CLUSTER Planet
Gline paced back and forth, frustration evident on his face. The Warcluster ring hovered before them, radiating immense energy.
"Auther, I believe we must destroy the Warcluster," Gline declared, his voice filled with urgency. "If not, I will do it myself."
Auther shook his head. "No, King. This ring holds all your powers within it. Destroying it now would take an immense amount of time, and besides... Simon knows the exact location where its powers can be nullified."
Gline clenched his fists, his anger boiling over. "Then do you have another option? He could be arriving with his army at any moment, and our own people have betrayed us. This ring must not fall into Simon's hands!"
Auther hesitated for a moment before responding. "There is one way. We cannot keep the ring, but we can ensure that Simon never gets it."
"Speak."
"I will encase the ring and throw it beyond the Bright Portal. It will drift through the void until it lands on an unknown planet. By then, the conflict will have settled, and we can locate it again."
Gline exhaled sharply, considering the option. "Do whatever it takes. Just make sure it never falls into the wrong hands."
College Cafeteria – Earth
James and Johnny sat at their usual spot, eating lunch. The cafeteria buzzed with conversation, students lost in their own worlds.
"Hey, Johnny, the baseball tournament is in two days. Are you ready?" James asked between bites.
Johnny leaned back in his chair. "Yeah, I guess… but I'm not sure if I'll have time."
James gave him a pointed look. "You have to come, bro. It's about my reputation. Don't let your only brother down."
Johnny chuckled. "You're the only one I'm actually close to."
"Shut up, idiot," James smirked. "Anyway, listen. Cassy's friend told me she wants to talk to you before the break ends."
Johnny raised an eyebrow. "I know. That's the only reason I came to college today. Honestly, I don't get attached to girls... but she's different."
As lunch ended, the two walked down the corridor.
"I swear, I'm just going home to crash," Johnny mumbled, stretching his arms.
James nudged him. "Forget that. Look ahead. The ladies' group. Cassy's there. Go talk to her."
Johnny sighed. "Come with me."
"Dude, you like Cassy, not me. Get lost."
Johnny hesitated but finally stepped forward when—
Two hands suddenly grabbed his shoulders, pulling him back. Two guys smirked at him.
"You're lucky, Johnny. You're about to have a personal meeting with Calex Sir. Let's go."
They forcefully dragged him away.
At Basketball Court
Calex sat on a bench, arms crossed, eyes sharp. Johnny stood before him, held in place by his goons.
"So, you're Johnny," Calex mused.
"Yes, boss. He's the one from Cassy's batch," one of the guys confirmed.
Calex leaned forward. "Look, I don't want any drama. Just call Cassy your sister and end this here."
Johnny scoffed. "Why don't you call your mother your sister, you idiot?"
The court went silent.
Calex's eyes darkened. "Oh, so you like pain."
The next moment, fists rained down on Johnny. A brutal beating unfolded as he was thrown onto the court, every bone in his body screaming in agony. Blood dripped from his lips. His breaths came in ragged gasps.
As the goons locked the court doors and left, Johnny lay there, motionless, his consciousness fading in and out.
James had never walked home alone from college. But today, something felt wrong.
He searched around until he reached the basketball court. The locked doors creaked open as he stepped in. His heart sank.
"Johnny?! What the hell happened? Who did this?!"
Johnny was barely conscious. James helped him up, carrying him back
Midnight – Johnny's Room
The pain was unbearable. Johnny lay on his bed, his body broken, his mind restless. Sleep was impossible.
Suddenly, from the window, a bright light caught his eye.
Something was falling from the sky.
A glowing object, burning as it approached the earth… hurtling straight towards the ground.
And then—