Manta

To me, it feels like Manta could be part of an overall "return of magic" story where other ancient cultural champions are also starting to influence the world again. SO maybe set Manta aside momentarily and show us someone else getting picked, with maybe only a passing mention of Manta in the news to tell readers it's the same world. A villain would be an obvious choice (to set up a later clash with Manta) but you could also have some sort of shadowy champion emerge who is not clearly good or bad...