Sovereign Chains

Chapter 1: The Unintended Catalyst

Ethan walked the busy streets of Voltranis, pulling his jacket tighter against the cool breeze that swept through the city. Around him, towering skyscrapers stretched toward the sky, shimmering under the glow of digital billboards and neon lights. People hurried past him, their heads down, their focus on the devices in their hands or their destination, barely sparing a glance for anyone around them. The city was a blur of movement, technology, and noise—a symphony of modern life.

Ethan blended into the crowd, a young man with dark, curly hair that fell over his forehead and brown eyes that observed the world around him with quiet intensity. His build was lean, almost wiry, a stark contrast to the towering figures of heroes he admired from afar. In this city, heroes were commonplace, their images plastered on billboards and merchandise, their feats broadcasted on massive screens for all to see. But for Ethan, they were untouchable, beings who existed in a world separate from his own.

As he walked, his gaze drifted to one of the digital billboards displaying footage of a recent battle. Class S hero, clad in sleek, armored gear, soared through the sky, flames trailing from his hands as he pursued a villain across the cityscape. The crowd around Ethan paused, captivated by the spectacle. He found himself drawn to the screen, watching in awe as the hero unleashed a wave of fire, neutralizing the threat in a burst of light and power.

Ethan felt a pang of admiration mixed with envy. He had always admired heroes, especially the Class S and Omega-Class heroes who risked everything to protect the city. They were symbols of strength, of hope, beings who could shape the world with their will alone. But that life wasn't meant for him. Heroes were born or made through rigorous training and discipline, and he was just... ordinary.

He turned away from the screen, feeling a strange emptiness settle over him as he continued down the street. But his thoughts were interrupted by a faint hum, a static-like crackling that seemed to prick at his senses. Frowning, he looked around, searching for the source of the sound. It led him to a narrow alleyway on his left, shrouded in shadows, where a figure was hunched over a small device that buzzed with an eerie, blue light.

Curiosity got the best of him, and Ethan took a cautious step closer, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make out what the person was doing. The man was pale, with sunken eyes and a jittery demeanor, his fingers frantically pressing buttons on the device as it crackled and sparked.

"Come on... just work," the man muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with desperation.

Ethan's instincts screamed at him to walk away, to leave this stranger and his strange device alone. But something held him there, an inexplicable curiosity that rooted him in place. Before he could fully process his decision, the device let out a high-pitched whine, the energy within it building to a dangerous level. In a split second, the device exploded, releasing a wave of raw, untamed energy that surged toward Ethan.

He didn't have time to react. The energy hit him like a tidal wave, flooding his body with a sensation unlike anything he'd ever felt. It was as if his veins had turned to fire, his skin crackling with electricity as the power consumed him from the inside out. Flames danced along his arms, lightning arcing from his fingertips in uncontrollable bursts.

Panic set in as he stumbled backward, his limbs shaking, his mind reeling from the overwhelming force coursing through him. Everywhere he looked, flames sparked to life, electricity crackling in erratic patterns, destroying everything it touched. He tried to scream, but his voice was drowned out by the roar of energy.

"What... what's happening?" he managed to choke out, his voice lost in the chaos.

"Stand down!"

The voice was clear, authoritative, cutting through the cacophony like a blade. Ethan turned, his vision blurred, and saw a figure approaching him with steady, measured steps. She was tall, with dark skin that seemed to catch the faint light around them, and short, silver hair that framed her sharp, focused gaze. She wore a dark, fitted suit with silver accents, and her presence radiated a calm authority that made him pause.