Jun, Wednesday 28, 2007 - 7:00 AM
Forest
A lone figure stood in the heart of the dense forest, where only the rustling of leaves broke the eerie silence that had settled. The figure surveyed the empty land that once held the haunted mansion, now nothing but a lingering shadow of its former self.
“My, seems he is still out having fun. How adorable.” The figure’s voice was soft, tinged with an eerie, mocking amusement.
Turning, the figure’s gaze shifted to the right, where the remains of “Mother” lay. With a swift, fluid movement, the figure approached. Their footfalls barely made a sound as they raised a curved blade, its shimmering surface glinting ominously. Without hesitation, the sword plunged deep into the chest of "Mother."
The blade shimmered with the radiance of a starry night sky. The hilt, made of dark polished wood, was etched with glowing runes that pulsed with a strange energy.
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a soft, ethereal sound, the shimmering light faded, and “Mother’s” soul was drawn into the blade, alongside the countless others she had consumed over her lifetime.
The figure closed their eyes, savoring the sensation of power flooding through them, the souls trapped within their weapon filling them with strength.
“Mmm, now that tastes good...” The figure groaned, their voice tinged with satisfaction. The blade vibrated in their hand as the souls welcomed their new captive.
A sly grin curled at the corners of the figure’s lips as they raised their head, their deep, violet eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“Now, time to find that idiot and give him a piece of my mind.”
In an instant, the figure disappeared, their form shrouded in darkness. Only their long, flowing emerald hair, cascading like a river of precious gemstones, and the piercing purple glow of their eyes remained visible as they vanished into the shadows of the forest.
Jun, Wednesday 28, 2007 - 1:00 PM
Inside Division Omega-7 HQ
Paradox and Norika stood in front of Director Rachel, their expressions unbothered. The atmosphere was tense, but neither of them seemed to care.
“Would you mind telling me why you didn’t report to me right away?” Director Rachel’s voice was sharp, her eyes narrowing into a glare as she addressed the pair before her.
Paradox flashed a cocky grin, leaning casually against the desk. “Let’s see... hmm, well, you see, uh... I just didn’t feel like it. Plus, I felt like getting some sleep.”
Rachel sighed, her patience clearly wearing thin.
Paradox shrugged nonchalantly. “Hey, it happens. Not every mission has to be a priority.”
Norika, standing beside him, crossed her arms and glared at the director with a mixture of irritation and amusement. “So, what's this about?”
Before Rachel could speak, Paradox interrupted, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips. “Let me guess—another mission you want us to handle, right?”
Rachel nodded. “Correct.”
Paradox let out an exaggerated groan. “Can’t a guy catch a break?”
Rachel’s eyes narrowed, though a hint of frustration showed in her expression. “Anyway, I congratulate the both of you on a job well done, but there’s another task at hand.”
“What’s this mission, might I ask?” Norika demanded, her voice edged with curiosity, though there was no denying the underlying eagerness for a fight in her tone.
Rachel handed over several files. “You see, quite some time ago, one of our ‘Subjects’ escaped. He’s been on the loose since then.”
Paradox raised an eyebrow. “And what does that have to do with us? That seems more like problem.”
Rachel’s tone shifted, her expression hardening as she continued. “This particular Subject was treated with extreme cruelty under the last director. His resentment and hatred for Division Omega-7 have driven him to seek revenge.”
Paradox leaned back in his chair, his smirk never faltering. “And you want us to stop him? Sounds like a personal problem.”
Rachel’s gaze remained steely. “You two are the strongest men we have at our disposal, and I need you to track him down and apprehend him.”
Norika chuckled darkly. “Sounds fun. Where was his last known location?”
“New York.”
“New York, huh?” Paradox mused, his grin widening. “That’s a bit of a trek.”
Norika cracked her knuckles, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Well, what are we waiting for then?”
With the mission now assigned, Paradox and Norika stood and made their way toward the door. Paradox turned back briefly to speak, his tone filled with sarcasm. “After this, I’m gonna need a break. I’m playing games all day long.”
The director watched them leave with a faint sigh. “I wish them the best of luck. This Subject is unpredictable.” Her voice softened as she muttered under her breath, though the weight of her words still lingered in the air.
Jun, Wednesday 28, 2007 - 12:00 PM
Upper West Side, NYC
GreenWood High School
As the school bell rang, a buzz of excitement filled the hallways of GreenWood High. Students huddled in small groups, gossiping about the latest topic of interest: a new hero in town.
“Have you heard about the new hero? I heard they look like a giant beetle!”
“No way, seriously? Maybe they’re around our age!”
