Washington DC

Looking at it from a bird’s-eye view, one would be stunned.

The entire layout of the state had undergone a fundamental change — architecture, people, everything was different.

High-tech buildings clustered and towered into the skies.

People went about their days, some moving at unnatural speeds, some scaling distances in a single leap.

All of surviving humanity had awakened. Everyone was an Evolver, though talent and capabilities varied, the standard had changed.

Humans were now capable of things previously unthinkable, and the government did well in incorporating these into society.

Police agencies had undergone rigorous reforms, now more aggressive and tight in their grip on the populace.

After all, with such powers and human nature combined, one could imagine the chaos that would ensue if civilians were left unchecked.

Now everyday skirmishes weren’t overlooked as they once were.

Random conflicts could escalate into cataclysmic consequences if not handled properly.

With Evolvers rampant, the government had to change their approach to things and regulate the use of abilities.

As much as they had to implement these new changes into everyday life, they also had to suppress them.

People with combat abilities were drafted. Those with utility and construct-related abilities were viewed as even more valuable and were put to work — with the right incentives to drive them, of course.

Abilities were still being researched. The current structure wasn’t perfect, but it was thriving.

All in all, it was safe to say the government had their work cut out for them, but so far they were handling things pretty well.

At least everything hadn’t gone to shit and become pandemonium like some areas around the world.

One would find it hard to believe that such changes occurred within the span of a month.

At the heart center of Aegis, the newly constructed and improved White House stood with towering majesty.

Within the structure, government and military officials went about their various jobs.

And at the peak of it all was the presidential office.

Bam!

The doors to the president’s office swung open as the personal aide rushed in, pressing an earbud to his ear. He quickly relayed:

"Mr. President, sir, good news. It’s Apex — they are back, and with him too."

A figure sat behind the grand presidential desk, their chair facing the transparent wall beyond. Nothing was visible about their silhouette except their deep brown hair.

"Hmmm? The Duskreavers actually handed an ace like that to the government so easily? That doesn’t sound right." A bold, commanding voice rang.

The personal aide shook his head. "According to the informants situated in the Duskreavers estate, though we are not clear on the cause, it seems the family had a falling out with the target."

"Oh? So stupid?"

The personal aide didn’t reply. Naturally, that was rhetorical. Not that he would have answered otherwise — who was he to dare call the Duskreavers of the Big Three stupid?

"How is it going with the envoys..." the president changed the topic.

The personal aide’s reply was quick and practiced.

"Sir, we have positive replies from Canada, Peru, Mexico. Some replies from the lower South American continent are still pending, but..."

The president hurried him. "Speak quick!"

The personal aide sighed and continued. "The agent sent from Alaska to venture into Russia crossed the seas, but we have yet to get feedback... our recon team believes he’s dead."

Everywhere went silent, save for the rhythmic taps of a finger against an armrest.

"So there’s no progress at all," the president stated calmly.

China, the EU, and Russia — Aside from the US these were the greatest powers on Earth, whether anyone liked to admit it or not.

With the apocalypse setting in, other countries might bend to the USA’s proposals easily, due to desperation and other factors. But these three?

The rhythmic taps continued...

Project World Government — this was a project drafted from the Pentagon. With humans thrust into such a new but more brutal era, division couldn’t continue.

Segregation caused by skin colors, divisions caused by varying cultures and religions — these things couldn’t stand if the human race wanted to survive in the broader verse.

The human race had to be just that: the human race!

They would be their own religion, their own culture, nothing more. The government had to be a singular whole, and they had to operate as one.

How many years had the higher-ups known about the impending apocalypse?

Across Egypt, Greece, and countless other regions, clues had long been scraped together about the coming of the Corruption and the power of the all-seeing eye that would come with it.

Across countries, individuals in power knew this. But still, everyone worked with their fragmented interests.

If humanity had long banded together in preparation for this disaster, maybe — just maybe — things wouldn’t be this grim.

Now here they were, corruption zones silently growing, and still humans prioritized fragmented interests over the singular whole.

And worse, the convergence of continents was still looming over their heads. And then there were other, even worse, unthinkable threats.

"Did the agent die to corruption or to the Russians..." the president’s calm voice rang with this question.

The personal aide remained silent for a second, then replied. "We are not clear on this information, sir. Though we believe him to be dead, we might still be wrong." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

A transmission came in and the personal aide’s eyes lit up as he tapped against his earbud. "Good news just came in, sir. Apex has just reported in and claimed to have cleared about seven corruption zones on their way here."

But his words did not bring the reaction he assumed. The somber silence still reigned, and the grim pressure wafting from beyond the desk remained.

Suddenly the figure behind the chair rose, his bold figure clad in a grey fine suit, his hands clasped behind him. The president remained staring at the transparent wall, his features still elusive.

He commanded, a reverent pressure filling the office. "Call the top senators. We are going to congress. There will be a change of plans."

The personal aide’s eyes widened. From these words alone, how could he not guess what was about to be proposed?

But who was he to object? "Y-yes sir."

The command continued. "And schedule a meeting with Apex. I would like to see these young valiant five for myself."

"Yes sir!" With that, the personal aide rushed out as fast as he came, in a hurry to relay orders...

The scene shifts...

Seth stood in awe of what lay beyond his eyes.

They had just alighted at the airport and were awaiting the government to come fetch them.

Standing before the airport terminal, the sight of busy streets and brightly neon-lit towering buildings lay before them.

How long had it been? A month? How could civilization speed up so fast?

"It’s only normal. With countless abilities beyond imagination now available to humanity, our efficiency in developing would naturally have a momentous boost." Uriel explained as he adjusted his glasses with a finger.

"See, big bro? I told you, you’d be stunned!" Brandon chuckled as he threw an arm around Seth’s shoulders.

"Our ride is here." Elaine softly alerted as an armored convoy slowly parked before the five.