Chapter 37: Imposter Syndrome

The warm rays of the sun blessed the Earth once again. It was a new day and the inhabitants of the world were starting to wake up. Another few months had passed, and the stoic viltrumite had returned to his daily life in the forests. The chinese beauty had visited to check on the house and was surprised to see Taz.

It was safe to say that a warm embrace wasn't the only thing they enjoyed. They spent more time together until she left for her hero work. She wouldn't return for another few months unless something important came up. The young elite basked in his solitude, always pondering on the future.

The New Earth Federation had taken another leap with technology. Their army was now provided with exosuits that enhanced their movement. It wouldn't be long until humanity set their eyes to the stars. Since the world was unified, lofty dreams now had the chance of being realized.

The powerful man chopped at the tree until it toppled over. As he wrapped a strong rope around the trunk, he looked up. Floating in the sky was his caretaker. Anissa gazed down at him from above. She wore a normal shirt with jeans that outlined her figure. The two locked eyes for a moment. Eventually, Taz averted his gaze. He picked up the tree and trudged along back to his home.

The first few weeks after the woman left, she was extremely bitter. Of course, that didn't stop her from seeing him constantly. There would just be a massive scowl on her face for the most part. Things eventually changed as time passed. The bitterness left and was replaced with gratitude. Taz hadn't asked about it yet, but he was planning on it today.

Anissa descended from the sky and landed next to him. She walked alongside the man as he returned to the home. There was a comfortable silence as they traveled.

"I still don't understand why you even do all of this." She finally said. The stoic man shrugged.

"Even I don't know. It helps pass the time, maybe." He answered.

"That's not what I was expecting to hear. No decent explanation for this one?" She joked.

"......."

After a while, they made it back home. Taz dropped the tree next to the chopping block where his axe rested. His caretaker shut the door behind them as they walked inside. The young elite made sure to wash his hands before heading to the kitchen.

"Coffee or hot chocolate?" He asked.

"Hot chocolate." She answered while sitting at the table.

The stoic viltrumite got to work, brewing the desired beverage and cooking breakfast. A delicious aroma soon wafted throughout the building. About thirty minutes later, the food was ready. Taz brought two plates of omelets with pancakes and sausage. The hot chocolate was set down right after.

His caretaker rested her head in her hand while watching him. He seemed at peace in this place. It was an expression she'd only seen when he was here in the forest. When he turned away, she grasped his hand.

"Hmm?" He turned to see what she wanted.

Anissa stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Their lips met for a long time before she pulled back. A smile adorned her face.

"Taz. I've done it!" She exclaimed. Taz raised an eyebrow.

"Done what?"

"Guess."

"You've found your purpose?"

"Not quite. I haven't found my purpose, but I've found my peace."

"...That's good. You have your entire life to find it."

"I want to show you." She exclaimed.

"Alright. After we eat." He agreed.

His caretaker nodded and started wolfing down the food. The powerful man shook his head and ate his food in a relaxed manner. Before he was even halfway finished, Anissa had cleaned her plate. She stared at him while waiting for him to be done. Taz suppressed a smile.

'It seems that she really can't wait to show me.' He thought.

Once they were done eating, they set off. The clouds dispersed as they soared through them. Absolver was surprised when they flew over the country of Japan. They descended into a city known as Hitogaya. It was near Tokyo.

"I wonder what you have to show me here. I can't lie, I thought we were going to New York or something." He exclaimed.

His caretaker smiled at the remark. After casually grabbing his hand, they walked the streets. Civilians couldn't help but look at them in curiosity, since they were foreigners. Japan was a homogenous society, with little foreigners.

Taz snatched a cake pop on a stick from one of the vendors. He didn't have their currency so he didn't pay. The old man wanted to say something, but when Anissa looked at him, he faltered. It was as if he knew her.

They made a few more turns before stopping in front of a large estate. Two ruffneck guards in suits were in front of the gates. When they saw the two, they bowed.

"Boss!"

"Boss!"

Both of their voices rang in Japanese. The young elite turned to the woman in surprise. It was so unexpected.

'Did she really do what I think she did?' He thought.

Anissa casually walked toward them, dragging him with her. The two goons opened the gate which allowed a beautiful yard to be seen. There was even a small pond with koi fish swimming around. A row of men and women stood in line, already in a bowing position.

"Welcome back, Boss!"

They all exclaimed in unison. The stoic viltrumite turned to her with a deadpan. His caretaker smirked upon seeing his expression. Taz was dragged all the way to the sliding shoji doors. When they entered the massive building, they were escorted by maids in yukatas all the way to the second floor. They didn't follow them up to the third.

"No one is allowed on the third floor except me." She announced.

The two walked down the hall before stopping at another large shoji door. It opened to reveal a bedroom. The room was incredibly large. It had a massive king sized bed, which somehow fit the design of the room.

"You have totally blindsided me this time." He said.

Taz knew she would do something that involved violence. She raised him, after all. Beat up some gangsters and take their property. An easy plan. What he didn't expect was for her to become the boss and rule over them. Especially in Japan.

