Heroes...

~ Monday – 7:55 AM – Vance Industries, Ethan's Pov ~

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By the time I stepped out of the elevator, the office had shifted into its typical rhythm—keyboards clicking, phones ringing, and people constantly shuffling between desks... I guess, business as usual.

Or... almost.

I could see Ryan up ahead, he's probably waiting for me.

He was leaning against my desk, arms crossed, one brow raised like he'd been sitting on something all morning and was dying to drop it on me. I wonder what it could be.

I barely had time to put my bag down before he said—

"Hey, you might want to hear this."

I frowned, "Huh? Hear what?"

Ryan let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Man, you really missed a good one. Apparently, Titan tore through an armored convoy downtown—blew up half a street before Omni-Man took him down."

Titan?

Wait a minute... That name.. it clicked to me instantly. Wasn't he some high-level crime boss? If I remember correctly, he operated like a businessman, but could go toe-to-toe with most heroes when he needed to. Dangerous, but usually calculated. Still, this isn't like him based on my little research...

"Well... To be honest, he doesn't seem like the type to really pull off something this bold, he seems like the down low type." I said; settling into my chair.

"Exactly." Ryan said, pointing at me like I'd just proven his point, "I feel like the guy was making a statement. The news said he was after some prototype weapon the feds were moving oi. And get this—" He leaned in slightly. "Some of the cargo vanished during the fight."

I exhaled through my nose, opening my laptop. "So either Titan got what he wanted…"

"Or someone else did..." Ryan finished it, nodding.

The thought sat between us for a little moment.

Ryan lightly tapped the edge of my desk. "Oh, and before I forget—HQ sent out an alert this morning. Security's tightening across all tech firms, including us. Something about potential retaliation, blah blah blah." He waved a hand. "So, you know. Be careful walking home."

I snorted. "You saying I should start looking over my shoulder?"

Ryan shrugged. "I dunno, man... Feels like things are just... Heating up lately." He eyed me for a beat before adding, "Especially around here."

I didn't take the bait. Instead, I just nodded, typing absently as my screen flickered to life.

"Good looking out," I said.

Ryan studied me for half a second longer, then smirked. "Don't mention it. Oh, and by the way—" He grabbed a folder from my desk and dropped it in front of me. "We've got a ton of reports to go through, so don't get all mysterious on me, and then disappear again."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah..."

Ryan grinned. "Atta boy." He clapped my shoulder once before heading back to his own desk, already pulling up his own files.

I let out a slow breath, fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Titan's attack. A missing prototype weapon? Heightened security? Things were heating up around here lately...

And whether I liked it or not—I had bad feeling that I was about to be right in the middle of it... I don't think my situation is a coincidence. That guy in black, my memories... Something is definitely off here...

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~ Monday – 8:10 PM – Downtown, Ethan's POV ~

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The city felt like it was, alive. The neon lights flickered against the wet pavement, the distant hum of traffic blending with the occasional laughter of some of the pedestrians spilling out of bars and restaurants...

Ryan and I had spent the last few hours bar-hopping, though calling it that was a stretch—we weren't drinking that much, just killing time, eating cheap food, and talking about anything but work.

It felt, peaceful.

Almost.

"So, what's next?" Ryan asked, tossing a crumpled napkin into his empty beer glass.

I leaned back against the booth, stretching my arms. "I Dunno. It's kind off nice just existing for a bit."

Ryan smirked. "Damn. That's deep, man. You been reading philosophy books or something?"

I snorted. "Yeah, right. Like I have time for that."

He shrugged. "Well, we could hit another bar. Or—" His smirk widened. "We could run it back."

I raised a brow. "Run what back?"

Ryan leaned forward, elbows on the table. "You know exactly what. Last time we sparred, you barely lasted five minutes before I put you on your ass."

I scoffed. "Barely lasted—dude, I was holding back."

Ryan barked a laugh. "Ohhh, okay. Holding back. Yeah, sure. That's what happened."

I shook my head, smirking. The truth was, we'd spar one or twice last week before—nothing that serious, just a way for me to actually keep in shape. Still, I could tell that Ryan had the edge on me in experience, but tonight? 

Tonight, I wasn't so sure.

Because even if I hadn't actively tested myself, I felt it. The way my body moved lately. The way my balance had been improving.

Something was changing about me. I wouldn't say I'm stronger, but I could use my body a bit better than before...

And maybe, just maybe, this was the perfect way to find out how much.

I thought for a little more, then stood up, stretching my arms. "Alright. Let's go."

Ryan blinked. "Wait, seriously?"

"You wanted a rematch, right?" I smirked. "Unless, you're the one holding back now."

Ryan grinned, already reaching for his jacket. "Oh, you're so going down."

"Hey!~"

Ryan and I barely made it half a block before the sound of a scuffle yanked us out of our conversation...

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"Hey! You asshat, get OFF of me!"

We both turned toward the alleyway to our right. A girl's voice—sharp, pissed, not scared, but definitely in trouble.

Ryan shot me a look. I was already moving.

