The world had undergone earth-shattering changes within 72 hours...

[Post-Genesis Era Statistical Report]

- Genesis Group: Bankruptcy liquidation, market value reduced to zero
- Faith Power System: Global servers permanently shut down
- Superhuman Classification: Redefined as "humans with special abilities"
- Era Code Name: Post-Control Era

[Perspective: Evelyn Thorne - Reflections Three Days Later]


The "Genesis Group" has officially declared bankruptcy.

This corporate empire, once valued at over five trillion dollars, completely collapsed within just 72 hours. Stock prices plummeted to zero, board members were arrested, and branch offices worldwide were taken over by governments.


The awakening of Odin and his group, along with Viktor's transformation, became the final straw that broke this empire.

The global Faith Power System broadcast one last time:
"Notice: The Faith Power monitoring system will permanently shut down at 24:00 today. All superhuman individuals will no longer be constrained by digital restrictions. From tomorrow onwards, everyone will be responsible only for their own choices. May the light of humanity forever illuminate the path ahead."

I sat in the top-floor office of Thorne Industries headquarters, gazing at the city's night view through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Three days ago, I lost my empire; but three days later, I gained something more valuable than an empire.

"Miss," Sebastian walked into the office with a document in his hand, "this is the final report on the asset liquidation of 'Genesis Group.' According to the court's ruling, all their technical patents and research materials will be made public for humanitarian purposes."

I took the document and quickly skimmed through it. "What about the shares of Thorne Industries?"

"They have all been reclaimed. Those offshore funds that maliciously acquired our shares were all found to be associated with the 'Genesis Group,' and their assets have been frozen." Sebastian paused for a moment, "Miss, you are now wealthier than you were three days ago."

I smiled, but it wasn't the smile of a victor; it was a smile of relief. "Money is just a tool, Sebastian. What matters is what we can do with it."

Just then, a familiar figure appeared on the balcony of the office.

Odin, no, Alex Thompson, wearing a simple black shirt and jeans, stood in the night wind. He looked tired, but his eyes were clearer than ever before.

"You could have come through the front door," I told him, "My security system won't treat you as an intruder anymore."

"I know," he flew into the office, landing in front of me, "but I prefer this way. It reminds me that I am indeed different."

We stood facing each other, two former enemies, now... I didn't know how to define our relationship.

"Did you come here to apologize?" I asked, "For the things you don't remember but that did happen?"

He shook his head. "I came here to ask you a question."

"What question?"

"Is your revenge complete?"

I remained silent for a long time. Revenge, this word had been the only meaning of my existence for the past three years. But now, when I had truly obtained everything I wanted—the destruction of the "Genesis Group," the revelation of the truth, the upholding of justice—I found that the word revenge had become hollow and meaningless.

"You know, Alex," I walked to the window, "thirteen years ago, when I saw the 'Founder' kill my parents, I swore to destroy everything related to him. I thought that when I accomplished all this, I would feel satisfied."

"But you don't," he walked to my side, "because revenge can never truly bring satisfaction. It only brings emptiness."

"Then what can bring satisfaction?" I turned to him, showing my vulnerable side to him for the first time.

"Creation," he answered without hesitation, "using our power to create, rather than destroy."

At that moment, Sebastian's communicator rang. He glanced at it, then said to me: "Miss, John, Marcus and Daniel have arrived."

A few minutes later, Thor (John), Poseidon (Marcus), and Hades (Daniel) walked into the office. They had also changed into casual clothes, looking like four ordinary friends coming for a visit.

"We've discussed it," John began, "about our future."

"We don't want to hide anymore," Marcus continued, "we want to use our powers to do something truly meaningful."

"But we also don't want to be controlled by any organization anymore," Daniel added, "whether government or corporate."

Alex nodded. "So we want to ask you, Evelyn, are you willing to help us?"

"Help you do what?"

"Establish a new organization," Alex's eyes blazed with a passion I had never seen before, "an organization that truly exists to protect the innocent. Not for money, not for power, not for politics, just to do the right thing."

