“Sir, we have to make a decision. Our forces are heavily depleted, and our people are dying. The Quin are showing no signs of slowing down, and Ziscera will be at our location momentarily.” Monato, the King’s royal guard, looked to his king for an answer, but there was nothing but silence. The King sat at his throne with his elbows on his knees, his hands together, fingers intertwined, and hunched over. The anguish on the King’s face dulled the glorious shine of the jewel’s on his crown. The king shook his head solemnly. “Sir,” Monato continued. “You know we, your people, will all fight to the death in your name. But if we are to retreat, we must do it now. If we retreat now, we can send everyone in the castle into the tunnels under the castle. We can get far enough away to make it to Canfiss safely. Then King Ronto, out ally, can help us defeat the Quin. But if we don’t go soon, no one will make it out alive! Most of our village people have already perished by now at the hands of Ziscera and her tribesmen. The time to act is now.” The King sighed and stood up. The room was crowded with nobles, advisors, and various people that lived in the castle. Several of the King’s best knights stood guard at the door of the castle that lead to the rest of the village. The inhabitants of the castle look up at their King expectantly. The King stood up straight and spoke.

“My people, all the wonderful years that I have served you as King, I have always tried my best to do what I must to ensure the greatest lives for my people. And I have laid my life down more times than I can count for my people. But now I face my greatest decision; outside these strong walls lie the greatest force that this world has ever known. They have torn through every great city of our planet without struggle, and without mercy. And now they are here threatening our very land, our very kingdom. And now, as our own people suffer at the hands of the Quin, we are faced with a choice. Should we go and flee from our castle, leaving our townspeople and warriors for dead, just so the Quin can find us in a day or two’s time? Or do we go out there, to the battlefield, and fight a battle which we face almost certain defeat. My people, in all my years as your King, I have never lied to you, and I still hold true to that honesty. I am not going to feed you lies of a battle against the Quin where we would emerge victorious. Though that possibility does exist, it is virtually impossible. I want you, my people to know that if we go out to fight the Quin today, more likely than not, you will die. And there will be no turning back. I will not make this decision. It is your lives that rest on this great decision. I will try to be your Savior, but I will not be your executioner. Most of you are not fighters. You are cooks, maids, royal councilmen, advisors; you have never had to pick up your sword in your entire life. For you to fight will be a trying task, that which you have never done anything like before. But I say again, the decision is yours. Will you fight, to save yourself, and your people. Or will you retreat to try to fight another day?” The whole room was silent, save the noise from the fierce battle going on outside. A loud bang was heard from the other side of the giant door separating inside of the castle from the raging battle going on outside. The inhabitants of the castle gasped and screamed at the bang of the door.

“You highness, they are trying to break through the door.” Said one of the King’s guards. The King grimaced, and a single bead of sweat rolled down the side of the King’s face onto his long white beard. The King looked up, out to the people of the castle. They were shaking with fear. They were no fighters, that the King knew. All of the King’s fighters had already left to fight the Quin. Most had already perished. Only a few of the King’s finest men were left, and they, and the door they guarded, were all that stood between the King and the Quin now. Shadi, the King’s finest knight made his way in front of the people.

“People of Cerafis, listen to me. I have been in many battle in my life. I have fought them for this Kingdom, for my King, and for the people of this kingdom. No matter what the outcome seemed it would be, and no matter how grave the circumstances, I have drove on, and I have fought. Regardless of the odds, I put my life on the line. I could have run, but then I put the rest of my kingdom in danger. So I fought. And even if I would have died, my pride would still be intact, even to the death. And when a person has nothing left to give, no more energy, and nothing, if he has his pride, he has everything. And pride, my friends, is the one thing that the Quin cannot take away from us!” People in the crowd started nodding their heads and whispering to one another. “The Quin have power, but in our weakness is a power they can do nothing to extinguish. Our pride is what has kept this Kingdom together for so many hundreds of years. And that pride is what will get us through to the end of the day. Though we may breathe our last breaths, they will not be in vain, for our death will help bring about their downfall.” Another bang, louder this time, was heard at the door. The wood at the base of the door began to snap and crack. “We will show the Quin the likes of a people they have never dealt with before!” By this time, the cheering and clapping of the people was thunderous, and the banging on the door was barely audible. “They will fight, be we will fight harder! They will kill, but we will never stop! Not until they have rid the very last one of us from our very last breath. But even when the last of our people has died, the essence of this wonderful domain will remain. And it will be forever known that there was a great kingdom that dwelled in this place, and that they died fighting. And that even though they knew that ever odd was against them, they fought still. Until every last one of them was dead. Our lives’ will fade away, but our legacy will remain!” Bang after bang on the door resounded, and the base of the door continued to gradually give way to the pressure. The giant cracks crawled up the door and extended now to the top. “Who will fight?!” The crowd screamed in acclamation. “I said who will fight?!!” The crowd screamed again. The King lowered his head and spoke to himself.

