A New Hero
The winds blew silently through a park in Paragon City, the grass swaying with each soft breeze. Birds chirped their usual song, flying about finding twigs and string to maintain their nests. A light drizzle slowly cascaded amongst the vacant area, a monotonous and rather repetitive sound offering nothing short of sympathy. Somber heavens stretched from their eternal slumber, the misery from years ago being remembered within the vast expanse of the skies. Everything was drenched within melancholy thoughts upon being touched by the water, purified of joy and failing to ever recall such sentiments. Either way, the preservation of joy was nothing more than an irrelevant response, normal to human nature and nothing more then a lost cause to some people. Though there was still hope for humanity...
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A young girl was walking down a pathway in the park, her coat drenched with thoughts of why she was here. She was on her way to jump off the causeway that dropped into the concrete river that ran through parts of the city. She had been beaten by her boyfriend and had black and purple bruises on her face, as well as on her concealed shoulders and arms. Her eyes were drenched in black tears, her eye shadow running from the small drops of wetness that fell from her eyes, as well as the occasional drop of drizzle that got past the protection of her hood. She walked by some trees and bushes where a bench was occupied by an old homeless man and his dog, both trying to take what protection the trees offered from the weather. She didn't notice the five Hellion gang members that were trailing her, but she did see a man standing against the railing of the causeway, holding an umbrella and puffing on a strong ciggarette. He turned around and saw her walking in his direction and he walked towards her, offering his umbrella for protection from the the now pouring rain.
"Some day to be out for a walk, eh?"
The girl nodded off his offer and stood against the railing, looking down into the causeway that was more along the lines of a raging river at this point. She was fighting crying at this point, acknowledging the young man's kindness, wondering why she couldn't have found someone like him.
"Well, I've always loved the rain. It's quite refreshing sometimes," the young man looked closer at the girl and noticed the distinct markings on her face, "Are you okay? You look like you've been hurt."
The girl began crying and grabbed onto the railing stepping up on the bottom rail and getting ready to thrust herself into the raging causeways fury. The young man got up beside her and grabbed her coat from behind, gentle enough to not hurt her, but strong enough to not allow her to jump.
"Wait! Don't do this! Whatever the problem is you can work this out!"
The girl started struggling as her crying worsened, and slipped over the railing. The young man's hand kept hold as he also reached with his other hand and grabbed the girls arm.
"I don't care any more! I just don't care!!!"
The girls grip loosened and the young man struggled to hold on, the rain making his grip more difficult to maintain. He dropped the umbrella and tried to hold on tighter but was afraid he might hurt the girl, and he could feel her slipping from his grasp. He then felt as if he at least had to try, and began focusing his mind on the girl. As his grip got more and more loose, he focused harder and harder, when finally he could feel it. The girl got steadily lighter, and he let his grip loosen more as he finally had a hold of her. His telekinetic abilities were limited for the time being, but he wasn't going to allow this girl to throw her life away. He struggled to keep a hold of her, but maintained his hold as he moved the girl up and let her go just inches about the wet concrete of the walkway by the railing. He stumbled a bit as the release drained him a bit, and walked over to the girl's side, a look of serenity and caring in his eyes.
"Nothing is so bad that you throw your life away. Nothing."
As he stood up he saw the group of Hellions come up behind him, and turned to face them. He saw the tatoos and incantations on the lead Hellion indicating he was a magic user. The lead Hellion pointed to his sides, motioning the other four to flank him from both sides.
"You gonna give us that nice piece of candy there? Boy?"
The young man took in his surroundings, taking a quick glance of the other four Hellions, seeing that two were armed with bats, one with a chain, and the other with a Beretta hand gun. He looked back at the lead Hellion, noticing that he wasn't armed with anything obvious, but wasn't going to take that lightly. He knew the Hellions to be quite sneaky at times in hiding weapons on themselves.
"I'm afraid not...BOYS...this girl has been through enough. Just leave her alone."
The lead Hellion laughed, cocking his head to the side giving the young man a look as if he was looking down upon a lesser being, and started cracking his knuckles. The girl sat crouched in a fetal position by the railing, scared and crying. The young man looked back at her, feeling sorry for the pour soul, and wanting to help her in some way. He looked back at the Hellion who was still looking at him funny, and gave him a cocky but serious smile.
