(Five Years Ago)
The city was alive with chaos.
Screams echoed through the streets as buildings crumbled under the force of a battle between Empire Gold, the Number One Hero, and Lord Kaizer, the Titan of Destruction.
Hidden in the shadows of a narrow alleyway, a fourteen-year-old Arthur watched with wide, awestruck eyes.
Empire Gold stood like a golden statue, his body radiating an aura of invincibility. His Trigger—"Impervious Form"—made him completely indestructible as long as he maintained focus.
He had saved hundreds, maybe thousands, with that power alone.
Arthur clenched his small fists.
"One day… I'll be like him."
---
The battle raged on.
Lord Kaizer, a monstrous figure with skin like reinforced steel, laughed as he swung a fist the size of a car.
Empire Gold pulled back his right arm and dashed towards him.
*BOOM!*
Releasing a shockwave from his feet.
Arthur flinched but didn't run.
"He's going to win," he told himself, "He always wins."
But something was wrong.
Empire Gold was slowing down. His golden right arm glowed as he prepared to strike.
Then—
*BANG!*
A gunshot rang out.
But the bullet bounce off his body not even stoping his momentum.
Arthur's eyes glowed with a wide smile of relief that he was okay. Arthur move forward while shouting, "YOU CAN DO THIS EMPIRE GOLD!!!"
Empire Gold was shocked to hear that a someone was still present despite being sure everyone was evacuated. Instantly turning to Arthur location, "KID, GET OUT OF HERE!"
But the unthinkable happen, when he locked eyes with Empire Gold.
Arthur left eye flared.
Empire Gold's golden glow vanished.
And in that split second—
Lord Kaizer's fist punch him so he crashed through a body.
He was finished, Lord Kaizer leap over Empire Gold body, with his two monstrous hand he pull Empire lower body and upper body apart from each other, "You have finally chosen to fall... I'm disappointed that you die so easy." He toss the upper body away over his shoulder and looks for more heros.
The upper body of Empire Gold land graceful infront of Arthur with his lifeless eyes staring at him.
---
Silence.
More Heroes arrived—flashes of light, explosions, the roar of battle. But Arthur didn't see any of it.
His vision was locked on Empire Gold's body, lying broken on the ground.
Lord Kaizer laughed as he was finally subdued, his massive frame collapsing under the combined might of the Top Heroes, "Hope you are proud of yourself, you took a man that will be replacement for this world." Wateredge states.
"Pathetic," Kaizer spat, blood dripping from his lips, "After many of our battle, he chose now of all time to lose so easily."
"Save it. Hope you are prepared to never met the light of day." Said Conquer.
Arthur trembled.
Then, before he could stop himself—
He stepped forward.
"It was me."
The Heroes turned.
A scrawny, white-haired boy stood before them, tears streaming down his face.
"I… I looked at him. My left eye… it stops Triggers." His voice cracked, "I didn't mean to. I just…it was an accident." When he shifted his eyes to Lord Kaizer who was surprised to hear that.
Suddenly Lord Kaizer monstrous arms turn normal, "You...just turned off my trigger." He said.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
"You."
A towering Hero—Conquer, the Raging Hero—grabbed Arthur by the collar, lifting him off the ground.
"You killed him." Arthur could only block out all the yelling from Conquer.
Arthur didn't resist.
He didn't even cry.
He just closed his eyes and waited for the punishment he knew he deserved.
---
The trial was swift.
No one cared that Arthur was a child.
No one cared that it was an accident.
All they saw was the boy who killed the Number One Hero.
The media dubbed him "The demon child"—a villain in the making.
He was thrown into Ironhold Penitentiary, a prison reserved for the worst criminals in the world.
The first year was hell.
Beaten. Starved. Forgotten.
But Arthur never fought back.
Because deep down, he believed he deserved it.
Until one day—
He stopped feeling anything at all.
---
(Present Day)
Arthur's hands clenched into fists as the memory faded.
Flamestar was still holding his hand, her grip warm.
"Arthur?" she asked softly, "You okay?"
He exhaled.
"No."
Then he looked up at the smoke rising from District 9.
"But that doesn't matter right now."*
Flamestar nodded.
"Then let's go."
And together, they ran toward the disaster.