Enjoy.

He watched in quiet solitude as his dead countrymen were thrown into the fire. Embers flurried up from the crackling, charring wood, but the smell was the worst. Diseases could be spread so they had to burn the piling heap of bodies. He merely observed the lamenting crowd of mothers, fathers, and siblings. Sorrow hung in the air as if it were laced in the smoke of the ravaged youths, as if the fire realized their broken dreams, their broken promises.

He felt it in his breast, this feeling. A want, a desire perhaps? The scene before him maybe signaled a push? An urge to set forth and destroy the monster raging across the land blossomed, the same urge that led to the dead in front of him. He could never admit it though he had a look in his eye.

It was with a heavy heart that he stepped from the pillar he was leaning against, just as the names were being read.

He'd heard the tales of terror like all the rest had. Some force moved on the kingdom, killing and maiming in its wake. Tears pooled in his green eyes when he recognized some names of his townsfolk. Brave and young, so very young, challengers sought to purge the evil and become guiding lights to another era of peace. Most, if not all, had lost their lives.

"Izuku!" The voice lifted his thoughts from the darkness. "Izuku!" His eyes trailed up to a window of the castle in which his mother waved at him. Once she saw she had his attention she called, "Dinner will be late!"

He responds, "Alright, see you later Mom."

She smiles lovingly down at him. She's a maid in the castle and with all the people flooding in, she has that much more work. The town is booming with people who have nowhere else to go. Again that feeling riles within him, this urge. Honestly, it's becoming more of a need, the need to put his life on the line.

"Young man?" Once more he's lifted from his reverie. An older gentleman had called to him. Upon inspection Midoriya recognizes the blond and semi-decrepit man, with blue eyes twinkling from sunken recesses.

"All-," he checks himself, "Hi."

All Might smiles wistfully at the youth, "Come join me for tea." The two make their way through town and find All Might's home settled just outside the castle walls. It's small but cozy. Izuku accepts the tea graciously. "It's hard to see the destruction. It gets everyone itching to move." The green haired guest sips his tea guiltily, hanging on every word. "It has me itchy all over. I want to don my armor and fight for the kingdom, if only one last time."

"You can't! You're injured!" Izuku rose out of his chair so suddenly that some of his tea spilled.

"I know, I know." Still, he ventures, "But my reasons are nobody else's. I see it in you, my boy. You want to go."

Turning away, "I'm not ready."

"Isn't this the reason you came to me? So that you could one day set out with the makings of a hero? I have nothing left to teach you..." The older's eyes seem to sparkle more fervently, goading him on.

"B-But my mother, and-, and-"

"Enough. It's time to act. I want you to challenge the horde in my place. Listen... They're calling for a hero and I can no longer answer."

A sadness soon crept into his mentor's eye, and Midoriya felt it well up inside him. He couldn't just leave, but then why not? So many others had left and returned only to be burned to ash in the castle courtyard. Would he end up like that, or might he slay the evil? He desperately wanted to adventure and to combat the injustices of the world, which is why he came to the infamous All Might for help in training to fight.

It was by chance that he discovered All Might, a hero that saved the day every time a new villain sprouted or catastrophe was at hand. His magic had depleted in a fight against the Demon King, and he could only imbue himself with it sparingly. Izuku witnessed his heroic form and the change, but dared not run his mouth out of respect for the legend.

Yagi Toshinori was the man imbued with such power, and he merely went on living in quietude within the capital until he saw the heroic spirit of Midoryia Izuku, and agreed to take him as a pupil.

Midoryia mulled over so many thoughts before he sighs. Meeting the eyes of his teacher, he nods, "It's time to set out."

Toshinori smiles so brightly, "That's the spirit, young Midoriya. Set out, learn about the world, then save it. Be a hero."

Midoriya takes a deep breath before standing, and bowing, "Thank you for all that you've done for me." Those pesky tears sprang up, and a few escaped. He wipes them before straightening and exiting the home of his master.

