It took a while for the tears to stop, long enough for Caleb to be surrounded by the others from the battle, all having emotional phone calls of their own. But he was too distracted by the now excited sound of his sister’s voice as she proclaimed her excitement over and over again.

  “We’ll go get all the ices creams and go to Disney land and then- and then- I’ll even draw you your own comic book!”

  “That sounds great” he laughed.

  “And Mommy can even help you buy one if it’s not good enough. But it will be. It’ll be the best. Oh and we’ll can get the dog we’ve always wanted, and we can- uh… we can-”

  “Alright” Casey laughed. “I think Caleb’s getting a little tired of all your big dreams.”

  “Oh. S-sorry”

  “It’s ok” Caleb said. “You can keep going if you want.”

  “No, no. Mommy should get to talk to you now”

  “You sure?”

  “Mhm. I’ll write a list of everything. For when you get home” she said confidently.

  “Alright” he smiled. He heard muttering as the phone exchanged hands, before the noise quieted, falling into the sound of his stepmother’s slightly unsteady breaths.

  “Caleb?”

  “Casey” he replied awkwardly.

  “Are you alright?”

  “Mostly. It’s ok here”

  “I- where are you? I mean I saw on the news what happened to Paris and New York and all the other places”

  “I’m here. I was at the Statue of Liberty”

  “Oh my god, are you alright!?”

  “Yeah. I’m ok. I’m ok.”

  “You’re really not hurt?”

  “Only a few scratches” he said. He heard her continue to breath heavily, silent for a while. “Casey?”

  “I’m just… I’m glad you’re ok” she said, almost on the verge of tears. “I mean one second you were there, and then you just didn’t come back and I was so worried and-”

  She cut off abruptly, the sound of air rushing past the phone filling his ear.

  “Hello?” he said.

  “Sorry” she said, sniffling. “Didn’t want Kayla to see me cry.”

  “I-it’s alright”

  Then he felt a tap on his shoulder. He glanced behind him, as a servicemen gestured for him to wrap up. Beyond the president and his entourage were returning.

  “Can I have a few more minutes?” he asked. The man shook his head. Caleb’s face fell into a frown as he turned attention back to the phone.

  “Caleb?” Casey said concerned. “What was that? Do you have to hang up?”

  “…yeah” he muttered, a cold disappointment taking his tone.

  “Alright. Let me put Kayla on. Let her say bye”

  “Ok”

  “Kayla honey!”

  “Yeah?” his sister shouted, her excitement almost bringing him to tears.

  “Caleb wants to say bye”

  “…already?”

  “Yeah” Casey said, her voice cracking. “Here quick. Say bye.”

  “Can’t you talk for a little longer?” his sister asked instantly solemn.

  “I’m sorry. I- I’ll be with you soon.”

  “Do you promise? Do you?” she sniffled.

  “I do” he said, sniffling too. “Sorry, I’ve got to go now. Bye Kayla, Casey.”

  “Bye” Kayla sniffled.

  “Stay safe Caleb” Casey replied, her voice trembling.

  “I will” he muttered. “I will.”

  Slowly he pulled the phone from his ear pausing before finally hanging up. He turned to the serviceman handing the phone away as the President arrived, shaking the hands of the others.

  The was an air of confidence as he went between the others acknowledging them individually, before shaking Caleb’s hand again. Then he stepped considering them, his eyes narrowing in thought. And finally he nodded.

  “You guys are heroes. National- no international, heroes.”

  [Uh- wow. T-thank you] Iris stuttered.

  “You’re very welcome. Now. I know this is a lot to ask, but the people need hope right now. They’ve just been met with the reality that we’re not the only ones in a very hostile universe, and that we’re vastly outmatched. And if what I’ve been told is true, then they’ll need to trust you guys most of all. We’ll need to create the right image of you, now. Before any can make you seem like anything else.”

  “What do you want us to do?” Aleka asked.

  “I need you to make an appearance for me”

  “An appearance?”

  “You won’t have to say anything, you’ll just stand behind me onstage and- ”

  “O-on stage?” Avana said. Caleb shared her surprise.

  “It doesn’t have to be anything serious, you’ll only be on stage for no more than thirty seconds, and you won’t have to say anything”

  “But if we don’t say anything then why?” Elliot

  “The public need faces. We can give this message, tell everyone what’s happening and explain things, but without faces to show the public, there’s more uncertainty. If we present you to them, make you seem like superheroes made real, the saviours of New York? I can promise you tomorrow, people won’t be talking about the damage done today.”

  “Alright” Elliot said. “I’m in.”

