Earths sovereign is a DEMON

Kai immediately ran up, slamming his hand against the terminal as if trying to hold back the image on the screen. His glare burned into Andrew. "What the hell happened?! Markus has one of the strongest wills I know... what could make him—"
His voice faltered as his mind raced back to their last interaction.
I have to go home.
Kai's breath hitched. His body stiffened before he suddenly dropped to his knees, his hand slipping from the terminal. A dawning realization washed over him, draining the color from his face.
"I see..." he whispered, his voice barely audible
Aika's soft sobs filled the tense silence, her tears breaking the fragile calm in the room.
Andrew's voice cut through, firm but steady. "Arnik, come. Let me tell you everything."
Arnik hesitated, his body half-turned toward the door, but as he moved to follow, Kai's hand shot out, gripping his arm.
"I'm coming too," Kai said, his tone resolute, his eyes narrowing at Andrew.
Andrew's expression hardened. "No."
Before anyone could respond, Rose stepped forward, her tail swishing sharply in defiance. "We all deserve to know what's happening," she said, her voice firm and unwavering.
Arnik glanced between them, his jaw tightening as he pulled his arm free from Kai's grip. "They're right," he said, his voice strong, cutting through the room like steel. "I'm not leaving without them."
Andrew sighed deeply, a rare flicker of weariness crossing his face. After a moment, he gave a reluctant nod. "Very well. Follow me."

They walked through the silver hallways, passing men rushing around with medical gear. The sound of hurried footsteps mixed with the faint hum of machines.

They passed a room full of injured soldiers. Groans and quiet cries echoed through the air. Bloodied uniforms and pale faces filled the room, a grim reminder of what they had just escaped.
Rose quickly covered Aika's eyes, her own gaze dropping to the floor. "Don't look," she whispered, keeping her voice gentle as they moved on.
The group didn't speak as they continued down the hall. Finally, they entered a large room. Screens covered the walls, flickering with data and images.
In the middle of the room was a glowing hologram of Earth, slowly spinning in the air. The quiet hum of the room made everything feel heavier.

Andrew walked straight to the central console, his movements deliberate and focused. He began typing on the keyboard, the soft clicking of keys breaking the tense silence.

The holographic Earth flickered for a moment, then zoomed in on specific regions. Red markers lit up across the globe, accompanied by streams of data cascading down the surrounding screens.
"This," Andrew began, his voice steady but grim, "is the state of our planet. What I'm about to tell you changes everything you think you know."
Andrew's voice was steady as he continued, "Three thousand years ago—"
Rose interrupted, her arms crossed and her tail flicking in agitation. "We don't need a history lesson!"
Andrew shot her a sharp look. "Shush. This will explain everything. History hasn't taught this in years, but it's time you all know the truth."
He straightened, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Three thousand years ago, the Great Demon War wasn't just a legend. It was real. As you've seen, it's no myth."
The room was silent as Andrew's words hung heavy in the air.
"When the demons laid siege to the entire world, all the races came together to fight them. Humans and the Demi's stood united. But even our combined forces weren't enough. That's when the Great Spirit intervened."
Andrew paused, glancing at each of them. "The Great Spirit granted its power to a single human—a champion, also known as the first Mutant, chosen to save humanity. With the help of the Archmages, he sealed the demons' souls inside a magic box, locking them away for eternity. Or so we thought."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "You're saying one got out?"
Andrew nodded grimly. "Apparently, one, somehow, he evaded the seal and hid himself among us, biding his time... until now."
Kai stepped forward, his eyes sharp and filled with doubt. "I don't understand," he said, his tone hard. "How did you know Lionel wasn't human? And—" He paused, his voice rising slightly, "—how is it you showed up just in time to evacuate as many people as you could? Why not sooner?"
Andrew's voice carried a weight that silenced the room. "It wasn't until recent years that I started to notice something was off—when I met Lionel for the first time."
He paused, his gaze distant, as though reliving a moment he'd rather forget. "The instant I shook his hand..."
Flashback
Andrew extended his hand, meeting Lionel's firm grip. The moment their hands touched, a jolt shot through Andrew's body like a surge of electricity. His stomach churned violently, and for a brief second, his vision blurred. He fought the urge to stagger, forcing himself to stand tall, his expression neutral.
"It hit me like a shockwave," Andrew narrated in the present, his tone grim. "The sheer force of magic radiating from him was suffocating. My instincts screamed danger. Every cell in my body rebelled, screaming one truth—he was not human. He was a demon."

"I maintained my composure," Andrew continued, his voice cutting through the heavy silence in the present. "But from that moment on, I knew I couldn't trust him. Every move he made, every word he spoke, was laced with an ulterior motive."

