Scene 1 — Hero Association Headquarters, Office of Lorien Valtier
Stacks of emergency reports slammed onto Lorien's desk.He flipped through them with a tense expression.The only sound breaking the silence was the television in the background, broadcasting chaos — villains gaining superhuman abilities, coordinated attacks in multiple cities, and the rise of a drug said to "awaken the inner god."
Lorien(reading, worried):"The Renegates... are rising worldwide."
The door burst open. Kelvin Nox, leader of the Guild of a Thousand Lights, walked in casually with his hands in his pockets and a sarcastic smirk.
Kelvin(light-hearted):"Those Renegates are real trouble, Lorien. And that Hant guy… seems like an evil genius."
Lorien(somber):"Yeah… and let's not forget he's only on the wrong side because of us."
Kelvin raised an eyebrow.
Kelvin(sharp tone):"Actually… because of you. If you had listened to young Ryan during the Draft, he might be the key to stopping all of this."
Lorien leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head, sighing with distant eyes.
Lorien:"Maybe he would've been..."
On the TV, anchors reported urgently:
"…the new drug known as Divine Capsule is being used by criminals to achieve powers comparable to the Heralds of Kairon…"
Lorien(clenching his fists):"This has Kai's fingerprints all over it."
Kelvin(nodding):"It does. My student, Kane Jayson, traced the origin. Kai Hayashi is the godfather of the project. And Zen Kagetsune confirmed it himself."
Lorien stood abruptly. His golden aura flared in frustration for a second.
Lorien:"Enough. It's settled. From now on, Hant and the Renegates are to be classified as World-Class S Enemies.I'll alert all guild leaders and activate a strategic war protocol.We must inform Inavy as well."
Fade out: Lorien stares at the emblem of the Hero Association.
Cut to: A secret underground location — The new Renegate hideout
Cold lights illuminated a sinister biotech laboratory where Kai Hayashi and Hant observed a scientist tweaking genetic codes on a holographic screen.
Hant(with regal command):"Is it ready, Alfred?"
The weary man with greying hair turned slowly. Alfred Valeborn. Ryan's father.
Alfred(horrified):"This is monstrous… You're mixing remnants of Eliara's Human Singularity with power capsules. You'll destroy everything..."
Kai(grinning wickedly):"Wrong. We're creating the new apex predators."
Inside containment tanks, the mutated, enhanced bodies of Nael, Syka, and Trog floated in blue liquid.Hant stepped into another chamber, which began to glow intensely.
Alfred watched it all unfold… but his thoughts drifted elsewhere — to Ryan.
"Forgive me, son… I'm trying to protect you. Even if it costs me my soul."
Back at the Phoenix Guild HQDarius Valtier lounged in his armchair, chewing a pencil thoughtfully.
The door creaked open, revealing Zen Kagetsune, stoic as ever.
Zen(grumbling):"What do you want, sensei…?"
Darius(grinning):"Wow! You actually called me 'master' for once. But let's get to the point… Mind showing me that bottle of pills?"
Zen pulled out a small vial from his coat containing three dark capsules.
Zen:"The redhead... Kai... gave me this. Said it turns anyone into a 'god.' A Herald of Kairon or whatever."
Darius(examining closely):"Just as Lorien suspected… They're selling this like villain street drugs.This version seems enhanced — probably with Eliara's powers."
Zen(arms crossed):"So the Renegates are behind this.They're flooding the black market with it like candy. Chaos will spread like wildfire..."
Darius stood up, resolved.
Darius:"We have to prepare.This isn't just about Kairon anymore. This organization is a global threat."
Zen:"So? What do you plan to do?"
Darius(determined):"Train the kids.Sharpen everything we've got.And make the Phoenix Guild the last beacon of hope."
Zen(leaning on the wall, smirking):"Alright… as long as I get a vacation after all this, I'm in."
Darius(laughing):"Deal."
End of Chapter 73