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DATE:17th of May, the 70th year after the Coronation
LOCATION: Concord Metropolis
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It was the first time in a while that I had to share a bed permanently with someone else. Alice moved so much in her sleep—no wonder she had such a large bed.
We woke up kind of late, I think around 10:30? Alice slept with total darkness, so I had no idea when it was morning.
The only thing she had for breakfast was cereal, but I'd give her the benefit of the doubt in the fact that she'd been away for a while (even though she'd never returned to throw any food out, so whatever was left in the fridge had been there for a month).
I wanted to go get some groceries, but apparently there was a supermarket on the ground floor.
Alice finally looked at the clock when it was about 11:30 and erupted in a hurry. Apparently we were late for my registration.
She wanted us to jump out of the window to save time, but I reminded her how busy this place was, so we used the elevator.
This didn't stop her from breaking every road regulation in driving us to the destination.
And where did we arrive? It was a plain, two-story building in a somewhat deserted office district. I supposed what made it special was how small it was. Even with the lower-quality offices, they were still three times taller than this one. Not very camouflaged if you asked me.
Alice changed into her superhero outfit in the car while I pulled up a grey mask with some material cut out for the eyes. She was embarrassed while I watched her change, but I didn't really get why. She slept with a man in the same bed, but this suddenly was a line being crossed? Wait, was this some sort of kink perhaps?
Alice pushed open the door and stepped into the lobby. The place was practically empty—no one at the reception desk, no decorations on the walls, just a couple of sad-looking chairs and an elevator at the back. The hum of the building was eerie. No one ever came up here unless they had to.
We headed for the elevator—the only clue that something else was going on. The doors slid open without a sound, revealing the sleek, metallic interior. I stepped in, Alice hit the button, and I felt the gentle jolt as the elevator descended.
When the doors opened again, bright lights flooded my vision. The underground HQ was massive—far bigger than anything you'd expect from the unassuming building above. Holographic displays floated in midair, screens mounted on the walls showed live feeds, data flowing constantly. Heroes moved around, some prepping for missions, others in strategy meetings.
Alice looked very proud about this place.
This was the real heart of everything, hidden in plain sight. No one would ever guess what lay beneath that boring building. Is that what the heroes thought? Did they honestly believe this?
Morons.
I could see many faces I recognized from the briefings and many more I didn't. I wasn't a native to Concord.
"Are you ready for the most thrilling part of hero life?" Alice's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"What's that?" I asked, following her through glass-like corridors.
"Paperwork," she said with a smirk. "It's the real test of any hero. Saving the world's the easy part. Try navigating HQ's bureaucratic nightmare."
I didn't respond. Wasn't sure if she was kidding or not.
Alice walked ahead, full of excitement, and I followed. "Don't get distracted by all the tech," she said, glancing back. "You'll have plenty of time to mess around with that later. First, we've gotta get you in the system."
We weaved through the crowds, past control rooms, training centers, and briefing areas until we arrived at a section that felt oddly sterile in comparison. Alice opened a door labeled "Personnel Office." Inside, the room was a dull contrast to the rest of the HQ—plain desks, old computer terminals, and a few harried-looking staff.
I managed a brief nod. I was in a den of lions. As I filled out the endless forms, Alice stood by, half amused, half impatient. "Don't worry," she said. "Once this is over, you'll get to do the fun stuff. Missions, training, near-death experiences—you know, the usual."
I nodded, trying to focus on the forms in front of me, but I couldn't help thinking about the Don. I honestly didn't care to take revenge, but at the same time, Alice would find out my real identity sooner or later, and I needed to leave before that.
I shouldn't have blown up my funds on taking down Zilliam. In hindsight, that was shortsighted.
While I was filling out the papers, I heard the door open again.
SuperiorWoman entered. Long blonde hair, metallic blue and silver uniform, piercing blue eyes. She commanded attention—tall, powerful physique, calm confidence. The kind of presence that suggested she was the strongest in the room.
But I knew better. She wasn't Him. This wasn't her role when He was alive—she'd been moral support, not the leader. When she spoke, it was forced, trying to project authority she didn't naturally possess. People listened out of respect for who she was replacing, not for her.
Her powers—super strength and flight—were technically legendary. But she paled in comparison to Him. She could crush things in her path, but she wasn't indomitable like him. In battle, she'd been a blur of speed and raw power when she was purely backup. Now she couldn't afford risks. She was slower, more cautious. And she wasn't a tactician like UltraMan had been—always thinking several steps ahead, ensuring every decision benefited the team. She'd never been trained for that.
