Two boys ran down the corridor, their heavy footsteps and breathing echoing down the hallway. Dim light illuminated the darkness, leaving the corridor in shadows. The walls, covered with pipes that gushed steam, obscured their vision. The two boys raced along the corridor, feeling their way through the steam-filled hallway. They peeked around every corner, making sure it was safe before they passed. Their hearts thumped in their chests and sweat ran down their faces from the heat of the haze.

“Come on,” whispered one of the boys, pushing his dark hair out of his golden eyes and leaning on his golden staff that shone with a dull glow. It contained a single jewel. “We have to keep going.” His robes were drenched with sweat.

“Will you slow down?” Replied the other, his silver eyes glinting in the dim light. A pair of blades were strapped to his back. He had a streak of silver cutting through his black hair. Similar to a mohawk of sorts. His shirt was soaked through and his trousers were damp.

“Stro!” Said the golden-eyed boy. “We have to figure out what these things are up to before they strike again.”

“Zeta!” Said the silver-eyed boy. “What are we supposed to do? It’s just us!”

“We have to figure out what they’re up to” Zeta reiterated, this time much more seriously. “Come on!”

Stro and Zeta turned the corner, running through the steam-wreathed hallways once more. Further they ran, stopping to catch their breath and wiping the sweat from their brows.

“Wish this place had some windows,” said Stro, “so we knew where we were at.”

“That would be nice,” said Zeta, “but we can’t think about luxuries now. Master said we need to stop them – now.”

“I know! I don’t need you lecturing me.”

“Well, stop complaining and come on.”

Stro followed behind, a look of disdain on his face. With exhaustion mounting second by second, the boys continued before stopping in front of two oversized doors.

“What is this?” Asked Stro.

“Maybe it’s what we’ve been looking for,” Zeta replied. “So how do we get in?”

“The old-fashioned way, of course,” replied Stro, reaching for one of his swords. Zeta seized Stro’s arm.

“No!” He whispered. “Are you insane? We have to be as discreet as possible. They don’t know that we are here!”

“Fine,” replied Stro, snatching back his arm. “How do you suggest we get this door open? There isn’t a magic word, is there? There’s no ‘open sesame’.”

After Stro’s words, the hallway quivered.

“Did that actually work?”

Dust and dirt fell from between the doors as they began to open.

“Stro!” Whispered Zeta, punching him in the arm.

Stro looked at Zeta, who leapt up towards the ceiling, grabbing one of the metal pipes to pull himself up.

“Come on!” Zeta whispered loudly.

Stro sprung up into the metal jungle above and hid himself. The doors continued to open and came to a complete stop. The two boys could hear footsteps coming from down the hall. Red eyes emerged through the steam. Zeta and Stro watched the mysterious creature from above. Steam burst through the pipe above them, obscuring the creature. Stro hissed as the steam burned his skin. Below, the creature halted. Its eyes flicked around the hallway, investigating the noise. With a rumbling growl, the creature continued through the doors.

“That was close.” Said Zeta, taking a deep breath.

“That was hot.” Stro replied, watching the burn on his arm rapidly heal.

“Stop being a baby and come on,” Zeta replied, leaping down from the steel jungle.

With a deep sigh, Stro jumped down and together the two passed into the room through the oversized doors.They sidled into the shadowy corners of the room, just as the creature that entered before them was unaware of their presence. Behind them, the doors slammed shut, the deep noise echoing around them.

“Great! Now we’re trapped.” Whispered Stro.

Zeta put a finger to his lips gesturing for Stro to be quiet.

He took his index finger and pointed at the end of the room. Stro looked, and saw a massive throne that sat looking out into the vast darkness of space. The constant tapping of claws on metal reverberated through the room. The two boys heard an angry growl nearby, and they leaped up into the pipes once again. The mysterious creature had returned and made its way over to the chair. The creature was hunched, with a wild, hairy tail flowing behind it. As it reached the chair, the beast knelt and bowed its head.

“What do you want, General?” Said a deep voice from the throne.

“My Lord,” said the creature, “our preparations are complete.”

“Excellent.”

“Are the agents ready?” Asked a higher-toned voice than the first. “Yes, my Lord.” Replied the General.

“You have done well,” said another voice. “Very well indeed.”

“The fleet approaches,” continued the General, “and with the new additions, our army is bigger than ever. Soon, no civilization will match our power.”

“Excellent.” Said the deep voice once more. “These lifeforms who inhabit this planet are of no use to me.”

“Yes, My Lord,” said the General. “But there is something you must know.”

