#the branded

That's right! I've learned how to make music!

This is one of many already finished songs that I've made for "Melodi," my very first legitimate actual real not joking video game project!

"Melodi" tells the story of a malnourished and psychopathic elf girl named Melodi Ravenian, and is a character-driven game full of pixel art, animation and branching dialogue paths that lead you down various rabbit-holes and introduce you to various wacky and unsettling characters.

In this terribly violent game, you'll meet a little stuffed cat, brought to life by a magical candle known as the Heartflame. This cat, who is a species of animated objects known as "The Branded," believes her name is "Brandy."

For more up to date information on the current pre-alpha progress of Melodi, join the official Melodi Game Dev Discord: https://discord.gg/XDcTbtHd

"Melodi" is a project being made entirely by one person (me, hi)

All assets, music, characters and lore is © Jay "Luv" Tonique (me, hi)

Brandy is trying to tell you something

Brandy!

"I wanna find-ind-ind my muh-muh-maker. They musta-musta-musta been really nice 'cause my heartflame-flame-flame was super full'a-full'a love when he disa-disa-disappeared." (Her speech enchantment is fading, she talks like a broken VHS tape)

"Brandy" is a sort-of slur, a derogatory term given to "The Branded," a race of constructs invented by mages long ago. She wears it as a name cause she doesn't know her real name.

The Branded were created by Mages long ago, fitted with a "Heartflame Candle" inside of them, a candle that can be fed Love or Fear to enhance its magical energy. Any container the Heartflame Candle is placed inside becomes sentient, and with some "Sensory Enchantments" they can mimic sight, sound, hearing, touch, speech, taste, etc.

Each one of them has a Brand, hence their name, that only allows their original creator to interact with their Heartflame.

Mages would raise The Branded like children, and then when the Mage was dying of arcane starvation, he or she would snatch the Heartflame and consume it, killing the Branded in the process.

This was made illegal, which gave The Branded their freedom, but pissed off the Mages, who are now nearly extinct, and Rogue Mages still to this day look for The Branded, to snatch their Heartflames, feed, and run off into the night.

"Mages," by the way, in Melodi's universe, are an entire species of their own. Magic-blooded humans that must consume the arcane energies of the planet to live. The Branded were meant to be an alternative food source for them, but the inhumane nature of harvesting a sentient creature for sustenance made them illegal.

The Branded are the adherents of the god of fire and war: Vashamala. They exist all across Theryl, and while some regard them as splintered sects, the Branded are ultimately meant to act as a single organization with the collective goal of maintaining the rules of warfare.

The Branded intervene in any conflict in which it is decided that an involved faction has violated one of their deity's sacred laws: killing/harming civilians, using unethical weapons or interrogation methods, and generally causing needless amounts of death or destruction.

As the Branded operate on a global scale and have many scattered strongholds, the general structure of the organization is kept relatively simple.

The Supreme Commander is considered to be the highest-ranking officer in the entire Branded organization, regarded by some as as the embodiment of Vashamala's will. They have the authority to command any of the flame god's soldiers across Theryl. Though generally stationed in Hol, the Supreme Commander has at times chosen among Branded in other nations as well.

Commanders are those tasked with overseeing individual Branded strongholds and the troops stationed within. They have the authority to act and mobilize on the Supreme Commander's behalf, and even request/send aid to other Branded strongholds as needed.

Lieutenants are second to commanders, acting as right-hands that help in organizing troops and ensuring that their commanders' orders are carried out.

