"The sudden spike in paranormal energy was detected in this area," a blonde woman said, pointing at a specific region on a large map displayed on the screen in front of the country's top-ranking officials.
"That's still not good enough," a man in a military uniform said, his voice sharp. The emblems on his chest marked him as one of the highest-ranking officers in the room. "You're giving us a general location. There are about 50,000 people living there. It could be anyone. This information is useless."
The blonde woman, Sarah, took a deep breath to steady herself. "I understand, sir. But this is the best we could do with the limited time we had. If you give us a bit more time, I'm confident we can pinpoint the exact location of the awakened individual."
Her confidence was quickly shattered when an elderly woman, who had been silent until now, raised her head. The air in the room instantly shifted.
"Time is a luxury we don't have," the woman said, her voice calm but firm, silencing the entire room. "We're talking about an X-rank superhuman. That's an anomaly, something rare and incredibly dangerous. If we've noticed it, so have the other families. And the rebels," she added, her tone colder now. "If those rebels get their hands on an X-rank, it could tip the balance in their favor. That's not something I'll allow."
The woman was Evelyn, the president of the country. She wasn't just a political leader—she was one of the few world-ranked superhumans on the planet. Her presence alone commanded respect, and no one in the room dared to interrupt her.
"I'll authorize whatever resources you need to find this individual immediately," Evelyn continued, standing up. "I want their identity on my desk first thing in the morning. And send scouts to the area now. An X-rank awakened has the potential to become a planetary-level superhuman. We cannot take that risk."
Without another word, Evelyn turned and walked out of the room, her security detail trailing behind her. They were more for show than necessity—everyone knew Evelyn didn't need protection.
"Yes, Madam President," Sarah said, bowing along with everyone else in the room. Once Evelyn was gone, Sarah straightened and glanced back at the map, determination written all over her face.
As the room settled back into a tense quiet, Sarah stayed focused on the map, her mind racing. The situation was far more complicated than just tracking down one person. There were too many players in the game.
The governments weren't the only ones watching for paranormal activity. There were powerful families—old bloodlines that had wielded influence for generations. Each had their own motives and their own agendas.
---
The Galveston Family
Known for their mastery over elemental abilities, the Galvestons were a dominant force. They controlled vast resources and were often at the forefront of any supernatural-related crisis. Patriarch Baldur Galveston was feared and respected, not just for his power but also for his cunning. If there was an X-rank superhuman, the Galvestons would be one of the first to make a move.
---
The Dhark Family
The Dharks were shrouded in mystery, and their influence stretched far beyond what most could see. Rumors swirled about their ties to ancient, forbidden practices. The Dhark's lineage, though dormant for generations, was now in the spotlight. The family's unpredictable nature made them both a wild card and a potential threat.
---
The Silvermane Consortium
A family-run corporation, the Silvermanes were as much business magnates as they were superhuman strategists. They specialized in using technology to enhance their abilities, blending science and power. It was said that their matriarch, Victoria Silvermane, could manipulate time itself.
---
The Ashborne Order
An old aristocratic family, the Ashbornes were known for their psychic abilities and their obsession with control. They believed in maintaining order at all costs, even if it meant bending—or breaking—the rules. Lucian Ashborne, their leader, had a reputation for eliminating threats before anyone else even saw them coming.
---
The Blackveil Syndicate
The Blackveil were an underground family, operating in the shadows. They dealt in illegal activities but had a strict code of honor among their own. Their leader, Selene Blackveil, was said to have the ability to manipulate darkness itself, making her nearly impossible to catch or confront.
---
The Veridian Circle
Unlike the other families, the Veridian Circle was less about bloodlines and more about ideology. They were a group of awakened individuals who believed in preserving the balance of power in the world. They acted as enforcers, ensuring no one family or government became too dominant. Their leader, Kael Veridian, was a charismatic figure who inspired loyalty in his followers.
---
The Rebels
Then there were the rebels—a loose, chaotic group with no clear structure but a singular purpose: to tear down the existing system. They hated the families and distrusted the governments, viewing both as corrupt and oppressive. Their leader, known only as Wraith, remained a mystery. It was said Wraith was a former X-rank superhuman who turned against the establishment after a betrayal.
---
Sarah leaned back and sighed. Each of these groups was already moving, even if they hadn't shown their hand yet. She glanced at the screen, realizing just how high the stakes were. If the government didn't act fast, one of these groups would get to the awakened individual first—and the fallout could be catastrophic.
While the world scrambled, plotting and scheming to track him down, Adam casually stepped out of the shower, towel slung over his shoulder as he dried himself off. He caught his reflection in the mirror and smirked.
"Damn," he said, striking a mock pose, "I look like a freaking supermodel. No, scratch that—I'm better than that."
Completely unaware of the chaos he was causing, Adam tossed the towel aside and stretched. "Alright, bedtime. Tomorrow's a new day. I'll mess around with my abilities then."
With that, he flopped onto his bed, letting out a satisfied sigh. The world could wait. Right now, sleep was the priority.