A Small Rest

Estelle didn't know what day it was when she returned to the dorms. She had attempted to fly back, but after she tumbled from the sky a second time, Estelle had resolved to herself that she could walk it. The voyage was difficult; her body strained under the pressure of battle to the point it appeared to her like she was dreaming.

If she had the stamina, she would have noticed some of the looks she had gotten from the few passersby that had bumped into her. The faint calls barely made it past her ringing ears, alerting her that they must have tried to communicate with her fragile state. But Estelle couldn't stop; she needed to reach her destination, so all her focus was applied to placing one foot in front of the other.

She had never anticipated a battle with a Hypnos would turn out this way. When Estelle discovered that the Hypnos was a means to draw her out, it was too late to retreat, which signified that they had to fight their way out. It was a complete disaster; her only focus throughout her time on the field was the hungry beasts that rushed forward in the heat of combat.

Estelle couldn't remember night from day; her determination not to become fodder had become so prevalent that the days melded together. Her squads had created a rotation for situations where they were overwhelmed so that the injured could be supported. But the enemy numbers were so extreme that she had to be left out of her rotation. She needed to be on the front lines to maintain the tide, and her efforts paid off eventually. But, goddamn, was she drained of everything she had in the process.

The warrior never needed to be on the battlefield consistently for a prolonged time. However, she never lacked the numbers she does now. It reminded her as she fought that no matter how many soldiers she rescued, it would never be enough when Nyx had unlimited access to her world. But it didn't matter now; she would think about that later. Estelle required sleep. She wanted a bed. She had no idea how long she had before she needed to return to the battleground.

The sun was straining her eyes when she finally blundered through the doors of Height's Alliance. Estelle had tried to straighten up her body, a merger attempt to not look like death incarnate, but only found herself wincing at the spark of pain up her back. Squinting her eyes over to the elevator, the female braced herself as she tried to make her way to the metal doors, the goal chanting in her mind to keep her unfocused mind on her task.

Propelling her sore feet forward with the promise of some rest, Estelle lifted each leg like it weighed a thousand tons, ignoring the wobble in her balance as she tried to persist. Finding herself suddenly halted, the general frowned as she pushed onwards, a light groan leaving her lips when she realised she was failing such a simple assignment. Why the hell wasn't she getting any closer?!

The white noise ringing in her ears seemed to muffle slightly as a voice began to pierce through the fog in Estelle's mind. Moving her head upwards as slowly as a turtle, Estelle was met with daggering ruby eyes filled with so much venom that any average human would have winced. Estelle did not react, her head tilting when his voice reached her again. "Goddammit! Can't you hear us, woman?!"

Like a switch that had been flicked, Estelle peeked downwards as she noted that the blonde had been holding her back from completing her mission. Withering that he had been the reason for her failure, the warrior forced some energy into her arm, weakly pushing his hand away so she could continue her journey. 'Not now, Katsuki. Bed.'

The grip on Estelle's chest constricted instead, pulling her back to redirect her attention to his infuriated gaze. His chest raced up and down in an attempt to contain himself. It clearly didn't work as he finally trembled, "You think this is some kind of joke!? It's been five days!"

Furrowing her brows, Estelle pursed her lips as the words had difficulty sinking into her hazed senses. She was astonished that she was still lucid since everything looked slightly tilted in her brain. It was as if the female wasn't here, standing in front of him, but instead was looking through a glass separating her from everyone else. It was a little perplexing, but she reduced it to sleep deprivation. Nevertheless, she attempted to respond, "Hm?"

"Nobody would tell us where you were! You made us worry sick!"

Finally feeling some semblance of reality and understanding somewhere in her brain, Estelle extended her hand, placing it on his shoulder. She had no clue if she was trying to console him or brace herself so she wouldn't topple over. The warrior would assume the latter considering nothing within her was telling her to comfort him. But, as she witnessed his chest quiver, she pushed on to prevent further conflict. She had no time for this; she had to gain strength to return to the fight. This was her duty.

"Kat-"

"You could have been dead, and we would have no idea! Seriously, where the fuck were you?!"

