The Vortex ship sliced through the void, its matte-black frame dissolving into the darkness. Its thrusters pulsed in a rhythmic glow, the only sign of movement as it approached the scattered remains of an asteroid field.
Ahead, enemy warships loomed—silent sentinels forming a wall of steel and fire. Their hulls pulsed with an eerie purple glow, casting long shadows over the asteroid fragments. At the heart of the blockade, a massive aircraft carrier rested, its silhouette drowning out the stars.
Inside the cockpit, Ash, Kael, and Max stood shoulder to shoulder. The faint hum of the ship's systems filled the silence as they watched the enemy formation.
Kael let out a low whistle.
"They're serious about this."
His fingers curled into a fist, knuckles popping. His stance spoke not of hesitation, but anticipation.
Max's gaze remained fixed on the console, sharp eyes scanning lines of data.
"They're protecting something. If we hit hard and fast, we can break through before they react."
Ash's grip tightened around the hilt of his blade, the cold metal grounding him.
"So, we cripple their operation and disappear before they regroup?"
Max gave a firm nod.
"We don't need to wipe them out—just crack their formation and force a retreat."
Kael's grin stretched wide, a glint in his eye.
"Fine by me."
He turned to Max.
"You got our route locked?"
Max's fingers moved with precision, adjusting their trajectory.
"Always. Just don't overdo it."
Kael scoffed, crossing his arms.
"Come on. I know when to hold back."
Ash smirked. "First time for everything."
Kael shot him a look but let it slide, his focus shifting back to the battlefield.
Max exhaled, fingers tightening on the controls.
"Brace yourselves. No hesitation."
Ash steadied himself. The fight was inevitable.
The thrusters roared, the ship surging forward as the first shots lit up the darkness.
————
Jov's laughter rang through the command room, sharp and mocking. He leaned against the cold metal wall, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Wait—hold on."
He let out another chuckle.
"They're actually coming to attack us?"
Beside him, the blond man smirked, fingers idly running through the long braid draped over his shoulder.
"Maybe they think the Apex Troopers are the same as before."
His tone carried the weight of certainty.
"A fatal mistake."
Jov rolled his shoulders, the strange markings on his arms pulsing with a faint glow.
"Lucky for them, the boss wants that asteroid intact."
A cruel grin stretched across his face.
"Otherwise, this fight would already be over."
A sudden crash shattered the air. The old man at the console had slammed his fist onto the control panel, his expression carved from stone. His voice thundered through the room.
"Enough. All units—fire on the Vortex ship. I want them gone before they even get close."
The order shot through the air like a blade. Moments later, the battle had begun.
————
The enemy fleet roared to life. Beams of energy and missile fire ripped through the void, streaks of purple and red carving through the darkness. The Vortex ship twisted, dipping between the onslaught, its black surface flashing as projectiles exploded around it.
Max's hands clenched the controls, knuckles white.
"They're throwing everything at us."
Ash stood near the viewing window, gaze locked on the storm of firepower ahead. The ship rattled under another blast, the vibrations humming through his bones.
"Yeah, no kidding."
Kael grinned, fire dancing in his eyes.
"Enough waiting. Let's move."
Max didn't shift his focus. Instead, he reached for a small metal case near the dashboard and flipped it open. Inside, sleek, compact devices rested in a neat row. He tossed one to each of them.
"Put these on."
Ash turned his over, feeling the smooth, cold surface. It was no bigger than his palm. Max pressed his own against the back of his head. A faint hum rippled through the air as the device latched onto his skin. In an instant, a form-fitting mask materialized over his eyes, nose and mouth, glowing softly.
"This'll keep us breathing." His voice came out slightly distorted behind the mask.
Ash and Kael followed suit. The masks adjusted seamlessly, melding to their faces.
Kael flexed his jaw, testing the fit, then smirked.
"Alright, now can we—"
A violent explosion cut him off. The ship lurched, alarms screaming as sparks erupted from the console.
"Brace for impact!"
Max yanked at the controls, but the ship groaned in protest, thrusters sputtering. The asteroid loomed ahead, its jagged surface rushing toward them.
The Vortex slammed down, metal screeching against rock. Dust and debris erupted in a suffocating cloud, swallowing them whole. The cockpit trembled as the ship skidded, grinding to a brutal stop.
Silence.
Then—
"Well… that could've gone smoother."
Kael's voice broke through the settling haze, dry and unimpressed.
Ash adjusted his mask, releasing a slow breath.
"Yeah, no kidding."
