Rumbles of thunder drum above the city, deep up in the void that blankets the world below in darkness. The long eternal night continues, one that has already been the setting of many developments and climaxes, with blood of many already spilled and tough concrete bonds crumbled.
However, the most has yet to come, as there was one more great event left in the long night, the one that would see the true clash against two sides who've prepared for this moment for a long time.
A five year reign of terror brought about five boys who've grown up in violence and are now being challenged by an unexpected opponent, a man composed the same as them.
For centuries, Exhumans who have used their powers voluntarily and to achieve some goal have nearly always done it for selfish purposes that detriment the lives of others. Only those who were willing to expose their true colors were only willing to if it meant opposing their world, and so those who were Exhumans were thus inevitably made monsters who ravaged civilization and innocent people.
However, those centuries of abhorrent tradition were now experiencing an abrupt change in current, as a great tide was beginning to offset the sea once thought to be still and unmovable. For the first time, one of them, an Exhuman with abilities to surpass those who govern their society, with the abilities to break their will and dominate them themselves, was helping those very people against their own.
It's nuance felt almost taboo, for it nearly felt illogical after what the worlds have experienced for many generations. For it was unsure how the people would react to this figure, whether they'd categorize him as the same as all other devils, or find a new light that resonates with them.
Yet even then, such an anomaly was not perfect, as while he set himself on the path against those that came before, he had yet to truly defeat one of the opponents he himself challenged. It was the caveat of such divergence, for using such powerful abilities in such selfless manner almost made that vessel weaker without indulging in the greed of desiring more for its own acquisitions.
Over the time that the man in the blue suit had fought, he had yet to send a single captured malefactor, and so the strength of that tide had yet to truly be measured.
But tonight was another chance to prove that he had the strength to cause a ripple, to at least help begin a cascade effect that would forever change civilization to the magnitude of when the first Exhumans were created long ago. This time however, it would not be a change that would be feared, but one that if successful, would bring tranquility to a chaotic community.
It would only be a question of if that man would be able to take upon the challenge he burdened himself with, and succeed. Only then would there be an indication of a rising revolution. Only then would there be a chance for the light to pierce the thick clouds that have engulfed the world in an eternal storm.
Only then would it be decided that the age of villains may come to a close, and a new age would begin.
All of that would be decided by the six school friends who have partied together and hung out together, who until now lived simple lives together. Now, they would meet once again in the void, as enemies fighting for the tidal current of history.
The Northern region of the city is like the beach connecting the natural green land of the East and the silver waves of manmade urban centers of the Center. There are high rise buildings and skyscrapers occupying several districts in the region, almost mapping a smaller version of the central region albeit with shorter skyscrapers than the ones found in the heart. However, closer towards the governmental districts where offices and other federal buildings reside, there's more of a natural presence, with patches of trees and greater quantities of grass.
Of course, while the natural life is artificial just like the rest in the city, this gives at least the governmental districts a more pure and distinct appearance in comparison to the rest of the city. Forests of trees also seem to surround many governmental buildings, almost like natural shields. There are still roads that cut through the forests to lead to the buildings, along with more space to avoid undesirable pod crashes, however the majority of the surrounding areas are filled with green.
The highrise buildings are more uniform, with smoothened rectangular towers standing over shorter facilities, all seeming to be so compact even when the highrise areas are in actuality far wider than that of the governmental regions.
The highrise buildings have illuminated silver bodies with strips of light running down, giving life to the city similar to the center. There aren't as many holographic advertisements however, just as there aren't as many skyscrapers and there aren't as many close together.
The urban centers inhabit their own space, creating a tall wall around the governmental areas, almost like a greater shield beyond the forests. The majority of the governmental buildings are especially low compared to the highrises, yet relative to the area they inhabit, they still stand above the rest of the constructs as those constructs are typically trees that stand no higher than any of the buildings.
The federal facilities have unique designs, with one being a tall dome and another being similar to an old temple with pillars along the edges. They each inhabit their own large blocks with forests, keeping wide separation and utilizing the space of the districts to exaggerate the individual significance of each building.
