3.05 – A Big Mess

The Midnight Avenger’s words had barely left his lips when the world around them shifted in an instant. The elegant plaza, with its grand fountain and elaborate pillars, flickered and dissolved like mist. The cobblestones vanished beneath their feet, replaced by a smooth, slightly cushioned material that absorbed impact far better than stone. The scent of salt still lingered in the air, but the landscape had been stripped of any ornamental detail. It was like stepping into a completely different reality.

Akari stumbled mid-step, her arms flailing slightly as she regained her balance. “What the—” she gasped, looking around in shock. “Did… did we just teleport again?”

Aurora tensed instinctively, her wings flexing as her eyes darted across the transformed environment. She relaxed after a second, realizing that it wasn’t another portal. It was the same space—but completely altered.

Asami adjusted the rifle slung across her back, her violet eyes narrowing slightly. "Holograms," she muttered. "High-quality ones too. Impressive."

Aurora nodded, trying to keep her amazement contained. "I’ve never seen anything like this before." Her eyes flicked to Midnight Avenger. "Is this some kind of… training field?”

“The Kitchen is not only a secret location in Japan," he replied, his tone clipped and efficient, "it’s equipped with state-of-the-art holographic projection. We can create literally anything here. The only limit is imagination.” He began walking toward the largest central building, motioning for them to follow.

Akari glanced down at the ground, stomping her foot lightly. "Feels real," she muttered.

"Because it is, to a certain extent," Asami added. "High-end hard light tech. It is more than a simple illusion— they are corporeal."

"Great," Apex, the cybernetic woman, finally spoke up, her voice tinged with dry amusement. "So basically, we’re living in a sci-fi fever dream."

Aurora chuckled at that, shaking her head in wonder. This was beyond anything she had expected.

Midnight Avenger led them through a set of automatic doors into a large, open lobby. The space was sleek and modern, with polished floors that reflected the overhead lighting. Here and there, subtle hints of hidden technology were embedded in the architecture—small, blinking panels, recesses in the walls that suggested hidden compartments, cameras that barely made a sound as they adjusted to track their movement.

“This facility is designed to accommodate heroes-in-training from all across the world,” he continued. “We’ll assign you dorm rooms shortly. You may choose to bunk together or have separate accommodations. That’s up to you.”

Aurora’s gaze swept across the lobby. “This place is huge.”

“It has to be,” the Midnight Avenger said simply. “We’re not the only ones who train here.”

At that moment, Dragonmage wordlessly broke off from the group, turning toward the right wing of the building. Asami’s head tilted curiously as she watched him go.

“Where’s he off to?” she asked.

Midnight Avenger didn’t slow his stride. “Dragonmage has other matters to attend to.” He didn’t elaborate, and none of them pressed further.

He led them down a staircase to an even larger space below. The moment they stepped through the door, the scent of freshly prepared food filled the air. The room was massive—long rows of tables stretched out across the mess hall, clearly designed to accommodate large numbers of heroes at once.

Aurora blinked in surprise. "Okay, I was expecting something a lot more… spartan."

“You’re not in a military boot camp,” Midnight Avenger said. “You’re here to train, not suffer.” He strode toward the center of the room, stopping before a sleek, high-tech counter. “This mess hall is fully automated. All meals are prepared through an advanced system.”

As if on cue, the counter lit up, and a holographic projection of a young woman flickered into existence. She appeared to be in her early twenties, with an endearing, doll-like appearance that bordered on too perfect—flawless, porcelain skin that emitted a soft, digital glow, large expressive eyes with shimmering irises that shifted slightly between shades of cerulean and teal, and long, silvery-blue hair styled into a neat braid that draped over one shoulder. A few strands curled delicately around her face, giving her an air of warmth despite her artificial nature.

She wore a crisp, professional uniform—a modernized take on a traditional maid's outfit, subtly infused with futuristic design elements. The high-collared, white blouse was sleek and fitted, with navy-blue trim outlining the edges, and a gold emblem stitched just below her collarbone—the insignia of the Society of Sentinels. Over it, she sported a neatly tailored waistcoat in midnight blue, complete with subtle, glowing lines that pulsed faintly with the system’s power. Her pleated skirt matched the uniform, falling just above her knees, paired with thigh-high stockings that had faint digital circuitry patterns running along the sides.

A translucent, ribbon-like interface hovered just above her wrists, displaying system diagnostics in real-time, and when she moved, there was a faint, shimmering trail of light left behind, like pixels dissolving into the air. Her voice, soft yet precise, carried a synthetic undertone, but it was gentle, welcoming, and full of warmth.

