Kismet Base, Cook Islands. The sound of fighting could be heard coming from the beach as Impactor faced off against Batu in a spar.
"Ohhhh!"
Impactor roared as he punched at Batu. An invisible force rushed towards Batu, who lifted both hands in front of him. A deafening noise resounded as the force came to a halt. The two moved towards each other. Impactor threw a kick from a distance. Batu jumped, stepped on the air, and jumped a second time. He leapt dozens of feet in the air before thrusting his foot down. An invisible force fell down an Impactor's body. His body absorbed the impact, and he clenched his fist. He punched up and Batu punched down. Two invisible forces clashed and formed a sandstorm on the beach. Impactor leapt out of the sandstorm with a grin.
He blinked.
"Harden."
A hand touched his body.
"?!"
As if he had stared in the eyes of a gorgon, his body froze up like a statue. He couldn't even move a finger. Batu stood in front of him with a smile while holding a blade in his hand. He rubbed the blade across Impactor's throat, and blood started to trickle from the wound. Soon after feeling the sensation of warm blood touching his skin, Impactor could move again. Before he could react, his blood turned into flames that wrapped around his throat.
"And with that, you're dead."
Belinha approached them with her hand stretched out towards Impactor.
"Batu and you have similar fighting styles; a fight between you two can only be decided through brute force."
She flicked Impactor's forehead.
"That's what you thought, right? That's why you didn't expect him to use his ability in a slyer way to defeat you."
She took the bloodstained knife from Batu and lifted it to Impactor's face.
"See? Your blood is still warm. If this weren't a spar, you would've died."
She handed Impactor the knife.
"Celso, you're without a doubt strong. Only a few Heroes can beat you in raw power. However, there are many ways to kill you. Discover these methods and think about countermeasures."
Impactor rubbed his throat. Batu patted his shoulder.
"My bad with the whole slitting your throat thing."
"Nah, it's fine. I've learned a bit."
Impactor became quiet for a bit before speaking.
"If I get healed by Belinha enough times, can I steal her healing abilities?"
"It doesn't work like that."
Belinha walked away from him.
"Anyway, you two get off the field. The next group get ready."
A dejected Impactor left the beach with Batu while the twins entered. Belinha looked at the two of them.
"Remember, go for the kill."
She lifted her hand.
"Begin."
The fighting began as she lowered her hand.
Later in the day, Kismet returned to their residence with sluggish steps.
"I'm exhausted....I died like 5 times today."
Mira complained while leaning on Kira.
"I don't ever want to see my intestines spill out of my body again...."
Mikel held his stomach with a pale face.
"That was a pain to heal."
Belinha walked past him and Bojana, who was rubbing his back. Only she, Batu, and Impactor didn't seem shaken by their training.
"Batu is used to this, but you definitely have a screw loose. I mean, you were cut in half a few times."
She said while looking at Impactor funnily.
"Sorry about that."
Mikel lifted his hand apologetically.
"Nah, it's fine. I need to figure out how to handle that kind of stuff."
He stopped walking after seeing Belinha freeze in front of him.
"What's wron—"
Batu swallowed his words after looking beyond her. Sensing something was wrong, the others quickly approached them.
"?!"
All breaths were cut and all hearts stopped as they laid eyes on what was in front of them.
"Yo."
In their living room sat a dark-skinned man with hair covering his eyes and half his face. With his signature punk-style dressing, Sinvula waved at Kismet.
"?!"
All of them readied themselves for battle. Sinvula didn't react to them and just crossed his legs and closed his eyes.
"This couch is pretty comfortable. It's good to see the GHF isn't being cheap when it comes to their trump cards."
Cold sweat washed over Belinha's body as she prepared to move.
"That's not a good idea."
"?!"
A voice came from behind her, making her turn her head so fast she nearly broke her neck. Standing behind them was Alala, who was dressed in her white mask and military uniform.
"Remember, there are ways to kill a phoenix."
Belinha's heart stopped, and her brain stopped processing what was before her.
"Alala, stop bullying them."
A woman appeared next to Alala out of thin air.
"It's rude considering we're guests in their home."
Belinha and the others recognised this person and their identity only added to the dread.
"Mishma the Calamitous…."
Belinha's head felt light as the blood drained from her face. All Three Calamities were in front of them. This was by far the most terrifying thing that could happen to any Hero in this world.
"The Anti-Calamity Team, Kismet."
Mishma looked at everyone's face with a smile. She stopped at Impactor.
"Nice to meet you, Impactor"
Unlike the rest of his team, Impactor's expression was calm.
"Where have I seen you before?"
Mishma's eyes slowly widened. Soon, a wide grin appeared on her face. She patted Impactor's shoulder.
"The fact you still have a memory of me, no matter how fuzzy, is a feat in itself. Be proud."
"Thanks?"
Mishma nodded. Impactor blinked and found himself and the rest of Kismet sitting in the living room. Sinvula was in front of them, Mishma sat to their left, and Alala was to their right.
"What…What just happened?"
"It's better you don't think about it too much."
Sinvula pointed at his head with a smirk.
"Otherwise, you might lose your sanity."
He and Mishma chuckled while Alala sat in silence.
"So, what do you guys want?"
Impactor causally asked them the question on everyone's mind.
"I don't think you're here to fight since it's all three of you. So did you guys come to catch up?"
