1. World's No. 1 Hero
Ring!!
The sharp chime of the school bell signaled the end of another long day. Students filed out in groups, their laughter and chatter fading down the hallways. At the back of the classroom, near an open window where the afternoon sun cast golden streaks, one student remained seated—alone.
Rafe.
His crimson-red eyes were focused on the book before him, a ballpoint pen gliding across its final page. The wind blew against his face, ruffling his messy black hair, but he paid it no mind. Instead, a small smile formed as he lifted the book and admired his work.
"Done!"
The title on the cover read: My Hero Diary.
Bang!!
The door burst open, and three boys strutted in like they owned the place. Their eyes locked onto Rafe with sneering amusement.
He looked up, blinking at them. "Hey guys, what's up?" He smiled, his voice light and friendly.
The trio exchanged mocking glances before breaking into laughter.
"This dweeb thinks he's friends with Ricard," one of them snickered.
Ricard, their leader, smirked as he shoved his hands into his pockets and stepped forward. His sharp features twisted in amusement as he towered over Rafe.
"Hiya! I'm Rafe!" Rafe greeted, his hand extended for a handshake. His crimson eyes shone with enthusiasm, an almost childlike warmth.
A heavy hand grabbed his hair and slammed his head against the desk.
The impact sent a jolt of pain through his skull. The classroom trembled slightly from the force, and Rafe gasped, his vision swimming.
"Who the hell do you think you are, talking to the boss like that?" one of the boys jeered.
Rafe clenched his fists, swallowing back the sting of tears. Not now... not here.
Ricard leaned down and grabbed him by the collar, hoisting him up. A thin trail of blood trickled from Rafe's nose. His kind red eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Why the hell are you crying, huh?" Ricard scoffed before shoving him onto the desk.
His eyes flickered to the book Rafe had been writing in. Curiosity twisted his lips into a cruel grin.
"Now, what's this?"
Rafe's body tensed. No. Not that.
He struggled to rise, but the other two boys shoved him down again.
"Don't touch my book!" Rafe pleaded, his voice breaking.
Ricard flipped through the pages, eyes widening at the contents. The book was filled with detailed notes on Guardian, the world's No. 1 hero—his battles, his powers, every sighting, every fight.
"What are you, some kind of cult fan?" Ricard mocked, his lip curling.
Then, before Rafe could react, Ricard tore the pages apart.
Rip.
The sound was deafening.
Rafe's breath hitched.
"No... why would you do that?" His voice cracked as he watched the shreds of his dream fall to the floor.
Ricard crushed a handful of pages and sneered. "I remember you now. You're that idiot who's been talking about being a hero since first grade."
The words stung.
"Do you know why that pathetic dream of yours will never come true?" Ricard's palm ignited, flames licking at the crumpled paper. In an instant, the remains of Rafe's diary turned to ash.
"Because you're a powerless freak."
Rafe clenched his teeth as he watched his dream—his years of admiration and belief—burn away.
Maybe Ricard was right.
Maybe he really was nothing.
Siron City – 3:45 PM
Rafe walked down the sidewalk, dragging his feet, his face swollen and bruised.
The city hummed with life around him, but it all felt distant.
Most kids unlocked their powers in their pre-teen years. Rafe never did. He had spent his childhood dreaming of becoming a hero, imagining himself standing alongside Guardian—his idol, the strongest superhuman alive. But dreams didn't mean anything when reality kept kicking him down.
Maybe it was time to stop pretending.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden blaring of car horns.
Honk! Honk!
Rafe looked up. The road ahead was blocked—hundreds of cars halted in place, their drivers yelling in frustration. That wasn't what caught his attention, though.
It was the sky.
A massive explosion split the heavens apart, sending shockwaves that rattled the buildings. A sphere of fire and light erupted high above, leaving a burning scar in the clouds.
Rafe's breath caught. What the hell—
People started to panic. Police officers stormed the streets, shouting orders, trying to push civilians back.
"Evacuate the area! There's a superhuman battle in progress!"
Rafe's heart pounded.
Then, he saw it—something falling from the sky.
It started as a speck, then grew rapidly as it plummeted toward the city. A massive meteor-like object, the size of a building, gaining speed by the second.
The ground shook beneath him. The wind howled.
"Mommy!"
A child's cry cut through the chaos.
Rafe's head snapped toward the sound. Amidst the stampede of fleeing civilians, a little girl stood alone in the middle of the street. Her pink dress fluttered in the wind, her braids bouncing as she sobbed.
"MOVE!" Rafe yelled, but his voice was drowned out by the crowd.
His body moved before he could think.
Run.
His feet slammed against the pavement.
Faster.
His breath came in ragged gasps.
Just a little more—
The meteor was almost upon them. The sky darkened under its massive shadow.
There was no way out.
He wouldn't make it.
But—
"Even if it's just one life... I'll save it."
Rafe lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the little girl and turning his back to the incoming destruction.
His mind screamed.
This is it. This is where I die.
Then—
A voice. Deep. Commanding. And powerful boomed...
"Hahaha! You did well, boy. I'll take it from here."
A gust of wind roared past him.
Rafe opened his eyes.
Standing between him and certain death was a giant of a man, draped in a golden cape. His powerful frame exuded an overwhelming presence, his golden eyes shining like twin stars.
Guardian.
The world's No. 1 hero in the flesh was standing behind him.
Rafe's breath hitched. No way...
Guardian's muscles tensed as he spread his stance. A crackle of energy surged through his body, golden arcs of power dancing across his frame. He pulled his fist back, the air warping around it.
"Signature Move—"
A sonic boom followed as Guardian's fist met the meteor.
"GUARDIAN'S FIST!"
The shockwave that erupted tore through the sky, splitting apart the meteor and sending its shattered remains rocketing back into space. The sheer force of the attack left a trail of golden energy in its wake.
Silence followed.
Rafe's mouth hung open.
He had just witnessed the raw power of the world's greatest hero.
Guardian turned, his strong golden eyes locking onto Rafe's stunned expression.
A small, knowing smile crossed his lips. "Not bad, kid."
Rafe trembled.
For the first time in his life, he had been acknowledged.
And for the first time—
He felt hope.