The morning air was thick with tension, and the rhythmic thudding of fists against leather echoed through the gym. A boy stood shirtless in front of a swaying punching bag, his dark curls damp with sweat. His jeans clung to him awkwardly, and white sneakers slid just slightly on the polished floor. Each punch came with a focused grunt, arms coiled tight with discipline, eyes locked in silence.
A television mounted high on the wall played quietly in the corner. The screen showed a dim, narrow alley cordoned off with yellow tape, slick with morning drizzle. The location tag read: Atlanta, Georgia. A reporter stood in frame, her voice low and grave.
"Requiem has struck again. Early this morning, the body of pro hero Silverfang was discovered in a back alley near downtown. There were no signs of a struggle—only a chilling scene. Authorities found Silverfang's body completely lifeless, eyes wide open, and Requiem's signature mark—a carved 'V'—etched into his back. The message was clear. This wasn't just a killing… it was a statement."
Dom didn't look at the screen. But his next punch slammed into the bag hard enough to rattle its chain.
The door creaked open, and heels clicked across the hardwood.
"Dom," a woman's voice said. Smooth, calm, powerful. "It's almost time for the NHS entrance exam."
He stopped punching but didn't turn around.
"Okay, Ms. Rae."
Grabbing a towel off the nearby bench, Dom wiped his forehead, his angel tattoo catching the light—a white line beginning just above his brow and trailing down to his chin. He moved with quiet purpose, as if every step was practiced.
"Let me take a shower real quick."
Steam drifted from the bathroom as Dom descended the stairs freshly showered, clean-cut, and dressed in a black fitted tee and dark jeans. Rae stood waiting in front of her sleek black Bugatti, its hood marked with a single silver eyeball—watchful, symbolic, almost alive.
She slid into the driver's seat as Dom opened the passenger door.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Yeah," Dom replied, his voice calm but steady.
They drove through the morning light for twenty minutes, the futuristic skyline of the city rising ahead. Dom stared out the window, the sun flashing across his face like time itself was marking his growth. As they approached the massive white-glass building of NHS—New Hero Society Academy—his heart beat faster.
"I'll head to the viewing room," Rae said as they parked.
"Alright," Dom answered, stepping out as her heels clicked away behind him.
He ran a hand along his face, fingers tracing his tattoo. "I can't wait."
The inside of NHS was like something from the future. Everything shined—glass, metal, and smooth white marble stretching across the halls. Dom made his way to the assembly room, where new applicants were gathering. He climbed to the very top of the back-right corner, watching.
Within minutes, the room filled.
Then a voice.
"Hello, everyone."
Screams erupted. Murmurs turned into awe.
"Oh my god, it's Echo!"
Name: Josh
Gender: Male
Hero Name: Echo
Power Name: Resonance Strike
Power Description:
Josh manipulates sound waves with deadly precision—able to craft sonic constructs like blades and barriers, disrupt matter with vibrations, or unleash concussive echo blasts. Calm and calculated, his voice is a weapon, and the battlefield is his stage.
"These robots will hand out your test papers," Echo said, waving casually as dozens of sleek white androids entered the room. "One hour. Good luck!"
The room buzzed with nerves. Dom grabbed his paper and scanned the first question:
"Solve: 3x - 7 = 2x + 5"
He groaned. "Math?"
An hour passed.
"Alright!" Echo returned, his voice booming again. "Hope that was fun."
The lights dimmed. A massive projector screen lit up, showing everyone's faces and names.
"Now we separate the fighters from the supports. Robots will give you a color badge—red for fighters, blue for support. Once you input your name, your role and partner will be assigned. Then…"
A pause.
"You'll enter a 2v2 mock battle against upperclassmen. Your job? Work together. Steal their tags. Each has three, worth ten points apiece. Total: sixty. This isn't about winning—it's about teamwork, strategy, and survival."
The room exploded with excitement and fear as students rushed to the buses.
Dom glanced at his badge. A deep blue glow pulsed from the center.
"Support, huh?" he muttered.
He looked down.
"Partner: Kerrington Butterfly."
He blinked.
"What a name…"
They arrived at the battleground facility—200 identical, silver-doored rooms. Numbers glowed on each. Dom followed his to Room 67 and opened the door.
A girl was already inside—tall, athletic, dark skin glowing against the blue light, her braids reaching her lower back. She smiled.
"You're finally here. Dom Komanda, right?"
"Yeah. And you're Kerrington Butterfly?"
"Yup. Have a seat."
He did, and for the first time, their eyes met. There was no tension, only quiet understanding.
"So…" he asked. "What's your power?"
Name: Kerrington Butterfly
Power Name: Poseidon
Power Description:
Kerrington commands water in its purest form—summoning waves, forming whirlpools, and shaping liquid into hardened constructs. Her awareness is tuned to the tides, giving her predictive instincts in combat. But the sea takes its toll, draining her energy the longer she fights.
