𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐛𝐧𝐡𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬

[25]

Two of hearts

25

CW: This chapter contains in-depth descriptions of violence.

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As Y/n walked through the halls of the agency, her hands throbbing with every step, she couldn't help but be surrounded by the looming presence of Scorchrend. Portraits and images of the hero adorned every wall, each capturing a different facet of his legacy. The panoramic family portrait caught her attention, a testament to the unity and camaraderie fostered within the agency.

In the portrait, Scorchrend stood proudly in the centre, symbolising strength and authority. Surrounding him were the sidekicks, a diverse array of individuals bound by their loyalty to the hero. A younger Phoenix, full of vibrancy and energy, shared a warm embrace with another sidekick. Eclipse, a familiar mentor to Y/n, stood at Scorchrend's side, a subtle connection evident in how his hand rested on her shoulder.

As Y/n studied the portrait, she couldn't shake the sense of belonging and family that radiated from the image. It left her with conflicting emotions, a mixture of awe at the agency's unity and an unsettling feeling about the hero whose legacy she was now intertwined with.

"It's a nice picture, right?" The unfamiliar voice caught Y/n off guard, causing her to jump and take a few steps back. She turned to face the speaker, a man who seemed older and weathered by time.

"He was... so nice," the man continued, a nostalgic gleam in his eyes. "He always ensured we were safe, checking in with each sidekick after a mission to make sure they weren't hurt."

Y/n nodded cautiously, sensing a shift in the man's demeanour as he delved into the past. The warmth in his expression gave way to a shadow of bitterness that clung to his words.

"As he climbed the hero rankings, the spotlight took over. More media appearances, less focus on the hero duties. We, the sidekicks, were left to pick up the slack," he explained, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken grievances.

"When we couldn't meet his escalating standards, he'd unleash hell on us," the man continued, bitterness now unmistakable. "Public criticism about the growing villain problem pushed him over the edge. That's when he decided to put an end to villainy once and for all."

Y/n's unease deepened as the man painted a picture of Scorchrend's transformation. The once caring mentor seemed to have succumbed to the allure of fame and power, leaving a trail of strained relationships and unmet expectations. It was a stark contrast to the idealized image adorning the walls of the agency.

The man's voice grew darker as he continued, his gaze distant as if reliving moments of horror. "He became a tyrant. Utterly terrifying, nasty, cruel, and violent. If you couldn't keep up, you were discarded like trash. His punishments were brutal, and he revelled in the suffering of those he deemed weak."

His words sent shivers down Y/n's spine, a stark contrast to the heroic image she had initially associated with Scorchrend. The man's narrative painted a disturbing portrait of a hero turned dictator, a figure whose lust for power eclipsed any semblance of compassion.

"He manipulated us, turned heroes into weapons against our will," he added, his voice low and filled with bitterness. "He believed that the only way to eliminate villainy was to control it, to shape it according to his twisted vision."

The atmosphere around Y/n felt heavy with the weight of the man's revelations. The image of Scorchrend on the walls, once a symbol of inspiration, now seemed like a haunting spectre.