CHAPTER 93: A City on the Brink
The air is heavy with the weight of anticipation as you and your classmates stand at the foot of the mountains surrounding Otheon, a city that should be peaceful but is now shrouded in tension. The quiet hum of the bustling city below is suddenly interrupted by the sharp winds whipping through the terrain, a reminder of the storm that's about to break. You can feel it in your chest-a deep sense of urgency that builds with each passing minute.
Burnin addresses the group, her voice calm but serious. "Listen up, heroes. The operation begins now. We'll be stationed at the foot of the mountain. Your task is to evacuate the residents of Otheon to safety." She pauses, her eyes sweeping over everyone. "But there's more to this mission than just evacuating civilians. We've received intel suggesting that Humarise has a presence in the area, and we're expecting trouble."
The mention of Humarise sends a ripple of unease through the group. The thought of their deadly forces lurking nearby is enough to send a shiver down your spine. You're well aware of the chaos they've caused in the past, and the terror they could unleash here is not something you're ready to face. But this mission isn't about fear-it's about doing what needs to be done. For the people of Otheon, for your classmates, and for the world you've sworn to protect.
Izuku stands beside you, adjusting his gear, his movements sharp with focus. His usual optimism is replaced with a quiet determination as he listens intently to Burnin's briefing. You glance at him, catching a glimpse of the weight he carries as he looks out toward Otheon. The nerves that have always hidden behind his smile are there, though he's doing his best to keep them buried under layers of resolve. You've seen him like this before-ready to face whatever challenges are thrown at him, even when he's terrified inside.
Beside him, Katsuki is already geared up, his fists clenched at his sides. His usual arrogance is absent; he's all business now. The fire in his eyes burns hotter than ever, and you know that no matter what happens, he's ready to take on whatever comes his way. But there's something different about him today-something that hints at the immense pressure this mission is placing on all of you.
Shoto stands to your right, his expression as composed as always, but his eyes are sharp. You can feel the tension in the air, but he's not one to let it show. He's always been someone who carries his burdens in silence, but today, even he seems on edge. The stakes are high, and everyone knows it.
The early morning sunlight is still faint, casting long shadows across the mountainside as you all prepare to move out. Your heart beats a little faster as you check your gear one more time, each breath steady but laced with unease. The closer you get to Otheon, the more real the danger becomes. You can't shake the feeling that something is coming, something far worse than what you're prepared for.
Burnin's voice cuts through the tension. "We're splitting up. Each of you will cover different sections of the city. Remember-this is a civilian rescue mission. Your priority is saving lives. If you spot Humarise agents or any immediate threats, neutralize them, but don't take unnecessary risks. Your focus is the civilians."
You nod, the weight of her words settling deep within you. You've faced enemies before, but the threat of Humarise carries a different kind of weight-one that leaves your chest tight with anxiety. You know you'll do your best, but there's still a flicker of doubt in your mind.
Izuku turns to you, his expression soft but serious. "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice laced with concern.
You nod, offering him a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... focused."
But inside, your stomach churns. The thought of what's to come-of the danger the people of Otheon face-lingers heavily in your mind. And beneath it all, another thought creeps in: Midoriya. You know how important this mission is, but you can't help but feel a tug of worry for him, for his safety. You've seen him push himself beyond his limits countless times, and each time, you wonder if one of those times will be the one that leaves him broken. But you can't voice that fear-not here, not now. You can't let it show.
With the mission briefing over, the group moves into action, heading toward the city. The path is steep and rocky, but the view of Otheon below is breathtaking, even if the situation isn't. As you walk, your mind races, considering every possible scenario-every way this could go wrong. Your quirk pulses at the back of your mind, a constant reminder of what you're capable of, but also what you could lose if you fail.
The closer you get to Otheon, the more your senses sharpen. You hear the distant cries of civilians, the sounds of chaos already starting to rise from within the city. People are starting to panic, unsure of what's coming but afraid that something is wrong. The streets are crowded as families gather, looking for any sign of safety. You take a deep breath, preparing yourself to do what you've been trained for: protect, evacuate, save.
As you move toward the center of the city, the weight of your responsibility becomes almost unbearable. You know you'll face enemies soon enough. Humarise won't wait for long. They've made their mark on the world already, and you're certain they've come to Otheon to do the same. But before that happens, you need to get the civilians to safety.
"Stay sharp," Shoto says, his voice calm but urgent. "We don't know what's waiting for us."
You nod, keeping your eyes peeled as the city grows closer. The sky above shifts, the first signs of an approaching storm darkening the horizon. The peaceful atmosphere of Otheon is quickly unraveling, replaced by a rising tension that you can feel in your bones. You can't help but glance over at Izuku again, your mind racing with worries you can't voice.
Suddenly, the ground shakes beneath your feet, a deep rumble reverberating through the earth. Your heart skips a beat. It's the first sign of what's to come-the first warning that the real threat is closer than any of you realize.
"Get ready," Burnin orders. "It's about to get real."
And just like that, the quiet moment before the storm is shattered. The mission you've trained for has officially begun, and the stakes are higher than any of you could have imagined.
As you brace yourself, you steal one more glance at Izuku, your heart tight with fear for him-fear you can't hide, not from him, not from anyone. But you push it aside, focusing on the mission. The people of Otheon are counting on you. And no matter what happens next, you'll fight until the end to keep them safe.
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A/N: Word Count: ~1195.
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𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋
FanfictionBorn into a family of heroes, a girl with a water-manipulating quirk struggles to control her own power. Torn between her mother's shining legacy and her father's fears, she enters U.A. High determined to prove she belongs among the next generation...
