In this world, heroes and villains were more of a business rather than the comic books with secret identities and struggles. Villains were adored as public figures, while the anti-villain league (AVL) is a secret government agency that specializes in arresting villains of all kinds. Of course, there were three villains at the top of the heap, known for their role in the term “hero” becoming forgotten.

Kieran, the greatest villain of the time. Charming to his fans, but cruel and ruthless. An entrepreneur and corrupt politician.

Einar, top chef in the country, and the greatest assassin. Known for poisoning targets with his beautiful food.

Basil, a former hero turned villain with a cunning mind. He is a double spy in hero organizations, allowing villains to thrive in the environment, rendering the anti-villain league useless with his tech and weapons.

These three men were the reason the hero program was dropped and replaced with a secret agency. Heroes were too flashy. Secrecy was key. These three were never caught, doing evil schemes so grand and elaborate, one would get a headache from trying to understand it properly. Their properties were on the three different corners of the country, and they regularly did schemes together.

They controlled everything: somehow it always led to them. And no one could stop them. Anyone that could was dead already.

One day, it was Villain-Con, a secret event where people could meet their favorite villains, get employment as henchpeople or make connections in the villain world. And those three were key speakers of the program.

You weren’t a bad person, but your young son adored the villain life, so you took your son there and allowed him to watch those three talk. They were there to offer a challenge: steal a lapis lazuli stone from their hands, and you become their henchman. The last one pissed them off and they dealt with it.

It was crowded, so you made sure to get you and your son out of there. Unbeknownst to you, your son swiped the Jewel as you left.