who the culprit could be, but his questions were answered a second later. He smiled realizing who they were. "The Novas."
On cue, Sofia and Amir attacked Sadira with a combined attack, and they fell out of the sky. However, to their surprise, the Dai Hito was prepared for them, as she shifted into first gear to blow apart the colossal burning boulder they attempted to greet her with.
The explosion blew the Novas back, but they quickly regrouped with the Guardians and introduced themselves while facing her.
"We're here to lend a hand!" Sofia spoke to the both of them as they nodded back.
Sadira glanced at each of her challengers and smiled, then got into a battle stance, just as a reddish-blue streak of fire, descended at an alarming through the sky. She became conflicted realizing, it wasn't aiming for her.
The Prince quickly raised his arm above his head and reinforced it with magma and telekinetic force, right on time as Tai crashed into it with his fist first. the prince grinned wide like he had just gotten the best present ever. "Finally, I get to meet one of you!"
The Nova couldn't believe how he was being held back so easily. He had placed his entire might into the strike, with glowing orangish-red veins, coursing through his body. Over the last six months, he had pushed himself over and over in his training, along with Nate and Runa, to perfect the first gear.
He had been feeling disappointed in himself as he didn't have the same growth rate as the others. Of the second generation that joined at the same time as him, he had been feeling the most behind. However, as faced the fearsome, Kirosian Prince before him, he realized that none of that mattered.
He had to win.
Dacaari pushed him back, without much effort, as they stared each other down. Fire burned around them, as tensions between them increased. Tai wasn't one to talk much, but the Prince's unnerving grin, made him want to put him into his place. "Attacking us, while our main force is gone, very brave of you Kirosian warriors."
"Hmph, this land is as good as ours, why should we have to wait any longer to take it?" Dacaari replied.
The Nigerian Guardians were relieved to have some support. At the same moment, they got updates in their comms. The Algerian and Senegalese Guardians were bringing over other ones from all over Africa. Nearly every country in Africa had their own deployed, helping the continent repel the invaders.
They were relieved, knowing the population would be taken care of. Amina turned towards Tomi. "Help the Nova against that messed up Prince. We'll take care of her."
He nodded, then took off to join Tai, however Sadira who had been aware of their movements, acted first. Within seconds, she beamed out a condensed ball of fire too quick for him to react to. However, a wave of ice intercepted it, letting him go scoff-free.
The Dai Hito looked back at the culprit, who had assumed a battle stance and began gathering energy. "You lot, are not worth my time. The Prince's safety is my highest priority."
Aminu smiled back, "Then you shouldn't have attacked us."
Ground Zero Nairobi...
Muzzle fire, ripples through the city, alongside tremors and aftermaths of elemental powers being set off. The Kirosian Princess was surprised at how smoothly the invasion was proceeding. She oversaw everything from the front line herself.
A large amount of her warriors pushed a section of the city, the Kenyan army had barred off. Leading the defence, were the Kenyan and Ethiopian Guardians, repelling back hordes of Kirosian warriors, rushing the line. A gigantic stone wall was raised up around the buildings, with numerous stone golems, above it. Moments later, large bursts of fire spurt out of the hands of each of the golems. Razing down the warriors surging the wall.
The screams of burning soldiers, rang through the field, as the others marched forward, creating barriers of ice, earth fire. Hundreds of volleys of each element were launched back, intensifying the exchange.
Thyra watched as raider jets, zoomed above the wall, bombarding the hold, before trying to circle back. However, only a few were able to return, as the Kenyan army had shot them down.
She shook her head. "I guess I need to join them."
Cobalt blue and chrome vein markings snaked their way across her body as she ascended to the first gear. Then she dove down and crashed through the makeshift fortress. Shocking the Guardians, as they had to shift their focus from the warriors trying to scour the walls.
A second had only passed by, but they both knew they had to act fast. One raised multiple stone walls in front of them and an armour of rocks, to protect themselves as they leaped back, while the other stopped their flames through the fortress and began turning to help.
The Princess burrowed through without losing speed and nearly reached the Guardian before they had even landed. Dozens of spiked-shaped rocks reshaped themselves out of their barriers and aimed for her. However, instead of fearing for her life, she smirked, as they were obliterated and repelled back, by her telekinetic force. In the next second, she struck the Gaurdian, with enough force to blow their stone armour clean off of them as they sailed through their fortress' walls and into the Kirosian horde, relentlessly pressing on.
The Kenyan Gaurdian yelled at the top of their lungs, psyching themselves up, after seeing what had happened to his comrade. Thyra had just landed but didn't hesitate to spin around and leap to reciprocate his charge, as he raged fire, all around them.