“It will be a final battle worth remembering.” He said. Then he rose up and grasped his sword. Shadi turned to the King, and bowed before him. The room grew silent.

“We await your lead, my mighty King. I believe your people have already spoken for themselves.” Shadi said. The King looked out to his people and thrust his sword high into the air.

“Tonight we show the Quin the power of the Cerafins!!!” The people of Cerafin screamed wildly and roared as a final bang was heard and the giant door finally gave way to the tremendous force smashing upon it…

“King Zarius, the Princess is here to see you.” One of the King’s messengers said.

“Very good, bring her in.” The door to the King’s room slid open mechanically and Princess Ziscera walked in.

“Good morning, father. It is good to see you again.” Ziscera said with a smile.

“And you, daughter. How long has it been?”

“Only about three and a half weeks.” Ziscera replied.

“You just keep getting better and better.” Ziscera smiled modestly, but almost sarcastically as to say ‘yes, I know.’ “I thought for a moment the Cerafins were going to give you a bit of trouble.”

“Hmph!” Ziscera replied. “Please! They were good at evading, and that was about it. But they were no match for us, and they knew it! It was just a matter of time. But don’t worry about them. I took care of their King personally.” The King smiled, and Ziscera grinned back at her father.

“You’re getting too good at your work, my very young daughter.” The King said.

“Yeah, you’re jealous of me.” Ziscera said with a laugh.

“Don’t you wish.” The King replied confidently. The King laughed under his breath at the irony. The truth was he really was jealous of his daughter. She stood at a measly 3’4”, and was a mere 19 years old, still a child among her people, but her power already rivaled that of her father, a 6’9” powerhouse that was 132 years old, still young among the elder of his tribe, but far more mature and experienced than his little daughter. But still, there was something about Ziscera. Her power and intellect were far beyond her years. The truth was, her father was almost scared of her.

Ziscera smiled and walked up to her father and looked out the enormous window that stretched out across the length of the room, nearly forty feet wide, and ten feet high. On the other side of the window the planet of Corneia could be seen within the vastness of space. Corneia was a well known planet, home of the mighty people of Cerafis, or at least it was, until they were exterminated. A slight shift in Ziscera’s weight was felt as the ship they were in began to shift and move away from the planet. Ziscera’s father walked up beside her and shared her gaze out the window. It was a humorous sight, the King and his Princess, separated by more than one hundred years, as well as over six feet. Ziscera levitated up to her father’s height.

“Have you ever considered using that power of yours to grow some longer legs?” King Zarius said.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, father. You’re the one who made me like this, or my mother…whoever she is…” Ziscera’s smile faded and she lowered herself back to the ground.

“Yes, indeed.” Zarius said.

“I’m going to go to my quarters father. Send if you need me.”

“Of course.” The King replied. With that, Ziscera left the room. One of the King’s advisors came up to him upon Ziscera leaving.

“She seemed upset, sire.” He said.

“She always does when she thinks of her mother, or lack there of, rather.” Zarius said solemnly. “Go send for Anubus. Tell him I need to talk to him about something important.”

“Yes, at once, my lord.” He replied, left to find Anubus.

--------------------------------------------

Anubus was sitting in a chair in his quarters, enjoying the music playing in the background as went through paperwork regarding the next planet his army was going to take over. Anubus was the sole leader of the king’s Royal Army, division one and division two. There were several other smaller scale armies under his control as well, but they were lead mainly by a staff that worked under Anubus. But the Royal Army, which was made up of the Quin’s best and most esteemed fighters, was Anubus’s main point of focus. There was a list a couple pages long already filled with the names of planets that were to be tackled by the Royal Army. There were several other planets that were being taken care of Anubus’s weaker armies. Anubus put down the papers and his pen he was writing with as he heard a knock at his door.

“Excuse me, sir.” Came the voice of one of the King’s messengers.

“What is it.” Anubus replied, clearly aggravated at the disturbance. “I am in the middle of something.”

“Well, sir, the King has requested your presence. He says it is urgent.” The messengers replied. Anubus sighed.

“Very well.” Anubus got up and placed his papers in a neat pile and exited his room.

Just minutes later Anubus met up with the King at the bridge of the ship. The King’s business room was in a room connected with the bridge and separated by a door.

“Yes, my King.” Anubus said as he bowed before the King.

