Mid-morning, Thursday.
The sun lit up the bustling heart of Commerce Avenue, a thriving business street not too far from the Presidential Villa — Liberty Manor.
Pedestrians flooded the sidewalks. Vendors shouted over engines. The rhythm of Fedoria beat on.
Then came Leo.
A tall, chocolate-skinned young man in his mid-twenties. His ice-blue eyes scanned the street casually. With his hands in his pockets and a long coat hung over his shoulders, he moved like a man with nowhere to go, yet everywhere to be.
From the opposite side, another young man — around his age — approached.
Their paths crossed at close range. As they brushed shoulders, Leo smiled, almost as if recognizing the stranger.
Five steps later...
WHOOSH!
A straight-edged longsword came tearing through the air — aimed directly at Leo's back.
But Leo simply smiled.
With a quiet chuckle, he slipped out a three-section staff and, without even turning, struck backward.
CLANG!!
A deafening bang rang out as staff met sword, the shockwave rattling nearby windows. The sword was knocked backward — spinning through the air before returning to its owner.
The stranger.
He stood tall, sword floating beside him. Rey — the First Lord of T.H.O.R.N. His eyes glowed faintly with energy. The air shimmered around him.
Shouts turned to screams as the once-bustling avenue became chaos. Civilians scrambled for cover, ducking behind vendor stalls and inside shops, but many watched — eyes wide — as something beyond human unfolded before them.
Leo finally turned, smirking.
"Don't be so hasty, Rey. You see an old friend and greet him with a sword? Where's the love?"
Rey narrowed his eyes, raising his right hand. The sword beside him multiplied into dozens, hovering like a metallic storm.
"The Fedorian government is weak," Rey said coldly. "This isn't peace — it's fear. Cowardice wrapped in law. That's why THORN exists — to bring ultimate peace through dominance."
Leo exhaled, smiling as he cracked his knuckles, his coat billowing.
"And that's why we exist... to shut down that kind of nonsense."
Rey's hand sliced forward.
"Then fall, Leo!"
The swords launched, slicing through the air like missiles.
Leo's steps quickened.
He spun his three-section staff with such mastery, it blurred in his hands — deflecting blade after blade, each clash sending shockwaves down the street.
"Peace… through wickedness?" Leo scoffed.
CLANG! — Another sword bounced off.
"Through bloodshed?"
CLANG-CLANG! — Two more deflected.
"Through foolishness?!" he shouted, leaping into the air.
High above, his silhouette cast a shadow over Rey. Leo's aura flared — bright, concentrated energy.
BOOM!!
He descended like a meteor, three-section staff crashing against Rey's blade.
The impact sent a shockwave that cracked the pavement beneath them.
The crowd gasped from their hiding places.
Rey stepped back, smirking.
"You never disappoint, Leo."
"Why would I," Leo replied, spinning his staff effortlessly, "against someone like you?"
They dashed at each other.
What followed was a close-combat battle of monstrous speed and power.
Onlookers could no longer see their movements — only the colours of their auras, flashing like blurs of red and blue light, and the ringing of clashing weapons that echoed across the district.
Rey struck first — a swift downward slash.
Leo blocked mid-spin, catching the blade with one bar of his staff, and launched another bar at Rey's side.
But Rey duplicated his sword instantly, blocking with his off-hand.
Their weapons became extensions of their instincts, clashing over and over — fierce, fluid, unrelenting.
Leo landed a crushing blow to Rey's ribs, sending him flying into a nearby wall — stone cracking, dust rising.
Rey slid to his feet, blood at the corner of his mouth. His eyes flared with rage. He launched himself forward again — duplicating dozens of swords mid-air, which swarmed Leo's position.
Leo dodged and deflected, but one sword scraped his chest, leaving a shallow cut.
Both warriors stood apart now — bloodied, sweating, breathing hard.
The street was silent, save for the wind... and the distant whispers of civilians still watching in awe.
Leo glanced at the shallow cut across his chest and smiled faintly.
"Wow… it's been a while. You've definitely not been slacking, huh?"
He looked up at Rey, who stood across from him, sword gleaming with aura.
"Guess I'll have to go all out…" Leo's tone turned sharp. "Don't you think so?"
Rey wiped blood from the side of his mouth, nodding calmly. "Yeah… it seems so."
