Location: Presidential Palace - Hallway

Two of the most powerful men in the United Federation were taking a walk in their office. Five years of working together, they have accomplished many things most of their predecessors could not even dream of. The results were undeniable. The economy flourished like never before and the country only became more powerful with its expanding military and breaking through technology. But what about the sacrifices for those achievements? Was it worth it? To them, there was only one answer: “Yes!”

“Congratulations on getting elected for your second term, Mr. President!” the CIA director said.

“Just call me by name, Chris! We know each other for quite a while now. There is no need for formality if there is no one around beside us.” President Hyland spoke.

“If you say so, George. Now if you excuse me for being frank but I have a question concerning…”

“You mean my speech earlier? Yes, what about it?” asked the president.

“What exactly was it about? Who are the enemies you mentioned? Is this the espers from the Resistance?” Chris said.

“Not at all! The Greymen are but a relic of the past. While there are some of them left, they cannot do anything to us. What we should focus on now is to increase our military budget before the crisis comes. I will tell you at the convention three days from now on.” Hyland tapped on Chris’ back. “We are all humans, got to stick together.”

“….If you say so, sir.” Realizing that he would not be able to get anything more from the president, Chris avoided the subject. Truthfully, he only thought to use the newly appointed president from five years ago in order to get rid of the Greymen. Back then, there was a lot of controversies concerning the new president. The guy was but a common business man who had no prior political experience, the type of person Chris hated the most: those who did not know their place and tried to take over what they did not understand. Yet, he somehow managed to become president. Perhaps it was his charisma that attracted people to him.

As for Chris, his opinion about the president has changed over the years. First of all, the guy was deeply patriot and always thought for the greater good. He cared not about formalities but only wanted to focus on the main issue. Anything else was just another step in negotiation, as said by the ex-business man. No matter how you might disagree with him on this method, the president was a man who cared about his country. That was Chris’ conclusion and the reason why the CIA director became one of the most trusted confidants of the president.

“You seem to still have some questions, Chris. Something on your mind?” asked president Hyland.

“To be honest, I have always wanted to ask you something. Why did you help me in the matter of the Greymen?” Chris paid attention to his surroundings before speaking. “At the time, there was no reason for you to help me. Or perhaps you hid it so well that I was never able to find out why. Today, I consider you a friend and as a friend, I don’t want to doubt my friend.”

“You are very honest, Chris. I like people like you, just straightforward and no concern for political advantage. Since you are being honest with me, it would not be nice of me to not return the favor.

Unlike you, I don’t have a personal grudge against the Greymen. On the contrary, I admired them and even once revered them as the superheroes of our planet.” The president revealed.

“Admired?” the director focused on the past tense part.

“Do you like reading comics, Chris?” asked the president. “You know, those superheroes comic.”

“I….sure when I was still a kid.” The director answered reluctantly, unsure of the president’s intention for asking such question. “But why does this have to do with anything?”

“I guess all kids love that kind of thing. I too was one of them, a kid who worshipped those superheroes. Until one day when I came to despise all of them.”

“Why is that?” Chris asked.

“Tell me, what do all those comics have in common? What is it that made you love those superheroes so much?” asked Hyland.

“Hum….they all have some sort of powers that help them fighting crimes.”

“Not exactly the answer I am looking for but it is pretty close. Actually it’s….” suddenly, a loud detonation blast interrupted the conversation. The shock was so powerful it shattered the windows and cracked the walls of the most well-guarded location on earth.

Barely able to stand up properly, the CIA director quickly grabbed the president. “Sir, we need to move.” Then he turned to the secret service agents rushing their way. “What is happening?”

“There has been an attack in the central square. Several unidentified aircrafts have been spotted landing at the location.” The agent reported.

“Aircraft? Where do they come from?” the director asked.

“We don’t know, sir. They came out of nowhere and are now occupying our air space.”

“Alright. Follow the protocol and bring the president to the bunker!” Chris turned to the president. “Sir, I need you to go with them.”

“No need, Chris!” The president calmly fixed his attire and brushed away the dust on his cloth.

“Sir, we don’t have time to…..”

