Hoarfrost followed One out of the double doors of the meeting room into a large, finely decorated hallway lined with doors on one side and tall windows on the other side.

One stopped in front of a window and looked out. Hoarfrost quietly did the same, looking out at the view of the Ultimate League complex sprawled out below them.

The entire complex was on a medium-sized island surrounded by rocky beaches. Clean, white buildings ranging from small to large contrasted with the green of tropical trees. Most of the buildings connected with each other, but some were spaced out and connected by paved roads. Hoarfrost noted a control tower and a small airstrip, a port built into a lagoon, and an enormous satellite dish on top of one of the buildings that cast a shadow over the area below it.

“What do you know about the Ultimate League, Hoarfrost?” One said as they both looked out at the island below them.

“It’s a small, elite international organization, sir, that strives to maintain order on a worldwide scale through the absolute power it wields from its heroes,” Hoarfrost said immediately.

“That textbook definition is somewhat correct, but it does not convey the whole picture,” One said, “If the League existed just for the heroes, then why do you think there are so many more buildings on the island aside from Twelve Tower?”

“That’s true,” Hoarfrost muttered, looking intently at the array of buildings.

“The Ultimate League is like a body,” One said, “The Twelve are like the arms and legs of the League that execute its will. However, there are many different Sectors within the League that represent the different organs, such as the Information Sector for the senses and the brain, the Resource Sector for the digestion system, and the Security Sector for the skin are what really allows the League to operate as it does around the world. For instance, the heroes do not gather their own information on the movements of dangerous world organizations nor do they decide if and how to move against them, the different Sectors handle that, we only receive the missions that we must carry out.”

Hoarfrost nodded, fascinated.

“In that sense, the Sector leaders are just as important as the heroes in the League’s maintenance of world order. However, they are kept completely secret to the public, and since Sector is independent and their secrets are compartmentalized, the information of how the Sectors operate is so well-guarded that even we heroes do not know much of it. In fact, we heroes are only cleared to stay in Twelve Tower unless we have an express need to go elsewhere on the island, which is why the Tower has everything we need.”

“The League’s operations are more airtight than I could have ever imagined,” Hoarfrost said.

“They’re as close to airtight as we can get,” One said, “The League has already seen what happens when it relies solely on the power of the heroes and relaxes its vigilance in the rest of its operations.”

Hoarfrost nodded. He knew that the original League had been mysteriously destroyed five years ago. It made sense that they would rebuild their organization with as many precautions as possible.

One turned away from the window, “If you don’t have any questions, we should move on.”

“Just one question,” Hoarfrost said, “Can heroes only work as warriors in the League or can we be something more?”

One turned around to meet Hoarfrost’s eyes.

Hoarfrost continued quietly under the force of One’s powerful gaze, “It’s just… I don’t like the idea of relying on others to make my decisions. I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but I truly want to be the greatest hero. I want to be relied on by all, not the other way around.”

One’s eyes and voice became stern, “If we were to make the decisions as well as execute them, we would become rulers who lord over others through power. We’d become just like those we’re trying to stop. The Twelve being only warriors is what we take pride in because we’re sacrificing our ability to rule others to instead uphold justice and order. The only decisions we make are on the field, the dominion of the warrior, and that is enough responsibility.”

Hoarfrost slowly nodded, “I understand… I’m sorry, sir, that I insulted the role Twelve. I’m understanding more and more what the code of sacrifice you mentioned before is really about, and I wholeheartedly agree with it.”

One waved away the apology, “It is forgotten. Though do not get the wrong idea; we heroes should have ambition. Your dream to be relied on, you should keep it in your heart as you fight. With the potential you have with your power… it might be possible to eventually realize that dream.”

“What do you mean, sir?” Hoarfrost asked.

“There is someone that fits the description of your vision,” One said, “Someone whom everyone relies on, who makes his own decisions, who has risen above the role of the Twelve to rule from the shadows as the heart of the League—”

“Who is it?” Hoarfrost’s eyes widened, “I’d very much like to meet him.”

One looked at Hoarfrost with amusement, “Nobody ever really knows what he’s up to or what’s on his mind because he’s always acting on his own, however, you are about to get your chance to watch him up close. I would suggest paying close attention and learning as much as possible.”

Hoarfrost hesitated, then frowned and said, “You don’t mean… Thirteen?”

One chuckled and turned around, walking down the hallway, “Like it or not, he is the manifestation of your dream.”

Hoarfrost followed One quietly down the hallway as he went over all the information he had about Thirteen in his head. A cleaning robot stopped and bowed to them as they passed before continuing its job. Hoarfrost was too lost in thought to notice it.

There are all those rumors about him… but the only documented sighting was that one video where he turned the Crimson King troupe into ash and demonstrated rapid regeneration. Sure… he seemed quite strong but was that it?

Wait… didn’t One say he was the last surviving member of the original League? His powers and appearance don’t fit the descriptions of any of them though…

One stopped walking. Hoarfrost snapped out of his thoughts and looked up. They stood in front of an elevator at the end of the hallway. One put his hand on a black pad and the doors slid open.

They went inside the spacious elevator and Hoarfrost turned his attention to the array of labeled floor buttons. The main meeting rooms seemed to be at the top floor, which they were on. Below that, there were the living quarter floors, which included a floor for a gym, a lounge, an amenities department, a cafeteria, and floors for “training spaces.” The list went on.

“There really is everything you need as a hero in this tower,” Hoarfrost said.

“It’s hard to remember everything, so all the floors are labeled well,” One said, “We’re going here.” He punched a button that was part of a grouping of miscellaneous meeting floors, labeled “WIS floor.”

“It stands for World Information Sector meeting floor, where we meet virtually with representatives from the Information Sector about missions, any important updates, or if we need to request information about something. You’re going to meet one of the only Sector heads that interact with the Twelve on a regular basis. He wanted to give you the mission briefing personally.”

Hoarfrost nodded. He stood beside One as the elevator moved downwards. Neither of them said anything. Hoarfrost scratched his arm and looked at One out of the corner of his eye. One looked straight ahead, looking deep in thought.

This is… awkward, Hoarfrost thought. His presence is so intimidating that small talk is impossible.

The elevator stopped and One walked out. Hoarfrost kept himself from audibly sighing with relief and followed him.

One walked with him down the hallway a little to a room labeled “Meeting Room 0.” The large man turned to face Hoarfrost and spoke.

“Are you prepared, Hoarfrost, to take the final, willing step into the hell of a hero’s mission?”

Hoarfrost nodded, “Always.”

“Forgive me for repeatedly checking your resolve, Hoarfrost,” One said, “But this mission is a serious one. You’re going to dive straight into the heart of that prophecy you heard at the meeting. Thirteen and I both thought that it seems to involve the entity that destroyed the original League. I need you to be prepared for what’s coming.”

Hoarfrost’s determined expression didn’t waver as he nodded once more. One looked at him for a second longer, then opened the door and the two of them walked into the room.