The two warriors stood facing each other — their energy intensifying. A faint shift in the atmosphere swept through the air. Civilians hiding nearby felt it — the wind had changed. The pressure... denser.
Suddenly, Rey raised his hand. Dozens of swords surged through the air toward Leo like a hurricane of steel.
Leo opened his eyes wider — calm and calculating — and spun his three-section staff, faster than ever before.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
He deflected each incoming blade with machine-like precision. As Rey's swords accelerated, so did Leo's counter.
Impossible to count. Impossible to follow.
Still, Leo advanced — laughing in exhilaration as he walked straight into the barrage.
"Hey, Rey! Don't tell me this is all you've got!"
He charged forward, the staff a blur of motion, smashing sword after sword, aura flaring wildly.
"Show me what you've got, First Lord of T.H.O.R.N!"
With a final burst of speed, Leo closed the distance. His staff, now wrapped in golden-blue energy, launched forward in a brutal arc.
At the same time, Rey's blade ignited with his own aura.
They both unleashed their strikes.
BOOOM!!
The collision shattered walls. Shockwaves burst outward, exploding windows and ripping apart shopfronts.
The two were flung apart, crashing into the ground yards away.
Before the dust settled, Rey rose — launching a second barrage of swords toward Leo.
Leo deflected instinctively, ready to counter — but Rey suddenly leapt back.
Just then, T.W.E.E.Z.E.R.S backup stormed in. Helicopters, strike drones, and armored operatives arrived in full force.
"Sir, shall we pursue?!" shouted one of the arriving Emperors — Emperor Toren.
Leo raised a hand.
"No need," he said calmly, watching Rey vanish into the horizon. "He's injured. He won't be back soon."
Fire crews and medics flooded the area, working to control the aftermath of the battle. Collapsed buildings were evacuated. Fortunately, no civilians were harmed.
"Sir," said Emperor Orin, walking up. "No civilian casualties. All clear."
Leo nodded, wincing as he held his side.
"Thank God. That's good."
He looked to Emperor Toren.
"What of the other Supremes?"
"They've completed their assignments and returned to base."
Leo sighed with relief.
"Alright. I'll head out too."
"Oh — and send a message to the other Supremes. The meeting's moved to tomorrow."
A helicopter descended from above, rotors slicing the wind.
Leo stepped in and took off.
Inside the high council chamber of T.W.E.E.Z.E.R.S Headquarters, the atmosphere was formal.
The Five Supremes (three men, two women) were seated alongside the Minister of Defence and high-ranking officials from the Federal Chamber of Fedoria (F.C.F).
After the national anthem played, the meeting began.
"We're grateful to you all," the Minister said, "for stopping T.H.O.R.N's attack on the country, Liberty Manor, and the President. May the good God bless you."
"Amen," the entire hall echoed.
He continued.
"Now, on to the next agenda. The nation of Veltrion has requested our support in taking down a long-standing terrorist group within their borders. Details and strategy will be sent directly to the Supremes."
With that, the official meeting concluded.
Only the Supremes and a few Emperors remained.
Leo leaned back in his chair.
"So… how did your fights with the other Lords of T.H.O.R.N go?"
Talia — the third Supreme — responded first.
"I fought Ash — third Lord. He's stronger than before. Landed a hit on my arm… but when I was ready to finish him off, he escaped."
Talia's voice was calm. Her presence? Deadly. An embodiment of poison. She could create any toxin and control who it affects. Coupled with X-ray eyes, she was also the best healer in the world.
"Same here," said Cole, the fourth Supreme. "Mine escaped too."
Cole's arsenal was virtually limitless. He could summon and copy any weapon, understanding its exact makeup just by looking at it.
"Seriously…" came the voice of Rhea, the second Supreme. "Exactly the same for me."
Rhea's invisibility made her untouchable. Her illusions could stretch across battlefields and kill if needed. A long-range menace.
Leo turned to the last one.
"What about you, Zane?"
Zane, yawning lazily, responded.
"He was weak. I let him go."
The room fell silent.
Zane was no joke. He wielded one of the top 3 barriers in the world and could unleash precision shockwaves that could level cities — while keeping civilians untouched.
The others all turned to Leo with tilted heads and amused faces.
"Who made this guy a Supreme?" Leo asked, mock-serious.
They all pointed at him.
