Kismet's Base, Cook Islands. Today was the first of the weekly meeting with family and Kismet was preparing to leave.
"Remember, everyone. Keep a low profile and be in disguise when out with family. We've gotten too popular too fast, which means we surely have a lot of enemies now."
Belinha met with the members one last time before they left.
"Don't think our enemies will only be criminals either. Remember the Volcanic Emperor."
Impactor clicked his tongue in annoyance. Belinha's eyes narrowed.
"Most of all, be aware of anybody from the Calamity Churches. They are fanatics who will eliminate anything that threatens or disgraces their Gods, the Three Calamities. We're definitely on their list."
She looked at all of them.
"Remember, our actions put the people we love at risk. So act accordingly."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Belinha smiled.
"Alright, everyone, have fun."
Kismet were all smiles.
"Mikel, Bojana, are you two coming over after you visit the orphanage?"
Mira asked while she flung her bags over her shoulders. Kira casually took the bag from her and brought them outside.
"Yeah, we need to say Hi to the Director, staff, and kids after a long time."
Bojana answered while Mikel picked up her bags and his.
"I see, then I'll tell my father to prepare extra dinner plates."
"Thanks, I love the General's cooking."
"What about you, Batu?"
Belinha asked Batu who held a suitcase.
"I'm going to meet with my parents in Vietnam and have lunch with the President."
"I see. I'm going back to Portugal with this idiot."
She pointed at Impactor, who looked lifeless.
"His family have been staying with mine and apparently they've gotten pretty close."
"I see. Then, we'll see each other tomorrow night."
Belinha nodded and everyone went their separate ways, while Belinha dragged Impactor.
Lisbon, Portugal. A few kilometres away from the Global Hero Federation's Portuguese branch, there was a mansion that rested on a hill overlooking the coast. This mansion had 12-foot-tall walls and a huge red and gold gate with a phoenix on it. There were guards scattered across the vast yard, surrounding the mansion. A car pulled up at this residence and was let in almost instantly. It drove down the long driveway and stopped in front of the mansion. Belinha and Celso stepped out of the vehicle holding their bags.
"Belinha, if I die, I want you to give my games to Kira."
"Stop being dramatic and let's go."
They walked up the steps and the door opened.
"Oh, you two are here already."
A woman walked out and greeted them. Vibrant tanned skin, black hair with red ends flowing down her back, a star-themed loosely fit sun dress, and soothing hazel eyes. These features hit Celso in quick succession.
"You had a sister?"
"Don't be an idiot."
Belinha frowned at Celso.
"My, I didn't know you were the flirty type."
The woman, on the other hand, was pleased. Celso stopped in front of her for a bit and his eyes widened slightly.
"The Flame Sorceress?"
The woman stretched her hand out.
"Call me Elisa. It's nice to meet you again, Impactor."
Celso took the hand and went on a knee.
"The pleasure is all mine, Dona Elisa. I saw old photos of you from almost a decade ago and was surprised to see that you haven't aged a day. Sorry for mistaking you for Belinha's sister."
Belinha picked him up by his collar.
"Why are you being weird with my mother? I've never heard you talk like that."
"I'm just being respectful. After all, she's a part of the Shadow Government."
"I told you, the Board of Heroes aren't the Shadow Government."
Belinha sighed while Elisa chuckled.
"Come in, you two. We only have a limited time."
Elisa welcomed them in and shut the door behind them.
"Wow~. This place is fancy."
Celso muttered while looking around. The interior was white with gold decor, with birds as its main theme.
"You'll get used to it."
Belinha didn't care much and walked down the hallway. She walked into her living room, where her feet stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Celso walked up behind her and looked in the living room. Contrary to the hall and entrance, the living room was designed in a modest and homely manner. The furniture, while luxurious, looked like something that a family would use rather than being there just for show. The decor was livelier with its colouring and theme. All in all, it looked like a loving home. At least from Belinha's point of view.
"Do you like it?"
Elisa stood beside her.
"Marta redecorated the place for us."
"My mother did?"
"Yes. She said she wanted to repay us for letting them stay with her. I assured her it was okay, but she strongly insisted."
Elisa looked around the room with a smile.
"I was doubtful at first, but I must admit...This place finally feels like a home."
She touched Belinha's shoulder, which made her flinch.
"I'm sorry we didn't let you grow up in something warm and cosy like this, instead of something artificial and soulless."
".....I didn't mind it."
Belinha walked into the living room while looking around.
"She seems uncomfortable."
Celso mumbled before looking at Elisa.
"Did she have a rough childhood?"
"...You really speak your mind, huh? Who asks a parent something like that about their child?"
"Someone who wants to know."
"Fair enough."
Elisa chuckled a bit before watching Belinha curiously look around her own home.
