Taylor Hebert sat at her desk in Winslow High School, tuning out the low hum of classroom noise. Her gaze lingered on the graffiti-laden walls as Sophia Hess and her cronies whispered and sneered behind her. She clenched her fists, but a strange, warm energy began to ripple through her, calming her nerves.
A soft, melodic voice echoed in her mind. "Do not let them cloud your wisdom. Channel my strength, and let us nurture growth where others sow discord." It was the voice of Nahida, the God of Wisdom from Teyvat. Taylor didn't question the impossibility of it; she simply accepted it. She had become something more.
When the lunch bell rang, the Trio cornered her in an empty hallway. Sophia pushed her against the lockers with her signature smirk, Emma and Madison flanking her with cruel glee.
"Think you can just ignore us, Hebert?" Sophia spat.
Taylor's orange-brown eyes glowed faintly, her demeanor shifting to one of serene confidence. She raised her hand, and a radiant green aura enveloped her. Leaves and vines sprouted from thin air as she channeled Nahida's All Schemes to Know. The Seed of Skandha marked all three bullies, glowing faintly on their chests.
Sophia lunged forward, but Taylor effortlessly dodged, releasing an Elemental Burst: Illusory Heart. A dome of verdant light and wisdom materialized, binding the trio within its influence. The Shrine of Maya amplified Taylor's abilities, allowing her to link the bullies' actions. Madison tripped, and the impact sent Sophia stumbling as well.
"You don't have to keep hurting others," Taylor said softly, her voice echoing with Nahida's wisdom. "Growth begins with understanding."
Sophia snarled and tried to punch her, but vines erupted from the ground, halting her strike. Elemental Reactions triggered within the field, dealing no real harm but leaving a lasting impression. Emma and Madison froze, unable to comprehend the ethereal display.
Taylor lowered her hand, and the vines receded. The glow around her faded, but her calm resolve remained. "Next time, choose kindness," she said, walking away as the Trio stood paralyzed by the strange and humbling experience.
The hallway was silent, save for the faint rustle of phantom leaves. Taylor smiled faintly. For the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope—not just for herself, but for the change she could inspire.[PHO Thread: Taylor Hebert's "Nahida" Display at Winslow]
Topic: "What the heck did I just witness???"
Original Poster: DendroLover123
DendroLover123:
Guys. Winslow High just became ground zero for the craziest Taylor Hebert cape moment. SHE WAS NAHIDA. Like, Lesser Lord Kusanali, the freaking God of Wisdom. What even—?!
GreenLeafHunter:
Wait, wait, wait. Nahida? As in Nahida Nahida from Genshin Impact?! Did she use her Talents or something?
QuickenQueen:
Oh, she did more than just use them. Let me break it down:
Normal Attacks (Akara): Taylor was straight-up smacking the Trio with glowing, vine-like energy. Imagine her punches trailing with bursts of Dendro energy. Probably used Nahida's four-hit combo.
Elemental Skill (All Schemes to Know): She marked the Trio with what looked like Nahida's Seed of Skandha. They were linked, and every time one got hit, all three felt it. Instant AoE revenge for their bullying.
Elemental Burst (Illusory Heart): She summoned a literal Shrine of Maya around herself. A shimmering field of light and energy boosted her own power like crazy. Nahida's Elemental Burst boosts damage and speeds up linked attacks—Taylor turned that into an absolute nightmare for the Trio.
SaplingSymphony:
What makes it even scarier is Nahida's passive buffs. If Taylor was channeling the God of Wisdom, she would've scaled her damage with Elemental Mastery. For all we know, those attacks were intelligent—like they were anticipating what the Trio would do next.
SumeruScholar:
You're forgetting the vibes, people. Nahida is an Archon—divine. Taylor didn't just beat the Trio physically; she probably overwhelmed them psychologically with that aura of wisdom and authority. Lesser Lord Kusanali isn't just about fighting; she's about showing you how small your understanding really is.
CelestialCatalyst:
Omg, and the Trio was marked?! That's SO Nahida's Elemental Skill! She marks enemies, links them, and then detonates reactions across them. Taylor must've hit them with some kind of real-world equivalent of Tri-Karma Purification. Literal karmic justice.
DendroLover123:
So, to summarize: Taylor went full Nahida with Seed linking, Burst-enhanced smacking, and probably hit the Trio with "don't mess with me" divine energy. Winslow might as well rename itself Sumeru High.
