Chapter 12 – Today We Will Be Heroes
Leo came out of the bathroom already changed, wearing a clean T‑shirt and with damp hair. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and sat down at the table where the guys were waiting. Howard had pulled out the box of dice, Raj was arranging the board, and Sheldon had a notebook open, ready to take notes as if it were a scientific experiment.
Leo, amused but slightly irritated, looked at the scene.
"Alright, gentlemen. Today I'll be your Dungeon Master. But this won't be just any campaign. Tonight we'll play in the world of DC Comics."
The three looked at him in surprise. Howard raised his eyebrows.
"DC? So we're going to be superheroes?"
Leo nodded.
"Exactly. But you won't start with powers. You'll be ordinary people, and you'll have to earn the right to become heroes. Each of you will have a different path."
Sheldon adjusted in his chair, intrigued.
"That's unusual. Most campaigns begin with basic abilities. Here you propose a system of narrative progression. Acceptable."
Raj smiled, excited.
"I love it. I always wanted to be Superman."
Leo raised his hand.
"That's decided. Sheldon, you'll be Barry Allen. Howard, Bruce Wayne. Raj, Clark Kent. And I'll be Hal Jordan. Each of us will have to discover how to become Flash, Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern."
Howard burst out laughing.
"Perfect! I'll be a millionaire playboy. That suits me."
Sheldon looked at him disapprovingly.
"Bruce Wayne is a complex character, marked by tragedy. You shouldn't reduce him to a superficial cliché."
Howard raised his hands.
"Relax, Sheldon. We'll see how I play it."
Leo placed the dice in front of them.
"Alright. The story begins in a fictional city, a mix of Central City, Gotham, and Metropolis. You're ordinary citizens, no powers, no special training. But something is about to happen that will change your lives."
Leo described the city in detail: dark streets, tall buildings, an air of latent danger. "Night falls over the city. Each of you is in a different place, but soon your paths will cross."
Sheldon immediately took notes.
"Barry Allen, forensic scientist, is in his lab analyzing samples from a criminal case."
Howard raised his hand.
"Bruce Wayne is at a charity gala, surrounded by businessmen and models. Obviously."
Raj smiled shyly.
"Clark Kent is in the newsroom, writing an article about political corruption."
Leo nodded.
"Perfect. And Hal Jordan, test pilot, is at the airbase, preparing for a simulation."
Suddenly, the entire city suffers a blackout. Lights go out, systems fail. Sheldon, your lab is plunged into darkness. Howard, the gala is interrupted and people panic. Raj, your newspaper loses power. I, at the airbase, see the instruments fail.
Sheldon looked up.
"A massive blackout. Probably caused by sabotage. Barry Allen investigates the source."
Howard grinned.
"Bruce Wayne uses the chaos to disappear discreetly. You know, Batman style."
Raj thought for a moment.
"Clark Kent tries to help people leave the building calmly."
Leo narrated each action, describing how the characters faced the chaos without powers, only with ingenuity and will.
In the middle of the blackout, the four characters end up on the same street. Chaos reigns: cars crash, people scream, some take advantage to loot. You look at each other for the first time.
Howard raised his hand.
"Bruce Wayne observes the others with suspicion. He doesn't trust anyone."
Sheldon responded seriously.
"Barry Allen quickly analyzes the situation. These three individuals seem relevant to the event."
Raj smiled.
"Clark Kent approaches and says: 'We must help the people. We can't just stand by.'"
Leo described how the four characters joined forces to control the situation: Sheldon using logic to organize, Raj calming people, Howard making quick decisions, and Leo as Hal Jordan trying to maintain order at the airbase.
They discover the blackout was caused by a strange device placed in the center of the city. A machine that seems to emit unknown energy.
Sheldon leaned forward.
"Barry Allen examines the device. It's an unstable energy generator. It could be the origin of powers if someone is exposed."
Howard grinned.
"Bruce Wayne decides to take a fragment to investigate secretly. You know, millionaire with private lab style."