"It's not my place to say whether Belinha had a rough childhood or not; that's her call. However, I can say with certainty she grew up with constant pressure from everyone around her."
"She did mention having a lot of expectations."
Elisa nodded.
"Such is the fate of a child born to extremely talented and awesome parents."
Celso looked at her.
"Your ego might be as big as mine."
Elisa smirked.
"Trust me, Child. Mine's way bigger."
Celso returned the smirk.
"Dona Elisa, I have a feeling we'll get along just fine."
"The feelings mutual."
"Why are those two grinning with each other?"
Belinha frowned while watching them before something caught her eye. It was a framed photo on a table near her. She took it up and brought it to her face. It was a picture of a young Belinha holding a trophy. The trophy read #1 Daughter on it.
"Oh, yeah. They did buy me this...."
A smile slowly crept on her face. She put it down and dropped her bags on the ground. Celso spoke up.
"By the way, Dona Elisa. Where are my executors?"
"If you mean your family, they..."
Elisa stopped talking when the sound of the front door opening reached her ears. She smiled and turned towards the hallway. The sounds of footsteps could be heard approaching.
"Looks like they're...."
Her words trailed off when she turned back to Celso. He was on his knees with his hands behind his head.
"Why do you have the pose down so perfectly?"
"Experience."
Celso closed his eyes as the footsteps reached him.
"Look at this guy."
He heard a familiar judging voice.
"He thinks surrendering will make everything alright."
Rustling sounds entered his ears.
"This is great, Mãe. We can test the knife set we just bought. Let's start with the butcher knife."
"Calm down, Fatima."
A familiar and soothing voice could be heard.
"Calm down? I'm sorry, but that's impossible."
Celso felt his body being forced to stand. He opened his eyes and was greeted by the deadly gleam of a butcher knife. He could see the one holding the knife reflecting in it. His eyes travelled to the teenage girl holding the knife and grabbing his collar.
Tanned skin, curly black hair that rested above her shoulders, light freckles, and the face of an enraged banshee.
"Fati, my merciful little sister."
"Wrong person. I don't know such a heartless brute."
Fatima placed the knife at the side of his head.
"Such harsh words hurt your brother more than any injuries the Calamities have given me."
Tears started flowing from his eyes.
"Do it, end my misery. For a world where I'm hated by my sister is a world not worth living."
"Okay."
Fatima chopped his neck with the butcher knife.
"Ahhh?! You crazy bitch, you actually did it?!"
"You thought your pity party would work this time? You sold our car!"
"I can buy you guys a dozen cars because of that!"
Fatima chopped him again.
"Fuck your money!"
"Ahhh! Get this crazy chick off me!"
"Crazy?! Let me show you crazy!"
"Enough, you two!"
A thundering voice caused them to freeze up. A woman donning a modest sundress forced them apart. Both Celso and Fatima had a striking resemblance to this woman from their curly her to their skin and eyes.
"Fatima, don't use a butcher knife on your brother. It won't kill him, but his blood will stain Dona Elisa's carpet."
"You're worrying about the carpet?!"
The woman looked at the shouting Celso.
"Celso, come here."
Celso approached his mother after some hesitation.
"Tell me, Celso. Should I be angry?"
"...Yes."
"Enough to want to strangle you?"
"....Yes."
"Can you give me a reason not to?"
Celso opened his mouth but closed it after locking eyes with his mother. He shook his head. She placed her hand on his cheek, which caused him to tense up. She then pulled him in for an embrace.
"First things first, thank you for returning to us alive. I was so scared watching you fight against those monsters."
He could feel her body trembling as she held him.
"I'm sorry, Mãe. I was just doing what I thought was best for you guys."
She pushed him off and looked at him for a bit before slapping him.
"What's best? What mother wants to watch her son be burned to a crisp over and over again? I...."
She stopped talking.
"Fatima, bring him to your father. He's more levelheaded than I am right now."
"Okay, Mãe."
Fatima pushed Celso's back and he started walking. Martha watched as he left before sighing and looking at Elisa.
"Sorry for the commotion."
"No worries. As a mother, I get it."
Belinha stayed quiet in the background and watched as Celso left.
"This is the first time I've seen him so disheartened."
Fatima climbed to the second floor with her brother silently following behind her.
"....Just to let you know, Mamãe was worried sick every day she didn't hear from you. In case you haven't realised, she even lost a bit of weight."
".....So did you."
Fatima ignored his comment and walked in silence for a bit before stopping in front of a door.
"Before you go in, let me say that I understand why you did what you did. We were in a very desperate situation."
She bumped him with her fist.
"My mind understands, but my heart can't forgive you for the distress you cause our parents. Remember that."
Celso nodded and she left. He stood in front of the door for a bit before knocking.
"Come in."
A familiar male voice came from behind the door. Celso took a deep breath before opening it and entering.