𝔸 𝔾𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕤 𝕆𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕍.𝟚 💥𝔹𝕜𝔻𝕜💥

Chapter 32

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

A Promise to Protect

Concern welled up in Eijiro as he watched Katsuki struggle to light his palm, the usual bright explosions sputtering and guttering out. Eijiro's red hair glowed in the faint firelight, casting an eerie aura around him. Katsuki's breath came in ragged gasps, his frustration mounting with each failed attempt to ignite his quirk. "Damn it!" he growled, his voice trembling. "Why the hell can't I—"

Eijiro tightened his grip on Katsuki's shoulder, trying to ground him. Of all people, he knew the hell Katsuki was going through, having witnessed it firsthand during their rescue missions in the past. He knew Katsuki was more than this, he was resilient, had an unwavering spirit, and the strength to overcome this.

"Katsuki," Eijiro spoke with a gentle yet unwavering voice, his own red eyes locking with Katsuki's intense gaze in the sporadic flash of firelight. "I'm here with you. We've been through this before, remember? You showed incredible strength then, and you'll do the same now. We'll find a way out together, just like you did back then."

Katsuki's grip on Eijiro's arm relaxed slightly, his fierce eyes softening for a split second as he took in his friend's words. Just as a sliver of calm began to take hold, a sudden loud banging sound echoed through the chamber, making them both jump. Their attention shifted to the wall where the sound originated. The silence that followed was deafening, amplifying the tension in the air. Katsuki's palm guttered out, plunging them into darkness once more. They stood still, listening intently. The silence was soon replaced with a faint hissing sound, barely perceptible but growing steadily louder.

What the hell is that sound? Katsuki's mind raced, trying to identify the source of the noise. It didn't sound mechanical, so what could it be? Gas? Another trap? A villain's quirk? The sound grew louder, more insistent, and then it hit him.

Acid. That was the sound of acid dissolving through the concrete. Katsuki's eyes widened with realization just as a soft, muffled voice called out from the other side of the wall. Eijiro's head snapped in the direction of the sound, recognition dawning on his face. "Pinky!" he called out, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Is that you? Are you alright?"

The hissing sound continued, but now it was accompanied shifting of debris and the unmistakable sound of stone and metal being eaten away. "Yeah, it's me!" Ashido's voice came back, clearer now but still muffled. "Hold on, I'm almost through!"

Katsuki felt a wave of relief wash over him. He thanked every fucking god he could think of. He couldn't wait to get out of this shitty claustrophobic pocket of death. The hissing sound grew louder, more aggressive, and then a section of the wall crumbled away, revealing Ashido's determined face on the other side. She grinned, her skin glowing faintly in the dim light. "Hey there, boys. Need a hand?"

Eijiro sighed in relief, his shoulders sagging as the tension melted away. Ashido started to speak, "I heard the explosion and managed to follow your trail. Looks like you got yourself into quite a—" but she was cut off as Katsuki wasted no time scrambling through the exit, he couldn't stand being in there for a second longer.

Katsuki nearly shoved Ashido aside as he scrambled through the tunnel, desperate to escape. The moment he burst out, the cool breeze hit his face, a welcome change from the stifling heat and darkness he had just fought through. He stood there, head thrown back, chest heaving, eyes squeezed shut as he gulped in deep breaths. The fresh air filled his lungs, pushing away the remnants of fear and panic.

Ashido stepped forward, concerned, but Eijiro grabbed her hand, shaking his head. "Give him a second," he muttered, knowing Katsuki wouldn't accept help, even if he needed it. Katsuki's breathing slowed, the tension in his muscles easing. The night air calmed his frayed nerves, the distant city sounds grounding him.