She bowed deeply, her hands clasped neatly in front of her, the movement smooth and perfectly executed. "Greetings, Midnight Avenger," she said, her bright smile flawless yet oddly natural. "What would you like to enjoy today?"

Apex, the cybernetic hero, folded her arms and studied the projection closely. “Huh. That’s some advanced AI. Fully interactive?”

“Correct,” the hologram responded smoothly, its luminous smile turning toward her. “My systems are designed to provide optimal service and meal selection based on stored preferences and dietary needs. Please inform me of any dietary restrictions or preferences, and I will tailor meals accordingly, ensuring a balance between taste and the necessary macro- and micronutrient intake.” Holly’s eyes gleamed with a touch of pride as she added, “Or, of course, whatever else might aid in your recovery and peak performance.”

Asami smirked. "Efficient."

Midnight Avenger ignored the commentary and simply said, “I’d like a cup of tea. Earl Grey, hot.”

The hologram bowed again and made an elegant gesture. A second later, a steaming cup of tea materialized on the counter.

Aurora’s eyes widened. “No way.”

Akari stepped forward hesitantly. “Is… is that real?”

Asami, ever the skeptic, narrowed her eyes. “Another illusion?”

“No,” the hologram replied cheerfully. “The food and drinks are real, Fräulein Strachwitz.”

Both Aurora and Akari stiffened in unison. Asami’s eyebrow arched.

“Wait,” Aurora said slowly. “You just—how do you know her name?”

The hologram offered a polite bow. “You introduced yourselves within range of my sensors. If I have caused any offense, please accept my apologies—that was not my intention.” She paused briefly before adding, “For your convenience, each of your rooms is equipped with a personalized console, allowing you to place orders privately should you prefer not to dine in the mess hall.”

Asami crossed her arms. “...” She muttered. But after a moment, she sighed. “Two hot chocolates, please.”

The hologram’s expression didn’t change. “Certainly!” She did a little spin—completely unnecessary but strangely endearing, her skirt twirling about her—and two steaming mugs of hot chocolate appeared beside the Midnight Avenger’s tea.

Aurora watched as Asami eagerly grabbed one of the mugs and—shockingly—handed the other to the doll perched on her shoulder.

And then the doll took it.

And drank.

Aurora felt her brain short-circuit.

“Did—did that thing just—?”

The doll let out a satisfied sigh, as if it had just consumed the best hot chocolate in the world.

Akari’s face paled. “I—what—”

Asami chuckled, amused by Akari and Aurora’s confusion. “....”

Aurora wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so she did the only thing she could—she slowly turned back to the counter.

The military hero, Rook, stepped forward next. Unlike the others, he showed no hesitation. “Standard issue field ration. MRE, Fingers of Death.”

Aurora made a face. "Really?" The Midnight Avenger had just said that this was not a boot camp, and yet…

The hologram bowed, repeated its little flourish, and a military-grade MRE pack appeared on the counter. Rook picked it up without a word and strode to a table off in the corner, already tearing open the package.

Midnight Avenger watched him go before commenting dryly, “He has… interesting taste, to say the least.”

Aurora stepped up to the counter after Asami, her eyes still slightly widened from watching the strange doll sip hot chocolate like it was the most natural thing it could be doing. Shaking off the lingering unease, she turned her attention to the holographic attendant.

“I’ll have a big steak meal,” she said, licking her lips in anticipation. “Seasonal vegetables on the side and… let’s get fancy with an umami sauce for dipping.”

The hologram’s shimmering hair swayed as she nodded. “Certainly! How would you like your steak prepared? Options include raw, rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well-done, or—if you insist—nearly cremated. Though, I would advise against the latter.” A hint of playful amusement flickered in her glowing eyes before she continued, “Rest assured, any meat I prepare will be entirely free of contamination or preservatives. Would anyone like to add any sides or additional items to their order?”

“Medium-rare… and could I get Wagyu A5?” Aurora asked, her curiosity piqued. Certain anime series had primed her for this moment—was the legendary cut of meat as incredible as it was hyped up to be? She needed to know.

“Of course!” Holly responded with an elegant nod, her glowing eyes twinkling with efficiency. “I can synthesize the ideal fat marbling ratio to craft the perfect Wagyu steak for your enjoyment.”

Aurora practically drooled at the thought, anticipation bubbling inside her. A truly perfect, melt-in-your-mouth meaty feast? This was about to be a culinary experience of a lifetime.

Quinn would be totally jealous if she told her.

