ã€ŠDamara the valiant- a superhero progression fantasyã€‹


 Prologue-dark genesis

    Once upon a time, in a galaxy across space and time, a Great War ravaged the stars. In the aftermath, heavenly light washed over the devastated planets. The plants flourished, the injured healed, and the sick recovered. All that lived prospered bathed in its rays! It illuminated the galaxy, piercing through the darkness of the universe and spreading out to infinity!

    A task of great hardship awaited the survivors, healing the scars of conflict! The blood-stained wreckage of war littered the galaxy, only slowly healing by even the heavenly light! However, among the many recovering worlds, one held a critical conference of thousands.

    A sense of desperate urgency raced through the night on planet Nemesis. And the crowds gathered hurriedly around a massive viewing screen on a building. The people were purple and pink. The men were <mark>mouthless</mark>, while the women had horns and black <mark>Sclera</mark>. A young Nemesis child, traversing the crowds with his father, looked at the many worried faces around him, confused. <mark>Everton</mark> <mark>Blak</mark>, a dark purple nemesis, tugged on his father <mark>Evos</mark>¡¯ clothes.¡±Father!¡±

    ¡°Yes, my son!¡±

    ¡°Is there something wrong? Everyone looks worried!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re all just anxious over the upcoming meeting!¡±

    ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t the war over!¡±

    ¡°We just want to know how the parliament handles the restoration process!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s that important, father?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Especially with the matter of Senator <mark>Mavor¡¯s</mark> emergency powers!¡±

    ¡°E-emergency powers?¡±

    <mark>Mavor</mark> <mark>MorningStarr</mark> was an up-and-coming senator in the Nemesis parliament. Years prior, he was a soldier rallying troops on the battlefield but carried that same charisma into the political arena. It allowed him to climb the ranks at a record pace, amassing a colossal amount of support. But it was that leadership talent that made many uneasy with him. The loyalty he inspired in his followers had a slight air of absolutism.

    When the war came to Planet Nemesis, <mark>Mavor</mark> was in the vanguard against the invaders. He quickly pushed for emergency powers to move as efficiently as possible. The years of combat experience he had served him well in that regard. Many saw the move as a heroic act. <mark>Mavor</mark> didn¡¯t want bureaucracy to stop him from protecting the people. But others, like <mark>Evos</mark>, couldn¡¯t help but see the political gain. As long as those powers were up, no one but <mark>Mavor</mark> could remove him from the highest seat of authority!

    ¡°I¡¯ll explain the whole thing to you later,¡± <mark>Evos</mark> said.

    All eyes were drawn to the screen as the man of the hour took center stage. <mark>Mavor</mark> was a tall nemesis with dark purple skin and a muscular body. On the screen, he came to a podium surrounded by thousands of constituents.

    ¡°Good evening, everyone! The vile invaders left our land scarred and deformed! But they could not deform our people¡¯s strength and resolve,¡± <mark>Mavor</mark> said over the screen.

    The parliament and the people watching roared.

    ¡°These have been the most trying times, but we have passed the test. I humbly accepted the powers you gave for the great honor of serving our people! And together, we triumphed over the invaders!¡±

    The parliament and the people watching roared.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°By the <mark>divinus</mark>! Here it comes!¡±

    ¡°Here what comes, Father?¡±

    <mark>Evos</mark> pointed to the screen.¡±Just watch, boy!¡±

    ¡°The dark times are at an end as we near the light! But let us not forget the lessons of this blood-soaked time! To ensure our soldiers¡¯ sacrifices weren¡¯t in vain and the safety of our children, our government must evolve into one of strength and unity!¡±

    The parliament and the people watching roared.

    ¡°Thank you all! So, I pledge for a great reformation! I vow to use all my strength, resolve, and integrity to convert our government into one that our people sorely need and deserve! For the sake of our children and our children¡¯s children!¡±

    The parliament and the people watching roared.

    ¡°Together, brothers and sisters, Prosperity and Justice for all!¡±

    ¡°Prosperity and justice for all,¡± the parliament and the people shouted in unison.

    ¡°Again and louder!¡±

    ¡°Prosperity and Justice for all!¡±

    <mark>Evos</mark> listened carefully as the people chanted <mark>Mavor¡¯s</mark> mantra and cheered. He quickly noticed something terrible about the way they spoke. Each time they did, it was like all voice of individuality was fading away. They said his words nearly perfectly on cue and with little overlap. The Nemesis people were becoming a hive-mind species, puppets loyal to one master.

    The roar of the parliament and the people watching soon took on a continuous boiling roll like the inside of a mighty thunderstorm. The people went berserk with joyous cheers and celebrations. <mark>Everton</mark> followed suit, laughing and jumping with jubilation only a child could produce! But he stopped as he saw the abject terror upon his father¡¯s face!

    ¡°Father, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Many things, my son! Many things!¡± <mark>Evos</mark> pointed to the screen again.

    ¡°So I now inaugurate the Nemesis Empire movement!¡±

    Nine hundred years later, <mark>Mavor</mark> landed on a distant planet. He and his soldiers left a spaceship, marching quickly to a fortress. As the group approached the thick metal doors of a chamber, guards gave each protective goggles except <mark>Mavor</mark>, who declined. They entered, seeing nemesis scientists experiment on a massive object pulsing with the strength of several suns as it emitted the heavenly light, the <mark>divinus</mark>!

    A scientist ran to <mark>Mavor</mark>.¡±Good morning, emperor! I hope your journey was a pleasant one!¡±

    ¡°Thank you, doctor! But is the progress report ready?¡±

    ¡°Better, emperor! My people and I believe we have found a solution!¡±

    <mark>Mavor¡¯s</mark> eyes widened with shock.¡±T-truly?¡±

    ¡°Yes, emperor! I sent our findings to Dr. Zola to make sure! He confirms our new technology can destroy the <mark>divinus</mark>!¡±

    ¡°I want this done today!¡±

    The scientist ran off in a flash! He directed his personnel to their stations, preparing the technology. And the machine designed to destroy the <mark>divinus</mark> was ready almost the instant <mark>mavor</mark> asked for it. Six silver pillars rose to surround the <mark>divinus</mark> as <mark>mavor</mark> walked toward it.

    ¡°Emperor, strike the two pillars before you with your energies, and the machine will do the rest!¡±

    ¡°Thank you, doctor! Your time has finally come, <mark>divinus</mark>. Years of planning now bear fruit!¡±

    <mark>Mavor</mark> shot bolts of dark energy at the two pillars before him, and the machine roared to life. The silver pillars amplified the dark power and shot it at the <mark>divinus</mark>. The <mark>divinus</mark> released a high-pitched scream that shook the planet as its light slowly died! A slit opened on <mark>Mavor¡¯s</mark> face, allowing a sinister smile as the light died out. But as the last bit was about to go, the <mark>divinus</mark> went supernova, disintegrating the pillars!

    It sent out a <mark>shockwave</mark> that knocked everyone but <mark>Mavor</mark> down. And the image of a noble stallion appeared in it as its light recovered. <mark>Mavor</mark> looked at it with shock, but his shocked face quickly became angry, directing it at the scientist! But another looked at her <mark>holophone</mark> panel, jumping in the path of her comrade.

    ¡°Emperor, before you pass judgment, you should know something! Its power levels are recovering far slower than previous times!¡±

    <mark>Mavor</mark> took a deep breath as he swiped his hand across the air. The scientist¡¯s panel flew from her to his hand across the room. And as he read the data on it, he nursed a migraine.

    ¡°Very well then! I will remain patient, but you will submit daily updates on your progress!¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The scientists shouted in unison.

    <mark>Mavor</mark> left the planet, rocketing away in his spaceship. But unbeknownst to him, diligent eyes watched him from behind an asteroid in another ship. Inside, two aliens gave each other worried looks. Sarah was an emerald Amazon of twenty, a member of the <mark>Gigantes</mark> species, with large pink pupils and a muscular yet curvy body. Lucas was a <mark>Hachik¨­</mark> of twenty who resembled a muscular humanoid German Shepherd. But what role could these two play in <mark>Mavor¡¯s</mark> mad campaign of galactic domination?

 CHAPTER ONE-Daisy

    The Nemesis Empire, the one of peace and security <mark>Mavor</mark> promised, pushed savagely to expand its borders. The lifeblood of the expansion was the lives of soldiers, Nemesis and otherwise. War waged across space, growing bigger and bigger like an inferno with infinite fuel. Countless planets had never known such a scale of violence. But with the threat of enslavement, they took up arms against them.

    Despite lasting over nine centuries with no sign of stopping, there were still worlds unaffected by the war until very recently. It was a testament to the godly size of the galaxy and <mark>Mavor¡¯s</mark> lust for power. In January of this year, the Nemesis campaign traveled northward, meeting a world many didn¡¯t even know existed. But quickly realized that it could be a strategic asset if conquered. It was the <mark>homeworld</mark> of humanity, Planet Earth! The people of humanity soon witnessed a horrifying sight in the sky. The nemesis armada had arrived to bring death to earth like their billions of victims prior. And every human of all tongues and creeds trembled before the shadow of invasion.

    One day, on a war-scarred wasteland, bathed in flames, two armies participated in a brutal contest of strength! The massive Nemesis battleships bombarded the humanity defense force, guarding the construction of a sinister titanic structure, the <mark>darkhold</mark> fortress.

    Elsewhere, In Liberty City, America, the sun¡¯s rays shun over the busy metropolis far from the battlefield. The embodiment of its beautiful light hurried through the hustle and bustle. A gorgeous woman of twenty with stunning pale violet eyes slanted toward the sides of her face, housing many white sparkles reflecting light off them like the finest diamonds. Daisy hurried toward her work with her slender, curvy body, smooth fair skin, and long blood-red hair, standing out even among millions.

    Daisy stopped when she saw a little boy walking alone close to the busy street. He¡¯s accidentally pushed into it by people in a hurry. And a car soon sped toward him!

    ¡°No,¡± Daisy said.

    Daisy dashed toward the boy, diving into the street. She swiftly grabbed him, jumping back to safety, dodging the car by inches!

    ¡°Are you okay? Is any part of you hurt?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so!¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s your Pa and Ma?¡±

    The boy¡¯s father rushed through the crowd, panicked, searching for him. And as he saw him with Daisy, he dashed over.

    ¡°Daddy!¡±

    ¡°Thank goodness! You found my son!¡±

    ¡°Happy to help! But please be more careful with him in this part of town. A car almost hit him!¡± Daisy handed the boy to his father.

    ¡°My god! We¡¯ll be more careful, I promise! Thanks again!¡±

    The father quickly left with his son, hugging him tightly, teary-eyed. As they went, Daisy looked at them, depressed, seeing the boy clinging lovingly to his father. Her father, Joseph, had died when she was the boy¡¯s age, and seeing the two reopened old wounds.

    ¡°Oh, Pa!¡±

    Daisy swiftly spotted a military recruitment poster for the war against the Nemesis. She looked at her skinny arms, letting out a deep sigh. Despite wanting to help, Daisy knew of her unfitness for duty. Continuing her journey with her depression.

    Later, in the lily boutique, Daisy worked hard with a sewing machine. But focusing on work, Aisha, a Kansas beauty of twenty with long dark hair, a slender, curvy body, and smooth brown skin, appeared in front of her like lightning! However, her disconcerting smile <mark>outshined</mark> her <mark>midwestern</mark> beauty, shocking Daisy out of her seat!

    ¡°Aisha, you scared me half to death!¡±

    ¡°Well, sorry, but you need to look at this,¡± Aisha said.

    Aisha gave Daisy a piece of paper, and her eyes widened with shock, seeing the information on it.

    ¡°This is the hugest order we¡¯ve ever had! W-who did you have to kill to get this?¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Aisha blushed red.¡±Nobody! I just promised the guy a favor!¡±

    As Daisy saw Aisha¡¯s rosy cheeks, her jaw dropped in disbelief, thinking her old friend did the obscene! But her disbelief quickly changed to rage as she tore the paper in two.

    ¡°Daisy, what the heck?¡±

    ¡°My friend, you may have had good intentions. But I swear on my Pa¡¯s grave, this business will not get ahead giving those types of favors!¡±

    ¡°Even if said favor is becoming the personal boutique of one of the wealthiest families in America?¡±

    ¡°What? How?¡±

    ¡°I showed them your work! Obviously!¡±

    Shock covered Daisy¡¯s face, but she quickly broke into a laughing fit! They hugged each other tightly, cheering at the top of their lungs. The sounds of happiness quickly drew the third business partner into the room. Belle, twenty-two, with a slender, curvy body, smooth fair skin, and maroon hair, hurried over to them.

    ¡°Can I take all this cheering for good news?¡±

    ¡°We have great news, big sister,¡± Daisy said.

    ¡°Long story short, we¡¯re going to be rich, chief!¡±

    As Belle heard Aisha, she grew a big smile and cheered twice as loud as she and Daisy did before. She tackled the two to the floor, hugging them. And on the ground, they gripped each other tightly, laughing together like innocent little girls!

    Hours later, the sunset as the women locked up the boutique. As they left the boutique, a beautiful Porsche 356/2 <mark>Gm¨¹nd</mark>Cabriolet drove up to them! Inside the car was the type of man only a nun could resist! Carter, twenty-two, <mark>caucasian</mark>, muscular with dark hair, rushed out of it towards Daisy.

    Carter was Daisy¡¯s lover for the past two years. They met not long after she and her sisters left their small town. He was running an errand for his sister to ask the fledgling company to make a suit of clothes for a job interview. When Carter first entered the boutique and saw Daisy on the sewing machine, it was like the mythic true love. He could tell the feeling was mutual, but Daisy, coming from her conservative family, was too shy. So, he opted to wait it out, concocting any excuse to visit her until she was ready.

    ¡°Come here, beautiful!¡± Carter picked up Daisy in his arms, spinning her around, making her laugh at the top of her lungs!

