C2: Taking a Step
Chapter 2: Taking a Step
The day had finally arrived. The Celestial Legion stood before the swirling portal that had dominated headlines across the world. Today, the Legion would become the first to step into the unknown. Only five members of the team had gathered for this momentous occasion—Valor, Midnight Reaver, Steelclaw, Vortex, and Gaia. Each one had a specific role to play in this monumental event, though not everyone's motivations were as pure as they appeared.
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Standing before the mirror in his private chamber, Valor's expression was unreadable, but his mind was alive with bitter memories.
"This is it," he muttered to himself, eyes burning with an intensity that mirrored his inner turmoil. "A new world, ripe for the taking."
The thought alone filled him with a twisted sense of justice. A place where he could rule, where no one would dare challenge him. This wasn't just about exploration. It was about control, dominance. And deep down, he knew exactly why.
As a child, he'd been powerless. No powers. No friends. A nobody. Day after day, he'd been ridiculed, bullied, and ignored by his peers. The silent treatment he received was deafening—every cruel word and every taunting gesture still echoed in his mind. His parents, the only people who ever gave a damn about him, had died when he was young, leaving him in the care of a world that didn't give a damn. But now? Now, he was the strongest. The people who once belittled him couldn't even touch him.
"I'll make sure no one ever makes me feel like that again," he spat, clenching his fists. "Not in this world. And definitely not in that one." His reflection glowed slightly as his powers flared, the familiar sensation of superiority washing over him.
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Valor stepped out of his chamber, crossing paths with Midnight Reaver as they made their way to the portal site. Midnight Reaver, clad in his dark, sleek armor, offered a nod of acknowledgment.
"You ready for this, Reaver?" Valor asked, a hint of arrogance in his tone.
Midnight Reaver smirked beneath his mask. "More than ready. I think we both know this 'exploration' isn't really what it seems."
Valor's grin was predatory. "Damn right. We're not just stepping through for some sightseeing."
Midnight Reaver's gaze hardened. "The new world—it's an opportunity. A chance to carve out something greater, don't you think?"
"Exactly," Valor replied, his voice low. "We're going in there to seize control, not just to observe. And if anyone from this world or the next gets in the way… well, we know how to deal with them."
The two shared a mutual understanding—this wasn't a mission of goodwill. This was a conquest in disguise.
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The Press Conference
The reporters were already gathered as the heroes approached the portal, their cameras flashing, microphones thrust forward. The crowd buzzed with excitement as the world tuned in to witness history in the making. Valor stepped forward, his chest puffed out as the leader of the group. He was used to the attention—lived for it, really.
One of the reporters raised her hand, her voice loud and clear. "Valor, what's the main goal of this mission? Are you prepared for any dangers you might encounter?"
Valor smiled, the smile of a man who knew he could obliterate anyone who challenged him. "We're here to assess the situation, to see if there's any danger lurking on the other side. Safety is our number one priority."
The crowd murmured approvingly, but inside, Valor was cursing. The damn script. He had to read this ridiculous, fake speech, all for the cameras.
Another reporter pushed forward. "What kind of dangers do you expect?"
Valor hesitated, the script playing in his head. "We don't know yet. But whatever we find, rest assured, we'll handle it. We've dealt with threats before."
He stuttered slightly, fumbling over the words, and it pissed him off. His jaw clenched as the fake charm wavered. He could feel the rage simmering underneath, the same rage that had driven him all his life. But he forced a smile.
"And what about the military presence here?" a different reporter asked, glancing at the soldiers stationed near the portal.
Valor nodded toward them. "They're here to guard the portal and ensure nothing gets through. They'll defend this place while we're on the other side. It's… uh… it's important to have them."
Inside, he was raging. Fucking joke. These soldiers were nothing compared to the power he and his team wielded. But he played along for the cameras. As they finished, he turned to his team, whispering harshly to Midnight Reaver, "Can't believe I have to suck up to these goddamn mortals. They're useless."
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The Celestial Legion gathered near the entrance of the portal. The cameras flashed, recording every moment as history unfolded. Steelclaw, eager to prove his worth, stepped forward. "I'll go first," he announced, approaching the shimmering gateway. The portal buzzed with energy, a swirling vortex of colors and light.
But before he could cross the threshold, a sharp, gleaming spear shot through the portal, piercing Steelclaw's chest. The hero gasped in shock, his body convulsing as he fell to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.
"Shit!" Midnight Reaver shouted, drawing his weapon as chaos erupted around them. The portal hadn't just opened a path—it had invited the enemy.
On the other side, knights and soldiers of Eldoria had made their move.
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To Be Continued...