While these facilities seem to group up still inside their own unique green bubble, being within one large forest in the center of the surrounding city, there are several of these patches throughout the region, with several governmental districts placed all throughout the northern segments.
Each patch is unique in their own way, having different buildings of diverse aesthetics, all being surrounded by a different part of the urban city. Each district feels like a plot of a different world placed randomly into the metropolis, hollowing out the metal spikes from the ground to create wide fields of grass and trees.
If the central region was Versepolis's heart, the northern region would be its brain. Where the bustling metropolis full of skyscrapers that touched above the clouds, lit with holographic billboards, were the attraction for souls who wanted to experience something beautiful, the northern region was the logical core of the city where peace resided.
It wasn't necessarily as stunning as the center, it doesn't have as much visual spectacle as the section below, yet it still has a significant distinction from the rest of the city that gives it a unique life. It still is a very fundamental and inherently special part of the city that is built with a respectable dignity, being housed within what looks like the essence of the Earth, enclosed in its own spaces where it has peace from the rest of the world's chaos.
However, tonight, one of those districts wouldn't be exactly safe from such chaos, for tonight, the chaos has invaded them. One of the most heavily secure areas of the city has become the target of a great heist that would be unstoppable by the city's own enforcers, and would require a different defense.
One of the many governmental districts has the easily noticeable attraction of a great monument in the city, which seems to be a massive stone construct built in the center to appear like a sword with its blade aiming at the dark clouds. The sword has a wide hilt reminiscent of a templar sword, with a long gradually narrowing blade that ends with a sharp tip.
The sword isn't as tall as the skyscrapers in the distance, in fact not even close, but amongst the district as a whole it reigns far supreme, visible from every edge of the green patch.
Another noticeable construct in the patch is a building rather than just a monument, which stands farther off towards the side. It's not as tall as the massive sword, yet it still has impressive height, being the tallest of the other governmental buildings in the patch.
The building seems to be shaped as a flat octagon which sits upright on one of its sides rather than faces. Due to this, the building stands tall with a design that widens towards the center, and then gradually closes back up once reaching the midpoint.
Deviating from tradition, it doesn't in fact have smooth curves, as instead it enjoys sharply defined sides that bring clarity to the shape. The building also isn't silver like many of the others, but instead its walls are all made of glass.
It seems thus incredibly revealing to the world, being one of the tallest governmental facilities and having glass windows, however the glass is tinted blue to obscure vision inside, and even then the glass only reveal what seems to be lounges and lobbies by the elevator pads rather than any important rooms. Of course, it should also be noted how advanced the government's defense technology is, and so even though the glass walls appear weak and expose the facility to damage, it is very well protected.
The plain black clouds hover over the octagon-shaped facility as well as the rest of the patch and outer city, the dark storm covering the world underneath.
Among that black cloud however is a faint blue streak of light that travels within, its glow just barely visible from the ground. The streak is very high up, seeming to be around the height of the skyscrapers, even when beyond the urban districts.
High up in those clouds, the blue streak sours through the black skies, seeming to be approaching the octagon-shaped building. Even then, it's far above the ground, so far in fact that from such height it manages to see much of the city from a distance, even past the ring of urban towers.
Behind the octagon-shaped building and beyond several blocks of the urban center seems to be a large body of water, perhaps a lake, which seems to have no end beyond, as though the ring of towers is the bound of that area of the city.
The water appears black from the lack of light, but among the water are many specs of light, that being pods taking trips around the lake as though they're boats. There aren't too many specs compared to the streets since the lake isn't part of a path to any particular destination, rather it's a sight of entertainment and relaxation.
The blue streak arches downwards as it approaches the target, making a loud whooshing hum while leaving a thick trail of energy behind. The streak flies out of the black clouds, its light shining brighter for a moment before stopping, which to most people would seem as though the comet vanished.
However, up in the sky below the clouds is a small spark of light, which appears like a star in the cosmos. The star glistens above the district, hovering above the templar monument.