    Carter kissed Daisy with spirit in front of Aisha and Belle. The two shared a look of discomfort at the couple¡¯s public display of affection! But Aisha went as far as to cover her eyes from the moment!

    ¡°Sissy, I accept that you have a handsome man, and I don¡¯t. But can you not rub it in our faces,¡± Belle asked.

    ¡°Sorry, big sister!¡±

    ¡°No need to get snappy at your sister, Belle! It¡¯s my fault. I had the best day, and when I saw her gorgeous face, I couldn¡¯t help it!¡±

    ¡°The best day? Carter, does that mean you got the job?¡±

    Carter nodded yes.

    ¡°I knew you could do it! And this happened on our anniversary. What good luck!¡±

    A look of shock swept across Carter¡¯s face.¡±Look, red, with everything going on, I forgot!¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s okay! I know things are stressful right now!¡±

    Later, in Carter¡¯s car, they waved to Aisha and Belle goodbye. As they waved back, Daisy spotted a box of chocolates and a bouquet of sunflowers in the backseat.

    ¡°Carter, who are those chocolates and the bouquet of my favorite flowers f¡­ I bet you think you are pretty funny, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Why yes, I do!¡±

    Carter started the car and drove off into the city with Daisy.

    Later, Daisy and Carter walked to Sir Justin Park, holding hands with a full picnic basket. Two beautiful women walking by started staring at Carter, and he winked at them. Both of their cheeks blushed red, and they quickly walked away. As Daisy saw this, she let go of his hand.

    ¡°Come on, red, I was joking around! You know I would never do that to you!¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Yes! It was a stupid joke! Say the word, and I¡¯ll never do it again!¡±

    Daisy let out a deep sigh. ¡°There are thousands of girls more beautiful than me, and they all want you! So why do you stay with me?¡±

    ¡°Because I love you more than anything!¡±

    Carter quickly grabbed Daisy¡¯s hand and dragged her to the park with their picnic items. He pulled her to their favorite spot under a colossal oak tree, and Daisy grew a big smile.

    A few minutes later, Daisy and Carter picnicked under the oak tree. And they made out like there was no tomorrow! But as he grew more aggressive, Daisy pushed Carter away as she realized where things were heading!

    ¡°Control yourself, man! Children go to play in this park!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, red, but in my defense, you are gorgeous!¡±

    As she heard Carter, Daisy started to laugh, but she stopped when she spotted a soldier missing an arm walking by. Daisy quickly grew a depressed expression, and when Carter saw her, he made her look him in the eye.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Every day, I see brave men and women sacrificing to help stop that brutal fiend <mark>Mavor</mark>! I mean, you¡¯ll be leading the attack against <mark>darkhold</mark>. I wish I could help, but I¡¯m too weak to be a warrior! How could I? Since I was too weak to go into business alone!¡± Daisy punched her forehead. ¡°I hate myself!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that! Besides, you can help!¡±

    ¡°By what, sewing a dress? While <mark>Mavor</mark> holds a gun to everyone on the planet!¡±

    ¡°What I mean is there are so many things you can do! Why does it have to be fighting?¡±

    ¡°You can talk! You¡¯re a great warrior!¡±

    ¡°Red, there¡¯s nothing great about war!¡±

    ¡°I mean, you¡¯re strong enough to do something! Thousands are dying. But I¡¯m too weak to do something, anything!¡± Daisy shed tears.

    ¡°Enough! You¡¯re the strongest person I know. Being with you, I got to know your inner strength! I feel inspired to fight a thousand wars just from knowing you!¡±

    ¡°Do you mean that?¡±

    Carter nodded yes, and as Daisy saw it, she burst into a crying fit, kissing him.

 CHAPTER TWO-Goodbye!

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 CHAPTER THREE- To be a slave!

    Daisy was on board Morana''s spaceship within a few minutes. Inside, Daisy was overwhelmed by the sight of the alien technology with its many different colors and sounds. But as she took it in, the nemesis soldiers dragged her out of the room. They quickly tossed her onto the floor of a sterile, cold, and colorless prison cell with only one small window.

    As they locked her prison cell and left, Daisy struggled back to her feet. But the place started to shake, and from morbid curiosity, she looked out the window to see why. Daisy saw the spaceship blast off in a flash! With every passing second, the planet was further out of view until barely a minute later, all she saw was pitch-black space peppered by the stars! Dropping to her knees in shock, a shock that would have driven a weaker person mad with despair, seeing the outside.

    "Oh, heavenly father, I need your help now more than ever!"

    Daisy clasped her hands and bowed her head for a prayer!

    "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. Leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name''s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Amen!"

    As she finished her prayer, Daisy got off the floor and into her bed, a cold metal slab with an old torn-up pillow. The hard slab made her body shiver and her back ache. Hours ran by as she stared at the colorless ceiling. But she finally fell asleep.

    A Day later, the nemesis soldiers entered Daisy''s cell and pulled her out of bed. As she dropped to the floor, they threw a plain white dress and black slippers on her face!

    "You have five minutes to put those on, slave! We will be waiting outside until then!"

    Five minutes later, Daisy traversed the new planet with Morana. As they departed the spaceship, Daisy was at a loss for words as she saw Placentia. It was a Nemesis Colony, much like their plans for Earth. The world where the past and future met in a strange and harmonious union! Architecture ripped straight out of Ancient Rome, but spaceships of every make and model littered the sky! And hovering above it all was a pitch-black structure, a giant flying castle that cast a shadow over the land!

    As they went through the city, the people immediately cleared a path for the nemesis, allowing a straight line to their destination. They passed through several vending markets. The sellers bowed their heads, presenting baskets of their wares to the soldiers in hopes one would buy them. Having grown up in a farming community, Daisy was overwhelmed by the numerous unfamiliar sights and smells of the alien vegetables. But something soon drew her attention away from them. She saw another slave girl wearing clothes like hers beaten by Nemesis soldiers in the street. The site ignited her compassion and fear as she wondered if she was next.

    But Soon, Daisy reached Morana''s giant mansion. From what she overheard from the soldiers, Morana hailed from an illustrious family. The Blights had gained a reputation for producing many of the Nemesis¡¯s most devastating fighters. Daisy wondered if Morana was a part of that legacy. Her decadent lifestyle and desire for the finest clothing would suggest no. However, she needed to be sure she could overpower her captor and run for freedom when they were alone.

    As they walked through the lavish building, Morana guided Daisy into a massive sewing room and threw her some fabric.

    Daisy looked at it in amazement! "This fabric is beyond gorgeous! How many dresses do you want me to make from this?"

    "Five! And I want them by tomorrow!"

    Daisy took a deep breath."Okay, I''ll get it done, Morana!"

    "Get this through your head right now. You are only to address me as your mistress! Do you understand, slave girl?"Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Yes!"

    Morana pulled on Daisy''s ear harder, making her scream at the top of her lungs!

    "Yes, mistress!"

    Morana released Daisy''s ear, walking to the doors.

    "Make sure to do a good job, slave girl! Your predecessor made the mistake of giving me subpar work, and I had to revoke her arm privileges!"

    As Morana left the room, Daisy took a deep breath and got to work immediately! She found paper, a ruler, and a pencil and drew like the wind. Creating a hundred high-quality clothing designs one after another within seconds!

    Later in the morning, Morana returned to the sewing room and was shocked by dozens of gorgeous dresses ready for her to wear.

    "Slave girl!"

    As she heard Morana, Daisy rose from a pile of clothing fabric half-awake."Present, mistress!"

    "I told you to make five! Why are there so many spares?"

    "Well, I intended to make five, but after completing the initial set, I was unhappy with my work. So I continued making improved versions until I reached about twenty!"

    ¡°And you expect me to choose?¡±

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡±

    Morana looked through the dresses, and her eyes widened with amazement at the incredible quality of each one. And especially by the blue dress in front of her.

    "These must be some of the most beautiful clothes in the galaxy!" Morana thought.

    "Mistress, is my work to your liking?"

    Morana looked at Daisy with contempt. She was more than satisfied but didn¡¯t want to give a lesser being too much praise. The less she believed she was worth something, the better.

    "The clothes are adequate, slave girl! So you may live!"

    Hours later, the sun began to set over Placentia. However, as the city fell asleep, Daisy was wide awake. In Morana''s sewing room, Daisy was a one-woman boutique filling the room with splendid dresses. But as the night came, Daisy finally stopped her inhuman production, dropping to the floor, exhausted. She spotted the four moons of the planet outside through a window. And Daisy let out a deep sigh, seeing them. Each one reminded her of those she loved the most, wondering if they were still well.

    "Ma, Aisha, Belle, Carter," Daisy said.

    A week later, Daisy walked through the city with Morana.

    "Listen well, for I will not repeat myself, slave girl! An old friend at the Colosseum has cashed in a favor. She has an assignment on earth and has use for your skills. You are to obey every order she gives as if it was from me! Is that understood?"

    "Earth! Maybe with luck, I can hightail the first chance I get!" Daisy thought.

    Taking too long to answer, Morana swiftly grabbed Daisy by the neck, making her look her in the eye!

    "Yes, mistress, I understand completely!"

    Morana tossed Daisy aside, and they continued walking toward the Colosseum. As they walked, they soon met a group of homeless begging. However, Morana signaled her soldiers to take care of them. The nemesis soldiers beat the homeless aliens senseless! They threw them around like rag dolls, knocking them out of Morana''s way! As they ran away in fear, Daisy folded her fist, frustrated, looking at Morana with disdain. However, a homeless young boy, a Hachiko, ran up to Morana, crying!

    "Please, mistress, I''m so hungry!"

    Morana looked at the boy scornfully and slapped him in the face, knocking him down! "Worm!"

    As Morana readied to kill the boy with her hand flowing with cold air, someone hit the back of her head with a rock! As Morana looked around for who threw it. "Who dares?" The boy ran away. But a look of shock covered Morana''s face as she saw Daisy with a rock in her hand! However, as she got her answer, shock turned to anger as she walked to Daisy. Every step she took grew a look of sadness onto Daisy''s face as she knew certain death was approaching!

    "Ma, Aisha, Belle, Carter, I''m so sorry, but I''m going to die!" Daisy thought.

    As Morana reached Daisy, she punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground, and went to strangle her neck!

    "You worthless vermin! You meaningless bug! How dare you challenge me and in broad daylight!¡± Morana tightened her grip around Daisy¡¯s neck, inches from snapping it.¡°I want to kill you, but I can''t think of a method quite painful enough!"

    As Morana looked at Daisy, she saw her face bruised and bloody, but even inches from death, it was devoid of fear! Morana''s rage flared more as she noticed. At that moment, she wouldn¡¯t be satisfied simply killing Daisy. Her death had to be slow, painful, and humiliating, but she was at a loss on what torment to inflict. However, as she gazed at the Colosseum ahead, she grew a sinister smile.

    Morana dragged Daisy through the corridors of the Colosseum, still holding her neck! They quickly reached the doors to the gladiator barracks, and as the guards opened them, Morana threw Daisy inside!

    "Welcome to your new home, slave girl! Enjoy your suffering and rest in pieces!"

    Morana quickly shut the door and left! A tall figure watched Daisy as she struggled to stand from his cell. A warrior who has seen the worst of war. One whose old gladiator armor and many scars told a sad story of violence and bloodshed. Everton Blak, now an adult, was a muscular dark purple nemesis that looked dead inside!

    "Whoever you are, I would move from that spot rather quickly," Everton said.

    Daisy swiftly learned what Everton was warning about as a big table flew at her! She ran out of harm''s way but soon looked on in horror as the gladiators started a riot! They tore into each other with savage fury, beating one another senseless with everything that they could find and even starting a fire.

    A gladiator got thrown near Daisy unconscious, and she ran to Everton for safety, but he signaled her to stop.

    "Little girl, I am not a bodyguard! The warning I gave you was out of pity, and now I have no pity left!"

    As Daisy heard Everton, she looked around frantically for another refuge. And she quickly found it in an empty cell. Daisy dashed to the cell at top speed, locking the door with a key from the ground. But as the carnage outside continued, she curled up into a ball, breaking down crying on the floor!

 CHAPTER FOUR- A warrior, at last!

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 CHAPTER FIVE- The Colosseum

    One year later, Daisy stripped butt naked, getting into her new gladiator armor with Everton standing guard behind her. Everton watched the entrance to the chamber without turning around, protecting her from curious eyes.

    "I can''t believe how fast time flies. I hope Carter and everyone else is doing okay!"

    "I wouldn''t worry about your lover or anyone else right now. Some old friends managed to send me a message. We need to survive the event today!"

    "I understand, but I''m just worried about something! And I know it''s stupid, but-"

    "But what?"

    "What if Carter moved on with a woman more beautiful than me? Everton, there are thousands of them!"

    "Daisy, as much as I dreaded having this conversation with Evelyn!¡± Everton groaned. ¡°You are a beautiful young woman, and any man who meets you would-"

    Everton spotted some curious individuals walking by the chamber. Two male gladiators caught a glimpse of Daisy''s naked body. They closed in for a better look, but Everton picked up a large rock and crushed it with one hand! It was a warning to tell them to move any further and lose something precious! And as they saw his warning, they both ran away in fear!

    As Daisy finished dawning her armor, she ran to Everton and hugged him. "I''m ready for action, teacher!"

    "I hope so!"

    A few minutes later, the sun shined brightly over the Colosseum. It overflowed with spectators, but in the Ima cavea, there were two special ones. Cymbeline was a tall, skinny, light purple nemesis. He was one of the primary generals in the Nemesis army and the grand overseer of the colonies like Placentia. He looked close to death with his thin body, but his eyes filled with life as he guided his guest, Morana, to her seat beside him. As he saw Morana wearing the blue dress Daisy made, he couldn¡¯t help but look at her from top to bottom.

