World Ascendant

The subway station was bustling with people, each with its own destination and purpose. Among the crowd, three young men stood out, not only for their appearance but also for their camaraderie. They were Malik Johnson, Ethan Sinclair, and Santiago Valentin, three friends who had known each other since childhood. They had grown up together, shared their dreams and passions, and supported each other through thick and thin. They were more than friends; they were brothers.

Malik Johnson was a 25-year-old African-American who worked as a boxer. He had a bubbly personality and a knack for making jokes. He was always optimistic and cheerful, even when life threw him curveballs. He had black hair, dark skin, amber eyes, and a toned body. He wore a red hoodie, jeans, and sneakers.

Ethan Sinclair was a 24-year-old British who worked as a fencer. He had a philosophical personality and a keen insight into human nature. He was always calm and composed, even when faced with adversity. He had dyed grey hair and was blind, with a slightly toned body. He wore a black trench coat, a white shirt, black pants, and shoes. He also wore an eyeglass that emitted sound waves to help him navigate.

Valentin Santiago was a 26-year-old half-Roman, half-Hispanic who worked as a martial artist. He had a logical personality and a dark sense of humor. He was always rational and pragmatic, even when confronted with emotions. He had white hair, green eyes, and an athletic body. He wore a blue jacket, a black t-shirt, khaki pants, and boots.

The three friends had gathered at the subway station for their reunion. They had not seen each other for a while, as they were busy with their careers and lives. They decided to meet up at the subway to spend another "guys" night together. They planned to go to their favorite bar, catch up on their stories, and have some fun.

"Hey, guys! Long time no see!" Malik exclaimed as he hugged his friends.

"Malik! You look great! Have you been working out?" Ethan asked as he returned the hug.

"Of course I have! You know me, I'm always ready for a fight!" Malik said with a grin.

"What about you? How's the fencing going?" Malik asked.

"It's going well. I've been training hard and winning some trophies." Ethan said modestly.

"That's awesome! You're amazing, man! How do you do it without seeing?" Malik asked in awe.

"It's all about feeling the rhythm of the blade and the movement of the opponent." Ethan explained.

"Wow! That's deep!" Malik said impressed.

"Hey, don't forget about me!" Santiago interjected as he joined the hug.

"Val! You look great too! Have you been practicing your martial arts?" Ethan asked.

"Of course I have! You know me, I'm always ready for a challenge!" Santiago said with a smirk.

"What about you? How's the martial arts going?" Santiago asked.

"It's going well. I've been experimenting with different styles and techniques." Ethan said casually.

"That's awesome! You're amazing too! How do you do it without breaking your bones?" Santiago asked curiously.

"It's all about controlling the force of the impact and the balance of the body." Ethan explained.

"Wow! That's cool!" Santiago said impressed.

The three friends chatted happily as they walked towards the subway train. They joked about their past adventures, teased each other about their quirks, and complimented each other on their achievements. They were having a blast, enjoying each other's company and friendship.

"So Malik," Ethan began as they boarded the train. "How's your love life?"

Malik groaned as he found a seat. "Don't get me started on that."

"What? You don't have a girlfriend?" Santiago asked as he sat next to him.

"Nope." Malik said flatly.

"Why not? You're handsome, charming, and funny." Ethan said as he sat across from them.

"Thanks for the compliments, but it's not that easy." Malik said.

"What do you mean?" Ethan asked.

"Well," Malik sighed. "I've been on some dates lately, but none of them worked out."

"What happened?" Santiago asked.

"Different things." Malik said vaguely.

"Come on, spill it." Ethan urged.

"Fine." Malik relented. "The first one was a gold digger. She only wanted me for my money."

"Ouch." Ethan said sympathetically.

"The second one was a psycho. She stalked me and threatened to kill me if I left her."

"Yikes." Santiago said empathetically.

"The third one was a cheater. She had a boyfriend and lied to me about it."

"Damn." Ethan said sympathetically.

"The fourth one was a bore. She had no personality and no sense of humor."