“How did this even happen!” Alter yelled, grabbing his head. His mind was currently melting over the fact that Noin now had a large pair of wings.  Noin just shrugged. “Iunno.” was all she could respond with. “They’re so pretty!” Dani said, circling Noin, getting a closer examination of her wings. “This is a big problem.  You can’t go outside until we’re sure the Branded snatchers aren’t around here anymore.” Alter said, rubbing his chin. “Not going outside sounds like the opposite of a problem.” Noin said, chuckling as she walked over to the couch. Her wings were spread open, bumping into furniture, pushing things all around. “You’re also gonna have to learn how to close them.” Alter said, going to put things back in their proper places. “Yeaaaah, I’ll work on that.” Noin said, her wings twitching a bit as she tried to move them. She folded the wings against her body, and slowly sat down, using the feathers on her back as pillows. “This is so comfy.” She sang out, rolling back onto her wings. Alter rubbed his temples and walked back into his bedroom. “I wonder how the store is.” He mumbled to himself. He figured he may as well go check it out. He had to get his board back anyway. Alter threw on some clothes and headed for the door. “Are you going to work?” Noin asked. “Sorta. Dani and Harbinger kinda ruined that, along with some other girl.” Alter explained. Dani had a look of guilt on her face when Noin turned her gaze to the blue haired girl. “I’m just going to grab my board and see if anyone knows Dani had anything to do with it.” Alter spoke, opening the door, “I’ll be back soon don’t worry.” The two girls waved to their friend as he left their home.

It was a bright sunny day that day. The type of weather that didn’t spell trouble at all, but that wasn’t at all what the universe had in mind for that day. Alter mumbled the incantation for his glowing disc, and summoned the bright ring of light. He hopped aboard and zipped through the air in the direction of the grocery store. “If it wasn’t so dangerous to be a known Branded, I would just ride this thing everywhere.” Alter thought aloud as he sped through the skies. It was no time at all when he arrived at the store, hopping off of his disc in an alley to not be seen. Just as he thought there were police everywhere. The manager was speaking to authorities as Alter approached. “What happened here?” he asked, feigning ignorance. “Someone broke in to the store and destroyed everything. Who are you?” one of the officers said, looking Alter up and down. “He’s a new hire. His first day was yesterday.” The manager answered for Alter. “Do you know anyone who might have done this?” the officer asked. Alter shook his head and shrugged. “Not a clue. I don’t really know any of the people that work here very well yet, I only met everyone yesterday.” Alter answered. “Is it cool if I go in and grab my long board? I left it yesterday on accident.” The manager nodded and the officers let Alter go past. The mage quickly went inside and to the back, making sure to check for any possible clues that might incriminate Dani. In one of the aisles, Alter noticed a nametag on the ground and knelt down to pick it up. The name on the tag read Marceline. “I wonder if this belonged to that girl…how dumb do you have to be to attack your workplace with your nametag on your person?” Alter thought aloud. He stuffed the nametag in his pocket and went to grab his board. There wasn’t anyone in the back of the store. Alter deduced that the manager must have told anyone that was supposed to work that they didn’t have to come in that day. Alter grabbed his board and left the store. Outside the manager was finishing up speaking with the police. They were getting into their squad cars and the manager was heading for the inside of the store. Alter went to walk past him but he was stopped by the manager. Alter’s heart skipped a beat for a moment, unsure of whether or not he was about to be accused of anything. “So, I’m not sure when we’ll be opening back up. We’ve obviously got a lot of remodeling and restocking to do, but I’ll be sure to give you a call when we reopen.” The manager said, rubbing the back of his head. Alter let out a sigh of relief. “Yeah no problem, just call my cell.” Alter said, tossing his longboard onto the ground and skating off with the utmost of urgency. Alter wanted to get as far from the store as possible as quickly as possible. He felt like he could be incriminated at any moment. Maybe today he would just relax in his room and study his spell book. Alter decided that was probably the best idea he’d had in a while and made his way home.

