[Planet Grania: The Pinnacle of Intergalactic Civilization.]
The three Granian ships slowly floated through the vast vacuum of space on their way to their home planet. Gone for more than six human years, the Granians aboard the three ships had finally made it back. Some of them were crying tears of joy, while most were relieved to be back on their home planet where their families and friends awaited their arrival. For Grim, Huntress, One Horn, Grand Master, and a few of the Granian generals on board, they were pleased to have returned with the spoils of their conquest. With their mission complete, the four finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to relax a little. Pretty soon, however, they were about to initiate a war between them and their enemies, the Ethisians.
"We’re entering the atmosphere. Prepare for turbulence." Planet Grania was a colossal planet three times larger than Jupiter itself. With a green hue, green oceans, red and purple plant life, and a reddish-pink ring surrounding it, the planet had a wild and dangerous look. As the ships got closer, the planet’s strong gravitational pull slowly pulled them in much faster than normal, causing all those on board to be pulled back and forth as those piloting the ships stabilized them.
"At last, there it is," Grand Master said, looking through the front windscreen at the vast mass of land that stretched beyond the horizon. Before them was the city of Grania, a city so massive that it would take eight days to cover a quarter of it. Since it was large in size, the inhabitants moved by means of aircraft that enabled them to cover as much ground as possible.
Speaking of the ground, below the ships were great towers stacked on top of each other, creating an overwhelming but calming presence. The buildings, which were Granian homes, were covered by the planet’s vegetation, a perfect mix of Granian encroachment with the planet’s plant life. On those buildings were thousands of Granians, each celebrating, cheering, and rejoicing at the return of their conquerors. Celebrations were commenced, and a fleet of ships was sent as a welcoming party for Grim, his warriors, and the remainder of those on board with him.
"Setting a course for Granian Castle." Since Grand Master and Grim were sent on a mission by their Emperor Grania, they had to land at his castle and give a report of their findings, discoveries, and, most of all, the four trophy weapons they returned with. Another event on the list was the mating ritual between Grim and Huntress, equivalent to a wedding back on Earth.
Speeding past the towering buildings, the Granian ships were now in the airspace of a somewhat desolate area surrounded by thick canopies of trees, moving plant life, and Granian species that were all heading in the same direction as they were, the Granian Castle. Sited on a great landmass of rock, the Granian castle stood out amongst everything else that surrounded it. The Castle was a blend of the human Romantic Era castles with Arabian and Indian castles intertwined all together. In fact, it looked like a castle built on ten castles, giving it a sort of disorganized yet architecturally stunning finish.
At the front of the Castle were three helipads with the Granian letter G written on them. The three ships slowly landed, and after some time, the hatches were opened, allowing them to step foot on their home planet. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚑𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥
"Grand Master, Lord Grim." A slender, female Granian clad in white robes with brazen trims greeted them with a slight bow and a gentle smile on her face. "Lord Grania awaits your arrival. Welcome home. You have greatly been missed."
"Are the Council of Elders ready for us?" Grim asked, without acknowledging the Granian before him. With his eyes fixated on the Castle’s entrance, he awaited approval to move forward and showcase all that they had gathered.
"Indeed. Before you leave, may I borrow Helda from you in preparation for your mating ritual?" she asked, referring to Huntress using her real name. Grim simply side-eyed the Granian and nodded before swaying his tail from left to right, a signal notifying his warriors to bring out all they collected during their long expedition.
In great numbers came Grim’s warriors, each carrying either something as small as a ring box or dragging something almost a quarter the size of the ship. These items included various precious gems, stones, and energy cores; wildlife forms including Earth’s beasts with crystals; slaves from their conquered planets; machinery and technology looted from their enemies; and most importantly, the four blood mutants.
"Four?" the female Granian standing before Grim gasped as she and the others aligned their eyes upon the four humans that were floating in the green liquids inside cylindrical containers. "Your objective was to return with two."
"The rest will be explained once inside," Grand Master intervened. "Is it okay for us to move in now?"
"Yes, please, right this way." Grim’s fleet, Grand Master, One Horn, and a couple of Granian generals made their way into the Granian Castle, where they were expecting a meeting with the Granian Council of Elders. The Council of Elders consisted of Lord Grania’s trusted advisors, former conquerors, and even the future prince of Planet Grania. Most of these Elders were as old as Earth was, ranging from six to eight thousand years old.
"The Elders are prepared to receive you." Another female Granian approached them as she and the first female went to another chamber in the castle with Huntress, or Helda at this point. As for Grim and Grand Master, they were the first to make an appearance before Lord Grania as per Granian custom.
"Elders and Lord Grania, I present to you Grim the Conqueror and Grand Master, leader of the Granian Galactic explorers." Another female Granian, who was more buff in size compared to Grim, announced the arrival of the two with their fleet. "They come bearing gifts and presents for you, my Lord. They have also returned with not just two but four Blood Mutants from the Planet Earth."
Gasps, chants, and murmurs filled the large room, and as for Lord Grania, the Granian Emperor, he widened his green, piercing eyes and waved his hand, a sign that gave clearance to Grim and Grand Master to make their way before him.