“I didn’t expect for them to come this soon. I guess not everything is always according to plan.” President Hyland approached a window and looked at the sky. Outside, it was as if a war was taking place in the city. The sky towers were blasted away by beams of light. Several helicopters were starting to take flight before being immediately shot down. On the ground, the soldiers were caught off guard and were being decimated by medieval-like knights in golden armor. The weapons these medieval men used may seemed primitive like swords and axes but they were surprisingly powerful enough to shatter a building or cut down armored vehicles like butter. It was true chaos. Yet in face of this crisis, the president retained his composure and made a call with his cellphone. “Regroup the special SWAT team! We are moving out.”

“Sir, you have to….”

“Chris, earlier you asked me who our true enemies are. Here they are!” the president pointed at the large golden vessel descending from the sky and landing in the courtyard. “Let’s see your guests, shall we?”

“But…..” the director and the agents hesitated. Their priority should be to keep the president safe but right now, the man in question has already gone out to the battlefield himself. For a senior like the president with only a few years left before retirement, the man was surprisingly quick. He has already arrived at the center of the courtyard, right in front of the unknown ship. Left with no other options, the director and the agents quickly rejoined the president.

As he got closer to the unidentified vessel, Chris noticed the intricate design of the ship. It looked almost like one of those old models of boat used centuries ago. However, it was ridiculously large consisting of multiples levels and made by some strange material instead of the traditional wood. The ship itself was decorated with golden sculptures placed as part of the vessel itself. It also emitted a luminous holy aura, one you would expect from a god-like being.

“Did they really come here on that?” uttered Chris in disbelief.

“Hum, a bit too retro to my taste.” Said the president. From afar, dozens of agents also joined their leader and quickly surrounded the ship. Heavy weaponry were also installed in the horizons, all ready to unleash their might upon receiving the order.

All of the sudden, the ship radiated in light as a figure jumped down from the vessel. But instead of following the law of gravity, the figure now stood on a disc of light and looked down at the president.

“Kneel before your Gods!” the man spoke. Wearing a golden light armor made of light, the man seemed to be in his thirties with big showing muscles and tanned skin. On his back hang a large axe the size of two grown man combined. His appearance alone demonstrated his power and his words, filled with authority made everyone shiver in fear. Some were already kneeling unconsciously.

“STAND UP!” the president’s voice echoed. It brought back the men to themselves as they tightened their muscles. How could a mere mortal break a god’s aura?

“A puny human who refuses to kneel before a god? What insolence!” the god raised his hand and shot down beams of light at the president. But he purposely missed them just to scare the man away. Have it been another person, they would grovel themselves to the ground and beg for their lives by now. However, the result was far from what he expected.

The president stood firmly amidst the myriad of projectiles and did not take a single hit but a scratch on his cloth. It was as if he knew that the god would not strike him down yet. Brushing away the dust on his shoulder, the president looked at the god in silence as a sign of defiance.

“Is this courage? Or foolishness?” The god raised his hand again. “I won’t miss it this time.” A large sphere of light began to form and crushed down toward the president before engulfing him.

“MR. PRESIDENT!!!” Chris called out while being pinned down by an agent to avoid the blast.

But there was no blast at all. No explosion nor sound. In fact, the shiny light from the orb was being subdued and becoming smaller in size. The president was perfectly fine. With his left hand, president Hyland caught the orb and somehow managed to disperse it until it disappeared completely. This shocked not only his own men but the god and his retainers on the ship. They did their research on this world and were not aware of any weapon capable of countering their magic. This was supposed to be a world where science was predominant. Even if their technology was advanced, how could the humans have possibly managed to create something on par with the gods’ power? The mere idea of such accomplishment was absurd.

What the president did didn’t escape the god’s observation. He clearly saw the orb being sucked into the president’s hand. That was why the orb disappeared without being able to inflict any damage. But that kind of power surely did not come from science. Not the one they were aware of at least. “Interesting!” the god jumped down in front of a unfazed George. It was only now that the god truly showed his stature. The president could only reach the height of his chest. “What is your name, human? I need to know so I can carve it on your grave as a sign of respect.”

“Don’t you know manners? If one wants to ask another’s name, they should tell theirs first.” Said the president.