    "By the emperor, she''s even more beautiful than usual today!" Cymbeline thought.

    Morana saw Cymbeline staring at her, and she made him look her in the eye, giving him a sultry smile.

    "Cymbeline darling, it''s rude to stare at a lady!"

    "I''m sorry, but you look even more gorgeous than usual. I think it''s your blue dress. You should take care of whoever made it!"

    "Why, thank you!¡± Morana giggled, believing Daisy was dead, killed in combat, or raped by the gladiators.¡±And rest assured I did!"

    Cymbeline pressed a button on his seat, and holographic panels with the gladiator''s faces appeared before him and Morana.

    "Well, my friend, let''s have some fun! These panels have all the information you need to bet on a gladiator. So who do you think will win?"

    "I''m not exactly a gambling woman, but I would say-"

    Morana looked at her panel, and shock swept her face as she saw Daisy''s picture among the gladiators! In a flash, she grabbed Cymbeline''s neck, crushing his windpipe, and forced him to gaze at her picture!

    "What is the meaning of this? Why is the slave girl still alive? What type of Colosseum are you running?"

    "S-she rose through the ranks somehow, but if I knew you wanted her dead, I would have done it myself! I''ll correct this mistake right now!"

    Morana let go of Cymbeline''s neck, growing a sinister smile. "No, let''s see how this plays out. What plans did you make for this event?"

    "Well-"

    "Because they don''t matter. I''m in charge now!" Morana interrupted.

    Later, the gladiators marched onto the Colosseum field. And they gathered around a big pile of weapons. Daisy grabbed a circular shield from it while Everton took a battle axe.

    "Everton, please remind me. What is this event about again?"

    "We will be fighting a havoc ghoul! Whoever lasts the longest against the creature will be deemed the Colosseum champion!"

    "H-havoc ghoul?"

    "A ghastly abomination of creation. The best advice I can give you is to be wary of the poison spikes!"

    A holographic display appeared in midair and showed Cymbeline and Morana to everyone. As they saw them, Daisy and Everton shared a look of shock!

    "Morana?"

    "Daisy, this changes everything! The ice hag will never let you leave this event alive! You''ll have to fight to kill to survive!"Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    "No, Everton! Pa always said when you make a promise to yourself or god, you better follow it! And no matter what she throws my way, I won''t disregard what he taught me!"

    Feedback from a microphone traveled through the air, and Morana began to speak for all to hear.

    "Dear citizens of Placentia, my dear friend Cymbeline has granted me control of the festivities. I know you were looking forward to a battle with a havoc ghoul, but I had a brilliant idea. Instead of one horrible beast, why not all of them?"

    A pair of gates on the Colosseum field hastily opened, and pupils of every shape, size, and color pierced the darkness inside. Beasts of varying shapes and sizes charged at the gladiators with savage bloodlust! But as Daisy saw the murderous horde charge, her face was devoid of fear, and she stood ready to meet the challenge!

    The gladiators and the beasts met in a violent impact! The two groups shredded each other with savage fury. Bodies flew all over the field as they struggled for survival!

    An ape-like beast swiftly pounced on Daisy. As large spikes sprang from its fists, like knuckledusters, Daisy hid behind her shield. The spikes pierced the shield and nearly stabbed her in the face, but the beast got stuck in it as it tried to pull free. Daisy forced the beast to the ground, where it flailed violently to escape, but she knocked it unconscious with a punch to the face!

    Daisy broke free of the beast but spotted another charging at her. Its horns aimed straight at her heart. Daisy ran from the beast at top speed, but it closed the distance in seconds. However, she ran towards a wall, and inches before it impaled her with its horns, she backflipped over the creature off the wall! The beast ran into the wall, plunging its horns deep inside, getting stuck. And Daisy bashed her shield in its face, knocking it unconscious!

    Daisy took a moment to relax, but it quickly ended as she saw her fellow gladiators run away in fear. She soon learned what could instill such terror into hardened warriors as she met the havoc ghoul!¡±God, help me!¡± A giant bat-like creature, covered in hundreds of spikes, shook the Colosseum field with one stomp of its foot, knocking Daisy down.

    "Good god," Daisy said.

    The havoc ghoul swiftly picked Daisy up in its claws, opening its hideous mouth, preparing to consume her! But as she neared her doom, Everton hit the back of its head with a stone support beam! It dropped her to the ground. And Daisy gave Everton a thumbs up, but as the havoc ghoul became steady, he directed her to her shield.

    Daisy dashed to her weapon.¡±Right!¡±

    Daisy quickly grabbed her shield and used it as a refuge from the rain of the havoc ghoul''s spikes. But as the projectiles stopped, Daisy charged at the creature. However, the havoc ghoul readied to strike her with its claw. But Everton disoriented it with another blow to the back of the head with the support beam!

    Daisy jumped up the havoc ghoul to its face, hitting it in the eye with her shield! The combined efforts of her and Everton¡¯s attacks finally knocked the creature unconscious. She dropped to the ground, struggling to stand up, but Everton came, helping her. And Daisy hugged him as thanks, he reciprocated, but the happy moment was interrupted as the holographic display appeared, and they saw Morana.

    Morana looked at the aftermath of the battle, her face seething with rage as she saw Daisy still alive. But her anger quickly changed to a wicked smile.

    "Dear citizens of Placentia, after watching the incredible performance of our gladiators, I think they deserve a special treat. A new contest where the survivors here will battle each other, and I will judge the winner to decide what prize they deserve, starting now!"

    As Morana started the new contest, Everton saw a gladiator charging Daisy with his sword. He shoved her out of the way before she could be decapitated! But as the gladiator kept swinging his blade at her, Everton got punched in the face and knocked away from aiding Daisy by another gladiator.

    The gladiator swung his blade wildly at Daisy, and she narrowly dodged each strike. But Daisy swiftly broke through the flurry of deadly blows and bashed the side of his face with her shield, knocking him out. However, another gladiator tackled her to the ground!

    Everton struggled to break free of his opponent''s headlock. But as he saw the gladiator holding his blade over Daisy about to stab her, he elbowed his opponent in the stomach! And as Everton broke free, he punched him unconscious, lifting him like a rag doll.

    "Daisy!" Everton shouted with desperation.

    As Daisy heard Everton and saw him hold up his opponent, she put her feet on the gladiator''s stomach, kicking him forward. And before he could do anything else, Everton tossed his opponent at him, knocking him unconscious!

    Everton ran over to Daisy, and the spectators screamed as they came together.

    "Fight, fight, fight!" The spectators screamed in unison.

    As Daisy heard the spectators, she looked around the Colosseum field and saw the bodies of her adversaries, either dead or unconscious.

    Daisy grew a look of bewilderment. "Everton, who do they expect us to fight? There''s nobody left!"

    "Daisy," Everton said, telling her to acknowledge the obvious answer, each other.

    Daisy gazed at Everton, realizing the answer. "No, I won''t do it, not even for my freedom E-"

    Everton signaled Daisy to stop talking. And he clutched his chest in pain. He dropped to the ground, and Daisy hurried over to aid him.

    "Everton, are you okay?"

    "I''m fine, Daisy. The injuries from our battles are just taking their toll!¡± Everton gave Daisy a playful wink. ¡°And since you outlasted even me, you won. You are the Colosseum champion!"

    A look of shock swept her face as she heard Everton, and her jaw dropped in disbelief as she saw the spectators celebrating her victory!

    "Champion, champion, champion!" The spectators screamed in unison.

    In the Ima cavea, Cymbeline shared a look of shock with Daisy at her victory, but it quickly turned to rage.

    "Silence! General Morana still hasn''t made her judgment!"

    As the spectators became as quiet as a grave, all eyes went to Morana.

    "Morana, what prize do you deem the human worthy of?"

    "Death!" Morana shouted.

    As they heard Morana, the spectators went crazy, booing and moaning as they started throwing food in her direction.

    "Let her live! Let her live! Let her live!" The spectators screamed in unison.

    On the Colosseum field, Daisy trembled with anxiety.

    "Everton, if I want to see my loved ones again, I''ll have to fight through Morana and half her army, won''t I?"

    Everton stood up, kindly rubbing Daisy''s head. "No child. We''ll have to fight through her and half her army. So much for my old friends!"

    Suddenly, a flash of light happened over their heads. Two Nemesis ships came crashing onto the field, exploding, and a black plume of smoke swallowed the Colosseum. Everyone shared a look of shock at the spaceship as the smoke dissipated. It hovered before the Ima cavea as it unloaded its ammunition at Morana and Cymbeline in a brilliant blaze of glory!

    "Everton, what in god''s name is this?"

    "I believe, old friends, making good on a promise!¡±

 CHAPTER SIX- Escape!

    In the Ima cavea, the only thing that Morana and Cymbeline could make out was the screams of terror from the spectators. But quickly, they saw a vague figure, and as the smoke dissipated around it, they shared a look of shock at a spaceship right in front of them!

    "A United Planets ship!"

    "What the c-"

    In a flash, Lucas, the pilot, fired a missile in their faces! As the projectile flew at them, Cymbeline ran before Morana and summoned a firewall to protect her. But the explosion still sent them flying into the wall behind them, burying them under a pile of rubble!

    On the Colosseum field, Daisy looked at what the spaceship did with shock and disbelief.

    "Everton, what in god''s name is this?"

    "I believe, old friends, making good on a promise!"

    Quickly, the spaceship went to the Colosseum field and hovered just above it. As its doors opened, Sarah came out in a hurry.

    "What are you waiting on? Get in this ship now!" Sarah shouted.

    Daisy and Everton dashed for the spaceship, but Morana burst out of the rubble, enraged! And as she saw them escaping, she unleashed her icy death beam, a wave of pure coldness, at them with a furious roar! Daisy and Everton narrowly dodged the attack as it left an iceberg in its wake. Everton saw Daisy shiver on the ground from the cold, but fearing another strike, he tossed her at the spaceship. Daisy screamed as she flew through the air, crashing into the ship as Everton followed in.

    "I have so many booboos," Daisy said.

    The spaceship took off, and Morana fired more shots at it. However, thanks to Lucas''s skillful flying, the spaceship dodged them and cleared a path for escape, unloading a salvo of plasma bolts at Morana with its guns. As she evaded, the ship was home-free! But as they escaped the Colosseum, Morana let out a roar of pure fury. And a pair of demonic black wings sprouted from her back as she took flight after it!

    Daisy and Sarah spotted Morana through a window as the ship flew away.

    "By the lord, in heaven!"

    "Lucas, turbo boosters now!"

    Lucas continued to fly at his speed. Morana closed the distance as she shot death beams. They narrowly dodged each attack, but Morana got inches away from murdering them, preparing to fire one that eclipsed the sun¡¯s light! However, Lucas finally activated the turbo boosters. And the fire from the spaceship''s rockets hit Morana in the face as it booked through the air!

    Morana quickly used her ice, extinguishing the flames burning her face. She searched through the skies frantically for the spaceship. But she hastily lost them as the trail in the clouds blew away from the wind. Enraged nearly to madness, Morana released her loudest roar, starting an early winter! With colossal ice blasts, she altered the weather of that area as mountains of snow and jagged hail rained from the sky!

    Later, in the void of space, the ship approached a planet of vast jungles and began entering its atmosphere. It quickly flew toward a titanic tree. Inside, Daisy watched its approach toward the tree through a window as it entered its hollow. Her eyes widened with amazement as she saw that hidden inside a massive military base occupied its space!

    ¡°Everton, where are we?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a United Planets base hidden somewhere close to Placentia off Nemesis territory!¡±

    ¡°United Planets?¡±

    As the ship did final landing checks, Everton took the time to explain what the United Planets were to Daisy. They were a coalition of worlds formed sometime after the first galactic war. Their goal was to ensure such a conflict never happened again by giving members equal say in economic matters. In the beginning, their numbers totaled about ten. However, faced with the shared doom of Mavor¡¯s war, it now stood well over four hundred!

    Soon, the ship landed, and everyone exited from it.

    "Oh, lawgiver!¡± Lucas began a psychotic laughing fit, dropping to the ground.¡±I guess it''s not our time to die yet!"

    "It appears so, boy! May I ask your name?"

    "Of course, sir! I''m Lucas Fortis! I¡¯m one of the United Planets'' newer pilots!¡±

    "Thank you so much! You were so brave," Daisy said.

    As Lucas saw Daisy''s beautiful smiling face, his cheeks blushed red. "I-it was nothing! A-all in a day''s work for a U-"This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    Sarah hit Lucas on the head. "Fortis, you almost got us killed! Why didn''t you turn on the turbo boosters when I told you?"

    "Because I wanted to catch Morana in the backdraft. She would have followed us if I didn''t! Sarah, I''m so sick of you! Ten successful aerial drops and ten successful attacks, but all I get from you is criticism!"

    "Cause you''re cocky, sloppy, and sure to get yourself killed!"

    "Okay, look-"

    Without warning, Lucas and Sarah stopped their battle, standing at attention, and shock washed over Daisy, wondering how they could change so swiftly. But her answer came as Orion Maximus approached them. Daisy''s eyes widened with amazement as she saw him. A figure of honor that towered over even Sarah and Everton. A metal man of crimson red and pure white, a living machine with a soul and blue eyes overflowing with humanity!

    "Enough! You two sound no different than an old married couple! ¡±Orion quickly spotted Daisy staring at him. "Hello there!"

    "H-hi!"

    "Daisy, this is one of the old friends I mentioned. Orion Maximus, the leader of the United Planets'' army!"

    "It''s an honor to meet you, sir!"

    "I feel honored to help such a brave girl! You remained strong through so much, so how about we send you back to earth as quickly as possible?"

    As Daisy heard Orion, she cried, nodding yes.

