Arc 2 - Lux Saga
It has been nearly a year since our heroes thwarted the evil plans of Milo, the man who called himself "Zeus." Though the world had been saved from the brink of disaster, not everything was joyous for them. The weight of what they had faced still echoed in their hearts, like the lingering reverberations of a battle that never fully fades.
"Who made that noise?" I, the writer, asked, breaking the silence.
"It was me," replied a familiar voice, though it carried an irritating tone.
"Oh, it's you. What do you want now?" I inquired, frowning.
"I see you were about to start with a bland time jump. You might as well leave this to me," the voice interrupted, with an air of arrogance.
"But I'm the writer," I reminded, annoyed.
"And I want to narrate," came the unwavering reply. "But don't worry, you'll know who I am soon enough…"
With a mix of frustration and curiosity, I relinquished control.
So, let's pick up where we left off. After their epic confrontation with their great-uncle Milo, Aiden, Podbe, and their new companions managed to save the world from total destruction. However, it wasn't all celebration. Nearly a year later, Aiden faced challenges that silently tormented him. His bond with Podbe, his loyal canine companion, had weakened dramatically. He could no longer communicate with him as he once did, and that void resonated in his heart like a constant echo. Every time he looked at Podbe, he felt a mixture of nostalgia and frustration, desperately longing to regain the special connection they once shared.
To make matters worse, governments around the world began watching Aiden with growing suspicion. His extraordinary powers, which once saved the planet, now stirred fears and doubts among the most influential political figures. Some even openly discussed how to handle—or control—someone so powerful.
And as if that weren't enough, political tensions escalated further when some members of the agency that helped stop Milo were publicly exposed. Their faces appeared on global news, revealing the existence of secret agencies that had until then operated in the shadows. The discovery sparked diplomatic chaos, fueling conspiracy theories and increasing pressure on those involved in these clandestine organizations.
The world no longer saw Aiden and his companions solely as heroes; they now also considered them a potential threat, a disturbing reminder that the line between saviors and those under scrutiny could be perilously thin.
For now, the only way forward was to grow stronger in preparation for any possible attack and prove to the world that they could be trusted. That's why Aiden and the others were sent to train in a secret location: a remote island in Asia, hidden among mountains and surrounded by lush nature. There, separated from Billy, Maria, Elena, and the rest of their friends from the orphanage, they would be supervised by an organization known as The Square, whose true nature remained shrouded in mystery.
After weeks of grueling physical and mental training, the young heroes deserved a well-earned break.
"Well, guys, you can relax here," announced an authoritative voice. Looking up, they discovered they were standing in front of a hidden resort nestled among the mountains. The steaming hot springs glowed under the golden light of the sunset, strategically divided into separate areas for boys and girls. It was a small oasis of peace, designed to offer a moment of tranquility before their lives changed forever once again.
Only the youngest agents remained; the rest had returned to fulfill their duties. Aiden and his companions made their way toward the hot springs, feeling the comforting warmth begin to ease the tension that had built up in their bodies.
Meanwhile, near the male section, Riota observed Benjamin with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"Hey, what's going on with you?" Riota asked, pointing at the enormous towel Benjamin clutched around himself, covering him from head to toe.
"What do you mean, 'what's going on'?" Benjamin replied, clearly uncomfortable.
"I mean that huge towel. Why are you carrying it like that?" Riota pressed on, smirking teasingly.
"It's just… I feel really embarrassed about bathing with so many people," Benjamin confessed, his trembling voice barely audible as his face flushed crimson.
Riota let out a soft chuckle, trying to calm him down.
"Relax, we're all guys here. No one's going to judge you."
Despite the reassuring words, Benjamin remained visibly nervous, adjusting the towel with shaky hands. His shyness contrasted sharply with the carefree confidence of the others, creating a scene that reflected both vulnerability and camaraderie.
Riota took Benjamin's hand firmly but gently.
"It's okay if you're feeling nervous," he said with a comforting smile. "But don't forget, I'll be with you every step of the way. We've known each other since we were babies, remember?"
Though Riota tried to instill confidence, there was something even he didn't know: Benjamin carried a secret. A burden he'd been holding onto for a long time, one he had never dared to reveal.