Aurora smirked to herself, already imagining her cousin’s over-the-top reaction—probably a mix of dramatic outrage and immediate demands to take her to wherever she’d gotten it. Maybe she’d even send a picture just to mess with her!

Asami mulled it over for a second before snapping her fingers. “Cookies. A whole plate of them—chocolate chip, steaming hot and soft. I have to keep my mana levels elevated.”

The holographic girl performed a cheerful twirl, her digitized skirt flaring slightly as she processed the order with an almost theatrical flourish. Within moments, a perfectly plated meal materialized before Aurora—steak cooked to perfection, a colorful array of seasoned vegetables, a small dish of rich umami sauce, and a separate plate stacked high with golden, freshly baked cookies. The scent of seared beef and warm chocolate filled the air.

Aurora picked up her tray with an eager grin. “I love this place already.”

Akari stepped up next, peering at the counter with fascination. “Hmm… I want… authentic Mexican enchiladas, please.”

The hologram’s bright, twinkling eyes seemed to flash knowingly. “With extra cheese?”

Akari gasped, pressing a hand to her chest as if she had just been blessed by the divine. “Yes! You read my mind!”

The machine hummed, and in moments, a plate of steaming enchiladas appeared, the melted cheese stretching luxuriously over the saucy tortillas. Akari cradled the plate in her hands, inhaling deeply before sighing happily. “This is going to be amazing.”

With all eyes now on Apex, the cyborg hesitated for a brief moment, her golden gaze scrutinizing the ordering interface. Finally, she spoke, her voice neutral. “I do not require sustenance, but I will participate for the sake of social convention. I will take… a small bowl of miso soup.”

The holographic attendant inclined her head respectfully, and with another flicker of light, a modest yet carefully presented bowl of miso soup appeared, steam curling upward with the aroma of dashi and green onions. Apex took the bowl without further comment, observing it as if it were a foreign object before taking a slow sip.

With their trays in hand, the group moved toward an open table, deliberately avoiding Rook, who had already settled in at a solitary table in the farthest corner, munching silently on his military rations. His expression—or what little of it was visible—remained unreadable as he chewed his lukewarm, mushy hot dogs. The Midnight Avenger had already disappeared elsewhere, leaving them to their own devices.

Aurora was the first to plop down, setting her plate in front of her with a satisfied hum. The others followed suit. Asami took her seat gracefully, her eerie doll perched beside her, its glassy eyes flickering with something almost implying sentience. Akari settled in with her plate close, already cutting into her enchiladas with wide, delighted eyes. Apex remained composed, cradling her bowl of miso soup like a scientist evaluating a test sample.

“So,” Aurora began, slicing into her steak with practiced ease, “since we’re all stuck together for the next two weeks, we might as well get to know each other a little better. Where’s everyone from?”

Akari perked up first, mid-bite, her cheeks puffed out slightly as she held up a hand, chewing hurriedly. She swallowed with an audible gulp, then grinned. “I was born in Kyoto, but I grew up mostly in Osaka. I came here because… well, I wanted to see how others train. That, and I’ve always been curious about different fighting styles.” She pointed enthusiastically at her plate with her fork. “And now there’s food! I’ve always wanted to try Mexican food, but I never got the chance back home.”

Aurora grinned at her excitement. “Well, you’re in for a treat. Mexican food is amazing!” She popped a piece of steak into her mouth, savoring the rich umami as it coated her tongue. “Good choi—.”

The moment the steak touched her taste buds, her eyes widened slightly. The flavor and texture of what she supposed was the prime example of a perfect Wagyu A5 steak exploded on her tongue, velvety and decadent, practically melting before she even had to chew. Each bite was a symphony of buttery richness, an indulgence so luxurious it was almost criminal!

Holy hell!

So soft. So scrumptious. So… gone way too fast.

Aurora’s eyes shot open as the flavors detonated on her tongue, a crescendo of umami so intense it sent a shiver down her spine. The marbling of the Wagyu rendered it into liquid gold, coating every inch of her palate in an intoxicating dance of richness and depth.

Her breath hitched. Suddenly, she wasn’t in the mess hall anymore.

She stood atop a vast, rolling ocean of shimmering steak juices, each wave crashing against her with bursts of savory ecstasy. Above her, golden fat marbling wove through the sky like celestial constellations, glowing with divine indulgence.

A gust of umami-infused wind swept through her hair, carrying the scent of perfectly grilled perfection as her costume was blown off. This… this was heaven!