Despite her near invulnerability, she wasn't distant. She walked through the room, speaking with the clerks. But inspiring those around her must have become much harder since the Comedian escaped.
"Liliam," she said, her voice calm but carrying weight that left no room for excuses. "You were supposed to introduce the new recruit to the team fifteen minutes ago."
I felt like yawning from her "immense pressure." Oh, how scared I was.
Alice cleared her throat, shifting slightly but not backing down. "Yeah, about that. We, uh, ran into some unexpected delays with the paperwork." Strange way to say we overslept.
Her eyes shifted to me. There wasn't anger in her expression, but there was something far worse—disappointment. "You're late on your first day," she said, addressing me directly, her voice steady but firm. "That's not the impression you want to give."
I gave her a blank expression. Great—perhaps she'd just kick me out and save me some trouble.
Except Alice jumped in. "It's on me, SuperiorWoman. I should've had him out of here sooner."
She didn't argue with Alice, but she didn't accept the excuse either. "Every second counts, especially here," she said, her gaze flicking back to me. "This isn't just about showing up on time. It's about discipline, readiness, and understanding that the world doesn't wait for you to get your act together."
You know what? Fuck you. While at that damned school, I took down a villain who somehow managed to be active in the most secure part of Concord. No—make that two with the Dean. I even defeated, albeit with Alice, a lieutenant and his whole team from SuperiorWoman's own fault. The Combine gang wasn't supposed to resurface.
Either way, what did she know about being early? I could see her bags, her signs of exhaustion. She didn't sleep much anymore. It was clear she wasn't enough.
I nodded, faking a mix of embarrassment and determination to not let this be my first impression. "It won't happen again," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
Of course, I didn't give a crap about her schedule. I wasn't some soldier she could deploy to a leash.
SuperiorWoman held my gaze for a moment longer, then turned to Liliam. "Make sure it doesn't. And bring him to the team as soon as you're done. There's no more time to waste."
With that, she turned and walked out, her exit as commanding as her entrance. The room seemed to breathe again as she left.
Alice let out a low whistle, shaking her head. "Well, that could've been worse. At least you're still standing."
I let out a fake breath I'd been "holding." "She's intense. What happened?"
"Uhhh, work? I don't really know."
"Anyway, ready to meet the team?" she asked, her voice casual, but I could hear the underlying tone: Don't screw this up.
Fuck you too, Alice. This was stupid. Why take this so seriously? I'd never acted like this while on the same team as trained killers. Why would I do it for puny superheroes?
"Yeah, let's get this over with," I muttered, trying to shake off the lingering disgust.
She motioned for me to follow her, and we made our way through the bustling HQ halls. As we moved, she effortlessly lifted herself an inch or two off the ground with her powers, a casual display of how well she'd mastered gravity manipulation. It was pretentious because she never bothered to do that while we were alone. Meanwhile, I walked alongside her. Not ten steps later and she got down to apologize. At least she was a good girl.
"Listen," she said quietly as we approached the main briefing room, "SuperiorWoman's tough, but the team? They're different. They'll test you in their own way. You just need to hold your own, show you can handle it."
Who the hell was this team then? Did they clone mini-UltraMen?
I nodded, but I was getting annoyed. The doors to the briefing room opened, and I stepped inside, Alice leading the way. The room was filled with heroes. Powerful ones from across the globe. Seeing them all in one place was strange.
A few heads turned toward us as we walked in, and Alice took a step forward, introducing me. "This is the new recruit," she said, keeping it simple. No frills, no long explanations.
The team members nodded, some exchanging glances, but no one said anything right away. I could feel their stares. They were sizing me up, judging whether I belonged here.
Finally, one of them spoke, a hero with an easy smirk and a laid-back demeanor. "Well, kid, hope you're ready for some real work," he said, leaning back in his chair. "We're not exactly a hand-holding kind of team."
Alice glanced at me, her look saying everything I needed to know: Prove yourself.
I cleared my throat. "I'm ready."
It wasn't much, but it was enough for now. Alice gave me a small, almost imperceptible nod of approval, but I honestly found the whole thing banal. The real test would come soon enough.
