Shadows of Hope| A MHA/BNHA OC Story

Ch. 17: A Sanguine Symphony

As Stenhal and I square off, our eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills, I can feel the tension crackling in the air. This is it. The moment of truth.

Stenhal then takes a few steps forward before saying, "Stenhal was a weak man who didn't understand his purpose or his power, so I want you to call me by my true name, Stain."

I stare back at him, my resolve unwavering. "Alright then, Stain, let's finish this once and for all."

I lunge forward, my movements fluid and precise. Stain raises his weapon, ready to strike, but I dodge effortlessly. We clash in a flurry of punches and slashes, each trying to gain the upper hand. The fight is intense, with the sound of our blows echoing through the alley.

As we exchange blows, Stain grunts in frustration while I focus on my movements. "You're strong...but you're reckless. You underestimate the cost of your actions. You think you can just go around making things better without any consequences? Without any cost?"

He then slashes his sword at me, and I deflect it with quick reflexes, the clang of metal reverberating in the air.

I then say, "I'm not afraid of the cost. I'm willing to pay it. I'm willing to fight for what's right."

"You can't win this way, Ghost. There's always another villain to fight, and another person like me who'll realize the truth of this world. You can't fight them all. You can't save them all!" As he finishes his words, he strikes my guantlets with his sword hard, and I slide back, the force of his blow knocking me off balance.

I quickly regain my footing and take a deep breath, steadying myself as I say to him, "I can try, and I will. Even if I die, I will have made a difference. Even if it's just a small one."

"You're a fool, Ghost. A fool who thinks he's a hero. But you're not. You're nothing but a tool, a weapon to be used against those who truly want to make a difference." He responds with a menacing scowl before charging at me again, his eyes filled with conviction.

"And what about you, Stain? You're just a shadow, a fleeting presence in the darkness. You kill in an attempt to bring about change, and yet all you leave behind is destruction and pain!" I say, still deflecting his blows and moving around, using my agility to look for openings in his defense. 

Stain scoffs, "At least I have the courage to face my own actions! To take responsibility for the choices I make. You, on the other hand, run blindly into the night, thinking you can change everything with just a few punches."

"I'll change things with my heart, not my fists. I fight for those who can't fight for themselves. I stand up against injustice. And I will keep fighting, even if it means I have to die doing it."

"Then die. Die knowing that you're nothing but a pawn in a much larger game. A game that you will never understand, and one that you can never hope to win!"

As we circle each other, our convictions burning brightly in our eyes, I see the determination in his stance, and he sees mine. Our gazes locked in a silent understanding, both of us unwavering in our beliefs and ready to stand our ground. In that moment, we were two opposing forces destined to clash, each fueled by our own sense of purpose and resolve.

Suddenly, I lunge forward with all my strength, aiming to punch him square in the jaw. Stain parries the attack, but I quickly follow up with a kick that connects solidly with Stain's side.

Stain stumbles backward, momentarily stunned. "You're a fool, Ghost. You don't understand what you're up against. The system is bigger than you. It will always find a way to swallow you whole. You can't change that."