The evening sky settled over M-City in layers of bruised violet and molten gold.
Within the city, there existed a structure — a monolithic dark grid of windows, magnificent and quiet, dwarfing every rival building.
Most well known for being the apartment complex where 'The Strongest Man on Earth' lives. It's no surprise the other tenants paid a large sum to live here. The closer they were to King's apartment room, the higher the costs. Understandably, no one has ever voiced a complaint.
Three men had just entered the building and were now riding the spacious elevator up to the 22nd floor.
"Master, wouldn't it have been easier to teleport straight into his room?"
"Now, now, Genos." Caspian shook his head. "My intention from the start was to do just that, but King isn't home alone." He turned his attention to a young man with short brown hair who wore oval-shaped glasses that obscured his eyes. "And Mumen, wouldn't you have been more comfortable wearing something else?"
"Not at all, Caspian. There is no attire more comfortable than my hero attire."
"Mumen Rider is correct."
"Hmm." Caspian generated a hyperspace gate inside the elevator, hopped through, and returned a breath later wearing his own hero attire. "I see what you both mean."
Mumen had even brought his green bicycle helmet, tucked respectfully under one arm. His stance radiated purpose, spine straight, expression calm.
Genos stood beside him in a sleeveless, fitted zip-up jacket and dark pants; a spitting image of his Post-Super-Fight-Arc look, save for the extra ports lining his exposed arms.
Ding
The elevator doors parted with a soft chime. Before the pair stepped into the quiet polished-floor hallway of the 22nd floor.
"I must admit, Caspian," Mumen said, voice calm but curious, "when you told me you were hosting a game night at your friend's place, I did not expect your friend to be 'The Heroes' Hero' himself."
"Mumen Rider. Your surprise is illogical. My master's combat prowess naturally attracts elite allies. King's title as 'The Heroes' Hero' merely confirms his worthiness to be friends with Sensei."
"I... see?" He adjusted his glasses.
Caspian smiled as the trio walked down the pristine hallway toward King's apartment. Today had gone better than he could've hoped. He'd woken up in Mosquito Girl's bed, her nestled in his arms, and hadn't left until it was time to meet Sweet Mask. Lunch had gone smoother than expected, plus he recruited two members in to his future Carbonated Alliance.
And now, to cap off the day: game night. The one he'd been looking forward to. Some well-needed downtime and an opportunity to relax and maybe strengthen his friendship with them.
Concerning Tatsumaki, Fubuki, Yuta, Suiko, Wavygyaza, and Psykos… well, he'd done what he needed — what he wanted — to do. And whatever came next was out of his hands, his influence.
"Allow me to knock, Master."
They'd arrived before a burnished wood door. Beside it, a discreet nameplate bore a single word in deep-etched lettering: 'King'
No titles. No embellishments. Only that immutable name.
¤ ¤ ¤
King sat slouched on his couch, trying to appear calm as he waited for his guests to arrive. His eyes, however, kept drifting toward the kitchen; where she, Va'thera, moved about with fluid grace.
She was… great! Also terrifying, but that proved a positive. Several monsters had attacked him on his way back home from Z-City Ghost Town and she reduced them to particles of light with a glance.
Va'thera was equally direct with him. Told him her story, told him how she felt, and then promptly moved in.
Fast? Blistering.
He'd always considered himself more of a 2D man, but—
King yawned. They should be here any minute now.
Va'thera hadn't let him sleep last night. Something about "critical alignment of life paths" and the "desperate need to consummate." Whatever it meant, he no longer qualified for wizard status. And with only a year to go.
Out of the blue, a plush sensation graced his cheek. Again!? This sensation kept happening and he couldn't determine the cause. He stole a glance to his left.
Va'thera was still busy in the kitchen.
Knock-knock
He flinched, halfway to standing, but—
"I shall unshut the door, honey," Va'thera called sweetly.
¤ ¤ ¤
Genos' knuckle struck the door twice in quick succession.
It's a good thing Master invited me tonight. The less time I spend away from him, the better.
He had a valid reason for that thought.
Earlier that day, he'd discovered a letter. An open challenge addressed to Caspian.
He knew who it came from. He could feel it. There wasn't a single doubt. This came from a ninja, a particular one, the worst one.
Genos' 'Hyper Sensors' tugged him out of his head — alerting him of an unreadable energy signature.
The door opened.
"Hi, welcome," greeted a soft voice. "I'm Va'thera. And you three must be Genos, Caspian, and Satoru. Or would you prefer Mumen?"
She conceals her power well.
The woman standing before them looked every bit the image of a charming housewife: long black hair tied in a high, bouncy ponytail, a navy-blue linen dress beneath a floral apron, and the scent of something sweet and freshly baked wafting from the apartment behind her. Her smile was warm. The illusion, convincing; save for one detail.
Her ears — long, angular, and pointed — stood out starkly against the otherwise blissful domestic image.
"Mumen is fine. Thank you for having us."
"What he said. Smells good. What're you baking?"
Genos caught it. The shift when Caspian spoke. A brief tightening of her brows, a flash of a frown. It disappeared almost instantly as her warm smile returned like a curtain falling into place.
Why did his question offend her? Was she insecure about her baking, or did she sense his overwhelming strength?
"Blueberry cream cheese pastries," she answered and stepped aside. "Do come in. King's been… eagerly waiting."
I'll need to watch her closely. She dares to look at Master disrespectfully. In my presence!?