Year 3027. Exactly one thousand and two years had passed since the catastrophic, world-ending nuclear war that obliterated 98% of the human population, with only a rare few fortunate enough to survive from each country. And yet, despite the devastation that had swept away the world they once knew, the human will to survive blazed brighter than the bitter winter that followed.
Year after year, humanity learned to survive beneath the earth's surface, adapting to the harsh conditions. Over a thousand years, they gathered in one place—a single haven—at the heart of the world, where life once flourished, where it all began. In Africa, where humanity had first emerged, they built a city, drawing together people of every race in one united location. This city, magnificent beyond measure, gave birth to humans who possessed powers beyond imagination.
It was the radiation that awakened strange, unprecedented abilities in five individuals, and these five became the founders of the city now known as the heart of the world: Pangaea.
Now, the city thrives with life and people endowed with superhuman abilities. Yet not all are treated equally. Those with lesser powers are looked down upon by the elite—those capable of feats that defy nature. But nearly 70% of society belongs to this group of "insignificant" individuals, barely considered superhuman. They depend on the protection of the true powerhouses—those who awakened as superheroes. These are the individuals capable of shattering mountains with a single strike or lifting the sky with just a finger. However, some among them have used their strength for darker purposes—exploiting the weak, stealing from them, or even killing them as they please. And so, a perpetual war rages between two factions: good versus evil in the city of ten million people.
Yet, even for those without power—or those who struggle to control it—there remains a longing to be heroes. One such boy, no older than 15, walked the bustling streets that day. His blond hair gleamed beneath the sun, and his sky-blue eyes stood out strikingly. But he hid them beneath the shadow of a black hood and a cloak, giving him the appearance of a villain to those around him. His tattered clothes, worn thin with holes, only added to the illusion. Strangely, the boy didn't mind the stares. No, he had something more important in mind. Today, he would prove to the world that he, too, could be a hero.
The streets were too peaceful, though. Not many villains dared to make a scene during the middle of the day, especially not during the annual celebration of the five founders, who had built the city five hundred years ago.
"Mommy! Look, it's the statues of the founders!" The cheerful voice of a young girl suddenly caught the boy's attention. His heart quivered with pain as memories of a painful past rushed to the forefront of his mind. Yet, despite the sorrow, he turned his head to look at the statues. Three men and two women, crafted from the finest marble, stood proudly, their poses symbolizing the unity and peace of the city.
"Move!" A loud shout pierced the air, and the crowd leapt back in shock. A tall woman flew above them, her wings made of bone and shattered, thick skin—a bizarre sight that defied logic. In her hands, she held a massive sword made out of bones.
"Today, the five liars shall fall! I, Darkslayer, will bring justice to those who actually built this city!" Her gaze was locked on the statues, her sword raised and aimed directly at them.
"This is my chance..." the boy muttered under his breath. Without hesitation, his black cloak fell to the ground, revealing a handsome youth beneath. The air around him crackled with electricity, sparking fear in the people nearby. Some bolts even struck those closest to him, injuring them, though the boy didn't notice.
"Run! Run away from him!" People screamed in fear, the power he displayed was on the level of those awakened individuals.
His focus was entirely on the woman in the air. He extended his hand, and a bolt of blue electricity surged from him like a lightning strike. But no matter how hard he tried to control it, the bolt split mid-air. Half of it struck Darkslayer, sending her plummeting into the crowd, crashing into several people. The other half shattered the head of the statue at the center of the five founders.
"Oh no..." His heart sank with bitter regret. He had only wanted to help, but now his first attempt at heroism had gone horribly wrong.
"Monster!"
"Villain!"
"Reckless fool!"
Not only were the people around him cursing his name, but even the police had arrested him for his actions, which had led to an even bigger disaster.
Not only had he critically injured the villain, with medics struggling to save her life day and night, but he had also disrespected the founders' statues on the most important day of the year.
Now, sitting in a cold jail cell, treated like a villain himself, he felt wronged, but at the same time, he knew he had messed up.
Creak
The door to his cell creaked open, and he turned to find a middle-aged man standing there. His black hair and crimson eyes were striking, but it was his kind expression that stood out, perhaps too kind for someone so formidable.
"You were reckless, young man," the man spoke softly, his voice calm and soothing, a tone that immediately caught the boy's attention as he stared out the window, lost in self reflection.
When the boy turned around, the sight of the man nearly made his heart stop. Of course, how could he not recognize this man?
"The Night Fury?!" the boy exclaimed, nearly falling off his chair.
Why is the number ten superhero here?! His mind raced. His heart sank at the thought that the man had come to mock him. But, surely, that couldn't be the case, right?
"State your name, youngster," the man said, glancing outside the window at a distant building that resembled a medieval castle.
"Tadas..." the boy muttered, his voice barely a whisper.
"Speak louder, have more confidence," the man encouraged with a smile.
"Tadas... but you can call me Nox. That's the name I wanted to be known by... at least before I messed up..."
The man studied Nox for a moment, his expression unreadable. Whatever he was thinking, it remained a mystery.
"Nox, huh? Not a very fitting name for someone who shines as brightly as you do," the man said with a light laugh. But to his surprise, the boy didn't appear embarrassed—not even a little.
"But you should give up. You can't be a superhero, not with your powers..." the man said, turning to leave.
Nox clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. He stood up and shouted passionately, "Even if I can't be a perfect superhero, I still want to save and protect people! I might have messed up today, but next time, I will succeed! I'll die if I have to, but I won't stand by and let people suffer like I did!" His eyes burned with unwavering determination, his words crashing into the middle-aged man.
"Is that so?" The man's eyes gleamed for a moment as a sly smirk crept onto his lips. "Then how about you join my superhero academy? What do you say, Nox?"