Heroes for Hire?

Plasma: Thank god! I’m not going to lie, if the fight didn’t end there, I might’ve been toast. (Stares at unconscious Zack) Hmph, I guess I’ll take you with me, I didn’t get any answers to the whereabouts of my brother after all. Good thing is, you’ve left your footprints in the mud, I at least have a trail I can follow.

Narrator: Plasma picks up Zack and carries him over his shoulder. After following the trail for an hour and a half, Plasma reached the end of the trail outside the Dralkion Forest and on an empty plain seemingly nowhere.

Plasma’s mind: No, this can’t be right. The trail is gone! Did it disappear already, that’s impossible!

Narrator: Just as soon as Plasma feels like he has reached a dead end, a building proceeds to become visible in front of Plasma and the unconscious Zack. The building is floating and several stories tall, with a sign above the main entrance saying “The Hero Hotel”.

Plasma: WHAT THE! D-Did that building just appear out of thin air??? Zack please wake up; tell me if you see that too.

Narrator: As soon as Plasma stops freaking out and actually tries to make sense of what’s in front of him, a young, beautiful woman opens the door.

Kayla: You’re the two we heard about?! Holy hell, given the stories I’ve heard about both your fathers, I was expecting a little more muscles out of the two of you.

Plasma: Wait, how do you know my father? Exactly what kind of place is this?

Kayla: Can’t you read? This is “The Hero Hotel”, basically a secret base for all of Dragane’s top warriors.

Plasma: Dragane? Secret Base? Warriors? Sorry, but are you sure you don’t have the wrong people?

Kayla: Sighs, you two ARE Plasma and Zack right? Besides, this place is only visible to those Dragane deems worthy, therefore, if you can see this place then you’re the two people we were waiting for. According to Dragane, you’ll make a fine addition to the team. Listen, If you’re still confused, come inside and he will answer your questions over the two-way intercom.

Narrator: Reluctantly, Plasma follows Kayla into the building and is greeted with the face of another warrior. The other person doesn’t immediately notice Plasma’s presence, as he is busy practicing poses he’ll use in battle.

Plasma: Hey who is that weirdo over there?

Kayla: That “weirdo” is Victor, he’s one of Dragane's top 3 fighters.

Narrator: Before Kayla could begin any introductions between the two, a voice on the intercom demands immediate attention.

Dragane: Welcome Plasma and Za-, wait is he unconscious?

Plasma: Yeah, we may or may not have just had a duel leading to him being knocked out.

Dragane: I see. Very well then, sit him on one of those strapped chairs to tie him down. I have a feeling he’ll become rowdy once he awakes. I am Dragane, leader of the Human Warriors Association, as well as the second god of this universe.

Plasma: Wait, second god?!??! You’re a god? Gods are real? There are multiple?

Dragane: Not in the typical sense. I wasn’t born a god. I was born a normal human to a human father and an alien mother. The reason I have been recognized as a god of the universe is because compared to the only other god, there is no other being in this universe stronger than me.

Plasma: Really? In that case, who is the other god?

Dragane: The other god is our enemy, Drakage, also known as my brother. I was the human half of my parents, while he took our mothers side and was an alien. Drakage started a rebellion against the humans and has started his own evil organization with warriors stronger than ours. He has the numbers, luckily, I defeated him in a battle 500 years ago. I wasn’t strong enough to kill him, so I resorted to turning him into a statue, making him completely useless. Our problem, the supporters and warriors of Drakage continuously give him energy as they continue living. So long as his warriors remain alive, he will keep getting stronger, until he eventually can break out of his prison.

Plasma: Let me get this straight, you want me and Zack (along with your other warriors) to go and kill the rest of Drakage’s men in order to prevent his escape? If so, then no offense, but how come you can’t do it?

Dragane: It takes quite a lot of energy from me to turn someone into a statue, but a person of Drakage’s power takes too much of a toll on my body. I am barely able to walk let alone fight in this condition. It is imperative that all my energy is spent keeping Drakage cocooned for if he escapes, it is certain he will be able to kill me in this state.

Plasma: I’d love to, but frankly, I’m more concerned about rescuing my brother at the moment. Unless I know he’s safe, I can’t spend time doing things that won’t contribute to our reunion.

Zack: Uhuhugu- WHAT THE, WHERE AM I?? WHY DO YOU HAVE ME STRAPPED AGAINST THIS CHAIR!?

Plasma: Sorry, we needed to ensure you couldn’t escape. Dragane will tell you everything, and after that, I have my own questions to ask you.

Narrator: Dragane proceeds to give Zack a rundown on what he just told Plasma.

Zack: Interesting offer, I have no ties with Drakage, and my association with Phantom is purely business and not camaraderie, as long as you pay me enough to have a living, I’ll gladly do this.

Dragane: Very well, we’ll get your pay situated, let me know if it wo- wait…. Did you say Phantom? The PHANTOM?

Zack: Yes…..? Is that a concern?

Dragane: Phantom is the reaper of the entire multiverse, only one can exist at a time, and for good reason. Reapers are just beings, they do not side with gods and purely act on guiding souls to the afterlife. However, the reaper of today is corrupted by malice, he doesn’t always guide souls to the afterlife, and occasionally kills people and absorbs their soul to make him stronger. What possible business could you have with a man like that?

Zack: I was asked to kidnap Henry’s eldest son. However, I didn’t see Plasma outside, so I assumed the only person in the house was the target I was looking for.

Plasma: I don’t understand, I’ve never met this Phantom guy, what beef could he possibly have with me?

Dragane: Not with you specifically, but your father. 10 years ago, your father fought against Phantom. After realizing he wasn’t strong enough to kill him, he drilled Phantom’s eyes out and severely cracked the corrupted part of his soul. Due to this, Phantom is significantly weaker now and more reserved, however, his evil side still occasionally slips out and is a major threat. How about this, you do a few missions for me beforehand, because as you are now, you don’t stand a chance. Then, you go and hopefully defeat Phantom, after that you can continue working with me to help finish off Drakage’s forces. Do we have a deal?

Plasma: Well that basically clears up any questions I would’ve asked Zack. Therefore, I agree with those terms.

Zack: I also agree.

Dragane: Excellent! Your first mission is to eliminate Miguel Sonata, a dangerous singer who we’ve been inclined to believe that his music can control others bodies so long as they can hear it. Kayla, you will accompany these two newbies to make sure they can complete the task.

Kayla: I will also give you two two protective earbuds to make sure you can’t be put under his control.

Dragane: Good, now go! Both your fathers have major shoes to fill, so show me what you can do!