Chapter 2: Ciana
"Why won't you be my friend?"
The airy voice echoed throughout the black walls, life hidden behind its large shadow. Scornful laughter followed soon after, their shrieks and giggles taunting as a figure faded into view. Pale skin glowed in the dark room, but nothing about them was special. Their skin riddled with freckles, the spots creating patterns connected through blue ink. Black curls cascaded down their back, flopping messily with every shake that tore through them.
Finally, the voices stopped.
Slowly, with fear making every move quake, the figure unfurrowed from itself. Glancing within the dark, its glistening blue eyes pranced over the empty tunnel. And with the irises, stars followed. And as one surfaced, its body encompassed in the light once settled beneath the girl's eyes, its mouth turned into a sneer.
"Who the hell are you?" With the firm, hateful question, the girl began to curl into herself. As the stars walked forward to question her again - the answer was forced out.
"I don't know."
My eyes snap open - awakening from the short nap. I rushed to examine the wooden walls, studying the few pictures that adorned its surface. The frozen frames of forests during varying seasons calmed me, and the few wild creatures brought a smile to my lips. I released a puff of air, letting the action slow my beating heart. As it slows, I rise up in the same pattern. When in control of your mind, your body will follow soon after. When in control of your body, your life's complications become small - irrelevant. My chapped lips lift at the thought. I live by that mantra, and it has helped me countless times.
Letting my feet hit the fuzzy carpet, I stare at its fraying edges. I want to replace it - a white carpet isn't really my type, but I haven't collected enough money quite yet. It doesn't entirely matter, I suppose. I have a roof over my head, a calm surrounding, and enough food for a while. More than I used to have. With a peaceful mind, I climbed out of bed and headed for the kitchen. The coffee was already brewing, and my curtains were closed, though the natural colors decorated the walls with the sun's light. The curtain's pattern spread throughout my home, lifting the stress from my shoulders as I gazed at the artificial leaves and branches flowing throughout the interior.
It was beautiful, and I have to thank my Queen for that. Snorting a short laugh, I moved towards the kitchen, chugging a gulp of black coffee before moving on to breakfast. I've never been a chef, nor interested in ever becoming one, but I make decent enough food. After all, there was no one to impress within my little cabin. Thinking back on it, I miss my friends with surprising strength. Well, the two that really counted as friends, that is. Many times we would all joke about dragging each other across the world, and I am starting to regret letting the opportunity pass by. Sighing, I ignore the thought and flip one of the pancakes. Of course, they were a little burnt.
Setting up a plate, I dumped the dishes in my sink and flopped down on my couch. Not as comfortable as I wish, but when it comes to decorations, my Queen is relentless. Thinking about it now, the only thing in my control was the pictures, though they were still organized by someone else. I may be terrible at decorating, but at least I can take decent pictures, and build liveable structures. Settling my plate on the not-so-convenient coffee table, I get up from the couch. I've never been one to watch TV, so I didn't invest in buying one. Instead, I play music through a BlueTooth speaker constantly connected to my phone, and grab a good book to read.
A task, it seems.
Skimming over the titles, I decide it's time to find a new book. For some reason, I don't find it appealing to reread any books. It takes away the adventure because I know what's going to happen next. Moving away from the bookshelf, I recognize I might need more shelves too. While the unique pattern of my current holding place looks amazing - the shelves lining up to look like a strong tree in the winter with some potted plants decorating the smaller, less usable areas, it wasn't going to hold much more. Looking around my home, I noticed the shadow outside my window - my stack of logs grew overnight. Smiling, I knew I would have to thank my warrior as well today. That's one thing off my shoulders.
Moving towards the only bathroom within my cabin, I start some music and ready myself for a shower. I was going into the city today, not a very loving idea. I was considered strange, even with the variety of people out on the streets. Compared to the kids with lego heads, giant appendages, or even someone with weed for hair, I know everyone thinks I'm the strangest. Their opinions aren't all that justified; I have no shocking appearances, besides my eyes - but I usually wear sunglasses during the day. The only reason anyone finds me strange is how few times I show myself in public and even fewer times that I bother talking with anyone. No one was worth knowing, nowadays.
Everyone seemed to gather the thought that anyone without some type of quirk was worthless and stupid. Not to mention that if someone wasn't a hero, or didn't support those heroes, then they were a villain. Most taxing - I personally couldn't care for heroes myself. They did everything for the publicity and sometimes went so overboard that they destroyed more buildings than the villains, which ruined more lives than the one they saved. Did anyone ever think that without heroes, there would be fewer villains? Where there is good, there is evil to counter it. The strongest hero that seems impossible to destroy has a villain waiting for him in the dark - waiting to destroy his mark of peace.
It's an unpopular opinion, only because it's true.
That seemed to be the honesty hidden in every line of life's work. Doesn't matter, I suppose. And as I quickly dry my hair and put on the clothes placed on the sink counter, I know it's best to forget. Sometimes forgetting was God's best gift and the best ability within a human. Grabbing random shoes, I shoved my feet in them before moving to my door. I was a few miles away from any city, and it would take a few hours to get there by walking. I preferred the walk, though. I wouldn't run into any strangers for a long while, at least until I had to move into the streets.
Humming to a random song, I shove a wooden door open. It was only a short stretch away from my house, but it was the fastest travel-way out of the woods. Inside was a simple set of stairs, which lead down to a carefully carved and molded cave. I had spent years on my caves, working to find the best routes and the safest passage before summoning a few friends to help me. Inside the walls, I had connected a BlueTooth to play some music during my daily walks. So, as my feet stepped into the room, I let the rhythm guide my pace. I've always had a strange connection to music. Its beat would control my movements - how fast my feet followed one another, how fast I typed out anything on a computer, or how happy or dark my thoughts became. I hadn't noticed for a while until someone had pointed it out.