Raj raised his hand.
"Clark Kent tries to stop looters and protect the innocent."
Leo narrated how each action had consequences: Sheldon gained scientific information, Howard accumulated resources, Raj earned people's trust, and Leo as Hal Jordan received a mysterious signal from the sky.
"Each of you is about to experience an event that will transform you. Sheldon, a lightning bolt will strike your lab. Howard, a personal trauma will drive you to train as a vigilante. Raj, you'll discover your alien origin. And I'll receive a power ring."
The three looked at him with excitement. Howard raised his arms.
"This is getting good!"
Sheldon nodded seriously.
"A lightning strike granting speed powers. Scientifically improbable, but narratively acceptable."
Raj smiled.
"Clark Kent discovering he's not human. That's incredible."
Leo took a sip of water and concluded the first part:
"Thus begins your journey. From ordinary citizens to heroes in training. The city needs you, but first you must accept who you are."
---
The table was set, dice aligned, notebooks open. Leo, as Dungeon Master, took a breath and carried on the narration. The city remained plunged in blackout, but now each character was about to experience the event that would define their destiny.
Sheldon, in his role as Barry Allen, listened intently as Leo explained how the forensic scientist worked in his lab, trying to stabilize the strange artifact they had found. "Suddenly, a thunderstorm breaks over the city. A lightning bolt crashes through the window and strikes the artifact directly, releasing a surge that engulfs you. Your body is wrapped in energy, and you collapse unconscious." Sheldon looked up, serious. "Barry Allen survives an improbable accident. The logical consequence is that his physiology alters. I accept the narrative progression."
Howard, as Bruce Wayne, listened with a confident grin. Leo narrated: "At the gala, chaos intensifies. A group of criminals exploit the blackout to attack. You try to protect the guests, but in the struggle, a gunshot takes the life of someone close to you. The trauma marks you. You decide you cannot stand idly by. Your wealth and resources become tools to train and prepare yourself as a vigilante." Howard raised his hands. "That's it! The origin of Batman. Dark, tragic, but stylish. I can already see myself with a cape." Sheldon looked at him disapprovingly but stayed silent.
Raj, in his role as Clark Kent, listened with excitement. Leo narrated: "While helping people out of the newspaper building, a strange man approaches. He hands you a crystal and says it belongs to your true origin. When you touch it, you see images of a distant planet, Krypton. You discover you are not human, that your strength and destiny are different. The blackout was the signal that awakened your heritage." Raj's eyes widened with enthusiasm. "I'm Superman! Well, not yet, but I can feel the thrill."
Leo, as Hal Jordan, narrated his own part: "At the airbase, as systems fail, a green light descends from the sky. A ring settles on your hand and a voice tells you you've been chosen to wield the power of will. Your destiny is to become Green Lantern."
The four players looked at each other, aware the campaign had taken an epic turn. Sheldon took precise notes, Howard was satisfied, Raj looked like a kid at Christmas, and Leo sipped water before continuing.
The narration advanced. "The city remains in chaos. Looting increases, criminals organize. But now you each have a path. You are not heroes yet, but you are becoming them. You must decide how to act."
Sheldon spoke first. "Barry Allen wakes in the hospital. He discovers he can move faster than normal. He decides to test his abilities by running through the halls. I want to roll the dice to measure initial speed." Leo rolled. "Your body responds. You move so fast the doctors can barely follow you. You've discovered your power." Sheldon wrote with precision. "Barry Allen becomes Flash. Acceptable."
Howard raised his hand. "Bruce Wayne returns to his mansion. He begins training. Martial arts, technology, investigation. I want to invest my resources in creating a suit and gadgets." Leo rolled. "Your training is tough, but your wealth lets you progress quickly. You design a black suit, weapons, and tools. Your identity as Batman begins to take shape." Howard smirked. "Perfect. I'm already the coolest guy at the table."
