"Wuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!"
The child's scream ripped through the air, and the clad in white jerked towards the sound.
His deep blue eyes widened as he took in the scene: the scaffold splintering, the boy frozen in terror shouting"Mom!!! Mom, save me!!" Without thinking, he rushed towards the scene as fast as he could and lunged forward, his fingers spread like he could catch the falling metal itself. A surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins as he focused all his energy on the collapsing beam.
Time seemed to stop and move slowly. His mind screamed silently, "Don't let it fall". Sweat collected at his hairline as he strained, his entire being fixated on holding the metal suspended. The boy's terrified eyes met his, and for an instant, he felt like he was drowning in their shared fear.
"Don't worry, I am here."
Then, with a quiet clatter, the beam which was frozen mid-air hit the ground, and the world snapped back into motion. His chest heaved as he dropped to one knee beside the boy. He reached out, his hand hovering over the child's shoulder before gently coming to rest there while the other hand patted his head. "Hey, kiddo, you're okay," he whispered, his voice shaking slightly. "It's over."
The boy's gaze clung to his, and he offered a reassuring smile, trying to convey a sense of safety and calm. As the child's ragged breathing began to slow, his grip on his own emotions loosened, and he felt his heart rate return to normal.
He stood up and looked back at the people there, raised his hand, turned it into a fist and made his signature pose.
The crowd erupted with enthusiasm.
"Kael! Our hero!"
"He did it again!"
"He's incredible!"
The cheers rolled over him in waves—and with them, a warmth surged through his limbs. Strength, clarity, control. His telekinesis sharpened, tethered to their belief. It always felt like this: euphoric, powerful, terrifyingly complete.
"Kyaaaa!!!! Kael is so hot and brave. I am in love. He saved the kid so quickly, wow."
"C'mon stop your fangirling. You are way too much into him. We are getting late for school"
"Yeah, yeah coming." " I will be sure to get a pic with him next time."
The crowd kept cheering for this man in white- their hero- Kael.
"Hero Kael, sniff...thank u...so much for saving my kid...i....i can't thank you enough..sniff."
" It's my duty mam, please take care of your kid and keep him with yourself next time."
"Yes of course. Say thank u dear."
"Thankyou hero kael."said the kid hidden inside his mother's arms while looking back.
[Trust Level: 92%], the interface in his earpiece reported. [Public morale spike: +8. Strength reserve replenished.]
Kael stood tall, shoulders squaring, his coat fluttering in the air as the people's gaze lifted him higher than gravity ever could. Cheers became louder and louder. Cameras flashed. Drones hovered. Somewhere, a broadcaster praised his "effortless poise." He hated that part.
Still, he smiled, gave a small nod, and took off. Launched himself into the air, floating upward until he reached the rooftop of the building, overlooking the square.
Alone again.
He let the smile fall.
From this height, the city gleamed like something holy. But Kael knew better. In this world heroes were powered by belief—literally. The more the people trusted you, the more control you had over your own strength. Your body. Your choices. But that same trust... chained you.
It had been 5 years since kael learned this bitter fact. A hero can't falter if the public doesn't believe they can. Can't bend. Can't sleep. Can't say no.
A gust of wind tugged at his long white coat. Somewhere, another call would come. Someone else needing him. And the people would believe—expect—he'd be there. Always.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the silence press against his thoughts and sighed." My ramen must have gone soggy."
Then his earpiece crackled.
[Unusual power spike detected, eastern grid. Electromagnetic surge. Tracking source...]
Kael opened his eyes.
Far off, lightning flickered unnaturally across the skyline.The system didn't give a name. It didn't have to.
Something—or someone—was challenging the order.
And deep down, Kael felt the smallest twinge of curiosity beneath the pressure in his chest.
"Haaaaaaaahhhhh...i will have to skip dinner tonight." Kael sprang off from the high platform and headed towards the direction from where the signal was being detected.
His steps were fluid and effortless. He strode purposefully through the darkness, his long legs eating up the distance. The wind whipped through his fluffy white hair as he jumped over the buildings, his white coat fluttering behind him like a bird in flight.
As Kael moved, his long golden earring caught the faint light, dangling across his cheek like a tiny, shimmering thread. With each step, the earring swayed gently, its subtle movement drawing attention to the sharp lines of his features.The earring added a touch of rugged elegance to Kael's appearance, its golden hue flashed like a tiny spark in the night.
The night air was crisp and cool, filled with the scent of vehicular smoke and distant city lights. Kael's eyes scanned the horizon, his senses on high alert as he homed in on the signal. His footsteps were light, barely making a sound on the ground, as if he were gliding rather than walking.
With each step, the signal from the earpiece grew stronger, guiding him closer to his destination. Kael's heart beat steadily, his focus unwavering as he navigated through the darkness. He moved with a quiet confidence, his white coat fluttering like a beacon in the night.
Kael landed softly on the ground, his eyes scanning the scene before him. The Hero Assistance Agency team was already there, their faces filled with worry and fatigue. He nodded in greeting, his expression serious.
"What's the situation?" he asked, his voice firm but concerned.
One of the agents, a woman in specs with a clipboard, stepped forward. Kael's gaze flicked to her name tag, which read "Nima Shen" in neat letters. "Not much to tell, Kael," Nima said, her voice laced with frustration and fear. "Wraith struck again – for the fourth time."
Kael's gaze swept the area, taking in the details. "Which hero was it this time?"
Nima hesitated. "Hero Walter. We're still analyzing the evidence, but..." She trailed off, shaking her head.
Kael's jaw clenched. "I'll review the footage and see if I can find any leads."
Nima nodded, relief washing over her face. "We'll send everything we have to your bracelet."
"Thanks for the help, Nima," Kael said, his expression softening slightly.
Nima offered a small smile, her eyes still clouded with concern. "Just catch him, Kael."
"I will."