At the Bellum Company's secret island, Alala was standing on top of the tallest tree overlooking the fields. Her soldiers were training in hand-to-hand combat, shooting, blade and blunt weapons.
"We lost 73 in Ethiopia, 142 in Argentina, and 25 in Myanmar. That's 240 casualties. Argentina was a given, but we lost too many in Ethiopia because I lost consciousness. The Ethiopian forces gained momentum and pushed Deimos' forces....So many of my people died because of me."
The wind blew her hair as she observed her soldiers in silence. She broke that silence after some time.
"Phobos' Brigade has 3168 soldiers left. Deimos has 2735 and Eris has 2402. I'd prefer if each General had at least 3000 soldiers....Looks like it's time to recruit again."
"Supreme Commander."
Alala looked down and Phobos was below her. She jumped down and fell over a hundred feet before landing softly on the ground.
"What is it?"
"The GHF actually did it. They announced you lost to Impactor."
Alala leaned on the tree.
"I knew they would eventually, but I didn't think they would do it so early. I thought they would give Impactor time to grow."
"Now we have to take him down. He officially will have two Calamities after him. What are they thinking?"
Alala thought about it for a bit before speaking.
"They might want to test out if he's the real deal. They want to make sure his victories weren't flukes and is worth investing their all in."
"So they're willing to lose him?"
"Baptism by fire has always been the GHF's preferred way of doing things. If he's destined to succeed, then he'll survive our attacks. This, however, shows that they're desperate for a way to take down the Three Calamities; otherwise, they wouldn't provoke us like this. They want us to test their new toy and see how effective he can be."
"When you put it like that, they do seem desperate. Maybe we bullied them a little too much?"
"I only go against them when they stand in the way of our missions. I'm different from Sinvula who actively defies and provokes them. I couldn't care less about them."
"Commander."
Deimos walked up to Alala and Phobos.
"What is it?"
Deimos lifted a tablet in front of Alala.
"That guy Impactor is at a press conference with the GHF. Apparently, he's going to join a team."
Berlin, Germany. The Global Hero Federation had branches in every country in the world, but they also had a headquarters where they would address the world and make important decisions that would affect humanity. On this day, the GHF had called a press conference to make an important announcement. Popular news outlets from all over the world gathered to broadcast this announcement across the globe.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this."
Belinha, who was dressed in a suit, was backstage looking at the stage set up for her.
"I never thought I would be in a Team this quickly."
Impactor was beside her with a plate in his hands. Belinha looked at the food on the plate.
"Why Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)?"
"The name sounded funny and I like pancakes and potatoes."
"You're quite the simple one, aren't you?"
"Life is happier the simpler it is."
He swallowed a pancake whole without even chewing. Belinha looked at him for a while before turning away.
"Well, at least I'm not nervous anymore. So thanks, I guess."
"You're thanking me for eating funny pancakes? Who's the simple one now?"
Belinha looked at him again and he turned away, hiding his plate.
"I don't want any. Ah, forget it."
She walked onto the stage and the cameras started flashing. She stood at the podium and faced the cameras and journalists.
"Good afternoon, everyone. I am the current 5th-ranked Hero, Belinha the Blood Phoenix. I called this press conference here to talk to you all about a few things on the GHF's behalf."
Pictures of Sinvula and Alala were shown on the monitors behind her. An X was marked through them.
"As we announced earlier, the Mad Shaman and the War Angel's reign of invincibility has come to an end. These two were defeated by a Rogue Hero by the name of Impactor."
A huge uproar broke out in the venue as the journalists started shouting questions at Belinha. All she chose to ignore.
"I assure you, this is the truth. The Calamities can be defeated; they aren't invincible as they would want you to believe. They, too, are humans just like all of us."
She placed her hand over her heart.
"The GHF announces here that we will hunt and punish these criminals and free the world from their shackles of terror. You will no longer need to be afraid!"
The journalists became quiet in the face of her confident tone and stone face. They subconsciously found themselves being drawn in by her words and soon started believing them.
As for Belinha—
(Mom, Dad, thank you for making me take drama classes as a kid!)
Tears started gathering in her eyes
"Is she crying?"
"Maybe she's relieved. I know I am."
"She's really passionate about protecting us. I gotta respect that."
The journalists mumbled. Meanwhile, Belinha—
(Why did the script writers make me say such provoking lines?! It's like they're putting a target on my back! I hope Iron Rain or the Bellum Company doesn't attack HQ because of this!"
She didn't believe a word she said. However, she somehow held the tears back and continued.
"My people, the era of Calamities has come to an end! Just as when Sin Sentinel made all villains cower in fear of the GHF, we will make the so-called Calamities do the same!"
She gestured to her right.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I present to you one of the future pillars of the GHF! The Calamity Killer, Impactor!"
Impactor stepped out on the stage for a second before the staff took the plate from him. He walked out on the stage wearing his wrestling mask and formal attire. He stood beside Belinha.