That conspicuous feeling from before envelopes his entire being. All these years he's pushed it down, tried to ignore it, but All Might lit a fire under him today. He has to leave the protection of the citadel, and the familiar faces. He has to explore, and adventure. He has to chase after his dream!

When he arrives home, he starts packing. Then he prepares dinner for his mother. It's late in the evening when she returns. "Oh, what a lovely surprise Izuku."

Her son sat at their small dining table with the food laid out before him. He smiles amidst standing and holding out a chair for her as she sets her satchel down. "Welcome home, Mom." He couldn't hide the constipated vibe he was giving off as he sat back in his own chair.

"What's the occasion?"

"H-Huh? Well, s-since you insist... I, uh, um, wanted to talk to you about something..."

She remarks, "Oh, this is delicious! Can it wait, dear? I'm exhausted from today."

Izuku frowns, finishing a bite of his own food. Sighing, he shakes his head, "No, I'm-... I'm leaving." He waits for the impact of those words to strike her, but she doesn't realize the gravity of the situation.

"Where are you going? Off to visit one of your friends?"

"No, Mom, I mean I'm leaving the area. It's time to start my adventure."

She sets her utensil down and meets her son's emerald irises. "We've talked about this."

He refuses to back down. "I'm going to be a hero, it's time for me to set out. I'm ready, I have the training."

His mother stands, bracing herself on the table, "You don't have any magic. You're going to throw your life away. Are you going to make me wait until they bring back a limb of yours? I won't stand for it Izuku! That dreadful man has put these awful ideas in your head! Well, you have my answer, I won't support this decision."

Izuku replies sullenly, "I leave in the morning." He didn't know what to expect, but he never really foresaw ever getting his mother's approval. She'd told him countless legends and read him many stories in his youth, so much so that he dreamed of becoming a knight in shining armor, a hero. He was born without magic, unlike most of the townsfolk whom had a little. It often earned him the attention of bullies around his neighborhood, but he'd still dream big despite his disadvantage. He learned swordsmanship instead, and he was skilled thanks to All Might's tutelage.

At the end of dinner, his mother finally stood, she walked beside her seated son and placed her hand on his shoulder, "If you must, then go. I love you." With that, she went to bed. Izuku found himself crying. This wouldn't hold him back any longer. It is time.

The early morning air left Izuku in a brisk mood. Despite her fuss, his mother gave him a hug at the door and wasn't afraid to let him see her cry. He set off through the quiet town to the markers of its entrance. Turning back to the rolling hills and the castle in the distance, with the great outer walls containing the small hovels and places of business, his home, he takes a deep breath and faces forward to start his adventure.

A figure in the distance behind him, however, remarks, "A gift for your journey, young Midoriya. Use it wisely." He points at Izuku's receding back, and a flash of light shoots forth across the great expanse like an arrow made of sun. It disappears into Izuku, none the wiser, before the figure laughs heartily. "Now, I have nothing left to give you." He smiles that shining smile. It comes from deep within, but it also has the essence of smiling to face the fear in his heart. A slight breeze carries the dust away and the man heralded as All Might disappears.

Izuku travels a great distance, but his excitement eventually gives way to trepidation and doubt. The further he gets from home, the greater his muddled thoughts.

Sweat beads at his brow as he strides up a long slope. The mountains he has to cross stand intimidating in the distance. He reaches the top of the hill and is thankful for a breeze and the view. The way the sun's rays are making the snow glisten in the distance takes his breath away. He wonders what creatures he might find in the forests below. His excitement rekindles as he imagines powerful mages, knights, and dare he say it? He wants to meet a dragon!

Continuing his long trek, he passes a few wooden homes on the way to the forest path. Just as the opening in the trees becomes clear, a man from behind calls, "Stay on the path in those woods, traveler! All the way to the plains! Ya hear!?"

Midoriya waves at him, "Thanks for the advice, sir!"

He's nearing the now foreboding trees and he hears, "I mean it, one foot on the path at all times, you'll be lost forever!"