    A few minutes later, they made their way across the base. They walked across a busy room, and Daisy looked at Everton and Orion, having a friendly chat. Seeing them together, she had a thousand questions. She worried many of them were highly inappropriate, but as curiosity got the best of her, she took the chance.

    Daisy took a deep breath."Excuse me, Orion, you and Everton have been friends for a long time?"

    "Why, yes! I can''t tell you how many emotions I went through when we received the intel he was alive!"

    "I know how this is going to sound, but-"

    "How did I become friends with a nemesis? In a time when most of the galaxy sees them as the ultimate enemy!" Orion interrupted.

    Shame swept across Daisy''s face, but she nodded yes to his question.

    "It was many years ago when he came to us. He said he saw through the lies Mavor was spreading among his people. However, he couldn''t beat that tyrant alone, so I gave him a chance. And from that chance, I learned an invaluable lesson. For freedom to prevail, all people must stand with, not against each other!"

    The group stopped moving, and Orion directed Daisy to a spaceship nearby.

    "Daisy, please enter that ship and follow the pilot''s instructions, and you''ll be home in no time!"

    "Thank you all so much! And it was such a pleasure meeting you!"

    "The pleasure was ours," Orion said.

    "Yeah, goodbye," Lucas said.

    "See ya, human," Sarah said.

    The three walked off, leaving Everton with Daisy. Daisy looked at the spaceship with a happy smile, but as she turned her gaze to Everton, she hugged him.

    "Come with me back to earth!"

    "What?"

    "Carter and I would love to host you! You would feel right at home!"

    "The offer is tempting, but I have to stay here!¡± Everton took a deep breath. ¡°You made me see that regardless of my prior misfortunes, there is still work for me to do in this army!"

    "But-"

    "But nothing! Live your life the best you can, and it will grant me the peace of mind to fight at my best!" Everton interrupted.

    Daisy kissed Everton on the cheek. "But still, please find time to visit soon. Goodbye, Everton!"

    Daisy waved Everton goodbye, and he reciprocated. And as he did she hurried over to the spaceship, preparing to enter, opening its door.

    "Oh, no," Orion said.

    As Daisy heard Orion, she stopped trying to enter the spaceship and turned her gaze to him.

    "Boss, what''s wrong?" Sarah asked.

    "I just received an emergency message from General R¨®ngy¨´. He won''t be able to help us on the mission! He and his forces are currently in combat against a nemesis ambush!"

    "By the lawgiver!"

    "What about the other two?"

    "They are both overrun with other assignments. I can''t ask them to spare even one soldier right now!"

    As she heard them, Daisy started to walk over but stopped. Whatever their trouble, it wasn¡¯t her problem. She had endured enough pain. She had been away from her loved ones long enough! Daisy forced herself back to the spaceship, preparing to enter. Her hand trembled like a leaf, moving toward the ship''s door. But as she tried to open it, her arm gained a life of its own, refusing her commands.

    Daisy was a woman at war with herself. She wanted to stay and help the United Planets. She wanted to contribute to defeating the Nemesis empire and liberating their victims. But her second mind wanted to be with Carter and the others far away from the battle. If only she were still weak. If only she could forget the martial arts Everton taught her. Daisy could excuse her selfish desires!

    However, in desperation, Daisy repeatedly punched her arm to make it obey! But her selflessness won the war within her. Daisy slowly stopped punching herself, slamming her head on the door. She cried a river of tears, but she released the door. And as she wiped away her tears, she hurried over to Orion and the others.

    "Excuse me, Orion, firstly I would like to thank you for your kind offer, but I changed my mind. Please let me enlist in the United Planets'' army and help you on your mission!"

    A look of horror swept across Everton''s face as he heard Daisy."No! I forbid it!"

    "Daisy-"

    "Orion, Everton taught me how to fight when we were in the Colosseum!" Daisy interrupted.

    "I was going to ask, what about the earth? You surely have loved ones to attend to there!"

    "I do, but this is important! For the greater good, I can be patient a bit longer!"

    "Orion, I will not allow this,¡± Everton said.

    "I don''t need you to allow anything! I''m a grown woman, and you''re not my Pa!"

    The horror on Everton''s face was replaced by pain and rage as he heard Daisy.

    Orion gazed at Everton and Daisy as they shared angry faces at one another. But he soon covered his face with his hand from his rising stress as he realized he was low on options for the mission.

    "Daisy, are you certain?" Orion asked.

    "I... am!"

    "Very well then, Sarah, please prepare Daisy for the mission!"

    Sarah hurried over to Daisy. But as she was about to drag her away, Daisy stopped her.

    Daisy reached her hand out to Everton. "Everton, I apologize if I came off-"

    As Daisy''s hand was about to touch Everton''s, he dragged it away. "Foolish, child!"

    Everton marched off from everyone in a rage. As he went by a trolley, he kicked it over! Shock covered Daisy''s face as she saw him. But Sarah swiftly dragged Daisy away. As they left, Daisy glanced back at the spaceship with a depressed expression. However, using immense willpower, she kept her gaze away from the ship. Whatever lay in wait for her, life or death, she wouldn¡¯t hinder the mission with second thoughts!

 CHAPTER SEVEN- dreams and sacrifice

    A few hours later, the United Planets fleet of spaceships raced through the void. Inside the lead ship, A tall, muscular man in gold and white armor concealed his face under his helmet as the soldiers gathered around him. Gancelot, Orion''s second in command, held a meeting of dire importance. And unease filled the air as the soldiers came to their leader.

    "Thank you all for a swift reassembly! I called you back to clear up any miscommunication. This attack must be flawless if it is to succeed!"

    "Vice-Commander Gancelot, is this attack a good idea? We''re not at max fighting strength, so there''s no guarantee we can break through their defenses and secure the target," Sarah said.

    Gancelot let out a mountain of stress with a sigh. "We must try and do more with less. According to your intel, they could destroy the divinus anytime now! And if that happens, I don''t know if we can win this war!"

    "Why isn''t the boss here?"

    "With our forces stretched thin, Orion has departed on another mission! He is overseeing the defense of several valuable locations on the front!"

    Daisy raised her hand to ask a question, and as Gancelot saw her, he signaled her to talk.

    "Vice-Commander, I''m sorry, but I still don''t quite understand. What exactly is the divinus, and why is it so important?"

    "It is a miraculous energy source. Possibly the greatest in this or any galaxy. However, its will refuses to bend to Mavor, so he wants to destroy it!"

    "It''s will? You mean to say it''s alive?"

    "Simply put, it is the only thing that can rival Mavor''s power, and that''s why we must secure it at all costs!"

    Later, Daisy spotted Everton sitting alone in a corner and ran over to him.

    "Everton, I want to apologize for what happened before!"

    "There''s no need to apologize, child! As I said, your kindness is a blessing to others but a curse to yourself!¡± Everton adjusted his seating, turning his back to Daisy. ¡°You see no value in your life. And now I know better than to get involved with fools'' errands!"

    "Pa always said-"

    Everton got up from his seat, turning to Daisy, enraged.

    "To be charitable to a suicidal degree? You''ll die in the name of people you don''t know!"

    "If that''s how you feel, why did you join this army in the first place?"

    "It was because I had a dream long ago. You humans wouldn''t know, but there was a time when war was a distant memory!¡± Everton dropped back onto his seat, exasperated. ¡°I sacrificed everything for that dream. I still remember the happy days with my dear father as a child!¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Daisy held herself, trembling like in a cold breeze as she heard Everton.¡°I never knew you understood my pain so well!¡±

    ¡°Daisy, I see so much of myself in you it hurts you''re like a second d-"

    "A second what?"

    Everton gave Daisy silence as a response, turning his gaze from her. But tired of him not listening to her, she took a deep breath, preparing to continue speaking.

    "I am like you. I share your dream of a galaxy where love and kindness rule. A place where all intelligent life can enjoy the gifts of freedom and lead happy lives!¡± Daisy stooped down, making Everton look her in the eye. ¡°And just as you did before me, I will sacrifice everything for this dream. It''s who I am!"

    Everton took a deep breath and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his daughter''s cushion and showed it to Daisy. "Very well then, here''s a peace offering!"

    Daisy''s jaw dropped in shock and disbelief as she saw the cushion."Your daughter''s pillow! I can''t take it!"

    "Please, indulge me!"

    Daisy slowly took the cushion from his hand and held it close to her heart.

    "Thank you!"

    Suddenly, alarm bells rang, and all the soldiers in the room ran off to prepare for battle. Daisy and Everton joined their comrades as they gave each other a face of determination.

    Later, a squadron of advanced fighters from the United Planets'' fleet began the attack on the planet.

    "Vice-commander, everything looks ready! Beginning attack approach now," Lucas said.

    The squadron, led by Lucas, kept a tight formation, entering the enemy atmosphere! But nearing the Nemesis fortress, dots of purple light peppered the battlefield as enemy turrets prepared to fire, and soon they met with a storm of plasma bolts.

    The United Planets squadron quickly scattered, taking evasive action!

    "Listen, team! I''ll try to draw the attention of those turrets! When you see an opening fire at will," Lucas said.

    Lucas swiftly dived closer to the turrets like he dared death to catch him. Many of their attacks drew towards him! But he navigated through the barrage, dodging the shots. As he got close enough, he bombarded the enemy forces, firing plasma bolts and missiles at the turrets. Lucas left a fiery scar of destruction on the land, a refuge from the rest of the bolts flying through the air. It was an opening for his fellow pilots to dive closer and destroy the remaining turrets so the fleet could land.

    As the blockade of bolts thinned, the remaining squadron quickly reunited into formation, beginning their attack run. The ships dived near the remaining turrets, unleashing a salvo of their guns on the enemy. Together, the squadron widened the scar Lucas left, giving the fleet the room to land.

    "Vice-commander, we''ve cleared a path for you the best we can. You may begin your approach!"

    On the lead ship, Gancelot stood with his soldiers, preparing to join Lucas on the battlefield.

    "Many thanks, Lucas!"

    The lead ship soon landed on the battlefield. Inside, anxiety and the sounds of war filled the air. And as Daisy stood with Everton among their comrades, she sweated a storm.

    "Daisy, I hate to bring this up again, but-"

    "You''re gonna ask about the killing thing again?" Daisy interrupted.

    Everton nodded yes.

    "I''m willing to do it now! We''re still in sick times, but it''s not a game anymore!"

    "Good to hear!"

    Daisy Jumped out of her skin as she saw Sarah grow to a giant size.

    Sarah saw the look of shock on Daisy''s face and giggled."Overwhelmed human?"

    "I''ll never lie. After this, I''ll need a double helping of Ma''s apple pie!"

    The doors opened to the battlefield, and all the soldiers inside hurried out, led by Gancelot!

    "United Planets, maximum overdrive," Gancelot said.

    The United Planets soldiers rammed into the nemesis forces with a fierce clash! Bodies flew over the battlefield as the two factions fought for dominance. Daisy ran into the heat of war, ready to fight. But as the killing on both sides quickly grew, she was in shock. She thought she was ready, but she wasn¡¯t. Daisy underestimated just how deeply ingrained her values were. Daisy still viewed all life as sacred. It was a divine gift that someone should cherish as long as possible. To see such flippant disregard for its sanctity was more than abhorrent, but an existential crisis. So, she stood there watching the battle unfold, stationary and an easy target for the enemy!

 CHAPTER EIGHT- War

    The United Planets soldiers rammed into the nemesis forces with a fierce clash! Bodies flew over the battlefield as the two factions fought to control the divinus.

    Sarah stomped across the Nemesis army, but they retaliated with heavy plasma cannon fire, forcing the giantess back as they hit her shoulder.

    As she saw the carnage, Daisy fell into a daze from being in the heat of war. Never before had she seen such concentrated death and violence! However, lost in thought, a nemesis soldier hurried to decapitate her, but Everton pushed her out of harm''s way. As the soldier attempted to slash him instead, Everton caught his blade, punching him unconscious, and threw his body at his comrades.

    "Daisy, have you lost your senses?¡± Everton vigorously shook Daisy, trying to break her free of her daze. ¡°Forgotten what I taught you about a warrior''s focus?"

    "I''m sorry, but here''s so different from the Colosseum!"

    "You have no idea!"

    "U-understood! I won''t hold anyone back!"

    Daisy struggled to get to her feet. But as she stood, plasma fire blasted her shield from her hand. She dashed for her weapon as she saw Nemesis soldiers incoming. As Everton tried to help, a nemesis soldier punched him, knocking him away from her.

    Daisy reached for her shield, but the soldiers shot her hand. As she dropped to the ground in pain, they trained their guns to kill her, but before they could pull their triggers, Sarah crushed them with her giant hand!

    "I tried to warn you, human. The shield is the weapon of losers! How are you supposed to injure or kill someone with one of those?"

    Daisy giggled at Sarah¡¯s remark but stopped as she spotted cannons aiming at her. "Look out!"

    The cannons hit Sarah in the face as she turned around to see what was coming! She crashed to the ground, barely conscious, shrinking back down. Daisy ran to her aid, but a nemesis soldier punched her in the face, knocking her down. The soldier attempted to stab her with his tyloblade, but she kicked him in the face as he pounced on her.

    Daisy quickly grabbed her shield, and as the soldier lunged to stab her again, landed a throat shot with it! The nemesis soldier fell to the ground as Daisy hit his windpipe, dropping his blade. However, he quickly found a gun lying by the corpse of one of his fallen comrades and unloaded it on Daisy! But she took refuge from the shots behind her shield.

    Daisy charged at the soldier from behind her shield, ramming into him and pinning him to the ground. The soldier tried to shoot Daisy with the gun, but she twisted his wrist, making him drop it. However, he tossed her off, and she lost her grip on her shield as she hit the ground. Daisy and the soldier then spotted the gun on the ground. Without any other means of attack or defense, the gun was the key to victory in their duel. They both dived for it, but the soldier grabbed it first. But as he aimed it at Daisy, she punched him, making him drop it.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Hastily, she grabbed the gun, and before the soldier could do anything, she fired it, killing him!

