Chapter 1: Superheros

*15 Years Later*

A young boy sat on the edge of his bed, his back slightly hunched, arms resting on his knees.

Ralt.

He has a lean appearance, and wore a white t-shirt, and black trouser.

His colour of hair was blue, and his eyes were dark blue.

The dim glow of the television screen bathed the darkened room in shifting colors, flashing between explosions, streaks of energy, and the blurred movements of figures locked in battle.

The sound of destruction filled the small space, shattered glass, crumbling buildings, the deep, booming voices of heroes standing their ground against a monstrous force.

His eyes remained fixed on the screen, unblinking.

The news broadcast wasn't pre-recorded.

It wasn't some fictional blockbuster meant to entertain.

This was real.

On the screen, a camera struggled to keep up with the action as caped figures darted through the sky, launching blasts of energy and fire at a towering entity in the heart of a devastated city.

The villain, if he could even be called that, was an overwhelming presence, his body wreathed in dark energy, tendrils of shadow lashing out, ripping apart the cityscape like paper.

The camera zoomed in on his face, a monstrous visage twisted in rage and amusement, as if the destruction unfolding around him was nothing more than a game.

"Just die already!" Ralt spat.

The news anchor's voice trembled as she spoke, struggling to keep her composure.

"The battle has entered its third hour, and despite the combined efforts of the world's greatest heroes, the enemy remains standing. Reports indicate massive casualties, with entire districts reduced to rubble. Authorities are urging all civilians to evacuate immediately—"

The feed stuttered, then cut to shaky phone footage.

A hero in golden armor crashed through a building, his form slamming into the pavement with enough force to send cracks spiderwebbing through the concrete.

"Get back up!" Ralt said aloud.

He didn't get up.

The camera panned wildly, catching glimpses of others still fighting, one hero desperately conjuring shields of light, another charging forward with a sword that gleamed like the sun itself.

And yet, it still wasn't enough.

Ralt exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable.

The flickering light from the screen reflected in his eyes, but there was no excitement there.

No awe.

It just disappeared entirely.

"Shit, these guys are too weak, someone stronger should come and teach that damn monster a lesson" Ralt said in annoyance.

The television screen showed a massive explosion, a final desperate attack from one of the remaining heroes.

It swallowed the villain in light, engulfing him in fire and dust.

The camera feed cut out for a moment.

Silence.

Then the smoke cleared.

The villain still stood.

Ralt's fingers curled into fists.

"Shit!"

The screen flickered again, showing a newscaster visibly shaking, listening to reports through her earpiece.

Her voice wavered as she forced out the words.

"It appears… they've lost."

But, no...

She was wrong, the battle wasn't over.

The moment she said it, more hero's appeared...

They looked stronger capable, and Ralt had a feeling he was going to enjoy the next round.

"Yeah!" Ralt said loudly.

Ralt sat cross-legged on the floor, his eyes locked onto the screen, his breath slow and steady.

The television flickered with vibrant colors, streaks of red and blue, flashes of gold and silver, the glow of energy colliding in the sky as one of the world's strongest heroes fought with everything they had.

He could hear the roar of their battle, the deep tremors shaking the very ground beneath them, even though he was far away, confined to the four walls of his room.

He clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white.

He was excited.

The battle had just turned against the bad guy in an instant.

A world filled with powerful figures, beings capable of moving mountains, gods walking among mortals.

To most, they were symbols of hope, protectors, warriors standing against the forces of destruction.

To him, they were something more than that.

Superheroes.

They were larger than life, untouchable figures who defied fate itself.

He had admired them for as long as he could remember.

They were everything he was not, strong, free, loved, unstoppable.

They belonged to the world, shaping history with their power, their heroism.