The monitors flickered with scenes of devastation, each screen a window into a different team's desperate struggle against nightmares resurrected from the past.
Team 1 faced Tarnish, the Black Swordsman, a villain from 1999 who mastered his dual Triggers—Darkness to shroud the world in shadow and Soul Splitting to fracture minds. He died of a heart virus, his legacy a trail of broken souls.
Team 3 battled Sin, the Messenger of Salvation, the first person born with three Triggers during the 2000 era. He took his own life after being defeated by Empire Gold, a sinless man whose legend still loomed large.
Team 4 confronted Agony, the Unlikable Clown, a simple Trigger user with Cloning abilities who reigned as America's number one serial killer in 2005. Flamestar ended his reign with a fatal strike.
Team 5 squared off against Software, the Perfect AI, whose Adaptation and Cyberspace Triggers nearly fused him with the internet to conquer the world by 2010—thwarted only by Empire Gold and Cyberhive.
Team 6 faced Armageddon, the Devil Adviser, a hulking monster commanding Gravity and Body Size Shift. Evolution launched him into space in 2012, his roar still echoing in memory.
Team 9 clashed with Lord Kaizer, the Prophet of Destruction, a bringer of chaos and mayhem in 2020. With Hellfire and the ability to transform into a demonic version of himself, he currently reigns as the king of all modern villains.
Vanessa stormed into the room.
Her glare locked onto Eagle, who stood motionless before the central display, arms crossed, watching the carnage unfold.
"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded, "Sending young rookies against S-rank villains is completely insane. You must have a pretty good explanation for this."
Eagle didn't flinch. His cold, calculating eyes remained fixed on the screens, "I remember my first day on the job. It was against Blade, an A-rank but close enough to be considered S-rank. I was cocky, thinking this gig was simple. But it made me underestimate the shit a man would do when he's already crossed the line."
Vanessa dashed toward the shutdown switch, her hand gripping the handle tightly, "I'm ending this before someone gets—"
"The simulation will continue."
A new voice sliced through the room.
The four of the Five Elders had arrived.
Elder Maximilian stepped forward first, his crimson robes emblazoned with a fiery emblem on his chest, his beard and hair a living inferno that radiated heat, warming the air.
Elder Frost followed, her silver hair flowing down her blue robes marked with an ice symbol, the air around her chilling instantly, frost creeping along the floor.
Elder Evergreen moved with unnatural grace, her hair made of twisting wood, her green robe adorned with a plant symbol, vines trailing behind her like living tendrils.
And finally, Elder Dragon, his yellow robe bearing a lightning symbol, his eyes glowing brightly with the crackle of his power.
Vanessa stiffened, but didn't back down, "Elders, with all due respect—"
"Silence." Elder Maximilian's voice brooked no argument, "Each one of you was allowed to house the event however you see fit. So I expect you to be quiet."
The Elders took their seats at the observation deck, their focus immediately drawn to two screens in particular:
Joseph, locked in a titanic battle against Armageddon. Arthur, struggling against Sin's unrelenting assault.
Elder Dragon leaned forward, his voice a rumble, "Arthur and Joseph. These two have grown."
Elder Frost's lips curled into a faint smile, "Joseph's powers are a mystery, but I believe this will give us some insight into what he can do."
Elder Evergreen's vines twitched, her tone thoughtful, "Don't forget about our former prisoner. I've never seen someone wield such a bizarre ability."
Maximilian's eyes burned with intrigue, "Let us see what they're truly made of."
Vanessa clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, but she knew better than to challenge the Elders. Instead, she turned back to the screens, watching helplessly as the simulations raged on.
---
The world around Joseph was collapsing, a hellscape of twisted gravity. Buildings folded inward like origami under crushing force, the sky raining fire in molten streaks, the ground trembling beneath his feet.
Armageddon floated above it all, his form shifting between human and a monstrous titan, "You fight against inevitability, child. Why?"
Joseph closed his eyes for a second, gathering his resolve, before opening them with an intense white glow bursting forth, "Because someone has to. It's my duty as a hero."
"MESSIAH!" he shouted, his body coated in a heavenly light as he flew toward Armageddon.
The Elders watched, their eyes wide with intrigue.
---
Sin's fingers dug into Arthur's throat, lifting him off the ground with ease, his grip unyielding, "Wrath… such delicious sin. It consumes you, doesn't it?"
Arthur's vision swam, blood trickling from his lips, but his mouth curled into a bloody grin, "Yeah… and I'm about to return the favor."
Out of nowhere, Galahad materialized, his spectral knight delivering a thunderous punch that sent Sin crashing into a building, rubble exploding outward in a cloud of dust.
Arthur walked forward, Galahad striding behind him.
Sin laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the ruins, as he transformed his limbs into spider legs, "Wrath, how wrathful. You shall be cleansed."
Arthur dashed forward alongside Galahad, their movements synchronized.
The Elders leaned in, their breaths held, watching the entertainment unfold.