Chapter 5

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the city, Emberlyn and Keagan made their way to the designated meeting point for their night patrol. The air crackled with anticipation as they joined the other squad of C-class heroes awaiting their orders.

Keagan and Emberlyn reported to their patrol, they found themselves surrounded by a diverse group of C-class heroes. Among them were Dante, a brooding and mysterious guy with a dark aura, and Lily, an outgoing and affectionate girl who seemed to light up the room. They also encountered two goofy brothers, who brought a sense of lightheartedness to the team. Leading the group was their mentor, a retired B-class hero who had taken on the role for the sake of the pay, preferring to continue working rather than living in a retirement home.

Dante and Lily shared an unorthodox romantic relationship, a pairing that seemed unlikely at first glance. While Dante emanated an aura of darkness and brooding intensity, Lily was a beacon of outgoing and affectionate energy. Their contrasting personalities intrigued those around them. Dante would often wear a stoic expression, his eyes filled with a hint of mystery. He would observe the world with a detached air. On the other hand, Lily radiated warmth and positivity, her laughter filling the air like a delightful melody. She would wrap her arms around Dante, showering him with affectionate gestures that seemed to chip away at his walls, if only momentarily.

Their conversations were a blend of playful teasing and heartfelt moments. Lily would affectionately call Dante "Mr. Mysterious" and playfully try to unravel the secrets hidden behind his eyes. Dante, in turn, would respond with a smirk, unable to resist her charm but still maintaining an air of mystery.

The two brothers, Max and Leo, were an unstoppable duo of goofiness and playfulness. Their infectious energy brought a constant stream of laughter and joy wherever they went.

Max, the older brother, was the epitome of a fun-loving spirit with his wild antics and endless pranks. Max had an uncanny ability to find humor in the simplest things and would often have everyone around him in stitches with his quick wit and comedic timing. Leo, the younger brother, was no stranger to mischief himself. He had a mischievous grin that was always ready to play along with Max's shenanigans. Leo's imaginative mind and love for practical jokes made him the perfect partner-in-crime for his older brother. Together, they created a whirlwind of laughter and good-natured chaos.

As they gathered together, the banter between the heroes began. Dante leaned against a wall, his arms crossed, and shot Keagan a quick nod. "So, new kid, ready to prove yourself?"

Keagan scratched his head, trying to appear confident. 

Lily, turned to face her boyfriend her voice filled with enthusiasm, and chimed in, "Now now Shadow Striker! You know better than to tease the new kid, I'm sure  We'll have a blast together, I can feel it!"

The goofy brothers, Leo and Max, couldn't help but join in the conversation. Leo nudged his brother, a mischievous grin on his face. "Hey, Max, you think the newbie can keep up with us?"

Max rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh, come on. He has to work hard to match our legendary skills."

Victor Stone their mentor, with a nonchalant expression, interrupted their playful banter. "Alright, enough chatter. We have a sector to patrol. Let's keep it quiet and get to work. Everyone pair up and stay sharp."

The squad's leader, a retired B-class hero named Whiplash, approached them with a nonchalant expression. He seemed more interested in the paycheck than the mentoring job, but his experience and laid-back attitude made him an invaluable asset. "Alright, listen up," Victor announced, his voice lacking any sense of urgency. "We've got a quiet night ahead of us. Each pair will be assigned a sector to patrol and keep safe."

“Come on Gramps, we haven't even introduced ourselves to the newbie. Hi, my name is Sparkle, this here is Shadowstrike, then there’s these two goofballs Jester and Blaze, and this grumpy old guy is Whiplash, our mentor,” Lily said.

Keagan took his time surveying them. Emberlyn exchanged a glance with Keagan, a sense of camaraderie non-existent between them. Marcus assigned them to a residential suburb on the outskirts of the city. It was a peaceful area with a low crime rate, but vigilance was still necessary.

The moon hung high in the night sky as Keagan and Emberlyn found themselves perched atop a closed bakery, the tantalizing scent of freshly baked goods wafting through the air vents. The group occasionally communicated through the radio signals on their suits, their voices crackling with a hint of static.

As they stood side by side, their gazes fixed on the darkened streets below, Keagan's curiosity grew too strong to resist. He leaned closer to Emberlyn and mustered the courage to ask the question that had been burning in his mind. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

Emberyn slightly turned her subtle enough to see Keagan at the corner of her eye, “It's Emberlyn, just call me that,”

“Okay, Emberyln, I had a question I wanted to ask you,”

Emberlyn’s eyes reflected a mixture of caution and intrigue. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

With a hint of hesitancy, Keagan broached the subject delicately. "I was wondering... Were you born in this world? I mean, this place?"

“This place, what do you mean by this place?”

Keagan slightly retreated, hearing the words coming from his mouth. He sounded insane. To him, this world seemed like a simulation straight out of a game, but for the others, it was their home.

“Nevermind, I sound insane now that I hear myself,” he replied, turning to look at the street once more. Emberyln sensed his unease, she was aware of the cold attitude she had put on that made it seem impossible to converse with her. She finally decided to let her guard.

Emberlyn's expression softened, and she let out a sigh.

“If you're asking if I was born in this country, yes I was. I come from a family of heroes, a rather prominent one at that. My father, he was once ranked number 40 among heroes in Astronia."

“Astronia?” Keagan asked foolishly. Emberlyn threw a fierce look in his direction, signaling him to keep quiet. He complied without question.

Emberlyn's gaze shifted to the distant horizon, a wistful expression crossing her features. "Well, you see, my siblings... they all achieved A-rank status, excelling in their hero careers. But me? I've always fallen short of their expectations. Despite my training from a young age, I never quite reached their level of skill and achievement. I guess my father is never going to acknowledge unless I do something worthwhile in this hero stuff, so that's how I ended up here doing this hero thing,"

Keagan listened intently, he sensed the weight of her words. "But you're here, fighting as a hero. That counts for something, doesn't it?"

A small, bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of Emberlyn's lips. "Yes, it does. Despite the doubts and disappointments, I still chose this path. I wanted to prove to myself and my family that I could make a difference, that I could be a hero in my own right."

“I understand, I have had my fair share of harsh family treatments,” Keagan said. 

As Keagan's gaze fixated on the bustling street once more, lost in his thoughts, Emberlyn observed him from the corner of her eye. A flicker of complex emotions danced across her face, a mixture of curiosity, admiration, and something else that she couldn't quite decipher. In that fleeting moment, a soft smile formed on her lips, betraying a glimpse of the connection that was silently growing between them. She couldn't help but wonder what lay behind Keagan's eyes, the mysteries that hid beneath his calm exterior, and the potential that awaited them on this shared journey.

Their conversation was interrupted by the crackle of the radio, a voice breaking through the silence. It was Leo, his tone filled with mischievous energy. "Hey lovebirds, enjoying the view up there? We've got some action down in Sector 7. Time to show those villains what we're made of!"