Raj spoke enthusiastically. "Clark Kent travels to the farm, to his parents. He shows them the crystal and they tell him the truth: he was found in a ship as a baby. I want to test my strength, lift the tractor." Leo rolled. "You lift it easily. Your power begins to manifest. Those nearby are astonished, but you know your destiny is to protect." Raj beamed. "Clark Kent becomes Superman. This is incredible."
Leo narrated his part. "Hal Jordan accepts the ring. A projection of a Guardian of the Universe explains he has been chosen for his unbreakable will. The ring lets him create what he imagines. He tests his power by creating an energy shield to protect the base."
The table was on fire. Each player lived their character's transformation. Sheldon kept scientific seriousness, Howard joked about his wealth, Raj was thrilled at every detail, and Leo guided the story firmly.
Leo continued. "The city needs heroes. The blackout was only the beginning. A criminal organization called The Shadow is behind it all. They created the artifact to destabilize and control. You must stop them."
Sheldon raised his hand. "Barry Allen investigates the artifact's composition. I want to use my scientific skills to find its origin." Leo rolled. "You discover the energy comes from alien technology. It's dangerous, but it can also grant powers." Sheldon wrote precisely. "Conclusion: the threat is extraterrestrial. We must act."
Howard intervened. "Bruce Wayne decides to infiltrate the organization. I want to use my suit and resources to follow one of their leaders." Leo rolled. "You succeed. You discover The Shadow plans to use the artifact to control the city." Howard smirked. "Batman always gets the intel."
Raj spoke excitedly. "Clark Kent wants to protect the people. I want to stop the looters and show I can be a symbol." Leo rolled. "Your strength and kindness inspire. People begin to see you as a leader." Raj grinned. "Superman is born."
Leo narrated his part. "Hal Jordan receives instructions from the Guardians. He must protect Earth from cosmic threats. The ring shows him The Shadow is not acting alone—greater forces are behind them."
The campaign surged with intensity. The players were immersed, each in character. Sheldon analyzed everything logically, Howard cracked jokes, Raj was thrilled, and Leo kept the narrative flowing.
The first major mission was clear: stop The Shadow and recover the artifact. Leo described how the four characters gathered in an abandoned warehouse where the organization stored its technology. "The night is dark. The building is guarded. You must decide how to enter."
Sheldon spoke first. "Barry Allen uses his speed to scout the perimeter unseen." Leo rolled. "You succeed. You discover armed guards and cameras."
Howard intervened. "Batman uses his tools to disable the cameras and open an entry." Leo rolled. "You succeed. The path is clear."
Raj grinned. "Superman enters by force, smashing the door and confronting the guards." Leo rolled. "Your power overwhelms them. People panic, but you control the situation."
Leo narrated his part. "Hal Jordan creates an energy shield to protect you as you advance."
The battle began. Dice rolled, voices rose, excitement filled the room. Each player lived their character, each action a step toward becoming heroes.
Leo closed the second part with a firm phrase:
"You have entered the heart of The Shadow. The artifact lies before you. The city depends on what you do now."
---
The tension at the table was palpable. The dice were ready, the notebooks open, and the characters facing the greatest challenge so far. Leo, as Dungeon Master, took a breath and continued the narration. "You have entered the heart of The Shadow. The artifact is before you, protected by armed guards and by a mysterious leader who seems to control the energy. The city depends on what you do now."
Sheldon, in his role as Barry Allen, looked up seriously. "Barry uses his speed to disarm the guards before they can react. I want to roll the dice to measure effectiveness." Leo rolled the dice and smiled. "You move like lightning. In seconds, the guards are stunned, unable to follow your rhythm. You have proven you are Flash." Sheldon noted precisely, satisfied with the logic of the progression.
Howard, as Bruce Wayne, intervened enthusiastically. "Batman takes advantage of the confusion to confront the leader. I want to use my gadgets to neutralize him." The dice rolled. "Your smoke bombs fill the room, your grappling hook lets you move with agility. The leader is forced to retreat. Your training and ingenuity make you the shadow that terrifies criminals." Howard broadly: "That's what I'm talking about. Batman always has a plan."