On the far side of town, there were a group of people who were doing the opposite of taking a relaxation day. “Get back here!” a short blond girl yelled, chasing after a girl riding on the back of a lion. “You’ll never catch meeee!” she cried out, giggling loudly. The girl riding on the back of the lion had long brown hair and was wearing what seemed to be a coat made of various animal furs that covered all but her hands and feet. This girl was undoubtedly a Branded, as was the one chasing her. “Get her now!” the blond girl yelled. A tall male jumped from a nearby roof top and landed in front of the lion, grabbing it by the head and flipping it over, effectively launching the rider off. The Lion Rider rolled across the ground and groaned in pain, pushing herself up to her feet. “That wasn’t very nice.” She said, glaring at the two Branded that were advancing on her. “That’s the price of stealing. How in the hell did you even manage to steal a lion from the zoo anyway?” the blond girl asked. “Like this.” The Lion Rider spoke. She whistled a tune of some sort and the Lion’s ears flicked. The mighty beast growled and reared back, swiping at the two Branded that opposed the Rider. “Genesis move!” the man said, pushing the short girl aside. The Lion smacked the man across his side, sending him to the ground, blood seeping from the large gash on his torso.  The man gripped his wound with one hand, gritting his teeth to bite down the pain. “Fuck this!” he said, aiming his open palm towards the Rider. Light began to form in the palm of his hand until it orbed. He pushed forward and the orb shot towards the girl at high speed. The orb collided with the girl, sending her flying backwards with intense force. She crashed into a wall, cracking it heavily. She cried out in pain and dropped to the ground. “Alan! Are you okay? Let me help you.” Genesis, the blond girl, spoke with worry audible in her voice. She knelt down next to her ally and put her hands against his wound. Closing her eyes, she concentrated hard and a faint green glow wrapped around her hands and the bleeding wound. The meat and skin that was previously torn began to reform and heal as if there were never a wound in the first place. Once the wound was fully healed, the girl exhaled and sat down. “There, now. To deal with her and the big cat.” Genesis said, looking over to the lion that was guarding the girl they were attacking. “She seems to be able to control animals. So as long as that Lion is around we can’t nab her.” Alan, the orb flinging strong man, spoke. “I’ll take care of this!” a man yelled, bursting forth from a nearby dumpster. “Where have you been!” Genesis yelled angrily. “In here…sleeping. I don’t tell you how to live your life.” The man said, crawling out of the dumpster. He was a tall bald man, dressed entirely in monk robes with giant prayer beads around his neck. Tied to his waist was a goard, filled with a mixture of alcohol. He slipped the goard off his waist and took a big swig before reattaching it. “Oookay! Let’s do this.” He said, walking past the other two.

The man stopped just a few feet short of the Lion, taking on a Tiger Style Kung Fu stance. There the monk and the Lion locked eyes, staring one another down. “Tiger versus Lion, fight!” the monk yelled and kicked off towards the Lion. The mighty beast snarled and lunged at his attacker, swiping for his torso. The Monk deflected the beast’s paw with one arm, and then jabbed at the cat’s chest. The Lion whined and fell back. The beast charged at the monk, this time aiming for his head. The man again deflected the beast’s paw with ease, connecting another jab with the feline’s chest. Before the cat could recover, the man laid a series of jabs on the poor beast’s chest and sides until it dropped to the ground in defeat. “Looks like the Tiger is the greater cat.” The monk said, slipping his goard from his waist to take a victory drink. “You’re an idiot.” Genesis said, walking up behind him and smacking him over his head. By this point the Lion Rider was regaining consciousness. She looked up at the three Branded that had just defeated her. “Who are you?” she asked weakly. “We Are Heroes!” Genesis said, balling her hands into fists and placing them on her hips. The rider just stared at them with a raised eyebrow and a look of disbelief. “I told you the name was dumb.” Alan said, whipping out a cellphone and dialing 911. After a bit of time, police were on the scene. The officers arrested the Rider and gave an awkward thanks to the three Branded that apprehended her. “So…are you guys like…super heroes?” one of the officers asked them, chuckling a little under his breath. “Something like that.” Genesis said, grinning big. “You can call us We Are Heroes.” She said confidently. The cop just stared at her like she was stupid. “That’s a dumb name.” he said, walking away. “Hey! Rude!” Genesis responded angrily. “Told you.” Alan said, walking past her and away from the police. “Jack come on back me up. It’s a good name right?” Genesis asked the monk. The monk had a look of panic spread across his face. “Uh…” before he could say a word to dig himself a deep grave he grabbed at his goard and started drinking, following after Alan. “You both suck.” Genesis said, following her allies.