Izuku enters the forest, trembling at the farmer's words. He's nervous and shaken, but he's heard the stories of the Reaping Wood. People go missing every year within them, and those who make it out tell stories of ghastly figures, ferocious beasts, and inhuman calls for help. "Always make the journey when the sun is out," they always say, "Because the Reaper comes out at night."

His inexperienced heart thunders in his chest as he cautiously makes his way. The trees and shrubbery seem to besiege him in hostility, and the dense canopy sucks most sunlight before it reaches the forest floor. The green is so black, with the small opening behind him affording less light as he continues.

Snap!

Izuku freezes at the sound... His anxious eyes dart around his gloomy surroundings. He inches forward, a quivering hand resting on his sword hilt. He swears he feels the breath of the beast on his ear when he hears a low growl. It echoes from every which way in the wood. Still, Izuku recalls his mentor's instruction, "No matter the fear in your heart, accept it, and overcome it with a reassuring smile. Never let your fear control you."

Izuku closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, and upon opening them he finds the wood a little lighter than he previously thought. Offering a quivering smile, he proceeds.

Then of course he has to actually hear bracken moving as something charges. He draws his sword and discerns a large feline running to pounce. It slows to block the path in front of him.

Gleaming green eyes stare at him and it flashes white canines when it roars. It takes a menacing step forward and Izuku greets, "You're a beautiful cat, but I won't show mercy."

He never knew what kind of creatures he might meet, but a panther wasn't what he had in mind. A bear, wolves, or even a mountain lion are common, but he's never heard of such a large black cat roaming these parts. Then again, maybe no one's ever lived to tell the tale.

Its sleek pelt shimmers even in low lighting. After Izuku speaks, its ear twitches and it steps off the path to trot away from the young man. Izuku watches it go with a raised brow, "What-just-happened..." He starts to mutter to himself, over-analyzing the beast and his own sanity. It was going to kill him but didn't? Why?

He tries to let the matter go and ascends to the colder regions of the wood. This area is known for wolf attacks, but Izuku is lucky to get through without another encounter. In fact, he witnesses a white rabbit settled beneath a barren tree. It watches him go with pricked ears.

Little does he know that the rabbit shifts to a cloaked figure stepping onto the path behind him. A feminine figure peeks from beneath a pink hood as she peers around a tree.

"You're right, he is different from the usual traveler."

The panther from before stalks beside her; it shifts to a young man with the head of a black bird, "There's something about him. The way he overcame his fear when I was messing with him surprised me, that routine usually sends everyone running to get out."

"Well, the least I can do is make sure he has a safe passage through this forest."

Her companion nods, "Except that he's only going to meet more danger."

The female mage smiles as she moves to follow their intriguing fellow. Her yellow beaked friend remarks, "I'm going to meet up with the Rogues, see if they might be interested in taking in another." He waits for a response but finds his female compatriot too preoccupied. Releasing a clear and resounding whistle, he summons his partner. The great beating of black wings descends and swoops by so its master can hop aboard, "See you, Uraraka."

She waves lighthearted, then rushes to close some of the distance between her and Izuku.

Izuku, meanwhile, heard the whistle but ignored it. Moving forward one step at a time, he eventually reached the end of the forest after five hours of walking. He breathed a sigh of relief when met with the sight of serene green plains. He smiles back at the wood, "Can't help feeling I was being watched heh." Shaking off the feeling, he marches on.

Izuku rests periodically throughout his journey before coming across a town in the distance. Just as dawn encroaches, the small grouping of houses appears ever closer.

The wooden frames on the houses seem rotten when Izuku nears the stone gateway bordering the path to the town. He's just about to step foot inside when someone stops him, "Halt!"

Izuku reels from the surprise momentarily, "Y-Yes!" He spins around to come face to face with a knight. The armored man removes his helmet and Izuku calms at the human, a young man probably around his age.

