Chapter 3: Once More a fish out of water at Xelios University, the Hero Association and the Guardia Project.
The campaign against the ogres was now finished and now everything else could get underway. Hermes returned to Xelios University and continued to improve her magical skills, meanwhile: it was decided that for the Guardia Project: Zaiyal, Qayyim, Aquarius, Talus, Crockus, and Sarai, we're chosen to head to Guardia [these six individuals would go to the kingdom and turn it into a vassal of the Qatari empire]. The rest of the group Nova included would continue their work with the Hero Association and in particular the growing level of crime and the problems with the League of Villains, but this was nothing new this was the consistent politics of the Hero Association, the more pressing concerns were of Hermes and the Guardia Conspiracy. Back at Xelios University, Hermes threw herself into her studies, determined to master the magical arts at a level no one could question. The battle against the Ogres had proven her strength, but it had also exposed her weaknesses. She needed to be better, stronger—especially with the growing instability across the world. The Hero Association's fight against the League of Villains was intensifying, and while Nova and the others remained occupied with that struggle, Hermes knew that her path was leading her elsewhere.
The Guardia Project was now set in motion. Zaiyal, Qayyim, Aquarius, Talus, Crockus, and Sarai had been dispatched to Guardia, a kingdom on the fringes of the known world. Its strategic position made it a prime target for the Qatari Empire, which sought to turn it into a vassal state. But Guardia had its own secrets—whispers of ancient relics, forbidden magic, and a conspiracy that ran deeper than anyone realized.
At the University, Hermes spent her nights pouring over classified reports, trying to piece together what exactly was happening in Guardia. Every document pointed to something ominous. There were references to a lost civilization, hidden ruins beneath the capital, and an artifact known as The Eye of Aion—an object of immense power said to grant dominion over fate itself.
Then there were the disappearances. Members of the Qatari Empire's diplomatic corps sent to Guardia had gone missing without a trace. Even some of the League of Villains had attempted to infiltrate the kingdom and vanished. Whatever was happening in Guardia, it was bigger than simple politics. One evening, as Hermes sat alone in the University library, deep in research, Mira contacted her via encrypted comms. "You're still awake?" Mira's voice came through, laced with amusement. Hermes sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, I've been going through these reports all night. Nova, something's wrong with Guardia." "No shit." Mira chuckled. "That's why they sent our best. If anyone can figure it out, it's them." "It's not just politics, Mira. It's something… older. Something buried."
There was silence on the other end. Then Nova spoke, her voice more serious. "If you're that worried about it, maybe you should go there yourself." Hermes hesitated. She still had training to complete, and the war against the League of Villains was only getting worse. But something in her gut told her she needed to see Guardia with her own eyes. The following day an announcement by Zamah ended such distractions. "Good evening students, I'm sure you've noticed the growing tensions between the Qatari Empire and its neighbors. We have been informed recently that there have been several terrorist attacks at different schools in the empire by separatists. We no longer have to worry about rival nations alone but separatists who seek to form separate nations."
The announcement sent a wave of murmurs through the lecture halls and dormitories of Xelios University. The weight of Zamah's words wasn't lost on anyone—separatist attacks on schools meant that nowhere was truly safe.
Hermes leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling of the library. First the League of Villains, now this? The Empire was already stretched thin fighting external threats. If internal factions were rising up as well, things were about to spiral into chaos. Her comms buzzed again. Mira.
"This just keeps getting better," Mira muttered. "You think it's connected to the League?" Hermes frowned. "Doubt it. The League thrives on chaos, but they don't usually push for separatism. They don't care about nations, just power. This feels different." "Agreed. I ran a check on some of the separatist groups being mentioned. They're all over the place—some extremists, some rebels, and some backed by foreign governments. The only thing they have in common is that they all suddenly started ramping up their attacks in the last few months." Hermes narrowed her eyes. "That's not a coincidence." Mira's eyes narrowed, it just kept getting stranger and stranger. Nala responded, "It doesn't really matter, we're going to the magic arts training games in 2 weeks, we have no time to get involved in such things. But it would be important to keep alert, and keep our eyes open for any political intrigues and such." Alan grunted, "I need to speak to the principle about this, that the schoolmates are incredibly nervous and there is rational cuse for their feelings. It's important that she knows about this."