High above the clouds, far from the visage of any Human or Branded, floated the skeletal castle of Gola and her Cultists. In the throne room of the Skeleton Queen, she peered into a well of water that lay at the center of the room. This well showed her things below, allowing her the ability to survey the city without leaving the safety of the castle. “Show me that girl. The one that controlled the cat.” She spoke, waving her hand. A small figure standing next to the well, completely covered by dusty tattered robes waved an arm. The waters of the well rippled and the images changed to focus on the face of the girl that had been controlling the Lion. “I want her.” Gola said, tapping her chin. “She could be of great use in the coming tide of war.” The Skeleton Queen said with vile intent in her tone. She retreated to her throne, sitting atop it. “Kaleidoscope! Scarlet!” she called out, her words echoing through the halls of the castle. Two women entered the room. One of them was a tall woman with rainbow colored hair, wearing a tie-dye sundress and shorts. The other was much shorter with bright red hair. She had chains hanging from her wrists and wore all black, visible scars adorned much of her skin. “Hello!” Kaleidoscope, the rainbow haired woman, spoke up. She seemed rather cheerful and sunny to be enlisted in an army of doomsday cultists. “I need the two of you to release this girl from captivity. Enlist her amongst our ranks. If she does not join willingly, bring her by force and I shall change her mind myself.” Gola said, tapping her chin, a sinister grin taking over her features. “Yes My Lady.” Scarlet, the red haired woman, said with a bow. The two villainesses departed from the throne room, heading for the land below to carry out their dark master’s bidding.

“All I’m saying is, we shouldn’t have a name that’s just a simple phrase. It’s too plain, people won’t get it if it’s not written down and shown to them.” Alan said, munching on a hot dog. The three heroes were sitting in the outside dining area of a fast food restaurant. They were busily discussing the issue of their ridiculous name. “What’s wrong with having a name that makes you think?” Genesis asked. “The thinking isn’t the issue, it’s the thinking we’re idiots that’s the issue.” Alan said, waving his hot dog at Genesis. “You’re an idiot.” She snarled angrily. “What do you think, Jack?” the both of them said in unison, turning to their third member. The monk’s eyes darted back and forth between his two fellow heroes, panic once again setting it. “I think we all could use a beer and just relax.” He said, slamming his hands down on the table. “I’m a minor.” Genesis responded. “I wouldn’t mind a beer.” Alan said, smiling at Jack. “You’re both idiots.” The blond girl said, dropping her head onto the table. The two men simply laughed. The lighthearted banter was soon drowned out by a scream from not far off. “Monster!” yelled a woman. The three heroes jumped up quickly and ran to the sound of the commotion. Around the corner from the restaurant there was a sizeable mob of people gathered around a giant figure. “Monster! It’s a monster!” a man cried out, throwing a soda can at the giant. Once the heroes got close enough they were able to make out the figure in better detail. It was a tall thing, it looked to be roughly eight feet tall, possibly bigger. It was muscly and covered completely in thin brown fur. Atop its head were enormous horns that resembled that of a bull’s. “What…is that?” Jack asked, squinting hard to focus in on the creature in front of them. “It looks like…a Minotaur?” Alan said. He couldn’t be any more right. When the creature turned to where they could see its face, it was indeed that of a bull. They were currently staring at what could not be mistaken for anything other than a Minotaur. “Is that even possible?” Alan said, his mouth agape. “I don’t know, but we better intervene before someone gets hurt.” Genesis said, charging in. “Please leave me alone.” The Minotaur said, putting his arms up to block the various items that were being thrown at him. “I don’t want to hurt anyone, please stop.” He said, sounding like his feelings were being hurt by the current display of fear that the humans around him were exhibiting. Luckily, Genesis heard the creature’s soft words and pleas for a yield. The Minotaur wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. “Hey! Knock it off!” Genesis said, getting between the Minotaur and the mob of people. Alan and Jack pushed through the mob and helped to add to the meat shield. “It’s a Monster! Get rid of it!” a man yelled, throwing a rock at the Minotaur. The man’s throw wasn’t very accurate however and fell short, coming towards Genesis’ head. The girl put her arms up to block, waiting for the rock to hit her. She looked up to see that the Minotaur had grabbed the rock midair. “Why are Humans so violent?” the creature spoke with a soft tone. The Minotaur dropped the rock, and snorted much like a bull would. “I only wish to go home safely. Please leave me alone.” He spoke, turning away from the mob and walking away. Genesis watched the bull man walk away, his tail swaying from side to side. She couldn’t help but feel bad for him. He didn’t once seem like he wanted to hurt anyone, yet here these people were all attacking him viciously. “You’re all disgusting!” she spat at the mob of people. “Wait up!” Genesis ran after the Minotaur, Alan and Jack held the mob at bay, allowing Genesis and the Minotaur time to get away.