“What is it?” The squeaky voice said almost immediately.

“There have been reports of two intruders aboard the ship.”

“Have you located them?” The deep voice barked.

“No, not yet.” the General whimpered. “We are doing all we can.”

“You’re slipping, General.”

“My Lord, please,” the General replied. “Have mercy.”

“Mercy is a weakness,” the squeaky voice cried out. “If we are to obtain the universe –”

“– Weakness is not an option.” ended the deeper voice.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“My Lord, please,” said the General. “Please!”

“Weakness is not an option.” the deeper voice reiterated.

“My Lord, please!” begged the General. “Please! No!”

From above, the boys watched an obscure creature raise an enormous, black-furred fist. The fist slammed onto the creature, crushing it. All that remained of the General was a puddle of broken bones and organs. The claws resumed tapping, dripping emerald blood onto the throne.

“We should deploy the agents.” Said the whiny voice.

The owner of the giant fist growled.

“But what about the two intruders?” Asked the mild-toned voice.

“No matter,” said the deep voice. “If they are here to intervene, it is too late.”

The boys were certain that their presence was unnoticed. From below the window, a huge, blue, spherical mass emerged. Its luminous sapphire glow lit up the boys’ eyes.

Zeta gasped.

“Soon, the universe shall be ours.” The deep voice rumbled.

“We’re here.” Whispered Stro, and Zeta nodded. “We have to end this now,” he leaped down silently.

“Stro! Wait!” Zeta hissed as Stro approached the throne.

The claws stopped tapping. Stro slid his swords from their sheathes. He approached the tall chair, grasping both of his blades, burning up with the heat around him. Sweat dripped down his face. As he stepped closer, his swords shone with a green and orange glow. As he raised his weapons he was stopped in his tracks.

“Do you really think you can kill me, boy?” Said the deep voice.

Stro’s heart stopped. The beast stood up and swung its fist at Stro, shattering the throne. Stro sprung up into the ceiling and climbed through the steel vines. The beast stood at an incredible nine feet, roaring with rage. With the steam swirling below, Stro and Zeta couldn’t see the beast’s true form – though it was huge. It prowled below them, sniffing and growling. Climbing through the metal pipes, Stro found Zeta, who slapped him in the back of his head.

“Ouch!” Said Stro. “What was that for?”

“For being an idiot.” Zeta replied. “Now we’re trapped between two doors and a brute. How do you expect us to get out of here alive?”

Stro looked down for anything that could help them escape. The beast strolled around the room below, shrouded in steam, taunting the young boy to come out of hiding. The gnarl of the beast’s vocal chords made the boys tremble. How could they escape?

“We get out of here the old fashion way,” replied Stro, swinging up his sword. Zeta smirked at him and held up his rod, ready to act. Together, the two of them jumped down. Zeta landed on the creature’s head and held on for dear life while Stro ducked and dodged the creature’s thrashing.

“I can’t get a clear shot!” Yelled Stro.

“Hang on!” Shouted Zeta.

The long-haired boy held up his golden rod while he tugged at the beast’s matted hair. With a bright golden light, the rod surrounded the beast’s body with a golden bubble, preventing it from attacking. Stro created the orange light and green swirls around his blade. He pointed it at the double doors and the energy blew away the doors. Zeta jumped through the barrier, leaving the beast trapped, thrashing against the barrier.

Together, the two boys ran through the dim corridors, trying to find their way out. The beast broke out of the golden barrier, and was soon behind them. Neither boy knew where they were going, but behind them were the beast’s thunderous footsteps.

“We’d better run faster!” Yelled Stro, the panic clear in his voice.

Zeta glanced over his shoulders and saw six bright red eyes gaining on them. With yells of alarm, he and Stro picked up their pace and darted through the metal corridors. The fearsome cry of the beast followed them.

“There!” Cried Stro.

Running into a nearby room, they destroyed the door controls, slamming the door shut. The massive beast charged against the door, its fists buckling it. Safe for now, Stro and Zeta backed away from the door, listening to the fierce creature’s frustrated roar. They stood, sweating from every pore. Soon, a sudden growling made them turn. Over two-dozen, seven-foot, wolf-like creatures were stalking towards them with their muscular bodies covered in blue fur. Sharp claws were ready to tear into the boy’s flesh. Their red eyes were beastly and their long, predatory snouts revealed a mouth full of teeth.

Without any hesitation, the creatures attacked. Stro and Zeta drew their weapons and defended themselves.