Raj, excited, spoke in his role as Clark Kent. "Superman can't stay behind. I want to use my strength to protect the innocents trapped in the building." Leo rolled the dice. "You lift the debris with ease, rescue the people, and carry them to safety. The people look at you with admiration. You have proven you are a symbol of hope." Raj, thrilled: "Clark Kent becomes Superman. This is incredible."
Leo narrated his part as Hal Jordan. "The power ring shines intensely. You create an energy barrier that protects your companions from the artifact's attack. Willpower manifests in you. You are Green Lantern."
The battle intensified. The leader of The Shadow revealed his power, using the artifact's energy to unleash waves of destruction. Leo described how the building shook, how the lights flickered, and how the entire city seemed on the brink of collapse. "The artifact is out of control. If you don't stop it, the city will be destroyed."
Sheldon spoke calmly. "Flash uses his speed to create a vortex around the artifact, trying to stabilize it." The dice rolled. "Your speed generates a field that reduces the energy, but it's not enough."
Howard intervened. "Batman analyzes the artifact. I want to use my intellect and resources to find a weak point." The dice rolled. "You discover the core can be deactivated if the connection to the energy source is cut." Howard, smug: "Then Batman prepares the final blow."
Raj raised his hand. "Superman launches himself at the core, using all his strength to separate it." The dice rolled. "You succeed. The core breaks, the energy disperses. The artifact begins to collapse."
Leo narrated his part. "Green Lantern uses the ring to contain the explosion, creating a sphere of energy that absorbs the impact. The city is saved."
The table was filled with emotion. The four players had managed to stop the threat. Each had fully assumed their identity as a hero. Sheldon maintained scientific seriousness, Howard joked about his style, Raj was thrilled at every detail, and Leo guided the story firmly.
Leo continued the narration. "The Shadow has been defeated, but the city still needs heroes. You have proven you can be more than ordinary men. You have accepted who you are: Flash, Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern."
Sheldon looked up. "Barry Allen commits to using his speed to protect the city. Logic dictates that power must be used responsibly."
Howard, smug: "Batman returns to his mansion, ready to keep training and fighting crime. Always prepared."
Raj spoke sincerely. "Superman becomes a symbol of hope. People need someone to inspire them."
Leo concluded. "Hal Jordan accepts his role as protector of the universe. Willpower is his strength, and Earth his responsibility."
The game ended with applause and laughter. The guys were thrilled by the theme, each had played according to his style. Sheldon with logic and precision, Howard with humor and confidence, Raj with emotion and kindness, and Leo with narrative leadership.
The table was left full of dice, notebooks, and memories of an epic night. Howard joked: "I never thought I'd have so much fun being Batman in a role‑playing game." Sheldon replied seriously: "The narrative progression was acceptable. Though we should consider a sequel with more complex villains." Raj, thrilled: "I just want to be Superman again. It was incredible." Leo drank a last sip of water and smiled. "Then get ready. The next campaign will be even bigger."
---
The game ended with laughter and casual comments. Sheldon closed his notebook with a solemn gesture, Howard stored the dice in the box as if they were relics, and Raj was still smiling, excited to have played Superman. They said goodbye with light jokes, each returning to their nightly routines.
Leo, however, didn't stay in the living room. He stood calmly, picked up his water bottle, and walked to his desk. He turned on the lamp, arranged some papers, and opened the laptop. The silence of the apartment contrasted with the energy that had filled the table minutes before.
He sat down, took a deep breath, and began to write. The screen lit up with a document titled The Hunger Games – Continuation. His fingers moved with steady rhythm, his mind still charged with the adrenaline of the game, but now focused on another kind of battle: narrative. Between paragraphs, he jotted ideas for other projects, sketched characters, and traced outlines of different worlds.
The night advanced, and while the others rested, Leo immersed himself in stories that someday would be read by others.
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