"Future Emperor."
The woman, Alissa chuckled a bit before releasing Impactor's hand.
"Does that mean you intend to make every Hero your underling?"
"Yeah, but Belinha will be leading them. I'll just enjoy the spoils."
Impactor spoke casually while pointing at Belinha with his thumb.
"Stop involving me in your madness."
Belinha jabbed his side with her elbow and faced Alissa.
"Lady Alissa, it's good to see you."
"Same to you, Belinha. You've grown up quite well."
"Alissa."
Rui called out to her.
"Why are you here?"
"Just curious."
Alissa spoke without taking her eyes off Impactor and Belinha.
"I received reports and watched the livestreams, but...."
She stood in front of Impactor.
"Nothing beats the real thing."
She patted his shoulder as he looked down on her.
"?!"
Impactor suddenly fell to one knee and found himself looking up at her.
"One knee? Not bad. Most people would be faceplanted on the floor."
Impactor tried to stand up, but his body wouldn't move, no matter how hard he struggled.
"That's enough."
The weight was lifted and he nearly jumped because of how much power he was exerting before.
"Alissa, stop playing with the Rookies."
Rui was holding Alissa's arm after removing it from Impactor's shoulder.
"My bad, my bad."
Alissa resigned and stepped back.
"If you're done, then I'll lead these two to meet their team."
"Hmm....I'm kinda interested in the rest of Kismet as well. The Chairman picked them without consulting us and then the Calamities showed interest in their growth. They must have a lot of potential."
"They do. That's why you're not meeting them unless it's official business."
Alissa smiled.
"Why?"
"I don't want them to break."
She grinned.
"Fair enough."
She looked at Impactor and Belinha and nodded before walking away.
"You conceded too easily. Did you actually come here for other business?"
Rui called out to her.
"Yeah, but I got the opportunity to tease the New Gen, so I took it."
She waved goodbye while continuing on her journey.
"A free spirit as always."
Belinha mumbled.
"Who was that woman?"
Impactor said while stretching his shoulder.
"Oh, right. Most people don't know her face because she wore a helmet during her Hero Tenure."
Belinha mumbled. Rui spoke up before her.
"She was the Imperator."
Impactor looked at him for a bit before his eyes slowly tore open.
"I know that name!"
He looked back in the direction Alissa was going, but her figure was nowhere to be seen.
"The former #2 Hero. Everybody called her a genius among geniuses. They said only one Hero was greater than her!"
Rui nodded.
"While it's painful to admit, that woman is stronger than anybody else on the Board of Heroes, even the Chairman."
He frowned.
"If Sin Sentinel is known as History's greatest Hero and the Eternal #1, then Imperator is by far second."
"Holy shit."
Impactor was in a rare state of shock.
"I'm surprised by your reaction. Considering you fought the Calamities on multiple occasions."
"It's because I fought them that I'm so shocked."
Rui wore a confused expression along with Belinha. A grin bloomed on Impactor's face.
"This is the first time I've met someone who I believe can really push Sinvula and Alala."
Meanwhile, Alissa arrived at an office somewhere in the building.
"Sorry, I'm late. I just met our rising stars on the way here."
"I was watching."
A man sat behind the desk in the centre of the spacious office with his head deep into some papers.
"I see."
Alissa sat on one of the luxurious sofas near the corner of the room. She crossed her legs and leaned back with a small smirk.
"So, Chairman Albrecht. What did you want to discuss?"
The man, Christoph Albrecht, answered without looking up.
"It's about the recent rise of violence across the world....We might need to reinstate your Hero Position to return the balance if things go as my rebellious grandson intends them."
After parting ways with Alissa, the staff led Belinha, Rui, and Impactor to an elevator which brought them to the third floor.
"By the way, how many floors does this place have?"
Impactor asked as they walked out of the elevator.
"I don't know. There are some floors underground, but I can't say how many or what's there."
Belinha answered while staring at her father's back.
"There's no need for you to know. So just forget it."
Rui answered while looking back at her.
They arrived at an office with glass walls and a silver door. Impactor tried to see through the glass but couldn't make anything out. Belinha pulled him to her side and Rui opened the door.
"Oh, you guys are here."
They were greeted by Batu standing in the middle of the office and the others were seated. He held mugs in his hands. He pushed one towards them.
"Coffee?"
A few minutes later, all of Kismet were gathered with mugs in their hands.
"I heard you guys were involved in something rough."
Impactor spoke to the twins.
"Yeah….It was something."
Mira answered in a low voice while looking at the coffee in her mug. Kira just silently sips froma mug.