The whispers continued as Jeremy walked through the crowded hallway, lost in his thoughts. The noise of his fellow students barely registered in his mind as he approached his locker, the metallic click of the combination lock echoing in the quiet of his world.
Jeremy was sixteen, standing at 5'9" with a lean, athletic build. His short, spiked dark brown hair framed his amber eyes, and his light brown skin stood out against the typical student body of his high school.
Despite the typical hustle of high school life, he always felt like an outsider. Whether it was the weight of responsibility or the peculiarities of his powers, Jeremy had always felt like there was something different about him.
As he spun the lock, his mind drifted to the rumors of the new hero. he thought with a smirk.
His thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling out to him.
“Yo, J-Bug! How’s it goin’? You don’t look so well.”
Jeremy turned to see his best friend, Amara, standing behind him with a teasing grin.
Amara was Puerto Rican, with warm caramel skin and long, thick auburn hair. Today, she wore a chambray shirt tucked into a pleated black skirt, black tights, and combat boots adorned with floral embroidery. The silver star necklace she always wore caught the light as she moved.
“Hey, Mari. Everything’s fine, just a little tired this week.” Jeremy gave her a half-hearted smile, though the weariness was evident in his posture.
“I bet I know why,” Mari teased, raising an eyebrow. “Just make sure you stay safe out there. I don’t want to lose a friend.”
“No need to worry,” Jeremy said, puffing out his chest. “I can handle myself.”
Just then, another voice interrupted their conversation.
Ethan, Jeremy’s second best friend. Ethan was Chinese-American, with light beige skin and neatly styled jet-black hair. His outfit consisted of a button-up shirt with a pixelated ombré design, black slim-fit chinos, and white sneakers. He was the quiet type but had a knack for making fun of Jeremy, especially when it came to his antics.
Ethan crossed her arms and shot him a skeptical look. “Really? Is that what happened when you came to me all beat up, asking for help with something?”
Jeremy rolled his eyes, trying to change the subject. “That was different! Besides, now I can handle myself.”
“Whenever you say, J-Bug?” Ethan says“By the way are you free after school? There’s this awesome new game that came out, wanna try it out?”
Jeremy chuckled. “I’m down. I’ll come over right after school if nothing comes up.”
Ethan grinned. “Don’t take too long or I’ll think you chickened out.”
With a final wave, Ethan headed off, no doubt heading to his usual tinkering session.
“Well, J-Bug, let’s get to the cafeteria. I’m starving!” Amara pulled Jeremy along toward the lunchroom, her hand gripping his with the ease of long-time friends.
As they walked, Jeremy couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was about to happen. Something beyond the mundane chatter of high school. The thought gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside. he thought with a smirk,
Jun, Wednesday 28, 2007 - 12:10 PM
Upper West Side, NYC
"I cannot believe I let you take the day off school just to chase down a 'villain,'" Paradox grumbled, glancing at Eve with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"Don't sweat it, Brother," Eve replied with a mischievous grin. "Even if you hadn’t let me come, I would have skipped school anyway."
Paradox’s eye twitched in response, a wry smirk crossing his face. "Sometimes, I wonder if I made the right decision letting you join me, but—" He paused, looking out at the skyline, his thoughts momentarily drifting. "Where can we find this guy? He’s not likely to just be out there, knowing someone’s after him."
Eve, standing with her arms crossed, glared at the city below. "I might have a way," she says.
Both Paradox and Norika turned to her, waiting for the explanation.
"You see," Eve began, "when Brother had me train after he found me, not only did he work on my physical power, but he also helped hone all of my senses. So I thought, maybe using my psychic powers, I can sense if anyone has special abilities or powers nearby."
Paradox raised an eyebrow. "Question is—how far can you sense?"
"The whole Upper West Side of New York," Eve replied confidently.
Paradox’s eyes widened slightly as he muttered under his breath, "Remind me not to mess with her. Don’t want her shutting my brain down from the other side of town..." His gaze shifted to her, an approving nod. "Then go ahead. The faster we get this done, the better."
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With a soft sigh, Eve closed her eyes, sitting down to meditate. Her breathing slowed, and her mind reached out, enveloping the entire area of Upper West Side, searching for any signs of their quarry. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead as the effort strained her, but she remained focused. Finally, she opened her eyes, standing up with a sigh of relief.
"That was harder than I thought it would be," Eve muttered. "But I found him... He’s underground."
"So he’s hiding, biding his time for his revenge, huh?" Paradox said with a cynical grin. "Let’s go get him."