“Get up. You know you don’t have to be so formal with me.” Zarius said.

“So long as we aren’t alone, I must set the good example, my lord.” Anubus said.

“Very well, then alone we shall be. Besides, I need to talk to you in private. Come to my business room.” The King lead the way to his room, and Anubus followed closely behind.

“So what is this about?” Anubus asked.

“I believe I may have a little problem.” The King said. Anubus raised an eyebrow.

“In the form of what?” Anubus inquired.

“Well…Ziscera.” The King answered.

“What? You can’t be serious.”

“Don’t act so surprised. I know you have felt her power steadily increasing the last few years. And lately it has been climbing at an alarming rate. She is getting too strong for her own good.” Anubus laughed awkwardly.

“So, what, are you going to kill your own daughter??” Anubus said sarcastically.

“Well, to be blunt, yes.” Anubus gave Zarius a double-take, and stopped laughing.

“You must be joking!” Anubus said.

“I’m afraid not.”

“Zarius, she is you daughter! Your own flesh and blood!”

“Yes, but would you see her overthrow me?!” The King fired back.

“Of course not, but it would never come to that!”

“Don’t be so naïve. She has been insubordinate and rebellious ever since she was a little girl. As soon as she realizes how strong she really is, she will try to take over this Kingdom. Think about it. After all, that is how I became King. She would jst be following her father’s example.”

“Yes, but that was a different story. Your father was a horrible leader. His irrational decisions were getting more and more of our people killed in vain.” The King shook his head.

“Yes, but that doesn’t matter. She already has the mere fact that I overtook my father and took control of the throne in her head. All she needs now is the opportunity.” The King looked down on Anubus, who stood about 6’2”. “I can already see it in her eyes. She doesn’t want me in the way of her and her destructive occupation of clearing out all the unworthy planets in this galaxy.” Anubus lowered his head in submission.

“I suppose you’re right. I have seen the aggression in her eyes when she talks to you, almost as if to say that she wasn’t under your control. It’s just so hard to believe that she could be so strong after such a short amount of time.” Anubus sat down in a chair behind the Kings desk. The King went around to the other side of the desk and sat down. “So what do you propose we do?”

“Have you heard of the planet Earth?” Zarius asked Anubus. Anubus thought for a second before replying.

“I…I think I remember hearing something about it. It is located somewhere in the F-12 sector, isn’t it?”

“Yes. What do you know about it.” Zarius asked.

“It is a relatively small planet. It’s inhabitants are weak. There is only one species that even poses somewhat of a threat. They can be taken care of swiftly and quickly. I was going to have one of the smaller armies take care of it. It should be completely taken over in less than a week. Why?” Anubus asked, dumbfounded.

“I am going to send Ziscera there.” Zarius replied.

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“Then let me illuminate. I am going to send Ziscera with one of the Royal Armies, most likely division one, to Earth. When they are there, and after they have started to clear out Earth’s armies, I am going to have the soldiers of the division one army kill Ziscera.” The King said.

“Why send such a great army to planet Earth? Why not just send one of the weakest armies?” Anubus asked.

“You know, for one who has fought so extensively, you don’t seem to know much. Listen, if we send a weak army, Ziscera will survive. She is too strong. We need a strong army to defeat her. And on Earth, the resistance level is so low, the division one army can easily take on the task of destroying the earthlings and killing Ziscera. And then all of our people will think that Ziscera was killed by the earthlings, and not by our own forces. That will prevent a mutiny from occurring. I don’t want all of the Quin rising against me.”

“Sire, don’t you think we should think about our own soldiers choosing sides and siding with the princess. Many of them have fought beside Ziscera in combat.”

“They can side with her if they don’t value their lives, or the lives of their families.” Anubus nodded. “Just kill those who do not stand with me. I believe the majority of the soldiers will find favor in me.”

“As you wish.” Anubus said.

“One more thing: do you think your soldiers can handle her?” Zarius asked.

“Heh, do you know what you’re asking? My troops and I have never met a foe we couldn’t conquer. We won’t need all our soldiers. I’ll let the division take care of Earth’s armies, and the Elite Four and I will take care of your princess.” Anubus said with a laugh.

“Are you sure they can they handle her?” The King asked earnestly.

“Zarius, you underestimate the power of the Elite Four. I trained these four warriors myself. They are just barely weaker than I am. I think we can handle it.”

“Very well. Let your division one soldiers know their next task. Their next destination: Earth.”

