2- Invasion

A deafening silence followed the explosion. The streets of Nova Astra, once buzzing with the usual rhythm of city life, now stood frozen in terror. Shattered glass rained from broken storefronts, car alarms wailed in protest, and thick plumes of smoke twisted into the sky.

Kael Renshiro's breath hitched. What did that thing just call me?

"The Metalborn has awakened."

The cloaked figure who had spoken was still staring at him, its silver eyes burning with unnatural intensity. The others—five in total—advanced slowly, their movements controlled, methodical. Unlike the common villains Kael had seen on the news, these figures carried themselves like they knew something no one else did.

This wasn't some random attack. They were here for him.

Kael's pulse pounded in his ears. He took an unconscious step back, his mind struggling to process everything. Why me? I don't even have powers!

Behind him, Lena grabbed his wrist. "Kael," she whispered. "We need to run. Now."

Rex Donovan and his gang had already backed away, uncertainty flickering across their faces. Even with their Manifestations, they weren't stupid enough to pick a fight they didn't understand.

But Kael couldn't move.

Because something was happening.

His entire body tingled, as if static electricity had filled the air. He felt an unfamiliar pull—something deep inside him responding to the chaos around him. It was subtle at first, like an itch at the edge of his consciousness. But then—

The streetlights flickered wildly.

The metal trash bins nearby vibrated, their lids clattering to the ground.

Somewhere in the distance, a car alarm short-circuited, its blaring wail cutting off mid-screech.

Kael gasped. He had never felt this before. It was like… something inside him was reaching out. Grasping. Trying to connect with the metal surrounding him.

One of the cloaked figures suddenly lunged forward, moving faster than Kael could react.

BOOM!

A blur of blue and gold streaked through the air.

Before the attacker could reach Kael, a new figure dropped between them, slamming a massive warhammer into the pavement. The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, cracking the ground beneath them.

Kael's eyes widened. A hero.

Standing before him was a towering figure clad in shining battle-worn armor, a golden insignia glowing on his chest. His blue cape billowed behind him, and his face was obscured by a sleek, futuristic helmet.

Kael knew that armor.

Everyone in Nova Astra did.

Sentinel Prime.

The strongest hero in the city. Maybe even the world.

"Step away from the civilians," Sentinel Prime commanded, his voice firm and unwavering. He pointed his warhammer at the cloaked figures. "This is your only warning."

The lead figure chuckled darkly, its silver eyes narrowing. "You think you can stop fate, hero?"

Without warning, the air around them rippled, distorting like heat waves rising off asphalt. Kael barely had time to register the movement before the five figures vanished—only to reappear instantly in different positions around Sentinel Prime.

Kael barely had time to shout a warning before the cloaked figures attacked.

Sentinel Prime blocked the first strike with his warhammer, the force of the blow creating a shockwave that sent Kael stumbling backward. The second attacker moved in, hands glowing with black energy, but Prime countered with a crushing knee strike to the ribs, sending the assailant skidding across the pavement.

Kael watched in awe. The hero moved like a storm given form, every strike calculated and brutal. But despite his strength, the cloaked figures were keeping up with him—which shouldn't have been possible.

The fight raged on, blue and gold clashing against shadows and silver.

Then, one of the attackers turned toward Kael again.

He barely had time to react before a whip-like tendril of black energy shot toward him.

Kael threw up his arms instinctively, bracing for the impact—

—when suddenly, a metal street sign ripped itself from the ground and swung in front of him like a shield.

The dark tendril slammed into the sign, sending sparks flying.

Kael's breath caught in his throat.

Did I just… do that?

Lena grabbed his arm. "Kael! What the hell was that?!"

"I—I don't know!" His heartbeat was a drum against his ribs.

He turned his hand slightly, and the street sign twitched, as if responding to his movements.

For the first time in his life, Kael felt something stirring inside him—something he couldn't explain.

But he didn't have time to figure it out.

One of the cloaked figures rushed toward them.

Lena screamed. Kael tried to move, but he was too slow—

A searing blast of fire suddenly roared past his face.

Kael whipped his head around.

Rex Donovan stood behind him, his right arm engulfed in flames.

His usual cocky smirk was gone, replaced by something colder.

"You wanna fight?" Rex growled, his hands crackling with fire. "Then let's fight."

The cloaked figure barely hesitated before engaging. Rex dodged left, unleashing a wave of fire that sent the enemy skidding back. He followed up with a flaming uppercut, forcing the attacker to block.

Kael couldn't believe it. Rex Donovan—the guy who tormented him every day—was fighting to protect him.

But the battle wasn't over.

Sentinel Prime, still locked in combat, suddenly glanced toward Kael. Even through the helmet, Kael felt the hero's piercing gaze.

"You. Get out of here. Now."

Kael wanted to run. Every logical part of him screamed at him to get away from the battlefield.

But something held him in place.

Something deep and primal inside him didn't want to run anymore.

A few feet away, a discarded metal pipe twitched on the ground. Kael didn't even think. He reached out—

The pipe shot into his hand as if it had been waiting for him.

Lena's eyes widened. "Kael, did you just—?"

But before she could finish, one of the cloaked figures noticed what had happened. Their silver eyes burned even brighter.

"So it's true," they murmured. "The Metalborn has awakened."

Kael barely had time to react before the enemy lunged straight at him.

For the first time in his life, he didn't freeze.

He swung the pipe instinctively, and—

The entire street buckled as an unseen force rippled outward.

Kael's vision flashed white.

And then—

Everything exploded.