Planet Vantage was a crucible, its jungle-like terrain a relentless testing ground for the Bellicose. From dawn till dusk, they trained in its harsh, unforgiving landscape. The Bellicose, known for their formidable size and strength, had a greater number of men, but the women among them had fought hard for their respect and place.

At the helm of this elite force was Captain Stunner, a key member of the King's council and a trusted adviser since the end of the War. His sons, Hawk and Viper, were commanders in his army – positions they had earned, not inherited. Hawk, the elder, was the epitome of discipline and strength, while Viper, though equally competent, was known for his more cavalier approach to duty. Despite their different dispositions, they shared strikingly similar features – brown skin, thick wavy hair, and captivating smiles, making them desirable figures among their peers.

One day, as Captain Stunner was engaged in a tense discussion with Marcel, the King's brother, about security threats, Hawk and Viper approached. They overheard Marcel's assertive stance. "I need those soldiers in the southern quadrant by tomorrow. This isn't a request, Captain."

Stunner, masking his frustration, nodded. "Understood."

Turning to his sons, he relayed new orders with a mix of pride and concern. "The King has requested your company on a mission to Earth, to assist his son."

Marcel, overhearing this, quipped with curiosity, "Why Earth? What new folly has the Prince embarked upon?"

Viper joked, "Probably another Hominin rescue mission."

"The specifics are with Torell," the Captain replied, giving his sons a knowing look before they departed.

As they left, Marcel questioned the Captain. "Do you know who they're extracting from Earth?"

Stunner, clearly irritated, replied, "No, sir. Perhaps you should inquire with your brother."

Marcel, not satisfied with the answer, turned to his son, Cell, who had been observing quietly. "Keep me informed about everything on that ship," he instructed.

Cell, his mind already spinning with possibilities and plots, simply nodded before walking away, a sly grin crossing his features. His father's ambitions for the crown were clear, and the impending mission to Earth could very well be the catalyst to upset the delicate balance of power.

As Hawk and Viper busied themselves loading supplies onto the ship, their preparation was interrupted by an unexpected presence. Cell strode onto the ship, his hands empty, exuding an air of nonchalance.

"So, it appears we're off on an adventure together," Cell remarked casually, extending his hand to Viper, who shook it with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

Hawk, pausing mid-task, eyed Cell warily. "Why are you here?" he asked bluntly.

Cell's reply was tinged with sarcasm. "The King insists on my presence. Seems he doubts your ability to handle the political intricacies of this mission."

Hawk's muscles tensed at the jab, his patience wearing thin. "If you jeopardize this operation..." he began, his threat left hanging ominously in the air.

Cell, unfazed, retorted, "I'll remember to call on your brawn if needed. Now, let's get moving. Earth awaits."

The journey to Earth, a mere thirty minutes in their advanced ship, would have been a 3,000-year voyage using Hominin technology. As they traveled, Viper checked in with Hawk. "Did you inform Torell we've arrived?"

"He's sorting something out with Kia. He'll be here soon," Hawk replied, calming his impatient brother.

Soon after, Torell appeared, donning a Bellicose uniform. His attempt at blending in drew immediate attention.

"What on Eminence are you wearing?" Viper asked, a smirk playing on his lips, while Hawk couldn't help but laugh.

Torell, joining in the humor, said, "I can't exactly visit Earth in Sentinel gear, can I? I need to blend in. Besides, if I can't pass as one of you after all these years, you've been lousy friends."

Viper, steering the conversation back to their mission, inquired, "So, who's this girl we're supposed to extract?"

Torell hesitated, then replied, "My father says she's crucial for my transition. I'm just following orders," he half-lied, masking his true feelings about the mission.

Hawk, sensing something unsaid, probed further. "So, you're really considering the crown?"

"I hope not," Torell replied, his gaze drifting to Cell, who sat quietly, observing the exchange.

Torell raised an eyebrow. "I see Cell's joining us. I half-expected you to ditch him."

Hawk muttered, "Believe me, we've tried."

With that, their questions subsided, and the ship set a course for Earth, each member lost in their thoughts about the mission and the uncertain future that awaited them.

Hominins

The Hominins, though not as technologically advanced as the Gods or Aliens, have made significant strides. Their ingenuity, however, has come at a cost. In their efforts to cultivate enough food for their rulers, many of their own have been left to struggle in hunger and poverty. Families are torn apart; some parents, in a desperate bid for their children's betterment, have left them to fend for themselves on the streets, a heartbreaking decision born of dire circumstances.