It was starting to get late in the day. Genesis was walking behind the Minotaur, keeping a reasonable distance from the creature. “Why are you following me?” he asked. “You’re interesting.” She responded plainly. The Minotaur snorted and hastened his pace. Genesis simply matched it. They continued walking until eventually reaching the city’s pier. The Minotaur made his way to a warehouse. Genesis followed him in, and to the very back. Hidden behind a few crates was a makeshift bed. “Is this where you live?” Genesis asked, watching as the Minotaur sat down. He just gave her a nod. “Please leave.” He said in that same soft tone as before. Genesis stared at him with sadness in her eyes. No one should have to live like this. She sat down in front of him, and stared deeply into his eyes. “What’s your name? I’m Veronica. My friends call me Genesis.” She said with an outstretched hand. The Minotaur stared at her back. Why was this girl being so nice to him, when everyone else who ever saw him just showed fear. He hesitantly reached out and shook her head. “Gokkash…Gokkash Roggash.” He replied. “That’s a strange name. I like it. I take it you’re a Branded too?” Genesis asked. She pulled her shirt off of her left shoulder and turned so her back was facing Gokkash to show her Brand. Genesis’ Brand was an image of a green tree full of life. “Yes, but I know what you’re thinking. My Brand is not what gives me this form. This is the form I was born with. My Brand grants other abilities.” Gokkash stood up and turned his back to Genesis. He stood perfectly still, and after a moment an elaborate decoration of markings that Genesis had never seen before glowed on Gokkash’s back. The glowing faded and soon too did the Brand. Gokkash then sat back down. “I was once a member of a clan of the most feared and respected Minotaur Warriors. I however, preferred a way of peace. So they banished me. I somehow came to be in this place I know nothing of. Your Humans are a lot more prone to violence than the Humans I used to know.” Gokkash said. Genesis was confused by all of this. Gokkash spoke like he came from a completely different world, but that couldn’t be possible. Could it? “Are you…not from here?” Genesis asked. Gokkash shook his head. “I’m not sure where I’m from anymore. My memory is to be quite honest, hazy. I remember my kin, I remember war but it is all foggy. The most I can remember is awaking in this strange place. Humans here fear me, so I prefer to hide.” Gokkash explained. Genesis nodded. It was then she noticed the blood slowly dripping from the side of Gokkash’s head. Something one of those people from earlier threw must have cut him. “Don’t move.” Genesis said, leaning forward and placing her hands over the cut. She concentrated, and the green glow enveloped her hands. Soon after the cut healed good as new. Gokkash put his hand where the cut once was. “You’re a healer.” He spoke. “Something like that. My Brand lets me reconstruct molecules. I can’t create things from thin air, but if I touch something I can more or less rebuild it to its former state. I mostly use it for fixing my friends when they get hurt.” Genesis explained.  She was then shaken from her thoughts by the sound of her phone ringing. Pulling it from her pocket, she answered the call. “Hello?” she answered. “Genesis, where are you?” Alan spoke on the other line. There was a lot of noise coming from Alan’s side of the call. “I’m with Gokkash, the Minotaur from earlier. What’s going on, it sounds like cars are crashing near you.” Genesis responded. “That’s cause there are cars crashing! There are a bunch of Branded attacking people! We need your help!” Alan yelled into the phone. “Where are you guys?” the girl asked. “Not that far from where we met your bull friend. Hurry!” Alan hung up the phone after that. “My friends are in trouble. I have to go. It was really nice meeting you, Gokkash. I’ll come visit!” Genesis said, running out of the warehouse. Gokkash watched as the odd girl departed from his secret home.

