Chapter 0

Prologue

Rivas stood at the center console. He’s been there many times in his life but this time, he feared it would be his last. The only door in or out was sealed shut, but people were still attempting to break through. He touched the console and opened a holo recorder. 

“This is my last request as Zival (Crown Prince). My people, please stay safe. The Lumari may offer salvation, but it will tear you from any peaceful life you could have had. If you do not wish to be a part of their War Cult, then rise. Stand against them. The royalty will fight with you until the end.”

The door burst open, and the sound of charging laser rifles filled the room. Rivas shut off the broadcast and closed his eyes. There is nothing more I can do. I’m sorry. He stood there awaiting his fate.

Thud, thud, pow, zap! Not a single shot went off. Rivas turned around, and saw a boy, about his own age, standing above many Lumari soldiers sent to eliminate him. The boy had blue hair and eyes matching the bright blue lightning coming from his fingertips. Every single soldier toppled over in pain, if they hadn’t been killed that is. 

Rivas’s eyes went wide. Who was this? Why is he so powerful? 

The boy turned around and smiled. “Looks like I’m just in time.”

“Uh-y-yeah.” Rivas could barely believe it. He doesn’t look like any local I’ve seen. 

The boy put a hand up to his ear. “I have secured the package. Send me my next location.”

Next location? Is he a soldier?

“Confirmed.” The boy grabbed one of the nearby rifles and headed down the hall. 

“Wait!” Rivas yelled, as he ran after him. “Who are you?”

The boy didn’t turn around, he just ran down the corridor. “Don’t worry,” he yelled back, “Someone’s coming to get you!”

Rivas stood there, alone. All of his assailants were taken care of in one swift moment. 

Click. Another door opened. Rivas quickly grabbed a rifle and aimed at the door. He may not be an excellent shot, but this was better than nothing. 

Tat, tat, tat. Footsteps came down the stairs leading up into one of the control rooms. Maybe it’s just a survivor? 

A man emerged from the stairwell, his hands up above his head. “Hey kid, sorry for the scare. I’m here to rescue you.” The man had almost white hair that faded to red. He also didn’t seem like one of his own. He wore a peculiar-looking outfit. Bright blue glowing panels were attached to a thin bodysuit, underneath a vest and military-grade pants and pouches. He approached Rivas with an enormous smile, similar to the one he remembered of his father, then laughed. “Don’t look so tense kid. It’s going to be okay.” He pulled out a smaller gun and handed it to him. “Why don’t we switch? This looks a little more your speed.” He was right. Rivas was better with a pistol. He hadn’t had the chance to go through rifle training yet, but he practically grew up with a pistol in his hand. He swapped weapons, albeit a little reluctantly—he had never met this man after all. 

He smiled softly. “My name is Yoro. I have been sent to see your safe passage out of here, your highness.”

Rivas’ eyes welled up, and he bit his lip. He had another chance. Another chance to make things right. “Thank you. My name is Rivas.”

Yoro laughed, “I know, kid. Just thought I’d keep the pleasantries.” Yoro walked away. “Alright. Let’s go.”

Rivas was about to follow when he remembered. Riso. Riso was on this ship. “Wait! Sir Yoro!”

Yoro turned around, “Hm?”

“My-my friend. Riso Zyful, he’s still here! We need to save him.”

Yoro looked up, before smiling back at him. “Not to worry. My guy is already on it.”

Yoro and Rivas ran through the ship. Rivas barely, if ever, traveled like this. He wished he had trained more. He was only 12 years old, but he still slacked on that part of his duties. Strategy was way more fun than battle. His family also didn’t push him. Granted, when he was little, he got in a fight with another child. He couldn’t hold back, something inside him just snaps when he gets into fights. So, he preferred to stay away. 

They made it more than halfway through the ship, where the living spaces were. They were all destroyed. Bodies littered the floor. Some Lumari, some of his own. He couldn’t believe things had gotten this bad. Riso, please be okay. 

When they made it to the edge of the residential area, Rivas stopped. He couldn’t go on. His stamina was almost gone. There was no way he could keep going. Before he could tell his new companion, Yoro had already put him on his back and ran. Rivas froze. Who is this man? Why is he doing this? No, that’s not what he wanted to know. Why did he even need saving? His people should have been able to rely on him. One of the last of the Zicaryn Royalty. But I failed. I should have been killed. I should of—

“Hey,” Yoro said, “don’t go feeling bad about any of this kid. There’s nothing you could’ve done.”

