Chapter 2: How it all began

(Five Years Ago)

June 14, 2025 was the day two figures fought over the fate of Earth. The symbol of peace vs destruction prophet all took place in the ruined Golden City.

The city was alive with chaos, destruction and screams of the innocents.

Buildings crumbled under the force of a battle between Empire Gold, the Number One Hero, and Lord Kaizer, the Prophet of Destruction.

Hidden in the shadows of a narrow alleyway, a fourteen-year-old Arthur watched with wide, awestruck eyes. Despite putting his life in danger, he simply couldn't resist a once in lifetime opportunity to watch history up close.

Empire Gold stood like a golden statue, his body radiating an aura of golden light. His Trigger Impervious Form has made him the beacon of life.

He had saved hundreds, maybe thousands, with that power alone.

Arthur clenched his small fists.

"One day… I'll be like him. But first, I need a trigger as strong as yours." Young Arthur was pump after witnessing another collusion in the air as the continue their back and forth.

---

The battle raged on.

Lord Kaizer, a monstrous figure with jagged spiky skin, laughed as he swung a fist the size of a car.

Empire Gold pulled back his right arm and dashed towards him.

BOOM!

Releasing a shockwave from his feet.

Arthur flinched but didn't run.

"He's going to win," he told himself, "He always wins."

Empire Gold was slowing down. His golden right arm glowed as he prepared to strike.

Then—

BANG!

A gunshot rang out.

But the bullet bounces off his body not even stopping his momentum.

Arthur's eyes glowed with a wide smile of relief that he was okay. Arthur moved forward to get a better look, then shouting, "YOU CAN DO THIS EMPIRE GOLD!!!" Hoping his word would inspire the hero to victory.

But Empire Gold was shocked to hear that a someone was still present despite being sure everyone was evacuated. Instantly turning to Arthur location, "KID, GET OUT OF HERE!"

But the unthinkable happen, Arthur trigger has never been active since Arthur never know his abilities or what it can do. When he gazed into his eyes...

Arthur left blue eye morph into a crimson red.

Empire Gold's golden glow vanished.

And in that split second—

Lord Kaizer's fist punched him so hard that he flew towards Arthur feet.

He was finished, Lord Kaizer leaped over to Empire Gold body, with his two monstrous hand he pulled Empire Gold lower body and upper body apart from each other, "You have finally chosen to fall... I'm disappointed that you die so easy." He dropped the upper body of Empire Gold land graceful infront of Arthur with his lifeless eyes staring at him.

Lord Kaizer realised that Arthur assistant him, "I don't know who you are, but you have my gratitude for ending this lifelong feud. See you in the new world." Before leaping to the next villain.

Arthur slowly shifted his gaze on Empire Gold and begun throwing up.

---

Silence.

More Heroes arrived with flashes of light, explosions, the roar of battle. But Arthur didn't see any of it.

His vision was locked on Empire Gold's body, lying broken on the ground.

Lord Kaizer laughed as he was finally subdued, his massive frame collapsing under the combined might of the Top Heroes, "Hope you are proud of yourself, you took a man that will never be replace for this world." Wateredge states.

"Pathetic," Kaizer spat, blood dripping from his lips, "After many of our battle, he chose now of all time to lose so easily."

"Save it. Hope you are prepared to never met the light of day." Said Conquer.

Arthur trembled.

Then, before he could stop himself—

He stepped forward.

"It was me."

The Heroes turned.

A scrawny, white-haired boy stood before them, tears streaming down his face.

"I… I looked at him. My left eye… it stopped his Triggers." His voice cracked, "I didn't mean to. I just…it was an accident." When he shifted his eyes to Lord Kaizer who was surprised to hear that.

Suddenly Lord Kaizer monstrous arms turn normal, "You...just turned off my trigger." He said.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then—

"You."

Conquer —grabbed Arthur by the collar, lifting him off the ground.

"You killed him-" Arthur block out all the yelling from Conquer.

Arthur didn't resist.

He didn't even cry.

He just closed his eyes and waited for the punishment he knew he deserved.

---

The trial was swift.

No one cared that Arthur was a child.

No one cared that it was an accident.

All they saw was the boy who killed the Number One Hero.

The media dubbed him "The demon child"—a villain in the making.

He was thrown into Iron hold Penitentiary, a prison reserved for the worst criminals in the world.

The first year was hell.

Beaten. Starved. Forgotten.

But Arthur never fought back.

Because deep down, he believed he deserved it.

Until one day—

He stopped feeling anything at all.

---

(Present Day)

Arthur's hands clenched into fists as the memory faded.

Flamestar was still holding his hand, her grip warm.

"Arthur?" she asked softly, "You okay?"

He exhaled.

"No."

Then he looked up at the smoke rising from Golden City.

"But that doesn't matter right now."

Flamestar nodded.

"Then let's go."

And together, they ran toward the disaster.