Let’s Be Heroes

Kyren finished telling his story, his voice steady, but his emotions still raw. Across the table, Grandma Windy listened in silence, her weathered hands resting on her lap. When he was done, she met his gaze with a deep, kind look, though there was something heavier behind it.

"Kyren," she said softly. "You can finally leave this place and make your life so much better."

Kyren froze. Leave? His grandmother—the woman who had saved his life, who had taken him in when no one else would—thought he would just walk away?

"Grandma, what do you mean, leave?" His voice wavered, his lips trembling.

She sighed, the weight of years pressing into her words. "You have powers now, boy. Living in the outskirts with abilities—especially ones as strong as yours—will only ruin you."

His stomach twisted. Did she really think so little of him? That he'd let the outskirts shape him into something cruel?

"G-Grandma… do you really think I'm that weak-minded?"

Grandma Windy stood, reaching for his empty plate. As she carried it to the sink, the old pipes groaned when she turned on the water. She scrubbed the dish with slow, deliberate motions before glancing over her shoulder.

"No, boy," she said. "The weak bend to their surroundings. The strong, like you… break."

The words sent a chill through him.

She rinsed the plate and set it aside, turning back to him. Her voice softened, but there was still an edge of warning beneath it.

"I hope you listened to me carefully. I want you to live the best life you can, but I've seen the outskirts crush the brightest of youths. I'd hate to see that happen to you, Kyren. I love you. We all love you."

Kyren swallowed hard. The lump in his throat burned as he pushed back the emotions rising in his chest. He stood abruptly, blinking away the wetness in his eyes, and motioned for Lydel to follow.

Once inside his room, Kyren shut the door behind them. He took a deep breath before speaking in a hushed tone.

"Lydel, I know she just wants what's best for me, but I know I can clean up the outskirts."

Lydel's brows furrowed. "Kyren… that's suicide. Even if your powers are strong, you think you can take on the outskirts alone?"

A slow, wicked smile spread across Kyren's face.

"Who said I was doing this alone?"

Lydel stiffened. His face paled slightly as he realized what Kyren meant. Damn it. He had always followed Kyren's lead, even when it seemed insane. Somehow, things always worked out in the end—maybe not right away, but eventually. That blind trust had kept him by Kyren's side all these years.

And yet, deep down, he knew one thing for certain.

Kyren never lost.

A grin—hesitant at first but growing—crept onto Lydel's face. "Well… let's be heroes, I guess."

Kyren let out a sharp laugh, not quite a real smile, but something close. He stretched out his hand.

Lydel clasped it.

"We're heroes now," Kyren declared.

Lydel huffed. "So what's first? We bust up the local drug syndicate or something?"

Kyren's grin sharpened. "First, we find you a weapon. Then we train."