Blinking rapidly to prevent the corner of her sights from darkening, Estelle seared all the brainpower she had to scour Katsuki's concerned wrath, which held an evident undercurrent of fear. Couldn't he see the state she was in? Estelle had no desire to make him feel better, not when every inch of her body shrieked for her to collapse and finally rest her mind from the mayhem it had just seen. And so, using the hand on his shoulder, Estelle tried to remove him from her vicinity again.

The push was futile, only furthering Katsuki's explosion as he opened his mouth to bellow at her again. Cutting him off with a sigh, Estelle bit back her annoyance, her tone a controlled calm as she murmured, "I've been in battle. My devices died; there was no way to contact anyone."

Katsuki seemed to lose all the fight within his chest as he viewed Estelle with staggering disbelief. He moved fast, using the arm wrapped around her (when did that get there?) to pull her to the couch. It felt like a blink of an eye before she was placed onto a seat. His yelling vanished as she relished in relief, her eyes closing to the feeling of her aching pain lightening up on her as the pressure of standing faded.

"-You've been fighting this whole time?!"

Estelle couldn't give a verbal answer, her head bobbing half-heartedly as she soaked in the sensation of sitting. Everything still hurt like hell, but this was a gift compared to what she was feeling moments ago. She barely caught the muffles in the background as her body sagged into his, her head rolling to his shoulder as her mind soared to the skies.

She could feel her senses crash back to reality as her head jerked forward, her eyes snapping open to gaze up at the cause. Finding Katsuki frowning at her like she had watched episodes of bake-off without him, the female stared in puzzlement as she tried to decipher what was leaving his mouth. "-eaten at all?"

"Hm?"

"Have you eaten at all, Estelle?!"

"Busy."

Snarling like a rabid dog from Estelle's frail answer, Katsuki's piercing eyes stared ahead momentarily as he clenched his jaw. Shuffling on the couch like he was about to lunge upwards to smack a bitch, he eventually snapped, "Tch, fucking spirits. Those soul suckers."

Despite her mind begging her to stop thinking and hole up in her dorm for the next ten years, she found herself listening to her own words like they were coming from someone else. Perplexed by her tone of admonishment as she muttered Katsuki's name, she found the glare directed at the spirits swiftly turn to her.

"Was it a lie?! Those damn bastards don't even realise your human too!"

Unsure of why she was reasoning with him when she could care less about the topic at this point in time, Estelle felt like a third party to the conversation as she continued to listen to herself talk. "S'not their fault. I was doing my duty. I could last moons without eating."

Katsuki could only manage a few convulsive breaths as he tried composing himself. His arm, still wrapped around her, tautened, squeezing her so tightly that she knew he was barely restraining the eruption. Thankfully, he appeared distracted as Iida brought the duo a plate filled to the brim with food, his hand darting to the dish with enough vexation it could have flung out of his hand and hit the wall behind them.

Jerking his body to face her fully, the student kept his scowl on his face as he moved at the speed of light. Shovelling food in her mouth without giving her a second to breathe, he hollered, "Shut up! You experienced what it was like to be healthy for the first time, brat! It wasn't acceptable then, and it's not acceptable now! Swallow!"

Estelle had no choice but to consume the food at the rate he was going, considering he would have suffocated her otherwise. The second the nourishment hit her stomach, Estelle slouched as her abdomen groaned for the world to hear. Having no visible reaction to her body's clangour, Estelle opened and closed her mouth accordingly as Katsuki viciously stuffed the dish down her throat.

Her mind seemed to float within her head, unable to stick to reality as she relied on feasting. It gave her something simple to focus on, and she learned it was needed after the difficult decisions she had made the last few days.

She hadn't noticed the rest of her classmates who had surrounded the doorway and had pursued the duo into the living room. She was unaware of the palpable relief and concern filling the area as they observed her depleted state. She hadn't even realised that they had tried speaking to her; Katsuki's yelling was the only thing that seemed to reach her numbed thoughts.

And so, when Momo strolled back into the room after grabbing a tub of water, the last thing the class had expected to detect was the sight of a metal katana glinting in the light as the student dropped it at her feet. Freezing at the scene, the group could feel the tension skyrocket as they goggled at Estelle, pointing the metal to one of her friends.