  [Seriously?] Iris said looking to him.

  “Well, I said I wanted to be on T.V. didn’t I?”

  “I’ll do it too” Aleka said nodding. “I think sir- Mr President’s right. If we all do it then it looks good.”

  “O-ok” Avana said.

  “I… are you sure?” Caleb muttered nervously. “I mean if we do this nobody forgets our faces. Ever.”

  “There’s only a thousand of us or something” Elliot said. “I doubt any of us won’t somehow be famous”

  “But he’s right” Avana said. “We’ll be the first. The most famous.”

  “Isn’t that good?” Elliot said.

  “I don’t…” Avana trailed off, her eyes searching the floor.

  “We’ll compensate you. If necessary” one of the president’s retinue said.

  “That’s not… I feel like it shouldn’t just be us” Avana said.

  [Everyone].

  They all turned to Iris.

  [We can do it if you bring out everyone. Everyone that wants to. One of us will even talk.]

  The President glanced behind him to a woman with a clipboard who nodded.

  “Deal” he said clapping his hands. “Now, someone get them some clothes. Proper gear. I want them to look professional. I’ve got speech to prepare.”

  “Yes sir”

  “And someone get Marie. We’ll need a proper stage and stand” he said walking as the others followed behind.

  “We’ll get them ready and out in twenty.”

  “Good” the President said, making to leave. But for a moment he paused, looking back to them. “Thank you for this you guys. I promise you won’t regret it.”

  Then he turned and continued walking off as the soldiers slowly guided the group back into the mess hall.

  “Well… guess that’s happening” Avana muttered.

  [Sorry] Iris said, putting a hand to her face. [I shouldn’t have just-]

  “It’s ok” Aleka said. “Plus, it’s better this way. I don’t think I would’ve been able to go up if it was just us.”

  Calen nodded in agreement, before looking to the rest of the room as his friends rushed over.

  “You okay?” Sierra said. “What happened?”

  “Well… we’re all gonna end up doing a talk”

  “The president wants to make an announcement with us” Aleka said.

  “Us? As in you guys? Or everyone?” Harrison asked.

  “Everyone”

  “Wait where’s Ria?”

  “She’s still talking to someone I think” Caleb replied.

  [About stuff she read?] Aliyah said.

  “Yeah”

  “Wait, what’s the announcement about?” Layla asked.

  “The war” Caleb said grimly.

  [War?] Iris said confused. [What war?]

  Caleb glanced back to her before his eyes widened. But before he could speak a booming voice interrupted him.

  “Alright!” an officer said stepping to the front of the hall. “I’ve been told that all of you are supposed to make an appearance alongside the president for an announcement in half an hour.”

  [What? Why?]

  [I don’t want to do that. When do we get to go home?] someone shouted.

  [Yeah we’ve been here for hours]

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  “They said on TV that they were taking the powered in Egypt to the airport hours ago. They’re probably home already!”

  “Yeah!”

  [My mom’s probably worried sick]

  “Can I just fly home? I live in Jersey”

  Quickly the room flooded with chatter, some even crying out to go home.

  “Quiet!” the officer shouted, the hall falling silent. “Right. You’ll only be on stage if you want to. It’s not expected, though it says taking part in demonstration would aid the process in which we can provide you with avenues home”

  Another spattering of murmurs passed through the hall, this one more subdued.

  “Alright now. Since you’re all unclean, we’ll provide you the chance to wash and clean yourselves and take new clothes. If you want to continue wearing certain unique articles, you’re currently wearing you may, though the clothes provided are a prerequisite to going on stage”

  [What about weapons?]

  “Weapons will still only be returned to you once we’ve organised a possible method of your return to home. Now, just follow the soldiers, men and women separate.”

  The crowd burst into chatter as they trickled towards the door, the sudden announcement exciting in the face of the former hours of boredom. Caleb watched them go, an unease stirring in his gut as Iris’ confused expression remained fixed on him.

  None of them knew. He couldn’t allow everyone to just be surprised like that, caught off guard while on stage. He stepped forward, half preparing himself as his hands shook.

  Guess the moment came sooner.

  “Wait!” he said suddenly, his voice amplified by fear. Everyone looked to him confused.

  “There’s a war” he mumbled. He was met with silence as everyone looked amongst themselves confused.

  [What?]

  “We can’t hear you man”

  [What’s he doing?]

  “Is that a crown?”

  He ignored the voices for a moment before steadying himself. Then spoke again, a solemn calm taking him.

