During the battle of Utrecht only one hero survived. Eleanor Valis. The daughter of Orion Valis, mostly known by all as the oldest world guard. Sir Orion, the destructive protector.
Eleanor didn't remember much from the battle, her arm was severely damaged but it was still healing at a steady rate.
The true damage was in her mind, it always came as a shock to all who have battled an abyss Fiend for the first time. That is if they survived the encounter.
' Mankind really doesn't stand a chance ', that's the first thing they realised.
But Eleanor was strong.
She did her best not to ponder on how weak she was and on how much stronger she needed to become.
She was nowhere as powerful as Ghazul and couldn't even comprehend her father's true abilities.
" What are you thinking about?", Baileer said as she entered the dim lit room.
Eleanor couldn't hide the pain in her eyes.
" I need to get stronger mother ".
" Would it have changed anything?", Baileer asked softly sitting at her daughter's side.
" If father was there_"
" But he wasn't ", Baileer said cutting her daughter off. " He just wasn't there. Your father, he...He never believed in ifs only in what is ".
She held onto her daughter's hands.
" You shouldn't too. What's done, the things that happen to us...we just can't change them. We can't go back to redo or erase our regrets ".
Eleanor was quiet. When she woke up, she woke up screaming in a healing chamber almost destroying the entire building that housed her with her intense release of Archaic Will.
She asked about the Fiend and her heart sunk when she was told all her comrades were dead.
And the Abyss Fiend, alive.
The painful part was that she lost her Captain. A close family friend her father always screamed at her to emulate. Now, now Ghazul was gone.
Baileer let out a tired breathe. Acknowledging the strength her daughter was showing.
She stood up and walked to the doorr. She knew that it was always the heroes fixated on saving everybody that lost their lives first. She wasn't about to let that happen to her own daughter.
" Come Eleanor, let's say good bye to your brother. He's leaving ".
Eleanor got up and nodded. Still in silence.
Baileer left the room.
Eleanor inherited more of her mother's traits. The sharp face and gentle brown eyes. The long thick dark black hair and the slightly large space between her large eyes.
She had a powerful physique from her father's genes and from years of training.
She'd trained all her life. From the moment she was born her father taught her how to do pushups. She has every possible gift a girl wanted and was oblivious to it all. It made her one of the most genuine heroes you'd ever meet and also one of the most popular proteges.
As it was very rare to find a sentinel who was just 23.
She didn't bother to look at herself in the mirror. The image of the cast on her hand was a painful sight that reminded her she was still only human.
Fray Valis was her younger brother. A boy who if he lived a long life would very well surpass his father, maybe even every world guard.
Fray was a 19 year old with his father's white hair and that same intense gaze. He was tall standing at 6'5 and had broad shoulders but unlike his father, Fray was less muscular and more graceful in countenance.
A result of his many years of being trained in the way of the sword. Though he came from a line of martial artist and his father being one of the physically strongest living creatures on the planet, he didn't believe fists were for him.
This was most likely due to his sister's influence.
But h couldn't question his choices. Not today.
Today was the day, the day he'd earn his hero license.
The 6 month program.
Something he'd only heard stories from his parents on the horrors they inflicted on the trainees. His father seemed to take great pride in recounting those days.
( Note: 13 years ago a rule was put into the six month program where no one under 17 was allowed to participate. This was due to the unethical concerns of letting children earn hero licenses and die a day later.
The heroes responsible?
Captain Guile and the late Captain Ghazul.
Guile did say he was going to change the system after all )
Fray was alone in the court yard. His signature white shirt and baggy shinobi black pants were adorned on that 0 percent fat physique of his.
He was sat on a rock polishing his sword.
" Are you nervous?", Eleanor asked her brother who's hands shook as he cleaned his sword.
He didn't reply.
" How long are you going to polish that thing, it's already spotless ".
A smirk came on to that dangerously handsome face of his.
" By the time I'm done, it'll never be clean. So I'll enjoy it now ".He turned to his sister ", black eyes flaring with excitement
" It'll be stained a crimson red ".
She met his resolve with a smile showing him her confidence in his ability.
" It might get scary though. Baran is one of the most horrifying Sentinels out there ".
( Baran was the Sentinel hosting this year's program ).
" You may say to yourself you feel no fear but you're going to face one of the strongest Sentinels in the world. Much stronger than I. If you feel scared then ignore it ".
Frays eyes drifted above to the message from his system that only he could see.
[ System Warning : Do not proceed to the training centre ]
[ Repeat. System Warning: Do not proceed to the training centre ].
It was warning him.
Eleanor noticed his worry. She knew he received a message.
" What does it say?"
Fray took in a deep breath and shearer his samurai sword.
" Nothing important ".
( Very very few humans were ever born with systems. A system isn't an Arcane Dominion but more like an ability where a person is able to consistently improve their own power. Through completing tasks and allocating training or experience points. It's a highly sort after ability. A system also gives the advantage of avoiding danger. It's much more accurate than foresight
The last hero to have a system wasn't a hero at all. But the
youngest prince of Ti-mir )
Baileer teleported to the courtyard to bid her son her goodbye.