I looked at the four of them, these superhumans who had once been deceived, exploited, and treated as commodities, were now proposing to me to jointly create a better world.

"This is dangerous," I said, "many people will oppose us. The government will think we're threatening their authority, corporations will think we're threatening their interests, and the media will question our motives."

"We know," Alex smiled, with a kind of innocence and determination I had never seen before, "but should we not do the right thing just because it's difficult?"

I turned to face the city outside the window. Those lights, each one representing a life, a story, a hope. Three years ago, I looked at this city with nothing but hatred in my heart; now, looking at the same city, a completely new emotion welled up inside me.

Responsibility.

"Alright," I turned around to face these four people who were about to change the world, "I'm in. But I have one condition."

"What condition?" Alex asked.

"If we're going to establish a new organization, it must have a new name. Not some 'Justice League' or 'Superhero Team'. We're not heroes, we're just a group of people trying to do the right thing."

"What do you suggest we call it?" John asked.

I thought for a moment, then said: "'Guardians'. Not guardians of gods, not guardians of nations, nor guardians of laws. But guardians of humanity."

The four people looked at each other and smiled, then nodded simultaneously.

"Guardians," Alex repeated the name, "I like it."

And so, on an ordinary night, in an ordinary office, five extraordinary people, for an extraordinary ideal, began an extraordinary journey.

We don't know what awaits us ahead, but we know that no matter what difficulties we face, we will no longer be alone.

Because we have each other.

Because we have hope.

Because we believe that even in the darkest times, the light of humanity will never be extinguished.

Three months later, the "Guardians" organization was officially established.

Our first mission was to help the victims harmed by the Genesis Group's experiments. We established rehabilitation centers, provided medical services, and helped them reintegrate into society.

Victor Stone became our sixth member. After reuniting with his daughter Lily, he decided to use his experience as a warning to help others who had been deceived.

We also began investigating other illegal superhuman experiments around the world, rescuing more victims.

Sometimes, we encounter hostile government departments, sometimes we face new organizations attempting to replicate the "Genesis Group" model, and sometimes we even face hostility from some of the superhumans we've rescued—they would rather continue believing those beautiful lies than face the painful truth.

But we never give up.

Because we know that true heroism isn't about having superpowers, but about choosing to do the right thing even when facing difficulties.

And true victory isn't about defeating enemies, but about saving those who need to be saved, including ourselves.

On a quiet night, I stand on the rooftop of the "Guardians" headquarters, looking at the city lights. Alex comes to my side.

"Do you still think about the past?" he asks.

"Of course," I say, "but no longer with hatred. Now when I think about the past, it's to remind myself why we're doing what we're doing now."

"Your parents would be proud of you," he says softly.

"Your mother would be proud of you too," I replied.

We stood there, two people who were once swallowed by darkness, now striving to become sources of light.

"Your parents would be proud of you," he said softly.

"Your mother would be proud of you too," I replied.

This is our story. Not a story of gods, but a story of humans. Not a perfect story, but a story full of hope.

And this story has only just begun.

Just as I was about to turn and leave, Sebastian's emergency communication suddenly rang out, his voice filled with panic I had never heard before:

"Miss! Emergency! Abnormal energy fluctuations occurring simultaneously in Tokyo, London, and New York. The satellite shows... something descending from the sky. Not spacecraft, but... people. Twelve people, falling directly from the stratosphere, but they're not slowing down..."

[Synchronized Perspective: Global Guardians]
- John (Thor): Sensing electrical anomalies at a Minnesota farm
- Marcus (Poseidon): Abnormal tide patterns along Los Angeles coastline
- Daniel (Hades): Sensing massive death energies approaching New York
- Victor (former Ares): Received alert while reuniting with his daughter

I exchanged a glance with Alex.

We thought the fall of the "Genesis Group" was the end.

But perhaps, that was just the beginning of a greater war.

Perhaps, the true gods are only now about to descend.

"Guardians assemble," I said into the communicator, "global emergency status."

The sky began to emit a deep rumbling sound, not a threat, but a judgment.

Our story, indeed, has only just begun.