“Bhahahahaha!” the god laughed loudly with arrogance. “My name? And why is there a need to tell my name to someone who is going to die? But fine, I shall honor you by telling you my name. I am Ares, God of War. I shall allow you the honor of first strike.” Clearly, the humans were being heavily underestimated. The show the president displayed earlier, while surprising, did not manage to amaze the beings so used to godly powers.

“Are you sure? I know I am old but I go to the gym every early morning.” The president smiled.

“As if any of your training could come close to our might…. *BAM*!”

In an instant, the president, a man in his sixties, seemed to have disappeared from everyone’ sight, even the god’s. But then, a fraction of a second later, Ares was blown towards the sky by an uppercut. A quarter of a second later, a thundering strike hit the back of Ares’ neck on air, crushing him down to the ground and creating a crater in his shape. Then, after a full second has passed since the beginning of the fight, the president appeared again, this time spiraling down like a meteor onto Ares, plunging him even deeper into the ground. Jumping out of the crater, the president landed next to the hole and fixed his dark blue suit and red tie. Meanwhile, everyone else could only drop their jaws in awe. It all happened so quickly that many were unsure of what exactly happened.

“Chris, remember the question I ask you earlier?” the president said as he fixed his collar.

“Uh…uh….the one about the superheroes comics….sir?” the director mumbled instinctively to answer his leader. Meanwhile, his mind was still in shock of what just happened.

“The answer is the common people, or should I say the useless helpless folk.

If the authors don’t show how weak the people are, how can they show how much superior are the heroes?

If they don’t show how helpless the people are, how can the heroes ever have a chance to show their talent? To make themselves unique?

Do you see the irrationality behind it? We don’t need the super heroes in our world. What we need is to show the people that instead of depending their lives on an unknown stranger, do it with your own strength! Protect those you hold dear with your own life! Show them that you are not useless as you think you are!

Indeed, we are the weak men. We don’t have special powers. But nevertheless, our spirit is no more meager than the heroes.” The president passionately explained his view and looked down at the immobile god in the crater before raising his middle finger at him and clenched his teeth. “I am the President of the United Federation. Don’t look down on us normal folk, brat! We don’t need to be born with power to defeat the scumbag gods like you.”

A shadow quickly jumped out of the hole and landed in front of the ship. Ares was not yet defeated. In fact, except for a few bruises, the guy seemed perfectly fine. “Not bad! For a human that is.” Ares picked his giant axe and raised it forward. “MOW THEM DOWN!”

Following the god’s orders, legions of knights in golden armor jumped down from the vessel and began to attack the soldiers at the surface. “For the glory of Estella!”

“Fire!” the CIA director ordered.

* * *

Location: National Medical Ward

Just a moment before the attack took place, still bed ridden in her hospital along, young lady Astora was currently attempting to supposedly train her so called acquired power. The problem was she had no idea how to do it or where even to begin.

“Uhm…. Grimoire, come to me!!!” she chanted. Nothing happened.

“Uhm…..Manifest yourself to your master!” she said. Nothing happened.

“Uhm….SHAKAZAM!!!” she put two fingers on her head and focused. Nothing happened.

“How can I do it?” Astora threw a tantrum by herself. “I did everything I could think of and still it didn’t work. Do I have to go back to that shop to get the creepy book again? How do I even do that?” She has been working for hours on this but never got much luck. However, the girl refused to just give it up. She knew that there must be something she could do. There was no proof but she just knew it in her mind. At least, it didn’t bite her this time.

“Let’s rethink this for a second!” Astora crossed her legs on the bed and closed her eyes. “The old man said I already have everything I need. He also said something about the price of powers….Hum…” Astora contemplated for a while. “What else did he say?...Hum…..Compendium?”

Like magic, an ominous looking grimoire with teeth manifested itself on air in front of Astora. “YES! I am so good. So it is a compendium, not a grimoire. Not sure what is the difference though…Anyway, let’s see what you can do!”

The book was quite large, about half the girl’ size so Astora had some trouble to handle it. Conveniently, Astora found out that the book could stay floating on her on her command and she could even move it around telepathically. Too bad her powers were only limited to the book itself. Still, Astora was unable to decipher the secret behind the blank pages of the compendium. The pages were nothing really special, just normal leather papers. However, they did seem very durable. Even sharp medical scissors were unable to scratch them. Astora has also checked the durability of the cover and the book itself. Setting it on fire, throwing it off from a ten floor building, dropping acid on it, etc. Based on the results of various experiments, Astora concluded that she had a seemingly indestructible flying book. While she hasn’t discovered any special power yet, the properties displayed by the book could make it a fine weapon.

