Power and sacrifice...
People always glorify a "hero" as a savior, as those who sacrifice for the good of the world. But when the hero themselves needs help, what do they get? Empty applause and sweet words that carry no meaning. A hero who dies for others? Forgotten. If remembered, they are only called:
"They were just doing their job as a hero."
Trash.
I used to be a hero. Luce Maddox, the savior. The idol. But after that incident…
BAMM!
BOOM!
The sound of screams and explosions echoed, filling the darkened sky.
"HAHAHAHA! LUCE! SOLARION! WATCH! WITNESS IT YOURSELF!!"
Before them stood a woman they knew. But now her eyes were hollow, as though her soul had vanished.
"NO… NANA!" Luce screamed in despair.
"Nana... Nana, what have you done to her?!" Solarion clenched his fists, his teeth grinding with fury.
A man stood between them and Nana. He grinned wickedly, his eyes gleaming with a horrifying excitement.
"Me? I've done nothing. She gave herself to me. My absolute power only works if someone offers me their heart..."
"No... this is impossible... My sister would never fall into darkness!" Solarion shouted, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Who?" The man—Sivel—laughed cruelly. "Ah, whatever, your sister, or more accurately, Nana Maddox, has surrendered everything to me! HAHAHAHA!"
"No… no way! My sister would never give in to the darkness!!"
Solarion turned to look at Luce, his face a mask of anguish. He wanted to say something, to comfort him, but…
Incoming Call.
A holographic screen appeared in the air.
"SOLARION! LUCE! COMPLETE YOUR MISSION!"
They recognized the voice—it was their leader.
"WHAT?! YOU SEE THIS, DON'T YOU? THAT'S NANA MADDOX!!" Luce screamed, his voice cracking.
"Luce! Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment! This is an order!"
"An order?! That's my sister!"
"Sorry, Luce. The mission is more important."
"More important than my sister's life?!"
Their leader sighed. "Solarion, finish her."
Solarion froze. His eyes widened, and his hands trembled.
"Please... no... Izan, please... don't..." Luce's voice cracked as he begged.
Solarion stood silent. If he didn't obey, his home country—Malysa—would be attacked. Thousands of lives would be at risk. But if he did obey...
"Ahhh... forgive me, Luce..." Solarion whispered.
"NO!!"
With a heavy heart, Solarion raised his sword.
"Nana… I'm so sorry…"
Sivel smiled cruelly. "Hah?! You think you can defeat me?!"
Suddenly, Nana raised her hand. Dark light enveloped her body.
ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION.
A massive explosion erupted, shattering the ground beneath them. Dust swirled into the air, and a violent wind howled.
Solarion narrowly dodged, leaping to the side. "I won't let you control Nana any longer!"
With incredible speed, he launched a counterattack. His sword of light shone with divine radiance, targeting Nana's weak point.
ZZZAAASH!
Blood splattered.
"NO!!!"
Luce tried to move, to protect his sister, but his feet stumbled over a rock. He collapsed to the ground, pain not physical, but the agony of a broken soul.
When he regained his senses, the world around him was soaked in blood.
Solarion was kneeling beside Nana's body, clutching her tightly, tears streaming down his face.
Luce could only stare—shocked, broken, empty.
"Sister... dead... again..."
Tears fell endlessly. Solarion covered his face, his body trembling.
"Don't forgive me, Luce... ahh... ahhh..."
Suddenly, his body jerked. His heart stopped.
Solarion collapsed to the ground.
"Mr. Solarion! Mr. Luce!!"
A doctor rushed toward them.
Luce looked at the doctor—Erin.
"Erin... why are you here... what are you doing..."
Tears flowed from Erin's eyes. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Luce... I couldn't do anything... Because of me... Nana's death..."
Luce couldn't hear any more. He was overwhelmed by a single emotion—rage.
"This isn't your fault. It's the fault of our damn government."
That day, I left the world of heroes.
I gave all of my sister's belongings to our grandmother, ensuring Leo and Luca would not go without.
Then, I left.
I walked aimlessly. I almost ended my life on a remote beach, but someone saved me.
A professor.
He gave me the chance to seek vengeance.
Now, I am no longer Luce Maddox the hero.
I am the leader of the world's largest criminal organization—Black Revenant.
And my revenge begins…
With the destruction of AURONIA.
--
To be continued