Chapter 17-Heroism

Kiyoshi stares out the window of his apartment, taking a deep breath in and letting it slowly wash over him. He has been a member of The Guardians for two months now. A lot has happened in that time, and he has learned so much. The two apprenticeships he had completed before officially joining The Guardians had provided him with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Kiyoshi had gained insight into the inner workings of the hero community and felt more prepared for his role as a guardian. He had made new friends and built upon existing connections. He had been challenged, and he had even saved multiple people's lives, feeling overwhelmed yet fulfilled. The world had changed so much for him in just two months, and he was thankful for all that he had learned and experienced thus far. As Kiyoshi reflects on these past months, his thoughts quickly turn to Ren. Despite their differences, Kiyoshi had considered Ren to be his friend at one point. Yet now, their friendship was over. Kiyoshi remembered their last conversation, and all of the emotions and thoughts that flooded into his mind. He felt a pang of sadness as he remembered the days when the two of them could share a laugh and a good time. He thought back to the good times they had together, and his emotions were conflicted but full of regret. He also thought back to the more intense and emotional parts of his time with Ren. He relived their arguments and the intense conversation where they had finally split apart for good. There had been a mix of anger and sadness in Kiyoshi's mind, and now as he sat alone and reflected, he was still grappling with all of the conflicted emotions that accompanied this parting.

Kiyoshi's regrets eventually gave way to more concrete thoughts about what the future held for him. He still felt deeply troubled by the recent events and was overwhelmed by all of the uncertainty and new experiences. Yet he knew that he had to keep moving forward, both as a guardian and as an individual. So, Kiyoshi took a deep breath and forced himself to push those conflicting thoughts and emotions back. Though they would continue to arise frequently over the next few months, Kiyoshi managed to keep his mind clear and focused on the present. He looked out the window and took in his new city life, absorbing his surroundings and familiarizing himself with the area. Even though he had already done this several times over the past two months, every time was a new experience and an opportunity to see the city through different lenses. As Kiyoshi continued to take in his surroundings, he realized that there were more and more people out and about these days. The city seemed to be bustling and full of life, even more than it had been before. This development was intriguing, and it prompted Kiyoshi to reflect on what might be the cause. As Kiyoshi mulled over the potential reasons for the city's increased activity, he noticed a sudden surge of people heading towards one particular area. He watched as dozens of pedestrians turned into hundreds, and then into thousands, as most of the city's populace began to shift towards the same location in mass. Kiyoshi couldn't make out exactly where this massive throng of people was headed, but they all seemed to be heading towards one place. This sudden movement towards one location was unusual and quite intriguing, and Kiyoshi was curious to find out more.

Kiyoshi watched the massive crowd with a mixture of awe and curiosity. He could not discern where they were going, but the sheer quantity of people heading in one direction was remarkable. He began to wonder if this mass movement meant something big was happening, and he became more and more interested in investigating. He decided to follow the crowd's movement, hoping to find out what it was all about. As he did so, he could not help but feel a rush of adrenaline and excitement, as he couldn't help but feel the anticipation growing inside him. Kiyoshi let himself become engulfed by the crowd, not resisting the flow but rather allowing himself to be propelled along with it. As he did so, he felt the energy and emotion of the people around him, and the adrenaline rush only increased as he followed the crowd Kiyoshi soon found himself swept up in a sea of people, with little room to breathe. Yet it did not deter him; instead, it only fed his curiosity and excitement. He let the flow of the crowd guide him, letting go of his own will and succumbing to the mass of bodies that surrounded him. Kiyoshi's adrenaline was pumping, and his heart was pounding as he allowed the crowd to take him closer and closer to their destination. The energy of the crowd around him was so strong and euphoric, and he could not escape the surge of emotions that washed over him. He felt like an insignificant twig swept along by an impossibly powerful current, yet the feeling was thrilling rather than disturbing. 

