The team stood at the edge of the city, the skyline of London glowing faintly in the distance. The aftermath of the battle was still fresh in their minds, but for now, they were focused on the meeting ahead. Mason and Darian were waiting for them, their expressions a mix of relief and seriousness.

  Mason stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back. “You did good out there,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

  Robert nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Thanks, Mason.”

  Before Mason could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air. “Indeed, you should be proud of yourselves.”

  The team turned to see Longwei approaching, his robes flowing gracefully despite the late hour. His presence was as commanding as ever, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and wisdom. “You’ve faced a great challenge and emerged victorious. That is no small feat.”

  Freddie grinned, though there was a hint of exhaustion in his voice. “Yeah, well, we had a little help from these things.” He held up his wrist, the Aetheric band glowing faintly.

  Longwei’s gaze shifted to Robert and Freddie, a small smile playing on his lips. “Ah, yes. I see you’ve unlocked the true power of the Aetheric bands. A significant step forward. Soon, the others will follow.”

  Robert glanced at the city behind them, his expression turning serious. “How are we supposed to get back to our world? We’re kind of stranded here.”

  Longwei’s smile widened, and with a wave of his hand, a swirling portal of golden light appeared before them. The team stared at it in awe; the energy radiating from it both familiar and otherworldly.

  Robert blinked, his voice tinged with disbelief. “You can do that?”

  Longwei chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “There is much you have yet to learn, young Guardian.”

  Freddie stepped forward, peering into the portal. “So, this thing’s gonna take us home? No detours, no weird side trips?”

  “It will take you exactly where you need to go,” Longwei assured him.

  The team exchanged nods, their relief evident. Before stepping through, they turned to Darian, who had been quietly observing the exchange. Freddie was the first to move, pulling Darian into a tight hug. “It was nice seeing you again.”

  Darian chuckled, patting Freddie on the back. “Me too. Take care of yourselves, yeah?”

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  One by one, the team said their goodbyes, each offering Darian a handshake or a hug. Robert was the last, his expression grateful. “See you later Darian”

  Darian nodded, his smile warm. “You come visit anytime. Just don’t make a habit of nearly blowing up my city, alright?”

  With a final wave, the team stepped through the portal, the golden light enveloping them before they disappeared from sight.

  As the portal closed, Darian turned to Mason, his expression serious. “So… how are we supposed to cover this up? Half the city saw what happened.”

  Mason sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s too late for that now. The cat’s out of the bag. All we can do is control the narrative.”

  The news following the incident spread like wildfire. Media outlets buzzed with unprecedented fervor, their headlines splashed across screens and papers around the globe. London, the city that had just withstood an attack by unidentified assailants, was at the center of it all.

  “We’re reporting live from London, the city that just endured a devastating attack by unknown forces,” one newscaster announced, her voice tense with urgency. Behind her, the skyline of London was visible, smoke still rising from the aftermath of the battle. “Authorities are scrambling to assess the damage and piece together what exactly happened here tonight.”

  Another reporter stood in front of the National Gallery, its iconic facade now marred by cracks and debris. “London, the heart of the UK, is staring at millions of pounds in property damage following today’s mysterious assault,” he said, his tone grim. “But amidst the chaos, there are reports of heroes—figures who stepped in to rescue civilians and confront the attackers.”

  Questions swirled around the unknown saviors. Pundits and analysts debated endlessly, their theories growing more elaborate by the minute. “Who are these heroes?” one commentator wondered aloud, his face filling the screen. “Are they government operatives? Vigilantes? Or something else entirely?”

  A popular talk show host leaned forward, her eyes wide with excitement. “Real-life superheroes walking amongst us? It sounds like something out of a comic book, but the evidence is hard to ignore. Eyewitnesses describe individuals with extraordinary abilities, fighting to protect the city.”

  Social media exploded with speculation. Hashtags like #LondonHeroes and #MysteryGuardians trended worldwide, accompanied by shaky cellphone footage of the battle. One clip showed Freddie using his telekinesis, fighting Dexter, while another captured Robert soaring through the sky. The videos were grainy and chaotic, but they were enough to spark a global conversation.

  “Mysterious agents assisting in civilian evacuation,” read one headline, accompanied by a photo of Leo and Luis rescuing civilians from a collapsed building.

  Governments and officials remained tight-lipped, their statements vague and carefully worded. “We are aware of the situation and are conducting a thorough investigation,” one spokesperson said, avoiding any mention of the team. But the lack of answers only fueled the public’s curiosity.

  In living rooms, cafes, and offices, people debated the identity and motives of the mysterious heroes. Some hailed them as saviors, while others questioned their methods and origins. “If they’re out there protecting us, why haven’t they come forward?” one man asked during a live interview. “What are they hiding?”

  Meanwhile, conspiracy theories ran rampant. “This is just the beginning,” one online commentator wrote. “These ‘Heroes’ are part of something bigger. Mark my words.”