Momo was utterly frozen, staring at Estelle with apprehension yet harbouring a comforting smile as the katana lightly touched the nape of her neck. She was too nervous about moving, unsure how Estelle would react to such a fashion when she was clearly in disarray. Nobody spoke as they eyed the otherworldly hero, uncertain of the best course of action to take with someone who understandably was on high alert.

Broken from their watch when the sound of a utensil clunked against a plate, their attention shifted to the male on Estelle's right, instantly catching the solemn expression lining his features. They could only observe as Katsuki moved, his hand slowly inching towards the fingers locked around the katana like a lifeline. Gently pressing down on it, he slowly worded, "Estelle, you okay? Still with us?"

Estelle blinked rapidly as she focused on Momo, her previously unfocused eyes returning to the present as recognition flooded her globes. At the sight of her return, the students could feel their shoulders unwinding as her katana finally pointed towards the ground, their vision zoning into the fact that Estelle had looked away. Their previous concern only festered when she finally said, "I apologise. I should never have raised my weapon against you. I...don't know what happened."

Giving a sweet smile, Momo quickly assured, "It's okay. I know you'd never hurt us."

Estelle studied the expression, the smile hitting her oddly that she had no idea what to do. Eventually landing on a nod, Estelle diverted to Katsuki for more food like the incident had never transpired. She could finally discern some energy coming back to her after some sustenance, but it was evident by the bags under her eyes that she was nowhere close to where she needed to be.

"Give me that."

"Hm?" Estelle questioned, perplexed by the demanding male beside her.

"Give me your whats-it-called sword, woman!"

"No."

Throwing his silverware down again, the male leaned forward, his raging eyes so pronounced that the atmosphere around him blackened. "I'm not taking no for an answer. Give. It. To. Me."

"Why?!" Estelle rebuked, upset that he was adamant about taking her safety away.

"Because I'm not talking to my Estelle right now, am I?"

The students following the discussion broadened their eyes, their mouths dropping as everything suddenly clicked in their heads. Was that why she was acting so oddly? It was as if she had been completely wiped off her personality. It was as if she had reverted to the beginning of this year. There hadn't been a single remark about pyjamas or how Katsuki acted like an overgrown guard dog. Her demeanour had been all wrong since she entered this place.

"What are you talking about?"

"Who are you?!" Katsuki prodded, his face leering inches away from her as he waited for the answer he was looking for.

The words that left her mouth were swift, cruising as if it was acting on their own accord, just like they had done before. "A warrior."

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

Taking a deep breath as if he had known all along, Katsuki slanted backwards, his hand raising up in gesture as he continued, "Give me the sword, Estelle. You don't need to be a warrior right now."

Estelle knew what he was trying to say. She could feel it in her bones that something had changed inside her. But the difference was welcomed, and she had no fight to pretend right now, not when everything looked like it was behind a heatwave.

It was strange for her to experience. Her life before was filled with emptiness; the emotions she felt were negative or dull. But, when she began spending time with a class that encouraged such feelings, she could not stop herself from reciprocating it. Having that suddenly cut off like a pair of scissors to a string was even stranger, but it was wholeheartedly embraced.

Estelle had feared that her inability to move past the memories in her mind would have impacted her ability to be a general. She had worried that when the time came, she wouldn't even be able to pick up her katana as she fell under the pressure of it all.

It was a comfort to know she still had it within her to do what needed to be done. It didn't matter that a quarter of her combatants had just faded from the fight or how she had to slit the throat of some of her soldiers who were too injured to carry on. It didn't matter that the woman who wailed for her children had blamed Estelle before she willingly ran towards a werewolf like a sacrificial lamb. Estelle had fulfilled her duty.

Estelle was okay, tremendous, knowing that she could still do what needed to be done, and the guilt was not there to rip her apart. But, the way the class looked at her made her think twice. If it didn't matter, why were they staring at her like she was on her deathbed?

"I'm just doing what needs to be done," she replied, hoping they would take that and understand where she was coming from.