The rest of Kismet's eyes tore open as they looked at him in disbelief.
"Why the hell would they—"
"No, he's right."
"Huh?!"
Belinha's head almost popped off with how fast she looked at Alala, who shrugged.
"It's the truth."
"Just because we try to kill each other doesn't mean we can't check on each other's well-being."
Impactor nodded in agreement to Sinvula's words while sitting next to her.
(Why are you agreeing with the crazy terrorist?!)
Belinha screamed in her head.
"Wait."
Impactor looked at Belinha.
"Didn't you say our location was top secret even in the GHF and that no one would be able to find out?"
"I did, but as usual, logic doesn't apply to these three."
Belinha spoke with a frown.
"Don't be hard on yourself. We're the closest things to Gods in this world."
Mishma smirked.
"We even have our own religions."
"An annoying bunch of fanatics if you ask me."
Alala didn't hide the disgust in her voice.
"More like cockroaches who just don't know how to die. More importantly…"
Sinvula stood up. This caused Kismet to flinch in unison.
"Young Sovereigns, have you gotten any stronger during your vacation?"
His voice was a mixture of playfulness and savagery.
"Wanna try us to see?"
Impactor stood up and fearlessly faced Sinvula.
(Why are you provoking him?! We're already exhausted from training!)
Belinha screamed in her head. She stared at Impactor's fearless expression as he faced Sinvula for a few seconds before standing up with some reluctance. The rest of Kismet saw this and sprang to their feet. They all faced off against Sinvula.
"Camaraderie? I like it. It makes me excited."
The house started trembling.
"How about I take you on your offer?"
Kismet readied themselves for battle with cold sweat covering them.
"Sinvula."
Alala spoke with a calm tone and the shaking stopped.
"I know. I was just teasing them."
Sinvula turned his back and returned to his seat. Alala suggested that Kismet sit, which they did after some hesitation. She started to talk after they did so.
"The real reason we're here is to make an announcement to you and the GHF."
Mishma clapped and confetti fell from the ceiling with butterflies made of colourful lights flying around the room. The words "Death Battle" floated above them. Confusion stained their faces.
"Sinvula and I have decided to play a game where we will race to see who can destroy Kismet first."
"?!"
Shock ran through their bodies as they heard Alala's words.
"Game?!"
Belinha stood up.
"What kind of sick joke is this?!"
"Well, do you prefer we kill you now?"
Alala stood from her seat and placed her hand on her Sabre.
"If you're against what we're doing, you're free to oppose it. After all, when it comes to Heroes and Villains, might is right."
Belinha bit her lips in frustration as she glared at Alala.
"What are the rules?"
Mikel spoke up behind her, drawing everyone's attention.
"You said it was a game, so there must be rules. Can you tell us them?"
Alala took her hand off her sabre.
"That's reasonable enough."
She sat back down while Belinha kept standing and glaring at her.
"Come on."
Mishma popped up in front of her upside down.
"Save that anger for when you're fighting for your life."
She vanished and a piece of paper appeared in Belinha's hands. She looked around, and the rest of Kismet had the same paper. On the paper was the title "Death Game Rules". Belinha looked at Alala and Sinvula, who were both relaxed before she read the paper. Her eyes widened as she went through the rules one by one.
"So basically, we just need to survive you two for 20 minutes a week?"
Impactor said after reading the paper.
"Just? We can die countless times in 5 minutes."
Belinha crushed the paper.
"This is a sick game."
"We won't deny that."
Mishma reappeared, drinking from a coconut with a straw.
"This game is designed to play with us, but if we survive, we have a chance to grow stronger."
Mikel mumbled.
"Don't tell me you're considering it?"
Mira looked at Mikel with suspicion.
"I'm just saying it's better than fighting them now. We're training to defeat them already, but who knows how long that will take? However, by fighting them, we can learn about them and get closer to defeating them."
"If we aren't killed first."
Belinha spat back.
"Hey, hey, Belinha. There's no need to be so negative. Try to be like your friend."
Sinvula laughed.
"It's not like we have a choice."
Belinha sighed.
"So…"
Impactor stood up.
"Are we going to begin?"
He cracked his knuckles.
"As much as I would love to, we have an arrangement to begin the game next week. Since it's Thursday, let's say you have two more days."
He stood up.
"Well, that's all we wanted to discuss."
Alala stood up as well.
"So we're going to let you suffer knowing your end might be quickly approaching."
He burst out laughing as he exited the room. Alala stopped and looked at them.
"Just so you know, moving is a waste of time. We can find you guys anywhere on the planet. Anyway, good luck."
She left the room as well. Mishma floated in front of them.
"Personally, I'm cheering you guys on. Sinvula and Alala need some fun in their life, and for them, it's finding people who can challenge them. So you guys growing stronger would be great."
She smirked.
"Well, you have no choice but to do that to survive."
She faded away, but her voice lingered.
"Good luck."
Kismet stood in silence for a while before Impactor spoke.
"So…Anyone else craving crabs?"
Everyone looked at him in shock.
"So…..No?"
"I'm up."
"Kira, my man. Alright, let's go."
The two left the room, leaving everybody else behind.
"Fuck."
Belinda collapsed in her seat with her hands over her face. Her and her teammates' lives were going to shit.