Two weeks had passed since the last events.
The world was still recovering.Ryan sat at the edge of his bed, watching the sunrise through the window of the Valeborn mansion. The city felt too quiet, as if everyone was holding their breath before the next storm.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.A message from Lorien Valtier lit up the screen:
"Gather everyone. The new facility is complete. All heroes must report."
Ryan frowned.— New facility? What's he talking about...?
Before he could think, the phone rang — a group call.On the screen: Ryu and Ethan.
— Yo, Ryan! — Ryu shouted, as lively as ever. — You got Lorien's message too?— Yeah… — Ryan replied, still confused. — Sounds serious.Ethan joined in, his voice calm but weary. — I got it too. Looks like everyone did.
Ryan hesitated for a moment, concern in his tone:— Hey, Ethan… how are you holding up, man?
A short silence, then:— I'm fine, bro… just a bit down, you know? But I'll be okay.
Ryan smiled warmly.— Hey, we've got your back, always. We're in this together.
Ryu jumped in, cheerful as ever:— That's right! We're a family, dude!
Ethan chuckled softly — and for the first time in weeks, the heaviness in his voice faded away.
A day later, Ryan left home with a backpack slung over his shoulder.But as soon as he stepped outside, camera flashes went off everywhere.
— Look! It's the new Pillar!— Ryan Valeborn, any words about the Reversum!?
Ryan sighed.— These guys never give up…
In an instant, his body flickered.He vanished from the street and reappeared on top of a skyscraper, the wind slicing through the silence.
— Whew… finally lost them — he muttered. — Time to check out this new base.
The new Hero Association facility was colossal — a technological city on its own.Glass towers reflected the sunlight; drones patrolled the skies; energy bridges connected every building. Inside, there were training arenas, dorms, labs, and even a gravity chamber capable of crushing a tank.
Ryan entered, eyes wide with awe.— This is… unreal.
Soon, familiar voices echoed behind him.Ryu, Ethan, Dante, and Kane were arriving.
— Hey, new Pillar! — Ryu laughed.Dante crossed his arms, smirking. — Feeling better, man?Ryan flexed his arm, amused. — Never better. Thanks for asking.
Ethan, with his Blade of Chaos on his back, scanned the facility.— This looks like an entire city.Ryu laughed:— Bro, this looks like the MyCareer park from NBA2K!Ethan replied:— You're not wrong!Kane passed by Ryan, smirking challengingly:— Let's see who ends up number one.Ryan smiled back, steady. — We'll see.
In the hallway, Abby and Annie appeared.Abby ran up and hugged Ryu.— Ryu! You're here!— In the flesh, Abby! — he grinned.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Annie locked eyes.Both blushed instantly.— H-Hi, Annie — he said, scratching his neck.— H-Hi, Ry— I mean, Yan! — she replied, looking away.
Ryu, Abby, and Ethan exchanged teasing smiles.— They've got that ex-couple energy — Ryu joked.
Further ahead, Zen Kagetsune leaned against a wall.Hair tied back, golden eyes, a scar across his face, and two weapons on his back — his cursed katana and the black dagger.
— I've been waiting for you — he said firmly. — Lorien-sama awaits in the main courtyard.
Ryu asked:— Hey, Zen, what's going on?
Zen sighed. — Two things. One good… and one terrible.
Ethan crossed his arms. — Start with the good one.Zen replied coldly:— Kairon is dead.
Everyone exchanged surprised looks — then cheered.But Ryan, cautious, asked:— And the bad one?
Zen looked away. — Kai… is now the new Universal Emperor. And he's even stronger than Kairon.
The silence was deafening.Dante, the only one who already knew, stayed quiet.Ryan clenched his fists. — So that means…
— Yes — Zen said. — We're at war. Lorien has summoned every top hero in the world.
Ethan's eyes widened. — That Kai? The redhead Uncle Kelvin defeated?— The same — Zen replied. — The very same one who hired me months ago.
They reached the main courtyard.
Hundreds of heroes stood gathered.At the top, four thrones.Seated there were Kelvin Nox, Darius Valtier, Diana Flamesoul, and in the center, Lorien Valtier.To the right, a towering statue of Ray Stormbreak.To the left, another — of Inavy Stormbreak, wielding his legendary katana.
The silence was reverent.
Lorien rose, his aura commanding absolute attention.— Heroes… — he began. — Welcome to your new home.
Ryan and the others exchanged glances.— New home? — Ryu muttered. — Are we gonna live here?
He looked at Diana.She smiled — the kind of smile that made Ryu's blood run cold.He tried to sneak away, but a wall of fire erupted in front of him.
— Where do you think you're going, Ryu Nox? — Diana asked with a dangerous grin.
Ryu screamed:— AAAAAHHHHH! Ryan, help! This woman's insane! Use the Reversum and get me outta here!
Everyone burst out laughing — even Lorien.Kelvin covered his face in embarrassment.Diana simply dragged Ryu back by the collar while he whimpered in defeat.
Lorien continued:— As I was saying, this will be your new home.
In the crowd, Ryan raised his hand.— President Lorien, what about the guilds?
A murmur spread through the heroes.— It's him! The Aura-less prodigy!— The new Pillar!— The Reversum boy!
Ryan shivered under the sudden attention.
Lorien answered:— They no longer exist.
Gasps echoed.He raised his hand to calm them.— They're gone because we have united them all.
Silence. Then, applause erupted.Ryu grinned:— That's awesome! More teammates to fight with!
Lorien continued:— Our enemy is one. His goal is to erase humanity itself. That's why we must become one — one force, one faith, one will. I need you, heroes!
The courtyard exploded in cheers.Someone shouted:— What's the name of this new guild!?
Lorien smiled.— Hmm… I haven't decided yet…
Ryan stepped forward.— New Dawn Heroes.
Lorien's eyes gleamed.— Perfect. From this day forth… we are the New Dawn Heroes.
The courtyard roared in unison.It was the beginning of a new era.
Later, Lorien explained:— Each group will have its own house with eight members — dorms, gyms, training rooms. Everything you'll need to grow stronger.
Ryan checked his phone.Ryu shouted excitedly:— Hey, we're in the same house!
The team: Ryan, Ryu, Ethan, Abby, Annie, Dante, Kane, and Zen.
Ethan looked at the list and laughed.— And the leader's Zen.Zen groaned. — Of course. Probably Darius's idea. Great.
Everyone laughed.
In his room, Ryan found something familiar.Hero posters, comics, his computer — it all resembled his old Phoenix Guild quarters.He smiled.— Just like before… but with more heart.
When he opened his digital inventory, a new item appeared:
Combat Suit MK II
The suit materialized before him — a fusion of advanced tech and Reversum energy.
Matte black, tactical texture laced with metallic fibers.Blue-galaxy lines pulsed across the body.On his chest, the inverted "V" symbol of the Valeborns glowed with quiet power.
A short, flowing cape trailed behind him — made of a living material that fragmented into blue particles during combat.A retractable digital mask shimmered with neon light.
The suit reacted to Ryan's mind.It moved before he even did.
He took a deep breath.— This suit's incredible… but… I'll save it for special moments.He smiled softly. — For now, I'll stick with the one my mom made.
Somewhere far across the universe…
Kai Hayashi walked slowly through a desolate field.Every step made the ground rot. Flowers withered. Trees died — all tainted by his aura.
Before a colossal temple, he stopped.His eyes glowed crimson.
— This is it… — he whispered. — The residence of Reiv, the Universal Champion.
The wind fell silent.The universe seemed to hold its breath.
The New Dawn had begun.