"And what? You're just going to suffer the consequences afterwards?" Shoto butted in, his arms folding as he narrowed his eyes at the healing female.

Irritated that they were attempting to rationalise this to her, Estelle could feel her shackles rising as she criticised, "What else do you expect me to do? Lose?"

"Estelle, Bakugo is right. You don't need to do that now; you aren't in battle. We're just concerned for you; we care about you. We don't want you to suffer even more than you already have."

Floored by the words, the wind under Estelle's sails was suddenly taken from her, her body automatically slumping as her sleeplessness returned like a battering truck. They didn't understand that Estelle was relieved she could feel nothing again. She didn't want to feel right now; she couldn't do it to herself.

"Yeah, we just want you to be safe and happy! You're our friend, and you look out for us and tell us how it is! So, even if you must shut your feelings out for the war, we don't want you to shut it out with us! We're here for you, always!" Ochako chimed in, her hands lifted in passion as she stepped forward.

But why did their soft words feel like they were coaxing her shuttered walls open? Estelle didn't want that, not right now. Who knows what would happen if she did? Would the warrior still be able to fight? What if she couldn't shut it off again?

"You deserve better than that. You are not a machine like that disgusting spirit used to call you. You are Estelle," Toyoyami murmured into the quiet, his peaceful gaze hitting Estelle like a ton of bricks.

Feeling something deep flicker inside her, Estelle bit her lip and gave a silent nod. Slowly reaching down to pick up her katana, the female slid it over to Katsuki, avoiding his eyes as he bobbed to himself in approval. The rest of the class smiled at the action, aware that this was her way of telling them she was listening.

They were glad. They wanted Estelle to know she was safe with them. She wasn't just a warrior anymore; she was Estelle, a girl who didn't know about cameras until a few months ago, loved animals and movies, and made awful puns. A girl who grew up in appalling circumstances yet still managed to care for the people around her in her own way. She was their friend.

Katsuki, who had remained hushed by her side, seemed to be losing more patience as the conversation continued. The only reason he allowed it to linger this long was that he knew the otherworldly female needed to hear it, but now, it was his turn, and then he was putting her to sleep, dammit.

So, lunging to his feet, the blonde dragged Estelle into his arms, holding her bridal style as he strutted towards the elevator. He blatantly ignored the sputters of the classmates behind him, his eyes falling on the woman who was trying her best to escape his grasp. "You don't need to hold me," she muttered flimsily once she conceded she would not win.

"Shut up," He grunted in response, no room for argument within his demeanour as he leaned over to smash the button for their floor.

Silently waiting for the elevator to move, Estelle sagged as she tipped her head against katsuki's chest, the lull of his heartbeat soothing her enough for her eyes to close. She could feel him rocking her back and forth lightly, the shuffling of his feet noiseless against the ground as she could finally sense the beginnings of slumber wash over her.

Dazed under the feeling her body and mind had been begging for, Estelle huddled into the warmth of his body as the first sensation of relaxation flowed through her body. She couldn't think, and she was glad not to. She just wanted to stay there in the blanket of warmth as the smell of sweetness and spice engulfed her senses.

"You freak."

"Hm?" Estelle mumbled feebly, confused as her head cruised back to examine the ruby-eyed male who refused to look down at her.

"The hell you sniffing me for?"

Utterly perplexed by the question, her half-lidded eyes goggled at Katsuki like he was insane. The haze in her mind was too strong, and she found herself shrugging as she muttered, "Smell nice."

Snorting, Katsuki shook his head at the woman before retorting, "Yeah? Well, you smell like shit."

"Oh."

"You idiot!" the male barked, "You smell like shit because you've been outside for days! I'm not saying you smell like shit all the time!"

Feeling another flicker of something within her heart, Estelle merely observed the male as he looked away, his rosy cheeks in full view as he jittered on his feet. Eventually, hearing the elevator ding, he stepped out and continued hurriedly. "I mean, it's not like I know. I wasn't the one sniffing me like a goddamn dog."

Disliking his terminology, Estelle grunted as she slouched like she was about to doze off again, "Don't say it like that. You smell nice; it's not my fault."

