Nighman

Chapter 16

The atmosphere in the base was somber but triumphant. Cerulean and his team sat in the dimly lit common room, the weight of their recent battle still lingering in the air. Each member wore signs of their confrontation with Hellspot—bruises, singed uniforms, and a weariness that settled deeper than physical exhaustion. But there was something else there, too—a bond that felt stronger than it had before.

Cerulean glanced around, taking in his teammates’ expressions. Bulletproof was nursing a shoulder injury with a stubborn grimace, Monster Girl was in her smaller form again but visibly drained, and Eve sat quietly with a faint smile, her usual bright energy tempered with quiet relief. Black Samson was the only one standing, arms crossed as he surveyed his team with a mix of pride and concern.

After a long silence, Samson spoke. “What happened today wasn’t easy. Hellspot is a powerful adversary, and we were lucky to take him down. But this was more than just a battle.” He looked directly at Cerulean. “It was a reminder of what it means to be a team.”

Cerulean met Samson’s gaze, feeling the weight of those words. The old him would have dismissed them, eager to shoulder the fight alone. But after today, he understood what Samson had meant. This wasn’t just about raw strength or being the hero everyone expected him to be. It was about trusting others, about the strength they shared as a unit.

Bulletproof cleared his throat. “Look, we’re all here for each other. And Cerulean… we’ve got your back. Always.”

Monster Girl nodded, her eyes softening. “We’re not just a team. We’re family.”

Eve added, her voice gentle, “We’re stronger together. Don’t forget that.”

Cerulean took a deep breath, a sense of gratitude filling him. He had been so focused on carrying the weight of every battle, every threat, alone. But now, with his team surrounding him, he felt lighter.

Black Samson gave them a brief nod. “Take the rest of the day off. Recover, recharge. We’ve got work to do tomorrow.” He turned to Cerulean, a slight grin breaking his usual stern expression. “And don’t let me catch you taking on another supervillain alone. Got it?”

Cerulean managed a small smile. “Got it.”

As the team dispersed, Cerulean lingered, watching them leave. He felt a strange sense of calm—a feeling he hadn’t had in a long time. For once, he didn’t feel like he had to be invincible. He had his team, his family, and he wasn’t alone.

But just as he was about to head to his room, he noticed Eve still standing by the doorway, a contemplative look on her face. She caught his gaze and gave a small nod, signaling for him to follow. Curious, Cerulean walked over, and together they made their way to the roof of the base, where the cool night air greeted them.

For a while, they stood in silence, looking out over the city. The lights twinkled below, calm and undisturbed after the chaos they had just endured. Finally, Eve spoke.

“You know, I’ve seen the way you push yourself,” she said softly, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “You take on so much, more than anyone else. It’s… admirable. But it’s also a lot to carry alone.”

Cerulean didn’t respond immediately, unsure of how to put his thoughts into words. Eve continued, her voice a mix of warmth and quiet intensity.

“I get it. The pressure, the expectations. But you don’t have to face it by yourself. We’re here for you, Cerulean. I’m here for you.”

He looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in her eyes. She wasn’t just talking about the battles, the missions. She was talking about all of it—the late nights, the moments of doubt, the burden of being a hero.