Prologue

Somewhere deep in space existed a planet known as Planet Nokair. It was home to the Nokairs, a race nearly identical to humans, except for the long, monkey-like tails that marked their bloodline.

Far from the great Nokair kingdom, in a quiet and hidden place, two figures stood beneath a darkened sky.

“This isn’t like you,” said a woman clad in battle-worn armor. Her voice trembled. “You’re not the one who worries over a child.”

The man beside her, wearing the same armor, didn’t look away from what sat before them.
“Martha… I just have a strange feeling,” he said quietly. “Something bad is coming. And I feel like saving our child is worth everything.”

Martha clenched her fists. “But Zile… what if he doesn’t remember us?”

“He’ll be fine,” Zile said, though his voice carried doubt. “He has to be.”

Before them rested a space pod—perfectly spherical, smooth metal glowing faintly. Inside were strange controls and a single seat. A hatch with a red-tinted window sealed it shut.

Zile opened the hatch and gently placed a baby inside.

The child had white, spiky hair and bright blue eyes, with a small tail curled at his side. He even wore a tiny version of their battle armor, crafted just for him.

“I’ve set the coordinates for a planet far from Nokair,” Zile said as he adjusted the controls. “Somewhere safe.”

He closed the hatch.

The baby’s eyes slowly opened, seeing his parents for the first time—only through the red-tinted glass.

Zile and Martha both placed their hands against the window.

After a moment, the baby lifted his tiny hand and pressed it against theirs.

“Zion…” Martha whispered, tears falling freely. “Please don’t forget us. Make sure you eat lots of protein… and always eat your greens.”

Zile swallowed hard. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something,” he said. “You’re stronger than you know.”

The pod began to hum.

It slowly lifted off the ground.

Zion started to cry.

Martha broke down, burying her face into Zile’s chest. “I’m going to miss him so much, Zile! Why did we do this? Why?”

The space pod shot forward, piercing the sky in an instant.

Zile watched as it disappeared beyond the planet’s atmosphere.

“We had to,” he said softly, though his eyes never left the stars. “It was for a reason… I have a bad feeling something is going to happen to us.”

And far above Planet Nokair, Zion was exiled—sent into the unknown.