By now, it was almost dark out. Genesis was huffing and puffing, running back to where she’d left Alan and Jack. The closer she got, the more audible sounds of battle became. Genesis rounded a corner, and the scene she heard over the phone was now in full view in front of her. Alan was covered in cuts, blood soaking his clothes. Jack was fighting a bear and a lion. “Guys!” Genesis yelled, running to her allies. The Branded woman known as Scarlet was standing a few feet from Alan, a knife in her hand, and a chain from her wrist wrapped around Alan’s leg. “Genesis, watch out for her chains!” Alan said, noticing the blond girl charging towards him. Right on cue, Scarlet removed the chain that was wrapped around Alan, and whipped it towards Genesis. She barely dodged it, running to Alan. She grabbed him, and the two dove behind an overturned car. Genesis got right to work healing Alan’s various cuts. “What’s going on?” she asked. “I’m not sure. We had just calmed down that mob of people when the girl we arrested earlier showed up, but with two friends. They started breaking things and it just escalated from there. The red head is like some living voodoo doll. If she gets that chain touching you, anything she does to her body instead is done to yours.” Alan explained. The pain from all his wounds quickly fading as Genesis healed him. “Come on you babies! No hiding! Let me kill you!” Scarlet whipped her chains at the car, wrapping them around the busted hunk of metal and flinging it aside. Luckily for the heroes, Alan was fully healed by this point. “I don’t think we can beat them. They have that animal girl, and the other one can fly and shoot lasers. We’re fucked.” Alan said, orbs forming in the palms of his hands. “What are we gonna do?” Genesis said, standing behind Alan. “What else? Fight!” Alan said, throwing the orbs at Scarlet. The Voodoo Doll flipped around from side to side, dodging the orbs that Alan flung at her. “Nice try!” she sneered, whipping her chains at Alan. He and Genesis jumped to opposite directions, avoiding the Branded woman’s pain links. Jack was a few yards away from them, administering all manner of punches and kicks to the bear and lion that would present themselves as his opponents. “Why do I get the animals.” Jack said, running around the beasts. The problem at hand was that he wasn’t trying to simply kill the creatures. He was merely trying to incapacitate them, but as long as the Rider was whistling her tune, the animals stayed strong and kept to their cause. They also kept on Jack well enough to keep him from outright attacking the Rider girl. “This is bad. I can’t touch her and these things just don’t quit.” Jack said to himself, trying to figure out a plan of action. He turned to see Scarlet with her back to him, swinging her chains around at Alan and Genesis. “Sneak attack.” He muttered, breaking into a dead sprint. He ran as fast as he could and jumped into the air, colliding a foot into the back of Scarlet’s neck. There was an audible snap, and the woman toppled over and rolled across the ground. “Take that you freaky bitch!” Jack said, feeling quite victorious. His moment of victory was cut short however, as Scarlet stood up. Her leg was twisted backwards, her neck was broken, and her arm was bent upwards. She snapped her bones back into place, and cracked her bones until they were all where they were meant to be. “Oh man that’s gross.” Jack said, putting his hand over his mouth. “Alan, you go fight the other one. Take out the girl or else her fuzzy friends are never gonna let up.” He said, taking a fighting stance. “I got creepy here.” Alan nodded and formed orbs in his hands, darting past Jack to go fight the Rider. Genesis went to hide behind some debris, biding her time until she needed to heal someone. She wasn’t much use in a fight other than support.

