chapter 2 planet x

Aryan turned to Jasper, his piercing gaze softened momentarily.

"A lot has happened in these five years, Jasper," Aryan began, his voice calm yet laced with an unfamiliar intensity. "I'm not the same Aryan you once knew. The world you knew isn't the one I've been living in."

Jasper blinked in confusion but said nothing, sensing that Aryan had much to explain.

"You see," Aryan continued, "this isn't Earth. We're on an entirely different planet—a place called *Planet X*. When I was sucked into that portal, I didn't just disappear; I was transported here. And for five long years, I survived, fought, and learned the truth about this place—a truth no one back on Earth could even imagine."

Jasper's brows furrowed, trying to make sense of Aryan's words.

"Why didn't you come back, Aryan? Five years! We thought you were—"

Aryan raised a hand, silencing him gently. "Because I couldn't, Jasper. I didn't have the power to create a portal back to Earth. But now… now I do."

Jasper's eyes widened in surprise.

"Planet X is the source of all those incredible powers you've seen warriors use in tournaments. They never told you the truth behind their strength, did they? This place is the origin—a land of miracles and madness. It's crawling with dangerous creatures, some weak, others monstrous. But here's the secret: if you kill a creature and consume its flesh, your physical abilities improve exponentially. And if you're lucky, you might even inherit some of its abilities."

Jasper shuddered. "That's… barbaric."

Aryan smirked. "Barbaric or not, it's survival. And the energy that fuels everything here? It's called *Ivon Energy*. The moment you set foot on this planet, you felt pain, didn't you?"

Jasper nodded, recalling the searing agony when he arrived.

"That was Ivon Energy awakening inside you. It's the very essence of life here. You'll learn more through experience, but for now, know this—this planet is unforgiving, and I can't stay with you for long. My presence will attract creatures far more powerful than you can handle."

Zasfir, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, her voice trembling. "No, Aryan! I've waited so long to find you, and now you're leaving again? Please, don't go!"

Aryan's expression hardened, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sorrow. "Zasfir, it's for your own good. I promise, we'll meet again—when you're strong enough to stand on your own."

Tears welled up in Jasper's eyes. At just sixteen, the weight of Aryan's words crushed him. "But… you're my brother, Aryan. How can you just leave?"

Aryan placed a firm hand on Jasper's shoulder. "Because I must. But before I go, I'll teach you how to survive. Follow me."

Without another word, Aryan led Jasper through the swamp. They walked in tense silence until they reached the mouth of a massive, dark cave.

"What is this place?" Jasper asked, peering into the shadowy depths.

"The lair of the Frocun King," Aryan replied nonchalantly.

Jasper's jaw dropped. "You mean… we're going to fight *that*?"

Aryan smirked. "Well, *you* are. I'm just here to help."

Jasper stammered, "But—"

Jasper's heart pounded. "What's the plan? How do we fight it?"

Aryan looked amused. "Simple. We make it come to us."

Before Jasper could ask how, Aryan stepped forward, raising his hand high. Sparks of electricity crackled around him, growing louder until a deafening boom shook the ground. A massive bolt of lightning erupted from Aryan's palm, striking the cave entrance. The explosion obliterated part of the cave, sending rubble and dust flying everywhere.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Jasper shouted, coughing as smoke filled the air.

Aryan's grin widened. "Inviting the Frocun King to the party."

As the dust settled, a guttural roar echoed from within the cave. The ground trembled as a massive creature emerged. The Frocun King towered over them, its grotesque form illuminated by the faint glow of its bioluminescent horns. It resembled a giant, spiked amphibian with the head and neck of a serpent. Its glowing, hate-filled eyes locked onto Aryan and Jasper.

Aryan folded his arms. "Well, hello there. You look angry. Did we destroy your… underwear?"

The Frocun King roared again, leaping at Aryan with alarming speed. But before it could land, Aryan vanished in a flash of electricity, reappearing behind the creature.

"Whoa, calm down! I didn't actually steal your underwear!" Aryan taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "Wait—do you even wear underwear? That's… unsettling."

