Even before being zapped by lightning, Gusion knew he was toast.

Especially after Harley accosted him.

"Stay away from my sister," he hissed at Gusion. "I'm watching you!"

Gusion backed into his room.

The next day, it was go time. The Mages had discovered that there was one master of this realm – the Twilight Goddess. She could be summoned, but there was no telling on what she would do. If she killed everyone who didn't become a Mythical Hero, then they're as good as dead.

To begin, they would need the six previous Mythical Heroes. Pharsa, Minotaur, Layla, Saber, Freya, and Rafaela. Freya was the last Mythical Hero they found, and she was a hard one to get. She's the goddess of war, after all. She almost decapitated them once she regained conscious.

"Good luck," Lesley told him. "We're here for you."

It was a huge room with six doors. The interior was shaped like a hexagram, with a door at each point. Each of the heroes stood before each of them, with Gusion at the centre, standing on a podium. It was crafted from silver and obsidian, with a golden floor.

Gusion inhaled deeply. This had to work. For all of them.

He closed his eyes and felt the incantation come to him. He had one shot – he needed to make this count.

Twilight Goddess who slumbers beneath. Grace our world with Honour and Malice. Guide the lost within the paradox. For your word is our prayer, Lady Lunox.

The six doors began to glow. The frames of the doors had turned into half bright gold, and half dark purple. Gusion stepped off the podium and watched as a form took shape from a silvery mist.

A woman stood before them. The Mythical Heroes all left the doors and gathered with the other students.

"Speak," said Lunox. Her face was serene, her voice mellifluous.

Gusion steeled himself. He knew this was a goddess.

"Lunox," Freya said. "It's an honour to finally meet you in person."

Freya was too a goddess. They might have met. Instead Freya sank to a knee, and the rest of them followed her example. Some more reluctant than the others. (Valir, Roger, Clint, looking at you.)

Gusion was about to do the same, but Lunox called at him by name.

"I have heard of you, Gusion." Lunox's eyes twinkled. "You are a worthy warrior."

Gusion bit his lip. "I'm just an assassin."

"And a fine one indeed," Lunox agreed, walking in front of him. Power radiated off her. A faint mist of it hit Gusion in the face, but he stood his ground. "Tell me. What have you summoned me for? Immortality? Power? Perhaps love?"

Gusion stiffened at the last one.

"No," he said. "I wish for you to let everyone go. Out of this realm."

Lunox's smile receded. This was not going to end well. "Excuse me?"

Behind him, Lesley stood up to his defence.

"He is right," she defended him. "Are you treating this as a game? With lives? With all due respect – you have very little sense of humour. We may be assassins, but we know what is wrong and what is right. We may not play by the rules, but we know when to kill and when to not. Why did you invite us here?"

Everyone goggled at her.

Anyone who can defy a goddess is okay in Gusion's book. Especially when that person happens to be Lesley. Man, that hair looks awesome – never mind. He's getting sidetracked.

Lunox smiled. "It is fate. You all are too powerful for the outside world. They cannot accept who you are. I suspect you know that, assassins. You will always be the outcast."

Every assassin in the room stood. Sure. They killed. They're alone. But that does not mean everyone, anyone can insult their laws. Each and every one of them has respect, and they cannot tolerate being labelled as outcasts. Not even by a goddess.

"So?" Selena spoke up. "We're proud of it. We know why we're outcasts. It's okay if they don't accept us. Because we accept each other. Unlike you, we have family to care for!"

Angering a goddess is not the best idea at the moment. In fact, it's suicide no matter where you are.

The assassins stood by Gusion's side. They were ready to fight for everyone's freedom, even if it meant certain death. Maybe it's time to pay for the lives they'd taken. Perhaps they're fiercely loyal to their friends, even if they're a sarcastic teenage assassin.

"Very well," Lunox said finally. "I will give you a chance... by battle. If you win, you can leave. If you lose, Gusion stays with me."

Lesley spluttered. Gusion hadn't seen her this disoriented.

"What. You got a high school crush now?" she muttered. "All-supreme-Twilight-Goddess?"

Everyone gawked at her. Once again, she didn't fail to surprise. That was the first sarcastic comment she'd said to someone, and it may be the last.

There's only one thing that I know: I'm on Team Lesley. Roast that motherfucking goddess, girl. Roast her until she's extra crispy and – oh, never mind. Let's get back to the story.

Thankfully, she overlooked that little comment. "Choose five of your best warriors to face me. Now. I will give you five minutes."

The assassins looked at each other and the rest of the school. This was a huge risk. If someone dies now, it's permanent. With the Mythics out, there would be no regeneration. It's game over. GG. Well Played.

Lesley rose her hand at the crowd. "I will fight."

Gusion glanced at her. "Count me in."

"I could-" Karina started, but then she exploded in a fit of coughs. Ever since they woke up, they weren't as healthy as Lesley or Natalia.

"No." Lesley helped her calm down. She turned to the three assassins. "You three need to rest. Someone else can do it."

They protested weakly.

Gusion swept the crowd. Nobody volunteered. He couldn't blame them. Going up against an all-powerful goddess didn't seem relaxing or settling.

A ginger stepped out. "Me!"

Gusion groaned. "Really? Why won't you stay down and alive?"

"And let you take all the fun?" Harley scoffed. "No way."

"Harley." Lesley frowned. "No."

Gusion put his hand on her shoulder. "Let him. It's his choice."

Lesley bit her lip. "Stay alive."

They needed two more. Natalia, Lesley, Gusion and Harley all stood at the front like a mismatched team. There was the couple, the girlfriend's overprotective brother and a discouraging sister. Not the best combination.

Neither of them felt like asking anyone for any favours. Especially for something as big as this. They were practically asking them to commit suicide.

After a good tense ten seconds, a small figure rose from the back of the crowd.

"Angela," Lesley said, expression pained. "No, you can't. Don't do this."

She didn't know Angela for long, but she knew that Angela deserved to live. She didn't belong with a crowd like them, the Suicide Squad.

Angela shook her head stubbornly. "I'm willing to fight for everyone's freedom."

That was all. They had two minutes left. No one rose. No one spoke. There was one missing hero that they needed to complete the five-man team.

Gusion sighed, knowing that they'll have to fight with the absence of a hero. He turned to Lunox, ready to give her their answer.

Finally a marksman couldn't take it anymore. She stood up abruptly, shocking her brother still.

"I will fight," Miya declared. "If it's for everyone, I give my life."

"Miya!" Estes rose. "You do know the stakes. Don't do this."

"Miya." Lesley's voice was brittle. "Listen to your brother. Please. You need to live."

Miya nodded soberly. "If that is the risk for everyone's lives, I will take it."

She joined the Suicide Squad. She spoke for Gusion: "We have decided."