Meanwhile… Outside of Nova's compound, Nova set up a ship for Zaiyal, Qayyim, Aquarius, Talus, Crocus and Sarai. The wind howled across the docking bay as the team prepared to depart for Guardia. The sleek, black ship hummed with latent energy, its thrusters pulsing in anticipation of takeoff. Nova watched as Zaiyal and Qayyim exchanged quiet words near the ramp, their expressions serious. The mission ahead of them was fraught with uncertainty, but they had no choice but to move forward. "I trust you, Qayyim," Nova said, placing a firm hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Just remember, this mission isn't just about securing a vassal state—it's about understanding what's really happening in Guardia. We need intelligence as much as we need control. If things seem off, report back immediately." Qayyim nodded, her gaze steady. "I understand. And you'll watch over our children?" Nova's expression softened for a moment. "Of course. You and Zaiyal have my word." With that, the team boarded the ship, and within minutes, the engines roared to life. As they lifted off into the night sky, Nova turned away, his mind already shifting to the battles ahead. The League of Villains was becoming bolder, and separatist factions were destabilizing the Empire from within. Something larger was at play, and they were running out of time to figure out what.
Back at Xelios University, Hermes pushed her growing anxieties aside as she stepped onto the training grounds. The magic arts training games were fast approaching, and she couldn't afford any distractions. The air buzzed with energy as students honed their skills, practicing complex spells and combat techniques under the watchful eyes of their instructors. Mira approached her, arms crossed. "You're really going through with this? Focusing on training instead of digging deeper into Guardia?" Hermes exhaled sharply. "I don't have a choice. If I go now, I'll be unprepared. If something ancient is stirring in Guardia, I need to be at my best to deal with it." Mira smirked. "That's what I wanted to hear. Just don't get too caught up in the games. We both know politics doesn't wait for tournaments." As the weeks passed, Hermes dedicated herself fully to mastering new spells. She pushed past exhaustion, refining her techniques with a level of precision she hadn't thought possible. But even as she trained, whispers of unrest filtered through the university. Rumors of missing students. Cryptic warnings scrawled onto walls in ancient script. And most disturbing of all—sightings of shadowy figures lurking near the restricted archives.
One night, as Hermes made her way back to her dormitory, she felt a prickle of awareness crawl up her spine. She wasn't alone. Turning sharply, she caught a fleeting glimpse of a figure disappearing into the shadows. Without hesitation, she pursued. The chase led her deep into the lower levels of the university, through corridors long abandoned and lined with dust-covered tomes. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and something else—something metallic, like blood. The figure stopped at the edge of an open doorway, shrouded in darkness. Hermes raised a hand, summoning a small orb of light, and stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you?" A voice, low and distorted, echoed through the chamber. "You are right to focus on your training, but you need to research this. You're asking the wrong questions, Hermes. The real question is—why did the Empire lie about Guardia?" Hermes' breath caught in her throat. Before she could react, the figure vanished, dissolving into the darkness as if they had never been there. Hermes sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the dim glow of the city lights outside her window. The thought of tomorrow's trip made her stomach churn with unease. It wasn't just the fear of dangerous creatures lurking on Lodoria—it was the idea that not everyone would return. The thought sent a chill down her spine. She had worked too hard to let fear shake her resolve now.
The magic tournament in two weeks was all that mattered. It was her ticket to obtaining a proper magic license, and with it, she could finally step into the world as a recognized mage. The airship would take them to Lodoria at dawn, and from there, survival would be their ultimate test. The history of Lodoria was gruesome. Once a strategic arms site for the Qatari Empire, it had been obliterated in an intergalactic conflict. The Eurasian Union had rained nuclear hellfire upon the island, leaving it a desolate wasteland crawling with radiation-forged monstrosities. The land had since healed, but what remained was a nightmare fueled by evolution—massive, mutated beasts that had thrived in the wreckage. There were tales of students who had gone on this very trip and never been seen again. Hermes pulled out her spellbook and traced the glowing runes on its cover. She wasn't the strongest mage in her class, but she was resourceful. She had been practicing barrier spells, energy projectiles, and summoning magic to prepare for this trip. The question was whether it would be enough.