    "I-I did it!¡± Daisy slowly realized the consequences of her actions as the words left her mouth. ¡°My god, I just killed someone!"

    Daisy gazed at the soldier as he lay dead, and the reality hit her like a brick. A look of horror slowly covered her face, and she dropped the gun. Daisy forced down vomit as the world around her became a fuzzy mess. She staggered through the battlefield until she bumped into another Nemesis soldier. The soldier prepared to kill with his sword. But as he was about to impale her, Everton knocked him unconscious with Daisy''s shield!

    "Everton, I killed someone! What have I done?"

    "You went somewhere the kind and loving should never go, a killing field. You poor confused child, please forgive me for not keeping you away from here!"

    Elsewhere, Gancelot slashed through hordes of nemesis soldiers. Telekinetically directed by his hands, giant glowing cards mowed through them like spinning saw blades across the battlefield! But he soon scanned around and saw his army crumbling, releasing a sigh of pain and frustration. The United Planets soldiers dropped like flies, and their dead bodies started to clutter the ground.

    Gancelot activated his communicator, pressing a button on his wrist."United Planets, I am playing our trump card!"

    As Gancelot gave his order, intense fear washed across the remaining United Planets soldiers. The soldiers quickly abandoned their advance, retreating as fast as possible away from the vice-commander. The healthy ran like the wind. Others carried their injured comrades at a desperate pace.

    As his forces were far enough away, Gancelot raised his hand, and his cards swiftly flew toward him, circling his body. He struck the ground with them, cutting across the land in a circular motion, carving out a great circle, and a titanic shockwave washed across the battlefield! All the nemesis soldiers caught in the card''s destructive path got swatted away like bugs. As he finished the circle, the colossal shockwave grew bigger and bigger, swallowing the battlefield and sending most of the enemy force flying in a monstrous dust devil!

    Daisy and Everton were about to get caught in the strike, but Sarah grasped them with her giant hand! She clutched onto the ground, fighting against the herculean strength of the winds. As she struggled, disbelief covered Daisy''s face as she looked upwards, seeing legions of mighty nemesis soldiers in the sky, falling helplessly to certain death!

    Gancelot collapsed from his Herculean efforts. "Attack with all we have left!"

    The United Planets soldiers took Gancelot''s orders to heart. And they charged the remaining enemies with savage determination. However, as they gained momentum, a fleet of nemesis ships appeared overhead, reinforcing the enemy!

    "Oh, no," Gancelot said, filling with despair.

    The Nemesis ships rained plasma bolts on the United Planets soldiers, and as their infantry landed on the battlefield, they retreated again! Daisy, Everton, and Sarah looked on in horror from the onslaught. But Daisy noticed one of the bolts heading toward them!

    "Sarah, dodge!"

    Sarah spotted the attack and ran away. It missed her, but the shockwaves from its impact sent them all flying. And Daisy, Everton, and Sarah landed on the ground, barely conscious.

    Daisy struggled back to her feet, but the ground started to shake. Swiftly, a massive crack formed from the plasma blast revealed a sewer system leading to the nemesis fortress.

    "Everton, I think there''s still a chance for us to win this! But I need you and Sarah''s help!"

    "Are you sure you can handle more of this carnage?"

    With a moment of thought, Daisy nodded yes with a face of determination. Again, she believed she was ready. But Daisy may have been truthful with herself this time. She was already free of a bit of her naivety, spending a short time on the battlefield. Still, the young woman held her beliefs in the sacredness of life, but now Daisy was pragmatic. Now, she knew running away from the killings would only prolong the defilement. Now, she understood the sacrifices she had to make in the present for the bright future she wanted.

 CHAPTER NINE- The divinus

    The Nemesis fortress was as busy as a bee hive as the personnel hurried to their stations. The divinus''s chamber lay shut as the scientists hurriedly exited it around its thick metal doors. Soldiers left the room in droves to join the battle outside, but the lead scientist jumped out of his skin as he saw them.

    "You can''t leave us in the middle of an invasion!"

    "Be calm, doctor. The invaders are as good as dead. However, my men and I must handle some weak spots!"

    The lead soldier marched off with his men. But as they prepared to leave, the door opened, revealing Daisy, Everton, and Sarah. And Everton was shoving an unconscious nemesis soldier¡¯s face on the DNA security scanner!

    Shock covered the soldier''s face, but before he could do anything, Everton punched him in it, unconscious! As he hurried into the chamber, another soldier drew his Tyloblade, attempting to stab Everton. However, Everton caught his arm, crushing it. And as the soldier screamed, Everton used him as a living flail, knocking more nemesis soldiers away!

    As Everton tossed the soldier at his comrades, another aimed his plasma gun at him. But as he fired, Daisy got in the way with her shield. The blast bounced off it and struck the soldier¡¯s arm. And Daisy rammed into him with her weapon, knocking him unconscious.

    Daisy quickly spotted another nemesis soldier booking towards a big red button, the security alarm, and tossed her shield at him. As he was about to press the button, it hit the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.

    The remaining nemesis soldiers in the chamber charged at them! But Sarah grew to her giant size and smashed them into the floor with one punch, dead!

    "Good work, girls. Now, we must make haste! We stopped them from calling reinforcements, but they''ll learn something is amiss soon!¡± Everton ran to the metal doors, typing away on the security holophone panel. ¡°Daisy, watch my back. And Gigantes girl, look after the scientists!"

    "You got it, and my name is Sarah!"

    "Irrelevant!"

    Sarah looked at Everton, enraged, but still carried out his orders. As he worked with the holophone panel, Daisy stood guard over him.

    On the battlefield, Gancelot lay on the ground surrounded by his soldiers, clutching his chest in pain as one helped him stand.

    His communicator rang, and he answered it.

    "Everton¡­incredible, but you need five minutes?"

    Four minutes later, the nemesis scientists cowered in a corner. Daisy, Everton, and Sarah prepared for trouble as they worriedly stared at the barricaded door to the room with their weapons ready, awaiting nemesis soldiers to burst through.

    "God, we''re sitting ducks. Everton, can''t we pry open the doors to the divinus and have Sarah haul it out of here?"

    "I wish! It''s bound to its shrine, so they go together or not at all!¡± Everton took his gaze off the door, looking at Daisy. ¡°All we have to do is stay alive until the security procedure shuts down, and then we can activate the emergency evacuation!"

    "Emergency-"

    "The entire chamber is prepared for airlift for emergencies like this. When it''s time, Fortis and the other pilots will get it and us out of here!" Sarah interrupted.

    The doors to the room got blasted open in a flash of light! A sea of nemesis soldiers flooded in! Among them were ones wearing sinister-looking black armor with numerous jagged edges, cyber troopers. They were cyborg soldiers, Nemesis warriors that had their physical attributes artificially enhanced through technology.

    One shot a massive blast at Daisy and the others. They barely dodged it, and Sarah retaliated by swatting him with her giant hand. But he shocked her away with an intense energy field, revealing no damage from her attack! As she got knocked back to regular size.

    "E-Everton, what are those metal monsters?"

    "Dr. Zola''s work!"

    A loud alarm went off, and Everton jumped to his feet. "The security system is down! To the divinus, hurry!"

    Daisy, Everton, and Sarah booked for the divinus! But the nemesis soldiers unloaded a salvo at them. As they ran away, one of the shots hit Sarah in the leg, knocking her down. The soldiers aimed their weapons, preparing to kill her, but Daisy saw this and hurried back.

    Daisy shoved Sarah out of harm''s way and readied to die in her place. But Everton grabbed her, tossing her out of the way.

    Daisy was helpless to do anything but watch as Everton was shot multiple times to his body before dropping to the ground a limp husk!

    "No!" Daisy shouted.

    The salvo continued with unrelenting murderous intent, but with her mind in ruins from shock and grief, Daisy ran over to Everton with suicidal abandon. However, as Sarah saw Daisy ignoring the plasma bolts flying by her head, she grew to a giant size and ripped out a portion of the floor to block them.

    "Oh, gracious Heavenly Father, I beg you, don''t take Everton away!"

    "D-daisy, you must finish the mission!¡± Everton pointed his trembling hand to the door. ¡°The emergency evacuation can only work by pressing a large green button on the top of a panel in the chamber!¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "But I can''t just-"

    Quickly, Daisy saw the nemesis soldiers break through Sarah¡¯s defense.

    "Do as he says, Daisy! I''ll hold them back as long as possible. Just run and don''t look back!"

    Pain and frustration covered Daisy''s face, but she reluctantly booked for the divinus. She quickly reached the doors, entering its chamber, but one of the armored soldiers flew past Sarah after her. However, brilliant heavenly light burst from it, knocking him away with a powerful shockwave!

    The trooper quickly stood back up! But as he went to touch the doors, his hand was shocked away by an energy field. And even as he shot at it with his guns, they lay without a scratch! Was the Divinus behind this strange development? Could it be that it was never totally a prisoner? Was it waiting for the right time to play its trump card? But why now?

    Inside the chamber, Daisy looked at the divinus in amazement. However, she quickly spotted the panel with the green button and ran over, hastily pressing it.

    A minute passed, but nothing happened in the chamber. As Daisy noticed, she frantically pressed the button again, but nothing happened.

    As she looked at the panel, she grew an expression of pure rage. Her heart pounded like a drum, her breathing got heavier, and she punched it in a mad tantrum! But as her knuckles became bloody and bruised, she dropped to the floor crying and curled up in a ball.

    "Rise, human child. We have important matters to discuss!"

    Daisy jumped to her feet and looked around the room for the source of the voice she heard. But as she found nobody else in the room, she turned her gaze to the divinus.

    "D-Divinus, are you talking to me? What do you mean by important matters?"

    "I know why you are here. Tell me, human child, why should I give you my power?"

    "W-well, because we''re here on a quest for justice. We need your power to conquer a monstrous evil!"

    "You are not the first to say those words, you know. Countless people before you have demanded my power for weapons and battle strategies to commit murder and called it justice!¡±

    ¡°You have to believe me!¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    Shock swept Daisy''s face, and she got down, bowing to the divinus, touching her forehead on the floor.

    "I understand how you feel about violence since I do, too. But I beg you to help the billions suffering under oppression. I will surrender my very life to convince you!"

    A deafening silence washed over the chamber as Daisy made her ply, but the divinus finally answered.

    "I have examined your words and heart, human child. And you have spoken no lies. You may have my power with two conditions!"

    Daisy jumped to her feet."Thank you! But what are these conditions?"

    "The first is only you will have access to my power. You will become my vessel, an agent of peace and justice. And take on a new name for your rebirth as my proxy. As for the second, you must promise to use my power only for noble ends. Do you agree to these terms?¡±

    Daisy nodded in agreement, and the divinus shot into her body, breaking it apart as she became an amorphous blob of pure light. However, she regained a human form free from all the cuts and bruises her previous self sustained. And armor forged of light surrounded it, a metal dress of blue.

    As she awakened from her rebirth, Daisy looked in amazement at her garments and shield, appearing newly made.

    "I christen you, Damara, Damara the valiant. Now go forth and use my gifts wisely,¡± Divinus said in a dying whisper.

    Daisy looked to the door where Everton and Sarah were with a determined expression.

    Outside, Sarah dropped to the ground, bloody and barely clinging to life. Everton was in the same spot, slowly dying. And nemesis soldiers pointed their guns at them, waiting for the order to kill.

    As the armored soldiers tried to enter the divinus''s chamber, they were shocked away by an invisible force field.

    "Doctor, what is the meaning of this?"

    "I-It must be the divinus!"

    "Yes, but how? I thought you took measures to ensure this doesn''t happen!"

    "We did! It seems even after all our research. We don''t know the full extent of its power!¡± The scientist looked towards the soldier in fear. ¡°But don''t worry. With the emergency evacuation disabled, there''s no escape!"

    A nemesis soldier came to them, pointing to Everton and Sarah. "Sir, can we please put these animals down now?"

    "I will allow them to speak their final words first!"

    "We have nothing to say to you people! Get it over with," Sarah said.

    The lead soldier gave the signal to kill Everton and Sarah. The nemesis soldiers prepared to shoot them dead, and Sarah took a deep breath, readying to meet her doom. But as they were about to pull their triggers, the doors to the divinus burst open with Daisy''s giant shield, smashing through them!

    The soldiers by the doors flew to the other side of the room, unconscious. As the remaining soldiers saw Daisy walk out, they turned their guns away from Everton and Sarah, unloading a salvo at her instead. But telekinetically directed by her index finger, Daisy''s shield came in its path, blocking each strike!

    The shots bounced off Daisy''s shield, filling the room with dust. However, Daisy shrunk it back to size, guiding it toward its targets. It swiftly hit almost all the nemesis soldiers, unconscious, missing the leader. As he saw his comrades defeated, he charged at Daisy, setting up a punch. But she effortlessly caught it and punched him in the gut, unconscious!

    Daisy gently placed her adversary on the floor, appearing before the lead scientist in the blink of an eye!"For the safety of you and your Colleagues. Please get back in your corner!"

    The scientists in the room followed behind their leader back into the corner. As Daisy saw them, she hurried over to Everton and Sarah.

    "Everton, Sarah, thank heaven you''re alive!"

    "Who are you? How do you know our names?"

    "You don''t recognize me?¡±

    At that moment, Daisy realized she had a true rebirth. Her face was no longer the same in her current form.

    ¡±Listen, I don''t have time to explain. But it''s me, Daisy!"

    "Truthfully?"

    Daisy nodded yes to Sarah''s question.

    She tried to pick up Everton, but as she moved him, he screamed in pain!

    "I''m such a fool! Everton, I''m so sorry! I should know better than to move you in this state!"

    "D-daisy, my time is here. Come close so I may speak my final words!"