  “There’s war” he said. “Between the Akashic Federation and a bunch of other things. The things that created the monsters. The ones we fought with in the trial. I found out on another planet from someone seriously important. It’s what I told the president, and what this talk is going to be about. It’s what our powers are for and… yeah… I just thought you should know. Not get surprised on stage.”

  The room was silent for a moment, then it burst into chatter.

  “War?!”

  [Oh, what the hell]

  “… joking, right?”

  […never ends]

  “What important person?”

  [… doesn’t sound good.]

  “… kinda makes sense”

  […not serious.]

  “…hit his head?”

  [Created the monsters?]

  “HEY!” the officer shouted, silencing the room. “Talk in the damns changing rooms. We can’t keep everybody waiting.”

  -

  The changing rooms felt ridiculously crowded. Probably because everyone had gathered around Caleb to grill him with questions for the past twenty minutes. They were starting to lose a little interest now, especially considering he was skipping over the weirdly embarrassing details about the prophecy, and it was obvious he didn’t have a total picture of things himself.

  [So…let me get this right?] Rithvik said, as he tapped his chin. [The super’s kids are like all powerful. Basically gods that control everything.]

  “I’m pretty sure”

  [But not a hundred percent?]

  “Not really. Like I said was a little overwhelmed. I’m probably forgetting details”

  [My question is why everyone’s human?]

  “Yeah, I didn’t ask that. Sorry” he muttered tired.

  “That seems really important though. You sure this Esaeni Queen didn’t mention it?”

  “She might’ve but I’m pretty sure she didn’t”

  “Do you know Harrison?”

  “I couldn’t read anything and none of this got told to me” a dejected Harrison said.

  [You sure you’re not just making this up?] someone else said to Caleb.

  “Yes”

  [You’re sure?]

  “Yes”

  [Feels pretty made up to me.]

  “Wait, what was the super-child’s name from the Hilaric place again?” someone muttered.

  [Everaan wasn’t it? Or was that the other one? Hey Caleb, which one was it again?]

  “Jesus!” Elliot said, exasperated. “Enough of the questions. Just leave him alone. We’ll probably figure this shit out later anyway.”

  The crowd all grumbled before spreading amongst the changing rooms and taking seats in their own groups.

  “Thanks” Caleb sighed.

  “No problem” Elliot said.

  With a sigh Caleb leaned back on his bench, tugging at his collar before looking down to his clothes. He’d never expected to wearing a military combat uniform in his lifetime. It felt weird. Though he supposed it was better than wet clothes.

  Still, he thought. I know they took the badge off, but is this a good idea? Kids in military uniform?

  His eyes drifted from the uniform to the crown that sat in his lap. He picked up, staring at the ever-shifting reflection as he flipped it around over and over again.

  His gaze wandered some more as he looked to the others. They too were dressed in the combat uniforms, though some still kept certain pieces of clothing or armour from the trial. Sentimental items. It was a strange mix to look at, be a part of even. Just like the atmosphere. Some of the others looked excited and others who sat silently waiting in groups, like they were preparing for a test. There was a weird childlike air filling a space that seemed almost alien to the concept.

  “This is killing me” Harrison – who sat to his left – mumbled. He sat up, rubbing at his temples as his foot tapped away.

  “We’ll be fine” Caleb responded.

  “I know I just… I don’t know”

  He fell silent, foot still tapping away nervously. Caleb watched him, a part of him wanting to help, but another just as anxious.

  Across from them, silent and calm, sat Elliot. He was fixated on his new hand flexing and unflexing his fingers. He caught Caleb’s eye on him and flashed a grin.

  “Can’t help it. Still feels a little weird” he said, quickly sitting on it.

  “I get it” he said. He still remembered the alien feeling of his skin, from earlier today and after the cultist attack. Right after Kana had healed him.

  Kana, he thought. She’d have been with Sierra now. Probably fretting over whether everyone was ok. She might’ve even refused to leave the hospital.

  And Ryan would’ve probably been next to him.

  His gaze fell to the floor as he squeezed the bench with his fingers.

  “Alright guys” a voice called out from the door. “Follow me.”

  He turned, watching as the guys began filing out of the room. He let out a breath. It wasn’t time to be thinking about those things right now.

  Silently, he slipped on the crown, then stood, focusing on his breaths as he filed out of the room behind the others, snaking through corridors as they made their way to the broadcast.

  Eventually they came to a stop, before emerging onto a field. The field was large, half of it in shadow and the other cast in the evening orange of the sun. Out ahead, in front of them, was a stand filled with the girls, a podium a top a stage in front of them and beyond that a series of chairs for the press, some of which were already seated. All illuminated by lights.