When they reached the hot springs area, the others were already enjoying the soothing heat. In one corner, away from the commotion, sat Aiden. Beside him, Podbe, his loyal dog, rested peacefully. However, Aiden's eyes reflected sadness. He knew he could no longer communicate with Podbe as before—or with Reia. Both bonds had been severed, leaving a void he still hadn't managed to fill.
"Poor Aiden," Riota murmured with genuine concern. "He's left behind his friends from the orphanage, his canine companion can no longer talk to him like before, he only briefly met his real father, and now governments around the world are watching him."
Benjamin nodded slowly, realizing how his own insecurities paled in comparison to Aiden's struggles.
"You're right… My nerves are nothing compared to what he's facing," he said, summoning courage and trying to leave his shyness behind.
Just as they were about to step into the water, a figure appeared behind them. Before they could react, someone yanked the towel off Benjamin with a mischievous laugh.
"Come on, we're among friends! Besides, we're all guys here!"
The place fell silent. Those present exchanged awkward glances, some blushing as they looked at Benjamin. Even Riota felt embarrassed, though he tried to hide it.
In a surge of desperation, Benjamin acted without thinking. With a swift movement, he slapped Riota hard and, without offering any explanation, transformed into a cat and bolted away from the scene.
"What was that? Why did everyone turn red and pale like that anime character who gets a nosebleed?" Floud asked, scratching his head with genuine confusion. His large, innocent eyes scanned the area as he searched for some logical explanation for what he had just witnessed.
Dante, still submerged up to his shoulders in the warm hot spring water, let out a low, almost inaudible chuckle. He slowly shook his head, observing Floud with a mix of amusement and resignation.
"You're very innocent, Floud. Never change," Dante replied with a half-smile, sinking a little deeper into the warm waters.
"You should know better," Mark interjected, crossing his arms. "According to the reports, you're eight years old… Well, maybe nine now."
"Those reports are wrong!" Floud protested, puffing out his cheeks. "I'm six… I mean, seven!"
Josh started to say something, but Marcus quickly cut him off, covering Josh's mouth with his hand.
"Forget it, just keep doing your thing," Marcus ordered, giving Josh a meaningful look.
The tension escalated when Andre pointed an accusatory finger at Gat, who was standing near the bushes.
"This is all your fault, Gat! Aren't you ashamed of doing things like this? You're not a kid anymore!"
Gat raised his hands in surrender, though his expression reflected mild frustration.
"Well, it's not my fault! That time-crazy guy made me younger… I think it also messed with my mind. Now I look and think like a thirteen-year-old."
From a corner, a young redhead with glasses adjusted his posture. His wavy hair fell over his forehead, and his green eyes gleamed with an almost mechanical glint, as if there were a clock ticking inside them.
"I already said I was sorry," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
Jake emerged from the shadows, his tone sharp and cutting.
"That doesn't matter. What you did is unforgivable."
Tommy nodded, crossing his arms.
"This deserves punishment. Claus, go after Gat."
Claus, ever obedient, summoned thousands of identical clones of himself, ready to act. The air filled with an overwhelming noise as the clones surrounded Gat.
"Wait!" Gat shouted, backing away. "Listen! I didn't know it was…!"
Amidst the chaos, Aiden remained silent, gazing at Podbe with a mixture of hope and melancholy. He hadn't lost faith that someday his friend would speak to him again. Meanwhile, the echoes of the argument lingered in the background, distant yet persistent.
"What fools," Cain muttered with his eyes closed, his voice dripping with disdain. Beside him, Akira and Piti exchanged nervous glances, uncomfortable with the terrifying aura emanating from him.
"Cain," Akira said quietly, "have you wondered where that plastic kid is?"
"Benny?" Cain replied without opening his eyes. "He's probably gotten himself into some trouble as usual."
Meanwhile, Benny arrived exhausted at the resort's reception desk, panting from the effort. Apparently, no one had informed him they were already allowed to rest. He approached the counter with weary steps and announced:
"I'm Agent B-9."
The young receptionist looked at him curiously before checking her records. After a moment, she looked up, her expression confused.
"I'm sorry, but we've already registered someone with that code name."
Benny frowned, incredulous.
"How can there be someone else with this code? Chief Ezekiel himself assigned it to me!"
The girl shook her head firmly.
"I can't admit anyone outside the agency. I'm sorry."
Without further explanation, she turned him away. Benny collapsed outside, utterly exhausted, too drained to protest. In his mind, he could only think about how unfair everything was. He, too, wanted to relax after weeks of intense training. "My leader must have made a mistake, that fool," he thought, resigned.