"Hmmm…"
Impactor glanced at Batu, who shook his head.
"So it's a sore topic? Got it."
He took a big drink of coffee.
"What the twins experienced is tragic, but it comes with being Heroes, so it's better for you all to discuss it rather than bottle it up."
Rui said while operating a gadget while leaning on the wall.
"Wow, someone else who can't read the room."
Impactor raised his mug to Rui.
"It's always good to have company."
"After over 20 years in this field, you learn the less considerate of others you are, the longer you survive."
He pressed a button and the room darkened. It lit up and the scenery changed to a space filled with countless videos, pictures, and articles floating around. Mikel touched a picture floating in front of him and it expanded before his eyes.
"Alright, let's discuss the reason you all are here."
Rui moved his fingers and a file jacket was sent to all of Kismet. Impactor touched the file and it opened, displaying numerous pictures and videos of a man wearing a mask with red tear stains.
"Dollmaker!"
Mira spat out his name with venom.
"Oh, so this is the guy."
Impactor touched an image and a life-sized 3D model of Dollmaker appeared.
"Woah."
He started circling around it as he observed.
"His real name is Ryan Davis, 27 years old, born in Canada, and operates in the European Villain scene."
Rui explained while everyone went through the information in front of them.
"He's known for dramatics and cruel behaviour. Also, he's an attention hog who loves grand performances. In other words, an annoying dickhead."
Mira and Kira nodded in agreement.
"He's currently being held by the Yugoslavian Military as a terrorist."
He snapped his fingers and the files disappeared.
"However, he isn't the reason I called you here."
He swiped his hand in front and numerous files and media appeared.
"Dollmaker is just one of many Villains running amok across the globe."
Videos of countless acts of violence floated around the room.
"Because of the schemes of the Calamities, the world is quickly entering an era of unforeseen violence. Sinvula have let go of the reins of all the monsters and now they're trying to satisfy their hunger for mayhem."
The faces of Villains of all kinds danced around the room. All looking more viscous than the one before.
"Unfortunately, the Board of Heroes have accepted that we can't stop this era from coming to fruition, because we realised the scheme too late. There's nothing we can do to prevent the age of madness that's quickly approaching."
He shrugged.
"So you want Kismet to help control it?"
Batu asked.
"Not quite."
Rui's eyes narrowed.
"Our aim is to rule it."
Brows were raised by his words as he continued.
"As Heroes, we aim to protect people from malicious Superhumans called Villains. However, we also aim to manage the world to prevent its destruction. For example, intervening in wars between countries when the damage is spreading too fast or too much. While it sounds contradictory, but in order for there to be a balance, we, Heroes must rule the world."
"Sick!"
Impactor started clapping.
"I like that! Yeah, I like that!"
"Don't get it twisted, Impactor. We rule to maintain balance, not for our own pleasure. We mostly leave the countries to run as they like unless they threaten their people or their neighbours."
"Say what you want, but Heroes are basically acting as Kings."
He pointed at Rui.
"And the Board of Heroes are playing God."
He smirked.
"Am I wrong?"
Rui looked at him in silence for a while and shook his head.
"In a sense, you are correct. Heroes are akin to Kings and we of the Board rule like Gods."
His eyes glowed red and Impactor's body stiffened. He tried to move but not even a finger would obey him.
"Do you know why it's like this?"
Rui continued as Impactor struggled to break free from unknown restraints.
"It's because we are powerful and throughout time it's those with power, whether physical or a different kind, who rule over everyone else."
The red glow left his eye and Impactor regained control of himself again.
"However, what determines if an era will be peaceful or in turmoil is the nature of those in power."
Rui closed his hand and all the files and media disappeared.
"Modern Heroes are just decorated soldiers. However, we follow a moral code to protect those who can't protect themselves. Some follow this code for personal gains like wealth and fame, while others genuinely wish to do good. Honestly, I don't care as long as they fulfil their duties. All I know is this code is what differentiates us from the ones we call Villains."
He locked eyes with Impactor.
"So yes, we will rule. We will rule over the world so the average person won't have to live in fear, whether they want us to or not."
He smirked.
"After all, we're the strong and we can do what the hell we want."
Impactor showed a savage grin.
"I like that. I like that a lot."
"So you want us to rid the world of all the scumbags trying to take our crown?"
Kira spoke up and drew everyone's attention. Rui locked eyes with him for a while before nodding. Kira's arm transformed into a sickle.
"Roger."
The others put on serious expressions. Rui wore a pleased smile.
"Then, go join the fight for supremacy."