Vanterra's lights shined as bright as they always do. It's neon lights illuminating even the darkest clouds—but just like every light does, it threw a shadow into the darkest corners.
The Vayndrin Energy Solution Penthouse had been quickly fixed, but some damage even remained afterwards.
Ronnie sat alone in the penthouse. Most of the group have left for the city, each with their own intention in mind, but for Ronnie the only thing in his mind was Elion—how powerful he became but also how he had failed him as a father and as a role model.
Ronnie: "It's all my fault." His hands tightened.
The TV in front of him brought voice into the silence.
Reporters were reporting about news—as always—but then something surprising popped onto the screen.
Ronnie's jaw hardened once he saw his face on the TV. It's not like he hasn't been in the media before; as the High Authority of Neoterra Prime, he often had interviews or was praised for his deeds, but this time it was something else.
The headline was just as usual: "Hero of Neoterra, protecting the city…"
But then, the next words that were added were the thing that surprised him, which read: "…current favorite to win election."
Ronnie quickly stood up; the surprise was written all over his face.
Ronnie (surprised): "Favor for election? What election?"
He knew that the presidential election would start sometime around the upcoming year, but that he was not only nominated but also favored to win it all was a big surprise for him.
The reporter kept going: "After the recent events in Neoterra Prime and Vanterra, the High Authority of Neoterra Prime and the CEO and owner of Vayndrin Energy Solutions, Ronnie Vayndrin, found himself in the midst of heated battles against the evils of the underworld. Together with his team of brave unknown heroes, he was able to beat and save major parts of the city in Neoterra Prime and brought back order to Vanterra. Recent polls show the High Authority as the leading favorite for the soon upcoming presidential elections."
Ronnie's jaw dropped to the ground.
Ronnie: "Me? As president?"
The moon slowly rose above Vanterra. Henry found himself outside in the city together with Elara.
She had invited him to show him around the city as a way to recover from the recent events involving the Soul Reapers and the Black Halo.
Henry, still shocked by Elion's reveal, couldn't think of anything else. In his mind, the same questions would bother him over and over again: "What do they want from me? Who even are they?"
His eyes never left the ground, which Elara noticed. Henry has helped her to open herself more, and even though he did that without actually doing it knowingly, Elara felt like giving Henry back somehow.
Elara (quietly): "Your Awakening."
Henry slightly overheard her: "Huh?"
Elara became a bit louder: "It's your Awakening they are after."
Henry (shocked and confused): "What? Why? How do you know that?"
Elara: "When the Soul Reapers first emerged from the shadows of the Underworld, it was clear that they are not to be messed with. 10 of the most dangerous, wanted, and powerful criminals in the entire world came together to form a group with the sole purpose of causing havoc and striking fear into the world's heart. But then, a while ago, word came out that there has been another member all along—the Number 0—the one pulling the strings, the leader who controls everything from the shadows. His name is unknown, and his identity remains a mystery. Most people think he doesn't even exist, but some are certain that he does. Some even claim to have seen him. A tall man with a face so beautiful and charming that eyes couldn't let go of him, golden hair and golden eyes shining even through the darkest shadows, and a voice so powerful it could make mountains move, he also possessed powers way too powerful to explain. With the mystery of his existence, some people claim that the Soul Reapers are all being manipulated by his powers and charming nature, some claim that they just do it because they are all criminals following him like a pack of wolves, but some think that they are doing a secret mission for him, that they are after something divine. The one marked by Heaven."
Henry's jaw hardened. He didn't know what to believe or what not to. He remembered what Rai said after opposing Elion in his fight against them.
Henry: "The Soul Reaper, the number 5, he called me the heavenly one."
Elara: "Yes, Henry, that's what I also believe, that you are the one they want, or to be more exact, you're Awakening. In the era of Legends, during the period of wars, there was a warrior possessing the ability to wield the power of the heavens itself. His enemies called it the Heavenly Awakening, but after the wars were all ended, he was never seen again, and neither has been his Awakening, until…"
Henry: "…I showed up."
Elara nodded: "Exactly."
Henry shook his head; he couldn't believe it. But the Soul Reapers' visit made it as clear as water for him that Elara isn't lying.
Elara: "I know, it's a lot of information; it took me a while to get all of this together, but it is important for us all to understand the who's and why's in our current situation."
Henry sat on a bench; he didn't want to accept it; he didn't ask for all of this. But then he remembered his past self. The big smile he always used to have and how his nature of striving for adventure would make his heart beat faster.
Oh, how the old him would have loved to hear that he was part of something bigger, but now that he saw a glimpse of the dangerous world, he doesn't even know what to do.
Henry: "So, what do you suggest?"
Elara smiled slightly; it has been a rarity seeing her smile, but it has happened more often than before that she would show a glimpse of her smile, but this? This was a completely different smile, one flooded with confidence.
Elara: "Why don't we beat their asses?"
Henry's eyes widened in shock: "What did you say?"
Elara: "It's simple, beat their asses, make them pay for turning my brother into a villain, and beat some sense into him."
Henry stood up; he kind of liked this idea, but he remembered how he and his group tried something similar in the past, traveling to Transylvania and having a traumatic loss against the Border-Baron Adelin Dravencourt.
Henry: "I wish it would be that simple."
Elara: "It's our only shot; we can't run from them anyways, and waiting until they come at us again would be stupid, and surprising them with an attack would give us an advantage at least. The things are different than they were when you guys went to Transylvania; after all, you have the shield of Neoterra on your side."
Henry thought about it; Elara was kind of right, having someone like Ronnie on his side now changes a lot for them.
Henry: "Let us just say I agree with you. But how would we even find them? And how are we surprising the 10, possibly 11, most dangerous people in the whole world?"