In a dark, damp alley reeking of rust and old garbage, six figures were gathered. The light from a dying streetlamp barely managed to pierce the darkness, casting warped shadows across the cracked walls.
One of them was kneeling at the center of the group, hands clasped over his head, his body trembling uncontrollably.
—It's okay… I give up —the man babbled, his voice breaking—. You can take me to prison.
Axel watched him in silence for a second before letting out a dry laugh.
—Fuck… what makes you think I'm a superhero? —he asked with obvious irritation. It was the fourth time that day someone had mistaken him for one.
The man didn't answer. He simply stared at him with an expression that screamed: are you serious?
—Maybe it's because of the hero costumes? —Raven chimed in timidly, avoiding looking directly at the criminal.
Axel tilted his head.
—Do only heroes get to wear epic capes and cool masks when going out at night?
—I think… —Raven murmured.
—Of course not —Axel cut her off quickly—. Anyone can wear them. Even supervillains. And we're not that… yet.
Without another word, Axel pulled out a pistol and pressed it firmly against the criminal's sweaty forehead.
—Look… we're just a group of normal, ordinary people —he paused—. Well, not that normal. People who go out at night to eliminate criminals.
—Do you understand? —he asked, pressing the gun slightly harder against his face.
—S-so you'll take me to prison? —the man asked, clinging to that last shred of hope.
Axel slowly shook his head.
—Of course not, brother. We're going to eliminate you so you don't keep harming this world.
—T-then you're going to kill me! —the man screamed, completely terrified.
—Don't put it so ugly —Axel replied in a surprisingly gentle voice—. Think of it this way: we're going to free you from your corporeal prison.
—No, please! I have a family! —he begged desperately—. Don't kill me, I—!
Bang.
The shot echoed through the alley like a dry thunderclap. The body fell backward, lifeless, eyes wide open and empty.
—You should've thought about that before committing all those crimes —Axel said calmly, holstering the weapon as if nothing had happened—. It wasn't that hard.
The silence that followed was heavy.
Axel turned his head and looked at Raven, who stood rigid, fists clenched, eyes fixed on the ground.
—What's wrong, Raven? Feeling uncomfortable?
—I… —she hesitated—. I'm still not used to all this.
She paused for a moment before lifting her gaze.
—Are we really doing the right thing?
The question landed like an invisible blow. Axel went still, while the other girls glanced at each other, confused.
—Ah… —he sighed—. Good question.
He turned around, clasping his hands behind his back, his gaze lost in the darkness of the alley.
—I won't tell you whether what I do is right or wrong —he continued—. I'll only tell you that I do what I believe is right.
—This world is full of criminals and evil. Some can change… but others are monsters. No matter how many times you capture or imprison them, their nature doesn't change.
He slowly turned back toward her.
—If I catch them like those heroes on TV do, they'll get out sooner or later. And when they kill more innocents… I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully, knowing I could have stopped them for good and didn't.
—That doesn't mean killing without thinking or becoming cold —he added seriously—. Because then you become like them. But you also can't hesitate when the moment to decide arrives.
I've been training them like this for a while, Axel thought. Far from the influence of heroes in tight latex suits or guys in pajamas who preach "never kill." It's not that it's wrong… but in a world like this, that mindset condemns you.
He glanced sideways at the girls.
At least they've assimilated it better. Raven… it's harder for her.
—We'll keep "freeing corporeal prisons" for a few more weeks —he announced—. Then we'll take the next step.
He walked up to Raven and, without warning, lifted her into his arms as if she weighed nothing.
—W-what are you doing? —she asked, startled.
—We're leaving.
Axel took flight.
—Tsk… why does he only ever carry Raven when flying and never us? —Kara grumbled, crossing her arms.
—Because she's the only one who can't fly —Laurel replied matter-of-factly.
—But she can fly! —Kara protested, pouting.
—Yes, but not as fast or as well as we can —Karen chimed in, giving them a pat on the back—. Now come on, or they'll leave us behind.
The two looked at each other for a second… and then burst out laughing.
Finally, they took off, following Axel and Raven's trail, while the alley was left behind—silent… as if nothing had ever happened.