" No matter what happens don't grovel ".
She said extending her hands to grasp his face. As if shocked to see he'd grown so much.
" You think too little of me mother ".
Fray said unable to hide his smile.
Baileer waved away his white bangs revealing those bushy well trimmed eyebrows he got from his father.
" Just like your father ", she said softly.
" Mother let him go already ", Eleanor said jokingly.
" She held his hand to her lips and kissed it ". Baileer was on the verge of tears.
The pain of seeing your daughter almost gets killed. Of seeing one of your best students, such a beautiful hero like Ghazul get taken away from this world.
And now she was letting her youngest child, her only boy away into that painful world of heroism.
" I will be fine mother, don't worry about me ". Fray said unable to hide his blush. His mother still treated him the same way she did when he was just a toddler.
Finally Baileer managed to pull herself away from him.
Then she wiped her watery eyes. She was a retired hero now. Her youthful countenance had drifted to that of a beautiful knowing woman, one who retained every bit of her beauty.
" I know you will be ", she said smiling " you're my son after all ".
" That lunatic hero ( Baran ) won't care that you're the son of a world guard ".
She said looking down.
Eleanor walked closer to her younger brother and continued her mother's words.
" In fact he's going to focus a lot more on you. He's not Iike his brothers. Don't try to fight him from afar, or try to go close combat. Stay in middle. And don't rely on speed. He'll blitz you ".
" I know I know ".
He said turning away preparing to leave.
The system warning came up again, in bright red but he didn't care. It's as his sister always said. Humans feel fear but those who transcend it are the ones that ignore it.
He looked one last time at his sister and mother.
It's weird. Why did it feel like he was going to war. Why was his mother so worried. He'd definitely pass the program there was no question about that.
So why's she so worried.
Anyway. Didn't matter now. Fray wasn't going to let his mind lose focus. He was going to show that he would become the greatest superhero and singlehandedly rid the world of fiend. A goal he only ever told his sister.
And she believed that Humanities saviour would be him.
" Good bye ", he said in a low voice.
" Good bye ", his mother replied.
Eleanor barely waved with her one good hand.
She and her brother didn't need mushy feelings. It's why they got along so well.
BOOM!
He was gone. Launched off to the sky. Flying at speeds no one his age could manage.
Eleanor noticed her mother couldn't stop looking up at the clouds in a worried expression.
" You know he's going to pass right?"
Baileer merely nodded. Of course he was. He's probably the most powerful trainee in the program.
But that's not what she was worried about. She was worried that he'd actually pass and become a hero.
Then die.
As it almost always went. She was lucky to live long enough to retire early. But not everyone got that luxury.
" Come Eleanor you need to rest ", she said turning back walking inside.
" Actually mom I think I'm well enough to go back to MY house ", Eleanor said almost laughing knowing that wasn't something her mother wanted to hear
" No no. You need to rest, until your hand is fully healed ".
Baileer replied without looking back and not skipping a step
Eleanor couldn't hide her laughter anymore, as she followed her mother inside.
Her father was not even in the country. He was occupied with getting the permission to have a team chart and explore The Abysmal. The servants were practically walking NPCs. She knew her mother would need the company. Yet she was as stubborn as always to admit it.
( The Abysmal–Bedlam of ruination–The old world–Where it began–The land of the end–Ohh Fiend Country. Those were all names of the Fiend Continent. Said to hold unknown answers to human and fiend origins. But very dangerous even to a world guard. It covers most of the planet. Probably billions of square kilometres. Maybe trillions. Who knows how big earth was? It was forever growing )
[ Washington DC ]
He was perched lifelessly on his king sized bed.
Prince Azhraavis suppression made life a lot easier for Theo. He was still talk though. Taller than when he was still called human.
Even though Guile bought him a small house with an undisclosed location, reporters still managed to find him.
It's been a week since the Trial and he's heard almost 20 knocks on the door.
Living in such a clean and well prepared environment made Theo understand just how disgusting his apartment in London was. This house had one floor but two buildings connected to each other.
It was a weirdly big house.
It had little furniture but the bed was big enough for him, considering he was 6'8. How thoughtful can Captain Guile be.
The walls were made of red bricks and the floor and ceiling a warm marble white. It had a kitchen and many empty rooms. He could live here forever. He didn't need anything special.
Ding.Ding
Theo was way too invested playing video games on his ps5 to hear the doorbell ring. Yes, the first thing Theo bought with the 700,000 dollars advance he got from the Ti-mir contract was a gaming console.
He was playing Fortnite.
He sucked at it but played anyway. He had to change his in game name from bigboyTheodore05 to 05Timir hero.
( Theo was born on the 5th of August )
Any time his teammates saw the name, ' Theodore ' they forfeited. He was that popular now.
The first Fiend Hero. Most of the world heard the news. So he had to change his name in all his video game profiles so he didn't feel...isolated.
His phone hadn't rang in a while. Last call, Guile. The call before that, Cara Bell.
He hadn't spoken to her since. He expected her to delete his contact but now he just stares at her name recalling the long conversations. They weren't exactly flirtatious and felt more like an interview. Shit, there were interviews.