QuickenQueen:
And we all thought Taylor was just a bug cape. Turns out, she's channeling a freaking Archon. The PRT's gonna have a field day with this one.
🔹DendroEnthusiast:
Did you all see what Skitter did at Winslow today?? She's using Nahida's moves! That Tri-Karma Purification effect is insane! With Nahida's Elemental Skill, All Schemes to Know, she links with enemies to deal Dendro damage based on their weakness and hostility—Taylor's making use of the Trio's bullying like it's fuel! The longer they keep up that hostility, the worse it gets for them. They thought they were in control, but each aggressive thought just made those vines stronger. It's genius!
🔹ScholarOfSumeru:
The way Taylor chained Nahida's powers was incredible, honestly! She started with All Schemes to Know to link each bully and observe their behavior—classic Nahida. But then she added Illusory Heart, the Elemental Burst. It created a field of protection around her that radiated wisdom from Sumeru, and even summoned dendro creatures! The field Taylor used essentially absorbs aggression and hatred and redirects it, making her almost invulnerable. Also, the illusions around her were likely a side effect of her deep channel with Nahida—like a manifestation of Sumeru's forest guardians!
🔹EmeraldTome:
The illusions were epic! She's probably connecting to Nahida's other passive skills, like Awakening Elucidated and Compassion Illuminated, both meant to boost the Dendro Archon's mastery over knowledge and empathy. That connection to wisdom might have let Taylor read the Trio's moves before they even acted. Nahida draws from her own vast wisdom and can even channel memories from Sumeru's collective consciousness. Taylor's mastery seems to reflect Nahida's own connection to knowledge, using it as a defense and offense simultaneously.
🔹AnemoBard_Fanatic:
She turned their hate and cruelty against them in such a poetic way! Taylor made herself the eye of the storm with Illusory Heart, like creating a sanctuary that they literally couldn't touch. It's almost like she became an avatar of the God of Wisdom herself, using the Trio's own negativity to reinforce the barrier around her. Each time they tried something, their energy just made her stronger. Now, that's Sumeru wisdom in action!
🔹LotusBloom:
What really floored me was how Skitter made Nahida's abilities feel like a weapon of insight rather than just force. She didn't just counter them physically but psychologically, making them realize they had no power over her. Her use of Tri-Karma Purification mirrored Nahida's approach to wisdom—empathy balanced with retribution. She's like a walking Sumeru legend!
The night sky above the Docks burned with fiery orange hues as Lung, Brockton Bay's fearsome dragon-like gang leader, roared and grew, his flames licking hungrily at the air. Across from him stood Taylor Hebert, a calm defiance etched into her expression. Tonight, she wasn't just Skitter. She was the channel for something far greater: Tayzzyronth, the Imperator Insectorum, the Aeon of Propagation.
Her swarm buzzed around her, a cloud of shimmering light and motion, more vibrant than anything she'd commanded before. Each insect glowed faintly with the energy of the Path of Propagation, carrying blessings and spores, ready to unleash devastation.
"You think your bugs can stop me?" Lung snarled, his transformation accelerating. Scales hardened across his body, his eyes glowing molten gold as his size doubled. The heat intensified, forcing the bystanders on rooftops and alleys to retreat further.
Taylor simply raised a hand. The air shimmered as Path Resonance activated, a kaleidoscope of green and gold light erupting from her swarm. Lung hesitated, his instincts warning him of a danger he'd never felt before.
Taylor whispered an invocation, her voice carrying the eerie, resonant tone of Tayzzyronth. "For each act of consumption, there is renewal."
As she focused her will, shimmering spores materialized across Lung's body. Every time he moved, every angry step and roaring swipe, spores multiplied and spread. Each flurry of Taylor's insects applied more of them, their iridescent glow contrasting starkly with Lung's fiery aura.
Lung roared again, releasing a burst of flame that incinerated everything in his immediate vicinity—except the spores. They pulsed with power, unaffected by his heat. Instead, the flames seemed to amplify their energy, their glow growing brighter.
Taylor stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding. "Metamorphosis!"
In a burst of Path energy, her swarm surged. The air filled with the sound of wings, millions of insects forming a shifting, living tide. As Lung charged, Taylor's swarm wrapped around him, forcing him to falter under the relentless pressure. The spores on his body burst, dealing wind damage in an explosive chain reaction. Lung bellowed in pain, his scales cracking under the assault.