"If you touch her, I'll have to hurt you," his voice was cold and stern, and he wasn't going to let any of them get near her.
The Hellion laughed again, but this time motioned his hands toward the girl. The Hellions around him began moving in towards the her, keeping their weapons at the ready. One tried to dash past the young man, but soon found his face in the mud when the young man twisted and placed his foot to trip him. Another Hellion saw this and made a mad dash for him, bringing his bat up to make a hard swing to his cheek. Instead he caught a foot in his stomach and an elbow to his temple, being knocked flat unconscious in a muddy puddle, the bat dropping in the grass. The other two tried to rush him, but when their shoes caught on fire, they tried putting them out while recieving a round-house to their cheeks. They both were knocked back a bit, and then the leader charged him. As he charged his skin began darkening and expanding as some stone armor materialized under his clothes. The young man jumped up and out of the way, while landing a kick to the leaders face, causing him to lose his balance briefly.
The Hellion leader looked up to see the young man floating out of his reach, his hands and arms ablaze in a stance of readiness. The Hellion realized he had underestimated the young man, but was quick to plunge his hands into the concrete of the pathway and pull up a chunk. He tossed it at him as hard as he could, but the young man was quite swift and flew out of the way and down towards the Hellion to land a fiery punch in his face, knocking him off his feet.
"I said...you WILL NOT touch her."
The fire in the young man's voice was enough to cause the other four Hellions to get up, stagger, and limp away but the Hellion leader wasn't giving up.
"Where do you think you are going?! We're Hellions! We don't run!"
The young man touched down on the grass, a look of contempt in his eyes that would burn a hole in your chest. The Hellion leader charged at him again, and within a split second the young man pulled a curved metal rod that flipped open into a bow. As the Hellion charged him he swiftly pulled out a arrow from his back, where a small stash was hidden under his coat, and slipped it into the bow. As the Hellion was within jumping distance, an arrow shot forth gleaming with a fiery glow that was focused at its head. The Hellion didn't have enough time to react and the arrow struck his shoulder, exploding in a bright flash, knocking the Hellion unconscious and back several yards.
The girl had been watching this man fight for her, and had been mesmorized by his abilities. First he saved her from casting her life away into the raging chaos that was the causeway, and now he's defending her from these gang members and using extraordinary abilities to do so. She had been rethinking her thought on ending her life, seeing that there were those out there that would fight for people like her.
The young man pulled out a phone and called the police, a swift response ringing from the other end.
"Come to Atlas Park by the north section of the causeway please, a girl was nearly assaulted. I've taken care of the head ganger, but the others ran off. Thanks."
The young man flipped the phone shut, walking over to the young girl who was now staring at him in awe and inspiration. She was shivering a bit from being soaked from the rain, but was ok and slowly standing up. She looked up at the young man, his bright blue eyes and black hair captivating her. She didn't realize she was leaning in to kiss him until he pushed her away.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but you're quite shaken, and shouldn't try that. I'm not out for companionship, just to serve those in need."
The girl stepped back, catching herself in the act. She shook her head as she mentally composed herself, wondering who this man was.
"Wh-who are you?"
The young man looked down at her with compassion, and his eyes brightened up. He slowly started floating up into the air, and the girl watched him, still in awe. Siren's could be heard closing in on the park, and the young man knew he should get going.
"My name is Kien Valamus. And you are ready to take a new start on life..."
Kien then thrust his hands in the air, and rocketed away. A swift wind blew through the girls hair as Kien flew off, and the police arrived with three cars. Two officers had already jumped out and went over to the unconscious Hellion, grabbing his arms and putting special heavy titanium bands on his arms. Two others ran over to the girl, one of them with a blanket to warm the girl up, the other with a pad and pen.
"Are you okay ma'am?"
The girl semi-acknowledged them, turning her head towards them.
"Yes."
She turned her head back towards the sky, contemplating what she'd do when she went back home, if she'd go back home, or if she'd go back to her parents house to recouperate and start her life over. The clouds had started clearing, and sunbeams broke through, shining on the center of where Paragon City's defenders home themselves from: Atlas Plaza...
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Paragon City has many heroes, and many villains. But there's a new hero rising up, known only by his reputation, feared by those he's cast away, and admired by those he's saved. He is Kien Valamus, and all those who to oppress the innocent, or take advantage of the less fortunate will learn to fear his name...