As the introductions wrapped up, a figure stepped forward from the back of the room, his movements smooth and deliberate. He was tall, lean, and radiated focused energy that made everyone else seem slower by comparison. He wore a sleeveless black gi, and his sharp eyes scanned me like he was already deciding how to take me apart.
"That's Dragonfist," Alice whispered to me, a hint of concern in her voice. "He likes to test the new recruits. Be careful."
Dragonfist—the name was fitting. Everything about him reminded me of those old martial arts legends. His muscles were coiled like springs, ready to explode into action. He was fast—ridiculously fast—and I could tell just by the way he walked that he was going to be a problem.
He smiled slightly as he approached, his demeanor calm but carrying a silent challenge. "So," he said, his voice quiet but carrying through the room, "you're the new guy." He sized me up, hands resting at his sides. "I want to see what you've got."
I knew this was coming, but it didn't make it any easier. Dragonfist wasn't just a skilled fighter—he was a powerhouse. His punches were fast, his reflexes sharper than anyone I'd ever seen, and I knew from the way he moved that he was stronger and more resistant than me in every way. But I had my own advantages.
He took his stance, fluid and focused, and I followed suit. The room fell silent as the rest of the team watched. This wasn't just a sparring match—it was a test.
Dragonfist struck first. His fist shot forward faster than my eyes could track, and I barely managed to dodge in time. The air hissed as his punch sliced through the space where my head had just been.
Too fast.
I took a breath in.
Time slowed. Everything around me shifted into a crawl, the sounds of the room stretching and deepening. Dragonfist's next punch, which would've been a blur at normal speed, now moved in slow motion. I could see the path of his fist, the shift of his weight, the tightening of his muscles. He was faster and stronger, sure, but I had time.
I ducked under his strike and stepped in close, driving an elbow toward his ribs. Even with time slowed, his body reacted quickly. He twisted just enough to absorb the blow, turning it into a glancing strike. His eyes flashed, and I could tell he'd realized what I'd done. But he didn't back down.
In the slowed-down world, he was still fast. His kicks came one after the other, each one powerful enough to knock me off my feet if I didn't see it coming. I used my training to anticipate his moves, weaving through his strikes, my hands and feet finding openings to counterattack. Each hit I landed wasn't meant to overwhelm him with power—there was no chance of that—but to wear him down, break his rhythm, and exploit the smallest gaps in his defense.
He was relentless, though. His strikes were not only fast but precise. Even in slowed time, his skill was undeniable. But with every breath, I kept my focus. Each inhale kept me locked in this moment, slowing the world around me just enough to give me the edge I needed.
Finally, I saw an opening. As Dragonfist went for a high kick, I ducked low, sweeping his leg out from under him. In normal time, it would've been impossible—his reflexes were too sharp—but in my world, it was calculated and precise. He stumbled, and I capitalized, delivering a quick, controlled strike to his solar plexus. It wasn't enough to knock him out, but it was enough to bring him down to one knee, gasping for breath.
I exhaled and let time return to normal speed. Dragonfist blinked, looking up at me, clearly surprised. I stood over him, breathing heavily but still on my feet.
There was a brief moment of silence before he smiled, that same calm, almost amused look back on his face. "Not bad," he said, standing up and dusting himself off. "I can see why they brought you in."
I nodded, still catching my breath. I'd passed the test, but just barely.
"No wonder you're His cousin."
What? I didn't think Dragonfist was supposed to say that.
As Dragonfist stood up and brushed himself off, the silence in the room shifted. The tension that had filled the air during the fight seemed to dissipate, replaced by murmurs and a few nods of approval from the watching heroes. I glanced around, still catching my breath.
SuperiorWoman, who had been watching from the side of the room, stepped forward. Her sharp blue eyes met mine.
"You handled yourself well," she said, her voice steady and authoritative. "You're not just relying on your power. You've got control, strategy—qualities we need around here."
I nodded. "Thank you."
She studied me for a moment, then gave a slight tilt of her head toward the door. "Step outside for a bit. We need to discuss a few things."
I hesitated, wondering if I'd messed up in some way, but Alice shot me a quick look that said, Do what she says. So I turned and walked out, closing the door behind me. The hallway outside was quieter, the hum of the HQ still present but muted. I leaned against the wall.
Then I heard voices. It was subtle at first, but they weren't exactly whispering, and the door wasn't thick enough to block out the conversation.
"He did better than I expected," Dragonfist said. His tone wasn't mocking, more... impressed? "He used his head, didn't rely too much on his power. That's rare for someone so new. But as his cousin?... Kind of weak."