"You're strong," Taylor said, her voice low but carrying across the battlefield. "But strength alone won't save you. This is the power of the Swarm Disaster."
The spores that had burst now spread to nearby surfaces, the air itself seeming to carry their infectious energy. Taylor raised her hand again, her swarm parting briefly to allow her a clear line of sight to Lung.
"Every step forward is decay, rebirth, and growth. This is the cycle of propagation!"
Lung lunged at her, his claws swiping through the swarm, only to meet resistance as Taylor invoked Resonance Interplay: Adherent Microbial Mat. A golden shield appeared, absorbing the force of his attack and giving Taylor a precious opening.
As Lung staggered, Taylor activated Resonance Formation: Proboscis. The spores around Lung glowed violently before detonating in a synchronized burst. Each explosion not only damaged him but also sapped his energy, forcing his transformation to slow. The towering dragon-man faltered, shrinking back down as his flames dimmed to embers.
Taylor's swarm returned to her, surrounding her like a queen's court. "You wanted to burn this city to the ground," she said, her voice calm but resolute. "But the only thing spreading tonight is the swarm."
Lung collapsed, unconscious, his body steaming from the aftermath of the spores' detonation. Taylor exhaled, the aura of Tayzzyronth fading but not disappearing entirely. She glanced down at her hands, still tingling with the residual energy of the Path of Propagation.
The crowd of onlookers, composed mostly of terrified civilians and curious heroes, murmured as the tension dissolved. From a rooftop, Armsmaster lowered his halberd, his expression a mix of suspicion and awe.
"Skitter..." he began, but Taylor interrupted him with a raised hand.
"No. Tonight, I'm something more."
As the swarm dissipated into the night, Taylor turned and walked away, leaving Brockton Bay with its first glimpse of what it meant to channel an Aeon. Behind her, the city hummed with unease, its residents wondering what would come next.PHO Discussion Thread: "Winslow's Green Goddess – Taylor Hebert Goes Viral"
(Original Post by DragonflySings):
Okay, so I don't even know where to begin. Has everyone seen the video circulating of Taylor Hebert, aka that girl at Winslow, glowing like a freakin' Dendro Archon and teaching the Trio a lesson? It's all over the news now. She summoned vines, vines, out of nowhere and made Sophia, Emma, and Madison eat dirt. Thoughts?
(User: Bugsy87):
Wait, THAT Taylor Hebert? The one everyone always says is being bullied by Sophia Hess? This is wild. PRT's gonna have a field day spinning this one.
(User: GaleForceX):
Field day? You mean damage control. Sophia is literally a Ward. How do they explain a government-sponsored hero bullying a powered civilian to this extent?
(User: InsectEmpress):
Honestly, I'm more interested in what Taylor did. That green glow? The vines? That wasn't any known power, right? It was… beautiful.
(User: Mantellidae):
What's the bet she triggered as some kind of plant-based cape? Maybe Tinker/Striker combo? Or is she something completely new?
(User: DockworkerDan):
PRT's already screwed. International media is dragging them through the mud for how badly they handled Sophia. There's no coming back from this.
(User: Shadowblade46):
Wait till Armsmaster gets involved. The guy's obsessed with law and order. Sophia's about to learn what discipline means.
(User: LeafStormer):
I think what Taylor did was incredible. She didn't just fight back; she made a statement. She showed restraint, even when they deserved worse. That's what makes a real hero.
The Next Morning at Winslow High School
Sophia Hess walked into Winslow, her head held high despite the whispers and sideways glances that followed her down the hall. She wore her typical scowl, but the tension in her jaw betrayed her nerves. News of what had happened yesterday were everywhere, and it was clear the PRT had taken notice.
Taylor Hebert, sitting calmly at her desk in homeroom, glanced up as Sophia walked in. There was no malice in her expression—only the same serene confidence she'd shown the day before. The quiet strength rattled Sophia more than any physical confrontation ever could.
When homeroom ended, a stern voice cut through the usual chaos. "Sophia Hess, a word."
Sophia turned to see Armsmaster standing in the doorway, his halberd strapped to his back, and a pair of PRT officers flanking him. The room went dead silent.
"This way," Armsmaster said curtly, gesturing for Sophia to follow.
Armsmaster Delivers Justice
In a private room at Winslow, Armsmaster wasted no time. He stood before Sophia, his piercing gaze making her squirm. On the table lay a printed report, filled with testimonies from students, teachers, and the footage of Taylor's power display.