It was another reason people considered me to be odd.
As predicted, I stopped before a passage labeled 'UA's Town'. It had been a joke at the time, but it fits quite well. The heroes mostly graduated from UA, and they worked to protect this main city. Heaving a sigh, I climbed up the ladder before allowing my calloused fingers to push against the metal grate. To any outsiders, my passageways were simply another sewer within the dirty streets. Climbing out of the sewer, I was glad my Queen had given me leggings to keep underneath my skirt. I was also thankful the shoes I grabbed happened to be my favorite boots.
Because as soon as I stepped out of the tunnel, I was smacked into a wall. Apparently, I had to adapt my music so I could hear any commotion outside. I groaned in frustration before slowly standing up. In front of me stood some huge green slime monster. He was extremely ugly; his yellow teeth grinning at me and his wild eyes scanning me with a dangerous curiosity. I was simply going to leave - I really didn't need to deal with this, but then I saw a kid in his grip. I ignored the slime's monologue, looking at the boy. He was hopeless, trying to grab the mush between his fingers and create an airflow. He looked at me too, and slight hope sparked.
I hated it - I hated that this kid was looking upon me for help. He wanted me to be a hero. I scoffed but moved forward anyway.
"Once I'm done with this runt, it can be your turn. Just be patient," the slime's irritating voice sang out as I finally tuned in.
I simply sighed, looking up at the sky for strength. The tunnel I landed in was dark enough for this to work - but only long enough for a distraction. Oh god, I was going to regret this. Sighing again, I take another step forward. Right as the kid's muffled warning reaches my ears and green goo begins to crawl my way, I let my power surge. The tinted concrete lights up, reflecting a blue as delicate as the night sky. I allow my feet to leave the ground, calming my nerves and focusing on the task at hand. I need some help down here, buddies. Family night. Within seconds, the kid's released from the slime-man's grip. As he drops to the floor, I let a smirk settle on my lips. His eyes are wide with astonishment, and he stares from his spot on the floor, catching his breath.
Holding the creature at bay are two men, glowing in an ethereal blue with patterns showing brighter than the rest. They're decked out in old armor, yet it all seems to be in peak condition. I put my hand on the boy's shoulder, noticing his prone body. He jumps at my touch, tearing his attention away from the commencing fight, and looks upon me. I won't look at him, my energy slowly depleting as the sun continues to blare down on me. I'm pleased to know he understands when I nod my head to the exit of the cave though, especially as the boy begins to run. I wasn't so happy, however, when the slime-ass knocked over one of my warriors and sent him flying right in front of the shaking boy.
I cursed, moving the kid behind me as I fell into a fighting stance. My palms glowed, and my warriors retreated back to me. They surrounded the kid, preparing for an attack that would most definitely come. However, just before the slimy tendril could reach three inches from us, a fast blur knocked it off course.
"AllMight!" Midoryia screamed, his eyes alighting with adoration and relief.
"It's alright now, young man," AllMight spoke, a certain edge to his voice even as his smile stayed strong. "I am here."
I couldn't help the roll of my eyes. With a large, calming exhale and a nod to my friends, I released my powers. I fell to my knees, taking in deep breaths to keep me conscious. I hated using my friends like that, especially during the day. It was hard for everyone and always ended with me on sickbay until deemed healthy. Whatever, I wasn't going home until I finished what I started.
What was it I started? I froze, my brows furrowing and my head tilting as I looked back on my original intentions. I completely ignored the men around me as they conversed, focused on remembering what I was supposed to be doing at that moment. I hardly noticed as AllMight flew away, a screaming child clinging to his leg as I slowly walked out from under the bridge. I placed sunglasses over my eyes reflexively, but the bright light still made me grimace. Ah, what the hell. I'll just get breakfast, it'll come back at some point.
I found myself enjoying a nice muffin, strawberry milkshake, and bacon a few minutes later. I was watching the city through the window, still waiting for my memories to come back. I really needed to work on that, it was going to bite me on the arse one day. In the midst of scolding myself, I blocked out the world around me. The streets, the people, the cars - everything blurred together as I sucked myself in. My thoughts were just drifting to a nice book I once read when a sharp pain resonated from my arm. Blinking awake from my daydream, I finally register the hand resting on my shoulder.
Quickly tensing up, I glance at the hand on my shoulder until I catch the owner's eye. It was a woman - her green eyes held concern as she stared back at me, occasionally glancing at my arm. Her dark-chocolate skin contrasted greatly to her uniformed apron - it was blue, covering down to her mid-thigh, and it was covered in flour and random cooking supplies. She must've been the chef, considering how frowned upon it is to be messy while serving customers at a cafe. Snapping out of it, I look back up at her. She was asking me a question, her hand moving away from my shoulder to gesture at my arms.
Looking down, I finally understood why she kept glancing at them. Little shards of glass were sticking out of my arm, and trails of blood stained my pale skin. I felt transfixed by the way the blood flowed, like a river reaching for its enemies and yet merging together to reach a larger goal. However, I actually liked this lady's food. Last thing I need is her kicking me out or hating me because I stained her reputation. Quickly gathering napkins, I started cleaning the trails of blood that got too close to her table-top. Right as I was about to reach for more napkins, as the ones I held bled through, another hand joined me.
I didn't have time to protest as she grabbed the white fabric covering the table and started dabbing at my arms. Keeping my eyes down, I studied her hand's movements. She was careful, dabbing instead of wiping, and avoiding the big gashes whenever she could. And, just like before, she caught me off guard as she lifted me off my seat and moved me to the back.