Han Kim loathed this task, not because he didn’t enjoy it, but because it was required.

In this world, Han found the generous gifts humanity received bequeathed to the unworthy, those who would abuse their position for personal gain. The unfortunate reality was Pandora tended to pick up these particular individuals frequently. As Wildfire, Han’s job was to ensure they stayed in line and to discipline those who dared to bite the hand that fed them. Some sought to take advantage of the chaos Grim unleashed upon Bayside, and many happened to be within the ranks of his glorious organization.

Treachery would not go unpunished.

Calmly, Han pulled over to the curb in a quiet suburban neighborhood that had luckily escaped Grim’s rampage. It was well outside of Pandora's territory, so taking care of his surroundings was something he was aware he needed to do. In a world like his, eyes and ears were everywhere, and no one could know with certainty who was watching.

Han exited the unmarked vehicle and smoothed the wrinkles out of his suit’s blazer. His eyes scanned the neighborhood for his target, a mundane home with dark red tiled roofing. The description was vague, but it was the best Pandora’s Mentalists could manage with such limited information. He was sure it would prove to be enough. If this home turned out to be a dud, the scope would narrow, and his Mentalist support could operate more efficiently. With their help, this would be the fifth building he had visited.

He was confident this would be the one. Something in his gut told him this would be the place.

Han locked the car and strolled onto the sidewalk, his polished brown shoes clicking against the concrete. His movements mimicked a leisurely stroll, but it was a practiced facade. To move about in a city packed with sheep, the wolf must learn to blend in. Even in an empty, quiet neighborhood like this, dropping the veil couldn’t be done. Some eyes and ears might be absent now, but there was no certainty they would be later.

Time was a fickle concept few had the power to skirt.

Arriving at the house, he opened the front gate and stepped onto uneven gravel. The garden was unkempt, and the rest of the home mirrored its condition. Han felt unclean breathing in the atmosphere that surrounded the place. It made him sick, almost as much as the people occupying it.

Ascending the steps, Han didn’t bother to knock. He let himself in.

The state of the house’s interior was no better. There was a distinct smell of moldy food wafting from the kitchen, visible dust on every surface, and various articles of clothing haphazardly scattered across the floor. The implication of debauchery boiled his blood enough for visible heat waves to appear around him. Thankfully, he reined himself in. Melting down at his age was embarrassing and unbecoming of someone in his position.

Sounds of a sexual nature emanated from the upstairs bedroom, and Han began toward it with no urgency. He climbed to the house’s second floor, the carpeted stairs muffling his advance. When reaching the top, Han found three children huddled outside a door where the sounds originated. As he approached, he noted their appearances. Thankfully, they were clothed – to some degree.

A fifteen-year-old boy tried desperately to cover the ears of two younger girls. Each of them had visible injuries, with the boy seeming to have taken the brunt of the abuse with a nasty-looking black eye.

When the boy noticed Han, he flinched and pulled the girls closer.

Han stopped and observed them with controlled wrath.

“Your name, boy.”

The boy shook, trying to summon the courage to respond. Han could see he had been through quite the ordeal from his disheveled appearance, but the older man didn’t have time to console him or his company. He came for a single purpose. To restore Pandora’s integrity by removing problematic members.

“T-Travis, sir.”

“Travis,” Han said, eyeing the boy closely. “These girls are your family? A simple yes or no will suffice.”

Travis nodded.

“Y-Yes, sir.”

Han’s gaze shifted to the door where the obscene sounds came from. While his fury burned, he kept it contained. He needed a little bit more information before delivering the punishment. These children – Travis – understood who he was. He might not be in costume, but he carried the authority of a Pandora superior. When his eyes settled on the children again, he noted the tattoo on their hands. It resembled an owl perched on a tree branch.

A grumble escaped Han’s throat.

“You belonged to Insight. My condolences,” Han said, his tone even. “Did they touch you?”

Travis’ lip quivered, and without speaking, he shakily nodded.

“I see,” Han’s fingers curled as his eyes fell on the two shaking girls in the boy’s arms. “And the girls? How about them?”