"I've reviewed the evidence," Armsmaster began. "You've not only violated the code of conduct for Wards but also abused your position of power as a parahuman. Your actions are reprehensible."
Sophia crossed her arms defensively. "They're exaggerating. Taylor started it—"
"Enough," Armsmaster snapped, his tone like a blade. "The footage doesn't lie. Neither do the statements of over a dozen witnesses. You cornered her. You assaulted her. And then you tried to use your position to avoid consequences."
Sophia's mouth opened to protest, but Armsmaster held up a hand. "You are hereby suspended from the Wards program, effective immediately, pending further review. Additionally, the PRT has contacted the police to ensure this incident is addressed through civilian legal channels."
Sophia paled. "You can't do that—"
"I can, and I have." Armsmaster leaned forward, his voice low and cold. "You've disgraced the Wards and the PRT. Be grateful I'm not recommending more severe penalties."
Taylor's Morning
Meanwhile, Taylor walked to school, her thoughts heavy despite the events of the previous day. The overwhelming public response to her display—praise, curiosity, and even concern—was a lot to take in. Yet as she passed by groups of students, she noticed something different: averted eyes, respectful nods, and even murmured thanks.
Her conversation with Nahida still echoed in her mind. "Growth begins with understanding." She clung to those words as she entered Winslow.
In the hallway, Armsmaster exited the room with Sophia in tow. Their gazes met briefly. Armsmaster gave Taylor a short nod—not of approval, but acknowledgment. She returned it, her expression unreadable.
As the school day began, Taylor felt a quiet strength settle in her chest. She wasn't just surviving anymore. She was growing, and the seeds she planted yesterday were already taking root.
The Docks had seen their fair share of chaos, but nothing could have prepared the onlookers for the sheer spectacle unfolding before their eyes.
Lung, his draconic form towering and his scales gleaming like molten steel, roared with unrestrained fury. Fire licked at the air, scorching the ground as his sheer presence radiated menace. The self-proclaimed dragon lord had brought many to their knees with his overwhelming power, and tonight, he seemed unstoppable.
Until she arrived.
Taylor Hebert descended onto the battlefield with a crackle of energy that sent shivers through the air. She wasn't clad in her usual gear, nor did she carry the aura of Skitter. Tonight, she was someone—something—else entirely. Purple lightning coiled around her form like living serpents, her gaze fierce and unyielding. She moved with the confidence of a warrior who had faced gods and demons alike.
Channeling the Herrscher of Thunder, Taylor wielded Raiden Mei's destructive power with practiced ease. As Lung charged her, his flames roaring in defiance, she moved with an elegance that belied the raw destruction she unleashed.
Lung lunged forward, his claws swiping in a blur of fiery fury. Taylor sidestepped effortlessly, The world seemed to freeze as arcs of violet lightning danced across her frame. At that moment, she struck.
The first blow landed with precision, a crackling blade of energy slicing through Lung's defences. The attack sent Lung reeling backwards. The impact made Taylor surge with power
As Lung recovered, Taylor tapped into the flow of combat with flawless timing, connecting the attack into the channelled herrscher's ease handling weapons. The chain was seamless, each strike building upon the last, her movements a blur of devastating elegance.
Lung roared, his wings flaring as he attempted to take to the skies. But Taylor was faster. She launched him into the air with another blow, electricity wrapping around his massive form like chains. His roar was cut short as she dealt the finishing blow with pinpoint timing, the energy coalescing into a thunderous strike that crashed into him midair.
The finishing blow unleashed a staggering blowback, the shockwave rippling outward and cracking the concrete below. Lung was sent hurtling to the ground, his draconic form convulsing as the overwhelming Lightning DMG rendered his regeneration futile. The move restored another surge of power, but Taylor didn't need it. The fight was already over.
As the dust settled, Taylor stood amidst the wreckage, her form wreathed in violet light. Lung lay crumpled on the ground, his flames extinguished, his mighty form reduced to a smouldering heap. The battle had been over in mere moments, and yet, the precision and ferocity of her strikes made it feel eternal to those who witnessed it.
Taylor deactivated the Herrscher powers, the lightning fading as she turned and began to walk away. Over her shoulder, she spoke, her voice calm and steady.
"Freedom doesn't mean fighting alone, Lung. It means knowing when to stand down."
With that, she disappeared into the night, leaving behind a stunned silence and the unmistakable crackle of lingering electricity in the air.