The spark of light is the man in the blue suit, who hovers in suspension, his suit able to keep him in the air as though he's standing on nothing. While he doesn't leave a trail, his body gives off a faint blue glow as the suit still continues using energy to hover, keeping itself from plummeting to the Earth.
The blue pencil glows on the azure chest, and the white mask looks down at the facilities below, the blue goggles analyzing the scene upon reaching the destination. The black hood dances violently in the high winds in the air, with the chainmail cape blowing to his side from powerful currents.
Meditat observes the building, and he speaks in his artificially-filtered voice, "I'm guessing this is the Octagon, it seems self explanatory enough."
In his ear, Meditat hears Orial respond to him, his British voice answering "Yes, that is. You've arrived."
Meditat hums for a few moments while noticing the glass body of the building, surprised to see how fragile it appears from the outside. He mentions, "Huh...wait, this is the place that they're hiding what's apparently an incredibly advanced piece of technology made to research into Exhumans and help develop defensive measures against equipment made from Earth 1? They're hiding it...in a glass box? I mean I don't want to criticize the leaders' choices but...isn't that a bit...you know?"
Orial explains, "While it appears that the Octagon is weak to attack, that is intentional design. However, the building ironically has the most powerful defensive capabilities of any governmental facility, hence why this is where the device is located."
Meditat tilts his head in confusion, and asks, "Wait...how? I mean, the Babylonians have already entered the facility, didn't you say that on the way here? It didn't seem hard for them, and also, if this is such an important piece of technology, how come there's no defensive reinforcements? Sure I get the Babylonians are tough, but for something so precious in such an area, I feel like there'd be something to try to fight to protect it."
Orial notes, "There are reinforcements below, you are just unable to see them due to their camouflage equipment and the natural cover of the trees. In fact, I am detecting a massive presence of armed forces in the area, however they are all remaining outside of the Octagon's block until further notice."
Meditat straightens his head, and he slowly begins to move forward, once again approaching the building.
He questions innocently, "Wait, why? They should try doing something, I mean I'm here and I can go in now but I don't get what's the hold up for the-."
However, before Meditat can finish, Orial suddenly interrupts him, yelling "MEDITAT, WAIT!"
Meditat's eyes widen, and he immediately stops, boosting himself backwards even from fear of the cry. He holds his hand out, trying to detect what Orial apparently got so worried about, however he sees nothing out of the ordinary.
He asks with a concerned but slightly annoyed tone, "What is it, Orial?"
Orial informs hastily, "Do not move another ten feet forward. As I mentioned, this one facility has the most powerful defensive capabilities of all other governmental buildings. That is not in part due to the building's exterior build, but rather a protective energy shield that borders the block, which fully encompasses the building and area it inhabits. The shield is capable of detecting passing objects and scanning them for any sort of weaponry, even customized equipment such as your suit. If it detects such weaponry, it will close out that part of the shield, and vaporize the equipment along with anyone who might be inside. The reinforcements haven't moved in because the shield is up, so entering would terminate them too."
Meditat's eyes widen, and he exclaims, "Oh...shoot...thanks for saving me over there then. Okay...I see now...that explains a lot. But also, is there no way to deactivate the shield? I mean if the invaders are already inside the building, what's the point of keeping the shield up?"
Orial theorizes, "While I'm not entirely sure, there's a likely chance that they're unable to. Logically they would've by now, but for some reason, the system won't let them."
Meditat hums in deep contemplation, and he puts his hand under his chin to think. His eyes then widen, and he proposes, "Wait, hold on, I think I got it. Sriya and thus the rest of the Babylonians have the device they stole from the O.R.I.A.L headquarters, their 'Red Virus' or whatever. I remember them mentioning how it works back on the day of the attack, they said how it basically has its own creative thinking capabilities meant to outsmart hackers who try to use sneaky ways of breaching, effectively preventing new methods from succeeding. Now, if someone were to have control over that technology, there's a good chance theoretically they should be able to use it to do the opposite, rather than outwitting an attacker it may be able to outwit a defender, and thus be able to break through any cybersecurity system. That might be what makes the device so valuable to the Babylonians, still doesn't explain why so many people had to die but, you get what I mean. If that's true, then even if this shield is capable of destroying any weaponized invaders, maybe they could've simply deactivated it to pass, and then reactivated it with a lock to prevent anyone else from entering. It's also likely how they even plan to get into the vault, since I doubt it's just going to be an open doorway. I don't know...it makes sense to me."