"You shouldn't just say that out loud. Only the people in this room are allowed to know that," SuperiorWoman responded, her voice as composed as ever.
"So? Why does it matter then?" She ignored his question.
Wait. They thought I was UltraMan's cousin? That was why they'd accepted me so easily. They thought I was family.
Alice chimed in, her voice soft but firm. "He's got the discipline, but he's still holding back. I've seen him in action before. There's more to him than what we just saw."
I noted that. Alice knew I hadn't gone all out. Not sure if she'd just done me a favor by not calling me out in front of the others, or if she'd just hinted at my full potential to SuperiorWoman. Either way, it complicated things.
Dragonfist spoke again. "You think he's got what it takes for real fieldwork? Or is he still green? I hear he trained at Zenik, but I don't remember anyone actually training him, right?"
There was a pause before SuperiorWoman responded. "Yeah, what is that about, Alice? It wasn't you that trained him, right?"
I noted that. They were questioning my background.
"Well, he did train on his own time... Ah! And you have to remember—he traveled the whole world for his photography. And he also idolized UltraMan's career as a wrestler, so he must have trained to impress him!" Nice save, Alice.
"Let's keep an eye on him," SuperiorWoman added, her voice closer now, as if she was about to end the conversation.
I pushed off the wall just as the door opened behind me. SuperiorWoman stepped out first, her expression unreadable. Alice followed, giving me a slight nod, and Dragonfist brought up the rear, his usual calm smirk in place.
"Let's get back to work," SuperiorWoman said, walking past me without missing a beat. "That was the 'official exam,' if you will, but we still have to introduce you to your teammates."
Wait, so that was the big team and I was going to the lower one?
As SuperiorWoman led us through the sleek hallways of the HQ, I wondered what would happen if I actually had to fight all of these people. They probably wouldn't forgive me for what I'd done to UltraMan. We turned a corner, and she stopped in front of a door marked "Team Gamma." She opened it, revealing a spacious area filled with lockers, benches, and the usual locker room setup.
"Welcome to your team's locker room," she announced, stepping inside. "This is where you'll prepare for missions and unwind afterward. You'll get to know each other better here."
Alice nudged me slightly as we entered. "This is where the real bonding happens," she said, her voice light and teasing.
As we stepped further in, three figures turned to greet us, their expressions tired and wary. No wonder I got sent here—they probably had losses recently. Superheroes rarely retired.
"Hey, team!" A tall, athletic woman with short, neon-green hair bounced over. She wore a sleek suit adorned with geometric patterns that seemed to shift and change color. "I'm Prisma," she said with a grin. "I can bend light and create illusions. So if you ever think you see a giant dragon or something, don't panic. It's just me being dramatic."
"Good to know," I replied. She looked tired despite her forced cheerfulness. I'd be damned if I had to babysit these people.
Next to her was a stocky man with a wild mane of curly hair and an uneasy smile. He wore a rugged suit that shimmered with tiny flecks of light. "I'm T," he said, extending a hand. "I'll explain my power some other time."
"Sure," I said, shaking his hand firmly. Not sure what he was hiding.
Finally, the last member stepped forward. He was young—looked about the age of the students I'd taught at Zenik. He had sharp features and deep-set eyes, and he wore a dark suit that glimmered with faint blue patterns. "I'm Nimbus," he said quietly, glancing back at T nervously. "I, uh, can make clouds and stuff."
Definitely intimidated by the team leader.
"Liliam, you'll be guiding him through the training process," T continued, looking at Alice. "Make sure he understands the dynamics of our team. We operate as one unit."
Sure they did.
Alice nodded, her gaze shifting to me. "We've got each other's backs," she said, her voice encouraging. "We'll train hard and learn from each other."
I introduced myself as Aionis. I'd read that word in a book at Zenik. It meant Eternity—one of the few words recovered from the Ventian Ancient language.
We did a training session, but it was honestly just some body-strengthening exercises, nothing I hadn't done before.
I think T's idea was to ease us into his group, but I found it more boring than anything else.
We left after about four hours and returned "home." I thought about possibly going for a walk, but Alice insisted on having a movie marathon to celebrate my arrival. I couldn't say no.
Strangely, Emily didn't message me today. She must have been busy.
Even with Alice wrapped around me, when I got to sleep I found myself back in the void.