A lone figure rose into the sky, bathed in a radiant aura. His presence disrupted the invaders, forcing them into an unnatural stillness.
Pointing toward the Capital, the figure shouted:
"RUN! GET TO THE HATCH! YOU MUST LEAVE NOW!"
His voice carried with it a desperate urgency. The planet's inhabitants, confused and terrified, hesitated for only a moment before obeying.
The figure turned back to face the looming horde. He knew this moment would come. For years, he had prepared. For years, he had waited.
"My civilizations… my creatures… my years of hard work… will not fail."
With those final words, he launched himself into the fray, clashing against the endless tide of invaders. He was faster than them, stronger than them, more skilled than any warrior before him. But there were too many.
As the inhabitants bolted toward the Capital, they turned back only once. What they saw would haunt them forever.
The guardian, overwhelmed. His body pierced, slashed, and crushed under the sheer numbers of the army. His radiant glow flickered… then vanished.
His lifeless body was dragged into the enemy's ranks.
But they had no time to grieve.
The last of the civilians reached the hatch—an enormous hidden gateway beneath the Capital. One by one, they leaped inside. The moment the last survivor entered, the hatch sealed shut.
Then—BOOM.
The earth lit up with an unnatural glow.
The civilians turned around and gasped in horror.