Orial responds slowly, processing Meditat's idea, "Taking into consideration what information I obtained when researching the device to get a match, that does sound highly possible. It might've even been why they were being so protective over it, only making one device and taking such time before manufacturing copies, such a device would be a grave threat to cybersecurity."
Meditat ponders for a few more moments, and he concludes, "That's what we're going with then. Okay, we should first try to get a visual for what we can out here while I figure out a way to breach it, since we don't exactly have one of those ourselves. Orial, you said the last reports indicated they were on the top floor, correct? Have they moved yet?"
Orial answers informatively, "Not according to the broadcasts and reports posted. It appears that they are attempting to bypass one of the doors to get towards the vault, since the Octagon has a series of digitally locked doors each with unique encryptions that use different techniques, which are also changed daily to make it hard for hackers to open every door. The doors also have a sensor that can detect an attempt to damage or destroy the door itself, which will then set off a heat ray that'll vaporize anyone in the area. The doors are what's been slowing down their progression, but in the meantime they seem to have acquired hostages throughout the heist, and are keeping them in the room with them. They should be near the window, I shall activate the AVG to allow you to see them more clearly."
In Meditat's HUD, the dark world suddenly becomes brighter and easier to see in, as the AVG activates. He faces near the top of the Octagon's face, and his goggles zoom into the face, allowing him to see through the glass wall.
He lowers himself slowly to get a better angle, making sure however to keep a good distance to stay from sight.
On the other side of the window, Meditat is able to see the room, which appears to be a large open floor with a white floor and walls, a reception desk and a few benches.
He detects a group of adult men and women wearing formal suits by the receptionist desk, with some of them having wet marks of tears on their cheeks. They seem to be the hostages Orial informed about, with about ten in sight. Some of them have bruises on their face and blood on their foreheads, as if they were beaten, for it seems they're under an intense situation.
Meditat then turns his attention to the center of the room, where he sees five other people standing near each other. They all are suited, with two of them immediately recognized, and another he finds himself familiar with only a second later.
The largest man in the circle seems to be wearing a suit that has orange plates with a stone texture, placed over a dark crimson undersuit. Staring at the open glowing jaw on the mask, Meditat immediately deduces that it's Sriya, who also goes by Cratus.
Next to him is a man in a dark purple suit, which seems to be made of a leather material. The suit was one he had seen just earlier, with the metallic crown and oversized blue gauntlets. He stares at the yellow illuminated capacitors, recognizing it to be Shuraj, who names himself Indra.
Next to Indra is a man that Meditat has never seen in person, yet he has seen an older iteration of their helmet, and has certainly seen images of them from the database.
The man has a smaller, shorter stature than the rest of the group, and wears a dark turquoise suit that seems to be made of a material Meditat can't recognize, which could only be described as appearing similar to lizard skin, however he's unsure if that's what the material truly is. The suit's knees and forearms are covered by turquoise metallic diamond-shaped plates, with the same diamond shape thrice on his chest, with a large one in the center and two smaller ones above and to the sides. The three diamonds glow light turquoise, with a smaller darker diamond vaguely visible in the center, appearing like pupils.
The man's helmet is the most noticeable part however, with the space helmet-like design, and the mask being composed of closely placed glowing diamonds. The diamonds appear to not just be above his chin, but they seem to go on top of his head, as if his head is wrapped around with them.
The closer Meditat zooms in, the more he can see darker diamond pupils in them as well, which seem to flicker and move around like living creepy eyes.
With the smaller body quickly isolating one candidate, Meditat recognizes the man in the turquoise suit to be Vrey. He also vaguely remembers Dana mentioning how the name he goes by is officially Argus in the basement.
However, the last two men in Meditat's sight aren't as easily recognizable. One of them seems to wear a dark yellow suit that covers the body and seems to be made of some sort of cloth spandex from the looks of it. The body also has a thin metallic frame on the suit, which is designed to look almost like a skeleton, as though it's a skeleton costume.