The Frocun King spun around, lashing out with its tail. Aryan dodged effortlessly, smirking. "Maybe you're mad because someone flushed your girlfriend down the toilet?"

The beast let out an ear-splitting roar and launched a glob of poisonous acid at Aryan.

Aryan's eyes glowed blue as he extended his hand. A shimmering, translucent shield of energy materialized, deflecting the poison bomb back at the creature. It exploded on impact, eliciting another roar of fury.

"Didn't anyone teach you manners?" Aryan quipped. "You don't throw poison at guests!"

Realizing Aryan was too much to handle, the Frocun King turned its attention to Jasper. Spikes protruded from its back, glowing with a sinister green hue, before launching toward the boy.

Jasper froze, his mind screaming at him to move, but his body refused to obey.

Before the spikes could hit, Aryan stepped between Jasper and the attack. With a flick of his wrist, the spikes froze midair before disintegrating into harmless dust.

Aryan's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a deadly seriousness. "Listen here, you oversized toad. You can insult me, throw bombs at me, but you *do not* touch my comrades."

Above the Frocun King, shimmering swords of light materialized, hovering menacingly. Aryan's voice dropped to a chilling calm. "Playtime's over. It's death time."

The Frocun King froze, sensing its impending doom. The swords rained down in a blinding flurry, piercing the creature's tough hide. Blood sprayed as the beast's roars turned into pained gurgles.

Aryan turned to Jasper, his tone lighter. "Alright, kid. Time for you to finish it off."

Jasper stared at him, wide-eyed. "How? I don't even have a weapon!"

Aryan sighed dramatically, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Are you serious? You came all this way without a weapon? What were you planning to fight with—your *bare hands*?"

"I… just got here!" Jasper retorted, flustered.

The Frocun King let out one final, agonized roar. Before it could make another move, Aryan's glare intensified. The creature's head exploded in a gruesome burst of blood and bone, silencing it forever.

"Can't even let us finish a conversation," Aryan muttered. "So rude."

The creature's massive body began to disintegrate, leaving behind a pile of glowing, poison-tipped arrows. Aryan picked them up, inspecting them briefly before handing them to Jasper.

"Here. These are yours now. They're laced with high-level poison, perfect for hunting and defense. Take care of them—they're your first real weapon."

Jasper accepted the arrows, still in a daze. The events unfolding around him felt surreal, like stepping into one of his wildest fantasies. His fear was mingled with a growing excitement—a spark of hope that he, too, could survive this strange new world.

Aryan observed Jasper's reaction and smirked. "Kid, are you lost in your weird daydreams about eating poop again?"

Jasper's head snapped up, his face burning with indignation. "What?! Stop saying that!"

Aryan chuckled. "What? You worried there's not enough poop left on this planet for you?"

Jasper groaned, his fists clenched. "I swear, if you don't stop—"

"Or what?" Aryan teased. "You'll eat all the poop and leave none for the rest of us?"

"STOP TALKING ABOUT POOP!" Jasper shouted, his face red with frustration.

Aryan laughed, ruffling Jasper's hair. "Relax, kid. You're too easy to mess with." His tone softened as he handed Jasper a sword. Its blade shimmered with a faint, golden glow.

"This is my most precious weapon. Keep it with you. Train with it. And when you're strong enough, find me and return it. That'll mean you're ready."

Jasper looked at the sword, then at Aryan. "You're really leaving, aren't you?"

Aryan nodded, a sad smile on his lips. "For now. But remember—this isn't goodbye. It's just 'see you later.'"

Before Jasper could reply, Aryan disappeared in a flash of lightning, leaving behind only the faint scent of ozone.

Jasper stood alone, clutching the sword tightly. He felt a mix of emotions—fear, sadness, and determination. Turning back toward the swamp, he began his journey, his first test as a survivor of Planet X.

As he walked, he noticed the bodies of smaller Frocuns littering the area—evidence of Aryan's power. He collected their remains and made his way to a nearby tunnel, seeking shelter for the night.

The tunnel was dark and eerily quiet. Just as Jasper began to relax, a shadow shifted in the corner of his vision.

He wasn't alone.

To be continued