Kiyoshi was now completely surrounded by a sea of people, being carried along by the crowd's mass momentum and seemingly swept up in the excitement and anticipation. The energy was so palpable and contagious that Kiyoshi could almost feel the rush of excitement and anticipation radiating off of the people around him. His surroundings were now a flurry of motion and movement, with the people around him moving as one massive collective entity. It was a truly exhilarating experience, and Kiyoshi could not help but feel a deep sense of exhilaration as he was carried along with the crowd. Kiyoshi was now completely caught up in the crowd's movement, carried along by the mass energy and flow of bodies. He could no longer discern any specific individuals among the sea of people, for the crowd had become one sprawling, undulating mass. The energy was almost infectious, carrying Kiyoshi with its momentum and sweeping him away in a dizzying torrent of adrenaline. It was a thrilling and almost hypnotic sensation, which overwhelmed his senses and filled him with an intense rush of excitement. Kiyoshi felt himself being carried towards a destination, but the crowd was so large and the movement so rapid that he could no longer tell where exactly they were going. The people around him seemed just as overwhelmed by the energy and anticipation as he was, though most of them appeared to be relishing in the exhilarating sensation of the crowd. Kiyoshi himself became caught up in the rush, his heart pounding and blood surging through his veins.

Kiyoshi looks up at the sky, his attention caught by something unusual. On closer inspection, he notices a figure perched on a nearby rooftop, a woman with striking cherry blossom pink hair and matching neon pink eyes. The woman, Alaina - the Nightmare - is staring straight back at him, her gaze piercing into his soul and making him feel as though he has been exposed. Kiyoshi can't help but feel strangely drawn to the woman, as if her presence is somehow hypnotic and riveting. As he continues to stare, he gets the unsettling sense that she can read his mind and that she is somehow inside his head. It is an uneasy feeling, but Kiyoshi cannot look away. As Kiyoshi continues to stare at Alaina on the rooftop, he feels a chill run down his spine. Something about her is unsettling, as if she has the ability to see into his deepest thoughts and memories. It's a unnerving sensation, yet Kiyoshi still cannot look away. The woman's striking pink eyes seem to pierce right through him, reading all his fears and insecurities. Kiyoshi is suddenly struck by the eerie sight of the crowd around him, a mass of bodies moving towards an unknown destination. He can see the blank, hollow look in their eyes, as if they are being guided by some mysterious force more powerful than themselves. The crowd's movement is steady and relentless, as if they are puppets controlled by some unseen puppeteer. Kiyoshi's heart rate spikes as he observes this alarming scene, unsettled by the sight of so many people without free will. Kiyoshi's fears are confirmed as he notices that the crowd is moving in one single direction, seemingly being pushed and pulled by some unseen force. This crowd of people is no longer made up of individuals, but rather a faceless mass being manipulated by some unseen power. Their hollow eyes are blank and emotionless, with no signs of individual thought or free will. Kiyoshi notices that some people seem to be struggling against the crowd's forceful movement, but their efforts are unsuccessful, as if there's no way to break free from this trance-like state.

Kiyoshi's eyes begin to dart between Alaina and the crowd, and he struggles to make sense of his situation. He can tell that something is wrong, and that the crowd's movement is not normal. At the same time, he has a feeling of dread and discomfort in his stomach, because the look in Alaina's eyes is unsettling and unsettling. His feelings of anxiety and concern are growing exponentially, and he feels like he is trapped in a surreal and nightmarish situation. Kiyoshi tries to keep one eye on the crowd and the other on Alaina, attempting to assess the situation, but he is quickly becoming overwhelmed. The feeling of dread inside him is growing, and he can't shake the feeling that there is something wrong. The crowd's movement is so coordinated and relentless that it feels ominous and sinister. Alaina's presence seems to loom over everything, a reminder of the potential danger lurking nearby. Kiyoshi struggles to maintain his awareness in the face of the crowd's hypnotic and intense momentum, but despite the difficult situation, he still has enough sense of self-preservation to attempt to contact his boss. He tries to dial the number for his boss, but the crowd begins to move even faster and more aggressively, making it difficult to even stand upright. Kiyoshi's eyes dart around frantically as he tries to keep his balance while calling for help. The crowd's overwhelming and relentless movement is making it difficult for Kiyoshi to focus on anything else. He can feel the panic and anxiety rising inside him and the feeling like he is being pulled along by a current he cannot resist. He still cannot make out any distinct individuals among the crowd, and the sense of dread he feels grows with each passing second.