We cut into the alley, the smell of wet concrete and garbage thick in the air. A few feet ahead, a guy in a ratty hoodie had a girl by the wrist, yanking at her bag while she dug her heels into the ground. She was fighting back—twisting, kicking at his shin—but he wasn't letting go.

Ryan didn't hesitate. "Hey, jackass!"

The guy barely had time to turn before Ryan shoved him off her, hard enough that he staggered back against the brick wall.

The girl ripped her arm free, stepping back, breathing heavy.

"Jesus," she muttered, rubbing her wrist. "Took you guys long enough."

The guy shook his head like he was trying to process what just happened. Then his eyes flicked between us, sizing us up.

And something shifted.

I could feel it in the air. The way his stance changed—not like some desperate mugger about to bolt, but like someone deciding if the fight was worth it.

My jaw tightened.

Ryan must've caught it too, because he scoffed. "Dude. Don't even think about it."

For a second, I thought he'd listen.

Then he reached into his jacket.

'Shit!' Knowing what was coming...

I didn't even think. I just moved.

Before he could pull whatever it was from his pocket, I had closed the gap—using one of the moves I practiced when someone is ready to take out a knife at you. I instantly grabbed him by the wrist as fast as I could; then in the same motion, I twisted his arm, essentially forcing him to spin around. Causing him to drive right into the wall, all with a force that felt too easy...

And way too natural.

Just as his head smacked against the brick. I'm sure he let out a pained grunt, coupled with his hand twitching before going slack... It means that it was effective... Whatever he had been reaching for—a knife, maybe even a damn gun— I heard it clattered to the ground.

I heard silence after...

"Tch!"

Hearing that, I made sure my grip was firm.

The guy groaned. "A-Alright! Alright! Shit! I-I get it!"

I stayed like that for a few seconds before I finally letting go of him. He didn't waste time—he just scrambling to his feet and took off down the alleyway, disappearing into the streets...

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"Phew~" That was, interesting...

Ryan whistled. "Damn. Guess you really have been working out?"

I swallowed, stepping back. My pulse wasn't even racing when I did all that. My breathing—steady. The way I'd moved, the way I'd reacted it all felt, good. I knew what was coming, and I handled it near perfectly. I guess those videos are working out for me after all...

I glanced at the girl, who was still brushing dust off her sleeve like this was just another Monday night...

"Uhm... You, ok miss?" I asked.

She looked up, giving me a once-over, "Y-Yeah. Thanks, or whatever."

Then, just like that, she turned and walked off; Before she left, I could see her muttering something under her breath.

I wonder what she said. Either way...

Me and Ryan watched her go, then he smirked. "She seemed like a nice one."

I exhaled, tired, "Let's just get to our usual spot..."

Ryan chuckled, clapping me on the back. "Whoa... You're really feeling yourself tonight, huh?"

I really wasn't. buuut... That was pretty badass of me to do. Not going to discredit myself there.

Ryan stopped me, "Seriously though... When did you even learn to do something like that? Cause I sure as hell didn't teach you."

I shrugged, keeping my face as neutral as possible. "I... Dunno. I just reacted as soon as he attempted to pull something out."

Of course, Ryan wasn't buying any of it.

"Bull. Shit." He shook his head. "I know you. A week ago, you probably would've hesitated, or worse—gotten decked."

"Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered.

"You know what I mean," Ryan said, still watching me. "When did you even learn to do something like that? 'Cause I sure as hell didn't teach you."

I exhaled, glancing down the street like I could just walk away from this conversation. "I've been training."

Ryan raised a brow, "Training?"

"Yeah," I said, stuffing my hands into my pockets. "Just some basic calisthenics as of late... Some stretching. Watching videos, practicing stuff after work."

Ryan blinked at me, giving me, the look; "Wait. You—the guy who used to groan about getting out of his chair too fast—have been doing self-training for a week—and now you're out here pulling slick disarms like you've been doing this for years?"

He let out a short laugh, rubbing his face. "Dude. Do you hear how crazy that sounds?"

I did. And I had no real explanation for it, nor did I have any alternative explanations for it.

Ryan shook his head. "Look, I get that people can improve fast when they actually put in the effort, but this?" He gestured vaguely at me. "This is different."

I didn't say anything.

Because I knew it was different.

Something inside me had shifted, adapted—like my body had absorbed the training rather than just learning it. No clumsy trial and error, no slow progress. Just immediate, instinctive control.

And it wasn't stopping either... Maybe I was talented in fighting? One of those fabled super prodigies that only exist every millennia... Or I was getting ahead of myself.

Ryan studied me for a second longer, then sighed, shaking his head. "Whatever, man. Maybe you're just built different."

I smirked, "Maybe you're right."

He rolled his eyes. "Alright, enough of this. Let's see if your 'YouTube Sensei' training actually holds up in a real fight."

I stretched my shoulders. "Hope you're ready to lose."

Ryan snorted. "I may be a little out of shape, but boy, oh boy... I cannot wait to humble your ass."

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END