“I’ve been trying to catch that damn bug for years,” Endless said. “Thanks for keeping it occupied.”
Remy stared blankly, then blinked twice. “It got you,” he managed to say.
Endless frowned, brushing the thin red gash on his cheek. The wound quickly sealed up, and blood materialized out of his palm, swirling in the air and forming a small circle. “Don’t worry about me, silly. You’re the one about to pass out.”
“I can’t pass out.”
“Is that so?”
Endless' blood jumped onto Remy’s neck and somehow dissolved inside it. He felt its rejuvenating effects immediately, and within seconds, the numerous cuts the Mantis Monster had given him healed. Endless outstretched an arm, his facial expression empty and hollow. Maybe even bored.
“Thanks,” Remy grunted, reluctantly letting the superhero pull him up. The word came out almost reflexively. His parents had drilled in the importance of good manners, but he never would have imagined showing even a sliver of gratitude to the man who had killed his sister. It was unreasonable to blame himself given the circumstances yet shame festered inside him. What a cruel outcome.
Since Endless was the most popular human on the planet, naturally, the world watched. Tiny camera pods flew around them, flashing repeatedly, and the display painting the sky replayed the highlights of the action– Remy’s desperate final stand with the gauntlets along with Endless saving him. There didn’t seem to be footage of the full horror show which meant the world had probably only tuned in when they knew Endless was on the way. Typical.
A portal materialised in front of them.
“Would you like to join me for the press conference?” Endless asked. “You might as well get used to it. After your little performance, the media won’t forget about you so easily. You’re famous now.”
“I’m famous now?” Remy repeated, still quite dazed. He let the words sink in. Amelia had always complained about the downsides: the disturbance of tranquillity, the loss of privacy, the attraction of stalkers and fake friends, and constantly being watched and judged. The negatives seemed to outweigh the positives, but with aspirations of being a superhero, it was bound to happen eventually. He had expected this. “I’ll go.”
They stepped through the portal into a bright, spacious room. Rows of journalists filled the area, their faces a mix of awe and excitement. Remy purposefully chose a few seats away from Endless on the stage, leaning on the table with his hands clasped together. He glanced at the banner behind him, featuring the Endless Superhero Association's logo in stylish red letters—ESA. Cameras flashed incessantly as he took a deep breath, preparing himself.
So this is what it felt like, sis. Were you in the same room?
“Endless,” the first reporter began. “You mentioned earlier in the year you wanted to eliminate the more elusive S-tier supervillains. You’ve done that today. How does it feel to finally take down the Mantis Monster?”
“It feels satisfying though I wish it happened sooner. The Mantis Monster had been a big problem for us due to its unpredictable nature and extraordinary ability to flee capture. As you all know, a lot of civilians have lost their lives today in Star Tech, but I will always be optimistic. The city is still standing. We have once again stood firm and proved to the world that justice always prevails. We’ve proven that no matter where evil lurks, fresh talent is always lingering.” Endless turned to Remy and smiled in such a convincing manner that he almost believed him. “This is the nature of the Super Era. We will always win the war.”
“Remy Adebayo. Thank you for your courageous efforts but you’re not a licensed superhero. How did you find yourself in the thick of the madness?
Remy picked up the microphone and locked eyes with the interviewer in the back row.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“Initially, I was a spectator,” he answered. “But my friend dragged me along. They’re a big fan of Booming Cyborg…” He continued to accurately recall the events, omitting the heavy childhood trauma and then concluded with, “I knew the superheroes needed assistance. It was the right thing to do.”
“You were using advanced, innovative technology,” another journalist said. “How did you get your hands on the weaponry, and are you aware it’s illegal for non-licensed superheroes to use such devices?”
Remy hesitated for three seconds, though he wasn’t shaken by the question. He embraced the silence, thinking carefully. “I am aware. It was not my intention to use it, but in this rare scenario, my principles and moral code overruled the law. Lives were at stake, and great superheroes must be willing to make bold, difficult decisions. I’m preparing to enter the Titan entrance exam next fall.”
The crowd of journalists erupted into chatter, gasps of amazement, and even some laughter. A brunette female journalist in the front row smiled at him. “Are you intending to follow in the footsteps of your sister, Wide Awake?”
Remy smiled back. “Something like that. I will never be Amelia. I’m not a prodigy. But her legacy lives on in me.”
Wide Awake was obviously in your guild, Endless,” one journalist said. “Do you notice any similarities between the siblings and do you think Remy has what it takes to be a great superhero like yourself?”
“I’ll be honest… I didn’t realise he was Amelia’s younger brother until it was mentioned.”
The crowd laughed. Remy didn’t see the joke.
“But now that you mention it… I don’t see many similarities outside of appearance and the same inherited ability. Let the boy make a name for himself. Wide Awake was special in her own way and he will be too. We all saw the footage. He’s brimming with potential.”
Remy turned to Endless. “I know this isn’t my job but I’ve always wanted to ask, what was your last conversation with Amelia? She respected you so much.”
Show me who you really are, motherfucker.
Endless displayed no cracks in his persona, maintaining a grim, sombre expression. “I remember it like it was yesterday. It was our last guild meeting. She did talk about her admiration for me, but I wish I had told her how I felt the same way. The last moments I spent with her truly were blissful.”
“How so?”
“She was being her beautiful self—jubilant, kind, and loving.”
Remy’s eyes locked onto the top-ranked superhero, searching for something, anything. Then, for a split second, he noticed it: the slightest of devilish smiles, ecstasy in the eyes, almost too subtle to notice.
“Time ran out,” Endless said. “We should have had a lot more fun together.”
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Remy entered and took a seat. Cyborg didn’t look up, seemingly immersed in a book. He had recovered quickly after the Mantis Monster incident and looked the same as when they first met in the Starlight Sanctuary.
“I’m leaving today,” Remy said. “Thanks for showing me how a real superhero gets the job done. You inspired me.”
Cyborg finally lifted his head. “No problem. When you become a superhero, consider working here. You’d be welcomed with open arms.”
“When? It’s a highly competitive field.”
Booming Cyborg scoffed. “Come on… let’s not pretend every school isn’t begging for you to be their student. Or am I wrong?”
Remy smiled sheepishly. Less than an hour after the press conference, his phone had exploded with messages and emails, including scholarship offers from eight different superhero schools and sponsorship opportunities.
“You’re not wrong. But I’m still taking the exam. Amelia told me never to take shortcuts.”
“I’m sure she did,” Cyborg said, smiling.
“I’m sorry about Tulip and Sky. I know they were family to you.”
“They fought bravely. It’s nothing new. Superheroes die all the time. Always remember that.”
“Can I give you a hypothetical situation?” Remy asked. “If you found out Amelia was killed by Earth’s strongest humans, what would you do?”
Cyborg’s eyes widened. Then his shocked expression turned dark, a scowl forming on his face. “I’d wait patiently until the time was right to get revenge. I would paint the walls with their blood.”
Remy stood up from his chair and nodded. “Good to know. I’d remain patient too.”
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In the night sky, Lyra, Jay, and Remy flew in the Staress V20. They listened to many jazzy songs for a while until Remy turned off the music and repeated a question for the fifth time that evening. “Are you sure you guys want to come? I want to remind you the Deadzone is the most dangerous place on Earth.”
Jay elbowed him hard in the ribs. Lyra slapped the back of his head from the backseat.
“We know!” they both said.