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Their fists connected dozens of times over, making it seem like they were at a stalemate. however what the Guardian had not noticed, was how much colder it had gotten around them and how each of his flames, within seconds would die out. then the chill got to him, as he started to shiver.
"Wow, you can't even keep yourself warm." The Princess remarked, disappointed, as the Guardian watched her reach back and strike him, with a glove of electric and telekinetic force.
She sighed, knowing he would never walk again. Everything was just as expected, much to her dismay. She suspected that the continent would fall, in less than an hour, but now that she was on the field, it didn't seem like it would take that long.
Suddenly, her senses began to flare. She noticed the small hairs on her arms begin to rise, then she looked up and shifted back into first gear, just in time to block the Nova's strike.
Blue lightning, razed the ground around them as Runa put everything she could into her right foot. When she noticed the Princess not budging, she spun in midair and threw a right hook, gathering all of the remaining electricity in their vicinity.
However, the ease at which Thyra repelled her, unnerved her. The Nova had already switched into first gear, before descending.
'Don't stop, find an opening." She told herself, as she hopped back, cladded in electricity and drew her short swords, then zipped back at Thyra even faster.
The Princess was impressed, each strike forced her further away from her position. That's when she noticed the insignia and logo etched on Runa's new suit. Tempered for greater output and durability. Saphyra was always looking for new ways to increase their chances of survival.
"Not bad." Thyra admired, as she was forced to draw her sword on Runa's last strike. She hopped back on her toes, smirked, and then took off running, while lightning chased her at Runa's command. The princess took to the air, to avoid the discharge from the strikes, as the Nova chased her.
Abruptly, Thyra spun around to face her, colliding sword first with her opponent as she grinned, but was surprised to be knocked back. She threw her right hand forth and manifested thousands of ice spikes, charged with electric and static force.
Runa didn't fear the looming shadow above her, but she didn't hesitate to begin descending to the ground and running as fast as she could. Up until there was nowhere to escape.
The Princess caught up, grinning as she clutched her hand. On command, all of spiked, converged towards Nova, sealing her fate.
"Static: Thunderstones," Runa whispered, as seven versillium stones rose out of the ground below her and were struck by lightning. Then, within the next moment, The Nova proceeded, to cut down each spike aiming for her, along with the orbs, moving on their own.
Thyra was thrown, by what she had just done. "Was she a blessed..." She thought, before deciding to take her chance. Runa was distracted and wouldn't see it coming.
She teleported in and lunged for the strike, before stopping short, as a versillium orb shot up from the ground right behind her. 'How did they get past my senses?' She thought as she watched the Nova flip her sword, after repelling a spike and stabbing backwards.
"Static: Raskt Lyn"Shooting a blade of electricity right through the Princess and into the orb. Which glowed whit-hot, as it reflected it once more and even stronger to finish the job.
With quick instincts, Thyra managed to deflect it and teleport out of the way. She landed not too far from Runa, as everything around them settled down. That was when she noticed the second Nova, hidden not too far away.
Karim was floating on a rock nearby, helping Runa as much as he could. He had opted out of many missions after he had been discharged in his and Helio's fight against Mikrel. However, he knew that the Federation would need him here.
He clutched his hand, as the massive plate of versillium he had been moving underground, provided by Saphyra, moved within the Princess's range, and restrained her feet. With metal clasps, moulding on and bonding her still, within a second.
"Finish this!" Thyra heard him shout as she felt his grasp on him through the iko running through the restraints, making her life difficult. Quickly she glanced over at Runa, who had already been crouching. Only waiting for the lightning she had summoned to strike, before leaving behind a smoking trail, on her way to her.
There were only a handful of milliseconds for her to react, however, the Princess went with the one most obvious to her. 'Drop the act.'
Incredible pressure manifested around her, as her restraints were instantly obliterated. Runa had managed to withstand the pressure for a few seconds, as ice and a mix of violet and blue static electricity, whipped around her and carved away their surroundings. She noticed the Princess's long hair, glowing completely silver, before settling to an even mix, as the pressure died down. Not completely before the Nova and their surroundings were cleared away.
"You humans do hide, but don't cower. I'm impressed. Many have put up a fight against us but most run or flee... Save the wealthiest and leave the rest to die... However, you guys are actually trying to kill me." Thyra remarked as she watched Runa struggle to get up and spring back at her.
She knew that they had gotten too close. Her guard was down, as she had always felt the need to hold back, to show what was befitting of her status, as the first Princess of Kiros.
Ice frosted over the hole, next to her heart and within her body. Gently mending what she could, to recover herself.
