"Strength, power, potential... are they gifts, or burdens?" The question lingered in Hiroto's mind as he trudged through the shadowed forest toward the Shadow Hunters' Headquarters. His body bore the marks of his battle—the clash with the Shade Hunter had left him bruised, battered, and questioning his worth. He could feel the dim glow of his light energy mending his wounds slowly, but even that was a reminder: his light could heal his body, but not his doubts.
The HQ loomed ahead, hidden by the natural cover of the woods. Hiroto pushed open the heavy doors, the familiar creak echoing in the quiet entryway. The cool air of the base embraced him, carrying the faint smell of herbs and burning wood.
Before he could take another step, a familiar voice called out, laced with shock and concern.
"Hiroto!" Ayla's fiery red hair flashed as she hurried toward him, her eyes wide as they scanned his injuries. "What happened to you? You look like you went ten rounds with a shadow beast!"
"I'm fine," Hiroto murmured, attempting to wave her off. But Ayla was having none of it. She grabbed his arm firmly, guiding him to a chair near the hearth.
"You're not fine," she snapped. Her fingers traced the cuts and bruises on his arms and shoulders, her expression softening. "Your light powers are healing you, but you're still hurt. Let me help."
Hiroto allowed her to dab a damp cloth against his wounds, the sting of the antiseptic making him wince. She worked in silence for a moment, her touch gentle but purposeful.
"What were you thinking, Hiroto?" Ayla's voice broke the quiet, trembling slightly. Her amber eyes met his, glimmering with a mix of anger and worry. "You went out there alone, didn't you? Why didn't you tell us? We could've helped!"
Hiroto's jaw tightened. "It wasn't your fight. It was mine."
"That's not how this works!" Ayla's voice rose, and for the first time, Hiroto saw tears welling in her eyes. She blinked them back, her hands pausing mid-motion. "We're a team, Hiroto. If you keep shutting us out, how can we ever protect each other? What if... what if you didn't come back?"
Her words struck a chord in Hiroto, and he lowered his gaze, guilt washing over him. He had no answer to that—not one that would soothe her worry or his own gnawing uncertainty.
"I'm sorry, Ayla," he said softly. "But this fight... I needed to face it alone."
Ayla didn't respond immediately. Instead, she resumed cleaning his wounds, her silence heavy with unspoken emotions. When she finished wrapping the last bandage, she muttered, "If you ever do something this reckless again, I'll personally drag you back and make you regret it."
Hiroto gave a faint smile, appreciating her fiery resolve. "I'll keep that in mind."
The sound of the front doors opening broke the tense atmosphere. Ronan and Aqua stepped inside, their expressions shifting from curiosity to alarm when they saw Hiroto bandaged up near the hearth.
"What happened to you?" Ronan's voice boomed as he hurried over.
Aqua, ever the logical one, observed Hiroto carefully. "He's clearly exhausted. If his light powers haven't fully healed him yet, it means he pushed himself beyond his limit." Her emerald eyes flicked to Ayla. "Let him rest before we ask questions. Whatever happened, it can wait until he's recovered."
"I'm fine," Hiroto protested weakly.
"No, you're not," Aqua countered with a raised brow. "Go rest, Hiroto. We'll talk when you're ready."
Despite his stubborn nature, Hiroto was too drained to argue. With Ayla and Ronan's help, he made his way to his room and collapsed onto the bed. Sleep came quickly, pulling him into its soothing embrace.
When Hiroto woke, the sun had climbed high into the sky, signaling that it was well past noon. The aroma of food wafted through the air, coaxing him out of bed.
In the dining area, Ronan was serving bowls of steaming stew and rice while Ayla and Aqua chatted quietly. When Hiroto entered, they fell silent, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
"Feeling better?" Ronan asked, sliding a bowl toward Hiroto.
"Yeah," Hiroto replied, taking a seat and digging into the meal. The stew was warm and rich, its flavors grounding him after the chaos of the previous night.
As they ate, the questions came, and Hiroto began recounting his battle with the Shade Hunter.
"He was unlike anyone I've ever faced," Hiroto began, his voice steady but tinged with frustration. "Fast, precise, and his control over the shadows... it was on another level."
"You fought the Shade Hunter?" Aqua's eyes widened slightly, the spoon pausing midway to her mouth.
"Alone?" Ronan added, his tone incredulous. "Are you out of your mind?"
"I had to," Hiroto said firmly, meeting their gazes. "I needed to test myself, to see if I could stand against someone like him. But I couldn't. No matter what I tried, he was always one step ahead."
Ayla frowned, her hands clenched into fists. "And he let you go? Just like that?"
Hiroto nodded. "He said I wasn't ready. That I had potential, but I'm not strong enough yet."
Aqua leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "If he sees potential in you, that means he's watching. He's gauging your growth. We need to assume this won't be the last time you encounter him."
"And next time," Ronan said, his voice firm, "you won't face him alone. We'll stand together, no matter what."
Hiroto looked at his friends, their unwavering determination shining through, and felt a flicker of hope reignite within him. He wasn't alone—not in his battles, not in his struggles.
"Thank you," he said quietly, a rare smile breaking across his face. "Next time, we'll face him together."
As the group finished their meal, the resolve in the room was palpable. The Shade Hunter had tested Hiroto's limits, but he had also ignited a fire within the team—a determination to grow stronger, together.
The weight of power was heavy, but Hiroto knew now that he didn't have to carry it alone.