However, the "bone" of the skeleton isn't white like normal bones, but rather a faint pink, and the bones aren't smooth but rather they're more noodly, almost appearing more like the material of a brain stretched out to create the shape of a skeleton. The wrists of the man seem to contain a bracelet that glows bright yellow, even brighter than Indra's and Cratus's glow, and the metallic bones on the gloves also glow the same color, deviating from the rest of the pink.
The man's helmet, which doesn't continue the skeleton but instead has its own unique design, also seems to have two main colors, with the whole right side being a continuation of the yellow, and the left side being black, with the split right in the middle. In the center of the face is also a large visor shaped like one massive eye, which also glows bright yellow like the hands.
Below the eye are two streaks that run down to the bottom of the chin with bends towards the top, which glow as well, and creepily seem to resemble tears, as though the one eye is crying. It's disturbing compared to the other suits, even Argus's.
The last man appears to have a similar suit to the yellow one, however rather than the cloth being yellow, this one is crimson red. It still has the pink skeleton, yet this time the bracelet and hand bones are also glowing red rather than yellow.
The mask is completely different however, with the only resemblance being the vertical split down the middle that makes each side of the helmet a different color. However, it's the mask's right side that is black, and the left side that is a continuation of the crimson red.
Furthermore, rather than the one large eye, this one helmet doesn't even appear to have goggles like all the other suits. Instead, on each far side of the head, where the temples and jaw would be, are five circles that create an arch and glow red. There's five on each side, making a total of ten, yet even then none of the circles are where the eyes would be, and none of them are large enough to be viable as goggles. It's as though these two abstract men aren't even human, operating uniquely with a more terrifying design, making neither of them approachable.
Meditat stares at the two remaining men, and he hums to himself as he tries to identify them, however he's never seen such suits before.
He notices that the two seem to have a similar body type, being tall and slim, similar to Ara and Ari. Them being the only two Meditat has yet to recognize as well, by process of elimination it would have to be them, however he's unsure of which one is who. Their suits seem to accompany each other, which makes sense because their abilities likely work similarly since the police thought of them as a single being.
While he cannot exactly deduce who each one is, all he knows is that they're the twins, meaning he can see the whole group all at once.
Meditat speaks after identifying the group, "Okay, I see all of them. Now, hmm...I need to figure out how to attack them. They're all suited up and in an open wide space, and since they know who I am I have effectively none of the advantages I had back in the elevator. The one advantage I have is that they've yet to see me, so I can plan now and get the jump on them. Although...I say that...but I also realize that Vrey likely has some sort of enhanced sensing abilities after remembering Dana's story, so there's a chance that when I'm about to strike them, he might be able to notify the rest of them before I could even complete an attack. So a surprise attack won't really work...the most I can do is have a clear plan...even then Vrey is likely the weakest in combat so I'll take him down, and then I'll take care of the twins and move onto the remaining two. They'll be tricky, especially since Indra has a good amount of sources for energy, but that just means I need to try harder. I have to remain focused, I can't afford to screw up again, I have to win this. I'm going to win this."
Orial responds after hearing Meditat's plan, "Excellent plan, however, let me reiterate that the shield is still active. As long as it is, it will disintegrate you once it detects your suit, even if you were to keep your shoulder cannons down and gauntlets in the state they're in."
Meditat tilts his head from side to side, stretching himself as he gets ready with that dilemma already solved.
He simply explains, "Then there won't be a suit to detect."
Meditat slowly gets into a stance as though preparing for a running race , keeping himself hovering in the air as his eyes lock onto the window close to the group. His eyes focus on Indra, and his suit begins glowing brighter.
Orial warns in a concerned tone, "Wait, hold on, you're still in the ai-."
However, before Orial could finish his warning, Meditat takes a step forward as though beginning to sprint, to which he boosts forward, propelling himself with all the power he built up and leaving a loud boom from the intensity of the burst. His body flies in a blue comet straight towards the Octagon, building up as much momentum as he can in the short moment before the entrance gate.
