Heartbeats & Hurricanes

prologue

[June 23rd, XX50]

"Please," she begs out, clutching her broken wrist, trying to crawl towards the action, watching as her father stood protectively in front of her. This was no place to die. She knew that. And yet, as the smoke continued to rise and the screeching of the monster echoed through her mind, she knew this was the end.

People were running away in fear, mothers clutching their children, teenagers leaving behind their school bags, even the local stray dog didn't hesitate in bolting. They all ran away from the gruesome monster. It had appeared all of a sudden, slashing its sharp claws through the wall of a restaurant before setting its eyes on its target— Reina and her father.

And now, with some effort, Reina was barely able to lift a hand up, tearing up immediately at the jolt of pain. Her hands were shaking, small shards of ice embedded into her skin, making her wince. Her fingers tapped her broken wrist, flinching when frost began to form a protective layer around the area. A way to support. Some makeshift splinter. It was the most she could offer.

God, she wished she had paid more attention in class when they learned about First Aid. She wished she had joined her best friend when he trained his quirk because right now... she was so fucking weak. It was humiliating. A quirk so powerful rested in her hands, and yet she couldn't do anything to protect herself or her father from the towering monster.

"Dad!" She sobbed out, wincing when she put pressure on her wrist. Yet, she managed to raise her good arm in time, watching as a thick wall of ice formed a barrier between them and the creature. It didn't do anything but slow down the inevitable. The monster still tore it into pieces, its raw strength so powerful, Reina believed it could even rival All Might's. "We need to leave! Please, you need to leave!" She continued to beg, hating how weak her voice sounded, the way her sobs continued to spill from her lips even after she desperately tried to muffle them.

Her father... didn't move from his spot, still standing strong even though his leg was broken and blood dripped into his eye from the gash on his forehead. This man... had no power. Born quirkless. And yet, he stood tall, like a hero, radiating an air of confidence. As if he wasn't facing a creature of the night. "Mija," he called over his shoulder, body tense as he shifted, only to hiss when putting weight on his injured leg. "Debes correr. Ve a esconderte hasta que lleguen los héroes. ¿Puedes hacer eso por mi?"

Reina's sobs grew louder at her father's request. The tears were endlessly streaming down her face but she managed to stand up now. Her body ached from having been thrown through the air, only to crash into a pile of snow she had formed last minute. She was sure her head was busted based on how blurry her vision got. The ache around her chest indicated a broken or bruised rib. The heavy breathing let her know she had probably five minutes before she passed out from the pain. "¡No digas eso! Puedo hacer algo, pero necesito que te vayas. Sabes que no puedes luchar contra él. Papá, please listen to me!"

No matter how much she begged, her father didn't listen. It left Reina with no other option but to walk forward, her hands moving in a circular motion, forming another wave of attacks. She knew she was pushing it based on the fatigue her muscles felt and how stiff her joints were. She's never had to use her quirk like this, never in a defensive or offensive form. Never in a life or death situation. Pushing through the physical limitations, Reina let out one last grunt, palms facing the monster, hoping that the ice attack would do something.

It didn't do anything but make it angrier.

The last thing she remembered was screaming, in pain, fear, and grief. She watched as the monster screeched in indignation, hideous wings protruding from its back as it took a hostage and began to disappear into the air.

There was something burning in her body, making her chest constrict almost painfully. What once represented her control seemed to crack, and something dangerous began to leak through. It almost felt like she was drowning, water rushing into her ears, her nose, stealing away her ability to breathe. But oh, she felt the silent thrumming of the bodies around her, felt the rush of water, or was it blood, swimming through the veins of each living being.

Reina vaguely remembers zeroing in on that feeling, tugging at the sensation. There were gasps of horror before she felt a stinging in her neck, making her sleepy, pushing away this new rush of power.

She remembers crying out, slamming her fists weakly against the back of whoever was carrying her, not even acknowledging the pain from her hands.

"You have to save him! The monster took him! Why aren't you doing anything!?" The last part was directed at the heroes who stood around like cowards, whispering among themselves in an urgent way, deciding what to do next.

It seemed obvious to Reina. She needed them to save her father before the monster got away. She needed them to protect him. To bring him home safely. Alive.

It was cruel how they didn't do any of that. The whispers curled around her, making her flinch as if the words had physically struck her.

He's quirkless

It won't matter if he dies

We can't do anything

We're not suited for this

"You're fucking cowards! You're fucking useless! How can you call yourselves heroes when you're watching him get taken!?" The words ripped out of her body, so heavy with anger and hatred that they burned against her throat. It didn't stop her. Even as she felt herself slowly doze off, the adrenaline rush fading away, she looked at the so-called heroes one last time, "I won't forget about this," she promised, words slurred as darkness overcame her body.

When the morning came, Reina didn't have to look at her mother's puffy eyes to know the truth.

Her father was gone. Abducted by a mysterious monster. Never to be seen again.

And it had been Reina's fault.

That wasn't even the tip of the iceberg. Her list of injuries was long— concussion, broken ribs, fractured wrist, and damaged nerves in her hands. The doctor reassured her that the healing process would be long but she'd make it through. That she was lucky she didn't lose all sensation in her hands. She'd probably have to relearn basic mobility such as raising a spoon and writing her name, but at least she was alive.

Yeah, at least she was alive.

No matter how much her family comforted her, Reina cried and cried, even when no tears fell, even when her mouth got dry and her skin felt raw. She felt a new wave of resentment grow, towards society, towards heroes, towards herself.

But she remembered her promise.

And it was the one thing that brought her peace.

I'll find you