The next morning, as the sun barely kissed the horizon, she and the other students gathered at the launch site. The airship stood before them, a sleek, metallic beast designed to carry them across the ocean toward Lodoria. The head instructor, Master Velkan, (Master Velkan was a giant rat, who was the vice administrator of the school), stood at the ramp with his arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face. "Listen up," he called, his deep voice silencing the crowd. "Once we arrive at Lodoria, you're on your own. This isn't a pleasure cruise. This is a test to determine if you have what it takes to wield magic in the real world. Fail here, and you might not make it to the tournament. Or worse, you might not make it back at all." A hush fell over the group. Hermes swallowed hard and stepped forward, her fingers clenching the strap of her satchel. The wind howled as the airship's engines roared to life. One by one, the students boarded, each wearing an expression of either grim determination or thinly veiled fear.
As the airship lifted off, they knew it would take at least 24 hours to reach the island. The day on Helios was 48 hours. An old man looking like some kind of Chinese martial arts master with a long white beard, small thin eyes, a small tough hair, and incredibly old greeted them, "Hello, kids my name is Kerman Kaisen and I will be your tutor in martial arts for this excursion." One of the girl's named Ashley said, "Are you going to teach us magic?" The old man sat on the floor and began to chuckle, "Young scholar, if you think magic is the only means to survival then I'm afraid you're not long for this world." Everyone murmured in confusion, "It's important to adopt martial arts into your magic abilities, remember to concentrate on your breathing and hone your fighting stance, take this as an example, can I have a volunteer." Nala stepped forward, "Now, use a blocking defense spell." Nala did so, after this Kerman got in a martial arts fighting stance, he began to summon chi energy the blue energy completely engulfed him, after this as the airship had already taken off began to shake. The old man suddenly opened his eyes, raised his palm up and ran forward pushing his palm forward in an instant yelling, "Gaoi-Ken!!" And then yelling, "Ren-Fan!!" After this he held his palm out at her throat and the magic defense spell was literally shattered leaving Nala in a cold sweat.
The other students gasped as Nala stumbled back, her arms still raised in a futile attempt to maintain her shattered spell. Kerman Kaisen lowered his hand and smirked, his aged eyes gleaming with wisdom. "Magic alone will not save you, young ones," he said. "Chi is the force within you, the very essence of your life. It does not rely on incantations or wands—it is raw, unfiltered power. Those who master it can stand against even the strongest sorcerers." Hermes watched intently, her mind racing. She had spent years honing her spellwork and her martial arts skills, but never had she considered integrating physical combat into her techniques so fluidly. The idea both intrigued and terrified her. Master Velkan, still standing at the edge of the deck, nodded approvingly. "This is why Kerman is here. You all have your magic, your talent, your potential. But potential means nothing if you do not know how to apply it in battle. If you wish to survive in Lodoria, you must be prepared for anything." A boy named Renji scoffed, crossing his arms. "I don't see the point. If my spells are strong enough, why would I ever need to get close to my opponent?"
Kerman chuckled again and moved so swiftly that Renji barely had time to react. Before the boy could raise a defense spell, Kerman tapped two fingers against his chest, sending a pulse of chi through his body. Renji's eyes widened as he collapsed to one knee, gasping for breath.
"Because, young one," Kerman said, withdrawing his hand, "not all battles are fought at a distance. Some will force you into close quarters, where magic alone is too slow." Renji coughed and rubbed his chest, his arrogance visibly deflated. The rest of the students looked on, a mixture of awe and apprehension settling over them. Hermes stepped forward. "Then teach us. If we need this to survive, we have no choice but to learn." Kerman grinned. "Good. Then let's begin."
For the next several hours, the students trained under Kerman's watchful eye. He corrected their stances, taught them breathing techniques, and demonstrated how to channel their inner chi. Some, like Hermes and Nala, took to it quickly, while others, like Renji, struggled to balance their magic with physical movements. As night fell over the airship, the group gathered around the deck, exhausted but determined. The sky above them was a canvas of stars, stretching endlessly in all directions. Below, the ocean was a vast abyss, silent and foreboding. Master Velkan approached, his long tail flicking behind him. "Rest while you can. Tomorrow, we enter Lodoria's airspace, and that's when the real test begins."