"That was my intention." She spoke with glee.

When the young elite turned around, his eyes narrowed. Anissa had already undressed, and was standing before him completely nude. The woman walked into the closet and put on a black and red kimono. He couldn't help but agree with her choice of clothing. It suited her.

"It almost looks like you were born here." He commented. His caretaker pointed toward the closet.

"Yours is in there too." She announced.

Taz shook his head before entering. A grey and white kimono hung from a hook right next to another outfit. The stoic man frowned upon seeing the suit. After putting on the kimono, he walked out with the outfit in question.

"It fits you." She commented.

"What is this?" He asked while holding up the suit.

"You know what it is."

"Why?"

"So you can have a suit but I can't? What if I want to do something flashy?" She exclaimed.

The skin-tight suit was a navy blue color. A deep red cape was attached to the shoulders. Just like Taz's, there was no symbol anywhere on it. The young elite could already see what she would look like in it.

"How did you even get it made?" He asked.

"Cecil introduced me to a human named Robot. A weird name, seeing that he was just a child." She answered.

"........"

Anissa grabbed her favorite viltrumite's hand and pulled him over to the balcony. The view overlooked the entire city. There was a small table surrounded by two chairs. A board game sat on top.

"Up for a game of shogi?" She asked.

"Shogi? I've never heard of it."

"Don't worry, I'll teach you."

The two would end up playing for hours. The sun eventually set, and the skyline lit up with neon lights. It was a picturesque scene. A great family bonding this had been. Eventually, Taz got up.

"That is enough. I'm proud of you. It looks like you've at least found a hobby." He spoke while ruffling her hair.

He then left the balcony and got ready to change his clothes. Anissa followed him inside and sat on the edge of the bed.

"...You're leaving?"

"I am."

"Why?"

"I never finished my routine for the day. At the very least, I need to dry the animal skin before it rots." He commented. The viltrumite woman bit her lips.

"Forget about that. You should stay." She suggested. Taz thought for a moment.

"...Should I?" He thought out loud.

His caretaker grabbed his hand and gently brought him over to the bed. She laid down on the edge and brought him in between her legs. The young elite stood over her and watched as her kimono unraveled. Her shapely body was revealed.

"You should…" She hummed while bringing his hand to her breast.

"......."

Taz squeezed it roughly, his fingers pinching her nipple. Anissa took a sharp breath and released a comfortable moan. Her legs pulled him in. The powerful man smiled before leaning down toward her waiting lips.

…

…

…

A few days later, Taz could be seen in the forest near his home. A dead deer was in his hand, and he was bringing it back to the shed. It was going to be another day of solitude.

PHOOOM

A figure flew over the forest at breakneck speeds. The stoic viltrumite thought he recognized the figure, so he took off after him. He caught up easily.

"Mark." He called out.

The man stopped upon hearing his name. When he turned around, Taz frowned. Invincible's outfit and haircut was different. There was even a scar on his face. He seemed pretty evil. His appearance was rough.

"You know my name?" The man asked with amusement.

"That's quite the wardrobe change in just a few months." Absolver commented. Mark smiled.

"What do you mean? I've always looked like this. You just don't know me well enough." He spoke eerily.

The way he squared off made it seem like he was about to attack. Being a trained elite, Taz noticed it immediately. The first thing he thought of was a lab experiment.

'Did the humans make a clone of Invincible?' He thought.

"Don't try it. You will die." Taz warned when he saw him clenching his fist.

"The one to die…won't be me." The different Mark spoke with confidence. The air detonated as he launched toward the stoic man.

Absolver's suit appeared on his body with only a tap on his wrist. One of the perks of knowing Cecil. A weak punch shot toward him. It was futile. The young elite had stopped bothering to even block such weak attacks. He grew stronger everyday, after all.

BAM

The fist connected with his chest to no avail. Taz's cape flapped behind him due to the air pressure. Mark's fist had shattered. Bones were sticking out of his hand.

"Aggghhh! Fuck!" He roared in pain while holding his broken hand.

"...I really hope you aren't the same Mark I know…" Absolver stated. One of his hands grasped the hero's throat. His other hand gripped Invincible's wrist and pulled.

RIIIIP

The arm was torn from its socket. Blood fell from the sky, drenching the ground. The severed limb was the last to hit the floor.

"AAAAAGGGHHH!!" He cried out from the searing pain.

"...I don't know how I'd explain this to your father." Taz finished.

Invincible used his free hand to throw desperate punches. It was useless, only doing more damage to his hand than to Absolver. The viltrumite soldier ignored Mark and covered the world in his bioelectric aura. His face instantly turned solemn.

He could sense at least 40 Invincibles wreaking havoc on every major city and country. The powerful man had no idea how this was possible. Even cloning wouldn't result in copies this well made. Where the hell had they come from?

There was no longer a point in wasting time. Taz's eyes glowed red. Two sharp rays lashed out, severing the struggling Mark's head. His body slackened instantly. He was dead.

After letting the body drop to the ground, he blasted off. Several booms resounded as his speed constantly increased.