The driver, eyes wide in terror, scrambled to the side, trying to avoid getting in the middle of what was about to happen. "Y-you’re not supposed to be here," he stammered, stepping back as the alien hissed at Richard.Richard stood his ground, his muscles tensing. "I could say the same about you," he muttered, his gaze fixed on the alien.The alien lunged first, its speed unnatural, but Richard had already anticipated the move. He shifted time again, dodging its razor-sharp claws by mere inches. The world around him slowed, but the alien's presence disrupted the flow of time in a way he hadn’t expected. It moved almost in sync with him, though not quite as fast.It can sense time manipulation, Richard realized.He had to move carefully. The alien wasn’t just a brute; it was aware, and it would make this a deadly fight.The alien’s voice was deep and unnerving, its ugly, elongated teeth bared in a twisted grin. Saliva dripped from its maw, stretching from one tooth to the other like
The driver, visibly shaking, replied, "The aliens are competing among themselves to mate with the president's daughter."Richard's jaw tightened as he absorbed the driver’s words. “So, this isn’t just some alien game… they’re involving humans too? A twisted competition to see who gets to mate with the president’s daughter?” His voice was laced with disgust.The driver, trembling, nodded. “Yes, they want strong men, humans, who can fight. They’re giving humans a chance to enter the tournament, to fight for her.”Richard’s eyes burned with fury. “And what happens to the ones who lose?”The driver looked down, ashamed. “They die... or worse, they become part of the aliens' entertainment, used as playthings or food.”Richard’s fists clenched. "I’ve heard enough." He glanced at the freed prisoners. “You're all free to go.”He returned his gaze back to the driver, "You know where this Alien Amazon Arena is, yes?""Yes sir, I do, it's a two days journey from here if we leave now""Good, take
The air was thick and damp as Richard and the driver descended into the underground tunnel. The route was narrow and dimly lit, with the sound of dripping water echoing around them. The walls were lined with grime and strange markings that Richard could barely make out in the dim light."How far is it from here?" Richard asked, his voice barely a whisper."Not much farther," the driver replied, glancing around nervously as if expecting something to jump out of the shadows. "The underground route leads directly to the arena’s basement. From there, we’ll have to find a way into the main stadium."Richard’s eyes scanned the tunnel ahead, his instincts sharp. He could feel the tension in the air, knowing they were venturing into enemy territory. The driver hesitated for a moment, his voice trembling slightly. "With all due respect, sir," he said cautiously, "if you want to go in unnoticed, you're going to have to remove your military outfit and wear rags, like the rest of us."Richard r
Richard’s eyes flickered briefly, maintaining his composure. "You healed, didn’t you?" Richard responded with a faint, cold smile. "Must not have been that big of a deal after all."A murmur spread among the aliens like wildfire. They glanced between Richard and the scarred alien, their curiosity growing into something darker—something violent.The alien’s smile vanished. His expression twisted with rage as the memory of his mutilation bubbled to the surface. "You’ll pay for what you did," he hissed, his voice filled with venom. "This time, there will be no escape."The aliens around them began to stand, their muscles tensing as they prepared for a fight, all eyes now on Richard.Richard held up his hands in mock surrender, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I mean no offense, bro, but unless we're fighting in the competition, I’ll gladly apologize for cutting off your cucumber."The alien's eyes flared with rage at Richard's nonchalance, and the room grew even quieter, as if the tensio
Richard's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked, his body trembling with the sheer force of the rage surging through him. His eyes narrowed, darkening with a fierce, predatory intensity as he sized up Sea Wolf. Every muscle in his body coiled like a spring ready to explode, his breathing controlled but deep, as if he were holding back a storm.“You won’t escape my fists this time, Sea Wolf,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous, each word laced with venom. The air between them seemed to hum with the promise of violence. “You’ll pay for killing my mentor.”Sea Wolf took another step back, his once fearless demeanor wavering as he saw the storm brewing in Richard’s eyes. For a split second, fear flickered in his expression, but he quickly masked it, sneering in defiance. Yet, the tremor in his fingers betrayed him.Richard’s mind flashed with memories—his mentor’s lifeless body, the blood, the betrayal—and it only fueled his fury. His fists, now like hammers, twitched,
The first swung a bat at his head, fast and wild. Richard ducked, the air from the swing brushing his face as he pivoted, driving his elbow into the pirate’s ribs with a sickening crack. The man crumpled, clutching his chest as he gasped for breath.Two more came at him, one brandishing a knife, the other a jagged piece of metal. The knife came at his side in a vicious jab. Richard caught the pirate's wrist in midair, his grip like iron. With a twist so brutal it snapped bones, he disarmed the man and kicked him so hard in the chest that he flew back into the crowd. The second pirate slashed down with his blade, but Richard sidestepped effortlessly and brought his fist up in a devastating uppercut. The man's jaw shattered on impact, and he fell like a stone.They kept coming, three at once this time. Richard was a blur, dodging their attacks with ruthless precision. A fist aimed at his head missed by inches as he countered, delivering a sharp knee into the pirate’s gut, sending him s