He glanced at the group, his expression hard. "That was the beginning. The first sign that everything we believed about him, about the world, was a lie."

Andrew's voice lowered, steady but grave. "I poured over ancient documents, Kaelus. Buried deep within forgotten archives from the Great Demon War, there was a legend—a chilling one. It claimed that once the demons were truly destroyed, the mutations they caused in humanity would cease to exist. But here we are, generations later, and mutants still walk among us. That alone should've been enough to question if the demons were ever fully gone.

"I needed help, so i called up a old friend"

Flashback - Journey to Mars

The bustling metropolis of Mars unfolded before Andrew, a sprawling cityscape of towering silver spires and shimmering domes that reached toward the crimson Martian sky. Streams of hovercraft zipped between the structures, their sleek forms illuminated by the glow of neon signs advertising everything from cutting-edge technologies to exclusive off-world retreats.
Andrew strode through the gleaming corridors of the Sovereign's palace, his boots clicking sharply against the polished floor. The air hummed with quiet sophistication, the walls adorned with holographic displays depicting maps, star systems, and moments of Martian history. At the end of the corridor, an expansive chamber awaited him.
Inside stood Kaelus Redspire, the Sovereign of Mars, his imposing figure wrapped in a flowing crimson cloak. His sharp, dignified features softened into a warm smile as Andrew approached. The room itself was a marvel of futuristic elegance, with intricate projections glowing softly around the space, and an entire wall of glass that offered a breathtaking view of the Martian skyline.
"Andrew, my old friend!" Kaelus greeted, his voice rich and welcoming. He extended a hand, his firm grip exuding confidence. "You're looking well, as always."
He gestured for Andrew to sit as he took his place in a high-backed chair, his crimson cloak pooling elegantly around him. "Now, tell me, Andrew. Asking me to meet you in such a way—so sudden, no formalities—it must be serious. What is it?"
Andrew hesitated for a moment, his gaze steady but laced with tension. "It's about Sovereign Lionel. I believe... no, I know—he's a demon."
Kaelus's jovial demeanor vanished in an instant. His sharp features stiffened, and he leaned forward, the weight of Andrew's words settling heavily. "You can't be serious," he said, though his tone held disbelief. "Then again, you've never been one to jest about matters like this."
Andrew's voice lowered, steady but grave. "I poured over ancient documents, Kaelus. Buried deep within forgotten archives from the Great Demon War, there were accounts that suggested not all demons had been sealed away. There was a chance... one survived. And when I met him—everything in me screamed that he wasn't human."
Kaelus narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms as he leaned against his desk. "Why should I believe you? We fought side by side against the Galactic Pirates. You've earned my trust, Andrew... but this? This is too much."
Andrew met his gaze, unwavering. "I understand the position I'm putting you in, Kaelus. Questioning the Sovereign of Earth—it could shatter alliances, destabilize everything we've worked for. But the legend is true. The documents confirm it. Trust me, old friend."

Kaelus's jaw tightened, his crimson cloak shifting as he paced slowly. "If what you're saying is true, then Lionel isn't just a threat to Earth. He's a threat to all of us." He stopped, his piercing gaze locking onto Andrew. "Do you have proof? Something beyond your instincts and old texts?"

Andrew hesitated, his fists clenching at his sides. "Not yet. That's why I'm here. I need your resources, Kaelus. If we don't act now, we may never get another chance."

Kaelus studied him for a long moment, the weight of the decision evident on his face. Finally, he exhaled sharply, his shoulders relaxing. "You've put me in an impossible position, Andrew... but you've never given me a reason to doubt you. If you're right, then we'll need to tread carefully."
Andrew nodded, his expression resolute. "I understand the position I'm putting you in, Kaelus. This isn't an easy ask, but if Lionel's plan succeeds, everything we've built—Mars, Mercury, Earth—none of it will survive."
Kaelus's sharp gaze remained on Andrew, searching for any hint of doubt. "What could Lionel even do, Andrew? What would be his endgame? If he's even considering another conquest against the races, he must know the odds are stacked against him. Our military forces combined are far stronger than his."
Andrew's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a deadly tone. "Unless... he's planning to unseal the demons."
The room fell into a tense silence, Kaelus's breath hitching as the implication of Andrew's words sank in. "Unseal them? That's madness," Kaelus said, though his tone betrayed the fear creeping into his mind. "The sealed demons are nothing but legend now. It's been thousands of years."
Andrew's fists tightened at his sides. "Legends or not, the accounts I found are real. Lionel knows it too. He's had centuries to plan, to gather what he needs to break that seal. And if he succeeds, Kaelus..." Andrew's voice wavered, just slightly. "We won't stand a chance."
Kaelus ran a hand through his hair, pacing as his mind raced. "If he does this... if those monsters return... they'll annihilate everything. Every colony, every planet—gone."
Andrew stepped forward, his gaze locked with Kaelus's. "That's why we can't take any risks. I need your resources, Kaelus. Are you with me?"
Kaelus stopped pacing and turned to face Andrew, his expression hardening into one of grim determination. "I am. I think of you as a brother, Andrew. I'm willing to die for you and what you believe."
The two men clasped arms, their grip firm, a silent bond reaffirmed in the face of overwhelming odds.
"Then let's move," Andrew said, his voice steady despite the storm brewing within.
Kaelus nodded. "We'll gather the best. But Andrew... if we fail..."
Andrew's gaze burned with resolve. "We won't."

