Weeks had passed since the events that had thrust Guion and Erick into the spotlight. The world was abuzz with debates and discussions, yet the public's admiration for them only grew stronger.
The demand for Guion and Erick to be recognized on Hero Recognition Day became overwhelming, despite Guion's defiance toward the president. When the day finally arrived, Guion, still recovering from his ordeal, chose to remain in California, watching the ceremony from afar.
As the ceremony began, the president presented medals to four heroes who stood proudly on stage. But the absence of the fifth hero did not go unnoticed. The audience's dissatisfaction was evident, their chants of "Overwhelm" growing louder as they held up posters with Guion's image.
They wanted their hero to be there, to stand among the celebrated, and their voices rose in unison.
Then, the crowd fell silent as Erick approached the podium. He announced that he would accept Guion's medal on his behalf, and the audience, moved by Erick's dedication and Guion's sacrifice, watched in quiet reverence as he received the medal.
Later that day, Erick returned to California with a heavy heart and an urgent message for Guion. "You need to leave California," Erick suggested gently, though his words carried the weight of concern. "Start a new life somewhere your true identity isn't known." Guion, whose connection to his birthplace ran deep, resisted the idea. "I was born here. This city is the last place I want to leave. These people they see me as a hero, not a monster."
"But that's just it," Erick pressed, his voice filled with frustration. "You are a hero. But that doesn't mean they won't turn on you. People are fickle.
They praise you today and betray you tomorrow. "Guion was taken aback."Why would they want to kill me?"
Erick's eyes darkened with a mixture of anger and sadness. "Damn it, Guion, don't be naïve. History is full of stories where heroes were revered one moment and hunted the next. They'll twist the truth, make you out to be a threat."
The conversation grew more somber as Erick revealed his plan. "You should keep moving, Guion. As the King of Kings, you need to lead your people to places where they won't have to use their powers to defend themselves. Find others like you those who share your ideals and will stand by you. They're out there, waiting for you."
Erick spoke of a world teeming with emotions and powers, over two hundred distinct entities scattered across the globe, each with their own motives and struggles. It was a world of fear and conflict, where balance was needed to maintain peace.
A year later, on a tranquil September morning in Virginia, Guion had found a semblance of peace in a quiet corner of the world. His new life was simple: he spent his days with his cat, Anne, watching comedies and enjoying the little pleasures of life.
The doorbell rang at ten in the morning, disrupting his solitude. "I'm coming!" he called out, his voice laced with mild irritation. He turned to Anne, who gave him an innocent look. "Anne! Did you sneak into someone else's house to slap a toddler or a granny while they were asleep?"
He opened the door, expecting to see the bothersome neighbor, but what greeted him was something entirely different. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes fixed on the figure standing before him. It was a sight he had longed for, something he had kept buried deep within his heart. "Annika!" Guion exclaimed, his voice trembling with a mix of joy and disbelief.
The woman he had missed so dearly stood before him, wearing the same outfit she had worn on his last birthday. His heart raced, caught between tears and laughter. The expression on his face spoke volumes how deeply he had missed her, how desperately he needed her.
Annika, overwhelmed by her own emotions, smiled and cried at the same time. She stood still, waiting for Guion's reaction. "I'm here too, you know," Erick said from the street, leaning against his beloved Mustang, his grin wide.
Guion, his emotions raw, rushed to Erick first. He embraced him tightly, resting his head on Erick's shoulder as silent tears streamed down his face. "Come on, people are watching. Guion! They'll think I'm gay," Erick joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Guion pulled back, laughing through his tears, and turned his attention to Annika. The sight of her brought a flood of memories rushing back, making his heart swell with emotions he had long tried to suppress. He approached her slowly, his hands trembling as he cupped her cheeks, his touch gentle and full of longing.
Annika looked up at him, her eyes filled with the same longing. She had secretly hoped for this moment, for him to finally express what she had known in her heart. "Technically, we're still not a couple," she whispered. "You never said anything to me."
Caught off guard, Guion glanced at Erick, who was watching them with a knowing smile. "There's your second chance, buddy. Don't screw it up," Erick said, nodding encouragingly. Guion's heart raced as he turned back to Annika. He took her hands, holding them close between their waists, and looked deep into her eyes. "Annika Georgia," he began, his voice trembling with emotion, "will you be my girlfriend?"
Annika's eyes sparkled with joy, her smile radiant as she leaned in and kissed him softly. "Yes," she whispered against his lips, her voice full of happiness. "Yes. "Guion pulled back slightly, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Seriously? That's all it took?" he asked, his voice tinged with both relief and awe. Annika laughed, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years. "That's all it took," she confirmed, leaning in to kiss him again.
Erick, watching them with a smirk, shook his head in mock disbelief. "Damn! Girl, alright," he said, turning away to give them a moment of privacy.
But Guion and Annika seemed in no hurry to stop.
They stood there, lost in each other, their kisses growing more passionate with each passing second. Erick, noticing that they were too absorbed in each other to pay him any mind, decided to intervene. "Are you going to let us in, or do I have to kick the door down?" Erick asked, raising an eyebrow. "I don't care, man, just do whatever you want," Guion replied, still holding Annika close.
Annika, sensing Erick's impatience, playfully pulled Guion closer, her affection evident in the way she held him. Erick, never one to miss an opportunity for a dramatic entrance, took a step back and delivered a powerful kick to the door. It flew off its hinges with a loud crash, startling Guion and Annika into breaking apart, their eyes wide with shock. "Oh! Looks like we're about to have another jealousy case," Annika said with a mischievous smile, her voice teasing. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm dating an overwhelmingly hot Fury," Erick retorted as they stepped inside.
Annika raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What the hell does that mean?", "He made a bet with a girl named Fury also known as Rage and won. His prize? Her, for five years," Guion explained, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Five years? That's insane. Why wasn't I told about this?" Annika inquired, her tone incredulous. "Yeah! Why didn't you tell me she was alive?" Guion asked, his voice softening with concern.
Erick's expression turned serious as he explained. "She was dying, paralyzed, and the doctors recommended keeping her away from any stress. If I'd told you she was alive, you might have done something reckless.", "Fair point," Guion conceded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Annika, ever the tease, couldn't resist. "Wait! You're not going to kill me, right?" she asked, feigning fear. Erick laughed, shaking his head. "Of course not," he replied, his tone reassuring. "Relax… I was kidding.", "Yeah, yeah, we get it. You're in love. Why don't you just punch me in the face next time?" Erick added with a grin.
The three of them shared a moment of laughter, the tension easing as they settled into the comfort of each other's presence.
"By the way, Guion, happy birthday, bro," Erick said, his smile genuine as he handed Guion a small gift. "Thanks, man," Guion replied, touched by the gesture. "Happy birthday, Guion," Annika added, her voice soft as she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you," Guion responded, his heart full as he looked at the two people who meant the most to him.
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their shared history and emotions hanging in the air. It was a rare moment of peace and connection, something that Erick, despite his usual light hearted demeanour, deeply cherished.
But Erick, ever the one to break the silence, couldn't resist. "Do you guys want to check out the garage?" he asked with a grin, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "No!!" Guion and Annika shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the quiet neighbourhood, laughter bubbling up between them.
In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of friendship and love, Guion realized that no matter where life took him, as long as he had Erick and Annika by his side, he could face anything.
The end.