  Caleb’s gaze darted to the back and he spotted the TV cameras, people already filming or at least preparing to. His gaze moved back to the stage, podium and stand.

  Aleka, Avana, and Iris stood at the front, on the lowest part of the stand only a few feet behind the podium. As the boys came to a stop, a man stepped out ahead of a crowd, checking over a clipboard.

  “Uh- can a Caleb and Elliot come to the front please?”

  Caleb started forward making his way up the stage and onto the stand beside the girls. The entire time glancing back to the reporters who were already slowly beginning to file in, their expressions of shock and excitement clear.

  He gulped nervously, standing in front of them.

  “So what’s the plan exactly?” Elliot said from beside him. “I mean is one of us going to talk or?”

  [No clue] Iris said. Elliot nodded, nervously laughing to himself. His laughter died down as he glanced to Caleb.

  “You alright?” Elliot asked. He nodded, wiping his hands against his trousers, before putting them behind his back.

  “Should I take the crown off?” he mumbled.

  “Nah it’s fine man” Elliot said. “Looks good.”

  “Wish I had a crown” Avana said. “I could hold my hair down. Can’t believe I agreed to this with my hair this messy. I mean they might use this in documentaries in the future.”

  [Please don’t remind me] Iris groaned.

  The others chuckled, loosening slightly. Caleb’s eyes wandered across the slowly growing crowd of reporters below him as he focused on his hands, struggling not to play with his fingers behind his back. He could see it in their faces, the intrigue and also the surprise. Eyes were lingering on him, and on others. And the cameras loomed over them all.

  He couldn’t help but wonder how many people would be watching through them.

  Suddenly a man stepped before the stage, waving to get everyone’s attention.

  “Alright everyone. We’ll be going live soon. Just try to be quiet, look natural and don’t look at the cameras. Got it?”

  A murmur of assent came from the crowd, and Caleb glanced back, spotting Layla, Aliyah, Sierra, and Ria standing near the middle. Sierra offered a small wave and Caleb met it in kind, before glancing back to the now filled seating of the reporters.

  A few were taking photos, the light from their cameras bright. Caleb tried to ignore them, tugging at his collar slightly as a small layer of sweat beaded his forehead.

  Then a sudden murmur started to pass through the crowd below, the cameras shifting. He looked to the side, watching as the president make his way onto the base of the stand, and forward onto the podium.

  He stood still, silent for a second as he looked to the stand, then he looked up out to the reporters.

  “Hello America” the President said his voice smooth. “Today has been nothing short of catastrophic; a day that’ll be long remembered for years to come. And while I do not doubt there is no limit to the tragedy experienced by all across the world, there is a new future we must consider. A future we were not expecting, but one we must prepare for all the same.”

  He took a breath, holding the sides of the podium as the weight of the world seemed to rest on his shoulders, then he spoke.

  “We are at war” he said. Murmurs passed through the crowd of reporters. “Today’s attack was the first, but as I have been informed, may only be one in a number of others yet to come. These deadly monsters were sent here by an enemy so great and vast, I can scarcely imagine it’s enormity myself. And it is not one we can fight with our current technology alone.

  “But I urge you, do not despair. After today’s events, and the message received worldwide, I’m sure you all know that we’ve become recognised as a member of the Akashic Federation. This Federation is like nothing we’ve ever seen before. An intergalactic federation of over ten planets, filled with other humans and possessing technologies and powers beyond our wildest dreams. These humans have been fighting this enemy, defeating it for longer than any of us can imagine. And today, we – the people of Earth – join that fight too.”

  He paused adjusting his suit as the reporters below looked amongst themselves, clearly struggling to tell if he was being serious.

  “I’m sure right now, a great deal of you are confused. But fear not. More will be revealed in time. Not just by me, but hopefully others out there. I’ve been in contact with Earth’s representatives, three honest and noble souls who’ve helped gather a proper place for us amongst the stars. And as you can see behind me, there are many more important people to talk of. For now, unfamiliar faces, though they won’t remain so for long. As behind me stands, not soldiers, but something more. Brave champions of this new world. This new fight. Behind me stands only a few of the heroes that saved the world today and are prepared to do so once again in the future. These brave souls behind me in particular fought against the monster that attacked us here in New York. And they defeated. For that I would like us all to offer those behind us and the ones who gave their lives, here and all others across the world, a great show of gratitude” the President said, turning to them. “Thank you. Thank you all.”

  He turned back to the crowd, as various reporters began to mutter amongst themselves.