The whole comet then suddenly stops with an explosion of blue mist, as in the fraction of a second, the whole suit evaporates to mist, however on Meditat's command. From the cloud of blue smoke in the air, Rohan's body emerges, wearing his blue pants and green jacket.
His eyes continue to glow blue as he passes straight through the wall that Orial mentioned, as he memorized the distance from it, and even made sure to overestimate just to be safe. His eyes are contracted in a determined glare as his hair blows behind him from the heavy winds, his body being carried forwards from all the carried momentum. Without the suit, the shield doesn't detect any weaponry or threat, as all that passes through is an unarmed body. Due to that fact, he's safe from the shield's defense system, and passes through as though the shield wasn't there at all.
Even without his suit, his body flies down towards the Octagon's top floor. He puts his arms up and crosses them, bracing for impact as he keeps his eyes upon, feeling the powerful current against his face.
Inside the top floor of the building, the five Babylonians continue standing in a circle, scheming as they wait for the device to finish unlocking the door. It's a long and boring process, as even with such a powerful device, the Octagon's door encryptions seem to be quite the hassle.
The five all seem to be waiting in the meantime, keeping the hostages near them.
While Argus's back faces the window, the back of his helmet suddenly illuminates a hidden yet now visible diamond-shaped plate, which glows the same way as the other plates, light turquoise with the darker pupil as though he has an eye on the back of his head.
Argus then suddenly turns towards Indra, having detected the presence flying towards them. However, Indra's focus is still on the group, as he has yet to detect any danger.
Realizing that Indra wouldn't react fast enough, Argus lunges towards him, and shoves Indra to the side. Indra's body flies sideways, unable to react back, as all he can feel in that one moment in confusion for the sudden push.
However, his gaze moves to the window to the black void outside, to which he faintly notices an object hurtling towards him. His eyes widen as he sees a blue glow coming from the object, which seems to become brighter.
The object suddenly completely flashes blue, a light so bright it's nearly blinding. In the very next instant, the object smashes straight through the window, shattering it upon impact.
Tiny shards of glass descend in large groups as the whole open window shatters into fragments, causing the rest of the group to turn towards the window in shock. They all start to move to the side, seeing the object flying towards them, moving so fast that they could hardly take one step.
The object crashes straight into the ground, right where Indra was just standing. In fact, if it weren't for Argus's quick movement, it would've likely struck Indra, but instead both Indra and Argus stand to the side, having moved out of the way.
The five all stare at the point of impact as a cloud of blue smoke obscures whatever is inside, with whatever being inside there having startled everyone, even the hostages who weren't anticipating the crash.
Argus steps back, standing in front of Indra as if to protect him. He then puts both of his hands in the holsters on his side, to which he pulls out oddly shaped weapons, which seem to have a grip very much like a firearm but rather than a barrel it seemed to just have a flat dark turquoise plate on top of the handle which is shaped like a diamond, similar to the ones on his arms and legs.
He has two of them, each that used to be in his holster but are now held by his hands. He then crosses both of his arms in the shape of an "X," and allows each of the plates to grace his forearms. As they do, each plate seems to attract one of the metallic plates on his forearm onto the weapon, seeming to attach it onto the launchers. He then aims both of the launchers at the blue smoke, both loaded with the metallic plates, which have sharp tips which make them feasible as rounds although they're still quite untraditional.
Indra steps back as both of the twins seem to run back towards the reception table, staying behind Cratus. Cratus puts his arm up as though to protect them, and he keeps his eyes on the blue smoke on the ground.
The smoke evaporates, revealing Meditat, who's kneeling with one foot in a lunge, having just landed. His body is completely suited despite having gotten rid of it a second ago, as his black chainmail cape dances from the wind present from the destroyed window, and his body's cooling streaks glow blue.
Meditat raises his head, his blue goggles glaring straight up at Indra, who stares back at him behind Argus, whose launchers are aimed for the head. Meditat stays in place, his eyes blazing as he determines his targets, and is ready for battle.
The battle that'll determine the tidal current of history.