"Yeah? what do I smell like?"

Her eyes were closed as she wondered if they had made it to her bedroom, a soft answer leaving her lips that made him halt. "You smell sweet and spicy."

'Like home.'

Katsuki's grip tightened, his steps faltering momentarily as the words rang out in his mind like a sweet symphony. He couldn't stop the electricity from surging throughout his body, the back of his neck feeling so hot he wouldn't be surprised if it exploded. Biting back the urge to scream in her face, he took a plunging, shuddering breath when he reminded himself that the woman in his arms was sleep-deprived and probably had no idea what had just left her lips. Did she seriously just say that?!

'But wouldn't her current state stop her from having a filter?' his mind whispered condescendingly, yanking at his soul in a million different ways. He needed to distract himself.

"You're showering, and then your sleeping."

Groaning a little at the thought of standing up in a shower, Estelle bit back the urge to whine like a child, a low mutter leaving her lips that sounded an awful lot like a complaint. "Noo."

Baring his teeth, Katsuki could feel the flame in his globes as he spewed, "You stink! Seriously, I'm suffocating in your fumes! I can't cuddle a sack of dung!"

Knowing he was right, Estelle prevented the pout from forming as she answered, "I should be offended, but I can smell myself."

Huffing a brief chuckle, Katsuki turned his head to focus on the pathway ahead, satisfied that he could see more of Estelle than before. She was coming back to him, slowly but surely, and he couldn't deny that he was a little smug that all she needed was their presence. "I'll grab your clothes."

As he dropped her off in front of the bathroom entrance, Estelle allowed the hum of acknowledgement to leave her lips before she headed into the shower, eager to feel the grime leaving her skin for the first time in a while despite the pain of it all.

On the other side, Katsuki quickly rushed into her bedroom, dragging out her nightwear before stilling at the wooden cabinet before him. Shaking his arms frantically, the male could barely hold himself together as he exclaimed, "Should I be getting underwear?! Is this underwear!?"

Feeling hysteria claw at him as he tried to figure out the right thing to do, the buildup in his mind left him feeling like he was about to cover the walls in black. Frustrated at his own hesitancy, he eventually blurted. "Gahh! Be a man!" before tugging the handle with enough force, it nearly flew onto the bed.

Flushing, Katsuki raised the chest binding from its place, his brain short-circuiting on the fact the woman didn't wear a bra before grabbing some panties like they were on fire. Scurrying away, he slammed the door shut, a sigh of solace leaving him as he strutted into the hallway.

Dropping it outside the bathroom, Katsuki gave a light knock on the wood as he listened to the faint sound of water splattering on the tiles. "Your clothes are by the door. You okay?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Knowing that was probably a lie, Katsuki withered as he waited for a few doors down, looking away when she opened the bathroom door to grab her clothes. Her shower was short, and the blonde wasted no time tugging the female into his arms again as he beelined for her dorm room and bed.

He moved like lightning once he lowered her onto the bed like a sack of flowers, the shape of his body practically becoming translucent as he dashed around her to get her comfortable and tucked in. Estelle could only observe in bewilderment, the internal question popping in her brain that maybe she was now dreaming of his super speed. Yet, when he finally stopped, he had gotten under the covers, his arms covering her abdomen as he tugged her closer.

Katsuki watched her frame as Estelle lay there like a dead log, her eyes examining the roof in a way that made his heart tug. Frowning at the fact that she was still on high alert despite her eyes trying to close on her, he mumbled, "C'mere."

Descending his hand to grab her thigh, Katsuki was slow as he pulled it over his, wrapping her leg around him as their chests touched. She tensed under the motion, her hands stilling as if unsure what to do with herself. Breathing her clean scent, Katsuki soughed as he felt her rigid body lay against his own, his hand attempting to soothe her as they traced patterns across her back.

The movement seemed to comfort her enough for her shoulders to sink, eventually melting into his like a puzzle piece. Biting back the urge to grin at the truth that she was back in his arms, Katsuki compensated for the emotion by pulling her closer. It had been days. It had been the longest he had been apart from her since they had entered UA, and Katsuki had been through the wringer wondering how she was.