Kerrington leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. Her braids shifted slightly as she spoke.
"It's called Poseidon. Basically… I control water. Not like little splashes either—real power. I can pull water from the air, the ground, even my own body if I have to. I can shape it, harden it, throw it. Waves, weapons, whirlpools… it's all fair game."
She hesitated for a second, then added, "But the more I use it, the more energy it takes out of me. If I go too far, I black out. It's like… the ocean fights back when you try to control it too long."
Dom nodded, eyebrows raised. "That's wild. So basically, you're a walking tsunami."
She smirked. "Only when I'm fully charged."
"Alright," she said, crossing her arms. "Your turn. What do you do?"
Dom looked at the glowing blue badge on his chest, then back at her.
"It's called Psychic Magnify. I can enhance things—mostly physical and sensory traits. Think strength, speed, reaction time, awareness. I can boost those in other people, or in myself, if I really focus."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "It sounds simple, but it gets intense. I have two techniques I've been working on—'Hyper Stacking,' where I boost someone in rapid layers to push them beyond their natural limits, and 'Dominion Flow,' where I sync with their energy and keep the boost flowing in real time."
"That sounds… powerful." Kerrington's eyes narrowed with interest. "What's the catch?"
Dom gave a small shrug. "It's all mental. The more I push, the more strain it puts on my mind. If I stack too fast or stay linked too long, I lose control. Headaches, tunnel vision… sometimes I just black out."
Kerrington nodded slowly.
"So I burn out if I go too long, and you fry your brain if you push too hard."
Dom chuckled. "Pretty much. We're gonna be a great team."
She smirked. "Let's just not black out at the same time."
The light on the wall suddenly blinked green, followed by a loud beep-beep-beep, and the metallic doors in front of them began to slide open with a low hiss.
Dom opened his mouth to speak, but the noise cut him off.
Kerrington glanced over with a half-smirk. "Well, I guess it's time for us to go."
Dom nodded. "Yeah. Let's do it."
They stepped into the arena together.
The room felt colder on the inside, sterile and wide, with steel plating across the walls and a faint hum of power humming through the vents above. Waiting in the center were two students already in position.
The girl stood with confidence, a cocky smile on her face. Her long, crimson red hair flicked slightly with each movement, and her black outfit shimmered with crimson symbols that pulsed softly. Next to her, a boy with sharp white hair leaned slightly to one side. He wore an all-white uniform with a single missing sleeve, exposing a band of black belts wrapped tightly around his bare arm like restraints.
"So," the red-haired girl called out casually, "what are your names?"
Kerrington took a confident step forward. "My name is Kerrington."
She nodded toward Dom. "And that's Dom."
The girl smirked. "Well, I'm Elyssa… and this is Zephyr. And we're gonna beat the fuck out of you."
She laughed as if it were a promise, not a threat.
Before Dom or Kerrington could react, Zephyr struck. The wind cracked through the air like a whip as he vanished in a blur.
Narrator
Name: Zephyr
Gender: Male
Hero Student
Power: Temporal Wind
Power Description: Zephyr controls wind, allowing him to move faster or slow down opponents. He can also forge wind into swords or whip it into tornados. However, excessive use of his powers drains his stamina rapidly and leaves him with debilitating headaches, making focus difficult under pressure.
Zephyr appeared in front of Kerrington in an instant, driving his fist hard into her stomach. Her feet left the ground, but she reacted mid-air, forming a sudden pool of water beneath her using her heightened awareness. It softened the impact as she hit the ground and rolled back.
Dom's voice rang out. "I boosted your speed a little!"
Kerrington grinned slightly. "Got it!"
She darted forward, her movements sharper now. Her leg rose into a roundhouse kick aimed at Zephyr's temple—but he dipped low, wind curling around him. He released a gust upward at her exposed side mid-kick, launching her off her balance. Kerrington flipped and slammed onto her back, skidding with a grunt.
Gritting her teeth, she got back up and summoned two swirling water tornadoes. Zephyr answered with a twister of his own, forming a dense cyclone of slicing wind to cancel them out.
But he didn't see Dom moving in behind him.
Dom's fist wound back, aimed for Zephyr's spine—
"I've got him!" Elyssa's voice cut through.
She appeared beside Dom and slammed a brutal punch into his ribs, her form glowing with radiant energy.
Narrator
Name: Elyssa
Gender: Female
Hero Student: Yes
Power: Aether Manipulation
Power Description: Elyssa taps into the Aether, an ancient energy that enhances her strength, allows healing, or fires devastating energy blasts. Overuse causes severe fatigue and muscle cramps, making her vulnerable without rest.
Zephyr nodded. "Thanks, Elyssa."
She giggled as her red hair bounced with her movement. "No problem."
Dom groaned but recovered quickly, focusing his power again.
"Alright, screw this," he muttered. His eyes narrowed. "Kerrington!"
She turned, breath ragged but alert.