"Wait— me?" Leo chuckled. "Nah. No way I— oh…"
He paused. "Yeah… It was me."
Soft laughter echoed around the room.
Leo composed himself again.
"So, about the Veltrion request. Do we Supremes need to go?
Or can we send a squad led by the Emperors?"
Discussions followed — plans, possibilities, assignments.
The meeting continued as the sun rose higher — not just over Fedoria… but over the growing shadow of T.H.O.R.N.
Later That Evening, Leo returned home from the grocery store, plastic bags in both hands. As he entered his house, he was met with a surprising sight: Rhea and Talia sprawled across the cushions, eating popcorn and watching TV like it was their own home.
His eyes narrowed, catching movement in his peripheral vision. He turned. Zane — completely knocked out — was sleeping peacefully on another couch.
Before Leo could react, Cole descended from the stairs, towel on his head.
Blinking rapidly, Leo did a double-take. He stepped outside to check the house number, genuinely confused.
Nope. This was definitely his house.
He walked back inside, stunned.
Rhea stood up casually and took the grocery bags from his hands, heading toward the kitchen.
"Hello, bro. You're back," Cole greeted like nothing was wrong.
Everyone in the room tensed.
Leo's brows furrowed. His energy shifted.
Even Zane jolted awake.
"What… are you all doing in my house?" Leo asked, dangerously calm.
"We—we didn't touch or spoil anything!" Cole stammered.
Leo sighed heavily. "What have I done to deserve this..." He pulled off his shirt and walked toward his room.
As soon as the door shut, everyone let out a deep breath of relief.
Minutes later, Leo returned, fresh from a shower. He stepped into the kitchen and joined Rhea.
"Food is readddddy!" Rhea sang out, carrying a tray of hot food to the dining table. Everyone quickly moved to their seats.
Zane raised his spoon, ready to dig in —
"Oi." Leo's voice cut through.
Zane froze, spoon halfway.
"Prayers," Leo said flatly.
Zane muttered a quick blessing, and only then did the feast begin.
The doorbell rang — bing bing.
Standing outside were two girls: Leo's younger siblings.
"Is big bro inside today?" Avlora asked, clutching her sister's hand.
"Yes, dear," Isabella replied.
Inside, Talia stood up. "I'll get it."
She opened the door just in time for Avlora to dash in.
"Big broooo!" she squealed.
Leo looked up, smiling warmly and opening his arms.
Lora ran straight into them.
"I missed you!" she said, squeezing tightly.
"Missed you too, Lora."
Isabella stepped in calmly. "Evening, brother Leo."
"How have you been?" Leo asked.
"Been good," she answered, greeting the Supremes politely.
Leo turned to her again. "How are Mom and Dad?"
"They're fine."
"What about Kane?"
"He went out with friends," Isabella replied, as Avlora also greeted the others, unaware of who they truly were.
"Sorry for the late intro," Leo said, gesturing. "This is Lora, my baby sister. And this is Bella — the third child of the family."
He motioned to his teammates: "By my right — Cole and Zane." They waved.
"By my left — Rhea and Talia." They smiled and waved as well.
"I'm Avlora, but you can call me Lora. Nice to meet you — and thank you for taking care of my brother!" she said with a babyish sincerity.
"Awwn, such a sweet girl," Rhea and Talia cooed in unison.
Cole and Zane exchanged glances, silently mouthing, Here they go again.
"Let's eat before the food turns cold," Rhea chimed in as the girls joined them at the table.
Some minutes after the meal, while clearing the table, the front door burst open — Kane, Leo's younger brother, walked in.
"Big bro!" he shouted, running in for a hug.
Leo sidestepped expertly.
Kane crashed to the floor.
"Ouch! Damn, that hurt!"
"You've been slacking in your training, huh?" Leo asked, eyes narrowed.
"N-no, I haven't!" Kane said, scrambling up.
Leo wasn't buying it.
"Tomorrow. Pack your things. You're heading to base."
Kane groaned.
He walked over to greet the other Supremes — the only one among Leo's siblings who knew who they truly were.
Meanwhile, Avlora toddled over to Leo, holding a pack of snacks.
"Big bro, help me open it."
Leo smiled, took it from her, and opened it.
The family atmosphere settled, warm and chaotic — just how Leo secretly liked it.