(Outer Space – Aboard the Elven Warship)
The silence of the void was broken only by the faint hum of the ship's engines, a rhythm that seemed to merge with the pulse of the crew's anticipation. Every elf on board knew what was at stake. Their mission wasn't merely conquest—it was destiny.
The command deck stretched wide, built with a mixture of elegant design and raw practicality. Tall archways carved with glowing runes lined the walls, giving the interior a regal yet intimidating presence. Transparent screens hovered above stone-like pedestals, combining the ancient with the futuristic. Everything about the ship screamed of a people who refused to abandon their heritage, even as they embraced the machinery of war.
At the center, the commander stood unmoving, his armored figure like a statue watching over the cosmos. His silver hair caught the glow of the runes as he folded his arms behind his back. He had led countless battles, from the borders of their realm to distant galaxies. Yet this mission felt different—it carried the weight of something greater.
"Status report," the commander finally said, his voice sharp and commanding.
"Engines stable, shields at full power. We'll breach Earth's orbital perimeter in five cycles," one officer replied crisply, his fingers gliding across a control rune.
Another, a woman with braided white hair, spoke from the strategy dais. "Weapons fully charged. Ballistae aligned. Should we engage planetary defenses if challenged?"
The commander's gaze shifted to her, his eyes like cold steel. "No. Earth is not our enemy… yet. We are not here to wage war on humans. Our target is the light."
The word light seemed to echo across the room, heavy and almost sacred. Every soldier present straightened, as though reminded of the seriousness of their mission.
From the lower deck, a younger warrior raised his voice. His tone held curiosity, but also a trace of unease.
"Commander, forgive my question… but this light… what exactly is it? We've heard rumors, whispers, even contradictions. Some say it is a person, others claim it is a weapon, or a spirit. What truth is there?"
The commander remained still for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he turned slowly, his silver hair swaying with the movement. His eyes pierced the young elf like an arrow.
"The truth," he began, voice deliberate, "is irrelevant. The great being has spoken. Capture the light, deliver it, and the Reality Stone will be ours. That is all that matters."
The young warrior bowed, chastened, though his heart still stirred with doubt.
The crew returned to their duties, yet the tension lingered. Every elf had heard of the Reality Stone—the fabled Infinity Gem of creation. They had sought it for centuries, hunted its whispers through star maps and ruins, but always it slipped through their grasp. To some, it was a dream. To others, an obsession.
Now, with a great being promising its reward in exchange for the light, the elves felt that obsession burning anew.
--- ✦ ---
Later, within the warship's officer quarters, the tension bled into hushed conversations.
"They say the being who promised us the Stone is older than even Asgard," one elf murmured, his voice low, cautious. "What kind of power can speak with such certainty?"
Another scoffed lightly, though his eyes betrayed unease. "What does it matter? If it delivers, then let it. We've wasted centuries searching. Perhaps fate has finally chosen us."
A third, polishing his blade, muttered darkly, "Or perhaps we've been lured into someone else's game."
The first officer leaned closer, his whisper sharp. "Wouldn't be the first time. Remember the Kree alliance? The Skrulls' deception? Our people have been pawns before."
The second bristled, glaring. "Mind your tongue. Such words are close to treason."
The tension thickened, only for the commander himself to enter. Instantly, silence fell. The elves stood, fists over their chests in salute.
"Enough whispers," the commander said coldly. "Doubt is poison. Faith in command is survival. You will remember this."
His eyes swept the room, and not a soul dared meet his gaze for long.
Still, he added something softer, something that caught them all off guard.
"Do not mistake my words. I, too, have doubts. But I have learned this in war—whether pawn or king, only the victor decides which was which. When we hold the Reality Stone, no one will call us pawns."
The silence that followed was heavier, but also steadier. The officers bowed, returning to their posts with grim determination.
The commander lingered for a moment, turning his eyes to the viewport where Earth was now visible in the distance—a vibrant jewel glowing against the void. He clenched his fist.
--- ✦ ---
(Outer Space – Warship Bridge, Hours Later)
The armada now glided in silence, their approach masked by advanced cloaking runes. The planet loomed closer, its swirling oceans and continents like fragile treasures waiting to be claimed.
"Commander," one of the officers said, his voice tense. "Scouts report no resistance yet. Earth's defenses remain unaware of our presence."
"Good," the commander replied, his tone curt. "Do not provoke unless provoked. This mission requires precision, not noise."
"Yes, Commander."
The younger officer from before, unable to silence his nerves, spoke again. "Permission to ask, sir?"
The commander gave him a single glance. "Speak."
"If this light truly holds the power the Master claims… why Earth? Of all places in the galaxy, why would it be hidden there? Why not Asgard? Or Xandar? Or the Nova Empire?"
The commander was silent for a long time, his gaze fixed on the planet below. When he finally spoke, his voice was grim, almost reluctant.
"You ask too many questions officer," He said. "There are some things that should not be known
The officer swallowed, his question answered, though unease deepened.
The bridge fell silent once more, every soldier lost in thought. Their mission was clear, but the weight of it pressed heavier with each passing moment.
--- ✦ ---
Meanwhile, deep within the ship's war council chamber, the commander reviewed projections on a hovering screen. Glimpses of Earth's cities appeared one by one—New York, London, Tokyo, Wakanda. His mind calculated possibilities, routes of infiltration, extraction points.
His hand hovered above a glowing sigil marked Target Acquisition.
But before pressing it, he whispered under his breath.
"Light… I hope you are as interesting as I expect."
A small, cold smile flickered across his face.
--- ✦ ---
(Zayne POV)
It was almost noon, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't thinking about rangers, kaiju, alien threats, or the cosmic nightmares lurking behind every corner of existence.
I was just… living.
The sunlight streamed through the windows of my home, warm and golden, spilling across the polished floor like liquid peace. Outside, I could hear the faint hum of the city—cars rolling by, birds calling out, the occasional laugh of kids playing down the block. Simple sounds. Human sounds.
I sat back on the couch, a mug of coffee in hand, the aroma filling the room as I scrolled through channels on the TV. No alerts, no news of sudden disasters, no monster attacks. Just a quiet morning.
For breakfast, I'd actually taken the time to cook—eggs, toast, even some pancakes stacked high like I was competing with IHOP. The kind of meal normal people made without a second thought, but to me, it felt like a luxury.
I stretched, leaning back with a satisfied groan. "Man… this is good."
Later, I took a slow walk around the block. Nothing crazy. Just breathing in fresh air, nodding at passersby, even stopping by a local bakery to grab a bag of fresh bread. The kind of errand that didn't involve saving the universe, but it still felt important somehow.
I passed by a park, watching kids chase each other across the grass, their laughter rising into the clear blue sky. Couples walked hand in hand. Old men played chess. Dogs barked happily, tails wagging.
For a moment, I just stood there, breathing it all in.
"This," I muttered to myself, "is what it means to live."
No weapons. No cosmic burdens. Just peace.
By evening, I had settled back at home. Dinner was already in the oven, music played softly in the background, and I was reading a book I'd put off for weeks. It was the perfect day, the kind that reminded me what I was fighting for in the first place.
Then, as I closed the book and leaned back with a small smile, the words slipped out of my mouth almost without thinking.
"Today feels too good to be true."
And just like that—
[Ding]
--- ✦ ---
So, yeah, the mystic force battle will be tougher in my novel. It's not going to be very good for the mystic force rangers. But don't worry, we have our protagonist.