The city had been quiet since Obsidian's first appearance, but whispers began to spread—rumors of a mysterious figure wreaking havoc, civilians caught in destruction, and "reckless heroes" causing chaos.
Mikey and Jin trained tirelessly, honing their abilities, but the public began questioning their intentions.
Obsidian, watching from the shadows, smiled. This was the real battlefield: he didn't need to strike directly to win.
The Mastermind's Scheme
Obsidian orchestrated incidents carefully:
Controlled Collateral – Minor skirmishes he staged looked like Mikey and Jin were attacking civilians, giving newspapers and social media a false narrative.
Divide and Distract – He planted evidence of Jin using Wrath Mode recklessly, making him appear dangerous and unstable.
Fear Manipulation – Subtle messages and staged "attacks" created panic, making citizens doubt that Mikey and Jin were protectors.
Crowds began to murmur, some even protesting against Mikey and Jin, calling them "unstable vigilantes" and "a threat to the city."
Mikey's heart ached. He and Jin were fighting for protection, yet the people they saved were starting to hate them.
Jin and Mikey React
Mikey clenched his fists, frustration bubbling. "They don't understand! He's twisting everything!"
Jin, calmer but equally determined, nodded. "It's exactly what he wants. He's using his mind as a weapon. But we can't stoop to his level. We fight smarter, not just harder."
They realized: to beat Obsidian, strength alone wouldn't be enough. They would have to counter his intellect, anticipate his traps, and outthink him while training their bodies to new limits.
Cliffhanger
Obsidian watched from above, smirking as chaos unfolded. "Let them fight the city before they fight me… It'll make their defeat sweeter."
Mikey and Jin looked over the city lights, the weight of public doubt pressing down. Their next battles wouldn't just be physical—they would be mental, emotional, and strategic wars.