"Impactor was the courageous Hero who stood up to the Calamities' tyranny, just to protect those around him! A young hero who has been accepted into the GHF because he represents everything we believe in! A young hero who will spearhead the next generation! A Young Hero deserving of your support!"
The journalists, staff, and Belinha applauded Impactor as he silently stood with arms behind his back.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have another announcement."
Belinha placed her hand on Impactor's shoulder.
"The GHF has decided to create a team that will aim to become pillars for this new era of prosperity, a team that will hunt the Calamities and all villains that stand in the way of peace! A team that's filled with young and promising Heroes who will stand above the rest! Heroes who are destined for greatness! A team led by Impactor and myself!"
She wrapped her arm around Impactor's waist.
"I hereby announce the formation of the Young Sovereigns, Kismet!"
She looked into the camera with a huge grin.
"Be on the lookout for greatness."
Half an hour later, Belinha was wallowing in self-pity in the HQ lounge. She was sitting in a chair, holding her face in her hands. Impactor was sitting across from her, eating grilled sausages.
"Come on, it will be alright. We're the future, aren't we?"
"There's no hope in my future! I basically painted a target on my back just now!"
"Yeah, but aren't you practically immortal? I don't get why you should be worried."
She looked up.
"That only means I'll suffer for eternity, unable to feel the sweet merciful embrace of death."
Belinha sat up and leaned back in her chair.
"Maybe I'm being too negative. I mean, we have you, who was able to beat them. If we get some good teammates, we might have a chance."
"What are the chances of that happening?"
"It depends on what the Board of Heroes are planning."
Impactor finished eating his sausages and put the plate down next to him.
"So our lives are in the hands of the Shadow Government?"
"Stop calling them that. The Board of Heroes is made up of Legendary Heroes who saved the world numerous times in their prime."
She looked at him.
"They're respectable people."
"The Board of Heroes is made up of heartless bastards!"
Belinha shouted at the top of her lungs. A few hours after the press conference, she and Impactor were gathered in a room to meet with their new teammates.
"It's an honour to meet you, Blood Phoenix. We, Myrmidons, thank you for the opportunity to become leaders of the new era."
A tall, lanky, pale-skinned man who seemed to be the leader greeted Belinha and offered a handshake. Belinha shook his hand while her eyes were spinning in her head.
"They gave me Rookies....They really gave me Rookies."
She mumbled while letting out a strange laugh.
"Hm? You guys look familiar."
Impactor looked at them with a curious gaze. It was four of them, two women and two men. Among these four, there was a pair of twins of opposite genders. The female twin walked up to him with excitement.
"We fought alongside you in Ethiopia!"
"Oh, you guys are the Heroes from back then."
"That's right."
"You are the guys who called me an idiot."
"Ah, yeah. Sorry about that."
The female twin offered a handshake.
"I'm Mira."
She pointed to her brother.
"That's my younger brother, Kira."
Kira silently nodded with a smile. Impactor shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you again, Impactor."
The leader approached him.
"I am Mikel. The final person is Bojana. There's no need to learn all our names right away. You'll learn them over time as we spend more time together."
Mikel shook hands with Impactor.
"By the way, we informed the GHF of your victory against Alala. They didn't believe us at first and even punished us for joining the civil war without authorisation."
"Sounds like the Shadow Government, alright."
Impactor nodded with understanding. Mikel chuckled a bit.
"Well, thanks to you defeating Sinvula, they believed us and ended our house arrest. They placed us on a team with you because we know you, although we just barely met."
"I think it's more than that."
Impactor gently bumped his fist on Mikel's chest.
"You guys didn't back down against Alala, even though you knew you'd die. I think your bravery was acknowledged."
Mikel and the rest of his team started smiling.
"Thank you, Impactor."
"Please, we're a team."
Impactor took off his mask and smiled at them.
"You can call me Celso."
"Alright, Celso."
"Aw, they're getting along."
Belinha smiled at the group and took out her phone.
"I'll book their burial spots next to each other for when we all die."
The door opened and somebody walked in, catching everyone's attention. It was a bulky man with a round, chubby face, dressed in a suit.
"Sorry, I'm late."
The man's voice was deep and resounding as he wore a warm smile.
"Batu? What are you doing here?"
Belinha was shocked to see the man.
"Who is that? He looks familiar."
"He should."
Mikel spoke to him while looking at the man with obvious excitement.
"The rising sun of Mongolia, the man said to be able to turn anything into an impregnable base. The current #7 Hero, the Walking Fortress, Batu."
"Damn, his nicknames are awesome."
"Is this everyone?"
Batu asked while looking at Impactor and the others.
"Looks like they really want to stick with the young theme, since none of us are even 25."
"Wait, Batu...Are you..."
Batu looked at Belinha in confusion.
"Didn't they tell you? I'm in Kismet too."
"HELL YEAH!!"
Belinha jumped and hugged Batu.
"There's hope! There's still hope!"
She laughed hysterically as she hung on to him without care for appearances.
"We're gonna live!"