But, still he spoke to her.
Ding.Ding
" Don't these people ever have enough", Theo murmed to himself thinking it was another reporter who had found his location
Ding . Ding.
" Go away!", he shouted. As angrily as he could.
Shot. Game over.
Theo died, he really got close to winning.
" Fuck!",
Ding . Ding
Theo stood up frustrated and peeked through the door. It was a tall man in a suit. A man with a baby face.
" Look man, I really need you to leave ", Theo said in a calm voice.
" I'm not a reporter Mr Theodore ", the main replies in a kinder voice.
Theo let out a tired sigh and opened the door.
Though the man was very tall he still stood two inches under Theo.
Eren ( Whirl woman's corresponder ) was speechless when he saw Theo. As was everyone but this wasn't what he was expecting. This is the closest he's ever gotten to a fiend that hasn't tried to kill him.
The man was dressed in a slick black suit and long pants that folded on each other in where his ankles should be. The shirt was impeccably ironed and the tie too. A real bland appearance.
While Theo was dressed most casually. A large yellow sweater with a cat emoji and blue jeans shorts revealing powerful unshaven legs. His feet were in crocks.
' Was this the thing who terrified one of the most powerful heroes on earth ', Eren thought. No matter how hard he tried to squint he couldn't see the evil in Theo. Not the same one that attacked London and hospitalised Whirl Woman. He was clearly not human and was clearly a Human Fiend but he just didn't see it.
Theo waited through the awkward silence. Waiting for the man to speak.
" Soo. How can I help you?", Theo said awkwardly.
Eren blinked off from his deep thought.
" Right, sorry about that ".
Eren offered his hand for a shake. Theo looked at it then back at the man. He was just a regular human.
Theo shook the mans hand. It was a business shake.
Eren couldn't believe he was shaking a Fiends hand. The first fiend hero. Theo's hand was cold, like most Fiends and Eren felt his usually large hand get engulfed easily.
" I'm Eren. Whirl woman's corresponder ", Eren said confidently.
Their hands fell back to their sides. Theo's whole body grew numb with pain. His throat was breathless. He wasn't blinking anymore.
He fell to his knees and bowed down.
" Please Forgive me!!"
Theo remembered. He remembered he what he was told happened when he transformed.
That the only reason he didn't wipe out all of London's population was because of her, Whirl Woman.
She sacrificed herself and now was hospitalised regaining her strength. Being told he almost killed a hero he only ever watched interviews about and saw her on fashion magazines was very horrifying to Theo.
It mad him feel like a monster.
" I'M SO SO SORRY!!!!". Theo didn't budge. He apologised hard and kept his forehead on the floor.
Eren was a light hearted person, he wasn't used to situations like this and couldn't help but feel shy. Very very shy.
" No no no, you don't need to_
" I'm so very sorry!!",
Eren put his hands on Theo's back urging him to get off the floor. " I know you are. I just came here to see you. To see if you were...", His eyes went to the floor. " Never mind, but it's alright believe me. She's healing and I'm sure when she meets you too, she would do anything ".
Eren was only here to see if Theo was really worth calling a hero. He was here to see if the world had just given a monster a license to freedom.
But
He knew before him wasn't a Fiend. It was just a deeply troubled man.
" You want to come inside?", Theo said in a weak tone. He didn't know what hospitality meant. He never had visitors so he was oblivious on how to handle them.
" No no no. I need to be off ", Eren said hurriedly.
" Bummer ".
There was an awkward silence.
Eren smacked his lips.
" Well ", Eren said turning away before Theo hugged him and raised him up easily.
" Thank you ". Theo said. He wasn't ready to have another person come making him feel bad for all the things he did. Horrible things he wasn't even aware of.
So seeing just how nice and forgiving Eren was about everything was very satisfying to Theo.
" Em ", Eren coughed, " Mr Theodore, I (ehm), I can't breathe ".
" Right sorry ", Theo said letting go of Eren.
" Sorry I still have trouble controlling this body ", He said with his hands at the back of his head in a smiling expression.
" Don't worry, it's alright ", Eren said trying not to grasp his shoulders from the pain
Erens shoulders were darn near dislocated.
" Well I'll be off now Mr Theodore ", Eren put his ball hat back on. " I wish you luck on your training program ".
Then Eren walked off out to the porch.
Theo followed him and saw Eren get into a red car.
How does a guy with such a mild tone have a taste in a car like that.
It was a....Shit Theo didn't even know the name. It was a hyper car and it was red. He's guessing it was a Ferrari
( It was a red Ferrari laferrari ).
' Respect men, Erens a bad boy '.
Just before Eren got into his car he turned to Theo and smiled. " Take care of yourself Mr Theodore". Then he got in and Theo watched as he drove away.
Offcourse even the corresponder of a Sentinel made more than him. It was usually a highly sort after job especially for those who weren't confident in their fighting ability or just didn't want the extreme chance of dieing that came with being a Superhero.
Theo turned back and went back I to his house.
" Wait ".
" Training Program"
" License ".
" Holy shit it's Tomorrow!!".