In the vast and chaotic Region 139, heroes are more than mere protectors: they are symbols of hope, icons of power and justice, revered by the masses who place their faith in them. Among all the heroes that the Hero League J has formed and promoted, there is one name that few dare to question: Rubén Conthrer. For most, Rubén is the exemplary leader, an untarnished hero willing to sacrifice everything for the well-being of humanity. His face appears on promotional posters, his bravery is praised in the media, and his leadership is seen as the reason why the League remains so powerful.
However, behind that public façade, Rubén hides secrets that, if revealed, would shatter his reputation. Manipulative, calculating, and ruthless, Rubén has been using the League for his own ends, weaving a web of control that involves corruption, murder, and the exploitation of the heroes under his command. Those who discover the truth either mysteriously disappear or are forced to serve under his influence, turned into pawns in his dark game.
Inside the headquarters of the Hero League J, an imposing skyscraper made of steel and glass that dominates the city skyline, Rubén is in his office, a spacious room with dark walls adorned with medals, awards, and photographs chronicling his success as a hero. His solid wood desk is covered with reports, one of which holds special importance: the report on the disappearance of Álex, the hero known as The Warrior of Light.
Rubén, with a calm yet cold expression, reviews the document in detail. Álex had become a growing problem. An overly noble hero, too focused on justice, he had turned into a threat to Rubén's plans. The last time Álex was seen, he was investigating Rubén's secret operations, seeking proof to expose his corruption.
Rubén closes the report, satisfied. Álex is no longer a problem. His fate was sealed when he decided to confront Rubén.
Rubén (thinking): "Álex… always so naive. You couldn't understand that in this world, true strength is not found in light, but in shadows. And shadows… always win."
In addition to being a shrewd strategist, Rubén possesses a dark gift: the ability to manipulate shadows. It's a power he has perfected over the years, a lethal weapon he uses to dominate and eliminate his opponents. Shadows move around him, almost as if they have a life of their own, reflecting his control over them. And it was that same power he used to eliminate Álex in a dark alley of the city, far from prying eyes.
At that moment, the silence in the room is interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Rubén glances away from the report and, with a slight wave of his hand, indicates that the visitor may enter. The door slowly opens, revealing the small figure of a twelve-year-old boy. It's Maximiliano, his son, who steps cautiously into the room. Despite the darkness surrounding him, Maximiliano's eyes shine with admiration as he sees his father, a hero he idolizes completely.
Maximiliano is different from his father. Though he has inherited a gift, his power is far from the offensive and intimidating nature that Rubén exudes. Maximiliano has the ability to heal, a unique power, and while valuable, he considers it insufficient to meet the expectations he feels weigh upon him.
Maximiliano: "Dad, I've been practicing my gift, but... it's not enough. I want to be stronger, like you. I want others to trust me, to respect me like they respect you."
Rubén looks at his son in silence for a few seconds. Though he is a cold and calculating man, Maximiliano represents something deeper to him: the only emotional bond he has left. Despite his dark methods, Rubén feels a genuine love for his son, though he avoids showing it openly.
Rubén (with a slight smile): "Maximiliano, power is not always measured by strength or the ability to fight. Your gift is rare, much more valuable than you think. In a world full of destruction, being able to heal is a gift that few possess."
Maximiliano lowers his gaze, thoughtful.
Maximiliano: "But... I want to protect others, like you do. I want people to see me as someone strong, someone they can trust."
Rubén feels a pang of guilt, a strange feeling for him. Maximiliano sees him as a hero, but if he ever discovers the truth about his father's actions, that admiration would vanish completely. However, Rubén cannot let his son see him as weak or wrong. Maintaining the façade is crucial.
Rubén: "Being strong doesn't always mean fighting or being the most powerful, son. Sometimes, being a leader means making decisions that others won't understand, but that are necessary for the greater good. One day, you will understand this."
Maximiliano nods, though he doesn't seem entirely convinced. His gaze still reflects a mix of admiration and insecurity. Rubén watches as the boy leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Now alone in his office, Rubén leans back in his chair and contemplates the city through the large window that dominates the view from his office. Despite the power and control he exerts over the region, there is something he cannot control: the moment his son discovers who he truly is.
Scene Change
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Region 139, in a small apartment located in a more humble area, Lucía, a heroine with the gift of clairvoyance, sits on the floor of her living room. She is surrounded by extinguished candles and scattered papers. Since Álex's disappearance, her mind has been restless. Álex, her best friend and confidant, had been secretly investigating Rubén, trying to gather evidence of his corruption. Lucía had helped him on several occasions, using her power to foresee potential threats. But for days now, a dark shadow has loomed over her visions.
Álex is not just any hero. His ability to manipulate light made him a symbol of hope for the citizens. He was a direct antithesis to Rubén: honest, noble, and always willing to do what is right. But when he began to question Rubén's leadership, his days were numbered. Rubén was not going to allow Álex to destroy everything he had built.
That night, Lucía closes her eyes and tries to concentrate, searching for any sign of her friend. But what she sees is not the salvation she hopes for. In her mind, a clear vision overwhelms her with terrifying force. In it, she sees Álex confronting Rubén in a dark alley.
Álex: "I know what you've been doing, Rubén! I won't let you continue manipulating the League for your own benefit."