The Hero Association:
The tension in the room was palpable. Heroes of all ranks sat around the large, polished table, some rolling their eyes while others exchanged skeptical glances. Gordo, oblivious to the skepticism surrounding him, licked some honey from his oversized lips before attempting to regain control of the meeting. "Ahem!" he cleared his throat, which only resulted in a gurgling noise as honey dribbled from his mouth. "Now, as I was saying, the rise of Separatist Groups and the League of Villains is a serious concern." Green Wisp scoffed, crossing his arms. "And what do you propose? That we cover ourselves in honey and hope the villains slip on it?" Several heroes chuckled, but a few others—particularly the more professional ones—remained silent, waiting for a serious discussion to emerge. Scott Greer with his 187 IQ his massive intelligence was one of his powers stated: "Everyone bee-ware and bee-careful we're dealing with a well-established and powerful hero, in both power and intellect, it would be unwise to anger this big bee." Other heroes began to laugh at this comment. A deep voice interrupted the banter. "Enough." All eyes turned to the towering figure at the far end of the table. A warrior clad in sleek, obsidian armor leaned forward. It was Nightblade, one of the Hero Association's elite. His crimson eyes pierced through Gordo like daggers. "We don't have time for this nonsense," Nightblade continued. "The League of Villains has already infiltrated two of our facilities this month alone. Their forces are growing. If we don't act now, we'll be sitting ducks." Gordo swallowed nervously, his stubby hands shaking as he reached for a napkin to wipe the honey dripping from his chin. "Y-yes, of course! Which is why I called this meeting! To discuss… um… strategies! Yes, strategies!" Silver Star, a well-dressed hero with a glowing silver aura, sighed. "Alright, let's get serious. Does anyone have actual intel on their movements?" A woman in a sleek blue combat suit, known as Siren, tapped a small device on her wrist, projecting a holographic map onto the table. "Based on our most recent surveillance, the League has established a hidden base in the abandoned district of Sector 9. There's been increased activity there—masked figures moving in and out, shipments arriving late at night. They're planning something big." Green Wisp leaned in, his sharp brown eyes narrowing. "If they're in Sector 9, we need to strike first." One of the other heroes: an anthropomorphic fox with super-speed named Mock the Fox, said: "I think Green Wisp's right, if they're in Sector 9, we need to strike them there." Gordo raised a chubby finger, as if trying to regain control of the meeting. "Ahem! Yes! I was just about to say that we should, um, initiate… uh, a preemptive assault!" Nobody paid him any attention. Nightblade nodded at Siren. "How soon can we mobilize a strike team?" Siren checked her device. "If we move quickly, we can have a team ready by dawn." The heroes exchanged glances, each understanding the weight of what was coming. This wouldn't be just another skirmish—it would be a battle that could determine the balance of power. Gordo clapped his sticky hands together. "Then it's settled! As acting head of the Hero Association, I officially declare… um… operation 'Surprise Bee Attack' in motion!" Dead silence. In his silver-grey armor, his black cape, red eyes protruding through the slit in his amor i.e. Ungar said, "It would be foolish to initiate a strike until we have proper intel, insofar as we plan to go through with anything."
Gordo leaned forward as he farted and one could hear a little bit of honey escaping from his ass, "And what do you suggest, Ungar?" Ungar leaned forward, "We have intel that there will be an attack by the villains in City X at 16:00 tonight. If we strike them by surprise perhaps we can capture one of them and extract some information." Nightblade crosses his arms in approval, "I like the idea, I say we go through with Ungar's plan." Everyone else agreed. It was settled, they would go through with Ungar's plan and capture one of the villains tonight.
Meanwhile on a faraway planet near a far-off star:
A young lupine-alien was training in his quarters; he modified his room to be a gravity control room, it was set up to be 1,000,000 times the gravity of Planet Helios which was roughly the gravity of Mars. The gravity was tearing the wolf apart but he wouldn't stop; he needed to grow stronger. In the other room his regent Bairam looked on to a strange frog alien who served as the one handling the control panel. "He'll be fine, he's our prince after all." Eventually Lupus finished. He was Prince Lupus, the terrifying warlord and prince of the Lupine empire, he was a super elite, who conducted operations of genocide, ethnic-cleansing, and war-crimes against countless peoples and planets, with the goal of becoming the ruler of the universe. He smiled, he sought to get revenge against a little imp, a member of the Demon Clan some time ago that demon was the now reformed Talus.