Ziscera was in her office, lounged back in her chair behind her desk, looking up at the ceiling. She was thinking about what her mother might have been like. She wondered if they would have gotten along if they had ever met. If there was one thing Ziscera held against her father, it was ditching her mother as soon as she was born. But Zarius was like that. He was the King, capable of getting whatever it was he wanted, and discarding anything he wants as well, even the mother of his own child. Ziscera was told by her father that a few years after she was born her mother died. Ziscera never really believed him completely, but she was afraid to find out the truth.

Ziscera was startled at the sound of a knock on the door.

“Not now.” Ziscera said in a cold tone.

“Princess, the King has wished to talk to you.” Came a voice from the other side of the door to Ziscera’s office.

“Too bad. Tell him if he wants to talk to me, he can get his lazy but in here.” Ziscera replied simply.

“As you wish, Princess.” Ziscera and her father shared very few good times. Usually the only time that there wasn’t some awkward tension between Ziscera and Zarius was after Ziscera got back from a successful mission. But other than that, they usually couldn’t even be in the same room without feeling like they had to outdo the other. Ziscera couldn’t stand being controlled. She was rebellious every chance she had. Authority didn’t make it far when it came to Ziscera. She like to be in charge, and when she wasn’t, she gave whoever it was that was in charge a hard time.

Several minutes passed before the door opened and King Zarius came walking in.

“Hmph. Don’t you know how to knock?” Ziscera said snobbishly.

“Indeed I do.” Zarius just let it hang there for a moment. Ziscera shot a mean look at Zarius, who just smiled. “And maybe if I weren’t king, I would.”

“What do you want?” Ziscera said quickly.

“My, my. What is wrong with you. You seemed to be in a relatively good mood earlier. Better than usual anyhow. What wrong now?” The King asked.

“All was fine and well until I thought about mom. You know, the one you ditched after she gave birth to me.” Ziscera rocked in her chair and stared at the ceiling.

“If you would have known her, you would have done the same.”

“Well, that doesn’t say much about the person who slept with her in the first place, now does it?” Ziscera sneered. Zarius chuckled.

“I wouldn’t know. I certainly wasn’t the one who slept with her in the first place. Or the second, or third, or fourth, and probably even fifth for that matter. But I’ll be sure to find the person who banged her first and let them know you think they have bad judgment.”

“You, know something about this isn’t making me feel any better!” Ziscera said, jumping to her feet.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Was that the object of this conversation. I guess I missed that part.” Ziscera glared at Zarius, who just held a cocky smirk on his face. Ziscera composed herself and sat down again. She looked back up to the ceiling and spoke.

“So did you come down here just to belittle me and feed me verbal bashings about my mother?” Ziscera said sarcastically.

“As amusing as that sounds, no. I came here because I have a new mission for you.” Ziscera jerked her head to look at Zarius.

“What!? I just got back from my last one today!”

“Yes, and you’ll be leaving tomorrow for the planet Earth.” Ziscera raised an eyebrow.

“Earth? Why would you send me there? That planet isn’t even worth my time.” Ziscera said plainly. A bewildered look came over Zarius’s face, but he quickly composed himself.

“You…you’ve heard of it?”

“Of course, it’s my freakin’ job to know.” Ziscera shook her head at Zarius. “Why would you want to send me there?”

“Well…” Zarius started, thinking of some false story that might be remotely believable. “It has recently come to our attention that the inhabitants of Earth have constructed a massive weapon, capable of destroying some even as strong as you.” Zarius rolled his eyes at himself, realizing that he probably went a little overboard saying it could destroy Ziscera. Ziscera gave Zarius a stupid look.

“Now you are showing me how stupid you really are. Do you really believe something like that? Then again, I suppose you would. Whatever, I will go there and take care of that puny planet. I’ll be back in four days, tops. Just give me whatever army isn’t gainfully employed.” Ziscera said, clearly aggravated.

“Well, actually, the division one was looking to take this planet.”

“What!? Has Anubus lost his mind??? There is a list of planets a mile high that require an the Royal Army to take down! Why is he sending them to Earth?”

“That is for him to know. He has served me for a long time. I think he knows what he’s doing.” Ziscera shook her head.

“You better check that your trust in not ill placed.” Ziscera said coldly.As should you, oh naïve one, though King Zarius as he started to walk away.

Ziscera took a book on her desk and flung it across the room. She couldn’t believe what a mockery Zarius was going to make of her! She was certain that he was doing this simply to make her look incompetent. Why else would he send her there, she thought. She was furious, and insulted. She would make this backfire somehow. And she was determined to set a new record for clearing a planet. The humans on Earth were the only intelligent, formidable foes on Earth, and still, half of them couldn’t fight to save their lives. Ziscera was just going to go from city to city destroying them as a whole, one by one. She would show her father, she thought. But she had no idea what her father was really planning.

