[DISCONTINUED] Shattered Chains: A Hero's Beginning / Male Reader x MHA

[PROLOGUE] Chapter 5: A Fragile Bond

The months following turned into a blur, and within the confines of their shared existence, a unique bond began to form between Y/N and the small child. Over the first few days, Y/N came to learn that the small girls name was Eri. They were bound by a shared experience, woven together by the threads of despair and resilience that clung to their wounded souls.

To Eri, Y/N was more than just a protector-he became a brother-like figure in a world devoid of warmth and love. In his presence, she found solace and a glimmer of hope. Y/N's scarred exterior was a reflection of the pain he had endured, yet his gentle demeanour and unwavering dedication to her safety painted a different picture.

The contrast between Y/N's behaviour when he was with and without Eri was stark. When alone, he transformed into a cold and silent figure, his eyes carrying the weight of unspoken anguish and hatred. Questions thrown his way were met with either silence or cold, emotionless responses. He had mastered the art of detachment, keeping others at an arm's length to protect the fragile remnants of his shattered self.

However in Eri's presence, Y/N's icy exterior softened. He became a pillar of kindness, his voice laced with warmth and compassion. Eri's innocence touched a long-forgotten part of his soul, reminding him of the goodness that once existed within him. He embraced the role of a guardian, shielding her from the cruelties of their shared reality. No sacrifice was too great for Y/N if it meant preserving Eri's well-being. He believed that nothing else mattered-not his own safety, not the torment he endured, nor the scars that marked his body. His mission was clear: to keep Eri safe, at any cost.

Y/N willingly became the primary target of experimentation, offering himself as a shield to spare Eri from further pain. He endured the relentless probing and torture, his body and spirit pushed to the brink. Each agonising moment served as a testament to his unwavering commitment to Eri's safety, and through it all, Eri witnessed Y/N's selflessness and unwavering devotion. She saw the scars etched upon his flesh, the physical remnants of his sacrifices. And yet, she saw beyond the wounds, recognising the unyielding strength that burned within him.

In the sheltered moments they shared, Y/N came to accept the role of an older brother. He taught Eri simple joys-a shared smile, a gentle touch, and the warmth of a kind word. He nurtured her fragile spirit, piecing together the shattered fragments of her trust and guiding her toward a brighter future.

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, their bond deepened. The walls that once separated Y/N from the world began to crumble, his heart finding solace in Eri's presence. In her, he discovered a reason to hope, a reason to fight.

Overhaul, the cunning mastermind behind their torment, observed their forged bond with an eerie satisfaction. The unbreakable connection between Y/N and Eri only served to grant him further access to Y/N's body, as the boy willingly subjected himself to experimentation, driven by the desperate need to protect Eri.

Under the guise of a promise, Overhaul allowed Y/N to believe that his willingness to be experimented on would spare Eri from his cruelty. Yet, when Y/N was sedated or knocked out, Overhaul seized the opportunity to separate them, whisking Eri away to his twisted laboratory. There, he subjected her to his vile experiments yet again, inflicting even more pain upon her innocent form.

The truth, however, would soon come crashing down upon Y/N's shattered world. On one fateful day, as Y/N examined Eri's delicate frame, his heart sank. New injuries marred her once unblemished skin, evidence of the unspeakable horrors she endured at the hands of their captor. Anguish and fury surged through Y/N's veins, igniting a fire within him that threatened to consume everything in its path.

The room reverberated with Y/N's furious outburst. He struck the walls with unrestrained strength, his fists pounding against the cold surface as if hoping to shatter their confines. Blow after blow, his fists struck with a ferocity fuelled by anguish and betrayal. Blood trickled from his battered knuckles, mingling with his tears of frustration.

Eri, terrified by the storm raging within Y/N, sought refuge in a dark corner, her small frame trembling. She hid, hoping to escape the wrath that threatened to consume them both. As Y/N caught sight of her, his fury dissipated, replaced by a desperate need to soothe her fears.

Rushing to her side, Y/N's voice trembled with remorse as he reached out, his trembling hands an offering of solace. He pleaded, his words laced with regret. The echoes of his apology filled the room, a desperate plea for forgiveness.

Y/N: "I'm sorry. Please, Eri, I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry."

Minutes stretched into an eternity as Eri's fear gradually subsided, her trembling form finding solace in Y/N's embrace. She nestled against his chest, her breathing slowing as she succumbed to the tranquil embrace of sleep. Gently, Y/N carried her to the solitary bed, tucking her in with tender care.

In the soft glow of the room's dim light, Y/N's gaze lingered upon the scars that marred Eri's fragile limbs. His heart shattered anew at the sight, his fingers tracing the outlines of each mark. It was in that solemn moment that a decision solidified within him-they would wait no longer for a saviour to rescue them. No longer would they endure the torment of their prison.

With steely resolve, Y/N vowed to break free from their prison of torment. He would become their saviour, their guiding light toward freedom. The time for waiting was over; they would forge their own path, no matter the cost.