Chereads / Shadows of Betrayal and Redemption / Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: The Gathering Storm

Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: The Gathering Storm

Two months had passed since Jace had entered U.A. High School, and the web of deception he spun grew ever more intricate. Balancing his dual lives as a student and a spy was like walking a razor's edge, the stakes growing higher with each step. But today, he wouldn't walk those halls. Today, his master had summoned him.

Jace lay in bed as the morning sunlight filtered through his dorm window. Outside, his classmates bustled with energy, preparing for the much-anticipated rescue training at the Unforeseen Simulation Joint. He had feigned illness, his face pale and voice weak when speaking to Aizawa earlier. The cover was perfect; no one suspected a thing.

At precisely 9:00 a.m., Jace's phone buzzed. The screen displayed a single word: Come.

The hidden lair of All For One was shrouded in darkness, an oppressive void that seemed to swallow all sound. Jace knelt before his master, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Kael's presence within him stirred uneasily, sensing the storm that was about to break.

"You've done well, Jin," All For One's deep, resonant voice filled the chamber. "Your reports have been invaluable, and your integration into U.A. flawless."

Jace kept his gaze fixed downward, his emotions carefully masked. "Thank you, Master."

All For One rose from his throne-like seat, his imposing figure radiating power. "But it's time to elevate you beyond mere reconnaissance. You are more than a spy. You are my weapon—a force that will bring this society to its knees."

With a gesture, All For One summoned a device, a sleek capsule humming with latent energy. "This contains the culmination of years of research. A gift for you, my most promising disciple."

Jace's breath hitched as the capsule opened, revealing a dark suit of armor. It gleamed with a menacing elegance, intricate patterns etched into its surface. All For One stepped closer, placing a hand on Jace's shoulder.

"This armor will ensure your anonymity when you act in my name. It will shield your identity as a student while instilling fear into the hearts of heroes and civilians alike."

Jace reached out, his fingers brushing against the cold metal. It felt alive, pulsing faintly with energy. "It's… incredible," he murmured.

"All For One wasn't finished. "And there's more. Step forward."

Jace obeyed, the air growing heavier as his master extended a hand. A dark, swirling energy surrounded him as All For One transferred a new Quirk into Jace's body. Pain lanced through him as the power settled, his muscles tensing and shadows flickering wildly around him.

"This Quirk," All For One explained, "allows you to control the weather itself. Storms, lightning, winds—all at your command. You will use it to create chaos, to act as my agent of destruction without revealing your true nature."

Jace gasped as the pain subsided, the new power coursing through him like an electric current. He could feel it—a vast, untamed force waiting to be unleashed.

"Do you understand your purpose now, Jin?" All For One asked, his voice low and commanding.

"Yes, Master," Jace replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "I am your weapon."

Later that day, while his classmates faced the chaos of the USJ attack, Jace trained under All For One's watchful gaze. The storm Quirk was unlike anything he had wielded before, its destructive potential staggering. Lightning crackled around him as he raised his hands, the storm bending to his will.

"Good," All For One said, his tone approving. "Now, combine it with your shadows."

Jace summoned his tendrils of darkness, weaving them into the storm. The result was a swirling vortex of shadow and lightning, its raw power shaking the ground beneath him. Sweat dripped from his brow as he maintained control, his body trembling under the strain.

"Focus," Kael's voice urged. "You can't let it overpower you."

Jace gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. With a final surge of effort, he dispersed the storm, the air crackling with residual energy.

"Well done," All For One said, a rare note of pride in his voice. "But this is only the beginning. You must master this power before you can fulfil your destiny."

As night fell, Jace returned to U.A., slipping back into the dorms unnoticed. His classmates were still at the USJ, the news of the villain attack already making headlines.

He sat on his bed, staring at the armor now hidden beneath his mattress. The weight of his new powers and All For One's expectations bore down on him.

Kael's voice broke the silence. "Is this really what you want? To be his weapon?"

Jace didn't answer, his thoughts a tumultuous storm. The line between light and shadow had never felt thinner.

The storm inside him raged on, a prelude to the chaos yet to come.