Scarlet grinned with her teeth and flung her chains straight at Jack. He didn’t move at all to try and dodge them. Instead her allowed Scarlet to wrap the chains around his legs. “I wanna hear you scream!” Scarlet began to slash at her body, a visible jolt of red static crossing the chains and impacting with Jack’s body. Scarlet’s grin faded as she noticed Jack wasn’t reacting to her attacks. Jack scoffed and pulled the goard from his waist, taking a large chug of his alcoholic beverage. “Being drunk sure has its perks.” He said, dropping the goard and grabbing onto the chains that were attached to his legs. He yanked as hard as he could, and Scarlet came slide across the ground towards him. Jack, still holding onto the chains, began to spin around, Scarlet starting to hover off the ground a bit. Jack let go of the chains, sending Scarlet flying towards a building wall, crashing into it with an intense impact, her bones audibly cracking. “Hoooome run!” Jack said, pumping his fist. Alan had already made quick work of the Rider girl. “I knew they could handle this.” Genesis said, peaking over the pile of debris she was hiding behind to watch her friends battling. “I thought Alan said there were three of them.” She thought aloud. Little did she know that floating down behind her, was that third Branded. Kaleidoscope, with her arms stretched out, shot shimmering beams of light at Genesis’ back. The girl cried out in pain and blasted through the wall of debris she was using as her hiding place. Genesis curled up in a ball on the ground, holding her torso. Her back was singed from the light beams. “Veronica!” Alan said, charging at Kaleidoscope. The woman shot beams at Alan as well, sending him flying just like Genesis. “They’re not so tough.” She said, shooting at Jack. The monk was blasted through the air just like his fellow heroes, all three of them on the ground groaning in pain. “Sorry, you guys just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Kaleidoscope said, putting her hands close together, charging up a powerful beam. Just before she could finish her attack, a car flying through the air collided with her, knocking her away from the heroes. Genesis looked over to see Gokkash. On his back was what looked like a huge totem pole, and he was throwing cars and chunks of concrete. Kaleidoscope used her beams to slice the projectiles that were being tossed at her. “Shit we better go! Come on you two!” She said, defending her allies as they retreated. The three villains quickly escaped, Gokkash making no attempt to chase after them. Instead he immediately went to attend to the wounded. “Are you alright?” he asked, kneeling down next to Genesis. “Not really. She burned my back up.” She said, wincing in pain. Gokkash gently placed his hand on Genesis’ back and began to mutter something in a language Genesis’ had never heard before. Gokkash’s full body Brand began to glow and water seeped from his palms. The water enveloped the burns on Genesis’ back and healed her wounds. The pain faded quickly, and Genesis weakly pushed herself off the ground. “How did…is that your power?” Genesis spoke with confusion. “I am a Shaman.” Gokkash said, standing up. “Let us heal your friends.” Gokkash said, walking to Alan to administer the same healing magicks. Genesis went to heal Jack. After everyone was all patched up, they made the quick and unanimous decision to vacate the premises, lest they be held solely responsible for all the damages. The group of heroes regrouped at Gokkash’s warehouse home.

“That was crazy! First that nutso news report with the floating castle, and now teams of evil Branded. Do you think maybe they were somehow connected?” Alan asked, the four of them all sitting in a circle. “I don’t know, but one thing is for sure. We have to be on our A Game from now on. That light girl was dangerous.” Jack said, sipping from his goard. “If we never see them again, it’ll be too soon.” Genesis said. “Thanks again, Gokkash. If you hadn’t shown up when you did we’d probably be dead right now.” Genesis said, smiling at the Minotaur. “Think nothing of it. I had to repay you for your kindness.” He replied. “Well, let me give you another kindness. You can’t stay in this warehouse anymore. You’re gonna come live with me.” Genesis said, jumping to her feet. “I’ve got plenty of room at my house, and my parents won’t mind having you as a guest.” She said, holding her hand out. “I couldn’t possibly do that.” Gokkash said, shaking his head. “I’m not gonna take no for an answer. You’re either coming to live at my house, or you’re rooming with them. You can either stay at a stinky dingy apartment, or in my nice big spacious house.” Genesis said. “Hey, our apartment isn’t stinky!” Alan and Jack said in unison. “Yes it is.” Genesis said, laughing lightly. Gokkash looked to the three of them, and couldn’t help but be taken by laughter. This was the first time in months that anyone had shown him any kindness. “If you insist, I guess I have no choice.” Gokkash said, standing up. “I will be most grateful to be your house guest, Genesis.” Gokkash said, bowing lightly to the girl. “No need to be so formal.” She laughed. “I’m gonna take Gokkash home. I’ll call you guys tomorrow so we can talk more about our name. I still think We Are Heroes is good.” Genesis said. “You’re delusional.” Alan responded quickly. “You’re an idiot.” Genesis snapped.