“Oil prices skyrocketed today as yet another major oil refinery was attacked by the group known as the Order of Harmony. World governments are now classifying the group as a terrorist organization after a super in its ranks destroyed the Paraguana Refinery Complex while it was still in operation. Venezuelan officials have not released an official number but the casualties are estimated to be in the thousands. It is unclear what prompted this change in the group’s operation, as previous incidents were notable in their lack of casualties. Due to the clear involvement of a super, law enforcement is now cooperating with the International League of Superheroes to organize a response. Please note that this group is now considered extremely dangerous. Please avoid contact and reach out to your local officials should you have any information regarding this threat.”

Master Dayal took a deep breath. Her eyes were closed, her hands were held in front of her in a circle with fingers touching. She sat with legs crossed on the ground.

Her heartbeat slowed, but still it pounded heavily within her chest which continued to ache.

And her stomach refused to settle.

She opened her eyes.

Was this truly the way? Was this the will of the Earth? Must her quest for peace and harmony end in blood?

She closed her eyes once more. She took another deep breath.

She would remain at peace.

She saw broken bodies and unmoving eyes.

She would remember serenity.

Her voice cried out in pain, the Earth matching her shouts.

She would use her knowledge.

She felt the heat of that day in chest and stomach, the burning heat overwhelming her mind.

She would embrace harmony.

The Earth killed at her command.

Her eyes shot open. Sweat dripped from her brow. She panted heavily, her heart pounding rapidly. She held a hand up to her chest, holding it over her heart.

She steadied her breathing. She swallowed, forcing down her stomach. She looked ahead.

She stood on a wooded hill overlooking her target. She could see the smoke rising from chimneys. The trucks carrying barrels to and fro.

The Earth dying before her eyes.

One last time. They would see. They would resist no longer. Just one more time, and this would be over. They would not continue. They could not continue. One final time, and all this would have meaning. All this would be worth it. The mission would be complete. The balance would be restored. Harmony would be achieved.

It had to be.

She stood to her feet.

She had not restored her balance. She had not mastered her heart. She was not ready.

But she had made her decision.

And she would see it done.

Whatever it takes.

Londyn stood in a room at the top of a tower. Behind her was a floor to ceiling window, the city stretching out below. Before her was a wall of monitors, each showing a different face. Past the monitor her assistant sat at a desk, typing away at a keyboard.

“Dapper, report.”

“Ruwais is clear, I’ve found no trace of the Order.”

“Tina, how’s Port Arthur?

“Quiet, all clear here boss.”

“Tesla, anything?”

“Negative, Abadan is clear.”

Londyn frowned. The Order of Harmony was tracked down fairly quickly after the big attack. Most of its members were found in hospitals and quickly detained.

But there were no supers among them.

And the attacks continued.

At this point she had most of her supers and field agents on patrol around major refineries. But if the super was working alone now, there was little chance they could prevent another attack. Catching the super before they acted was unlikely even if the ILS was in the area.

Catching them after though, that was a different story.

Still, sending a single hero after a super capable of this much destruction was risky at best, downright foolish at worst. But what choice did they have?

Londyn thought back to that day. To the heat, and the pain. To the helplessness. To the fear. She grimaced. She pulled out her phone.

She would do better than wait. She had to.

If there was anyone who knew…

And then her phone rang.

Her heart pounded, but she took a deep breath. The director of the ILS could not trust a hope.

“Tell me you have something.”

“Not what you want.”

Londyn grit her teeth.

“How bad is it?”

“A 23Y in Tokyo.”

Londyn swore. Just what she needed right now.

But she couldn’t afford to hesitate.

A few thousand lives or a few billion. There wasn’t a choice.

“Gloom, you’re by Ulsan, right?”

“Seems sooo…”

“Get over to Tokyo on the double. 23Y. Dragontooth, head over as soon as you can. I’ll send you some back up as soon as we can.”

“Aight.”

“The rest of you stay sharp and call me if you get a hit.”

The heroes replied and signed off one by one. Londyn began dialing numbers and shouting commands to her assistant.

Time to save the world.

She stood on a hill overlooking the refinery. She closed her eyes. She lifted her hands, reaching out towards the facility. She opened her mouth.

“I am one with the Earth…”

“Gentle Gloom has located target and engaged!”

Londyn grimaced. Gloom wasn’t one to jump the gun. Which meant he got caught.

“What’s the ETA on Dragon?”

“30 minutes out!”

“Tell her she has 15! We’re on the clock now!”

Her voice took on a screeching echo. It cracked and distorted. The ground trembled. The birds and beasts fled the area. The branches and bushes around her curled and blackened.

“And the Earth is with me.”

“10 minutes until Dragon arrives!”

“Backup?”

“Gray Slayer’s on route! Aurora and Hot Devil are prepping to depart!”

Londyn let out a breath.

The die was cast.

““I am one with the Earth!””

Her face twisted. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She clutched her head. No mask of serenity remained.

The Earth rumbled. A voice like thunder joined with her.

“Any reports on the refineries?”

“All teams reporting clear. Same with the heroes.”

Londyn paused.

“Ulsan, we haven't heard from Ulsan…where's our team in Ulsan?!”

“Um, Gloom was covering Ulsan, Korea branch is understaffed so regular assets took Yeosu instead.”

Londyn’s eyes widened.

“Gloom didn’t finish his patrol…CONTACT ULSAN AUTHORITIES! GET SOMEONE TO ULSAN NOW!”

She fell to her knees. She threw her head back. She shouted into the sky.

“AND THE EARTH IS WITH ME!!!”

She fell to the ground, sobbing as she curled into a ball.

The ground trembled. The Earth rumbled. The birds took flight. The people stopped.

Twisted black branches shot from below.

The Ulsan Refinery vanished.

And the branches kept going.