Division one of the Royal Army stood anxiously in formation, awaiting the briefing from Anubus that was scheduled. They were scheduled to head to planet Earth in just 15 hours. That wasn’t very much time for preparation, but for the Royal Army, that was not such a trying task. Soldiers whispered back and fourth to each other quietly asking about Earth. Some soldiers knew about Earth, but most knew nothing about it, and no one knew about the real reason they were chosen to go their.

Anubus and King Zarius talked privately in conference room about a minute away from the room where the division one soldiers awaited their instructions.

“Zarius, I believe I have thought of a way to avoid the soldiers revolting while still being able to kill Ziscera. I am still going to have the Elite Four take care of Ziscera, but they are going to be the only ones who will know the real reason she is being killed. I am simply going to tell the rest of the soldiers that Ziscera has been discovered secretly to be selling information about us to rival armies. If the soldiers believe that she is a spy, they will not hesitate or question killing her. That will avoid any suspicions of conspiracy about you and it will keep them from siding with her. She will be completely alone against an army of a thousand people.” Anubus leaned back in the chair he sat in. He was satisfied with his plan, and judging by the look on the King’s face, he was too.

“Very good, Anubus. I knew there was some reason I put you in charge of this army. That will be the plan then. I will inform the tribe of what has happened after you make you move. Now I suggest you get in there with your soldiers and let them know what is happening. You have less than 15 hours before you depart, correct?” The King stood up, and Anubus followed suit.

“That is correct, sire.”

“Good. Keep me posted on what happens.” Anubus nodded and headed out of the conference room towards the room where all the soldiers awaited their orders.

As soon as Anubus stepped foot in the room, the room was called to attention and all the soldiers stiffened up, put their arms against their legs, and looked straight forward. The leader of the Elite Four, Vega, was at the head of the formation and saluted Anubus. Anubus saluted back and motioned for Vega to come to him. Vega trotted over to where Anubus was standing. When he got to Anubus, Vega snapped to the position of attention and gave him the report.

“Sir, 990 soldiers assigned, 990 soldiers present! All soldiers account for General Sir!” Vega said, recognizing Anubus’s official title.

“Very good Colonel Vega. Were are the other Elite Fours?” Anubus asked.

“In formation, General.” Vega replied.

“Bring them up here.” Anubus said. Vega did an about face to face the formation.

“Major Harnei, Captain Leveik, and Captain Quenim; fall out of formation and report to the General!” Vega shouted. The three soldiers fell out, as commanded, and hurried to the General in front.

“Yes sir!” The three said in unison.

“I have a mission for you four. But we need to be in private. After I give you four your individual instructions, we will brief the rest of the formation.” Anubus said.

“Yes sire!” They said. Anubus gave the formation the command of “at ease”, and then he went back to the conference room with the Elite Four.

“Ok, here’s the story. I’m going to cut straight to the chase. The Princess has been continually growing in her powers throughout the years she has been working with us, and she has been rapidly getting stronger especially lately. She has been with us just three short years and already she has more planets she has taken over than many of us have in ten years. She is only 19 years old, but her power is growing at such a rate that King Zarius is worried she might soon overpower him and take the thrown by force.” The Elite Four stared at Anubus, surprised.

“I’m not sure I completely understand.” Harnei said.

“The King has assigned us with the task of killing Princess Ziscera.” Vega raised his eyebrows in surprise, and one of the other Elite Fours let out a surprised whistle.

“Are you serious?” Leveik asked, a little more informally now that they weren’t in front of the other soldiers.

“The King is extremely serious in his decision. He wants Ziscera dead, but he wants to do it in a way that the rest of the tribe won’t know she was killed because of her power. He doesn’t want a rebellion. That is why I am telling you four this individually. The rest of the army is going to be told after we get to Earth that Ziscera has been discovered to be selling information to our enemies and acting as a spy. That way we won’t have to worry about the soldiers having their conscious telling them not stand up for the princess. No one except the King, you four, and myself are to know about the real intentions of the King, is that understood?”

“Yes, sir.” They said.

“Is there going to be any problem with you four being able to carry out this task?” Anubus asked. This time, it was Quenim that spoke up.

“Sir, I would love nothing more than to silence that annoying little brat! It will be my pleasure.” He said with a grin. The others nodded.

“Good. With that said, go back out to formation, and I will brief the everyone else. Remember, no one is to be told Ziscera is spying until after we get to Earth, and even then, wait for my lead.” They nodded. “Okay, it’s show time.”

                                     Coming Soon....