Untraveled Road

The next day word, spread from the capital city, all the way to the steppes beyond. King Vulcan would be making an announcement, one that would be broadcast to every View box on the planet.

All of planet Valdr would listen to his message, those in the city would watch in person, while those too far away would, view it live from the View Box.

" Are you sure about this, my king? The ramifications of such a thing could be drastic." Virlal spoke.

" It has to be done, Virlal." Markus replied.

" But what if they are against it? What are you going to do then? Force them to join the colosseum against their will?" Elara asked the man.

" No. I have faith, Elara. Faith that one voice is enough. Just one voice is all it takes for whole nations to stand up. They'll do it." Markus told the woman.

" How can you be so confident?" Elara asked.

" Because, I have to be." Markus told the woman. He slid on his armor, and his crown and then turned and faced the rest of his team. " Let's go face the world." Markus walked past Elara, Dregg, Grog, and Virlal, and then grabbed Cir-El's hand and together they all walked out of the palace.

Standing atop the tower, facing out towards the crowd, Markus looked down as the people clapped and cheered.

With a hand Markus silenced the crowd.

" A few days ago, we were attacked by a foreign power. Foreign to this planet. And in the process, myself and many of my comrades were injured. But more importantly, one of us was killed. His name was Sideros the king of the Hive. Sid played a great role in getting all of us where we are today. In helping to depose the former king. We will mourn his loss. But from this attack.... Something has come to my mind. We were unprepared. We cannot afford such a thing to happen again. We need an army. Now, we have one, yes. But during the fight wight Mongul, many members of the army were killed or imprisoned. Meaning as of this moment, the number of men and women capable of defending our planet should the need occurs, is very slim. We need to be able to defend ourselves. We need to bolster our defenses. Which is why, I am ordering the colosseum be reinstated, immediately." Markus explained.

The crowd of people were silent. Their faces displayed many different types of emotions. Some of them were scared, some confused. But many of them were angry.

" I am not doing so for the sake of amusement, and no one, will be killed or forced to be killed. Instead, you will be trained, physically and mentally to be a warrior capable of defending our home. I know this is a lot to ask for, from all of you, especially after everything you've all suffered over the many years. But this must be done. I... even as powerful as I am, will not be here forever. There will come a day, where even I will have to embrace death's touch. And when that day comes, I want to be able to leave knowing that all of you, your children, and your children's children will be able to take care of themselves. I am asking that at least one man, from every family join. Women, and even children will be accepted as well. If your heart wants to protect Valdr, then you will be welcome. My invite goes to every person, from every race, to every corner of Valdr. All of you. I will not however force any of you, take this risk. I understand there is a great danger and many of you have suffered enough as it is. I know it is much to ask, but I hope at least some of you will consider it. You have until the end of tomorrow to decide. Those of you, who wish to make a stand and fight to protect your families then please join me tomorrow in the grand arena." Markus lowered his head and dropped to his knees. He bowed his head in front of the whole planet. " Please. Have faith in me."

.....................

There was a silence across Valdr. Upon hearing the colosseum opening, people were beginning to think the worse. But upon hearing King Vulcan's passionate pleas for help. Volunteers from across Valdr's many regions began pouring into the capital city. Some came for the benefits that being a soldier entailed. Some came because they felt they had no choice and had no other way to survive. And some came simply because they wanted to be better. To better themselves, and the world they loved.

The turnout was more than Markus could ask for. But in his heart, he was proud to see so many young men and women, and even children, showing up to learn. Markus looked to Cir-El and smiled before stepping up to speak to the crowded arena of people.

" I thank you all for coming. Each and every single one of you has chosen to be a part of something greater than yourselves. You have chosen to put your trust in me. And for that, I cannot thank you enough. One thing, I want to make clear, while I am allowing children to train, they are not in any way, soldiers... Not yet. If you are under the age of 16, then you are still a child. You will be taught to defend yourselves. Nothing more. I will not send children into battle. For the rest of you, your training will be different. More difficult. Harsher. We will break you down and build you back up, and it is going to be hard. Trust me on that. But at the end of your training, there will be nothing this world, or any world can throw at you that you won't be able to handle. Are you ready?" Markus bellowed.

There was a resounding roar of approval from the men and women in the center of the city. Their tenacity and courage were strong now. But only time would tell if their spirits held strong.

.....................

For months Grog, Virlal, Dregg, and Cir-El trained the new recruits. Markus, himself spent more of his time with the scientists of Valdr, he wanted to try to see if they could weaponize his powers, in a more practical way. Barriers, laser-based weapons, Emp grenades ETC... He wanted to explore any and all possibilities. But his main focus was building more ships. More Ships meant better traversal, better aerial support, and better security. And perhaps, a space station to help watch over the planet from afar.

" Markus, what are you doing?" Cir-El asked the man.

Markus was busy drawing up plans for some kind of weapon.

" Trying to figure something out, Cir-El. How are things in the arena?" Markus asked the woman.

" Well, they're far cry from what they were before. And we've had more people joining at a constant rate. I'd say we'll have a stronger fighting force than ever before. Your idea is working." Cir-El told the man.

" I knew it would. Now, if I could just figure this out." Markus groaned.

" What is it?" Cir-El asked.

" I want to see if making a barrier around the planet is possible. Or at the very least the surface. Protection from invasions, aerial attacks, etc...." Markus told the woman. " My powers... Surely i could use them in other ways other than just blowing things up." Markus muttered.

" I'm sure you'll figure it out." Cir-El told the man. She wrapped her arms around his chest and hugged him from the back. " Take a break, husband. You've worked long enough."

Markus smiled and turned around in his chair.

He picked Cir-El up and carried her over to the bed.

" I guess, taking a night off wouldn't hurt too badly."

For the past few months, things had gone as smoothly as possible. So, for Markus, taking one night off, wouldn't impede his plans too much.

.............................

Months later.

At the end of the calendar year for Valdr, Markus' plans were finally coming to fruition. He had an army now to defend Valdr, and he had an armada to invade.

Markus, stared into his mirror, with a smile on his face, after months of waiting and working, things were finally in place.

" Cir-El. I've been waiting for this day, for months. But now, things are finally.... Finally! Looking up. We've done more than rebuild. We've advanced. It's not everything I wanted. But it's enough. And truthfully, I'm tired of waiting. It's been so long. I wonder if I'll even be able to recognize it?" Markus asked the woman.

" Markus.... What are you hoping to achieve by going to earth?" Cir-El asked the man.

" Many things. I want to see my home again. I want to see what the world looks like. I want to meet my father. There are so many things I want. But do you know what I want more than anything else?" Markus asked the woman.

" What is it?" Cir-El asked the man. She had heard him speak plenty of times of the things he wanted, but his home was always a difficult subject, not because it hurt. But because he knew nothing of it to even speak of.

So when, Markus beckoned for Cir-El to lean towards him, and when he whispered into her ear what it is he wanted. She was surprised.

" That's really what you want?" Cir-El asked the man.

" Yes. It is, Cir-El. Now, prepare my ship. It's been too long since I've seen my home. And I can't wait to see it." Markus exclaimed. " Earth, I'm coming home."