  “And now for exemplary performance on the field of battle, in the protection of not only the American Republic and its people, but the worlds, I would like to offer Avana Hoyt, Elliott McCormick, Caleb Souza, Iris Christison and Aleka Biros, each Medals of Freedom.”

  Caleb eyes widened as the President turned to them, smiling as several soldiers stepped on stage, and handed each of them a small, opened box. Inside against a soft black cushioning lay the golden medal.

  Holy shit

  He hadn’t expected this at all.

  “I’m told whilst all provided aid in defeating the monster, these five in particular contributed immensely to its defeat. I hope in time, to also reward those who fought valiantly to protect lives in other countries and hope other countries can award those here tonight.

  “For now this is all you’ll be seeing of them. They’ve more important matters to attend to and then homes and families to see. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of chances to question them in the future, though today, you’ll have to settle with the usual. In a minute we’ll take a short break, allow this kind ladies and gentlemen time to leave the stage and after a few of my secretaries will make short announcements regarding our plans for the future. Thank you.”

  Instantly the cameras in front of Caleb exploded with light. Shouts and flashes practically blinding him as the reporters called out desperately, screaming a barrage of questions. Before he knew it he was being turned around, and was following a line of other chosen back into the compound.

  He found himself inside the hall, following along a line of others as their excited chatter echoed through the hall, his eyes fixed to the medal in hands as he recalled the presidents’ words.

  A part of him couldn’t help but smile.

  “Caleb” Sierra suddenly said, gently pulling him closer. She paused as he turned to her. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile so much.”

  He pointed to the medal, his smile wider now.

  “I got a medal”

  “From the fucking President” Harrison said, appearing next to Sierra. “This is amazing!”

  “Yeah” Layla said. “My brother’s in the military and he always used to say getting one was basically impossible.”

  [You deserve it, you all did] Aliyah said.

  “Yeah” Harrison said. “I- that whole thing was fucking amazing.”

  “It really was”

  “But I didn’t expect him to just come out and say it like that” Layla added.

  “Yeah. What did you tell them Ria?” Harrison said, wheeling on her.

  [Just stuff. I think he lied about a few things th-]

  Caleb felt it instantly, his mind torn away from Ria’s words. A sudden shift in the mana of the space behind him. He whirled around, readying himself, as a red portal appeared, and a person stepped through.

  He was young, eighteen, nineteen, a teen bordering on adulthood. His skin was dark, a rich sepia in tone, that paired well with the white and gold regal cloak he wore over golden armour. All of it was filled with potent amounts of mana, and atop his head he wore a crown, similar to Caleb’s but made of gold. Its details were more intricate too, from top to bottom engraved in a unique style that all centred around a singular engraving of Earth. But most importantly, his magical form itself seemed to exude power, a heat that seemed to warp the edges of physical reality around his body.

  His body’s like my core. No different somehow but… the same?

  The response to him was instant. The soldiers all around raised their guns, wide eyed, as chosen magic flared, everyone crying out in a panic.

  [S-stop!] Ria called out. Then the man raised his hand, and barriers formed throughout the room, blocking the man off from everyone but Caleb. Caleb’s fist began to glow, but from the sheer force of the mana in front of him he knew he didn’t stand a chance.

  “Caleb” the guy said, his voice gentle. “Could you come with me please? I… I’m sorry but I really need to talk to you”

  “W-who are you?”

  “Nigel” he said, his face sad. “I’m one of Earth’s representatives”

  “Can’t we talk here?” he said, glancing to the walls of pure mana either side of them.

  “I’d prefer a little quiet” he said. Caleb hesitated. “We won’t be long. I promise.”

  “What’d you want to talk about?”

  “Daen’s offer.”

  Caleb hesitated but nodded. Nigel seemed to sag with relief for a moment, and then a red portal appeared beneath them. Caleb cried out as his body became weightless, then his feet hit solid floor.

  He took a moment to gather his balance then looked around, met with dry desert shrubbery and a sea of orange dirt in all directions.

  “Where are we?” he muttered panicked. “What planet?”

  “Sturt. Still Earth, though I certainly wouldn’t blame you if you thought otherwise. I used to come here with my dad but…” he trailed off, staring out into the distance. Caleb watched him, as he looked around before wiping sweat from his forehead with a hand adorned with various golden rings.

  “That doesn’t matter now” he muttered, looking to the ground. “We need to talk about stuff. Important stuff.”

  “About Daen?”

  Nigel nodded, before looking back to him. He seemed to look through Caleb for a moment before looking away again.

  “But before that, walk with me?”

  “Uh… sure.”