Somewhere in the distance, a choir of cows mooed in reverence, their voices low and serene, singing praises to the divine artistry of the Wagyu. A pair of cherubic steers fluttered past her, their tiny wings flapping as they whispered in soft, reverent tones:

"Eat, child. Partake in the blessing of the beef."

Aurora gasped, overwhelmed, clutching her fork like a lifeline.

This… this was too good. Was she high or something?!

She snapped back to reality, her breath slightly uneven.

As Aurora snapped back to reality, Asami and Akari exchanged a knowing glance, smirking as if they had just witnessed something profoundly ridiculous, yet entirely expected. Meanwhile, Rook stared at her, his brow furrowed, his expression hovering somewhere between curiosity and deep concern for himself.

"Are you well?" Apex asked cautiously, having difficulty understanding Aurora’s reaction.

"V-very good..." Aurora managed between bites, devouring her steak with newfound fervor.

Rook's attention momentarily drifted as he lifted one of his soggy hot dogs, inspecting it skeptically before giving it a tentative wiggle. The sad thing promptly snapped in half, flopping onto the tin mess tray with a defeated splat. Unfazed, Rook sighed, popped the remaining piece into his mouth, and crossed his arms in silent determination.

Aurora stared at the dwindling portion on her plate, a sudden wave of existential dread washing over her. This steak wasn’t going to last! Her grip on her fork tightened slightly. She needed more.

Asami, already working on another cookie, spoke between bites. “Interesting. Mexican food, was it not? We will see.” She acted like she hadn’t witnessed Aurora’s disgrace. “I will reserve judgement until later, though I cannot deny my interest. Mexican is not commonly found where I come from.” She took a delicate sip of her hot chocolate.”

Aurora eyed Asami with a grateful expression. She was glad that she’d chosen to mostly ignore her reaction. “You said you come from Germany? That’s pretty far from Japan. You operate out of there?”

Asami reached for another cookie, her expression relaxed but somehow bored. “More or less. I usually cooperate with a couple of other heroes back there… Teamwork is difficult … at times.” She sighed dramatically, her free hand making a dismissive gesture. 

Akari tilted her head, leaning forward. “Difficult how?”

Aurora exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. “They are reluctant to follow orders. No sense of coordination, or discipline…”

Akari giggled. “So, you’re something like their leader, then?”

Asami gave a mock glare, tilting her head slightly. “You are flattering me.” She took another slow bite of her cookie before sighing. “In theory, perhaps. In practice, hardly.”

Apex, who had been silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke, her voice cool and measured. “Does that mean that you wish to work alone mostly?”

Asami furrowed an eyebrow, her expression shifting to something more thoughtful. “It depends. Competent collaborators would certainly be appreciated. I detest chaos.” She took a slow sip of her hot chocolate before glancing around the table. “That being said, I hope that our time together will be productive. As long as you follow my lead, we should be able to succeed.”

“Indeed,” Asami’s doll echoed, its tiny head turning toward the group. “You are encouraged to follow Lady Asami’s lead.”

Asami chuckled, sipping her drink before reaching out to gently pat the doll on the head, sliding two cookies toward it. “You are always such a good girl, are you not?”

The doll clutched at the cookies and devoured them with unsettling enthusiasm.

Aurora sighed, shaking her head in amusement. “You know, being superheroes, chaos kinda comes with the package, y’know? But I’ll certainly do my best. I’m sure we all feel that way—no one wants to trip each other up.”

Asami set down her mug, her expression turning more serious. “And what about you, Apex? Where are you from, my friend?”

Apex carefully placed her bowl of miso soup down, her golden eyes flickering. “I was… constructed in Tokyo. But my core design originates from Munich, Germany.”

Aurora raised a brow, pausing mid-bite. “Constructed?”

“Yes. Very talented scientists are essentially my parents. Although I have human components, I do not possess any memories from before my construction. I am merely Apex.” She paused, her golden eyes flickering with something almost like curiosity. “What about yourself? Do you have caring parents?”

Her voice was neutral, but there was an undercurrent of something else—almost like she was probing for something deeper. Anyone could read the subtext. What was it like to have real parents?

Asami met Apex’s gaze evenly, unfazed. “One might say that we have similar backgrounds. My mother is Japanese. My father and his family are German. They are an ancient lineage of mystics. I am their supposedly beloved daughter.” Her fingers drummed lightly against the table before she added, “My mother was judged to possess suitable genetic material to produce. Thus, the decision was made.”

There was a beat of silence.

“... So you are… like an artificial child?” Akari asked, blinking in disbelief and anxiety.

“More or less.” Asami  shrugged as if it were the most mundane thing in the world. “After all, father always said that I am special. I am destined for greatness. It was under his tutelage that I more or less discovered how unique I truly am.”

