After deciding to attack the first layer of reality.
The cults and organizations in lands near Hero Town began performing rituals and dark ceremonies to gain power.
Soon, they discovered a way to contact the Beyonders. Every single Beyonder heard that the second layer was planning to invade the first. In response, the Beyonders started granting powers to the cult members — but in exchange, the cults were to aid the second layer and betray their own.
As news spread that cults and organizations were receiving power from an unknown source, their numbers swelled rapidly. One particular Beyonder bestowed great power upon their chosen cults.
However, the Beyonders faced a problem: the King of Outers, Gudango Gonzalez. Though they did not know his exact location, they began ordering the cults to launch their assault regardless.
Soon, the lands around Hero Town were ravaged, and the cults seized control over many regions, establishing their own territories. Only Hero Town and Bruce's city remained unconquered. Using his advanced technology and wealth, Bruce fiercely resisted the cults and their organizations. In his city, a tense stalemate held.
Meanwhile, the siege was slowly moving toward Hero Town itself. It all began in April and culminated the following March. The cults launched attacks on public places using their newfound powers, hiding so expertly that Carter's department had little intelligence on their movements.
Carter was absent during this time, training with DA in an unknown dimension. Locki was training alongside Aurora, and Ron hadn't made any effort to investigate what was happening.
Carter's Training
Carter had been training with DA for nearly a year. Today's session began with Carter attacking DA with a punch enhanced by The Dark Faith. DA stood still, the attack stopping mere inches from his face. He smiled.
"You'll have to try harder than that," DA said with a grin.
Carter unleashed everything he had, but none of his attacks could reach DA.
Shocked, Carter searched for a way past DA's defenses. DA spoke again, "Don't bother. You'll never get through this way."
"Let me explain: your attacks can't reach me because of my Ki barrier. I released a portion of my Ki in front of me, and your attack was nullified by it. My Ki level is far higher than yours."
"What if your Ki level is equal or lower than the enemy's?" Carter asked.
"You need your Ki to be higher or equal to the incoming attack's Ki to nullify it, not the enemy's overall Ki," DA replied with a grin and thumbs up.
"The Dark Faith is an incredibly powerful ability. Used correctly, it can surpass even me. It nullifies all defenses, healing, and barriers. With Dark Faith, you can cut through almost anyone."
"So, I can cut through almost anyone with it?" Carter asked.
"But there's a catch," DA said.
Carter murmured, "I knew it. This guy makes me happy then sad."
"The Dark Faith attacks its wielder. If you can mentally endure it, you can use it to its full extent. But show weakness, and it will devour your soul."
DA raised his hands, and an energy like Dark Faith began to swirl around him.
Carter was stunned, wondering how he could ever master such power.
DA gasped, and the energy vanished. "Look, I can't fully control it yet."
"How can you use these powers then?" Carter asked.
"My teacher taught me a little about Dark Faith. I don't remember his face, but I learned some from him," DA said.
In Bruce's City
Bruce was battling an organization inside their headquarters. They wielded flame-related powers. Bruce slipped past their guards, silently taking them out one by one. When more enemies arrived, he threw smoke grenades and incapacitated them all.
The raid was a success. With law and order breaking down worldwide and organizations causing chaos, Bruce's fight was far from over.
Just as Bruce prepared to leave, a rival organization surrounded him. They were attempting to seize control of the region he had just cleared.
Their powers included telekinesis and Ki attacks.
"Damn those cults and organizations," Bruce muttered.
He typed a command on his suit's left forearm. Suddenly, drones and tanks appeared from nowhere, opening fire on the attackers.
Distracted, the organization's squad faltered. Taking advantage, Bruce rushed to his car — a personal war machine loaded with miniguns, RPGs, and every kind of weapon.
Sitting inside, Bruce snarled, "You organizations messed with the wrong person."
He tore through enemies in sight, but reinforcements kept coming.
Bruce pressed a red button inside the car. All drones, tanks, and himself retreated.
Suddenly, a squadron of massive fighter jets appeared overhead, armed to destroy entire cities. They hovered near the headquarters Bruce had cleared.
Bruce's loyal servant controlled the jets from a hidden base.
"And fire," Bruce ordered.
His servant launched a barrage of missiles. The night shook with explosions as the entire organization was wiped out.
The destruction roused everyone, including Ron.
Ron stepped onto his balcony, joining neighbors who had come outside to witness the chaos.
Suddenly, a cloud of dust — caused by a massive explosion — rose in the distance. Ron recognized it as coming from Bruce's city.
Checking his phone, Ron saw the news.
The explosions in Bruce's city had caused buildings worldwide to collapse, and tsunamis struck many coastal lands.