In a remote location, far from the island, Ezekiel sneezed repeatedly, wiping tears from his eyes.
"Bless you," said Eduard, watching him with concern.
"Are you all right, sir?" asked Ray.
Ezekiel blew his nose with a handkerchief before responding.
"Yes… I think someone must be talking badly about me."
Everyone exchanged glances. There was something strange in the air. It wasn't just Ezekiel who seemed different; they all looked younger, as if time had rewound for them.
In the girls' bath area, Dove and Adora were chatting animatedly about their training experiences when something darted past them. A muffled scream echoed through the air. Becky was the most frightened, convinced she had seen a rodent.
Lita reacted instantly, summoning her nature magic to create vines that trapped the supposed intruder. The other girls gathered around the scene with curiosity.
"Wait," said Amaya, stepping forward to examine the trapped creature. Her expression shifted from surprise to recognition as she saw the sad face of the cat.
"Benjamin, what are you doing here?"
A murmur of indignation spread through the group.
"A boy in the girls' bath! That's unforgivable!" exclaimed Abel, crossing her arms.
"Let's decide on a punishment," suggested another girl, looking at Benjamin in his cat form with disapproval.
"Wait a moment," Amaya intervened, signaling Lita to withdraw the vine trap. Lita obeyed, releasing the cat.
Amaya gently picked him up in her arms and began consoling him.
"It's okay, calm down," she said softly, grabbing a nearby towel.
Benjamin transformed back into human form, his eyes brimming with tears as he explained what had happened.
"I just wanted to be close to Riota… That's why I pretended to be someone I'm not," he confessed between sobs.
Amaya looked at him with a mixture of understanding and reproach.
"That's what happens when you play at being someone you're not, Benjamin. But… why go to such extremes?"
The other girls exchanged surprised glances.
"You're not telling us that you're…" one of them began, unable to finish the sentence.
Back in the men's bath, Riota was still processing the revelation.
"I can't believe he… she… I've been with him since we were born!" he stammered, trying to make sense of it all.
Meanwhile, Gat remained tied up in a corner, visibly bruised from Claus's clones' punishment. Though he tried to remain stoic, it was clear the punishment had been severe.
"And you will apologize to him—I mean her," Tommy added firmly.
"This is definitely going to be a topic of conversation for a long time," everyone murmured among themselves, still processing what had happened with Benjamin.
After the incident, Benjamin disappeared completely. No one saw him near Riota or anywhere else on the resort again. His absence left a palpable void in the group, especially for Riota, who struggled to reconcile the image of the friend he thought he knew with the shocking revelation of Benjamin's true identity.
The next day, the team received new instructions. A ship picked them up from the island and transported them to a new secret location: a hidden base in the United States. As they disembarked, they were greeted by Marie, whose commanding posture and firm voice made it clear she was in charge.
"Welcome, everyone," she said with a barely perceptible smile. "It's time for you to go back to class."
"Class?" the younger ones repeated, incredulous.
Marie nodded calmly.
"That's right. Only the youngest members will return to school. You need to resume your studies; you'll start tomorrow."
The young agents exchanged confused and somewhat frustrated glances. They had been training intensely to face global threats, and now they were being asked to return to a mundane school routine. How could they possibly balance both responsibilities?
"School?" one of them asked, voicing the collective disbelief.
While some murmured among themselves, others shot worried looks at Marie, seeking answers. But she simply pointed to an image on a screen showing where they would be heading starting the next day.
In a faraway place, within an advanced scientific facility, a team of researchers worked frantically under flickering lights and the constant hum of machines. After months of experimentation, they had finally completed their most ambitious project: an experimental serum with unique properties.
One of the scientists approached their leader, a mysterious man whose face remained hidden in shadows cast by the dim laboratory light.
"Sir, the serum is ready," he announced reverently. "However, it can only be used for a round trip."
The leader nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Good. Find the two best men available. Send them to Earth. Their mission is clear: they must find the boy from the portal and bring him back."
The scientists exchanged nervous glances but obeyed without question. They knew failure was not an option. Meanwhile, the leader retreated to an adjacent room, where he gazed at a slowly rotating three-dimensional hologram of Earth. In his mind, the plans were already set in motion. The fate of the universe depended on that boy… and what he represented.