I knew I had been a little harsh earlier, but I told myself it was necessary—to earn his trust. As I walked to my car and started the engine, my phone buzzed. The screen lit up with Yuki's name. I hesitated to answer; I was busy assembling a new team. But then, the TV in the corner of the parking lot caught my eye. The news was flashing an urgent report about a catastrophe in SilverWood.
If you don't know SilverWood, it's a bustling city, a hub for investors and vendors—once called that in ancient times. It's the lifeblood of the surrounding towns and cities. If SilverWood falls, everything around it starves.
I answered Yuki's call immediately. Her voice was tense as she told me about the disaster and begged for help. Without a second thought, I said yes, hung up, and sped toward the city.
As I neared SilverWood, the roads were clogged with panicked crowds. I was trapped, stuck in a sea of desperate faces. I abandoned my car and ran toward the chaos.
The last time I saw SilverWood, it gleamed with prosperity—people laughing, shopping, living their dreams. Now, it was a nightmare. Flames licked the sky, shops lay shattered, and thieves roamed freely, looting what little remained.
I tried calling Yuki, but there was no answer. Panic gnawed at me. I activated my powers and leapt onto the tallest building, scanning the ruined cityscape for any sign of her or her team. This was the first time she hadn't answered my calls. Was she hurt? Defeated?
Suddenly, a deafening blast shattered the tense silence from the north side. A gigantic ice blast had demolished four buildings. Without hesitation, I sprinted toward the destruction.
How could a villain wreak such havoc in this city? I wondered.
When I arrived, the scene was grim. Yuki lay near death, Zeff was unconscious, and the others had perished—crushed by wild, monstrous plants that had torn through the streets like a storm.
Yuki weakly raised her hand, pointing at the villain. But behind her, the wild plants stirred again. I rushed forward, using my powers to halt their advance.
She looked at me, barely able to stay conscious.
Two villains sneered as I stepped into the battlefield. "Well, well, well," the woman taunted, "look who's arrived—a villain who thinks she's a hero."
I didn't hesitate. I struck at her with my sword, but she dodged, injuring only her foot. It was the first time anyone had evaded my blade. She was hurt, struggling to stand.
That was my cue. I charged.
The fire-wielding man unleashed a blast, flames roaring toward me. "Heh," I scoffed, "you think fire will burn me? I survived a bomb." I slashed at his chest, blood splattering across my face. I tasted it—disgusting—and spat it out, ready to end this.
Suddenly, the plant-controlling woman sent her wild vines crashing into me, leaving deep wounds. Anger surged through me. I unleashed my powers, and the plants crumbled to dust as I advanced.
"LENA! We need to get to the hospital! Zeff's in danger!" Yuki's voice was urgent.
I glared at the villains, then crushed the road beneath them, trapping them alive but immobilized.
Without wasting a second, I lifted Yuki and Zeff and raced to the hospital. Zeff's heartbeat grew weaker with every mile. I pushed the car faster, desperation clawing at my chest.
At the hospital, doctors rushed Zeff into the ICU. The place was overwhelmed—too many injured, too few hands. Yuki's injuries were severe, but she insisted, "The people come first."
I sat beside her, tending to her wounds with first aid. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Is Zeff going to be okay?"
I forced a reassuring smile. "He will be."
She frowned, eyes heavy. "I feel his heart slowing... maybe it's just my imagination."
I said nothing, focusing on her care. Eventually, her head fell onto my shoulder, and she drifted into sleep.
Around us, the hospital buzzed with urgency. I couldn't shake the memory of the villains' words—calling me a villain. How did they know my past? I wanted to confront them, but now wasn't the time.
A doctor approached and asked if we were heroes. I nodded, and he led us to a quiet room where Yuki could rest. He wanted to treat me too, but I declined.
"How is Zeff?" I asked, voice trembling.
"He's still in surgery," the doctor said gravely. "He's severely injured. There's only a 10% chance he'll survive."
Frustration and fear overwhelmed me. I gripped his coat. "Let him survive," I pleaded, tears slipping down my cheeks.
The doctor gently helped me sit down and left to assist others.
I stared blankly at the wall, disbelief and hope warring inside me.
Please survive, Zeff.