"Can you make waves and more tornadoes?" Dom called out. "I'll boost both our speeds—I'm going for his tags, you go for hers!"
Kerrington nodded. "Let's do it!"
She summoned a barrage of waves and swirling water funnels. Zephyr tried to dodge right, but Dom was already there. He reached out and tore two tags from Zephyr's waist.
"One more to go!" Dom shouted.
Viewing Room – Above the Arena
Rae stood at the window with her arms crossed, a proud smile tugging at her lips.
"That's my boy," she said softly.
Beside her, Exotic let out a low whistle. "So that's your son, huh?"
Narrator
Narrator
Name: Jay Mortalis
Gender: Male
Hero Name: Exotic
Role: Hero Teacher
Power: Thanatos Drive
Power Description: Jay Mortalis wields Thanatos Drive, a fusion of spectral warfare and necrotic precision. He conjures ghostly firearms and scythes that strike with deadly efficiency.
• Phantom Arsenal: His weapons bypass barriers, targeting organic matter directly. His scythe drains life force, healing him mid-fight. Overuse clouds his vision, triggers migraines, and affects coordination.
• Dirge Marionette: Jay can animate fallen foes as spectral warriors. The more he controls, the greater the toll on his nervous system, risking spasms or brief paralysis. In combat, he is a grim maestro orchestrating death.
Rae smirked without turning. "Yeah… I know."
Exotic grinned wickedly. "He's in my class now. I'm gonna work that boy hard."
Back in the Arena
Kerrington threw two quick punches at Elyssa, missing intentionally. As Elyssa leaned back, two water swords appeared in Kerrington's hands. She swung, sending sharp arcs of water forward. Elyssa dodged expertly, laughing—until she realized they were a distraction.
Kerrington was behind her.
Grabbing a fistful of Elyssa's red hair, Kerrington yanked her back, forming watery fists that pummeled her sides. Elyssa gasped but kicked Kerrington away with an explosive burst of Aether.
As Kerrington was thrown off, she twisted mid-air and snatched all three of Elyssa's tags from her waist.
"I got it!" she yelled—and collapsed, passing out from exhaustion.
Elyssa hovered over her, brushing hair from her own face. "I can't wait for you to get into NHS… so I can fight you for real."
Elsewhere in the Arena
Zephyr, blood pumping and head pounding, summoned the largest tornado he'd ever formed. His eyes glowed faintly as the winds screamed around him.
Dom noticed Zephyr clutching his skull.
He's at his limit, Dom thought.
He charged—but Zephyr slowed time around him just enough. Dom moved sluggishly, struggling. Wind swords formed and lashed out—cutting Dom's chest, arms, and legs over a hundred times in seconds.
"Zephyr, that's enough!" Elyssa shouted.
He didn't stop.
So Elyssa launched an energy blast that exploded against his side, knocking him out cold.
From the far door, footsteps echoed in.
A tall figure entered with calm eyes and a soft, dreamy presence.
Elyssa relaxed. "Oh hey, Dr. Sleep."
Narrator
Name: Somnus Vale
Gender: Male
Hero Name: Dr. Sleep
Role: Healing & Mental Resilience Instructor
Power Name: Tranquil Reverie
Power Description:
Serenity Touch: Rapid healing through calm contact.
Emotional Resonance: Senses and stabilizes emotions, though overwhelming negativity can interrupt focus.
Lullaby Veil: His voice induces sleep or meditative states.
Dreambound Sanctuary: Aura-based healing and mental shielding.
Reverie Field: Full recovery within a serene field of influence.
Dr. Sleep sighed. "Zephyr went all out again, didn't he?"
Elyssa gave him a tired nod. "Yes, sir."
"Of course he did," the teacher muttered, exhaling as he approached the students.
He knelt by Dom and Zephyr, placing a gentle hand on each. Their wounds began to fade, breathing steadied. He repeated the process for Kerrington and summoned three floating medical drones to carry them.
He turned back to Elyssa. "So? Thoughts on the new students?"
Elyssa leaned back. "Kerrington's strong. She just needs some control. Dom too. They've both got real potential."
Dr. Sleep simply nodded. "Hmm."
One Week Later…
Dom sat in his room, controller in hand, immersed in his game. A knock came from the door.
"Come in."
Rae stepped inside, holding a sleek silver envelope. "Dom," she said, smiling, "your acceptance letter."
Dom froze. The envelope opened on its own, projecting a hologram into the air.
His mother's voice echoed warmly:
"Hey there, son. You got in—Class S! Your teacher is Exotic."
Another face appeared—grinning wickedly.
"Hey there, Dom," Exotic said. "Can't wait to work you to the bone. Hahahaha!"
Dom blinked. "Class S… Only ten students make it in…"
The hologram flickered.
"You placed 10th."
Dom leaned back, a small smirk on his face. "Barely made it… but I made it."
Rae crossed her arms playfully. "So, tacos or ice cream?"
Dom laughed. "Tacos. Always tacos."