In a world where nearly every individual possessed a unique ability known as a "Trigger,". The first sighting was documented in 1962 where a man was able to use spider base abilities. Soon as time went by eighty percent of today's population have trigger and are using it.
These powers manifested during the early stages of puberty, ranging from elemental manipulation to superhuman strength—some even defying the laws of physics.
These trigger become an everyday basis of our society.
But with great power came great recklessness.
Crime rates skyrocketed as people abused their abilities, leading to the rise of a new profession—Heroes.
Government-sanctioned and idolized by the public, Heroes stood as the last line of defense against the lawless. They were ranked, celebrated, and entrusted with maintaining peace.
Yet, not all stories of power were glorious.
Some were tragedies and unhappy endings.
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Deep within the high-security prison block of Ironhold Penitentiary outside Golden city, a lone figure strapped in a chair in the darkest cell, wrists bound behind his back, eyes wrapped in thick bandages.
His long, messy white hair draped over his shoulders. The other inmates whispered about him—some in fear, others in twisted admiration.
But something unexpected happened.
"Hey… you hear that? A Hero's here." Said inmate 445.
"No way. Who'd be stupid enough to come down here?" Replied inmate 777.
This wasn't any hero this was number ten hero in the world. Dressed in red and blue spandex with golden circuit design on her uniform. Long crimson hair following with each step as her molten golden eyes stared towards the lone figure.
"It's Flamestar. Number Ten." Said inmate 435
The young man didn't react. He never did.
Then, the heavy door of his cell groaned open.
Light spilled in, followed by the crisp click of armored boots. The young man raised his head slightly curious to why she here.
"So," she began, arms crossed, "this is where they've been keeping you. Must say, I was expecting someone older.
Silence. The boy lowered his head.
She sighed, "You know, I read your file. A simple orphan boy who decided to go do naughty things. Petty thief. Assault. Burglary. Arm robbery. Then… one day, you were responsible for the death of Empire Gold—the Number One Hero."
Still, the boy said nothing.
Flamestar stepped closer, her voice softening, "They threw you in here with the worst of the worst. No trial. No second chances. Just… gone. It would be befitting since your birth certificate were destroyed, medical records were erase and even your orphan records gone. For anyone who was concerned, you are a nameless entity with no existence nor relationship to depend on."
Her fingers reached for his blindfold, "Despite your actions, it not right for you to rot here. When we still don't know the true."
The inmates held their breath.
With a careful tug, the bandages unraveled—revealing his eyes.
Left eye: a burning crimson.
Right eye: a piercing, sapphire.
For a moment, Flamestar hesitated. Then—
CRACK!
A spectral fist wreathed in blue fire slammed into her face, launching her across the cell and into the opposite wall.
The inmates erupted in cheers as the man burn away his restraints burning away like dust, "HOLY S***!" Scream inmate 935
A ghostly knight clad in azure flames materialized behind him, its hollow gaze locked onto Flamestar.
"You should've kept me locked up," the man said as he walked out of the cell.
Guards rushed in, weapons drawn, but Flamestar raised a hand, "Stand down. I've got this."
She wiped blood from her lip, noticing something strange—her Trigger wasn't activating.
The man tilted his head, "I will ask you one more time, why are you here?"
Flamestar took a deep breath, "I came to ask you to become a Hero."
There was silence for a brief moment before the entire prison block burst into laughter.
"Him? A Hero?!" Said inmate 204
"Kid killed Empire Gold! He's a monster!" Said inmate 111
The boy smirked, "You must be the dumbest person alive if you think I will ever switch sides. I belong here. I was born to be a villain and ask anyone in those cell whether that's a lie or not."
Flamestar shook her head, "No. What happened that day was an accident, I know for a fact."
His smirk vanished.
"I know so because the association also deemed it an, accident in their files regarding you," she continued.
"There's a way for you to return to society. To change how people see you." She stepped forward, undeterred by the spectral knight still hovering at his side, "And no matter what anyone says… I believe in you. I see the good in you."
The jeers grew louder.
"Good? He's a killer!." Said inmate 666
"That freak belongs here with his fellow cage animal!" Said inmate 069
Flamestar ignored them. Slowly, she approached the boy—and hugged him.
He stiffened, his spectral knight flickering in confusion.
"You have a golden heart," she whispered. "It's just surrounded by poison. For now on, you sleep in a warm comfortable bed, surrounded with a family that cares about you, eat amazing food, maybe you might find someone who love in a different, you get to save the lives of the innocent and get to see the faces they make when you protect them from danger. It's a life I'm offering." Flamestar states.
For the first time in years, he turned off his abilities. The knight dissipated. The eerie glow in his eyes dimmed.
"REALLY THAT ALL IT TAKES FOR YOU KID!!" An uproar of prisoners screaming towards the young man.
A small number of them kept quiet because it wasn't their business like Trigger Happy the greatest hitman on this planet.
A few watching with interested like Father Daniel the mad priest.
And only one watch with envy in his eyes, Bill.
And then, in a voice so quiet only she could hear—
"Give me a name, since I don't have one."
Flamestar pulled back, smiling.
"Arthur. That your new name and the start of your new life."