You nod once to your little brother, voice calm and final.
"Release them, Lukas. Give them one warning… then we walk away."
Lukas smiles softly — the same gentle smile he had as a child, now backed by cosmic power that makes the air itself tremble.
"As you wish, big brother."
The shadowy hands around the four heroes and their guards loosen and sink back into the ground like smoke. Kael and the others collapse forward, gasping, faces pale and drenched in cold sweat. Their divine auras feel… smaller now, broken by the sheer terror of what they just felt.
Lukas looks down at them with quiet authority.
"Touch me or anyone with me again… and next time I won't hold back even a fraction. Remember this feeling. The 'useless' hero you laughed at for weeks just spared your lives."
He turns his back on them without another word.
You, Mira, Lukas, and Liora walk out of the alley together as if nothing had happened. Mira stays glued to your side, tail curling proudly around your wrist. Liora walks close to Lukas, her new silver robes flowing, eyes shining with awe and loyalty. Lukas glances at you once, voice low and grateful:
"Thank you, big brother… that felt good."
The four of you disappear into the busy market streets, completely calm.
Within minutes, the word spread like wildfire.
Merchants who had peeked into the alley whispered to customers. Guards who overheard the heroes' panicked muttering ran to their captains. Street performers and adventurers carried the story faster than any messenger bird.
"The useless Fifth Hero… he's not weak at all!"
"He made the four blessed heroes kneel without even drawing a weapon!"
"That shadow power… it was stronger than anything the Goddess ever gave them!"
"The Fifth Hero is hiding his true strength — he's far more powerful than the other four combined!"
By the time the sun began to set, the entire capital was buzzing. Taverns overflowed with rumors. The story grew with every retelling.
Inside the royal palace, the King of the Azure Kingdom sat on his throne when a breathless royal guard burst in and knelt.
"Your Majesty! The four heroes were just humiliated in the market! The Fifth Hero — the one we all thought was worthless — forced them to their knees with a single step. His power… it felt like the gods themselves were bowing! The rumors are everywhere!"
The King's eyes narrowed. He slammed his fist on the armrest.
"Find him. Send every available guard. Bring the Fifth Hero — and anyone traveling with him — to me at once. I want the truth. If he has been hiding power this entire time… I need to know exactly what he is."
Dozens of elite royal guards poured out of the palace gates, spreading through the city, asking questions, searching every street and inn.
You, Mira, Lukas, and Liora are still walking peacefully through a quieter part of the market district, completely unaware (or perhaps perfectly aware) that the entire capital is now hunting for "the suddenly powerful Fifth Hero."
Mira leans close to you and whispers, "My lord… the rumors are already spreading. The King's guards are moving. What would you have us do?"
Lukas glances at you, calm but ready. Liora stays protectively at his side, new ring glinting on her finger.
The capital is now alive with your brother's name.