Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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[▪︎City Of Thraxa, Thraxa▪︎]
As we walk through the clean and ostensibly lighted beautifully crafted hallway, I can't help but think about the peculiarities of the race of my enthusiastic guide.
Thraxans, a Bug-based race that only lives for a little more than half a year. A civilization so advanced but also primitive in most ways of their meager lives...and also terribly weak.
Per my calculations, it'll only take a wise teenager to conquer this world without any interference or competition.
Thinking of them, the description of the native Americans which Columbus wrote in his fabled journal comes to mind and to be honest, that description fits these people perfectly.
It's fair to say the only reason this civilization even exists is because of their cosmic isolation and insurmountable generational luck.
Sigh, but given this interesting turn of events, I'm afraid they'll need every ounce of it to stop or better yet, survive what is coming...
"We are here..."
The guide smiles as we stop in front of a giant grey metallic gate inscribed with geometric figures. He pushes the door open and it parts smoothly.
"...D-Dad?"
Invincible mutters incredulously, his small eyes as wide as saucers as he beholds his father dressed in a fitting white long-sleeved bodysuit adorned with a golden bronze breastplate with his feet covered in golden knee length boots, a red cape flowing calmly behind him.
He is standing in front of a caramel throne on top of a slightly raised stage inside the minimally decorated throne room.
He looks as strong and robust as ever with his handsomely rugged face adorned with the pride of the Viltrumite race—a thick silky black mustache.
"My son... it's been a while. You're looking well."
He smiles charismatically as his eyes fall on him, his deep voice and quiet tone displaying an extreme sense of fondness as he extends his hand toward Invincible in a loving manner.
Deep in shock, Invincible just stares at him. The warm smile on his face doesn't disappear upon seeing this and noticing something, he takes a glance in my direction.
"...Prime."
His eyes widen in surprise upon seeing me and like a flash, his smile disappears from his face as my name escapes the crevices of his teeth.
Smiling, I cross my arms beneath my chest as a frown creeps on his face and even though he tries to hide it, his gritted teeth, his eyes, and his bawled trembling fists give away his anger and fear.
"Miss me already?"
I smirk and take one step forward, he takes one step back. Seeing this, shock spreads on the faces of those present in the room and as Omni-man realizes his unconscious movement, his fists clench tighter with his eyes filled with disbelief.
"...You aren't supposed to be here. Why did you bring him here!?"
Angry, he turns his head and lashes out loudly at the Thraxan guide, making him flinch in fear.
"My Lord I-I——"
The horrified guide stammers as he tries to explain but he bites his tongue with his head down, Invincible ominously walks towards Omni-man.
The room is now quiet, and everyone watches Invincible walk to his father whose frown dies down and is replaced by an emotional look of concern.
"Mark...I–"
He manages to let out as Invincible halts right in front of him but before he can complete his sentence, Invincible grabs him and pulls him into a hug.
"Dad! Oh GOD, it's you..."
He sniffles as he starts bawling his eyes out, shifting the once tense atmosphere of the room into one of calmness and emotions.
Surprised, Omni-man just opens his mouth but in the next second, he closes it and hugs his son back, tightening themselves as if they are glued to each other, bringing bright smiles to the weird faces of the in-room Thraxans.
"Mark my son, how've missed you."
Omni-man whispers sorrowfully as he closes his eyes, still engrossed in the familial hug.
They hug for a little while and Invincible separates himself from him, tears still streaming down his eyes.
"Come home then, come back with me. Forget about Viltrum or your mission and come back home with me."
He begs, a little hopeful as he looks deep into his father's eyes with his tear-filled ones. Unable to look him in the eye, Omni-man turns his head and looks away with a grim look on his face.
"I can't Mark, I can't...this is my home now."
He looks back at him with a sad smile and uses his right thumb to wipe a newly formed tear off Invincible's eyes.
Looking at his father's face, Invincible wipes his tears with his sleeves, and then when his face is clear and pristine as it previously was, he just sighs helplessly.
"...I need something better than that Dad."
"Me too, I'll need something better than that Nolan."
Tired of watching from the sidelines, I cut in and remark, my face emotionless and clear.
Omni-man turns to me and after staring at my face for a few seconds, he glances at Invincible and then sighs wilfully.
"I'll explain everything, I owe you that much. Judging by your lack of hostility, I take it that there isn't going to be any fight between us and that we are over with the one back on Earth?"
He says to Mark and then turns to ask me with a calculating look on his serious and hard face, his fingers twitching slightly.
"...Our fight was over the moment, I tossed you into that portal. I'm not sure any of us can forget the atrocities you committed back on Earth but luckily for you, there's a son right here who wouldn't like to see your entrails.
"And personally, I'd very much like to know why you aren't back with your people like you're supposed to."
I explain slowly and end on a meaningful note, my eyes sharp as it bores into Omni-man's. He flashes me a frown at the sound of that as close to him, as Invincible nods in agreement.
"Yeah. I can't forgive the horrible things you've said and done but...I can't let it erase the eighteen years I've had with the father I love. Believe me, I've tried and I just can't."
Invincible looks aside and adds with a look of both regret and relief, and this brings a sad and ashamed look to Omni-man's face.
"So...Let's start with how you got here. Care to explain to us how that happened?"
I break the awkward silence in the room and question him, the corner of my left lip raised into a sarcastic smile.
He looks at me and nods and then turns his head to the Thraxans still present in the room.
"Leave us."
Like trained dogs, they bow and immediately scurry away from the room, giving us, or in this case him, the privacy he needs.
He looks at us and starts slowly with a melancholic look on his middle-aged face.
"...It all starts from when I left Earth..."