"Ugh." Santiago said empathetically.

"And the fifth one was a vegan. She tried to convert me and lectured me about animal rights."

"Wow." Ethan said sympathetically.

"So yeah, that's my love life in a nutshell." Malik said.

"That's rough, buddy." Santiago said.

"I'm sorry, Malik. That's really unlucky." Ethan said.

"It's okay, guys. I appreciate your support." Malik said.

"Don't worry, Malik. You'll find someone eventually." Ethan said.

"Yeah, Malik. You just have to keep looking." Santiago said.

"Thanks, guys. You're the best." Malik said.

They smiled at each other, their bond stronger than ever.

They did not notice the strange man who entered the train at the next stop. They did not notice his hooded cloak that concealed his face and body. They did not notice his sinister aura that radiated malice and hatred.

They did not notice him until it was too late.

The man pulled out a device from his cloak and pressed a button. A loud explosion rocked the train, sending flames and shrapnel everywhere. The passengers screamed in terror and pain as they were engulfed by the blast.

Malik, Ethan, and Santiago were caught in the inferno, their bodies torn apart by the explosion. They felt a surge of pain, followed by a wave of numbness. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

They tried to say something, but no words came out. They tried to reach out, but no hands touched. They tried to hold on, but no life remained.

They died together, their friendship and brotherhood ending in a flash of fire.

They did not know why they were targeted. They did not know who was behind the attack. They did not know what was the purpose of the device.

---

The explosion was heard throughout the city, causing panic and confusion among the citizens. The authorities rushed to the scene, trying to contain the fire and rescue the survivors. The media arrived shortly after, broadcasting the tragedy to the world.

The device that caused the explosion was recovered from the wreckage, but it was badly damaged and unrecognizable. The experts analyzed it, but they could not determine its origin or function. It was unlike anything they had ever seen before.

The man who planted the device was nowhere to be found. He had escaped in the chaos, leaving no trace behind. He had accomplished his mission, but he had no satisfaction or remorse. He was merely following orders from his mysterious employer.

---

Malik, Ethan, and Santiago opened their eyes, feeling a surge of warmth and light. They gasped for air, feeling a rush of life and energy. They looked around, feeling a shock of wonder and awe.

They were in a forest, surrounded by trees and flowers. They saw animals and birds, some familiar and some exotic. They heard sounds and smells, some pleasant and some strange. They felt sensations and emotions, some new and some old.

They were alive, miraculously and inexplicably.

They looked at each other, feeling a mix of relief and disbelief. They saw their faces and bodies, some changed and some unchanged. They recognized their features and expressions, some altered and some preserved. They sensed their presence and connection, some different and some same.

"Ethan?" Malik said hesitantly.

"Malik?" Ethan said incredulously.

"Valentin?" Santiago said skeptically.

They stared at each other for a moment, then hugged each other tightly. They laughed and cried together, their joy and relief overflowing.

"What the hell just happened?" Malik asked as he wiped his tears.

"Where are we?" Santiago asked as he looked around.

"I don't know." Ethan said again.

"Are we dead?" Malik asked as he touched his chest.

"I don't think so." Ethan said as he felt his pulse.

"Are we dreaming?" Santiago asked as he pinched his arm.

"I don't think so either." Ethan said as he winced.

"Then what is this?" Malik asked as he pointed at the forest.

"I have no idea, I'm blind, Ask Val." Ethan said as he shrugged.

"I'm on the same page as you, amigo." Santiago said.

They were silent for a while, trying to process the situation. They had no clue what had happened to them or where they were. They only knew that they had somehow survived an explosion that should have killed them and that they had somehow ended up in a place they didn't recognize.

They also noticed that something was different about themselves. They felt stronger, faster, and more alert than before. They felt a surge of power coursing through their veins. They felt a potential that was waiting to be unleashed.

They did not understand what had happened to them or what they had become. They only knew that they had somehow gained abilities that they never had before and that they had somehow become more than human.