“Smashing people with a giant book is not something I would think of when they say I have special powers….” Astora spoke to herself in disappointment. Then she suddenly remembered a funny thing about a movie she saw in her early childhood. “It would be even more weird if you can talk.”

“Of course I can.”

“…..Did you just speak?” Astora stared at the book.

“Nope. It was the bird outside.” A male voice came from the book. The eyeball slot on its cover also opened up, revealing a yellow iris as it rolled around to watch the surroundings.

“Oh I see.”

“…..”

“……”

“Of course I can talk! Are you deaf?” the book agitated like it was angry.

“Of course I can hear you, you creepy book. How the hell can you talk?” asked Astora.

“Because I am an amazing glorious being who can do anything in the most amazing way?”

“…..” Astora stared blankly at the shameless book.

“Too stunned by my amazing aura? I don’t blame you.”

“….” A feeling of disgust started to creep on Astora’s back. Never in her life has she felt so much contempt for anything. It made her want to throw up. Silently, she grabbed the book and walked toward the window. She raised her hand and tried to throw the book outside.

“WAIT WAIT! What are you doing?” the book spoke in panic.

“I don’t want this kind of power and I certainly don’t want you.”

“Wait just a minute! Okay I apologize. I was just joking. Put me down please!” the book begged.

“Swear to me you won’t speak like that to me ever again!” Astora affirmed.

“Yes, yes mistress!”

“Good! Now answer me, what are you?” asked the girl.

“An amazing…ehem….” The book noticed Astora’s cold stare.”I mean… I am Grimora, the compendium of the multiverse, the archive of knowledge of the ancients, the….”

“Stop stop stop! I don’t need to know every single one of your titles. I mean…” Astora insisted. “What exactly are you?”

“A book.” Grimora swiftly answered. “Obviously.”

“I can see that. But you can talk. Books don’t talk.”

“What can I say? I am born with talent more than your average book.”

Astora could not believe herself that there could be something so presumptuous, not to mention a book. For now, she was restraining her urges to throw the thing outside.

“Alright. What else can you tell me about yourself?” asked Astora. “And be more serious.”

“To be honest, not much. I seem to be unable to remember anything you see.” Said Grimora.

“What? Are you like, amnesiac?” Astora said with a doubtful voice.

“Seriously. I swear on my delicate pages and majestic cover. The last thing I remember is waking up in that weird store with that weird geezer and the weird sexy android when you picked me up.” Grimora reminisced the curvy lines of a certain female android before he noticed Astora blushing with a hint of anger. “Don’t worry though, mistress! There is a market for those with a flat *PUNCH* ARGG. What is that for?”

“For improper conduct. Back to main subject.” Astora grunted.

“Okay okay. Sorry! Where was I? ah yes the amnesia thing. Honestly though, I don’t remember a thing. Except for the fact that I know you are my master because I am have been imprinted to you.” said Grimora.

“imprinted?” asked the girl.

“The brand of the Twin Serpents on your hand. That is the proof that I have accepted you as my owner. From now on, only you can command me and no one else.” The book revealed.

“Mark of the Twin Serpents hum….” Astora repeated. “That aside, this whole stuff about losing memories and such….it seems a bit convenient don’t you think?”

“What? Are you saying I am lying to you? Me? With this face?” the book put itself against Astora’s face. “Oh wait, I don’t have a face. Since you are my owner, I can’t lie to you nor can I refuse your order. Let’s try this…ehem…: you have a smoking body. ARRGGGGGG!”

Instantly, the book was set on fire. “OH GOD IT BURNS!!!!”

Astora quickly grabbed the water bottle near her bed and splashed it on the book. She then proceeded to open the window so the smoke could come out before it activated the fire alarm.

“What was that about?” the girl asked angrily.

“You ask me to show you that you can trust me. There is the proof.” Grimora said in a tired voice.

“Don’t ever do that again!” said Astora.

“You bet I won’t. I saw a light for a second there.”