Despite the chaos surrounding him, Kiyoshi manages to dial the number for his superior. The line is busy at first when he calls, but he keeps trying and finally gets through. Kiyoshi quickly explains the situation, telling his boss about the crowd's odd behavior and the presence of the woman on the rooftop. His boss is taken aback by the news and tells Kiyoshi that reinforcements are coming, and to hold on as long as he can. Kiyoshi feels a temporary wave of relief as he confirms that reinforcements are coming, though the crowd's relentless movement and the presence of Alaina remains unnerving to him. The phone call comes to an end quickly, and Kiyoshi once again finds himself struggling to maintain his footing, as the crowd's movement has reached an almost feverish state. Despite having help on the way, Kiyoshi still feels a growing sense of desperation as he is swept away along with the crowd's relentless movement. The feeling of helplessness is overwhelming, and Kiyoshi does not know what to do or where this ordeal is leading him. The crowd continues to move with a relentless and unstoppable momentum, and Kiyoshi is carried ever further on this strange and surreal quest. Kiyoshi feels a profound sense of responsibility as he realizes he is the only one who has retained some of his conscious and free will. He knows that this is his chance to be a hero and make a difference, to protect those around him who have been enslaved by the hypnotic control of Alaina-The Nightmare. He feels a rush of courage and determination as he takes a stand against the hypnotic powers. Kiyoshi summons all of his courage and determination as he resists the hypnosis attempts of Alaina-The Nightmare. He feels a newfound sense of strength and willpower within himself, and his resolve to protect those who have been enslaved by the hypnotic effects grows stronger. The crowd's momentum is relentless, but Kiyoshi manages to resist it, maintaining some control over his actions and movements.

Kiyoshi looks up at Aliana and screams, "Heroism is not a title given to powerful and revered individuals. It is a responsibility to be taken upon by those who see injustice and strive to stand in the gap to protect those who cannot protect themselves. One must look past their own fears and vulnerabilities and act with honor and determination to preserve the wellbeing and dignity of others. It is not about power, fame, or prestige, but about sacrificing to safeguard those who cannot safeguard themselves. That is the essence of heroism." As he says this, he tries his best to fight against the hypnosis. Kiyoshi stares at Alaina on the roof of a tall building, feeling the hypnosis wash away from him with every passing moment. His heart is pounding in his chest and finally freed from the hypnosis, he feels a powerful surge of courage and determination. He is ready to fight for what he believes in, prepared to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. He stares straight at Alaina and is ready to face her head on. As Kiyoshi prepares himself for battle, he feels a hand on his shoulder, and then looks behind him, only to realize that Takeshi, his boss has arrived. Takeshi tells him that he is not ready to fight a member of the Rogue Syndicate, especially not one as notorious and dangerous as Alaina with her being one of the "Nefarious Nine". Kiyoshi feels a rush of disappointment and frustration as he realizes that he will not get to fight and be the hero he had envisioned himself to be. With one last glance at Alaina, Kiyoshi begrudgingly follows Takeshi and heads home. Kiyoshi leaves with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. He had so many ambitions and plans for what he wanted to accomplish as a hero, but now they all feel out of reach. It feels like he will never get to live up to his ideals and be the kind of hero he wants to be. Kiyoshi feels his hopes and dreams crushed, and the feeling of failure weighs heavily on his heart. Kiyoshi heads home and turns on the news, expecting it to be blanketed with news about the strange hypnosis phenomenon, and he feels an overwhelming mix of concern and anger when he realizes that it has been totally hijacked. The entire situation is being presented as a harmless mass-movement of citizens, while there is no mention of the hero reinforcements being mind-controlled. In the middle of it all, sitting on a pile of rocks, is Ren. Alaina is beside him, a faint smirk on her face, as she releases the mind control on everyone on site, except for the heroes. Kiyoshi, as well as the rest of the civilians at home, watch in anticipation at what is about to occur.