𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 089

CHAPTER 89: Parallel Paths

In the dimly lit room of a secluded mansion…

The heavy door creaked open as Hawks stepped inside, the shadows of the League of Villains cast long across the polished floor. Around the conference table sat Dabi, Himiko, Hydrax, Twice, and Spinner—all turning their attention to the newcomer with a mix of curiosity and mistrust.

Unfazed, Hawks kept his usual relaxed posture. "Spread the word about the Meta Liberation War," he said smoothly, as if he were delivering the weather. "Momentum's building. Destro’s message is catching on like wildfire."

One of the League’s associates nodded, clearly pleased. “Your dedication to the cause is admirable, Hawks.”

Twice tilted his head, voice full of genuine confusion. “I don’t really get it though, Hawks. Why don’t you just teach me, yeah?”

Hawks offered an easy grin. “Sure thing. I’ll walk you through it sometime.”

As the conversation moved on, Hawks continued his report, casually noting that the Hero Public Safety Commission had begun connecting the League to the Deika City incident. He also mentioned the increased focus on training young heroes—something that made Himiko’s eyes sparkle as she spotted a flicker of green on the footage playing behind Hawks.

“Ooh! It’s Izuku!” she chirped, eyes wide with glee. “He’s looking cuter than ever!”

Hydrax, who had been silently observing, tilted her head slightly at the sound of his name. Her voice broke the moment with cold clarity. “Midoriya… again?”

There was something chilling in her tone. Not anger, not obsession—just a weary, biting edge.

“He’s nothing compared to her,” she added, the venom in her voice carefully controlled.

The room shifted with a faint tension. Himiko blinked. “Who’s her?”

Hydrax’s gaze lingered on the flickering screen, her lips tightening. “Y/N.”

Silence followed. Only the hum of the monitor remained.

“She’s the one who keeps playing hero. The one who still believes she can save everyone.” Her voice was quieter now—colder, but layered with something bitter. “She always thought she could fix things, carry the weight of the world with that power of hers.”

Dabi leaned forward slightly, curiosity piqued. “You two know each other?”

Hydrax didn’t look at him. “She was… my family.” Her fingers curled subtly at her side. “She still doesn’t understand what that means.”

“She fights like she’s clinging to some dream,” she continued, her voice softening—not kindly, but like someone speaking of a distant memory. “But this world doesn’t care about dreams. She’ll learn that soon.”

Himiko grinned. “So, you wanna break her?”

Hydrax didn’t smile. “No,” she said slowly. “I want her to wake up. And if breaking her is the only way... then so be it.”

Her eyes glint with cold resolve as she looks toward the others, her sinister intent clear, as Dabi dismisses Hawks, who without another word left. As the air grew heavier, her words laced with history none of them knew.

Dabi shrugged, leaning back. “Doesn’t look like any of them have gotten stronger.”

Hydrax exhaled, cool and detached again. “They’re still students. Learning. Hoping.” A faint smirk touched her lips. “But hope is fragile.”