The atmosphere was tense as the three Viltrimits retreated back into the distance. Their threats echoed in the air long after they were gone. Mark, still bruised and battered from his encounter, stood up slowly, wiping the blood from his lip. Nolan was beside him almost instantly, checking him over for injuries. Battle Beast was already making his way back to where the Traxon leaders stood, his posture relaxed, but his face still full of the hunger for battle he always carried.
"Mark, you good?" Nolan asked, his voice filled with concern as he examined his son's wounds.
Mark gave a faint nod, his body aching, but his eyes burning with determination. "Yeah, I'll be fine. It's just a scratch." He clenched his fists and shook his head. "I'm getting tired of getting knocked around like that."
Battle Beast glanced over at them, a grin on his face. "Well, you're not the first to get humbled. But the good news is, you'll live, and you'll learn."
Mark turned his head, meeting his gaze. "I'm serious, Battle Beast. I need to be stronger. This can't keep happening."
Battle Beast shrugged. "You've got a strong bloodline, kid. You've got the potential. Now it's just about tapping into it. If you can survive a few more of those fights, you'll come out stronger. The real question is, how badly do you want to get stronger?"
"I want to be able to protect people," Mark said, his voice unwavering. "I want to be able to stand up to the Viltrimits without relying on anyone else. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because I'm not strong enough."
Nolan, who had been quiet for a moment, finally spoke. "That's the right mindset. But strength isn't just about physical power, Mark. You'll learn that soon enough. It's about knowing when to fight, when to fall back, and when to call for help. Strength isn't always about going toe-to-toe with someone. Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is know when not to engage."
Mark turned to his father. "I get that, but... I don't know if I'll ever feel ready to stand up to them, you know? If that's what it takes to protect Earth, to protect everyone I love, then I have to be prepared."
Nolan placed a hand on Mark's shoulder, giving him a firm look. "And you will be, son. You're already doing everything you can. But you can't do it alone. That's why we're a family, Mark. When things get tough, you can count on us."
Mark nodded, but the frustration was still there, burning in his chest. "But... it's not enough. Not for them. For the Viltrimits."
Battle Beast's grin widened at Mark's frustration. "You'll come to understand, boy. It's not about fighting with everything you have all at once. Sometimes, you need to fight smart. You think the Viltrimits are the only ones with plans? They're not the only ones who can think ahead. But you've got more to learn, and that's the fun part."
Mark didn't respond immediately, his mind buzzing with the weight of Battle Beast's words.
Meanwhile, the Traxon leaders, who had been observing quietly, approached the group. Their insectoid faces were hard to read, but their antennae flickered nervously. The leader, a tall figure with a pair of large wings that buzzed gently in the wind, stepped forward.
"You've done much for us already, but we can't simply stand by while our world burns," the leader said. "Our people are in danger. The Viltrimits will be back. And next time, they won't leave any of us alive."
Nolan stepped forward, his expression calm but stern. "We'll help you defend your world, but we need more information. What's the Viltrimit goal here? Why attack Traxon?"
The leader hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice low and filled with dread. "The Viltrimits have been attacking planets for years, looking to conquer and enslave. But recently... we've learned that they're seeking something from our world. Something they believe we have that could tip the balance in their favor. We don't know what it is, but we know it's powerful."
Mark, having regained some of his composure, stepped forward. "Something powerful? What do you mean by that?"
"We've got our theories," the leader replied, "but no one knows for sure. What we do know is that the Viltrimits won't stop until they get it."
Nolan crossed his arms, considering the information. "And you don't have any other defenses? You've been fighting them for a while. What's been stopping them?"
"The Viltrimits are ruthless. But our warriors are strong. Unfortunately, we don't have enough numbers to keep them from overwhelming us," the leader explained. "That's why we called for help. But if we don't find out what they're looking for and destroy it... we may not survive the next wave."
Nolan's mind raced. This wasn't just a simple Viltrimit invasion. There was something more to it—something the Viltrimits were after, and if they got it, it could change everything.
"We'll need to get to the bottom of this," Nolan said, his tone resolute. "We'll help you, but we need more information. What do you have on their plans? Their movements? Their tactics?"
"We've been tracking them, but it's hard to pin down," the leader replied. "They're too fast, too strong. But we know they've been targeting specific areas on our planet. They're not just randomly attacking."
Battle Beast's voice cut through the tension. "Let them do the talking, Nolan. They'll keep us busy with more questions. You know we need action, not talk."
Nolan shot Battle Beast a glance but didn't respond right away. Instead, he turned back to the Traxon leader. "Alright. We'll help you fight. We'll make sure you have the resources you need. But we'll need a plan of attack, and we'll need you to start gathering intel."
The leader nodded, his antennae twitching in agreement. "We will. We'll do everything we can."
As the conversation turned toward strategizing and logistics, Mark couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. The Viltrimits weren't just a threat to Earth anymore. They were a threat to everyone. And the more he learned about them, the more dangerous they seemed. But there was one thing he was certain of: He would be ready.
The rest of the evening was filled with more talk—plans were made, information was gathered, and the group began preparing for whatever came next. As the sun began to set over Traxon's strange, alien horizon, Mark, Nolan, and Battle Beast walked side by side.
Mark broke the silence. "We'll need to be ready. We can't let them take this planet. We can't let them win."
Battle Beast grunted, looking ahead. "We won't. Not if I have anything to say about it."
Nolan glanced at his son, his voice calm yet filled with determination. "You're right. We'll fight until the end, together."
And with that, the family stood united, ready to face whatever the Viltrimits threw at them next.
But even with their confidence, a lingering question remained in Mark's mind. What were the Viltrimits really after? And how far were they willing to go to get it?