The criminal blinked, confusion clouding his face. “What? You want to kill her too?”Richard’s gaze darkened. “No. I’m here to rescue her. I’m not leaving without her.”The criminal’s jaw dropped in disbelief, a nervous laugh bubbling up in his chest. “Rescue her? Are you insane? The only smart thing we can do is get the hell out of here before we all end up like these poor bastards.”More prisoners gathered, drawn by the exchange, murmuring amongst themselves. The mention of the president’s daughter seemed to send a ripple of uneasy curiosity through the crowd.Richard’s voice cut through the rising whispers like a blade. “I wasn’t captured by the aliens. I came here on my own terms.” His words carried a weight that silenced the crowd. “And I’m not leaving without the president’s daughter.”The criminal’s laugh turned hollow. “You’re out of your mind.” He stared at Richard for a long moment, only to find no trace of doubt in his eyes. The conviction was unnerving.“So, you’re saying
Richard's thoughts churned as he recalled the pegasus’ warning. "Is this why the pegasus asked me to hide my identity as the Ghost Rider?"He turned his attention to the notorious criminal, his gaze sharp. "What's your name?""I'm Addams," the man replied, his voice rough but steady."Alright, Addams. You're in charge now." Richard's voice was firm, authoritative. "We need to dispose of these dead bodies before things get out of hand."Addams raised an eyebrow. "The aliens will be here any moment," he said. "The prelude is today, so they’ll take care of the bodies."As if on cue, the doors opened, and four aliens entered, their weapons gleaming under the dim lights. One of them was scarred—the same one who had eyed Richard with suspicion before.Richard’s muscles tensed, his senses heightened. He knew the real game was just beginning.The aliens scanned the dead bodies on the floor with keen interest, muttering among themselves, "More dead bodies today. Humans are foolish, always figh
Sophia shivered. “Is it just me, or is the water colder?”Richard glanced around, his senses on high alert. “Keep moving. Stay calm.”Addams gave a nervous chuckle, trying to mask his growing fear. “Sure, because calm is exactly what I feel right now.”The serpent’s head rose just below the surface, close enough that its outline could be seen if anyone dared to look down. But it remained hidden, trailing them silently.Medusa suddenly stopped, her body tense. “Did you hear that?”Richard paused. “Hear what?”Medusa shook her head. “Maybe nothing…but it felt like something moved beneath us.”Addams’ face paled. “You mean, like a fish? A really big, man-eating fish?”Sophia tried to stay composed. “Let’s not jump to conclusions.”The giant monkey suddenly halted, sniffing the air again. Its low growl rumbled through the water. “Something is here,” it muttered, loud enough for only Richard and Medusa to understand.Richard’s heart raced, but he forced a calm expression. “Keep going,” he
As they began their trek through the thick underbrush, Richard slowed his pace to walk beside Medusa. “There’s something waiting for you when we leave this forest.”Medusa raised an eyebrow. “A surprise? You’re not exactly the surprising type.”Richard’s lips twitched into a rare smile. “It’s not what you think. But you’ll see.”Medusa studied him for a moment. “Do you know about the dragons?”His expression darkened. “Dragons? No. Why do you ask?”“Just a hunch,” Medusa replied, her voice laced with suspicion.Behind them, Addams sidled up to Sophia, his face unusually serious. “I had a dream last night,” he muttered.Sophia glanced at him. “A dream?”“More like a nightmare. We all died in this forest. Every single one of us.”Sophia frowned, brushing off the chill that ran down her spine. “You’re always so negative. It was just a dream.”Addams gave her a look. “Yeah? Let’s hope you’re right.”Suddenly, the giant monkey halted, its massive body going rigid. It sniffed the air, eye
"Do you think Richard will be okay?" Sophia asked, glancing at Medusa."I'm optimistic he will," Medusa replied calmly."Come off it, ladies. Richard's not coming back, and we're screwed in this cursed forest," Addams cut in.Sophia shot Addams a glare. "You're always so negative, aren't you? Richard will come back," she said firmly, though her voice trembled slightly.Medusa remained calm, folding her arms. "Addams, your pessimism is exhausting. Richard has faced worse than this."Addams scoffed, kicking a loose branch. "You know I'm right."Sophia clenched her fists. "If you’ve given up, feel free to leave. But stop dragging the rest of us down."Medusa smirked. "He won’t leave. He’s too scared to wander off on his own.""I would, if that giant gorilla decides to come with me," Addams countered with a smirk.Sophia rolled her eyes. "Ignore him. Medusa, how do we get out of this forest?"Medusa leaned against a tree, her expression calm but weary. "We've been trying for days, and it'