She wasn't sure why a memory flashed through her mind, of her time on the Alzora. She was in her quarters, quietly looking through her large glass windows and gazing at the stars on their way to Earth. Dacaari barged in, intruding on her peace.
"Where is my son?!" It was the first time, he had been alone with her in a while and he carried a lot pent up on his mind. She had been avoiding him, for months and left no explanation.
The Princess looked to the side with her arms, with her arms crossed and rolled her eyes. She had loose pyjamas on but still didn't want him to see her like this, especially since they were no longer intimate. During the dozen or so, seconds of silence they spent glaring at each other, she wondered how he was able to get the override request to her room.
She thought hard for one more minute as he reiterated the question. this time even louder. Then spoke when she finally felt ready.
"Kiros can't have him." She turned around to finally face the Prince, standing strong as she did so.
"What do you mean?" Dacaari replied, confused. She had always spoken in puzzles, even when they were kids, fighting each other.
"All of this, we grew up with. The killing, the pillaging and conquering. I don't want him to grow up with that." Thyra added and spoke I'm disgusted.
"There are invaders everywhere. It was the only thing that helped our people survive the Dark Sector. Did you think our ancestors could have driven off the dwarves, by being weak? That was the first time our villages saw spaceships and missiles. How about our grandfathers slaying the dragons? Or our fathers defeating the giants?" The Prince was mad. He wasn't going to leave without a proper answer.
"Yes I won't deny, that all of their efforts gave us peace, but now, who are we fighting?" She paused as Dacaari tried to find a good answer. However, she didn't let him finish. "Because all I see is innocents, running in fear of us, our whole life. Other than the Cerian Empire."
She walked back over to the window and placed her hands on the sill. "Even these humans we are going to invade, they are not yet lost ones and haven't been for millions of years. Yes, their Commander is terrifying for being able to come back to life but..."
The Princess shook her head and sighed. "I watched you order 20 million of our men to die, with no emotions. That's the kind of life you want waiting for our child? That's who you want him to be?"
The Prince squinted his eyes, picking up on something. "We had to get past the Dirillian stronghold somehow. However, the way you're speaking... You've been listening to the Nuns of the Kaios Temple haven't you?" He watched as she turned around, guilty of his accusation. His anger rose even further when a thought crossed his mind. "Are they who you gave our son to?!... They are way worse than we are!"
Thyra paced the window, slowly thinking of what to say, as he continued to berate her. "Are you in your right mind?!"
She gritted her teeth angrily. She didnt like it when he called her crazy. "They move differently now. They preach peace and many people are starting to drop their swords and move to cities. It's been a hundred years since the reign of dragons have fallen on both of our planets. My son does not need to fight anymore."
She walked closer to him as she dropped her tone. "You know the pressure we grew up with. Out of all your siblings, you were born with three abilities, just like me. However, our son only has two."
Dacaari sighed as he took a step back away from her. She stepped closer and tried to meet his eyes. "You know that he'll be scrutinized, attacked and entrusted with so many responsibilities, that his little mind won't be able to think. It's always by the third and fourth generation, where a blessed abnormal's descendants suffer the most."
The Prince finally looked her in the eye. "He won't go through any of that. We will protect him. Once Earth has been conquered, the only threat left in the galaxy is the Cerian Empire."
The Princess nodded, "I know, that's why until then, I want to keep him safe and away from the public. Once everything is settled and Kiros is safe, I will go raise him myself and leave the throne to you."
Dacaari's eyebrow rose. "You're willing to do that?"
Thyra closed her eyes and pursed her lips. "I know our fathers promised to give us the throne equally, but I have no interest in that. If you promise to keep him a secret, then I'll keep my people at bay and hand over all power to you."
The Prince sighed. "At least let me see him."
The Princess smiled. "I will."
He started to make his leave, but he turned once more before. "Then you have to make sure tomorrow..."
"Make sure of what?" Thyra asked, confused.
"Make sure you don't lose."
She smiled once again. "I won't."
Now, in the present, as she watched the Nova zip back at her, clad in light stone and electric armour, she repeated her promise, as her anger rose. "I can't lose."
Their swords met midway, as shockwaves of immense force rippled around them. Then, Runa found herself flying back into a car, parked not too far away. The Princess, rose to the sky as she clutched her first.
The massive versillium plate Karim had tunnelled beneath her, crumpled up, with large clumps of soil and rocks, then began spinning as Thyra filled it with billions of volts of static electricity. Telekinetic force lined it like an outer shell, adding pressure until everything within became molten hot.
