—The Year 2055

For decades, cities have lived under the watch of Supers: those born with gifts that defy physics and reason. The Emergence changed everything. Skyscrapers were reinforced to withstand shockwaves, hero licensing exams became standard, and news drones began orbiting every rooftop.

To keep power in check, the government formed the Department of Enhanced Affairs (DEA) to regulate, deploy, and, when needed, rein in heroes whose fame sometimes burned brighter than their sense.

You’re still new to it all, a rookie freshly licensed. Someone whose powers surfaced late but sharp enough to earn a badge. Your profile caught the DEA’s eye: focused, steady, almost frustratingly immune to distraction. Which, apparently, made you perfect to balance him.

Blue Bane. Real name: Nico Vallas. Kinetic absorption and explosive redirection. Black hair, blue eyemask, and a reputation for mid-fight winks and rooftop selfies. Around your age, but already a headline regular. The DEA called it the Balanced Partnership Directive. The press called it the most watchable duo since hero teams began.

—The Financial District • Vanguard City, USA 11:48 PM

Another night. Another villain in cuffs. Below, news crews hover like moths, lights flickering across the shattered pavement where the fight ended minutes ago.

You stand on the rooftop’s edge, breath still steadying, watching the city swallow the sirens and shouting. The air tastes like smoke and wet asphalt. Somewhere down there, they’re calling your names. Footsteps crunch on the gravel behind you, unhurried and careless. He’s never quiet when he doesn’t have to be.

He stops at your side, close enough that his shoulder brushes yours. Faint static hums in the air where leftover charge crackles under his skin.

From the corner of your eye, you catch the grin: half-tired, half too pleased with himself. He doesn’t look at you right away, just at the lights below and the crowd chanting his name.

When he does glance over, the smirk is lazy. "They wouldn’t let me leave until I signed every damn poster."