Battle Of Planets

Chapter 13: Fishing
Cameras flashed as Edward and his two sons navigated through a horde of reporters, each trying to get a piece of their attention.Tyson squinted against the bright lights, his discomfort growing with every click. He intentionally avoided exposure, turning his face just enough to evade the relentless cameras.

”Damn, I hate these flashes,” Tyson muttered under his breath, slumping into his allocated seat in the chopper. His fingers ran through his black hair.

Alex, on the other hand, was as composed as ever. He sat back, his gaze calm, rubbing his calf muscle nonchalantly.

Tyson caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and raised an eyebrow.

”You okay?” Tyson asked,

Alex’s face remained stoic, but his hand lingered on his leg like he was hiding something.

”Nothing,” Alex replied without missing a beat. His smile was easy as if he were untouched by the chaos around them.

Tyson leaned back, his fingers tapping nervously against the seat.

”Get used to those flashes, my sons,” Edward’s booming voice cut through the silence. He chuckled, clearly at ease with the attention. ”You guys are the next generation of this world after all.”

Tyson rolled his eyes, trying to suppress his unease. He’d never liked being under a microscope. But Alex... Alex seemed unbothered, as always. Tyson couldn’t decide if he envied his brother’s calm or was irritated by it.

Edward’s laugh echoed in the small space of the chopper, but Tyson couldn’t shake the feeling that his father was enjoying this too much. Perhaps it was his way of passing on the responsibility, or maybe he just liked the attention himself.

The ride to the Carver family’s farmhouse was long, and Tyson could feel the weight of his discomfort settling with each passing mile, not to mention the news of Rogers and Carver’s family vacations reached the media even before Tyson could tell Nancy about his leave.

Tyson shifted in his suit, stiff and unfamiliar, clung to his body like a second skin. It was a far cry from the jeans and t-shirt he’d grown used to, and it made him feel more like a puppet than a person.

His father had insisted this would be a simple, stress-free vacation—just the Roger family and the Carvers, with no politics, no meetings, no demands. But Tyson couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all just a prelude to something more complicated, especially given how carefully the president had extended this invitation. Edward’s assurances that there would be no official discussions were met with Tysons’s skepticism.

The truth was, Tyson wasn’t sure how to feel about the president. His father, Edward, had long been a figure of authority, someone with a stake in Elria’s political landscape. But Tyson wasn’t as interested in politics as the adults seemed to be.

In the distance, the remnants of old human settlements stretched out across the horizon like scars on the land. Crumbling buildings, their once-sturdy floors now reduced to jagged structures of rusted metal and cracked stone, told the silent tale of a forgotten earth. Some of the structures had partially caved in on themselves, the walls eaten away by time, others still standing in twisted, and defiant silence.

These were the ruins of a past civilization, memories of the time before everything changed. They looked ancient, as though hundreds of years had passed since their downfall.

But, as the chopper climbed higher, Tyson’s eyes were drawn to the opposite side of the hill. There, straddled on the crest like farmhouse—a striking distinction to the devastation below. Its white walls gleamed in the sunlight, untouched by time.

The sprawling property was maintained, with lush vegetation surrounding it, and flower beds bursting with color.

The chopper’s engines whirred louder as it adapted its course, hovering gently over the riverbed. Tyson’s gaze lingered on the waterfall, the sight was almost slumberous before the pilot veered toward the extended field below.

In the distance, two other choppers were already grounded in the expansive meadow. The field itself was wide and open, spattered with patches of wildflowers and tall grasses that swayed in the breeze, a peaceful haven surrounded by the backdrop of the hills and river.

The farmhouse was now visible, its silhouette peeking over the hill, snuggled between the rolling green fields and the distant buzz of the waterfall. The Carvers greeted them with warmth their laughter ringing through the air like old friends reunited after too long.

Seraphina, with her bright eyes and effortless grace, stood out among them. Her honey-like skin tone added depth to her natural beauty, and when she smiled, her red lips curved slightly, offering a hint of both mystery and charm.

Her mother, Liora, stood quietly beside her, a more reserved figure, and smiled silently.

”Ed!” President Edmund Carver greeted Edward with a bear hug, both men laughing heartily as they embraced. ”Finally, you grace us with your presence.”

