Chapter 223 – Floor 39: Part 1

  Earth has been improperly integrated into the Tower of Avarice in this universe. The Towers never materialized, the connection between this universe and the gods is defective. Integration must be done in stages, the Floors divided into objectives.

  You will be responsible for this process, and Unyielding Declaration will be the reigning Deity of this universe. As you complete each objective, Earth will gradually integrate with the Tower culminating in the construction of a ‘Prime Tower’ to act as a focal point for assimilation.

  Multi-Floor Reward: Attribute bonuses, +4 to Body, +4 to mind, +4 to Spirit.

  Floor 39: Of Heroes and Villains (Multi-Floor Objective.)

  Decades ago, the Towers failed to materialize. Earth began to generate Aether with no deity to direct or absorb it. As a result, people of this world began to exhibit uncontrolled Aether Blessings, strange and unique Disciplines and enhanced Attributes with no direction from the Tower.

  As the Aether continued to flow freely without the Towers and the gods to guide them, humanity found itself changing. Those who were affected by the Aether found that it reflected their innermost self, leading to powers that were as unpredictable and as varied as the people who wielded them.

  This has resulted in those using Aether to be termed as ‘Superhuman,’ and divided into two types. Those who use their powers selfishly, for personal gain or at the expense of others, known as ‘Villains,’ and those who try to help the world and maintain order, known as ‘Heroes.’

  Outnumbered by those who chose to act as ‘Villains,’ Society created an organization of ‘Heroes’ to combat them. Unity of purpose was the only counter to villainy, and thus the ‘League of Heroes,’ was born.

  Those who sought membership would need to pass a series of tests and exams, working their way from the bottom ranks of Hero to the very top. D rank, C Rank, B Rank, A Rank, S Rank and finally, SS Rank.

  The Journey through the ranks is gruelling, but it fosters a deep sense of unity and purpose amongst Heroes. Each hero, no matter their rank, contributes to the League’s mission: To protect society and uphold justice in a world where villainy constantly threatens to overwhelm it.

  Multi-Floor Objective: Reach the Top of SS Rank to gain legitimacy and build a ‘Prime Tower’ to connect this Earth to the Tower of Avarice.

  Current Floor Objective: Join the League of Heroes and achieve an initial Rank of ‘D’ or higher.

  Reward: Discipline ‘Speaker’ Level unlock.

  Walking down the street, Mathew felt the pulse of the city envelop him. The energy here was electric, a constant hum of activity that made his heart race. As he stepped onto the bustling sidewalk, the sound of honking horns, distant sirens and the chatter of countless voices surrounded him.

  The air was rich with aromas: the temping scent of food carts offering everything from hot dogs and pretzels to the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting from nearby cafes. There was a slight, cool breeze that made him draw his jacket tighter around his body.

  Mathew’s eyes were drawn upward to the towering skyscrapers that stretched into the sky; their glass and steel facades reflected the bright afternoon light. Cheerful billboards and neon signs flashed above him, all attempting to promote various products or events.

  As he walked, Mathew navigated his way through throngs of people. There were commuters rushing to work, tourists snapping photos, and street performers captivating small audiences with their talents. A busker was playing a song on an acoustic guitar, collecting coins in a hat placed on the ground at his feet.

  The sidewalks felt crowded, but Mathew could feel that unspoken rhythm that helped everyone move swiftly and fluidly.

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  For Mathew, walking down a New York City street was a vibrant, ever-changing experience. It was a mosaic of sights, sounds and sensations, a tapestry crafted from millions of lives. He breathed it in, and for a moment, he felt like he was home.

  He had spent so long on the Celestial World, learning their language and how to control his abilities as a Speaker, that he had nearly forgotten what it was like to be human. He lost track of the days, the years, the decades since he had last been in a city.

  But, as he was about to falsely convince himself that he was in his New York, reality slapped him in the face. Looking up at a building, he saw a streak of colour. A man was flying through the air, weaving his way around the buildings.

  The man was chased a moment later by another, this one riding a trail of flames as he passed. Some amongst the crowd around him exclaimed and pointed, but most took it as a matter of fact and kept going about their day.