“N-No. Mum, she—”

Han cut the boy off with a simple raised hand.

“There is no need to speak further. I understand.”

Han found a nearby closet containing various sheets and towels. Retrieving them, he handed them over to Travis. Hesitantly, the boy reached and grasped the bundled fabric, understanding the silent instruction. He carefully wrapped his sisters in the sheets before wrapping himself in a towel.

“Outside there is a black car. You will take your sisters and wait for me there. Do not look at or speak to anyone. If anyone attempts to confront you, ensure that you and your sisters remain covered. Avoid eye contact at all costs. Am I understood?”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

“Good. Go, now.”

The boy spared a look at the door before swallowing the lump in his throat. Seconds later, he was herding his distraught sisters down the stairs and out of the house. Until they had left his sight, Han did not take his eyes off them. Once they were gone, he returned his attention to the door. Without hesitation, Han moved and calmly opened it. The sight that greeted him was nothing he hadn’t seen before. Han’s jaded experiences had him expecting something more gruesome. Instead, the show before him was nothing more than adrenaline, hormonal-fueled lust that spat on every virtue that Pandora stood for.

A young man and woman noticed him the moment he entered and scrambled for something to shield their modesty, leaving their victim exposed, bruised, and barely conscious on the bed.

Then, the typical routine started.

Their words came out with undisguised fear. Han could have written a small book of all the excuses he had heard over the years he performed this task. These two hedonists offered nothing new, spewing the same hopeless drivel all the rest did when they found themselves caught. The most common tactic, Han realized, was their attempt to appeal to Pandora’s core virtue, that those without powers were lesser beings in need of direction from those gifted with power. Han despised this tactic. They twisted the words to suit their own wants and desires, and it made him sick. It was a perversion of their responsibility, and he would not stand for it.

When Han’s hands ignited, the two perpetrators began pointing the blame at each other. It would not help them. When he learned they had touched the boy, Travis, their fate had been sealed. They attempted to defend themselves when they realized their words fell on deaf ears.

The young man’s fingers twisted into blades while the woman’s hair shifted and transformed into steel.

Five seconds later, they were a pile of ashes.

“Such a waste,” Han muttered.

Dusting off his suit, he strode across the room to the side of the bed. He looked down at the woman curled up on the stained mattress, shaking. Han stared at her, allowing a few minutes of silence for the woman to gather her bearings. When the quiet in the room lingered, she hesitantly peeked out from behind her arms.

“Your children are outside,” Han said, staring down at her with arms clasped tightly behind his back. “As you are likely already aware, Insight is dead. Without your husband, you’re without protection. I will see to it that you and your children are placed temporarily in my care.”

The woman did not respond. In a haze, she managed to slowly push herself upright, her hands roaming and grasping at sheets to cover herself. When she finally looked up to meet his gaze, the woman flinched and looked away. Han understood the kind of effect he had on people, regardless of the situation. None of this was new to him.

“Collect what belongings you have. I will give you ten minutes.”

Han turned and left.

As he instructed, the children waited by his car. Unlocking it, he ordered them into the back seat. They clambered inside and huddled together. They didn’t make noise, and none of them cried. Han didn’t find this strange, as they likely had no more tears to shed. Only the trauma of what happened remained. The healing process would not be easy, but that was none of his concern. There were others within Pandora’s ranks that were more suited for dealing with that than him.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Minutes later, the mother stumbled out of the home and down toward the car.

“T-Thank you.”

Han simply gestured to the back of the car. She circled him and joined her children in the back seat. Han shut the door and pulled out his phone. It only took him a few seconds to find his desired contact and start calling.

When the recipient picked up, he didn’t give them a chance to speak.

“The matter is finished. All traitors have been dealt with.”

“That’s all five then. Good work, Wildfire. It’s a shame we couldn’t make an example of them. Five in one night is too many. Recruits are going to start getting ideas.”