God, he never wanted to feel that type of dread again. The inability to sleep as his mind ran sick under her unknown whereabouts, how he felt alone during the evenings, and how empty it was without her. Katsuki was selfish; he wanted her back completely, so her shutting out her emotions was not on the table for him. He could understand why she did it, it had been a gruelling battle, but he feared the idea of her shutting them out for good. He couldn't allow it.

Feeling her body unwind under the comforting hold, Estelle bit back the sound of amazement as the cold sensation lingering in her bones since the Hypnos arrived had finally faded under the blistering warmth of Katsuki. She had never expected such relief or affection to suddenly pour out of her very being as Katsuki began to hum absentmindedly in her ear.

It felt like home.

Snapping her closing eyes open at how she was curling around him like a cat, Estelle dialled back like she had been struck. Her face, mirroring slight horror, observed the serene male as he continued his affection like her reaction had never happened. "How did you do that?"

"Hah?"

"I... never mind," Estelle muttered, assuring herself it must have been a fluke as she fell back into his embrace.

Feeling like he had struck gold, Katsuki smirked like he had won a trophy as he leaned forward. "What is it, sweetie? Want more affection of sum'fin?"

"No."

"Liar," He snickered, bending forward to peck her forehead like he had done a hundred times before.

Initially squirming under his touch, Estelle lounged under the affection, her eyes shutting to the sentiment of him surrounding her like he was her own bubble. Estelle liked her bubbles. It really did feel nice, especially after the last few days. And so, as he continued peppering kisses on her temple, Estelle finally fell asleep under the calming heat and safeness of it all.

Katsuki watched, satisfied at her peaceful face as her breath finally evened out.

Katsuki hadn't even realised he had dozed off until his eyes peeled open at the sound blaring in his ear. Batting away at the noise as if it would magically make it disappear, the blonde groaned in annoyance as he pulled himself away from Estelle, who clutched onto him like a lifeline. Darting his eyes to the clock, he registered how it had only been a few hours since Estelle had returned. No wonder she hadn't flinched at the blaring in the room; she was dead to the world currently.

Looking around in a stupor to find the cause of the racket, Katsuki's eyes fell onto the desk, a scowl blooming when he recognised the device as Estelle's. Stumbling out of bed, hoping to turn the damn thing off before she woke up, the teen scrambled to the phone, pausing at the name plastered across it.

'Ugly brute.'

Remembering how Estelle called Endeavour the insult daily, Katsuki struggled briefly as his thumb hovered over the decline button. Cursing as he decided to pick up in case it was significant, the male figured that relaying the information when Estelle was rested was the least he could do.

"What is it?" He grumbled, his voice still filled with sleep as he delayed for the right moment to tell the hero to get lost.

"Bakugo?! Where is Estelle?!"

Straightening from the stark tone, Katsuki glanced at the female serenely resting, mirroring a silent call for him to return to her side. "Sleeping like a log. Do you need something, or what?"

"Wake her up!"

Glowering at the demand, Katsuki could immediately feel the inferno burning in his stomach as he snapped, "Hah? Hell no! She needs her sleep; you can wait a few more hours!"

Endeavour paused at the male's response, his evident sigh reaching across the line. It immediately placed Katsuki on edge, his shoulders tensing as he waited to hear the news the hero was struggling to voice. "I can't. Multiple cities are under attack! The sky is open! It's a mess! We need Estelle and her army to handle it. Wake her up, now!"

Startled by the news and the strength in Endeavour's voice, Katsuki raised his fingers to the bridge of his nose in frustration. Clenching the phone in his other hand, the teen forced himself to dial back before the device was crushed in his hand. He couldn't believe it. Estelle had only just returned and hadn't even started recovering, and here they were, telling him to be the one to inform her that she had to return to the battlefield.

He was furious, red-hot adrenaline pumping blood around his body like a turbine. Estelle hadn't even begun to recover, and she was supposed to go out there?! This was the last thing she needed right now! Cursing anybody who may be listening, Katsuki snarled as his eyes fell on the sleeping female again. This was fucked. He didn't want to do this.

