Chapter 161

A petite woman with long white hair walked past the hedges, her hands at her side. She was as pale as a ghost with a pair of eerie mechanical eyes that whirred and spun in her head, glowing a brilliant hot pink. The blue sky shone overhead as the faint trickle of fountains filled the air. She was wearing a fitted thick turtleneck sweater, white, as usual, and a pair of thin white gloves. Her black pants glittered a bit in the sunlight as she stepped past a rosebush. She smiled at the camera, her mechanical eyes twinkling with a mixture of mirth and compassion. “Hi, I’m Sonya Chernovna,” she said, “It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, hasn’t it?”

She chuckled, “It’s gotten a little wild out there. It can be scary at times. Even as things calm down in one way, another problem seems to just pop up,” she said with a shake of her head before tilting it with amusement, “Honestly, doesn’t seem that much different from before, when you put it that way.”

The view shifted and she walked over a small bridge across a narrow stream that passed through the garden, “Everyone’s asking the same questions; ‘What can I do to help?’ ‘How do I protect my family?’ ‘What’s being done?’” she recited as she ran her fingers over a rose, she stopped and turned to the camera again. “Right now we are in an unprecedented era of conflict and change. The world is more than it was before, and we all need to do our part to make sure this era becomes one that can uplift humanity into something better.”

She raised a hand to beckon someone towards her and six young people strode out from the sides. To her right, a blonde young man with piercing blue eyes and a sharp smile stepped out. He was accompanied by a muscular girl with streaked black hair and a brown haired young man with a thoughtful expression and violet eyes. On the bottom of the screen, words appeared.

OTIS

Most Promising Heroes, East Coast Training Camp

CRUSADER

Most Promising Heroes, East Coast Training Camp

GRAVITIC

Most Promising Heroes, East Coast Training Camp

From the left, a young woman stepped out with off-white eyes that seemed to flicker now and then, her black hair held loose around her thin face. With her was a young man with steely gray hair and a toned body beneath a tight fitted black shirt. Finally, a dark haired boy with narrow eyes and a small smile teasing his lips stepped out as well, his gloved hands in his pockets. Their names appeared as well.

CRANE

Most Promising Heroes, West Coast Training Camp

MAGNUS

Most Promising Heroes, West Coast Training Camp

SYPHON

Most Promising Heroes, West Coast Training CampNo?v(el)B\\jnn

Sonya gestured to the six of them on either side, “These young people have stepped up, despite all the forces arrayed against them, and so can you.”

Otis inclined his head, “That’s right, keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. The first step towards combating villainy is knowing. The Pandora Committee reporting center is always open,” he said, “With your help we can fight villainy at its source and get help for those who are on the verge of doing something they may regret.”

Crane flipped her hair back and put a hand on her hip, “We’re counting on you to help us. More and more people awaken powers every single day, and making sure that they know what they’re dealing with is important. There are facilities in every major city that can provide education and assistance,” She said, “Awakening can be scary, we’ve all gone through it. Don’t go through it alone.”

Crusader crossed her arms over her chest, “You always have the right to defend yourself and your family, whether you are light-touched or not. Whether it be a monster or a villain, remember these steps. Call for a hero or the police if you can. Prioritize your life and those around you and attempt to get away. If all else fails, fight back.”

Magnus raised a clenched fist, “Villainy festers where people look away,” he said firmly, “Don’t let it happen on your watch, you can be a hero too. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. We’re all in this together.”

Gravitic smiled, “Help us help you and together we can make something incredible out of this new world we live in,” He said.

Syphon straightened up and nodded, “And don’t forget, we’re always recruiting. If you think you have what it takes to join us, go to your nearest Pandora Committee facility and sign up.”

The six young heroes spoke up as one, “We’re waiting for you.”

She tilted her head to the left, “What on earth are you thanking me for?” She asked, “You stepped up during the raid,” She said, Even though I know the only reason you did was to force my hand you little shit, “I hold mythics I sign with ASTA to a higher standard,” She said, “You met it,” She paused and tilted her head, “Are you sure about your codename though?”

He blinked and pursed his lips, mulling the thought over for a moment, “I like Otis. I know it has nothing to do with Gilgamesh but...” He trailed off and shrugged, “I’m a fan of the classics.”

She examined his face for a moment before letting out a sigh, “Very well, enjoy your evening, Mister Mallory. I have high expectations for you in the future.”

He grinned at her and nodded, “I won’t disappoint you,” He said and walked away.

Sonya watched him go and rested her hands on her hips. She glanced at Marta whose face betrayed nothing. The two of them waited for the walking apocalypse to slink back into the common building before she finally spoke, the portal arch sliding back down into the ground. She raised a hand and the air seemed to ripple for a moment, an illusion of silence wrapping around them and obscuring their words, “Fucking bastard,” She grumbled as she ran her fingers through her hair, “Updates?” She asked quietly.

“Colin’s made contact,” Marta said, “Kera is with him just in case our quarry does something drastic,” She smirked a little and Sonya gave her an approving wink, “He’ll send you a message as soon as they have a response,” she continued before gesturing to the area around them, “Everything for the ceremony is going according to schedule.”

Sonya’s lips pressed together, “I want a host of professors posted at the ceremony,” She said cooly, “If a single hint of that woman’s ilk comes anywhere near it...” She trailed off and pushed down her bloodthirst.

Marta inclined her head, “It’ll be done,” She said before straightening, “Barry is done with the preparations, he’ll be ready when the time comes, you have your army.”

Sonya checked her nails and looked back at the building for a heartbeat, “Good,” She said and turned fully to Marta, “Has she made any further moves?”

“Not yet, though we have observed her using new routes to supply her people,” Marta said.

Sonya snorted, “I’m surprised she hasn’t retaliated with more force, though. Is she angling for a cold war?”

“It’s possible,” Marta said thoughtfully, “Ever since the raid she has been remarkably quiet,” she continued, “It’s like she’s turned all of her focus inward towards her cult rather than putting much effort into recruiting and strengthening herself.”

“Strange,” Sonya said, “If we weren’t having such a problem with sending spies her way I’d love to know what she was up to. Have Beyol keep an eye on it.”

“Of course, Ma’am,” Marta said with a bow before straightening up, “You’ve been more engaged lately, It’s good to see.”

Sonya grinned at her and crossed her arms behind her back, “Ishtar told me to take on a villain mindset and I figure this is part of it. We’re done with the camp so it’s on to the next step after all.” She said before starting to walk towards the common building.

“You still haven’t figured it out? What she meant?” Marta asked next to her.

Sonya frowned, “Yeah, something’s missing but I just don’t understand what she’s expecting,” She said with a sigh, “It doesn’t matter. She’s me, I’ll figure it out. It feels like it’s on the tip of my tongue, though, which is frustrating.”

“You’ll manage,” Marta agreed.

“I always do,” She said with a breath and glanced up to see Black Lotus standing on the balcony, looking down at her. She smiled to herself, “That commercial is the first shot fired against Liberty, what comes next is going to be amusing,” She said and dismissed the illusion wrapped around her. Two more figures stepped out to stand on either side of Black Lotus, a brown haired woman in a blue set of robes and a red haired woman in a brown cardigan. She beamed up at them, Yes, I have just about everything I need.

“Ladies!” She called, “Looking forward to the party?”