Back to Present

"Lionel must have caught on to my plan," Andrew's voice echoed in the present, his tone as heavy as the moment itself. "That's why he launched his attack. It's by the grace of the Spirit that I arrived in time to evacuate as many as I did."
Andrew's gaze turned to Arnik, his expression solemn and unwavering. "You, son," he said, his voice steady yet heavy with meaning. "The First Mutant's blood runs strong within you. It means you have the potential to become the strongest mutant."
Arnik's eyes widened slightly, taken aback, but he quickly composed himself. His voice was steady when he replied, "You're asking me to join in on this fight?"
Andrew nodded, and to everyone's surprise, he dropped to one knee, his head bowed slightly. "Yes. As much as it pains me... I am begging you, son. Join us. You are our best chance of winning this war."
Arnik hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "I—"
"I WILL JOIN!"
A voice interrupted from the hallway, rough and full of determination. Markus emerged, his body battered and covered in bandages. He leaned heavily against the doorframe, clearly in no condition to be standing, let alone walking. But his fiery gaze was unwavering. "I want to find that demon and make him pay—by any means necessary."
Andrew smirked faintly, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Very well, then."
Arnik turned to Markus, his surprise evident as his gaze flicked between him and his father. Finally, he nodded, his resolve solidifying. "Yes, I will fight—for humanity's sake."
Kai stepped forward, determination shining in his eyes. "So will I."
Rose chimed in, standing beside him. "And I."
Kai turned sharply, his voice firm. "No. I cannot allow that."
Rose crossed her arms defiantly. "You're not my dad, Kai."
Kai's frustration flared. "This is dangerous! And Aika needs—"
"I WILL JOIN TOO!" Aika's voice rang out, trembling yet resolute. Her tear-streaked face was filled with a newfound determination.
Andrew raised a hand, silencing the brewing argument. "They've made their choice, Kai," he said, his voice final. "Accept it."
Kai clenched his fists, clearly unhappy but unable to argue further. Finally, he relented with a curt nod. "Fine. But if you're all going to fight, then we do it right."
Andrew's gaze swept over them, his voice firm. "If you want to stay together, I'll put all of you through the same training as Arnik. Work hard. Score the highest. And earn your place."
His gaze firm as he addressed the group. "It's settled then. When we reach Mars, your hellish training will begin."
He glanced at each of them, a small hint of pride breaking through his stoic demeanor. "You're all so young, but I know potential when I see it. It's like an aura around you—strong, vibrant." His eyes lingered briefly on Arnik. Especially around him... but Markus's aura seems just as strong, he thought to himself.
Andrew's commanding tone returned. ". Now..." He gestured toward Markus, his expression sharp. "GET MARKUS BACK TO THE MED BAY BEFORE HE BLEEDS OUT!"
The group snapped into action, rushing toward Markus.
"Whoa, whoa, wait, wait—" Markus protested, stumbling slightly as they swarmed him.
Ignoring his protests, they grabbed him under his arms and by his shoulders, dragging him toward the hall.
"NOT SO ROUGH—gghhfff!" Markus grunted, wincing as they hurriedly carried him off.
Andrew watched them go, shaking his head with a faint smirk. They'll need to learn teamwork... but there's something special about this group.
Andrew stood alone in the quiet corridor, the faint hum of the ship reverberating around him. His shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him like an iron mantle. He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze distant as he spoke softly to himself.
"I am committing such a sin by allowing these kids to be dragged into this war... But sinning is the only way to win a war." His voice was heavy, laced with a mixture of guilt and grim resolve. He clenched his fists tightly at his sides, his jaw tightening. "Lionel gave us hell... It's only fitting we bring it right back down on him."