  Those who were impressed were tourists or visitors to the city who hadn’t been exposed New York's high density of Heroes and Villains.

  Mathew lowered his head and kept walking with his hands in the pockets of his jacket. Reaching the corner of the street, he hailed a cab.

  Page Break

  As Mathew approached the League of Heroes headquarters, he took in The Sentinel Tower with a critical eye. The building where the League operated was tall, shiny and new, but to him, it felt more like a corporate office than a place where ‘Superheroes’ lived and worked.

  The sleek glass of the building reflected the bustling streets, and the front had a large sign proclaiming that it was the ‘League of Heroes HQ – A Bastion of Justice.’ Mathew opened up the front door and walked in, reminded of the last time he had entered a Tower like this.

  Unlike the Tower of Avarice, the lobby of the Sentinel Tower had more than a single person waiting for him inside. Still, he looked around for a moment to see if he could spot a young woman in a grey business suit.

  When he didn’t find her, he couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed.

  In the lobby of the Sentinel Tower, a group of other potential ‘Hero’ recruits milled about. Each of them had expressions of anticipation, nervousness and excitement. Mathew could feel the Aether and Mana within them to varying amounts, but the ‘Buzz’ didn’t activate.

  Some were practicing their poses in front of the massive League emblem displayed on the wall, while others huddled in small groups discussing their training, or boasting about their deeds or skills. One was a very tall and muscular young man that was bragging about his strength while flexing his biceps.

  Another, a young woman, claimed to have a telekinetic ability and was demonstrating it by hovering a small coffee cup in the air next to her. As Mathew stood there, listening and taking in the conversation, he felt incredibly out of place.

  Unlike the others present, he wasn’t here to be a hero. He was here to do a job, to complete a goal and move on to the next Floor. And, after his time with the Celestials, he honestly couldn’t connect with anyone around him.

  He had spent so long in an alien world, and the years in the Tower before that he felt too different from the young men and women around him.

  Just then, a tall figure in an expensive suit entered the lobby, calling for attention. He was a middle-aged man with perfectly combed and cut hair, glasses and a look that just screamed ‘Executive.’ His jacket had the symbol of the league on it, as well as a name tag in silver.

  Mathew watched as the recruits straightened up, their faces lighting with a mix of hope and eagerness. He felt the energy shift in the room, but Mathew remained unaffected by it. He stood with a sense of detachment from the corner of the lobby as he listened to the recruiter.

  The Executive stepped forward and spoke, his voice commanding and loud so that everyone in the lobby could hear. His eyes scanned the crowd of recruits, a confident smile on his face.

  “Welcome, everyone, to the League of Heroes!” He announced grandly.

  “Today marks the beginning of a journey that will test your skills, resolve and commitment to protecting this great city and the world! I’m Officer Tarek, and I’ll be guiding you all through the recruitment process.” Tarek’s voice had the causally ease of a long rehearsed speech, one that he must have delivered many times.

  “The process will unfold in three stages. First, we’ll conduct a test of your mana and Aether to ensure that you have adequate reserves for being a Hero. Unlike the next two tests, this one is pass or fail.” Tarek explained gravely.

  “Then, we’ll move on to the physical exam. This is where you’ll demonstrate your physical abilities, your strength, agility and endurance. Just do your best, and don’t worry if your talents lie somewhere else; you’ll have your chance to shine in the third exam.” Tarek assured them, his eyes focusing on a few of the recruits who were clearly not physically adept.

  “Finally, you’ll have a chance to showcase your unique talents. Demonstrate the specific skills, special techniques, and abilities that you feel will make you a valuable addition to the League. Today is about your potential.”

  “Some of you may feel that you are already at your peak, but I want you all to know, there is never a ceiling. There is always room for improvement. For those of you who may be worried that you won’t make the cut, you might be surprised.”

  “The city and the world need heroes! And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be one of them!” Tarek finished, his voice echoing throughout the lobby. There was a small moment of silence before many of the recruits began to cheer.