Max ran a hand through his hair, shoulders rising and falling as he steadied himself. His eyes flicked to the fleet still hanging above them.
"We're not done yet."
The ship groaned, its hull protesting as sparks jumped from the shattered control panel. Smoke drifted from the thrusters, the sharp scent of burning metal thick in the air.
Ash steadied himself against the console, his gaze snapping to Max.
"How bad?"
Max's fingers moved fast over the flickering controls, his eyes narrowing at the damage report.
"Shields are gone. Stabilizers are barely hanging on. If we try to take off, we'll be dead before we leave the ground."
Ash exhaled, jaw tightening.
"So, we're sitting ducks."
Kael was already moving, boots clanking against the metal floor as he headed for the exit.
"Then we fight."
Max caught his arm. "Wait."
Kael turned, brows furrowed.
"For what? They're not waiting for us."
Max didn't answer. His gaze locked onto the screen, where a faint pulse flickered against the noise of the asteroid's interference. His fingers traced over the readings—infrared, electromagnetic, gravitational. The signal wasn't just there. It was concentrated. Focused.
"There's something on this rock."
His voice was quiet but firm.
"A signal, cutting through multiple spectrums. Apex isn't here for nothing. They're here for this."
Ash leaned over, eyes scanning the screen.
"And that means?"
Max shook his head.
"No idea. But whatever it is, they sent a fleet for it."
The ship rattled under another blast. The enemy fire was closing in—but it wasn't the same. It had slowed.
Kael scoffed, arms crossed.
"They're stalling."
Max's grip on the controls tightened.
"Maybe they want us to touch the asteroid first."
Kael's grin was sharp. "Sounds like a them problem."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and stepped outside.
Outside, the asteroid stretched endlessly, jagged black rock splitting the surface like broken glass. Faint violet streaks pulsed within the cracks, casting an eerie glow. A thin mist drifted over the terrain, curling and twisting against the nonexistent wind. It moved with purpose—unnatural.
Above, the Apex fleet loomed. The massive aircraft carrier hovered in the void, its dark frame lined with ominous purple light. Smaller warships circled in formation, engines humming as they watched. Waiting.
Max inhaled sharply, then frowned.
Without a word, he lifted his hands and unlatched his helmet.
Kael's head snapped toward him. "MAX, YOU IDIOT—"
Then he stopped.
Max was breathing.
Ash hesitated before pulling off his own helmet. A crisp, strangely fresh scent filled his lungs.
"There's an atmosphere," Max muttered, glancing around.
Ash's brow furrowed.
"An asteroid with breathable air?"
Kael yanked off his helmet with a scoff.
"This place keeps getting weirder."
Max scanned the air.
"Oxygen levels are almost identical to Earth's."
Kael stretched, shaking out his shoulders.
"Good. I was getting sick of my own breath."
Ash exhaled, gaze lingering on the mist curling at their feet.
"Let's just hope we're not breathing in something worse."
A sharp crack echoed through the comms—followed by a slow, mocking voice.
"Well, well. Look who made it past the first test. Congrats."
Jov stood at the edge of an Apex fleetship, arms loose at his sides, rows of heavily armored troopers flanking him. The fleet's engines rumbled as they descended, sending tremors through the ground. His grin stretched wide, sharp eyes gleaming with something between amusement and cruelty.
"You know," he continued, rolling his shoulders,
"the big brains back at Apex have been real curious about this rock. Word is, it might straight-up kill someone on contact—too much energy packed inside."
His grin widened.
"But thanks to you guys, we know that's not entirely true."
He let out a chuckle.
"Guess you saved us some trouble."
Max's fingers flew over his scanner, reading the fluctuations spiking across the asteroid's surface. His expression darkened.
"No wonder the readings are off the charts… This thing isn't like anything we've seen before."
Kael let out a slow breath, rolling his neck as he stepped forward.
"So, are we done talking, or do I have to sit through more of your crap before I knock that grin off your face?"
Jov cracked his knuckles, muscles tensing with anticipation.
"Heh. You're funny."
His smile sharpened.
"Too bad you won't be laughing for long."
The Apex troopers shifted, boots crunching against the asteroid's uneven terrain as rifles snapped into position. A silent command. A storm ready to break.
Jov stepped forward, arms crossed, that ever-present smirk carved onto his face. His voice carried a casual arrogance, but his eyes were sharp, studying them like a predator sizing up prey.
"Well, well… you're not the originals."
His gaze flicked between them, his smirk twitching.
"Where's Flame?"
Kael tilted his head, lips curling into a cocky grin.