"I would go around this village, traveler, it is plagued and the inhabitants may spread their disease."

Izuku faces the village once more, a crease at his brow. He notes the dinghy conditions and the tense atmosphere. If it's a sickness, is there a cure? He's not a doctor but surely someone is doing something to help these people?

"I have done my duty and warned you, now I must be away."

Midoriya flinches at the rigid gestures of the man before getting used to it. His emerald eyes find their way back to the quaint village. He's a long way from the demon's advance, but his kind heart stays him. As he considers his options, a little boy wanders out and collapses on the path. Midoriya calls, "Hey!" He rushes inside despite the objections of the knight. Sliding to a kneel beside the boy, Midoriya picks the child up in his arms as a look of the utmost suffering stabs Izuku's heart.

"Mom... Dad... Where...?" The child shudders weakly and has tears in his eyes. He grips onto Izuku's shirt as this black blight crawls further across his face.

Midoriya holds him as if he were a newborn, "Hey..."

"It hurts," the child breathes, shuddering involuntarily.

"Kouta-chan." Midoriya's eyes find a young maiden, with the black skin at her neck and chest. She wears a green apron with red and white flowers at the hem, and underneath it is a white and red skirt frilled at the end. Her white undershirt has balloon sleeves under a dark green corset with a similar design of flowers.

Midoriya asks, "What is this?"

The woman in maid's wear stares at the stranger, concern edges her voice, "You shouldn't be here. No one comes through here, you'll get sick."

Midoriya stands with the wheezing child in his arms, a look of determination across his face, "Tell me everything you know, I want to help."

Tears form in the shorter lady's eyes, and a blush touches her cheeks, "Really?" A hand at her chest steadies her hopeful heart, and she responds almost with an air of indifference, "A demon came through a few months ago, and those who tried to fight it were struck with the illness. It spread throughout the village, and has claimed many already, including Kouta-chan's parents."

Midoriya cradles Kouta; he's a very young boy who has known too much suffering already. The lady continues, touching a finger to her chin and tilting her head, "If anyone is going to help us, it'll be a powerful mage." She quakes suddenly and begins to slide down the wall she's propped against. Yet, her eyes widen at being held up by the strange vagabond.

He smiles at her, "There's a powerful mage in the Reaping Wood I've heard. I'll find them and come back. For now, let's get you two to bed."

"What's your name?"

"Midoriya Izuku." She points them in the direction of her shack and he helps them inside.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Midoriya-chan, I'm Asui Tsuyu, but you can call me Tsuyu."

Izuku smiles nervously... Tsuyu? Call her Tsuyu? His heartbeat thunders in his chest, he couldn't possibly! Fighting his nerves, Izuku shakily responds, "Nice to meet you, Tsuyu-san." His breath all but leaves him, as he can't believe he just did that. All the folks back home generally only spoke to him for his masonry and help constructing their stonework homes. Other than that, the women were encouraged to look elsewhere for fear of a child with him turning out with his magicless condition in these trying times.

Once the two are settled, Midoriya leaves his fellow green haired friend and the boy. He wears a small frown at the wonder if Tsuyu would also avoid him if she knew his condition. Would her hopes be dashed if she knew? Stepping outside the village, he's accosted by the knight.

"Did you hear me calling you?! That was dangerous, hopefully you weren't infected."

Izuku smiles, "I saw Kouta-kun collapse and my feet just moved. I'm going to try to help these people."

The awkward knight stares at the kind conviction of this stranger, "I'm off to vanquish the demon horde, but I will lend you a hand."

Izuku smiles brightly, "You don't have to."

"It's what a hero would do."

The knight begins walking toward the forest with Izuku beside him. "I'm Iida Tenya, by the way."

"Midoriya Izuku."

And despite the growing darkness, the two are on a mission with a time crunch, bravely making their way to the Reaping Wood.

A/N: Hope y'all enjoyed :)

This will be cross-posted on my Ao3 account, so if you prefer that site layout, you can read on there!