Chapter 1: Unleashed Power

Amidst the throng of city-dwellers, Lucas Reynolds, a solitary figure, moved with a bowed head. His attire was nondescript, chosen to help him blend into the urban crowd. He wore well-worn jeans, scuffed sneakers, and a plain gray t-shirt that clung to his lean frame. Over his shoulders, a lightweight jacket hung loosely, its muted color seamlessly blending with the city's backdrop. The hood of his coat was drawn up, casting shadows over his features.

Every jostle and push from the teeming foot traffic sent a delicate shiver through Lucas, the sensation tingling at his fingertips. This feeling of unease compounded the pit that had been growing in his stomach since morning. Lucas's nose twitched, catching a new scent in the wind—a strange, heavy aroma. He had initially attributed it to the promised rain, but now it felt different, carrying a sense of nostalgia that added to his mounting nerves.

Shaking his head slightly, Lucas released a small sigh. He chided his anxiety, attributing it to the day's string of unfortunate events, nothing out of the ordinary in the chaotic streets of New York City. Lucas knew that this metropolis, often dubbed "the city that never sleeps," was a breeding ground for abrasive personalities. Though he too might be considered one of these abrasive individuals, he took pride in his ability to keep his darker side concealed. In his opinion, the human rats he walked among were often more ruthless than the vermin in the streets. A faint smile played on his lips as he ruminated on this irony—a smile that soon faded as the ominous rumblings of catastrophe echoed in the distance.

The deafening roar that followed those rumblings marked the city's cry for salvation. A colossal explosion erupted into a fiery tempest, shattering glass and quaking buildings. Panic spread like wildfire as terrified pedestrians scattered in all directions, seeking refuge from the impending chaos. Lucas felt the world grind to a halt around him. The pit in his stomach morphed into a web of doubt, which soon metamorphosed into pure fear as he felt it—the thrumming.

It yearned to be released, to break free, and Lucas knew it was a matter of time before he would have to let it out. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath in an attempt to steady his racing heart. Within the core of his being, he sensed the dormant power surging—a tempest of energy that longed for liberation. The cries of those around him intensified—the bewildered screams of children, the feeble attempts of parents to comfort their offspring in their last moments, and the prayers, diverse and desperate, ascending to the heavens, pleading for salvation.

As another thunderous shockwave raced toward him, Lucas made a choice. Instead of fleeing, he walked toward the visible ripple in the air. Extending his arms, palms open, he surrendered to the relentless energy coursing through him. The impact was a cataclysmic tsunami of force, threatening to tear him apart, yet he stood his ground, acting as a conduit for the kinetic energy surging within him. Every fiber of his being trembled as he absorbed the incomprehensible power, his body transformed into a channel for the relentless torrent. It was an experience both electrifying and terrifying, like a precarious dance on the edge of a hurricane.

Lucas felt his knees buckle, blood streaming from his nose and ears. Pain and an eerie euphoria clashed within him. He felt alive, yet death loomed ever nearer. The tremors that had initially gripped his knees spread to his torso and arms. He watched as the skin on his fingers began to peel and burn. The temptation to give up, to surrender to the overwhelming force, was almost unbearable. But then he heard it—a sound from behind.

Summoning every remaining ounce of strength, Lucas turned to look back at the civilians. Those who hadn't fled stood frozen in shock, their eyes filled with hope and awe, praying that he could save them. Lucas faced forward once more, summoning every shred of determination within him. He focused his will and unleashed the stored energy with a primal shout, his vocal cords straining against the tremendous effort. A concentrated burst of concussive force erupted from his outstretched fingertips, colliding with the incoming shockwave. The clash ignited a blinding spectacle of light and sound that seared through the senses. The two mighty forces battled in the city's heart, and Lucas sensed that the world was holding its breath.

Then, as swiftly as it had begun, the confrontation concluded, and Lucas emerged victorious. Silence settled over the stunned crowd that had gathered nearby. Their faces, previously etched with fear and confusion, now mirrored awe and gratitude. Lucas, drained of his energy, sank to his knees on the pavement, drenched in sweat and trembling. His eardrums had burst, leaving a painful ringing in his head. His throat ached, and he coughed up wads of blood that spilled from his lips in waves.

Lucas's once-brown eyes were now bloodshot, and his dark hair clung to his head in sweaty clumps. Strangers rushed toward him, some offering assistance, while others captured the astonishing scene with their smartphones. He gazed up at the faces of those he had saved, and a horrid realization washed over him. His upper clothes had been shredded during the encounter, leaving his face exposed.

In the distance, sirens wailed, signaling the arrival of emergency responders. The civilians turned in joy at the sound, anticipating rescue and relief. But Lucas looked on in fear. Despite the physical toll on his body, he shakily got to his feet. Those who came to help tried to reach out toward him, but he stumbled away, the crowd parting as he half ran, half limped into the nearest alley. He was blocks away from his apartment and desperately needed medical attention. Yet, that was not at the forefront of his thoughts.

All he could think about was one word: Run

Authors Note: Let me know what you think. First story ever so please be brutal if need be.