“Well you were on FIRE. There are plenty of light.”

“True.”

After witnessing a near death experience of the book, Astora went back to her bed and sat in front of Grimora. “So let’s say I trust you. Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“Would you want to talk to someone who set you on fire, threw you down from a building or splashed acid on you? Miss, I consider myself quite liberal but I am not a freaking saint.” Said Astora.

“If you said something, I would have stopped.”

“…..I didn’t think of that….”

“So what can you do exactly?” asked Astora.

“Me? I can do this” Grimora flew around. “And this” the book suddenly expanded to the size of the bed then shrank to the size of a handbook. “I can change my weight too. But no matter how heavy I am, you can always pick me up like nothing.”

“Wow that is so cool.” Said Astora with shiny eyes. “Anything else?”

“Hum…that is all I can do. The rest depends on you.” said Grimora.

“What do you mean?” Astora spoke.

“Remember the pages you saw inside me? They were all blank right?” Astora nodded in agreement to the book’s explanation. “Why do you think they are blank?”

“….Don’t tell me….I can write over them?”

“Exactly! Though write isn’t what I would say. Hum…let me see!” Grimora turned left and right.

All of the sudden, the room shook and the windows shattered following a very loud detonation blast outside. The ceiling cracked open and collapsed down onto the two.

“AAAA!” Astora screamed in fear.

“Get down!” Grimora quickly expanded himself and covered the girl from the debris. “You okay mistress?”

“I am fine. Thank you!” Astora got down from the bed and brushed away the dust on her. “But what happened there?”

“I don’t know. But we should get out of here.” Said Grimora as he looked outside the window. “Things are not looking good.”

Beyond the shattered frames, the capital of the United Federation was being set on fire by an unknown force. From the sky they came: a golden armada of ships led by a huge luminous vessel. One by one, golden knights jumped down from their ship to the ground and started the merciless massacre against the people of the Federation. Using their strange weaponry, districts were vaporized in an instant, skyscrapers fell to the ground and the army was rendered powerless in face of the mighty foe.

“What…is happening?” Astora found herself paralyzed. Such level of destruction was perhaps too much for someone like her.

“Snap out of it! We need to move!” But Grimora managed to calm her down.

“Right…we should get out of this building first. Turns yourself into something small. We don’t want unnecessary attention.” Astora said. Grimora shrank in an instant to the size of a handbook in the girl’s hand.

Outside of the room, everyone was panicking and running around to search for the exit. Some patients were stuck to their wheelchairs and too weak to even move themselves.

“We don’t have time to help them. Let’s move!” Grimora spoke.

“But…” Astora hesitated for a moment.

“Do you want to die? Remember that there are also agents who are tasked to watch over you. If they notice that you are gone, you will be captured again. We must take advantage of this chaos and escape.”

“I…I understand.” Astora nodded in agreement. As she ran past through the hallway, passing all those helpless patients, the girl could not keep her tears in check. “Damn it.”

“…..too soft.” Grimora murmured quietly.

As said by Grimora, thanks to the chaotic situation, no one had the time to pay attention to Astora while she made her way to the main entrance. But just as the door was within her reach, trouble found her.

“FREEZE!” a voice from behind rang. “Turn around and put your hands up.”

The girl slowly turned around. It was one of the men in black suit that was supposed to watch her. They had a gun in their hand.

“Slowly come back here!” the man shouted.

“Don’t you see what is happening outside? We don’t have time for this.” Astora pleaded.

“No matter what happens, I have to get you back to the director. Now come back here or I shoot!”

“No you won’t. I am too valuable for you to just kill me.” Astora said. “What would your boss say if you kill me right here right now?”

“Don’t test me, girl!” shouted the agent.

“Grimora, on my signal.” Astora murmured.

“What is that on your hand?” the agent noticed some kind of notebook the girl was holding. “Drop it!”

“As you wish!” the girl threw the notebook toward the ceiling in the agent’s direction. “Expand!”

The tiny notebook turned to gigantic size and crushed down onto the agent. It made the man hit his head to the ground, knocking him unconscious.

“Nice thinking!” said Grimora as he shrank back to his normal size and flew back to his master’ side.

“Well you got to be useful for something.” The girl smiled.

“Let’s continue!”