Knowing he had no choice only made his stomach twist violently, his jaw clenching so tightly that it cramped up in pain. Hissing through his teeth, he responded, "Give me a minute!"

Heading to her sleeping frame, Katsuki clenched his fist before taking the leap, his fingers shaking from how much he wanted to explode at the situation. Controlling his movements, so he wasn't startling her awake, Katsuki observed as Estelle slowly slurred, her eyes barely opening as she tried to sit up. "What'is it?"

Taking a trembling breath as he witnessed the bags under her eyes, Katsuki's voice was hoarse from how taut it was as he answered somberly, "I'm sorry, Estelle. But, they need you."

Katsuki watched her eyes burst open, her hand reaching out for the phone he carried in avid concern. The male had half a mind to chuck the device out of the damn window from the sight of it, the tethers of his brain snapping at the idea of her fighting like this. She was exhausted, dammit! She couldn't fight well like this!

Knowing there was no option, he voicelessly handed the phone over, glaring at the tiny rectangle held against her ear as Endeavour shouted through the speaker. His words were muffled, but it was unmistakable that his hasty nature was enough indication that things weren't going well. The premise was only solidified when Estelle leapt out of bed, her eyes darting for her gear aimlessly as she hung up on the hero.

She had forgotten about his presence, yanking off her clothes in a frenzy as her other hand searched for her gear. Feeling a flush on his cheeks, the training hero could only look away as she dressed before him.

The moment she was fully clothed, her feet rushed out of the dorm room as she headed downstairs. Katsuki could only follow. His eyes could not leave her back as she scurried through corridors, low mutters leaving her lips as she tried to figure out her thoughts. "Why isn't it ringing? Why isn't it ringing?!"

Nonplused, Katsuki opened his mouth to question her, only to find himself stopping at the alarm bells surrounding them as if they came from the skies. Finding the answer he was searching for, the training hero could only wonder if it meant spirits had breached UA.

By the time she reached the entrance, the rest of the class in the living room had migrated to the stairs, knowing Estelle would be heading directly for them. The sight of her caused them to brighten, the beginnings of a query leaving their lips before they were halted by Estelle's commands.

"Inform Mr Aizawa that it's a code red! Help with Evacuations if necessary! Go, now!" Estelle shouted, staggering the students as they jumped to action. They were floored by the sudden development, rushing behind her to interrogate her further as Iida hustled to their teacher.

Estelle didn't stop for them, her head drifting to the sky momentarily before she jetted into the atmosphere. The students who had followed had stopped dead at the exit, their eyes unable to part from the heart-stopping scene before them.

The sky.

It was as if the universe had torn itself apart. The sky was dusted in purple, fading into black as it surrounded the jagged line in the atmosphere like a scar. Within it was a huge black abyss, only growing more prominent the longer it remained in the air. It felt like it was groaning from the heavens, mother nature turning around to spite them in the worst way possible. The vicinity around them was tense, heavy and thick like volcanic air as they recognised the extent of the situation.

Estelle was already long gone by the time Mr Aizawa rushed to greet them, his whole body stopping as he gaped at the sky alongside his students. They had all turned into statues, unable to break their sights from the hell that had descended upon them, and it was only when a loud roar vibrated through the concrete that they finally broke out of their trance. Their stomach's dropped as loud screeches followed suit in response, coming from every direction that they didn't even know where to look.

Jumping when a different noise boomed in the area, like C4 detonations, the group felt their eyes broaden as the jagged scar in the sky began to spit flecks of black as if it were drops of blood. Small balls of darkness fell from the sky, smashing into the ground so harshly that the earth stayed in a constant state of shaking as the number of what looked like meteorites began to increase tenfold.

Dark spirits.

The speckles in their eyes faded as they witnessed the number of opposing spirits increase before their very eyes. Falling into their world like gods descending to crush the mere peasants they had created. And their gut could only tighten as they realised the magnitude of what was about to happen. They were powerless against it, only able to watch as thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of spirits began to join their world just to crush it.

"Holy shit."