-RUNE-

— 4 HOURS EARLIER —

When he awoke, Rokada found himself staring at a blank, gray wall. He tried to move, but found himself bound to a chair. He tried to scream, but found himself gagged.

What was truly soon, but after what felt like an eternity, he finally heard a deep and robotic voice come from behind him.

"Ah, you're finally awake." The voice was soothing yet irritating. Rokada tried to turn, but it was no use. He couldn't see the man behind him no matter how hard he tried. The man confirmed his thoughts with his words.

"It's no use, you won't be able to turn," he said. "So, Rokada, how are things going up at the Heroes Council? Save a spot for me?"

The gagged hero tried speaking, but all of his words were muffled by the rope in his mouth. With the snap of the mysterious man's fingers, the rope disappeared. "Continue," he said, lowering his arm to listen.

"Just because you're using a voice changer doesn't mean I don't know who you are, David."

The other man sighed at this, stepping into view. He was wearing white from head to toe, including a skintight face mask and a cape. It seemed that he was trying to conceal his identity nonetheless.

"Don't ever call me by that name. That was what I decided fifteen years ago. Isn't that right, James?" he said, looking in Rokada's direction.

The kidnapped hero sighed, as there was no way he could argue that point. "What did you even want me here for anyway?" he asked. Though he couldn't totally tell, it seemed like the white-cloaked man was pacing around back and forth behind him as he spoke.

"I've nearly finished my development of the serum," he said.

"And which serum would that be?"

"Serum TH-37. My most recent, and almost definitely final, attempt at this project."

"Ah, I see. So you're still chasing that hopeless dream from all those years ago."

The man snapped back at that comment. "It's no longer a hopeless dream! I've nearly completed the byproduct of twelve years worth of scientific efforts! My aspirations from all those years ago will finally be achieved!"

"David, listen to me," Rokada said, interrupting.

"I told you not to call me by that name," the masked man muttered.

"The caliber of the goal is irrelevant if its intentions are negative. Do me a favor, remind me once more what this serum of yours does?" The man hesitated for a moment, before answering.

"It will make me the most powerful human to ever have lived."