All the pieces he was trying to hold together of himself fell apart. Tears spilled from his eyes and he held on tighter to Yoro. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry,” Rivas sobbed. “I couldn’t save my people… they will all…. Will all be forced into a life of incessant war… It’s my fault!” Rivas let go and clutched his head. “Why couldn’t I save them?”

Yoro stopped and set him down. He put his hands on his shoulders. “It was NOT your fault. You are still just a kid, learning everything you can.”

“B-but I can’t fight! I’m weak! The royals are supposed to be strong, but I—” Rivas looked at his hands, “I’m worthless. I’d be better off dead.”

“Kid. Pull yourself together!” Yoro gritted his teeth, “You are still alive! You’re here with me now. You just need to move forward. I don’t ever want to hear you say that ever again.”

Rivas stopped crying. He grew up being told two different things. That the royals were everything, and that they were nothing. If they didn’t save the people they were worthless, but if they served them they were perfect. Since he failed, why did he deserve such kindness? “I-I don’t understand. I failed, so why?” 

Yoro sighed, “You think anyone becomes great without failure? The most successful people are the ones who failed the most. You know how they succeeded?”

Rivas shook his head.

Yoro put him on his back again, “They get back up every time,” then ran, “and are stronger for it! Now hold on tight, we need to get outta here!”

Barely any time later they were in the hangar bay. Zap! Bang! Yoro set Rivas down and barged in. “Kid!”

The boy from earlier staggered backwards. He was in front of… “Riso!” He yelled. Then he looked at their combatant. Across from them was… Oh no…. It couldn’t be…. Yenva. 

“Nice of you to make it!” The boy said to Yoro, who was already by his side. 

Yoro laughed, “Sorry, got a little held up.” Then he looked back at Rivas, “You two, get out of here! Get to the escape pods, and eject!”

Riso nodded and ran towards Rivas. 

BANG! “That’s just a warning shot,” she glared, “don’t leave yet.”

Rivas didn’t know what to do. Run? Save him? Beat her—no! He couldn’t. 

“Get him out of here!” Yoro charged at Yenva. 

Rivas ran towards Riso. 

Yenva shot at Yoro, but he dodged. Her eyes narrowed. “No flashy ability?”

Yoro said nothing. He just attacked. He sent blow after blow. Shooting the rifle, kicking, punching, but she deflected every single one. But she couldn’t get an attack in either. Until she smiled… “Riso, now!”

Riso looked up at Rivas, and mouthed “I’m sorry”, and stabbed him. 

Rivas’s piercing purple eyes turned into nothing more than insignificant dots. Full of rage, pain, sadness, and… bloodlust. The boy from earlier tackled Riso away from him and zapped him. Riso’s body went limp. But the damage was already done.

Yenva actually looked nervous. “Riso, you idiot! You were supposed to kill him with your first blow!”

It was too late. Rivas was already firing his pistol. He landed blow after blow, not allowing a moment of breath. Yoro could not believe his eyes. This kid was an utter beast. He got up; he needed to help him. Yoro looked back at the boy; he had subdued Riso. Good. Then headed towards Rivas. Crap. Yoro rushed at Rivas and reached out to hold him back.

The shots deflected off of Yenva’s armor, not doing any damage. Rivas noticed a grenade on Yoro’s belt earlier. He snatched it and tossed it at her. Her armor and the surrounding area blew shrapnel in every direction. A piece of Yenva’s armor sliced Yoro across the arm. He stumbled backwards. Rivas didn’t even notice that Yoro pushed him out of the way to save him. He continued to shoot, even though her body was already destroyed. 

“Yoro!” The boy screamed. He let out a stream of electricity. 

“AHG!” Rivas was enveloped in seconds, and then he flopped to the floor.  

Yoro looked at the boy. “Reiki, are you okay?”

Reiki nodded, “I’m fine. And I didn’t kill him. He’ll wake up soon.” Reiki’s eyes went wide, “Yoro! Will you be alright?”

Yoro attempted to smile but only managed a wince. “Yeah, it’s just a scratch.”

Reiki reached into one of his pouches and pulled out a first aid kit. “I’ll be quick.”

He cleaned and dressed the wound as best he could.

“Are the bombs set?” Yoro asked. 

Reiki nodded, “Everything’s ready.”

“Alright then,” Yoro picked up Rivas, “then let’s get out of here.”

They nodded once more before rushing to the shuttle bay.

Yoro took the controls, and they left for space. Reiki sat with Rivas. What a strange guy… Reiki leaned back in his chair. And crazy mission. 

They jumped to light speed, and Rivas’ ship and everyone on it, blew up into smithereens.