"I'll return this back to you. Thanks for the present!" She yelled, before teleporting it sky-high and dropping it at sonic speed towards Karim, hidden behind a few buildings.
The Nova had felt her hostility and had already been in preparation to defend himself and retreat. However, when he looked up at the sky and saw the small meteorite, most of those thoughts, turned to despair.
Runa got up, just as the car caught fire, then saw the large explosion where her comrade had been. "Karim!" She yelled, distracting her in the moment, as the Princess, appeared right beside her and grabbed her by her face, then teleported, back deeper into the city, as she crashed through, ten high-rises. teleporting as they crashed through everyone until they got to the next.
On the last building, the Nova was disoriented and flowing in and out of consciousness. However, she could feel the Princess throw her, face first over 300 feet high before she grabbed her hair and began spinning her in midair.
Violet lightning struck them, aiding their momentum and stinging Runa more, as she could not handle that many volts. Then with the force of wind, telekinesis and electricity, Thyra threw her down into the ground, causing the city to shake, as several buildings collapsed around them.
The Gen 3 holding back the Kirosian advance, as well as other African Guardians helping in the effort, noticed the large explosion and hurried to the center. Leaving fire, ice and stone golems to help the Kenyan army, Beyond and Anti-Alien forces protect the city.
Thyra stared at the Nova who had almost cost her life. Broken and bloody in the crater, she created. There was silence, between them, as Runa continued to glare at her, refusing to fall asleep. She no longer had the strength to grab the booster in her pack. She knew she was ultimately done for.
Volleys of all elements sailed across the crater, towards the center, aiming for the Princess floating above her. The Nova inched her head and witnessed the Gen 3 and Guardians all rushing her with a storm of volleys. Yelling as they did so. The fear they felt from the monster before them, was present however they knew they weren't safe as long as she was around.
Yet, every attack they threw at her, was deflected back by a dome of force and electricity, protecting her at all times. To them, she was nearly untouchable.
Each of them, flinched, the moment she began raising her left hand. However, they didn't stop firing. Many began gathering energy together for one massive attack but stopped short as soon as they heard her speak.
"Regora Ans, Colmaci." Instantly above them. Millions of ice spikes, charged with electricity and layered with telekinetic force, covered the vicinity. There was nowhere to run and not everyone had evacuated.
Runa yelled out, realizing the extent of damage that was about to be done. The amount of casualties they would not be able to recover. "No! Don't do this!"
The Princess sighed and shook her head. "You're people are filth. One drop of dark energy would contaminate this planet and create a force of Lost Ones. We're doing you all a favour." She concluded as the rain of spikes showered over the city. causing chaos. The Gen 3 and Gaurdians ran for their lives, however, the Somalian Gaurdian, Hamza Dahir, rushed to the center.
Manifesting a dome of ice over Runa as he did so. She yelled at him to run and escape, as the first bombs of spikes landed around them, but he ignored her and grabbed a booster out of his pack while continuing to heal her with his abilities.
"You can win. Please protect my home!" It had only been a dozen or so seconds since they had met, but the anger she felt, as she watched, his dying eyes fade out, was unbearable. The man hung over her, with a spike of ice through his back and out of his chest, discharging electricity. He plopped to the side avoiding her, with the last of his strength.
The nanites were working but she did not have enough strength to get up. The Gaurdian had not had time to heal much other than major cuts and bruises. Inner pain and fatigue still tore through her, as her abilities and side effects did little to help.
Runa could feel all of the Gen 3 and Gaurdians dead, as well as thousands of people around them. It was a horrifying feeling, letting all of them down. She was a Nova, the others wouldn't be defeated like this, she thought. Harming herself even more.
Suddenly pressure, started to build up above her, pressing her down. She looked up as she watched Thyra, assess her. "Women like you are strong, I want you to join my ranks. Fall asleep now."
The pressure increased as the Nova screamed. She could no longer hold on. The darkness was calling. As her vision faded out, she noticed volleys of lava crash into the Princess, lightening her hold.
Thyra looked up and smiled. A burn mark appeared on the arm she had used to block the volley. "Queen of Azuria, I'm honoured to be in your presence. However, we were instructed to leave your people alone, should you not interfere with our conquest." The Princess could feel the Queen's anger rising as she ignored her and continued to stare at Runa. "What relation do you have with this Nova?"
Yori turned towards her angrily, as she switched into second gear. "She is my pupil!"
Runa's eyes had fallen closed at that moment. She couldn't see her teacher, but she could feel her. It seemed as though she was going into a deep slumber, however, she wasn't unconscious. Rather, her mind still brimming with the will to fight, took her somewhere else. Somewhere, she was not supposed to be.