Bairam, the grizzled old regent, stroked his thick, greying mane as he observed Prince Lupus step out of the gravity chamber, his body steaming from the intense training. The young prince's muscles were torn and mending rapidly, his regenerative abilities kicking in. His piercing crimson eyes glowed with a mixture of determination and barely restrained rage. The frog-like alien at the control panel croaked, his large, bulbous eyes blinking in amazement. "Astonishing, my prince! Not even the strongest warriors of our empire could withstand such gravity! Your power is truly beyond limits." Lupus barely spared the creature a glance. He reached for a royal robe embroidered with the sigil of the Lupine Empire—an ancient insignia of a howling wolf eclipsing a dying sun. Throwing it over his shoulders, he marched past his advisors.
"I've wasted enough time training," he growled. "Now, I want to see my father. I need his permission to lead a new campaign against Helios." Bairam fell into step beside him, his own battle-hardened frame casting a looming shadow down the palace corridor. The walls were decorated with murals depicting the empire's conquests—planets burning, alien races kneeling in chains before their lupine overlords, and, at the center of it all, King Lupus, the Great Devourer of Worlds. "My prince," Bairam said cautiously, "attacking Helios so soon may not be wise. The heroes who defeated you last time—they weren't ordinary warriors. They were strong. Rushing into battle again without understanding their true strength could lead to yet another humiliating defeat."
Lupus stopped abruptly, his claws digging into the stone walls, leaving deep gashes. "Do you doubt me, Bairam?" His voice was low, but there was an unmistakable menace behind it. Bairam met the prince's gaze unflinchingly. "No, my prince. But I have fought many wars. I have seen countless warriors who thought they were invincible because of arrogance. If you go to Helios, you must be prepared." Lupus sneered but didn't argue. He knew Bairam wasn't a fool. His regent had been by his side since he was a child, training him, guiding him, and ensuring his rise to power. But Lupus had changed. He had felt true humiliation at the hands of Talus and his allies. That disgrace burned in his soul like an unquenchable fire. He clenched his fists. "I am prepared." They reached the throne room—an enormous hall filled with towering statues of past kings. At the far end, seated on a throne of obsidian and bone, was him. King Lupus. The most feared warlord in the galaxy. His massive, battle-scarred frame radiated dominance. His golden fur shimmered under the eerie blue flames of the torches that lined the room. His piercing yellow eyes regarded his son with mild amusement as he sipped from a goblet filled with the blood of a conquered species. "Well, well," the king rumbled, his voice deep and menacing. "My son finally emerges from his training. Tell me, boy, have you grown strong enough to wipe away your previous shame?" Lupus kneeled, pressing a fist to the floor. "Father, I have trained harder than ever before. I am ready to reclaim my honor. Allow me to return to Planet Helios and erase those heroes who defied me. Let me burn their world to the ground."
The king leaned forward, resting his massive claws on the armrests of his throne. His grin was wolfish, fangs glinting. "You desire vengeance. Good. But I have already received intelligence that the Hero Association is preparing for something. They know you're coming." Lupus smirked. "Let them prepare. It won't make a difference." The king chuckled, his deep laughter echoing through the grand hall. "Very well, my son. Take an armada, but do not disappoint me again. God knows it will take 1 year before we arrive there anyway, so we better leave as soon as possible. If you fail…" His grin faded, his voice turning icy. "You will not return." Lupus rose, determination burning in his veins. He turned on his heel and strode out of the throne room, Bairam following closely behind. "Prepare the fleet," Lupus ordered. "We leave for Helios at once."
The ship lands at the borders of Guardia on an outpost called Neo-Acarnia City:
Zaiyal, Qayyim, Aquarius, Talus, Crockus, and Sarai all landed in a city on the outskirts of Guardia known as Neo-Arcanian City. It was a culturally and technologically advanced city on the edge of the primitive kingdom of Guardia. The ship's landing thrusters roared as it descended onto the platform, steam and dust billowing in all directions. Neo-Arcania City stretched out before them—an architectural marvel blending sleek, glowing skyscrapers with ancient stone pathways. The city was a beacon of innovation, yet its proximity to the medieval lands of Guardia gave it an odd juxtaposition of past and future.
As the ship's ramp lowered, Zaiyal stepped forward first, her sharp violet eyes scanning their surroundings. She was ever-cautious, her warrior instincts honed through countless battles. The others followed: Qayyim, his towering presence radiating silent authority; Aquarius,scanning the entire city; Talus, his dark cloak billowing slightly as he walked, Crockus, the burly reptilian like Pangolin warrior, cracking his knuckles in anticipation; and finally, Sarai, his golden armor gleaming under the neon lights of the city.