Upper West Side, NYC
Underground Sewers
"Ew, this place smells like crap," Norika groaned, wrinkling her nose as she trudged through the dark, dank tunnels.
"Of course it does, Nor. It’s a sewer. I don’t think it’s supposed to smell good," Paradox replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
But just as he finished speaking, a fist slammed into the back of his head, sending him sprawling face-first into the filthy water.
"Now, that wasn’t very nice..." Paradox muttered, pushing himself up from the muck.
With a snap of his fingers, he imagined himself clean again, and in an instant, his clothes shimmered and returned to their pristine state. "Better."
Norika’s smirk was almost audible. "Let me guess, you want to complain about that too?"
Before Paradox could respond, a figure dashed past them, darting from one tunnel to another.
"Guys, there’s someone here," Paradox growled, instantly giving chase. Eve and Norika followed closely behind, running through the twisting maze of tunnels at breakneck speed.
They soon found themselves in a large, open chamber—its walls lined with shabby, mismatched furniture.
"Do you think this is where he lives?" Eve asked, looking around.
But before she could answer herself, a surge of energy flashed from the darkness as a blade of pure, crackling energy lunged toward her.
"Who are you? And how did you find me?" a voice boomed from the shadows.
"We’re here to bring you in, and my lil' sis here, the one you tried to kill, is the one who found you," Paradox’s voice echoed through the room, a playful tone masking the underlying danger. "Now, why don’t you come with us quietly?"
"That would be a big no, hotshot," the voice shot back with defiance. "Leave before things get messy."
"I assure you, things can get messy when you’re missing a few limbs," Norika’s voice cut in, the fiery glow of her hands illuminating her face, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
In an instant, their quarry appeared behind Norika, his energy blade aimed for her neck. But she dodged with impossible speed, retaliating with a crushing knee to his stomach. He barely staggered, evading her strike with surprising agility.
"Fast," Norika muttered, eyes narrowing as she sized him up.
"You’re just too slow," the figure sneered, a smug grin twisting his lips.
In a sudden movement, he slipped into the shadows again, vanishing from sight, his presence slipping away as if he had never been there.
"Can you find him, Eve?" Paradox asked, his voice tinged with frustration.
"I can't," Eve replied, shaking her head. "All traces of him are gone. It's like he just vanished."
"Of course he did," Paradox growled under his breath. "Be careful, he might still be here, or he might’ve escaped." Just as he finished speaking, an energy blade sliced clean through his neck, severing his head in an instant.
"One down, two to go," the man’s voice echoed coldly.
For a moment, the group stood in stunned silence.
"You really thought that worked?" Paradox’s voice rang out, an eerie calmness in his tone. From nowhere, his decapitated head reformed—his body reappearing in a flash, the cut in his neck healing almost immediately.
The figure backed away, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You... but I cut off your head! You should be dead!"
Paradox’s eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "I made you see what you wanted to see. I knew you’d go after me first, so I was prepared." He glanced at Eve, nodding slightly.
Eve, catching the cue, extended her psychic abilities. A powerful force gripped their adversary, lifting him from the ground, his limbs locked in place as he hung suspended in midair.
"Let me go, you brat!" the man snarled, struggling futilely against her telekinetic hold.
Now that they had him under control, the group could take in his appearance more clearly. He wore a form-fitting black bodysuit, a long hooded coat crafted from lightweight, armored material. Reinforced combat gloves wrapped around his hands, and utility belts and thigh holsters carried an assortment of high-tech equipment. His face was obscured by a half-mask, the lower portion hidden in shadows.
Paradox tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over the man. "Interesting," he murmured to himself, tapping into the Omni-Watch hidden within his wrist. The device flickered, revealing detailed information on the man’s outfit and how it functioned.
"Isn't it?" Paradox mused aloud. "You don’t seem like someone who's new to this line of work."
The man was no older than his early twenties, standing at 6'1" with a lean yet muscular build. His jet-black hair was slightly unkempt, and his silver eyes gleamed with cold calculation. Faint cybernetic traces ran along his arms and back, hinting at the enhancements within his body.
"Let me guess," Paradox continued, his voice smooth, almost mocking, "this suit of yours is built for stealth. So, your powers must be stealth-oriented as well?"
"I’m not telling you anything," the man spat, his defiance unyielding. "Why are you here? Who sent you?"
Paradox gave a lazy shrug. "Oh, just some of our old buddies from Division Omega-7. You know them? I’m sure you do, considering you ran away from them. They’re hunting you down, after all."
"I’m not going back there!" the man barked. "Do you have any idea what they did to me? If you’re working for them, you’d best stop right now, before it’s too late."