Edward chuckled, returning the hug. ”You’re the one always too busy, Carver. And yes, as promised, I brought both of my sons along.”

Seraphina, dressed casually yet radiantly, sidled up to Edward for a side hug. ”How are you, my dear?”

”I’m fine, Uncle,” Seraphina replied. Her gaze lingered on Alex for a moment, locking eyes with him before she turned her attention to Tyson, her smile widening.

”Tyson, I’ve heard so much about you,” she said, her voice carrying a playful tone.

”Likewise,” Tyson responded, feeling the warmth in her presence. ”You’re even more beautiful than the photos I saw with the president.”

Seraphina’s smile deepened, and she replied lightly, ”Thanks and it’s nice to see you too, Alex.”

”Same here,” Alex said, his usual calm demeanor barely betraying his interest. ”Shall we get going?”

As the two families watched Seraphina and Alex lead the way toward the house, Liora’s chuckle echoed behind them. She shook her head with an amused smile as Tyson stood momentarily speechless, still processing the unexpected scene before him, did he just see Alex blushing?

----

The small boat swung gently as they made their way out into the middle of the river, its surface reflecting the light of the afternoon sun.

The air was filled with the scent of surrounding greenery, and the sound of the water. Alex, Tyson, and Seraphina sat together, their fishing rods cast into the water as they waited in silence for a bite.

Seraphina tied her hair back into a loose ponytail as her eyes blinked between Alex and Tyson.

”So,” she began, breaking the silence, ”tell me, how are you two brothers doing?”

Alex’s response was immediate, ”We’re not brothers.”

Tyson stayed silent, his focus still on the water as he cast his line further out. His jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t look at Alex.

Seraphina, taken aback for a moment, opened her mouth to say something, but Alex cut her off before she could continue.

”Just leave it,” he said, ”That’s how I feel.”

Tyson, without looking up, muttered, ”Yeah, leave it. His thick skull won’t understand a thing, even if you try to change his mind.”

A tense silence hung between them and the only sound of water ripped around them.

Seraphina tried to shift the mood, forcing a laugh, though it sounded a little too practiced. ”Well, that’s one way to put it.”

Tyson glanced at her briefly, ”You’re trying too hard.”

Seraphina smirked and leaned back slightly, casting her gaze over the river as ”It’s just... I don’t know. You two are so... different. I was just hoping you might get along.”

The words hung in the air, but neither of the boys replied Just when it seemed like they might stay that way for a while, Seraphina suddenly yelped as her fishing rod jerked in her hands.

”Got one!” she exclaimed, pulling at the line in excitement. But the fish was stronger than she expected, and it tugged hard against her. The boat rocked dangerously as she struggled to reel it in.

”I can’t get it!” Seraphina grunted, trying to pull harder, but the fish was putting up a fight.

Alex shot a glance at Tyson before snatching the rod from her hands. ”I’ll handle it,”

”Why?” Tyson shot back, raising an eyebrow. ”I grabbed the string first.”

”Because I’m better at this,” Alex replied with a slight smirk, his grip tightening on the rod.

”Guys, just help me!” Seraphina pleaded, now clearly panicking. ”I swear, if this fish gets away because of you two, I’ll toss you both into the water myself!”

”You heard her,” Alex said, shooting a quick look at Tyson. ”Let me do it.”

Tyson narrowed his eyes. ”That’s why I’m telling you to leave it to me,” he retorted, pulling the string toward him with determination.

But before either of them could get a clear advantage, they both yanked in opposite directions, trying to claim control of the situation. The boat tilted dangerously, and before they knew it, all three of them were thrown off balance.

With a splash, the boat capsized, sending them tumbling into the cold river.

Seraphina’s laughter rang out above the sound of splashing water as Tyson followed with an exaggerated groan.

Alex, expression barely registered any surprise. He exhaled sharply as he began swimming toward the shore, his clothes already weighing him down. ”Of course,” he muttered, pushing through the current.

Tyson wiped the water from his face. ”Well, that was a disaster,” he chuckled, following Alex toward the riverbank.

Seraphina, still laughing, swam a little ahead, her smile wide and playful. ”Maybe next time, you’ll work together.”