    "You''re delirious from the pain. Sarah, please watch him while I find help!"

    Daisy tried to leave them, but Everton grabbed her arm. He refused to let her go, and she stopped trying. She knew Everton wasn¡¯t delirious! Even if she could find a doctor, he likely wouldn¡¯t have time to treat such dire wounds. So, she looked at Everton, crying and a piece of her dead inside as she accepted reality.

    "Firstly, please tell Orion he was a good friend. It was an honor having him as a commander. The next thing is you are like my second daughter, Daisy. I was trying to tell you that on the ship!¡± Everton coughed violently.¡°Finally, please promise me you will redeem my greatest failure. My child, you will pursue your dreams and live a long and happy life, won''t you?"

    Everton initiated a pinky promise, and Daisy accepted it.

    "I was so wrong. You are my Pa!"

    As they finished the pinky promise, Everton''s eyes closed, and his breathing stopped. Sarah checked his heartbeat, and her grim face at Daisy confirmed he was dead.

    Daisy''s screams of agony filled the room as she dropped on his corpse in a crying fit. But she quickly went silent. Her misery gave way to fiery rage that rivaled the heat of Prometheus, marching out of the room!

    Outside, the United Planets soldiers and the Nemesis continued their war. However, all their attention went to the fortress as a massive explosion happened. Daisy stood on top of it, emitting a brilliant light, and it quickly swallowed the battlefield, signaling a victory for the United Planets!

 CHAPTER TEN- Hello Damara, goodbye Everton!

A few days later, the United Planets soldiers stood together in a cemetery on the jungle planet. They stood victorious, but after paying a mighty cost. They gazed at the graves of legions of their comrades teary-eyed.

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 CHAPTER ELEVEN-Victory!

    Morana hovered above Daisy and Carter, looking down on them with disdain. The two held their weapons close, wanting to attack but too cautious to make the first move. Never before had they directly faced an opponent so powerful and ruled by hate. But trading sideways glances, they ensured they had each other¡¯s support, preparing to repel any assault. However, finally, Morana attacked.

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 CHAPTER TWELVE-Unite!

    The sun shined brightly on a January morning unlike any other. A vast army of reporters surrounded the United Nations, trying to get a glimpse of the event. But the guards fiercely defended the blockades as they became unruly, shouting, stretching their recording devices over the security limits. However, their desperation wasn¡¯t without reason. The reporters tried to capture recordings of what might have been humanity''s most vital gathering. Above them, spaceships carrying dignitaries from the United Planets, some humanoid and others who couldn¡¯t be more different, soon landed in a designated area.

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 CHAPTER THIRTEEN-The generals

    Daisy and Carter traveled up the colossal tower through the elevator. Daisy could tell that her beloved was still a bit nervous as she saw the anxiety on his face. But as she gently took his hand, it cleared up, replaced by a smile feeling her familiar touch. However, the elevator soon stopped, forcing her to release him as the door opened, revealing Gancelot in his armor, still concealing his face.

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 CHAPTER FOURTEEN-Lilyville

    Two weeks later, on a sunny February day, Daisy drove down a highway through the golden fields of Kansas with Carter in his Porsche 356/2 Gm¨¹nd Cabriolet. With the top down, Daisy''s laughter filled the air as the wind blew through her hair, tickling her scalp. But she stopped seeing the look of abject terror on Carter''s face.

    "C-carter, sweetie, are you okay?"

    "No, red, I don''t think I am! I just realized I''m about to meet your mother for the first time, and I didn''t bring so much as a gift!"

    "Don''t worry about that! Be your usual gentlemanly self, and Ma will love you. I have more to worry about than you!¡± Daisy spotted a mile marker, realizing they were still far from their destination. ¡±Carter, please stop the car!"

    As Carter heard Daisy, he stopped the car in the middle of the highway. And she held his hands as she looked at him with a depressed expression.

    "I''ve been too cowardly to ask, but now it''s do or die. When you all assumed I was dead. How did Aisha and Belle take it?"

    "I wish I could tell you. I learned from Belle when she sent me a letter. And maybe it was wrong, but I didn''t keep in touch with them!¡± Carter took his hand from Daisy, placing it over his face. ¡°When I thought you died, it felt like life didn''t have meaning anymore. Except maybe for finishing the war and getting revenge!"

    "Carter, let''s promise ourselves something right now. No matter what happens in this war. We fight for justice and not revenge!"

    "There''s a difference?"

    Daisy grew a scowl, pulling Carter¡¯s hand from his face to see fury like he had never witnessed before from his lover.

    "Justice is about doing what''s necessary to protect the innocent. However, revenge is getting hedonistic pleasure from inflicting harm on another!"

    As Carter heard Daisy, he looked at her in shock but quickly gave her a nod of acceptance. As she saw him, her scowl disappeared, her usual light-filled smile replacing it.

    Daisy kissed Carter.¡±Let¡¯s keep going!¡±

    Later, the couple gazed at their destination, Lilyville. A small midwestern town in the middle of a vast green field adorned with hundreds of heavenly peace lilies and sunflowers. The scent of the flowers bombarded Daisy with a wave of nostalgia for her upbringing. She looked toward the fields, remembering the community celebrations, the church functions, and family picnics! It was a homely and peaceful land devoid of even the tiniest trace of the violent war outside its border. Almost detached from the rest of time as it marched forward for everywhere else.

    Daisy cried."Home at last!"

    "I''ve never been anywhere like this before. And Daisy, do you hear that?"

    Daisy positioned her ear to listen. "I don''t hear anything but the birds!"Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    "That''s just it! There are no cars, trucks, or people shouting. It''s as quiet as a grave!"

    Daisy giggled."You''ll get used to it, city boy!"

    Daisy took Carter''s hand and led him to her town, cracking a nervous smile. The couple swiftly approached Aisha''s house. Every step Daisy took required herculean willpower, but as she got close, she faltered. However, with one kind look, Carter restored her resolve, and Daisy moved forward. But they stopped again momentarily as Daisy heard two familiar voices, Aisha and her father, Devon, participating in a shouting match!

    "Girl, leave this house and do something with your life!" Devon shouted.

    "Daddy, what''s the point? My best friend is dead, and nothing matters! I wish I died too!"

    Aisha stormed out of her house and slammed the door behind her. She quickly burst out in a rage, beating the door until she broke down crying, a sorrowful mess on the ground! Daisy looked at Aisha, miserable with horror, and hurried over to her friend! She quickly reached Aisha and made her look at her. But as Aisha saw Daisy, she crawled away in fear!

    "My god, a ghost," Aisha said, terrified.

    As Daisy heard Aisha, she took her hands."Feel my hands. I''m alive and well. So please don''t say things like you want to die!"

    Aisha looked at Daisy as if she hadn¡¯t seen her in eternity. Her eyes released a flood of tears, this time ones of joy, and she hugged Daisy tightly. Daisy reciprocated everything Aisha did. And the two young women clung to each other as they became sobbing messes on the ground!

    Later, Daisy walked through the town with Carter and Aisha, heading toward her childhood house. As they made their way to the David family farm, they drew the shocked gazes of the townspeople. And seeing Daisy back from the dead, they all hurried behind her to get an explanation for the miracle.

    Meanwhile, Belle was still in bed even as the afternoon was minutes away. Surviving the deaths of her father and younger sister left her life without meaning. The young woman lost the strength to care for herself. She wallowed in her misery with her unkempt hair, malnourished body, and dirty nightgown in the loose bed sheets.

    She wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her days sleeping. But as Belle tossed and turned, she tumbled off the bed and hit the floor face-first. Belle burst into a crying fit until she heard a commotion outside. Using the last vestiges of her sanity, Belle struggled to her feet and staggered to a window to check. She saw Daisy outside with the crowd of townspeople, and life returned to her dead eyes!

    Belle dashed into the living room to her mother, Mary, on her chair. Mary was the spitting image of Belle but with Daisy''s long, blood-red hair tied loosely at the end in a ponytail. She stared off into space, looking dead inside with her sunken, malnourished cheeks, clutching a frame with Daisy''s baby picture inside as if it were the real thing. Like her daughter, surviving her husband, Joseph, and Daisy¡¯s deaths robbed her of much of her sanity. But Belle grabbed her hand, dragging her out of the living room.

    Outside, Daisy prepared to open the front door. But before she could, Belle and Mary ran out. And life quickly returned to Mary¡¯s face as she saw Daisy before her!

    Mary cried."By the lord in heaven, he raised you from the dead and sent you back to us!"

    "I-I never died, Ma!"

    "What?"

    "It''s a long story, but I managed to escape the nemesis. I wanted to call you all sooner, but things happened!¡± Daisy cried, wiping tears from her eyes. ¡°I am so incredibly sorry for putting you all through this torture. Can you ever find it in your hearts to f-".

    Belle and Sarah swiftly grabbed Daisy, giving her a monstrous hug. They fell to their knees, holding each other tightly, and Aisha burst into tears upon seeing them. But as Mary saw Aisha crying, she dragged her into it.

    "B-but I don''t understand. How can you forgive me so easily?"

    "Sissy, you''re back with us, so nothing else matters!"

    "Your sister took the words right out of my mouth!"

    "Ma, in that case, can you please make some of your delicious apple pie?"

    Mary giggled."Of course, sweetie, anything you want!"

    The family continued to embrace each other more joyously than before. When the townspeople saw them, they burst into celebration. But Carter stood close by quietly, wiping small tears of joy from his eyes, seeing the happy family together.

 CHAPTER fifteen-Welcome home, Daisy!

    As night came, light from the town''s square pierced through the black sky. Lilyville was abuzz with life as the townspeople celebrated Daisy''s return by eating and dancing to the most joyful music. Daisy was in the heart of it, happy as she sat with Belle and Aisha, consuming Mary¡¯s apple pie.

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 CHAPTER SIXTEEN- Goobye, again?

    Later at night, the family went to their old horse stable solitary on the Kansas prairie. For many years, they dared not to step foot on its land. It was here where their beloved Joseph met his doom. With every step forward, Belle and Mary trembled with fear as ghosts of painful memories ran past them. Their minds saw phantom steeds dash away from the burning stable! Among them, Mary ran to the scene only to find Belle, a child, crying over her father¡¯s dead body. And even all these years later, Belle could still feel the hellish heat of the barn on fire.

    Daisy gazed upon the stable with dismay as she saw its dilapidated state. "My god, I still remember Pa working so hard to raise the horses here. Ma, how could you ever think about selling it?"

    "After all these years, I still struggle with Joseph''s death. So when I thought you died, I wanted to be rid of some of my sorrow!"

    "Sissy, why are we out here? So we can relive the day that ruined our lives!"

    "I''m sorry. When I saw the stable, I couldn''t help but ask!¡± Daisy took a deep breath. ¡°The reason why I brought you so far from town is to get away from prying ears. And you can¡¯t find anywhere more solitary than Pa¡¯s place!¡±

    ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Damara the Valiant!"

    Aisha burst out laughing!"Daisy, I love you, but you are not a war hero. I don''t think I''ve ever seen you hurt so much as a ladybug!"

    Daisy looked at Aisha with annoyance as she laughed at her statement. But she swiftly summoned the divinus''s light and emerged from it as Damara! Her family was taken aback by the transformation, especially Aisha, as she fell to her knees, dead silent!

    Mary looked at Daisy in shock."So this is how you survived!"

    "And because of the sacrifices of a good man. Ma, now that you know who I am, you know that-"

    "You''re going back into that killing field! Why?"

    "Because I''m Joseph David''s daughter. And because I made promises, I need to honor them. Ma, there are billions of little girls that are about to lose their fathers!"

    As Mary heard Daisy, she started crying and walked away from everyone else. And Daisy looked at her mother, miserable, speechless, at a loss on how to console her.

    A few minutes later, Daisy lay with Carter on the grass, staring at the starry night sky with Aisha and Belle beside them.

    "Sissy, are you sure you can''t give the divinus thing to someone else?¡± Belle pointed towards Carter. ¡°Like the pretty boy, for example!"

    "No, I''m the only one allowed to use it. I hate putting you through this, but please understand!"

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    "Daisy, we understand, but we still hate it!¡± Aisha got up weeping, slowly wrapping her hands around her neck! ¡°You came back to us, but now you''re leaving for that death trap! If I hear that you died again, I might commit s-"

    "Don''t you dare say that vile word! I will come back alive, and we''ll run our boutique together like planned!" Daisy interrupted.

    As they heard Daisy, the two women shared a look of concern.

    Daisy looked at Belle and Aisha, perplexed."What is it?"

    "The Boutique is dead. We lost all our clients!"

    "How?"

    "After we lost you, our dream seemed so meaningless. So we didn''t have the strength to keep fighting for it!"

    "Let''s promise right now. When I return, we''ll work hard like never before and get our dream back on track!¡± Daisy initiated a pinky promise. ¡°You can expect me to fly down to Pa''s stable early on the first day of March!"

    With her words of assurance, her sisters shook to the core, accepting the pinky promise. But Aisha and Belle started crying as they finished. They hugged Daisy with an unyielding grasp, and she reciprocated!

    "D-daisy, I know this might sound strange, but can you please bring out the horse?"

    Daisy grew a smile."Really?"

    "What can I say? I''m Joseph David''s daughter, too!"

    Daisy giggled but quickly granted Belle''s request, summoning her noble stallion. Playfully guiding her to look to the right with a glance, the horse emerged from the divinus''s light. And he swiftly brushed his nose lovingly against Belle''s face.

    "He''s a handsome boy! Does he have a name?"

    "I like to call him flaremane!"

    Like lightning, a herd of wild horses ran through the prairie. Flaremane saw them and spotted a beautiful mare. The noble stallion became love-struck, preparing to chase after her, drawing everyone¡¯s shocked gazes. But as he started, Carter pulled on his reigns, stopping him.