Paradox's grin deepened. "Oh, I’m so scared," he chuckled. "Honestly? I don’t care about what they do or what they’re hiding. The only thing I care about is them giving me something to keep me entertained. That’s all."
He pulled out a set of documents, provided by the Director himself. "So, Kael," he said, his tone predatory, "why don’t you tell me why you’re on the run? What’ve you been up to since you’ve been on your own?"
"I’m not telling you anything!" the man shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. "I haven’t done anything wrong! The only ones in the wrong are those monsters at Omega-7!"
Paradox snorted dismissively. "We have our ways of getting information. I just wanted to hear it from you, but I already know everything."
The man’s defiance faltered for a moment. "Like hell you do," he growled. "You couldn’t possibly know anything about me!"
Paradox’s smirk widened. "Oh, I know more than you think. Let’s start from the beginning..."
He retold Kael’s life story: from being abducted as a child to being subjected to brutal experiments by Omega-7. Paradox spoke of the Reaper Protocol—an enhancement designed to turn Kael into the perfect supersoldier—and how he had escaped Omega-7’s clutches after a failed assassination mission. Now, Kael was being hunted by the very organization that had once created him.
Then Paradox spoke of how, during his time on the run, Kael had dismantled the organization’s influence, operating in the shadows to uncover the truth behind his twisted past.
“How does that sound?” Paradox grinned, his eyes glittering with malicious amusement. "Is that enough for you, hmm?"
Kael’s eyes widened in disbelief. "How... How did you know all of that? That information isn’t even known to the higher-ups in the organization!"
"I have my ways," Paradox replied nonchalantly. "Let’s leave it at that. Now, will you come back with us or not? If not, I can always have Nor"—he nodded toward Norika—"break all your limbs, or have Eve here"—he gestured toward her—"crush your bones and fry your brain until you’re unconscious."
"...Fine," Kael muttered, his resistance crumbling under the pressure. "I’ll go... I have something I want to ask you anyway."
Before anyone could make a move, the entire tunnel began to shake violently. The ground trembled beneath them as the ceiling cracked and began to crumble. Paradox’s eyes narrowed as he sensed the incoming chaos.
"Get ready," he muttered, before teleporting all of them to the surface.
Above Ground, Upper West Side, NYC
The world above was chaos.
"What the hell is going on?" Paradox asked, surveying the scene before him. The city was in turmoil, buildings crumbling, the very air thick with an unnatural energy.
Suddenly, a lightning strike shot directly toward him. With a swift motion, he swung his Omni Scythe, cleaving the bolt in half before it could reach him.
Paradox grinned. "Seems we have another problem on our hands."
Just then, something came crashing down before Paradox, sending a wave of dust and debris into the air. He squinted through the haze, his expression shifting from one of casual amusement to mild curiosity.
The figure that emerged stood around the same height as Eve, a boy no older than sixteen.
“Must be another hero judging by his outfit,” Paradox said with a smirk, eyes scanning the newcomer. His voice carried the usual arrogance, as if nothing in the world could phase him.
The boy wore a bodysuit that looked as if it were crafted from some kind of high-tech spandex material. The chest area had a subtle, embossed pattern that mimicked the segmented armor of a beetle, giving it the illusion of a protective exoskeleton. His shoulders bore intricate designs resembling beetle horns, adding a menacing touch to his appearance.
Reinforced padding ran down his limbs, resembling the leg segments of a beetle. The suit’s sleek, emerald green finish glistened like the hard, polished surface of an insect’s shell. As he shifted his weight, the suit seemed to hum with quiet energy.
At his back were wings—but not actual wings. Instead, the boy had a holographic projection system that created the illusion of beetle wings, flickering with occasional sparks of energy.
Around his waist was a slim, dark green utility belt, streamlined and efficient, with small compartments for gadgets. His face was covered by a mask integrated into the bodysuit, with amber-tinted lenses that allowed him to see beyond normal human capabilities, providing enhanced visual acuity.
“Ow, ow, ow! He hits like a truck! Mama always told me not to get hit by a truck… a truck made of lightning!” The young hero groaned as he slowly stood up, wiping the blood from his lip.
He looked up at Paradox and his group, his amber-tinted eyes scanning them warily. He offered a cautious but friendly smile. "And who are you guys? New in town?"
Paradox didn’t even glance back. “Yeah, you could say that. We came to pick up our luggage, so we’ll be leaving now.” He turned, unfazed, clearly ready to leave.
But before they could move any further, the boy’s voice rang out.