Planet GethenOn Planet Gethen, the beasts arrived at the throne room, seeking an audience with their King. The King of Gethen, seated on his iron throne, watched them carefully. Beside him stood the Berserker beast, a fierce warrior dressed in heavy armor.One of the beasts stepped forward, bowing its head. "We come on behalf of the Ghost Rider. He seeks an alliance."The King's eyes narrowed, "Why would a Ghost Rider seek my aid?""The aliens have invaded Earth," the beast replied. "He believes only an alliance with the Berserkers can stop them."The colonel crossed his arms, "Why should Gethen concern itself with Earth's war?"The beast raised its head. "If the aliens conquer Earth, they will not stop there. Gethen could be next. The Ghost Rider offers a pact: fight together, or risk standing alone."The King leaned back, a smirk curling his lips. "And what does Earth have to offer us? Nothing but weakness. Tell him his offer is rejected."The colonel add
"Very well, Ghost Rider. I have three questions for you." The dragon growled."Answer them correctly, and I'll bond with you. Answer wrong, and you'll be reduced to ash." The dragon halted, its golden eyes fixed on Richard.Richard took a deep breath and steadied himself, meeting the dragon's gaze. "Go on," he said.The dragon’s voice was low and ominous. "I am the whisper in the wind, the shadow on the wall, the echo of a distant call, yet I am not sound at all. What am I?"Richard furrowed his brow, thinking carefully about the riddle. The dragon's golden eyes never left him, and the air around them felt heavy with the pressure of the moment.His mind raced, but he forced himself to focus. He thought for a moment before speaking, his voice steady. "Silence," he said. The dragon's fiery eyes glinted, a hint of approval in its gaze. "Correct," it rumbled, its massive form shifting slightly. "One down. Two to go."Richard let out a breath of relief but stayed focused, knowing he still
“Why do I feel like this is a terrible idea, coming here?” Richard muttered, his voice barely audible over the oppressive silence. He glanced around, weighing his options, thoughts of retreat flickering in his mind.But before he could take another step, a voice echoed through the cavern—deep, guttural, and inhuman.“I can smell your blood... Baldur.”A chilling fear raced down Richard’s spine as the booming voice reverberated through the cave. His breath hitched, and his heart pounded in his chest.“It’s been so long since a Ghost Rider dared to seek me out,” the voice continued, dripping with malevolent amusement. “I almost forgot how delicious they taste.”The ground beneath Richard's feet trembled as the heavy, deliberate footsteps of the dragon echoed through the cavern, each one shaking the cave like distant thunder. The heat intensified, and the air thickened with the scent of sulfur.Richard swallowed hard, the realization sinking in: he was face-to-face with the black queen.
As they continued deeper into the cave, the darkness became suffocating, consuming every hint of light until there was nothing but the flickering glow of Richard’s lightning illuminating their path."So," Doris broke the silence, her voice echoing softly against the cavern walls, "apart from controlling lightning, what other powers do you have?"Richard glanced at her, the soft crackle of electricity sparking from his fingertips. "I can stop time," he answered simply.Doris raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Stopping time is cool."He smirked. "It has its perks. But what about you? Speed can’t be your only ability."A mischievous grin spread across Doris’s face. "I can stop people’s hearts. Kill them without laying a single finger on them."Richard stopped in his tracks for a second, impressed and unnerved. "That’s… intense," he admitted. "I guess that’s how you handled those aliens earlier."Doris nodded, her smile lingering. "It gets the job done.""And Medusa?" Richard asked, g
Doris flipped between the aliens and the chained baby dragon, her movements fluid and precise. Richard stayed back, watching with cautious eyes."Eliminate the foreign threat," one of the aliens commanded in a cold, mechanical tone.There were twenty of them in total, all heavily armed. The baby dragon struggled weakly against its chains, pushed forward by a machine.The aliens opened fire, but Doris moved with lightning speed, dodging every shot. She was a blur, too fast for their weapons to track.Richard’s eyes widened as he took in the scene. "She’s a speedster," he muttered to himself. "That’s her superpower."Doris twisted in midair, landing gracefully behind an alien and knocking it into the others with a single, powerful kick. She glanced back at Richard, a smirk playing on her lips. "Still just watching? Thought you might be useful."Richard clenched his jaw, frustration flickering in his eyes. "I thought you wanted me to sit this one out."Doris laughed softly. "Changed my m
The dragon stood towering over them, its massive wings unfurling with a powerful gust that sent dust and ashes swirling around Richard and the ghost rider. Its glowing blue eyes locked onto Richard, and for a moment, he was certain this was the end. The dragon's mouth opened wide, its jagged teeth glistening, and Richard braced himself for the inevitable burst of flames.But instead of fire, a deafening roar erupted, shaking the very walls of the cave. The sound echoed like thunder, reverberating through Richard's chest, leaving him momentarily stunned. He felt the raw power of the beast's fury.As the echoes faded, the dragon lowered its head slightly, exhaling a deep rumble, and then, to Richard’s surprise, it turned away. The massive creature walked slowly toward the back of the cave, each step shaking the ground, before settling down into its hide, curling its wings around itself like a protective shield.Richard let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, his heart still