"You're looking at him."
Jov blinked, then barked out a laugh.
"Hah! You kinda look like him…"
His grin stretched wider, something clicking into place.
"Oh, I get it now. You're his kids, aren't you?"
Max didn't react. His fingers slid over his sleek, tablet-like device, scanning fluctuating readings on the screen.
"So… what's Apex really after?"
His voice was light, almost idle, but his gaze never left the data.
Jov scoffed.
"Like hell a dead man needs answers."
A crack echoed through the tense air as Ash rolled his shoulders, stepping forward. His eyes locked onto Jov, voice low and sharp.
"Then you better make sure we're dead before you start running your mouth."
Jov's fingers twitched, anticipation glinting in his eyes.
"Hah… I was hoping you'd say that."
With a flick of his wrist, fire roared to life over his palm, twisting and writhing like a living thing.
Kael stiffened, breath hitching.
"What…?"
Max took an instinctive step back, grip tightening on his device. "That's not possible."
Ash's expression hardened.
"I thought all fire users apart from Dad were dead."
Jov chuckled, the flame in his hand flickering with each movement.
"Yeah… I always wanted to meet your father. Bet he'd be real interested in what I can do."
Kael's shock burned away, replaced by something sharper. His own flames surged to life, roaring in defiance, as if answering Jov's. His hands clenched into fists.
"You want him?"
His voice was steady, unwavering.
"Then you're going through me first."
Jov's smirk deepened.
"I planned to."
Jov's arm snapped up, a fireball forming in his palm. Without hesitation, he hurled it at Kael.
Kael moved on instinct. Flames burst to life in his hands, a scorching orb shooting forward. The two attacks met mid-air—an explosion of heat and light tearing through the battlefield. Sparks rained down, the force rippling outward, kicking up a cloud of dust and ash.
The others shielded their faces as the air sizzled. When the dust settled, Jov stood unshaken, rolling his shoulders, fire licking at his fingertips.
"Not bad, kid."
His grin widened.
"But let's see how you handle this."
He spread his arms, summoning a surge of fire that twisted into a roaring wave. The air warped, shimmering from the sheer heat as the flames rushed forward.
Kael didn't move. His own fire erupted, swirling around his arms as he thrust his hands outward. A vortex of flames shot forth, colliding head-on with Jov's attack. The battlefield trembled, heat waves distorting the ground between them. Neither side relented.
Jov smirked, stepping forward, his flames intensifying.
"Come on. That all you got?"
Kael's eyes narrowed. His fire flared brighter, turning gold, cutting through the wave like a blade. Jov stumbled back, shaking out his arm. Then—laughter. Low, amused.
"Heh… You're stronger than I expected."
Kael exhaled, flames flickering around his fists.
"Yeah? Then maybe you should stop holding back."
Jov's smirk deepened.
"Oh? So you noticed."
Kael rolled his shoulders.
"Yeah… because I was holding back too."
Then he moved.
Fire ignited at his feet, launching him forward. He closed the distance in a blur, fist wreathed in flames. Jov's forearm shot up just in time, blocking the strike. Fire roared between them, power colliding. The force cracked the ground beneath their feet.
Kael twisted, bringing up his other fist. Jov ducked, flames grazing past his face as he retaliated with a spinning kick. Kael leaned back, heat skimming his cheek. He countered instantly, driving a fiery elbow toward Jov's ribs.
Jov caught his arm, twisting sharply.
"Not bad."
Flames coiled around his free hand as he yanked Kael in, knee rising toward his ribs.
Kael's feet ignited, blasting fire downward. The force flipped him over Jov's head. The moment he landed, he stomped hard, sending a fiery shockwave surging forward.
Jov leapt back, boots skidding against the scorched rock. But Kael was already there. His fists blurred—punch after punch, each strike laced with searing heat.
Jov blocked, dodged, countered—but Kael's speed was relentless. Then—an opening.
A flaming punch slipped past his guard, slamming into his chest. The impact sent Jov hurtling backward, crashing into a jagged rock formation. The stone shattered, embers swirling through the air.
Silence.
Then—laughter.
Jov rose from the rubble, brushing soot from his armor, his grin as sharp as ever.
"Heh… Now this is getting fun."
Then his smirk deepened.
"Let me show you a taste of what Apex has been working on."
His stone-embedded arm slammed into the ground.
The earth groaned.
Jagged rocks shot up beneath Kael, twisting around his limbs like living chains.
Kael struggled, fire flaring at his fingertips. But the stone held firm.
His eyes widened.
"What—?"