Though the city of Mezina (referred to as a country) by itself is not very large, it still houses half a million people, and the majority of them aren't really indulgent of supernatural arts or born with powers. But those who are, or happen to gain them through the government system, are hailed as heroes provided they don't rebel against order and do a few years of service.

They live a life of such high self-esteem that a normal human could only hope to reach through sheer hard work in seven lifetimes. It wouldn't be wrong to say that rather than singers, actors, idols, or even sportsmen, the greatest fan following centers around these superheroes only.

There is no populist approval rating system in place for the ranking of superheroes. The idea had been initially suggested by the provisional government but was rejected outright. Just one year post-implementation, to deal with the unexpected influx of criminals, it was well established that people preferred showmanship and individualism over ability.

So now, the ranking system works exactly like a normal bureaucracy, but that doesn't mean the value of social acceptance and people's support has been rendered completely irrelevant. Each time there is a failure on the part of the state, it calls into question the privilege awarded and granted to these supers.

Today happened to be one of those days. While the local police had secured the perimeter, put up barricades, and asked the public to stay far from the explosion site, the apprehensions hadn't settled down in the least. In fact, it had only been exacerbated due to the accumulation of a larger crowd who couldn't catch even one glimpse of reality, and rumors about what could be, created more paranoia in the crowd.

"Just when you think we are moving towards civilization, you see the true coward faces in peril," Vanliet muzzled his black beard as he cocked his gun, looking at the crowd, preparing himself for a probable stampede.

Juliet, a young woman in her thirties who had been tasked to follow a police officer in a reporter capacity, was shocked at the brazen callousness with which Vanliet's eyes seemed to be gnawing at the civilians. Those eyes didn't seem like they belonged to a state-sanctioned police officer deemed to protect people but rather to a bloodthirsty hater seeking to fulfill his violent passions under the cloth of authority.

"Mr. Vanliet, before I ask a question that might reveal things I would prefer hidden about you otherwise..." Juliet braced herself as she switched on her mic. "Can I ask whether it should be on or off the record?"

"Do as you wish, rep," Vanliet's eyes seemed fully locked on his gun, admiring its shape or maybe savoring the dream of blood garnishing its mouth. "But don't be a hurdle when necessity dictates me to do things your heart would wish not to see."

"Very well," she nodded as she opened her diary and snapped open the quill. "Has the police managed to recover all the evidence as claimed? If not, is there any chance of it, or is the assurance given simply to keep these ignorant people outside the barricades in line and in a state of defeatist suspension?"

"...You ask too many questions simultaneously, Miss Juliet," Vanliet raised his finger in a warning manner. "One at a time, and no comment on evidence. That is an exclusive matter for supers. We only set the stage for them to work upon."

"Do you think this exclusive jurisdiction allocation is the root cause of inefficiency?" Juliet blinked.

"I don't know under what illusion you are, ma'am," the officer's nerves seemed to have been struck by the phrasing as his eyes left the gun for the first time. "But had it been the case, Mezina would have been wiped out long ago."

"Are you saying we are nothing without supers?"

"No," Vanliet shook his head. "There is no 'we' without supers, for there is no nation without them. Our nation is a prime example of a civilization that can remain strong despite divergence from the main sect. Right now, this bombing may be unthinkable, but if this is how we are going to act as a society towards the problem, then tens of such attacks could happen, and all could go home priding themselves on vilifying the government."

"Well, if that so happens to be the case, why have we suddenly failed so badly after a whole two years of peace?" Juliet asked again. "Do you think that maybe peace has habituated them to a lack of duty?"

Vanliet sighed. He should have known. A reporter would never leave until they got some convenient reply which they could mold as they wanted. But he couldn't make such an accommodation for a mere reporter when the threat to the state was at stake.

"I don't know. Try asking them." With that, he moved past Juliet, ignoring her protesting cries and calls. All of a sudden, the crowd went quiet, making a smile creep up on Vanliet's face as Juliet's eyes squinted in confusion.

Had some other celebrity arrived?

But Juliet's eyes widened as well when she saw the star-like bright trio descending onto the area within the barricades. 

Well, well! Maybe it was time to question a super as well. After all, they were only humans who were supposed to have reached the skies , now all that waited , in Juliet's heart which could draw anyone's future in his sight, for these Icarus to fall.