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**Chapter 6: Seeds of Revolt**

The night in Neo-Light breathed unrest. The streets, once dominated by the cold glow of spotlights and propaganda screens, now teemed with murmurs and suspicious glances. The broadcast of truth echoed in every corner, shattering the illusion of heroism that had shrouded the city for years. As Lia and Artur crept through dark alleys, avoiding heightened security patrols, they felt the weight of what they had unleashed.

"It's different," Artur whispered, watching a group of young men painting graffiti with Captain Virtue's face scratched into it. "Fear is turning to anger."

Lia nodded, clutching the documents to her chest like a talisman. "But anger without direction turns into chaos. We need to channel that." She thought of the words of her mother, who had died years ago in an "accident" during an intervention by the Captain: *"Truth is a seed, Lia. Plant it where fear has dried up the earth."*

The hideout was an abandoned apartment in District 9, a region forgotten by heroes and cameras. Sofia and Igor were already waiting for them, surrounded by screens showing fragmented news.

"The corporate media is trying to discredit the leaks," Sofia announced, pointing to a reporter who was talking about "terrorist hackers." "But the alternative networks are exploding. Look at this."

A home video showed a crowd surrounding the statue of Captain Virtue in the Central Square. An elderly woman threw red paint on the pedestal, shouting: *"Murderer!"*

"The people are ready," Igor said, his face illuminated by the blue glow of the screens. "But without organization, they will be massacred."

Artur gave an ironic smile. "Then let's organize them. How about a hologram show? Imagine Captain Virtue dancing the waltz with the corporation's logo.

"We need more than tricks," Lia interrupted, opening the documents on a table. "There are names here. Politicians, judges, executives... all financed by the corporations the heroes protect. If we expose each one, their structure will crumble."

"Let's divide the information," Sofia suggested. "Coordinated leaks, one per day. Keep the fire burning."

The plan was drawn up urgently. While Sofia and Igor would take care of the communication network, Artur would use his holograms to project revolutionary messages on iconic buildings. Lia, however, had a more dangerous mission: infiltrating the Hero League Headquarters to obtain physical evidence—something indisputable, even by the controlled media.

"It's suicide," Igor warned, crossing his arms. "They'll be on high alert."

— Precisely for that reason, — she replied, adjusting a jacket reinforced with metal plates. — No one expects a direct attack now.

***

Dawn brought acid rain that corroded the metal plates of the buildings. Lia advanced through the sewer system, using her ability to feel vibrations in the metal around her. Each step was calculated, each breath, controlled. When she emerged under the Headquarters, an imposing structure of steel and intelligent glass, she felt her heart race.

The place was protected by force fields and genetically modified guards. But Lia knew every screw in the building — her father had been one of the engineers who built that symbol of oppression. Before he died, he had told her about an intentional failure in the ventilation system: an emergency duct coated with a metal alloy sensitive to her family's biosignature.

"Did you always know this day would come, father?" she whispered, touching the wall. The metal responded, opening like a mechanical flower.

Inside, the corridors were deserted, illuminated by a bluish light. Lia made her way to the central archive, where mission reports were stored. It was then that she heard voices.

"…we cannot allow this insurrection to grow." It was Captain Virtue, speaking into a communicator. "Activate the Phoenix Protocol."

*Phoenix Protocol.* The name echoed in Lia's memory. Her father had mentioned it once, drunk on rage and remorse: a plan to incinerate "subversive elements" in public squares, disguised as an industrial accident.

"Not so fast, hero," Lia whispered, plugging a device into the terminal. Data began to flow to her flash drive, but a red light flashed.

Alarm.

She ran, footsteps echoing behind her. Guards appeared at every exit, weapons drawn. Captain Virtue appeared at the end of the hallway, his immaculate cloak flowing like a black wing.

"I thought you would come," he said, with terrifying calm. — You are persistent, like your mother.

The mention of her made Lia shiver. — Shut up. You have no right to speak of her.

— She understood the price of disobedience. You will too.

The Captain stepped forward, but Lia held up her hands. All the metal around her—pipes, beams, even the bullets in the guns—bent to her will, forming a storm of shrapnel.

— You underestimate the power of those who have nothing to lose.

erder, — she shouted, launching the attack.

The battle was brief and brutal. Lia narrowly escaped, carrying not only the data, but a new wound in her shoulder — and the certainty that the Phoenix Protocol would be executed within 48 hours.

Back in the hideout, while Sofia treated her wound, Lia looked at her companions.

— They plan a massacre. Thousands will die if we do not act.

Arthur clenched his fists. — Then we will turn their Protocol into their own bonfire.

On the screen, in the background, hologram projections showed citizens destroying symbols of the heroes. The revolt grew, but the true test was yet to come. Lia smiled bitterly.

— The spark has become a flame. Now, we will set them ablaze.

As the acid rain gave way to dawn, Neo-Light sighed at a crossroads. And somewhere in the shadows, a new message flashed across the population's devices: *"Their Phoenix will burn lies. Our fire will bring truth. Tomorrow, we stand."*

The countdown had begun.