Ripples of Fate

Chapter 64: The Raid Begins

Mailin’s POV

The cold, sterile air of the hospital is suffocating. It contrasts sharply with the tension in the room as we wait for our next move. Standing among seasoned Pro Heroes, I feel the weight of this mission. I glance around—Endeavor, Eraser Head, Present Mic, Mirko, and many more familiar faces. The most elite of us, gathered for one purpose.

Taking a deep breath, I adjust my costume as Mizuhime, the sleek blues and silvers of my hero suit hugging my form like a second skin. The water reservoir on my back sits comfortably, providing me with enough liquid to manipulate for combat. Even though it's still, I feel the flow of the water—waiting, anticipating my command.

This is it—the biggest mission of my career. And Shota is here. That gives me a sense of grounding amidst the swirling nerves. He stands a few feet away, his typical stoic expression in place, but I know him well enough to see the subtle tension in his shoulders. His Erasure Quirk is vital for this mission, just as my water manipulation will be. I catch his gaze for a brief moment and offer a small nod, silently telling him we’re in this together.

Eraser Head’s POV

The plan is unfolding faster than we anticipated. Naomasa’s voice rings out in the sterile hospital halls, laying out our approach with precision. “Burnin,” he signals to her, “start evacuating the citizens.” And just like that, it begins.

I cast a glance over at Mailin, now standing as Mizuhime. She catches my eye, her usually calm demeanor masking any trace of nerves. It’s in these moments that I realize just how far we’ve come, how much we’ve been through together. She’s a formidable hero now—her Quirk control flawless. I’ve seen it in action countless times, but something about today feels different. The stakes are higher.

The focus snaps back to the task at hand. With a subtle nod, I signal to the rest of the team, and we move out—this operation has no room for error.

As we approach the hospital, Mirko’s relentless energy leads the charge, with Endeavor right behind her. Mailin moves fluidly beside me, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of trouble. We reach the point where Naomasa’s undercover agent gives us the intel, pointing out the hidden path to the lab. That’s when things start to spiral.

Mailin’s POV

The moment we step into the hospital, chaos erupts.

Dr. Garaki—Kyudai Garaki—the man behind the Nomus, tries to escape, but Shota’s Erasure Weapon ensnares him before he can make it far. Present Mic barrels forward, his rage palpable. “Why?!” Mic roars at the doctor, demanding answers for all the innocent lives destroyed by his experiments. The sight of Shota, cool and collected beside me, only heightens the contrast between them.

But just as we think we’ve cornered the monster responsible for so much suffering, the floor shatters beneath us. The screeching sound of metal is deafening, and suddenly, Nomus are everywhere, tearing through the structure. My heart races, but I push down the fear, my training kicking in.

The air around me shifts as I draw water from my reservoir, bending it to my will. With a swift motion, I send a wave crashing into one of the Nomus, freezing it mid-attack. The liquid becomes a solid wall of ice as it slams into the creature’s chest. I don’t waste any time. Another flick of my wrist sends streams of water, darting between our group to intercept the incoming enemies.

I hear Shota’s voice calling out behind me—his Quirk neutralizing the abilities of the Nomus, but it’s still not enough to stop their physical prowess. I send another wave of water spiraling toward a high-end Nomu just as Mirko tears through its midsection with her devastating Luna Arc kick. She’s relentless, every strike of hers pushing us closer to the core of the lab.

Shota’s POV

The moment feels surreal. The floor beneath us cracks as the Nomus emerge. They’re strong—each one seemingly designed to counter our strengths. It’s up to me to keep them from activating their powers, but there are too many, and I can’t hold them all at once. I rely on the team, trusting them to take advantage of every second I provide.

Mailin moves like water itself—fluid, precise, with an unstoppable force behind every move. I can see her bending the environment to her will, controlling the flow of the battle, pushing the Nomus back while freezing some in their tracks. I’ve always known how powerful she is, but seeing her in action like this reminds me just how invaluable she is.

And yet, there's no time to get lost in admiration. More Nomus come crashing in, one of them aiming directly at her. I don’t hesitate—my body moves instinctively. I lash out with my capturing weapon, ensnaring the creature before it can touch her.

“Focus,” I call out, though she doesn’t need the reminder. She’s already taking control of the situation.

Mailin’s POV

The bond we’ve developed, both on and off the battlefield, allows us to move in sync without words. Shota’s quick reaction saves me from a Nomu’s attack, and I shoot him a glance of thanks before turning back to the battle.

The Nomus are relentless, and their regenerative abilities seem impossible to keep up with. But then, amidst the chaos, I hear Shota shout a warning to Endeavor. His voice cuts through the noise, and I see it—the Nomu heading toward Mirko. She’s battered but still standing, and as Endeavor takes on the beast, I rush to her side, freezing a portion of the lab’s ceiling to keep it from collapsing on us.

Everything is happening so fast—too fast.

I feel the shift in the air just as Mirko uses her Luna Arc to destroy Tomura’s capsule processor. The victory is short-lived. The other Nomu grabs her, throwing her with brutal force. I rush forward, water spiraling around me as I create a protective barrier to shield her from the next attack.

But I can’t keep this up. My power, though immense, has its limits. And we’re reaching them fast.

Shota’s POV

As the battle rages on, I can see the toll it’s taking on everyone, especially Mailin. But she doesn’t stop. That’s the thing about her—no matter how hard things get, she pushes forward, bending the world around her to protect those she cares about. It’s something that’s always drawn me to her.

I catch her eye as she freezes the ground beneath another Nomu, sending it crashing to the floor. There’s a moment, a brief second, where the world seems to still. Just the two of us, standing amidst the chaos, knowing that no matter what, we’ve got each other’s backs.

“Let’s finish this,” I say, and she nods, her determination mirroring my own.

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The battle continues as Shota, Mailin, and the rest of the Pro Heroes push forward, inching closer to stopping Dr. Garaki and his Nomu creations. But this fight isn’t over—not by a long shot.