[47] "Time at headquarters and challenge"

A week later, Ares had devoted all his time to finalizing the planning and construction of a state-of-the-art satellite.

Not just one, but a dozen of these satellites would be launched into space to provide Internet and television connections around the world, take high-definition images of any area of the planet and explore the universe in depth.

With these advanced technologies, the world would be able to connect even more and discover more about our universe, however, it also raises questions about privacy and security.

Ares had worked hard to ensure that these concerns were addressed in the design of the satellites.

The launch of these satellites was scheduled for next week and Ares was excited about the potential they represented. However, he also knew that it would be a critical time and hoped that everything would go as planned.

Two weeks later, Ares had completely finished the satellite project, the satellites had been launched smoothly into Earth orbit and he contacted Kartein to plan a new technological breakthrough.

After several days of meetings and discussions, they reached an agreement to create a pill that would counteract the effect of the pill that inhibits the powers of the awakened and a drug that would fight cancer.

During this time, they focused on creating the pill that inhibits the awakened powers elimination pill, achieving impressive success in just two weeks.

For her part, Rebecca decided to face other awakened people around the world alone, while Silvia dedicated herself to exploring Antarctica.

During the last month, several experiments and studies focused on cancer and its variables were carried out.

After two intensive weeks of research and analysis, the results obtained were very positive.

In the third week, tests of a vaccine were carried out on animals with cancer, and the results were impressive, all experimental subjects recovered quickly and no adverse side effects were observed.

In the last week, human trials were conducted and the results were equally encouraging, all went smoothly.

These advances are good news for all those fighting cancer, and is a major step forward in medical research.

A week after the completion of the experiments, Ares and Kartein confirmed that the vaccine is effective and has no defects in its composition, which is a major breakthrough in the fight against cancer.

They decided to separate to pursue their own business.

Two months later, Ares received information about the meeting of three people in the top 10 of the world ranking and Kayden went to verify the information.

After this, Ares refocused on his training and for two months he worked out intensively in an empty room in the gym.

A month later, Ares finished his training and headed to the technology building to create robots that could take care of basic survival tasks at the headquarters.

At that time, Silvia returned from her vacation in Antarctica, very happy.

Ares and Kartein met and discussed their plans.

Finally, Kartein decided to stay at the headquarters, as it seemed to him an ideal place to continue his research and training.

On the other hand, Ares decided to leave the headquarters and search for the awakened of the top 14 who had recently challenged him.

Kartein remained alone at Illuminati headquarters, while Ares left in search of new challenges.

....

[A few days earlier]

[People around the world who heard the rumors].

"Do you think Ares will accept Craig Reynolds' challenge?" the man asked.

"I think so," replied the woman. "Ares is always looking for new challenges and doesn't refuse to fight any awakened."

"Mmm..." muttered the man, frowning. "That may be, but Craig Reynolds is someone very high in the world rankings. He's top 14, he's not just any desperado."

"Yes, I know," nodded the woman. "But that doesn't mean Ares is afraid of him. On the contrary, I think he's excited about the idea of fighting someone so powerful."

"You may be right" conceded the man, mulling over his companion's words. "In any case, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out."

....

At the top of a building, two men were standing in front of a wide panorama of the night city, illuminated by thousands of lights glowing in the darkness.

"He's been missing for several months, do you think he'll show up to accept the challenge?" asked the first man.

"Most likely" replied the second man, "but don't forget that he was said to be injured."

"Yes, that's true" nodded the first man, "but it was also said that he fought Ezio, won and in the end Ezio fled with serious injuries and managed to survive."

"It's unbelievable that someone in the top 20 had to run away to survive" commented the second man.

Both men looked up at the starry sky for a moment in silence, until the first man spoke again.

"Yes... it's unimaginable for someone his age to have so much fame and power."

"Well, that just goes to show his enormous talent" opined the second man, smiling slightly.

....

A man holds a glass of alcohol in a room, while looking out the window at the horizon.

"The confrontation between the former president of Atlas and the new generation of awakened has generated astonishment in everyone."

"Although the president is retired and his son now controls the organization, his presence in the fight could have serious consequences should he be injured or killed."

"Atlas' company is known for selling the most weapons in the world, raising concerns about the potential instability this confrontation could bring to the world."

"If Ares accepts the challenge and wins, his fame will spread even further and he will reach the 14th place in the world ranking. On the other hand, if he loses, Craig Reynolds' reputation will continue to rise to an even higher level."

....

973 words.

Next chapter "Light v/s Darkness"