“Yes, unfortunate as it may be, we have more pressing issues than to schedule gatherings to make examples of traitors. I trust Liberation to be educating our recruits about the responsibility we have, especially in times like these,” Han glanced at the distressed family in the back seat of his car. The eldest boy was unlikely to develop powers, but the two girls were Insight’s daughters. Like Lucy, there was a chance for them to become Moon-touched. “Albatross, I’m going to need you to do something for me. My replacement residence will be too small. I’ll need something bigger. Five bedrooms, two bathrooms.”

“Oh, pick up some strays, did you?”

“Clawrend and Whiplash stole Insight’s wife and children after murdering him. I’ve recovered and promised them my hospitality,” Han explained. “I intend to do good on my promise, until I am able to find them a suitable protector. It would put my mind at ease to know that Insight’s investments are in safe hands.”

“Can do, can do. A shame your old place burnt down. It’ll take some time to rebuild but damn, those Cain bastards really knew how to insult you, eh? Burning your house has got to sting.”

“Killing my daughter’s future protector did them no favors,” Han replied coldly. “By next week, I’ll personally make sure every inch of this city has been purified of their filth. What news do you have for me on that front?”

“Ah, not much I’m afraid. Whatever’s left of them is getting picked off pretty quickly. We know that Nemesis is dead, and everyone saw what happened to Grim. Everyone else is pretty much up in the air. Got no clue where the others are, but my guess is they’ll all be running, hiding, and shitting in alleys.”

“The splinter cell,” Han asked, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve heard nothing in regards to them?”

“Nah. Sorry. Mirage has always been more of a fuckin’ ghost than Banshee. No one’s seen Bonesmith since that meeting either. Hopefully, they’ve fucked off out of the city, or decided to off themselves before we could feed them to city rats.”

“Very well. I intend to retrieve my daughter and return home. Message me the location of my new residence within the hour.” Han instructed.

“Gotcha. Safe travels, boss!”

Han ended the call, pocketing his phone in one swift movement.

Getting into the car, Han observed his passengers through the rearview mirror. They were deathly silent, unwilling to make even the slightest of sounds. They understood their position well enough. Insight taught them well, from Han’s point of view.

Travis held his sisters tightly while their mother sat awkwardly, a dead look etched into her features.

“I intend to retrieve my daughter. If you are hungry, require the restroom, or anything else, I’ll allow it. Otherwise, you are allowed to talk amongst yourselves under the condition that your voices are not raised. Any questions?”

A few moments later, one of the girls spoke up.

“What did you do to the bad people, mister?”

“I punished them, as befit the crime,” Han said. “They will not trouble you again.”

With that said, Han switched the car on and began the long drive north.

The journey was made with minimal detours, much as Han expected. There was one bathroom break and one meal stop before leaving the city. Their horrific experience, understandably, still had them shaken up, but the girls stopped clinging to their older brother once they managed to get their hands on some food. Han did not expect the mood to lighten.

Silence haunted the rest of the drive north.

Han’s parents lived in a remote cabin a few kilometers west of a much smaller, unnoteworthy town. It was surrounded by forestry, much to Han’s displeasure, but his parents liked it here. The chaos that city life brought could not reach them, and they preferred the peaceful and uneventful calmness of the countryside.

The chimney was smoking when Han parked outside, signaling that someone was home. Once Han had parked and switched off the car, the front door opened before he could exit his vehicle. With a frown, he watched Lucy march out of the cottage, looking more determined than he had ever seen her. She walked up and planted her feet right in front of him.

“Tell me what’s happened. Mum’s been worried sick and you haven’t so much as called to let us know if the city is still in one piece!”

“I have been busy,” Han replied, his tone firm. “Understand that I have not been in a position where communication was safe. The fighting, however, has concluded. Grim has been dealt with.”

Lucy almost recoiled at the news.

“Grim’s dead?”

“I did not say dead,” Han clarified. “He was outwitted and lured into a trap. Gaea has ensured that he will no longer be an issue and left The ECU to take him. By this time next week, The Cains will be an afterthought.” He crossed his arms over his chest, watching his daughter process the information. Han knew his daughter’s curiosity well, but he noted the look of concern that flashed across her face. “I have come to bring you home.”