“Hold it! Why is that guy floating? And why are you taking him away?” The boy’s tone was calm but curious, a hint of suspicion underlying his words.
Paradox paused mid-step, then turned slightly to look back at the boy, his smirk never fading. “Question after question, huh? Don’t you ever shut it? This guy is what we came here for, and now, if you’ll kindly let us go…” He trailed off, motioning with an exaggerated flourish.
Before he could finish, the ground suddenly rumbled. A bolt of thunder cracked the air, followed by a deafening explosion. From the blast emerged a figure, radiating power and menace.
A man, tall—unnaturally tall—standing at an imposing 7 feet. His body exuded divine power, raw and untamed. He was lean, yet every muscle seemed carved from the energy flowing through him. His broad shoulders were a testament to his immense strength, and his presence was unlike anything Paradox and Norika had encountered before.
The man’s wild, jet-black hair streaked with silver. It flowed unnaturally as if driven by an unseen storm, perpetually shifting. His eyes glowed an electric blue, glowing like lightning bolts about to strike, casting an otherworldly radiance.
The skin of the man was deathly pale, almost luminescent, with blue veins pulsing beneath the surface, giving him an ethereal, almost supernatural appearance. Around his head was a crown made of crackling energy, forming an arc of lightning. It sparked and whipped violently, reinforcing his celestial and untamable nature.
He wore armor made from dark, storm-forged metal—jagged, angular, and reflecting the chaos of the tempest that seemed to surge within him. The metal itself appeared alive, as if the storm’s energy had merged with the very armor he wore.
Gauntlets shaped like claws crackled with raw electricity, capable of obliterating anything in their path with a single touch. His chestplate, designed with lightning bolt motifs, pulsed with energy, as if his very essence surged through the metal.
His back bore a torn, tattered cape made of storm clouds that seemed to swirl around him, flashing with sparks of blue, as though he was one with the storm itself. It fluttered with an erratic intensity, enhancing the otherworldly, dynamic presence of the man.
From the sheer weight of his power, Paradox and Norika could sense immediately—this man was no ordinary mortal. He was a demi-god, but one trapped in the fragile shell of human form.
Why he was here and what he sought, they couldn’t say, but they knew one thing for certain: he was no pushover.
Paradox’s grin faltered for a second, his posture tightening as the man’s energy flooded the atmosphere. “We’re in for one hell of a time, aren’t we?” Paradox muttered under his breath, clearly unimpressed, though he couldn’t hide the flicker of interest in his eyes.
Norika's hand slid to the hilt of her blade. “Yeah, this won’t be an easy fight like all the others, that’s for sure,” she said, her voice cold, tinged with anticipation.
The young boy beside Eve was still trying to process the situation, eyes wide with disbelief. “Do you have any idea what they’re talking about?” he asked Eve, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Eve, without looking away from the storm-forged figure, responded in her usual calm but firm voice. “No, I don’t. But if they think we’re in trouble, then we are. Simple as that. So, don’t slow us down,” she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
The boy blinked, trying to piece things together. "What's her problem?" he mumbled to himself.
A sudden realization hit him. He looked Eve over once again, recognizing her in a split second. His mouth dropped open in awe, his eyes widening. "That... that’s Omni Eve... The first Hero to make headlines!" His voice was a whisper, as if he couldn’t believe the honor of standing in front of her. "To think I could meet her... Today’s my lucky day."
The group stood together, staring down the towering figure of the demi-god before them. The air crackled with raw, unrelenting power. Paradox and Norika’s state was far from ideal—they were fatigued, weary from their prior battles—but even then, they could feel the weight of the challenge ahead. Their usual confidence was tempered by the immense power of this new opponent.
The figure before them flexed his gauntlets, ready to strike. The storm’s crackle heightened, and the demi-god's eyes glowed brighter with unbridled power. It was clear that this wasn’t just any battle—it was the kind that would push everyone to their limits
And for Paradox and Norika, the real fight was only just beginning.
Narrators space
The group stares down a fearsome foe that none of them are sure they can defeat, especially with Paradox and Norika’s current states.
A sardonic laugh broke the tense silence. Paradox appeared beside them in an empty void, arms crossed, grinning widely.
Narrator was a black figure, one where light could not even penetrate, it had no eyes nor mouth
“Actually, I can defeat him. So, shut up, narrator! There’s no one the mighty Paradox cannot defeat!” He declared loudly, his voice reverberating through the void, causing the empty space around him to quiver.
Despite the tension, Paradox couldn’t resist but taunt the narrator and revel in the thought of a challenging fight. Because, after all, no battle was ever truly complete without a little bit of fun.
