The Warrens; Thursday, 7th April 2185
The streets of the Warrens erupt into chaos as a group of street racers push their limits, until one car crashes, and the situation escalates with the arrival of gang enforcers. Blink taunts the gang, sparking tension, and a riot breaks out. Panic, Effel, Quinto, and Nocturne step into the fray, working together to deal with the escalating violence.
As the team fights back, the Shadow Reaver, a fear-feeding monster, emerges from the shadows, and the team struggles to combat its overwhelming darkness. Effel uses an untested technique to trap the Reaver with water mirrors, while Panic’s burst of light weakens the creature. With combined effort, the team pushes the Reaver back, but its rage grows, turning the battle into a test of wills.
After some tense moments and a heavy strike from Effel, the Reaver is finally defeated, dissipating into the air. The team stands victorious, but the area is left in ruin, with the enforcers and gang members still lurking. The team regroups, exhausted but emboldened, reflecting on their first true victory. Panic questions the origin of the Reaver, and Nocturne shares her vision of the creature, hinting at darker threats to come. Quinto suggests they regroup at base before authorities arrive, leaving the team to process their victory and prepare for what lies ahead.
Back at the Base; Early morning, Friday, 8th April 2185
The team regroups at their base, a run-down warehouse, after their fight with the Reaver. As they process the aftermath, questions about their future linger. They discuss their victory, the destruction caused, and their potential roles as young heroes in New Bastion. While some express doubts, others suggest they should investigate further, particularly the origins of the Reaver and Nocturne’s mysterious family connection. Tension arises as the team debates whether they need a team name, with Quinto suggesting something to help their image, while the others bicker and joke about the situation.
Panic expresses her concerns about balancing her hero life with her personal life, while Nocturne, with a hint of curiosity, wonders about Panic’s identity. Effel humorously dismisses the idea of a “leader,” while still acknowledging Quinto’s leadership role. The team agrees to rest, with the underlying tension about what comes next and the possibility of more threats on the horizon.
As they joke and lighten the mood, the team’s unity remains clear, even though their path forward feels uncertain.
The Warrens; Afternoon, Friday 8th April 2185
The team arrives at the cult’s safehouse, their nerves tingling with the palpable tension of the unknown. As they move deeper inside, the atmosphere is heavy, the air thick with a lingering hum. It’s clear something isn’t right, but before they can process, a low rumble shakes the building.
The ground vibrates, and a sickly green glow floods the room. The walls warp, crates splinter, and the energy surges, tearing through the structure. Vanessa, frozen in shock, gasps, “No… it can’t be…” before a blinding flash erupts, and the building explodes in a violent wave of raw power.
Vanessa is consumed instantly, her body disintegrating into light and shadow. The shockwave sends Panic and Effel flying, crashing violently into walls. The warehouse collapses into rubble, leaving an eerie silence broken only by distant sirens.
The team is left in the wreckage, battered but alive, grappling with the weight of Vanessa’s loss and the devastation around them. Panic, disoriented but unharmed, calls out for the others, while the rest slowly emerge from the debris, shaken but still standing. The mission has just taken a dark turn, and now they must confront whatever comes next, with one of their own gone.