“Home?” Lucy blinked like the concept had no meaning to her. She was quick to snap out of it. “Right, I’ll go get Mum and—”

“No, your mother will remain here,” Han said, looking toward the car. He pointed to the backseat, and Lucy followed his finger to see the people occupying the backseat. She looked unnerved by the development. “Many in our ranks died, and some even turned their backs on our cause. Insight was murdered by traitors, and I have seized what is left of his belongings.”

“Are you kidding?” Lucy almost laughed. “We don’t have enough room at—”

“Our home was burned to the ground. We have a new residence,” Han explained, leaving no room for discussion. “I will hear no complaints from you. Am I understood?”

Lucy grunted.

“Yeah, crystal.”

Han buried the urge to slap her for the disrespectful tone.

He remembered his youth well, and his parents had done the same. It had brought him in line well enough, but attempts to employ those methods with Lucy ended up with her fostering resentment. Over the years, he had learned different means of disciplining her, but adolescence proved to be a trying time.

Lucy would grow out of it.

“Collect your things. We are leaving.”

“So soon, eh?” Han turned to see his elderly father with thinning grey hair. He carried a fishing line and a bucket. “Even now, a starved hyena would have better manners than you. I suppose I am a hopeful fool to imagine that you would’ve managed to banish that willful blindness of yours each time you visit.”

Han scowled.

“I did not come to indulge in pleasantries, father.”

“You never do,” Han’s father sadly shook his head. “Ungrateful brat.”

He continued to the cottage, sending Lucy a heartfelt, sorrowful stare. He climbed the steps to his home, removed his boots, and passed his wife at the door. She stood half an inch taller than her husband and had a fuller head of stark white hair. She didn’t so much as look at her husband as he passed, her attention solely focused on her wayward son.

“Taken care of business, have you?” Han heard the mocking tone dripping from every word. “And here you are, come to drag little Lucy back to Hell. I’m half-tempted to send you on your way.”

Han sighed.

“You waste your breath making threats you have no intention of following through with.”

White fire bloomed, circling Han, the car, Lucy, and her Grandmother. The Grandmother shook with barely restrained rage as she angrily pointed toward Han, who didn’t flinch at the display. It wasn’t the first time his mother had done this, and Han knew it wouldn’t be the last. His parents weren’t particularly fond of him, and they didn’t hesitate to let him know.

But they were still family.

He could trust his mother – Prometheus – to protect Lucy.

“Every time I look at you, I—”

“Nana, please,” Lucy pleaded softly. “I’ll be fine.”

Slowly, the white fire died out, leaving a scorched ring in the front yard. The Grandmother closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

“You don’t need to follow this fool,” she said. “He will poison you with his foul beliefs. I know what they’re like – and I too, found myself blind to their lies for quite some time.”

“Careful,” Han warned. “My tolerance for blasphemous statements only stretches so far. I know I am not enough to deal with you alone, but anymore of that and I will return with others and deliver just—”

“Oh, be quiet. Follow your own advice for once. Don’t make threats you have no intention to follow through with.” His elderly mother said, throwing his words right back in his face. “I speak only the truth you so desperately wish to deny. I will not deprive my granddaughter of critical wisdom.”

If an audience were present, Han would have had to make an example of them to secure his standing within Pandora. Here, there was no one to hear the shameful dressing down, except the lessers crammed into the backseat of his car. A quick look showed they weren’t even paying attention. The children appeared to be asleep, and the mother was still dissociating.

“Lucy,” Han returned his attention to his daughter. “Your things. Now.”

Lucy leaned in and hugged her Grandmother. Seconds later, she pulled away.

“Sorry, Nana. I’ll try and come visit when I can,” she moved around the elderly woman and dashed inside, leaving Han and his mother alone.

“Well,” she started, her eyes drifting to the car. “At least your father and I succeeded in teaching you something worthwhile.”

Han’s eyes narrowed.

“It is our job as Chosen to lead our lessers toward a better future. They do not exist for our amusement.”

His mother heaved another sigh and did not answer.

Han didn’t let her attitude get to him.

Prometheus might have abandoned Pandora’s cause, but Wildfire wouldn’t.

He would burn until the very last embers went out.