CHAPTER 10 — "Echoes of Judgement"
A WORLD REACTS
"—and this just in: public footage confirms the existence of metahuman intervention in Tuesday's hostage case."
The news anchor spoke with carefully contained unease, her expression halfway between awe and dread. Multiple screens behind her played the viral clip of Aiden stepping into the gunman's line of fire, catching the bullet mid-air.
Another scene showed Kael crushing the weapon and sending the suspect flying.
Replayed, slowed down, debated… feared.
The world now knew.
Meta humans were real. And they could not be ignored.
The anchor continued.
"Social media is split. Some call him a guardian angel. Others call him the first step toward a new era of unchecked power."
"At least six national networks have already labeled him 'The Yellow Herald.' But concerns are rising regarding the unregistered meta seen beside him. No official ID has been disclosed."
Panels of experts filled the screen, talking over one another.
Dr. Mallory (Civil Rights Spokesperson):
"Creating a registry will violate privacy. We must not treat them like weapons!"
Senator Hollis (National Security Lead):
"Privacy? They can level buildings! We don't have time for comfort. We need control."
Former Detective Mesa:
"You saw the impact crater. If that blow had hit a civilian—there'd be no remains."
Public Opinion Poll:
62% support regulation of meta humans
28% fear government militarization
10% believe they are divine or supernatural
Rumors emerged of people worshipping Aiden, forming online groups praising "The Light Defender."
At the same time, conspiracy groups began labeling Kael as "The Harbinger."
Five hours later, the President stepped into the White House media chamber.
Cameras flashed.
"Effective immediately, we are initiating the formation of A.M.C.U. — the Anti-Metahuman Crime Unit. All metahumans are requested to register for safety evaluations and potential enlistment."
Silence.
Then chaos.
A reporter stood. "Are vigilantes like the yellow-suited boy expected to surrender?"
Slight hesitation.
"All unregulated metahumans will be contacted by federal authorities. Cooperation will be seen as goodwill. Resistance… will not."
The word resistance landed with the weight of threat.
Some watched with hope.
Others watched with fear.
Some watched and smiled.
. IN THE SHADOWS — MEXICAN MAFIA
12:01 AM – East Industrial District
A warehouse stood abandoned, rusted and silent beneath the moonlight.
Inside, spotlights cast long shadows. Men gathered—hardened, heavily armed. Not police. Not government.
Cartel. Enhanced.
A bound man knelt at the center. His suit torn, glasses cracked. His name was Agent Rodrigo Alvarez. Criminal investigator. He had been too close.
A tall figure moved through the crowd, boots echoing.
Lucio Carmona. Alias: El Fuego. Mafia boss. Sovereign of inferno.
He wore a tailored charcoal suit.
No mask.
No fear.
Only power.
Thin wisps of embers flickered around him like drifting stars waiting to ignite.
He crouched before the captive.
Alvarez spat blood. "Others know what I found. You can't—"
Lucio smiled gently.
"Then tonight, they die too."
The captive froze.
Lucio stood, turning away. "Do it."
A goon lifted a device—no gun, no blade.
Something worse.
A small heat resonance cannon, scavenged from underground meta tech trades. He aimed it point blank.
Alvarez struggled. "Wait—please! My family—"
Lucio didn't turn.
"The lesson tonight isn't about you. It's about fear. Tell your gods I sent you."
VRRRUUUUM—SHHHHKKKTT!
A wave of liquid heat surged.
The body disintegrated into carbon ash.
The room stayed silent.
Until Lucio raised his hand.
A sphere of fire rose slowly above his palm.
It pulsed with rage.
"Find everyone tied to that investigation. Then burn everything."
The men bowed.
Three stepped forward wearing special
insignias:
Red Diamond adjusted her crimson jacket, crystal spikes forming under her skin.
Rotfang extended black saliva that corroded through the concrete floor.
A cartel chemist merely known as Emberstrike, eyes glowing like magnesium.
"We begin," Red Diamond said.
Lucio turned back, his eyes lighting with flame.
"We continue."
4:37 AM – Border Checkpoint 117
A convoy of police vehicles escorted evidence pulled from Alvarez's department. Ten officers guarded three suspect files.
They expected an ambush.
They didn't expect this.
Three cartel pickups approached from opposite ends.
Before checkpoint units could react—
BOOM!!!
A blooming blast of molten fire engulfed the lead vehicle. Officers jumped away, rolling through burning gravel.
Gunfire erupted.
Rotfang stepped calmly out of his pickup. His breath exhaled venom, melting through riot shields like wax.
"RUN!" an officer shouted.
Too slow.
Red Diamond flicked her wrist.
SHHHNK!
Crystal spears burst from the ground impaling tires, crushing vehicles.
"NO NO NO—" an officer screamed as spikes closed in.
Red Diamond smiled faintly. "Shhh."
CRUNCH…
One survivor staggered up, firing wildly.
A flame step.
Lucio placed a hand on the officer's gun.
The metal ignited instantly.
Lucio leaned in.
"Tell your commanders. We haven't even begun."
"Tonight was a warning."
"Tomorrow will be a message."
He pushed the officer back gently.
Then spoke to his crew.
"Leave one alive. Fear spreads faster than blood."
The cartel withdrew in silence.
The checkpoint glowed like the end of time.
THE CITY WAKES TO HELL
Televised morning reports broke with shaking voices.
"—border checkpoint destroyed—at least 13 confirmed casualties—materials classified stolen or missing—"
Another news screen showed scorch marks and melted armor.
Next to them, a single police survivor in hospital.
He could barely speak.
"We… couldn't stop them. They—weren't… human."
Another feed:
"Mexican Mafia suspected. Meta-human involvement confirmed."
Last headline before the broadcast cut to emergency alerts:
"Cartel declares open war. Police outgunned. Government urges metahuman cooperation. City braces for escalation."
END OF CHAPTER 10