Rubén, shrouded in shadows, smiles with an unsettling calm.
Rubén: "You're too idealistic, Álex. The world doesn't operate according to your principles of justice and honor. The chaos you try to avoid is what gives us power."
Suddenly, the shadows rise as if responding to Rubén's will. Álex, with determination in his eyes, generates a blinding light that tries to counteract the darkness, but it is futile. The shadows envelop his body with inhuman force, suffocating his light until finally, Álex falls to the ground, lifeless.
Lucía wakes from the vision with a stifled scream, fear and horror overwhelming her. There is no doubt: Álex is dead. Rubén has killed him, and she has seen it all. Her heart races, sweat beads on her forehead, and despair consumes her. If Rubén discovers that Lucía knows, he will come after her to silence her in the same way he did with Álex. So she must escape soon.
After the devastating vision of Álex's death at Rubén's hands, Lucía knew her time in Region 139 had come to an end. The oppression in the atmosphere was palpable, and her fellow heroes, though still unaware of what she had seen, were beginning to look at her with suspicion. Since she started leaving the headquarters in the middle of the night without explanation, it had generated distrust.
With her heart racing and her mind on high alert, Lucía left the headquarters, trying to remain calm. She hadn't said a word to anyone, but her sudden departure had raised alarms. She knew she couldn't escape unnoticed; heroes were everywhere, and many of them blindly followed Rubén's orders.
Hero 1: "Where do you think you're going, Lucía? We haven't received orders to register for patrol outside the headquarters."
Lucía (thinking): "I can't afford to hesitate now."
Activating her clairvoyance, Lucía anticipated her opponents' movements with speed and precision. She couldn't stop time or slow it down, but her ability allowed her to stay one step ahead of the intentions of the heroes pursuing her. The first one tried to stop her with a frontal attack, but she saw it coming in time. With a precise strike, she disarmed the hero and knocked him unconscious before he could raise the alarm.
She continued running toward the exit of the main building, but several lower-level heroes were already waiting for her. Their suspicious looks indicated that something was wrong, though they still didn't know what she had seen.
—Stop! —one of the heroes shouted—. You don't have permission to leave! Rubén will want to talk to you!
—Why are you leaving so quickly? —asked another—. What are you hiding?
Lucía swallowed hard. She knew she couldn't just flee without a fight. She didn't want to hurt anyone, but she also couldn't allow herself to be captured. With a swift motion, she threw a small flashbang bomb she had hidden in her jacket. As it exploded, a bright light filled the area, disorienting the heroes for a few seconds. Without wasting any time, she ran between them as they regained their sight.
A hero with super speed tried to intercept her, but Lucía had already foreseen his trajectory. With a quick sidestep, she dodged his attack and slipped down a side street, gaining a few meters of advantage.
"Don't let her escape!" another hero shouted.
More heroes joined the chase, but they were mere pawns, lacking the skills necessary to stop her. Lucía, using her clairvoyance to anticipate the attacks, moved skillfully among them. She dodged blows, disarmed some with calculated movements, and left others temporarily incapacitated. Although she had been trained to fight, she always preferred to avoid direct combat whenever possible.
As she ran toward the edges of Region 139, the shadows of the buildings seemed to close in around her, a sign of Rubén's influence. The air grew denser, and the pressure on her shoulders increased. She knew she didn't have much time.
Upon reaching the outskirts of the region, a group of more experienced heroes blocked her exit. They were tougher and more skilled than the previous ones. This time, Lucía knew she would have to use all her resources to escape. She pulled out another flashbang and threw it toward the group. The explosion of light was enough to disorient them momentarily. Taking advantage of her clairvoyance, she anticipated each remaining hero's movements and, with precision, neutralized them one by one.
Finally, after incapacitating the last heroes, she crossed the boundary of the region and entered the desolate lands surrounding the city. As her heart began to calm, she knew she had bought herself time, but she was also aware that the real challenge lay ahead.
Hours later...
Meanwhile, Rubén watched from his office the vast city illuminated by the night lights. His expression was not that of a relaxed man. The murder of Álex had been necessary, a calculated move to maintain control of the Hero League. But Lucía had escaped, and that complicated everything.
Rubén (thinking): "I can't allow her to live. The shadows always find those who try to escape…"
The shadows around Rubén moved with latent energy, an extension of his will. Since he was young, he had perfected his control over his gift, allowing the shadows to be not just his weapon but also his network of information. No one in the League suspected that Rubén was capable of seeing and hearing through the shadows, controlling every corner of the city.
A man dressed in black entered Rubén's office, moving silently. He was one of Rubén's spies, trained to follow orders without question.
Spy: "Sir, we've found indications that Lucía is in Region 142."
Rubén (frowning): "Region 142... Crimson Gravitor."
The name Gravitor was well-known to Rubén, although he had never met him in person. They operated in very different circles, but the mercenary's name carried weight in the underground world. Crimson Gravitor did not involve himself in League politics, but he was someone Rubén had learned to respect, at least from a distance.
Rubén: "Is Gravitor protecting her?"
Spy: "We don't know for sure, but we believe she's heading toward him."
Rubén: "Send our best men to Region 142. I don't want Lucía reaching Gravitor. And if she does... inform me."