The Descent
The transport ship Vanguard shook violently as it slammed into the atmosphere of Kuren Prime. Inside, the air was cold and smelled of hydraulic fluid. Sixty soldiers sat in silence, their faces pale under the flickering red combat lights.
Elias sat near the exit. He could feel the planet's energy pulling at him—a strange hum in his bones that grew louder as the ship dropped. Next to him, a young soldier named Leo was trembling. His hands shook so violently that his rifle clattered against his armor.
Elias reached out and placed a hand on Leo's arm. "Stay calm, Leo," Elias said, his voice steady. "Focus on your training. Follow me, and you'll make it through this."
Leo took a shaky breath and nodded. Just then, a siren blared. The heavy ramp dropped with a deafening bang.
The Landing
The world outside was a nightmare of black sand and orange fire. The beach was made of sharp, obsidian volcanic glass that reflected the explosions in the sky.
As the first soldier ran out, a laser missile streaked across the shore. It struck a ship landing just yards away, turning the craft into a fireball. The shockwave was massive, throwing Leo off the ramp and into an open area with no cover.
"Leo!" Elias shouted.
An enemy turret on the cliffs turned toward the fallen boy. Before it could fire, Elias surged forward. He didn't reach for a gun; he reached out with his mind. An invisible force caught Leo mid-air, pulling him safely behind a large piece of scrap metal just as a hail of bullets hit the spot where he had been lying.
The Descendant Unleashed
Elias stepped onto the black sand. He did not take cover. He walked forward as the Kuren rebels opened fire from their trenches.
He raised both hands, and the heavy obsidian sand rose from the ground like a solid wall, catching hundreds of bullets in mid-air. With a sudden thrust of his arms, he sent the sand flying forward. The shards of glass hit the enemy line like a wave of knives, silencing the turrets instantly.
He then turned his attention to a Kuren armored vehicle. He clenched his fist, and the thick metal plates of the machine groaned and crushed inward as if an invisible giant had stepped on it. The Earth soldiers behind him cheered, heartened by the raw power of their Descendant.
A Shadow in the Mind
Despite the victory, a sharp, cold pain suddenly spiked behind Elias's eyes. The sounds of the battle faded, replaced by a strange silence.
He looked toward the distant capital city sitting on the horizon. For a moment, he felt a powerful presence watching him—not with anger, but with curiosity.
"Not bad for a beginner," a smooth, calm voice whispered directly into his mind. "You have the gift, Elias. But you are fighting for the wrong side. You are a king serving masters who fear you."
Elias stumbled, a single drop of blood falling from his nose onto the black glass.
"Elias! Are you hit?" Leo asked, running to his side.
Elias wiped the blood away and looked at the dark horizon. The 28-mile march to the capital had only just begun. "I'm fine," he said quietly. "But we aren't alone out here."
Epilogue: High Command
Inside Earth's Strategic Command, the air was heavy with tension. A large holographic map of the galaxy hummed in the center of the room, casting a blue light over the cold faces of the leaders. General Vance and Minister Thorne stood over the display, watching the digital icons of their fleet finally touch the surface of Kuren Prime.
"The situation is critical," Minister Thorne said, his voice cold. "The colony has seized every mining site. They claim our laws have made them slaves, but we cannot allow them to hold our future hostage. If we lose the minerals on Kuren Prime, Earth goes dark."
General Vance crossed his arms. "The President of Kuren Prime has proven to be a dangerous tactician. He has spent years secretly fortifying that planet. Our soldiers are walking into a meat grinder designed by a man who knows our every move."
Thorne looked at the General. "That is why we sent the asset. Is he ready?"
Vance tapped a button on the console, pulling up a redacted file. The image of Elias appeared. "Elias. Our strongest Descendant. He was exposed to the mineral during an accident years ago. He can move objects with his mind and create shields out of thin air. He is the only reason we have a chance of breaking through."
"Does he know the truth about his power?" Thorne asked.
"No," Vance replied. "He thinks he is just a soldier doing his duty. We need to keep it that way. As long as he believes he is fighting for the survival of his home, he will remain our most effective weapon."
"Let us hope he remains loyal," Thorne whispered. "Because the President is waiting for him."