    "Sorry, horse, but I don''t want to know what will come of that!"

    Flaremane snarled at Carter like a rabid dog, but he looked straight at the stallion with an apathetic expression. And as the girls saw them, they burst into a laughing fit, clutching their stomachs in pain!

    Two days later, Daisy and Carter prepared to leave Lilyville. Carter put his and Daisy''s suitcases in the back of his car. As he finished, Daisy hugged Belle and Aisha goodbye, but her heart skipped a beat as she saw Mary walking towards them.

    As Mary arrived, she looked at Daisy with an apathetic expression. Carter and the girls traded worried looks. She only interacted with them by the barest minimum over the past two days. None of them, not even her daughters, had the slightest guess of what she would say. But Daisy had prepared her defense. The young woman would insist that she loved and respected her mother, but regardless, she still had to leave for the greater good. However, as the words began to exit her mouth, Daisy saw sorrow growing across Mary¡¯s face, stopping her.

    Mary cried as she looked at Daisy."I will pray for you every night until you return, my kind and brave child!"

    "Thank you, Ma!"

    Mary and Daisy hugged each other goodbye, and as they finished, Daisy hurried into the car with Carter.

    "Boy, you''ll protect her with all your might, won''t you?"

    "No need to ask, ma''am! That was the plan!"

    Daisy and Carter waved goodbye as the car drove off. And as they left, the David family watched with teary eyes as their beloved Daisy hurried off to war! Knowing too well that all they could do for her was pray!

    Meanwhile, on Placentia, Mavor landed on the flying castle in his spaceship. The slaves quickly rolled out a long red carpet of the finest fabric before its doors. He departed the vessel with his guards, walking down its path to Cymbeline. He and his soldiers met their emperor, kneeling by the entrance. But as Mavor reached him, he signaled for him to stand. And hastily, he heeded his emperor''s command.

    "A warrior as mighty as you, Cymbeline, should never be on his knees," Mavor said.

    "Thank you, emperor!¡± Cymbeline stood up. ¡°I mean no disrespect, but why are you here? I already sent my report on the status of the colonies. Are you dissatisfied?"

    "On the contrary! There''s something I wanted to discuss with you in person. Please let us go inside!"

 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN-The Shadow hand

    Mavor sat on a massive throne as Cymbeline stood before him. A slave girl, a flora, quickly entered the room with a golden tray and cover. She presented the tray to the emperor, bowing her head and removing the cover. It revealed a glass and a bottle of wine ready for Mavor to consume.

    ¡°Emperor, before we talk business, would you give me the pleasure of sampling our wine?¡±

    ¡°May I ask what kind it is?¡±

    ¡°Oku wine, sir!¡±

    ¡°One of the United Planets bread basket worlds! But our forces in that area-¡°

    ¡°I ordered my soldiers to grab several dozen units of their vineyard seeds and their winemakers during the occupation on the planet. Before that vile pestilence, Damara forced us out!¡±

    ¡°I assume you will have a sufficient supply ready for the Genesis festival next year!¡±

    ¡°Of course, and more! We had significant financial plans for the world, but we¡¯re trying to do more with less!¡±

    Mavor took the glass and bottle from the slave girl, pouring the wine into the glass. And the slit to his hideous mouth opened.¡±Delicious!¡± As he consumed the wine.

    ¡°Thank you, sir!¡± Cymbeline turned his gaze to the slave girl, scowling.¡±Begone!¡±

    The slave girl quickly heeded Cymbeline¡¯s orders, running out of the room, knowing even being a second too slow to comply could cost her life.

    "Cymbeline, you have served me well. Under your command, our colonies have flourished! It is time I grant you a long overdue reward!"

    "Emperor, do you mean-"

    "Yes, take your army and Morana to the western planets. In my name, ensure nothing remains of the lesser beings but ash and fire!" Mavor interrupted.

    "Many thanks, emperor! B-but who will run the colonies while I lay waste to the vermin?"

    "Don''t worry, Evelyn will take care of it. As young as she is, she has served me just as well!"

    "I see! I will prepare my forces at once!"

    A few hours later, at Morana''s mansion, her slaves dragged a lifelike statue of Daisy to the balcony of her bedroom. They hurriedly ran away the moment they placed it in the correct spot. As they left, morana shot her icy death beam at it, encasing it in ice before it exploded into thousands of pieces!

    "If you don''t wanna be next, get me a new one now!" Morana glared at her slaves with murderous hate in her eyes.

    They ran off to carry out her orders as swiftly as possible! Tripping and stumbling over each other, knowing their lives depended on their swiftness!

    But as her slaves left the room, Morana hopped into her bed and lay down face-first, nursing a migraine, rubbing her temples.

    "The slave girl was a jinx! After I got her, one bad thing after another kept happening. The United Planets have earth after I worked so hard to conquer it. Damara is now a thorn in our side. And worst of all, I''ve been humiliated!"

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    Morana''s frustration quickly hit its zenith. She covered her head with one of her pillows as she released a monstrous roar!

    In the corridor, her roar shook the ground, making one of her slaves trip and fall. He struggled to stand up, and as he tried, he gazed in horror at Evelyn. She was a young, beautiful nemesis with long snow-white hair, a small beauty mark on the corner of her mouth, and a slender, curvy body. As Evelyn stood over the slave, she reached out to him. Her hand got closer and closer, and the slave shivered in fear, preparing for retribution! But instead, Evelyn gently helped him back to his feet.

    "Are you okay? You''re not hurt, are you?"

    Still gripped by terror, the slave didn¡¯t open his mouth. But he instead nodded no to her questions.

    Evelyn grew a smile."That''s good! Why don''t you go to your job before she gets angrier!"

    The slave heeded Evelyn''s words and dashed off at top speed. As he left, she hurried to Morana''s room. And she quickly found her comrade sulking in her bed.

    "Morana, I came to see how you were doing. With everything that happened, I was worried!"

    "Well, thanks for the sentiment, but I''m doing terrible! I''ve served the emperor well for years, but after Earth, he doesn''t trust me with conquering the Western planets. Now I have to play second fiddle to Cymbeline!"

    As Evelyn heard Morana, she took a deep breath.¡±It¡¯s not that bad!¡± And she sat on her bed, opening her arms for a hug.

    Morana accepted it.¡±Really?¡±

    "We all have our string of bad luck, my friend!¡±

    "You''re like the little sister I never had, Evelyn! Oh, and before I forget, congratulations on the promotion!¡±

    "Thanks, I-"

    An exquisite item on Morana''s bed drew Evelyn''s attention. It was a strapless red dress of unmatchable quality. Created by Daisy during her enslavement, its beauty mesmerized Evelyn, and morana soon noticed.

    "You know if you want it, you can have it!"

    ¡°I-I couldn''t! It''s too lovely!¡±

    ¡°Kid, take it! I have over a dozen more!¡±

    Evelyn heeded Morana¡¯s words and slowly reached for the dress. And as she got it, she marveled at its beauty.

    ¡°Gorgeous! Please, take care of whoever made this!¡±

    Morana grew a cold, dead gaze, her mind filling with images of Daisy¡¯s bloody death.¡±Rest assured, I will!¡±

    The day of departure quickly came. Cymbeline had spared no expense, preparing his forces for the coming battle. However, several final checks still needed to be done for the invasion. He walked through the castle with his assistant, scanning his legion of personnel for the slightest flaw as they worked. He knew they were only as strong as their weakest link. But on that day, he wouldn¡¯t tolerate any weak links.

    ¡°Shelia, are weapons?¡±

    ¡°The inventory report shows everything¡¯s accounted for!¡±

    ¡°Medicine?¡±

    ¡°Same!¡±

    ¡°Diagnostics on the fleet?¡±

    ¡°Completed this morning, sir! Everything looks good!¡±

    ¡°General Morana?¡±

    ¡°She should be here within the hour!¡±

    ¡°Well, good! But now-¡°

    Like thunder, a crashing sound traveled through the air. Cymbeline and Shelia quickly ran over to learn what was the cause. When they arrived, they saw a caucasian male human slave on the ground, collapsed next to a pile of supplies.

    ¡°What the chaos happened here?¡± Cymbeline asked.

    A soldier ran to Cymbeline.¡±We¡¯re not sure, sir! The slave just collapsed out of nowhere!¡±

    Another human slave ran over, going to the man and helping him stand. She was a slender caucasian woman of twenty-nine with long raven hair.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t out of nowhere! You worked this poor man to near death!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a slave! He works, or he dies! And the same goes for you!¡±

    ¡°You took the words right out of my mouth, soldier,¡± Cymbeline said.

    ¡°I won¡¯t do anything else until you give this man food and rest!¡±

    ¡°I repeat, work or die!¡± Cymbeline shouted.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡±

    Eager to prove his threats had teeth, Cymbeline angrily called upon his dark powers. He summoned a fireball of 40 meters in diameter, preparing to throw it at the two slaves. But even as she was moments away from becoming ash, the woman stood fearless. And their salvation came as Shelia went in between them.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I just ran the numbers, General Cymbeline! If you kill them, our workforce won¡¯t be at full capacity!¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t order more slaves?¡±

    ¡°It would take too long! The mission would suffer delays!¡±

    Cymbeline reluctantly extinguished the fireball.¡±Fine! Get the human food and water!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t expect a thank you!¡± The human woman scowled at Cymbeline.

    ¡°But in return, you woman will go two shifts without either!¡±

 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN-Planet Aqua!

    On the western side of United Planets territory, the gears of war turned faster and faster as battle broke out! Space was ablaze as the forces of the United Planets and the nemesis fired seas of plasma at each other at the border between their territories, known as the great schism. But as both fleets tried to annihilate the other, Damara flew to the enemy on flaremane, breaking the dead heat!

    She grew her shield to a giant size and tossed it at the nemesis fleet. It cleaved through their forces as effortlessly as a knife would cut bread, creating a fiery line of destruction across the war zone. And as most of the enemy fleet went up in an inferno, the survivors retreated.

    But Daisy gazed deeply upon the violence and death of war with a depressed expression.

    ¡°At least we won!¡±

    Later, Daisy flew through space and reached the homeworld of General Favian, planet Aqua. The planet was a Titanic marshland. Water covered its surface as dense vegetation with all its strange scents fostered life from it. A world comprised solely of vast swamps with little to no solid ground. The only exception was the giant plants on which the natives constructed settlements.

    She flew to the largest one, on a lily pad of godly size, Palus Urbs. A colossal city using towering plant life as buildings.

    As she headed for it, she made her way through busy skies. Daisy evaded United Planets ships as they hurried to complete their missions.¡±Sorry!¡± As per Favian¡¯s strategy, several of the planet''s cities became fortresses, converting the world into a military stronghold. It would allow them to defend Aqua better and support future attacks. Eventually, they could use the world as a launching point for campaigns into enemy territory without straying too far from supply lines.

    Daisy soon landed, and Favian ran over to her as she dismounted from flaremane.

    Daisy saluted.¡°General Favian, my mission was a success. The enemy forces at the sector are in full retreat!¡±

    ¡°Excellent, Damara, this will be vital for our defense. So why don''t you look happy?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, sir! It¡¯s stupid!¡±

    ¡°If it affects you, I better hear it anyway to be safe!¡±

    ¡°Well, I know there¡¯s no choice but to fight. But this war still feels wrong!¡± Daisy took a deep breath.¡°To keep a long story short, my parents raised me to treasure life!¡±

    As Favian heard Daisy, painful memories flashed in his consciousness.¡±So did mine! But unfortunately for the both of us, life isn¡¯t fair!¡±

    The two noticed a commotion nearby and spotted some soldiers chasing young aquis boys. But the little boys soon ran over to Daisy for refuge. As the soldiers reached them, Favian grew an angry expression.

    "What are children still doing in this area? Especially since I ordered all civilians to the safe zone!"

    "W-we were going to inform you about that, General Favian. The evacuation will take a bit longer than scheduled. As for those kids, they snuck past us when we were taking a little rest!"

    "Rest? Well, that''s funny! Because Mavor won''t rest until you are all dead!" Favian shouted.

    "General," Daisy said, enraged, holding the boys.

    One of the boys tugged on Daisy''s dress and got her attention. He spoke in the native language of Planet Aqua. But she was shocked as he didn¡¯t say anything in Galactic Novice. It was a widely accepted tongue known to humans as simply English, but beings across the galaxy used it as an easy means of cross-species communication.

    "Ma''am, we''re sorry that we broke the rules. We just wanted to meet you because you''re a cool hero and super pretty!"

    Daisy cracked a smile as she finally recognized his tongue."I''m going to eat your souls!"

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    As the boys heard Daisy, they all burst into crying. And Favian''s anger gave way to shock and disbelief. But Daisy looked at their reactions with intense bewilderment, unaware of what she said!

    "Did I say something rude?"

    Favian cracked a smile."Damara, please repeat what you said, but roll your tongue from the top of your mouth!"

    Swiftly, Daisy heeded Favian''s advice."You¡¯re all sweet enough to eat. Bless your souls!"

    The boys quickly stopped crying and grew big smiles. They all hugged Daisy, and she happily reciprocated.

    "Damara, you''ll save us. Right?

    "Yes, you''ll be safe. I and many other brave men and women will make sure of it! And that''s a promise!"

    Daisy initiated a pinky promise with the boys. The boys quickly accepted it. As they did, Daisy was the only one who noticed her shield emitting faint light.

    Meanwhile, thousands were scrambling across a military base outside the city. With Carter in command, he directed his forces in a race against time. However, they moved remarkably efficiently despite the mounting pressure, accomplishing their jobs. But Carter soon spotted a familiar face amongst the hustle and bustle. A timid and reserved-looking fellow knocked about in the big crowd. Eugene, eighteen, was a skinny Caucasian human man.

    Carter hurried over to him."Good to see you, doc Parker. How was the trip? I heard our species still doesn¡¯t take to space travel very well!"

