📍 Phoenix Training Arena
"Sensei… how are we going to rescue Annie?" Ryu asked, his voice heavy with anxiety.
Darius stopped, looked down at the ground, and sighed."I don't know, Ryu."
Before he could continue, Ethan came running in, dragging Ryan by the arm.
"Hey, Ryan, head to the Guild of a Thousand Lights. Kelvin wants to see you."
Ryan's eyes widened in surprise."What does he want with me?"
Ryu exchanged a serious glance with Ethan."It's about Annie."
Ryan said no more. He quickly slipped into his Phoenix training jacket, zipped it up to his neck, and answered firmly:
"I'm going immediately."
"Wait!" Ethan and Ryu shouted in unison. "We're coming with you."
The three of them set off together, crossing HeroCity until they reached the colossal HQ of the Guild of a Thousand Lights.
The Meeting at the Entrance
In the grand hall, they came across three familiar figures: Dante Valtier, Abby Fountier, and Kane Jayson.
Kane raised an eyebrow, arms crossed."What are you Phoenix guys doing here?"
Dante shrugged and explained calmly:"Relax. Sensei Kelvin is in his office waiting for you."
Ryu smirked."It's just… we don't know where my dad's office is, Dante."
Dante sighed, rubbing his forehead."Tch… hate to admit it, but you've got a point, Ryu. Fine, I'll take you there."
Ryan bowed slightly in gratitude."Thank you, Dante."
"No problem, Ryan." Dante smiled, but then his expression changed."By the way… have you heard from Annie? She's been missing from training lately."
Ryan's face darkened."That's exactly why we're here. To find out what's happening."
Kelvin's Office
Guided by Dante, they reached the leader's chamber. A modern office, meticulously organized, with shelves of dark wood, reinforced glass, and a massive holographic map of HeroCity at its center.
Ryan and Ethan were impressed, though Ryu only smirked—he was used to his father's luxury.
Kelvin Nox sat behind a crystal desk, fingers interlaced under his chin as he fixed a sharp gaze on them.
"I only summoned Ryan," he said firmly. "Why did you two come as well?"
Ryu answered before Ryan or Ethan could speak."Because we're inseparable. One's loss is the other's loss. That's the dilemma of the Big 3 of HeroCity."
Ethan blushed, embarrassed."Hey, Ryu! You didn't need to say it like that…"
Kelvin ignored the interruption and got straight to the point:
"Listen carefully. Annie Halloway has been missing for three days."
A heavy silence filled the room. Kelvin activated the holographic monitor, displaying a sequence of images.
"This is her last sighting. Look."
On the screen, Annie was seen walking through an alleyway. Suddenly, a black portal opened. From within emerged a man with white hair and golden eyes. Kelvin froze the recording.
"Ryan. This is Hant, isn't it?"
Ryan clenched his fists."One hundred percent sure."
Kelvin stroked his chin."But how did he change so much? Could this be tied to Kairon?"
Ryan drew a long breath before replying."According to the scientist who aided him—yes. He fused into his own DNA the effects of the pills that turned humans into superhumans on the Herald level. On top of that, he carries remnants of Eliara Myne's Human Singularity. That combination must have completely altered his form."
Kelvin was about to reply, but suddenly, the monitor flickered and changed on its own.
Hant's Video
A video began to play. Hant appeared on the screen, grinning, his disheveled white hair and golden eyes blazing with arrogance.
"Well, well… Ryan Valeborn," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
Behind him, chained and wounded, were Ron Stormbreak and Annie Halloway.
Ryan shot to his feet, furious."That bastard!"
Ethan's eyes widened, his heartbeat racing."Uncle Ron…"
Hant spread his arms theatrically.
"The world made a grave mistake by branding the Renegates as villains. Because of that mistake, I have now ascended as a Herald of the Universal Emperor. If you want me to spare their lives, Ryan Valeborn, come to me."
His cruel smile widened.
"At the Hero Draft Arena. November 25th, 7 PM. Let's end this once and for all. Otherwise… they die."
The recording ended in static.
The Decision
Ryan's breathing grew heavy, consumed by rage."He'll pay for this…"
Ryu placed a hand on his shoulder."Careful, Ryan. It might be a trap."
But Kelvin raised his hand, his eyes glowing violet. His lie-detection ability activated.
"No," he said gravely. "There was no falsehood in Hant's words. He meant every bit of it."
Kelvin closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again."Boys… prepare yourselves. In seven days, you will face him. We will rescue Annie and Ron."
The Villains' Lair
Across the continent, inside a dark fortress, Kai Hayashi observed Hant.
"You're being reckless, don't you think?"
Hant chuckled."No, Kai. Everything is under control. In the Arena, I'll have Arcanis and Bhor at my side. They'll throw their youngest heroes at me… and with those two beside me, there's no way I lose."
Kai narrowed his eyes."Be careful. Don't underestimate the boy of the Reversum. He belongs to Master Kairon."
Hant clenched his fists, his golden aura flaring."I don't care whose student he is. I will crush his will to live… and the dream he almost destroyed inside me."
The Weight of Hope
Back at the Guild, Ryan, Ethan, and Ryu sat in silence, heavy with despair.
Ryu tried to lighten the mood, but to no avail.
That was when Dante and Kane entered the room.
Kane nudged Ryan with a smirk."Come on, nerd. We'll save Annie. Don't lose hope, man."
Dante added:"And maybe we won't even need to. Ron Stormbreak is tough. If he regains just a bit of aura, he could break free on his own, right Ethan?"
Ethan managed a faint smile."Yeah. My uncle always has a trick up his sleeve."
But then his tone grew serious."But why him? What does Hant want with this?"
Ryan closed his eyes, speaking with a heavy voice."He wants to bring despair to the people. That's why he showed my uncle. It's like he's saying: 'I'm crushing your greatest trophy.' Inavy's death was already a devastating blow. Now, with his brother… Hant wants to erase every last ray of hope."
Silence fell again. Ryan slammed the wall with his fist.
"As for Annie… that's aimed at me directly. That son of a bitch!"
His eyes burned with fury, darker than ever before.
"He wants me? Then I'll give him what he wants. But this time… he won't leave alive."
Kane tried to intervene."Hey, calm down, Ryan. Heroes aren't supposed to kill."
Ryan turned, his gaze blazing."Screw that. This is war. Either we kill… or we die. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!"
Ethan lifted his head, his crimson eyes glowing."Ryan's right. This time, honor takes the back seat."
Ryu took a deep breath and nodded."If you two say so… I'm in."
Dante closed his eyes, resolute."If it's to save the world, I'll kill and die to protect it."
Kane sighed in resignation."November 25th, huh?"
Ryan answered, eyes bloodshot and voice burning with wrath:"That's right, guys. We'll win. No matter the cost."