With each swing of his sword, Stro sliced through the beasts, spilling green ooze over the floor. Zeta summoned defensive barriers, and then struck the beasts with all of his might. Between the nine-foot beast at the door and the wolf-men they were fighting, thoughts of escape filled their minds. Stro fought his way to one of the cells against the walls and jumped inside, fending off the creatures with his blade.

“Zeta!” He yelled.

Zeta saw Stro inside one of the cells and acted immediately by creating a corridor between himself and Stro with summoned barriers. Zeta jumped inside the cell and destroyed the keypad, sealing the door shut. Breathing hard, the boys looked around the room. There was a wide window, along with a set of what looked like flight controls.

“What?” Said Stro. “This isn’t a prison cell.”

“It’s an escape pod,” said Zeta with a smile. “Finally, your reactionary impulse paid off.”

“Right — er — course it did,” Stro replied. “Can you fly this thing?”

“I can try.” Zeta replied.

“Can you hurry?” Asked Stro.

The creatures beating against the door and staring at them through the window made the boys nervous. They fogged up the glass with their breath, pressing their faces against it.

“Hurry! Before they break through!” Yelled Stro.

Stro saw the door to the room burst off its coupling. He heard the pounding footsteps coming their way. They grew louder, and soon Stro was looking into six red eyes.

“Zeta!” He shouted. “Hurry!” The massive beast raised its fists, ready to punch its way into the escape pod. “ZETA!” Stro yelled.

“Got it!” Zeta exclaimed, hitting a flashing blue button. He grabbed the controls, and the sounds of the engine coming to life made the two of them grin in triumph.

Before the beast could hit it, the escape pod detached and activated its thrusters and sped away from its mothership. At an incredible velocity, the pod rocketed away and headed towards Earth. The boys looked back and saw five other pods detaching from the mothership. Following the mothership was a fleet of thousands, with too many to be counted. As the two watched the five other pods descend towards the earth, they saw the rest of the fleet melt away into darkness.

Zeta and Stro descended through the planet’s atmosphere as the space around them turned into the sky. They held on as the pod raced down towards the ground.

“Where did they go?” Asked Stro.

Zeta shrugged. “We better worry about landing this thing.” The two watched the Earth’s surface grow closer.

“Better buckle up,” said Stro

Zeta and Stro immediately strapped themselves in with the pod crash landing shortly after. The vessel hit the ground. It slid along a grassy plain until it slowed and stopped, leaving a trench filled with dirt and debris.

Everything was silent around the pod, apart from the wind brushing through the grass. Suddenly, the door from the pod blew off and landed several feet away. Smoke erupted from the pod’s interior and the boys came out, barely able to stand with cuts and bruises all over them. They choked on the smoke and fell to the ground. They stared into the brilliant night sky, grateful to be alive.

“It’s beautiful,” said Stro. “Reminds me of home.”

“Yeah, it does,” said Zeta. “But we have to remember why we’re here.”

Breathing hard, the two companions regained their strength and stood. Stro started to laugh.

“Why are you laughing?” He asked.

“Who would have guessed we would get out of there alive?” Stro exclaimed, still laughing.

“Oh. Shut up.” Zeta murmured.

“Admit it,” said Stro. “It was fun.”

Zeta glared at Stro, half his face covered by his hair, the wounds there healing rapidly.

Stro rolled his eyes.

“Stop being so serious all the time and smile for a change.”

“This is no time for fun and games,” Zeta growled. “We have to find out where the other pods landed.”

“Can we rest for a while?” Asked Stro, flexing an arm and wincing.

“No!” Barked Zeta. “You know what those things can do!”

“I know,” Stro sighed, “and Earth is filled with living beings. What do you call ‘em?”

“Humans,” Zeta replied, “and yes, there are a lot of them inhabiting this planet,” he added. “We have to find these things before they cause any harm here. The Coalts are dangerous.”

“So it’s business as usual.” replied Stro, “Which reminds me…Shouldn’t we contact Avion?”

“No!” Zeta exclaimed. “If we send a signal back to the ship they could track and find us. No — Avion knows the plan and knows what to do if something goes wrong. He can take care of himself.”

“Fine. So what do we do first?” asked Stro.

“We go hunting,” said Zeta. His staff instantly changed into a scepter with a sharp tip. He secured it into the sash on his robes and fixed his hair. “We don’t know how much time we have so let’s get a move-on.”

Stro nodded in agreement and they left the crashed ship on a mission to find the other five pods that had landed on Earth along with theirs. Unfamiliar with the planet, they followed their instincts with hopes to locate the other vessels before the imminent threat of invasion commenced.