    Eugene staggered back and forth, fighting the urge to vomit."You heard right!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it, soldier!¡± Carter chuckled.

    ¡°General Carter, may I ask you a question?"

    "Shoot!"

    "Well, first, I don''t want to sound ungrateful because this is the chance of a lifetime. But there are far more experienced scientists who would kill to be your head scientific advisor. So why did you choose me? I mean, I''m only eighteen. And all I did was crack that code for darkhold!"

    "That code saved lives, Dr. Parker. Besides where I come from, boys need to become men fast!"

    "Y-yes, sir! Eugene exhaled heavily. ¡°Oh, before I forget, I completed that project you gave me!"

    Eugene quickly dragged over a rectangular case. As he opened it, Carter looked in amazement at its contents. It was a sword unlike any other! A beautiful long blue shining blade with black circuitry shimmering below its surface. With a nod of approval from Eugene, Carter slowly reached for the sword. His anticipation rapidly grew as he got closer.

    As he finally picked it up, Carter smiled at how comfy it felt in his hand.

    "What a girl she is! Does she have a name?"

    "Yes, she is called the Betanian blade. Light as a feather but strong enough to withstand a nuclear blast. And when you swing her hard enough, she emits a powerful energy attack!"

    "Man, I''ve seen a lot of beautiful women in my time, but she must be the runner-up!"

    "Why thank you, I-. Wait, who is the first most beautiful?"

    Carter grew a smug smile, thinking of Daisy."My business, that''s who!"

    Eugene saluted Carter, nervous as if he did something wrong."Yes, sir!"

    Later, the sunset and a horde of soldiers passed through the gates, returning from Palus urbs with Daisy and Favian leading them. And as Carter saw them, he hurried over.

    "Carter," Favian said indifferently.

    "Favian," Carter said indifferently.

    "So, General Carter, how was your end?"

    "Pretty good, thanks to Dr. Parker. We''re way ahead of schedule! How about you, Damara?"

    "Not so lucky, I''m afraid. The evacuation will take at least another day!"

    Favian swiftly walked away from Carter and Daisy.

    "General Favian, where are you going?"

    "There''s something I need to check!"

    Favian hurried across the base and quickly entered a building. Inside, he reached a computer room with rows of individuals typing away on the machines. And he soon found his Lieutenant, Yara. She was a beautiful Hachiko of twenty-four with a slender, curvy body that resembled a Siberian Husky.

    Yara saluted Favian as she saw him."Glory to the lawgiver. Good evening, General Favian!"

    "Same to you, Yara. Now tell me, how is General Carter''s human doing?"

    "Great! It''s scary, but the guy can work our technology better than we can!"

    Yara pointed over to Eugene on a holographic computer nearby. He stared at the big screen expressionless as his hands moved at inhuman speeds across the keyboard, inputting data. Favian looked at his work with disbelief, seeing him type away so fast without exhaustion. Almost as if Eugene was a machine himself!

    "Dr. Parker, do you have a minute?"

    Eugene stopped working in a daze, clutching his head from a headache."Oh, General Favian, when did you get here?"

    "About a minute ago. And I would like a progress report!"

    "W-well, my guardian barrier should be fully functional by tomorrow. And thanks to Damara, we can cast it over a massive area without the nemesis being an issue!"

    Favian took a deep breath."I see. Please, keep up the great work!"

    Favian prepared to leave, but without warning, alarms went off! He stopped cold, but with one look at Eugene, he ordered him to search for the cause. And Eugene typed away like the wind!

    "My god, colossal enemy troop movement," Eugene said.

    "They''re coming back in force? Yara, we''re at priority red! Everyone to their battle stations!"

    "No, General Favian, please stop! The nemesis is in a mass retreat!"

    "What?"

    "Our scanners verify it. Entire fleets of enemy ships fleeing this part of space!"

    As she heard Eugene, Yara grew a big smile, saluting Favian."Congratulations, sir! It looks like your defensive strategy has already borne fruit!"

    Favian grew a look of concern."That''s the problem. It only looks like that!"

 CHAPTER NINETEEN- promises and resolve!

    Later, nighttime fell. Sarah and Lucas sneaked through the corridors to Carter''s room. They both scanned the place frantically for anyone else but spotted no one. Lucas banged on the wall to summon Daisy, and as she heard his signal, she hurried from behind a corner over to Carter¡¯s room.

    ¡°Thanks, guys,¡± Daisy said.

    Inside his room, Daisy hugged Carter.

    ¡±Sorry to bother you. But I needed to see you after the day I had!¡±

    ¡°It must have been a pain dealing with that jerk!¡±

    ¡°Carter, Favian isn''t a jerk! It''s like what R¨®ngy¨´ said. We¡¯re all under serious pressure. Just today, he helped me with some scared children!¡±

    Carter took a deep breath.¡°Fine, red, for you. I¡¯ll give the guy a chance. But sometimes I think you''re too nice!¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    Daisy kissed Carter good night. But as she enjoyed his taste in her mouth, she kissed him again. And again, his taste was too much to resist, and she went in for more! As her kisses became more aggressive, Carter realized where things were going, enjoying it. The couple tumbled back to Carter''s bed, and he lay on her. But as they were about to begin making love, Daisy transformed into Damara.¡±No!¡± And sent Carter flying off of her at the door!

    In the corridor, Favian and Yara walked by Carter''s room. They talked business but stopped as they saw the door vibrate, sharing a look of bewilderment!

    ¡°Sir, isn''t that General Carter¡¯s room?¡± Yara raised her ears to listen and gasped with shock! ¡±By the lawgiver, I hear a woman in there!¡±

    As he heard Yara, Favian immediately considered busting down the door to see what was wrong. But he ultimately decided against it. Favian was too proud to admit it openly, but Carter had proven himself to be a diligent general with the day¡¯s work. He assumed there had to be a reasonable explanation. And, if not, the mission took priority. They couldn¡¯t afford any more delays. However, afterward, he would report Carter if anything remotely obscene surfaced.

    Favian took a deep breath.¡±Yara, let''s pretend we didn''t see or hear anything for now!¡±

    ¡°If you say so, General Favian!¡±

    Inside, Daisy held her chest like she had a stroke, breathing heavily. But as Carter saw her, he got off the floor and angrily stomped over, sitting beside Daisy.

    ¡°Red, even though I don''t personally believe in them. I¡¯m trying my best to respect your religious beliefs. So how about you throw me a bone and don''t tempt a man!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! I didn''t mean to lead you on! Daisy cried. ¡°I¡¯m garbage!¡±

    Daisy quickly fell on the bed, balling her eyes out. Carter watched with extreme concern, pulling her up and trying to shake her out of it.

    "Daisy, enough! I don¡¯t care anymore!¡±

    ¡°But look what I did!¡±

    ¡°You slipped up one time. In a lifetime of being a saint!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s unforgivable!¡±

    Carter angrily stood up.¡°I¡¯m in a time loop! I don¡¯t know how many times we¡¯ve had this conversation!¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like the talk we had before you got kidnapped! Unless you¡¯re perfect. Unless you sacrifice more than everyone else, you¡¯re never happy!¡±

    ¡°Carter-¡°

    ¡°Why do you always do this to yourself?"

    "Because wrong is wrong. If you lie, then it''s always okay to lie. Breaking a promise once makes it easier the next time. And now more than ever, I can''t afford that!" Daisy took a pillow off the bed and walked from Carter to a corner.

    "What are you doing?"

    "Finding a nice corner. I can¡¯t risk anyone asking questions about Damara wandering the corridors at night! And I don¡¯t trust myself to sleep in the same bed with you!"

    "Daisy, stop. I''ll take the corner, and you can have the bed!"

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    "Carter, there''s no way I''ll ask you to do t-"

    "You''re not asking me. I want to do it," Carter interrupted.

    Daisy looked at Carter in shock."I don''t deserve you!"

    Daisy dashed over to Carter, hugging him. She soon took the bed as Carter occupied the corner.

    Daisy blew him a kiss goodnight as they drifted off to sleep.

    In the morning, in outer space, an army of satellites was adrift in the void. They floated around light years apart, casting a vast net around the border to the western planets. But each one soon surged with incredible power. It spread out from them, racing across space. The energy from each satellite quickly collided and merged into one another, forming a colossal wall, standing as a guardian for light years of space!

    On planet Aqua, Favian watched Eugene and the other scientists work with bated breath. Eugene and his staff typed like there was no tomorrow on the computers, trying to manage the celestial project. But Eugene quickly finished his work.

    Favian hurried over to him."Well, doctor, how is it?"

    "The guardian barrier is fully functional, General Favian. The only thing that can pass through it now is United Planets ships. Or an object of astronomical force!"

    "Thank you, Dr. Parker. You have earned the gratitude of my people and all the people of the western planets!"

    "Don''t mention it, General Favian. It was your advanced technology that made my vision possible!¡± Eugene nervously chuckled. ¡°There was no telling how long it would have taken if I had to make the hardware from scratch!"

    Yara ran over to the two."General Favian, Damara, is outside the door!"

    Hastily, Favian left Eugene for Daisy in the corridor.

    "Good morning, General Favian!"

    "Same to you, Damara. I hope you slept well!"

    Daisy sighed."I slept the best I could. So Yara tells me you want a favor!"

    ¡°Yes, I do. But as a general, it''s shameful for me to ask!¡±

    ¡°What type of favor is this?¡±

    ¡°It all started sometime after you liberated the earth. Several units of nemesis soldiers came to Orion, saying they saw through Mavor''s lies and wanted to defect!¡± Favian ran his hand over his face, stressed. ¡°We ran every check we could, and it seems they told the truth. So Orion put them under my command!¡±

    ¡°This all sounds wonderful! What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡±The problem is their integration has been a disaster! I keep getting complaints of harassment. And the claims keep getting more serious. So many soldiers in this army refuse to accept them.¡± Favian exhaled a mountain of stress. ¡°Damara, I¡¯ve failed to discipline my forces, but maybe the hero of our galaxy will have better luck. Please give them a talk!¡±

    ¡°I understand! And I think you''re a splendid general for asking for help!¡±

    Daisy presented Favian with a handshake, and he accepted it with a small smile.

    Outside, Carter¡¯s Lieutenant walked through the base, scanning the military personnel hurrying to finish their jobs. Scars from his many years of fighting as a juvenile delinquent, and then, a soldier covered his face and body. Clive, twenty-four, Caucasian, was a tall, muscular human man with spiky white hair and pale purple eyes. But he soon spotted his brother in arms through the chaos. As he saw Carter commanding his soldiers, his mind wandered back to two years ago.

    It was a pitch-black night during the siege on darkhold. The only stable source of light was the bombardment from the nemesis forces. And much like the present, military personnel hurried to finish their jobs, racing against time. But the crucial difference was Carter was not in command!

    Clive looked at his fellow soldiers with agita as panic ran through the army.

    "I need orders! Who''s giving orders?"

    ¡°That''s Captain Carter¡¯s job! But there''s something wrong with him. It''s like he''s a dead man!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re all going to be dead men and women if we don''t figure out something now!¡±

    Another bombardment hit their camp. It ignited a colossal inferno. The flames rushed the area, consuming all in their path, and the soldiers tried desperately to extinguish them. But as Clive saw his comrades struggle, he hurried to Carter''s tent. And he found his friend collapsed on the ground, a dead man, but only dead inside.

    "Carter, you need to get out there now! If you don''t lead us, we''ll all die," Clive said.

    "Who cares? nothing matters!"

    "Brother, I understand you loved her, but Daisy wouldn''t want this. She wouldn''t want to be the death of you!¡± Clive stooped down to Carter. ¡°Let alone the death of all the people that will follow if we fail!"

    "Death is the keyword. It makes everything meaningless. I''ve tried my whole life to fight it, but now it''s time to give up!"

    Carter started to cry, but as Clive saw him, he looked at him, enraged. He hoisted Carter by the neck and made him look him in the eye!

    "I''ll say it one more time! She wouldn¡¯t want this! She wouldn''t want people to die because of her. She wouldn''t want you to give up on all hope!¡± Clive tossed Carter back onto the ground. ¡°If you loved her, do the right thing!"

    "Y-you''re right, my friend! But I''m not strong enough to do this alone anymore!"

    "Say no more!" Clive extended a helping hand.

    As Carter took his hand, he was shakey, falling over himself as he labored to stand. But Clive quickly helped him up, and together, the two walked outside to face the battle. However, as Clive recalled the night, the past faded from his mind. And he hurried over to present-day Carter.

    "Hey, Carter! Oh, sorry, I''m supposed to refer to you by your fancy rank now, right?"

    The two young men stepped forward and simultaneously swung from the hip as if to land a punch, but their hands slapped together in a gesture of friendship, their forearms bulging, testing each other''s strength.

    "You got that right, rogers! I won''t let anyone erode discipline, let alone my lieutenant. Everyone¡¯s going to earn their keep!"

    "You''ll go hard even on a friend?"

    "Especially for my friends!"

    They continued the contest, and Carter had the edge, gradually forcing Clive''s arm downward. And Clive cracked a smile as he lost.

    "Happy to see you back to normal!"

    "Thank you, my friend!"

    "I''m going over to the field. I have the itch to get a little training in!"

    "Please, do. You could use it!"

    "Funny!" Clive gave a fake chuckle.

    Later, Clive arrived at the training field. He found massive weights, weighing three hundred pounds each, and swiftly picked up a pair with little effort. But Clive dropped them, seeing a mesmerizing sight. He saw Ros, a beautiful nemesis woman.

 CHAPTER TWENTY-Ros

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 CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE-Invasion!

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 CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO-Panic in the sky!

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 CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE-Rally the troops, Daisy!

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 CHAPTER twenty-four-Retaliation!

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 CHAPTER twenty-five- Divide and conquer!

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