Aurora let out a low whistle, slightly annoyed by the girl’s smug sense. “Well, that’s something you don’t hear every day.”

Asami tapped her fingers against the table, her sharp gaze locking onto Apex. “And what about you? What is your story, Apex?”

Apex regarded her for a long moment before responding. “I was created to surpass the limitations of mankind in my own way.” Her head tilted ever so slightly. 

Aurora frowned slightly. “That’s… a lot to live up to.”

Apex thought about it for a moment and replied, “It is.—May I ask you all a personal question?”

Aurora nodded her head. “Shoot. Can’t say how we’ll answer until you ask the question.”

“Please do not misunderstand the nature of my question. I wonder… why do you exist? Why do we exist?”

Everyone looked at each other for a long moment. Asami’s eyes sparkled in amusement.

“That’s a question that a lot of us spend our life trying to figure out, I guess.” Aurora sighed. “For many of us, it’s because our parents did certain things and it resulted in a baby being born. For you, I suppose someone or many people decided to build you. But I guess when it comes to a question about what we’re meant to do… in my opinion, that’s up to us.”

 “Very true. We are all masters of our own destiny. But some are destined for glory and others not.” There was a pause before Asami turned her stare at her, her purple eyes gleaming with amusement. “And what is your story, Aurora? Tell us angel girl~. I am curious.” 

“Oh… um… I have an ultra-secret identity. My secrets are even reinforced by magic. In any case, I can’t really share much. I’m half Empyrean, an alien race that resembles classical angels, and half human. I wasn’t always like this, my whole life was pretty mundane until recently. I guess it was fate.”

“Interesting~. What magic protects you? What secrets do you hide, angel girl?~” Asami asked.

“That would be telling too much, I suppose.” Aurora laughed, scratching the back of her head, a little embarrassed. “I could always turn the tables and ask for all your secrets too, Asami, but would you actually answer me?”

“Most certainly not.” Asami’s lips curled slightly, her violet eyes remaining as enigmatic as ever. There was a pause, brief but deliberate, before she tilted her head ever so slightly. “You know, Aurora… Your name has a beautiful ring to it. I like it.”

Aurora blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. “Awww… thank you.” A warm smile spread across her face. “I named myself after what my powers look like.” To demonstrate, she lifted a hand, allowing shimmering ribbons of multicolored light to dance above her palm like a miniature aurora in the night sky.

“Beautiful, indeed.” Asami smirked, her tone smooth and measured. “It suits you, angel girl.”

The group sat in silence for a moment before Akari cleared her throat, shifting slightly in her seat. “Well! That’s definitely the most interesting introduction I’ve ever heard so far.”

Aurora chuckled, spearing the last piece of her steak and savoring it with a satisfied sigh. The umami sauce had been incredible to the very last drop. She leaned back in her chair, stretching slightly. “Alright, since you spoke up—what about you, Akari?”

The pyromancer smiled shyly. “Oh, me? Well… um… My codename is Pyrodancer.” She hesitated, twirling her fork between her fingers before exhaling. “My parents run a Shinto shrine. More accurately, I’m not just a pyromancer—I’m a Shinto priestess and use a sort of abridged shikigami.” She shrugged, then added, “But more accurately than that, my powers aren’t spiritual at all.”

She held up a hand, flexing her fingers. A flickering wisp of flame danced over her palm, the firelight reflecting in her wide, dark eyes. “Through scientific experiments, technicians opened my chakras and expanded my mental abilities. I can ignite fire and control it at will.”

Aurora and Asami watched as the flame flickered and swayed before vanishing with a soft hiss.

Akari scratched the back of her head, looking almost sheepish. “Not that impressive, I guess, but I can make a much bigger fire.” Her lips pressed together, her gaze dropping slightly. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Aurora shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “That’s amazing, Akari. They probably tapped into your latent metahuman gene forcibly, enhancing the pathways in your brain to unlock your full potential.”

Asami’s purple eyes gleamed with interest. “Fascinating.”

Aurora nodded, setting down her fork. “It’s great to meet other people facing the same problems. Talking with such unique people like you all is… refreshing.” She gestured around the table, a grin forming. “So, to summarize before we head off to our rooms for the night—we’ve got a team consisting of an affable angel, a mysterious sniper, a grumpy marine, a curious cyborg, and a cute firebug, huh?”

Akari gasped, her face instantly turning a deep shade of red as she clapped her hands over her cheeks. She squirmed in her seat, unable to form words.