The training session was intense. Nolan and Battle Beast were sparring inside the Kamui dimension, each strike sending shockwaves through the warped space around them. It was a test of raw power, a clash of titans. Nolan could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins as he matched Battle Beast blow for blow, each of them pushing the other to their limits.
But just as the fight was about to escalate to another level, Nolan's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. It was a call from Gebbie.
"Hold on," Nolan said, raising a hand to pause the fight. He swiped to answer.
"Gebbie? What's going on?" Nolan asked, his voice already shifting from relaxed to alert.
"Nolan, it's Cecil," Gebbie replied quickly, her voice laced with worry. "There's another Viltrimit. Her name's Anissa, and she's attacking Mark. She's overpowering him—he's on the ground, and she's threatening him. We need you now."
Nolan's eyes immediately hardened, his expression serious. "Where is he?"
"Outside the city. I'll guide you there."
"Stay put, I'm on my way," Nolan said, his voice low and determined. He turned to Battle Beast, who was already gearing up for action.
"Let's go," Nolan said, his tone firm.
When they arrived at the scene, the sight was worse than Nolan expected. Mark was on the ground, bruised and bloodied, his breath shallow as he struggled to push himself up. Standing over him was a tall, imposing figure—Anissa, a Viltrimit warrior with an unsettling, predatory presence. Her red eyes glowed with malice as she looked down at Mark, her stance cold and calculated.
Anissa was no ordinary fighter. She had a lean, muscular frame, covered in armor that reflected her brutal nature. She stood tall, easily several inches above Mark, her aura exuding a sense of superiority.
"You're weak, Mark," Anissa said, her voice dripping with disdain as she loomed over him. "You couldn't even land a single hit. How pitiful."
Mark gritted his teeth, trying to push himself up, but his body wouldn't cooperate. The fight had drained him completely, and his vision was blurred.
"I told you... I'm not done," Mark growled, though the words were barely a whisper.
Anissa laughed, a cold, chilling sound. "You don't get to decide when it's over. Your strength, your spirit—it's not enough." She loomed over him, raising her foot as if to crush him, but she paused and looked down at him, her expression growing more calculating. "If you don't come to your senses soon, Mark, Earth will pay a steep price. I'm not here to kill you yet, but that might change if you keep disappointing me."
Nolan's heart clenched as he saw his son struggling. He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Enough," he said, his voice cold but commanding. "Anissa, that's enough."
Anissa turned her head slowly, locking eyes with Nolan. "You... You think you can stop me? Your son is weak. He hasn't learned the first thing about real power."
Nolan stood tall, his posture unwavering. "I'm not here to stop you. I'm here to make sure my son learns. If you think this is over, think again. You've been allowed to have your fun, but that ends now."
Mark's breathing was labored, but he managed to look up at Nolan. "Dad... I—"
Nolan cut him off, kneeling beside him. "You don't need to talk right now, Mark. You just need to listen. This is your test. You're learning. You've got this. Don't let her words get to you. You're stronger than you think."
Mark swallowed hard, his body aching, but he nodded faintly, steeling himself.
Anissa was clearly growing impatient. "This is pathetic," she muttered under her breath. "I've wasted enough time here."
Without another word, she turned her back on Mark, as though dismissing him as an afterthought. "I'll be back," she called, her voice echoing with menace. "But next time, you won't get the chance to recover. I hope you realize that soon."
With a flick of her wrist, Anissa disappeared into the distance, leaving the area in an unsettling silence.
Mark lay there for a moment, his body still trembling from the battle. Nolan watched him quietly, not rushing to help, but his gaze was full of concern. Battle Beast, standing nearby, said nothing but watched intently. He didn't interfere, respecting Nolan's decision to let Mark handle the situation on his own. Nolan knew Mark wasn't ready to win that fight, but he needed to see the reality of his limits.
"Get up, Mark," Nolan finally said, his voice firm but not unkind. "You've learned something today, and that's worth more than a win. You can't always be the strongest, but you can always get stronger. Never forget that."
Mark struggled to push himself up, wincing as he moved. His body was bruised and battered, but there was a fire in his eyes now, a spark of determination that hadn't been there before.
"I'll be stronger next time," Mark said, his voice gritty but filled with resolve. "I'll never let that happen again."
Nolan nodded, giving him a rare smile. "Good. Now let's get you patched up."
As Nolan and Battle Beast helped Mark up and made their way back to the Grayson household, Nolan couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for his son. He wasn't sure how long it would take for Mark to reach his full potential, but he knew this battle had been an important step.
Back home, Gebbie was already waiting for them, concern on her face as she rushed to check on Mark's injuries.
"Is he alright?" she asked, looking over him anxiously.
"I'll be fine, Mom," Mark said, offering her a tired smile. "I just... I need to get stronger."
Gebbie looked at Nolan, who simply nodded. She understood.
Nolan sat back, watching as his family came together. This wasn't just about protecting Earth anymore. It was about strength, about growth, and about preparing Mark for the inevitable threats they would face. The Viltrimit invasion was only just beginning, but Nolan had faith. Mark would rise to the challenge.