The storm outside was relentless, a cacophony of howling wind and thunder that rattled the windows of Kael's small apartment. He sat at his desk, the glow of his computer screen casting a pale light across his face. On the screen was the latest chapter of My Hero Academia, a series he had followed religiously for years. The story of heroes, villains, and the struggle to rise above one's limitations had always resonated with him, though he'd never admit it out loud. Kael wasn't the type to wear his heart on his sleeve. Indifference was his armor, a shield against a world that often felt too loud, too chaotic, too much.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. The storm outside seemed to mirror the restlessness in his chest. He couldn't explain why, but tonight felt different. The air was charged, electric, as if the universe itself was holding its breath. Kael shook his head, dismissing the thought as melodrama. He was just tired, that was all. Too many late nights, too much time spent lost in fictional worlds.
A sudden crack of thunder made him jump, louder than any he'd heard before. The lights flickered, then went out entirely, plunging the room into darkness. Kael sighed, reaching for his phone to use as a flashlight. But before he could grab it, a blinding flash of light filled the room. He barely had time to register what was happening before the world around him dissolved into chaos.
The last thing he saw was the lightning—a jagged, brilliant streak—coming straight for him. The last thing he felt was the searing heat, the raw power of nature itself tearing through him. And then, nothing.
When Kael opened his eyes, he wasn't in his apartment anymore. The storm was gone, replaced by a clear blue sky and the distant hum of a city. He was lying on the ground, his body aching as if he'd been struck by a truck. Slowly, he pushed himself up, his mind struggling to process what had happened. One moment, he'd been sitting at his desk, and the next… this.
He looked around, taking in his surroundings. The cityscape was familiar, but not in a way that made sense. Towering buildings, bustling streets, and people—so many people—moving about their day. But there was something off, something surreal. It took him a moment to realize what it was: the people weren't just people. Some of them had… quirks. A man with wings walking down the street, a woman with glowing hands fixing a broken sign, a child floating a few inches above the ground.
Kael's breath caught in his throat. This wasn't his world. This was their world. The world of My Hero Academia. He pinched himself, half-expecting to wake up in his bed, but the pain was real. This was real.
Panic surged through him, but he forced it down, his indifferent demeanor kicking in. He couldn't afford to lose his head, not now. He needed to think, to figure out what was going on. He stood up, brushing dirt off his clothes, and took a deep breath. The air smelled different here—cleaner, sharper, alive with possibility.
As he walked through the streets, his mind raced. He knew this world, knew its heroes and villains, its triumphs and tragedies. But knowing about it and living in it were two very different things. He needed a plan, a way to survive in a world where quirks were the norm and danger lurked around every corner.
It didn't take long for him to realize he had a quirk of his own. The storm that had killed him—or transported him, he wasn't sure which—had left its mark. He could feel it, a restless energy humming beneath his skin, waiting to be unleashed. When a stray cat startled him, he instinctively raised his hand, and a gust of wind shot out, knocking over a trash can. He stared at his hand, a mix of awe and fear coursing through him. This was real. He had a quirk.
But with that realization came another, more troubling thought. If he was here, in this world, did that mean he could change things? Did that mean he should? He knew the story, knew what was coming. The USJ attack, the Sports Festival, the rise of the League of Villains. He could try to stop it, to save lives, but at what cost? The future was a fragile thing, and even the smallest change could have unforeseen consequences.
Kael clenched his fists, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He didn't ask for this, didn't want this responsibility. But it was his now, whether he liked it or not. He couldn't go back to his old life, to his quiet indifference. This world demanded more from him, and he would have to rise to the challenge.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Kael made a decision. He would become a hero. Not because he wanted fame or glory, but because he had the power to make a difference. And maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to reconcile the person he was with the person he needed to become.
The storm inside him stirred, a quiet reminder of the power he now wielded. It would take time to master it, to learn its strengths and weaknesses. But Kael was nothing if not patient. He had always been a watcher, a thinker. Now, he would have to be more.
As he walked toward the towering silhouette of U.A. High in the distance, Kael allowed himself a small, rare smile. The future was uncertain, and the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. But for the first time in a long time, he felt alive.
The storm had brought him here, and it would be his to command.