In this fractured society, Thomas Wyatt stands as the Speaker of the World to the Council, a position that brings him weekly from Earth to Eminence. Guarded by a detail of Bellicose soldiers, Wyatt represents the voice of humanity, but not without controversy. His decisions have left many to question his priorities, as the divide between the privileged and the impoverished grows ever wider.

A startling 75% of the world's population, primarily composed of farmers and those with little wealth, find themselves neglected and overlooked. Meanwhile, the remaining 25% – a select group of families chosen by King Cornel post-war – enjoy a life of relative luxury, acting as the Earth's stewards in a tradition passed down through generations.

In the tapestry of a divided society, a thread of extraordinary color weaves through – Shauna, the unknown daughter of King Cornel. Years before his royal union, during a clandestine visit to Earth, the King encountered a Hominin woman whose spirit and grace captivated him. Their love, a forbidden flame in the eyes of the King's brother and the Elders, grew in secret, defying the decrees of those who sought to quell it.

Their romance was a dance of stolen moments and whispered promises, a testament to the power of love in the face of adversity. But as their bond deepened, the dangers of their union became increasingly apparent. Forced into hiding by the relentless pursuit of those who would see their love undone, they found solace in each other's embrace. The King in the end chose what most would in this situation, but his love never wavered.

However, fate dealt a cruel hand. The woman, who gave birth to the King's child, fell gravely ill. With her final breath, she whispered a name for their daughter – Shauna – a beacon of hope in a darkening world. Her passing left Shauna, 8, to chart her own course, a royal bloodline coursing through her veins, unbeknownst to her.

Shauna's life unfolded far from the palaces and intrigues of Eminence. She grew up in the shadows of society, her days marked by the struggle of foster homes and the harsh realities of street life. Her current abode, an abandoned building, she shares with her foster siblings, Trevor and Kiser – her makeshift family in a world that has offered little kindness.

Unknown to many, Shauna possesses a strength that defies explanation. In the gritty arena of an underground fight club, she channels this power, her fists a testament to her resilience. At fifteen, a startling discovery – the ability to lift a car with ease – revealed a facet of her heritage, a secret she guards closely.

As the paths of Torell, Hawk, Viper, Cell, and now Shauna converge, each harbors their own secrets, their burdens a mosaic of the worlds they inhabit. Shauna's journey, intertwined with the fates of others, beckons her to a destiny far greater than the confines of her current life, a destiny shaped by the legacy of a love that defied the stars.

Shauna

The fight club's air was thick with anticipation as I faced off against a trained Interloper. Mid-fight, my cherished boot went flying into the crowd, a casualty of the brawl. Holding back, I calculated my moves – the longer the fight, the larger my payout. I caught my manager's signal from the corner of my eye; it was time to end this. With a swift, decisive blow, I sent the Interloper to the ground, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

As I exited the ring, my foster brother Trevor was right there, concern etching his face. "You good?" he asked, eyeing a fresh cut on my cheek.

"It's nothing," I reassured him, already moving towards Troy, the club's manager, to collect my winnings.

Troy, casually lighting a cigar, handed me an envelope. I counted – six hundred dollars. "This isn't the agreed amount," I challenged.

Troy shrugged nonchalantly. "You turned down the fight with a Bellicose. This is what you get for going against an Interloper."

Anger bubbled within me. "This is ridiculous."

"Then prove your worth. Fight a Bellicose tomorrow night and win, I'll pay you twenty thousand," he countered, a sly grin on his face.

"Twenty thousand?" The figure hung in the air, a tantalizing yet dangerous prospect. "Fine, I'll do it," I agreed, despite Trevor's protests.

As we left the club, Trevor's concern was palpable. "Shauna, look at your face," he said, but even as he spoke, the cut was healing.

"Have you ever wondered how you can do the things you do?" he asked, his voice low.

I sighed. "I've stopped trying to figure it out. Maybe it's some freakish genetic fluke. Who knows?"

Trevor placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You're not a freak, Shauna. Whatever this is, I'm just glad you're my sister."

We shared a moment of sibling solidarity, my mind racing with thoughts of tomorrow's fight. The unknowns of my abilities, a lingering mystery, were about to be tested against a formidable Bellicose fighter.