I kept my head down, my hoodie casting shadows over my face as I walked through the crowded streets. The bag from the pharmacy weighed heavy in my hand, filled with antidepressants, stimulants, and other pills to keep me awake and alert. My body screamed for rest, for just a moment of reprieve, but I knew better. The moment I closed my eyes, the nightmares would come—the screams, the pain, the unending torture. No, I couldn't afford to sleep. Not now, not ever.

The city around me was alive with activity. People rushed past, too caught up in their own lives to notice me. Just another face in the crowd, just another shadow in the night. That was how I preferred it. Staying invisible, unnoticed. It was safer that way.

As I walked, the noise of the city faded into the background, replaced by the quiet hum of my thoughts. The pills in my bag were just another tool, another way to keep going. But I knew they couldn't fix what was broken inside me. They couldn't take away the pain or the memories. They were just a bandage, covering up the wounds that would never fully heal.

My thoughts were interrupted by a flash of color from a nearby restaurant. I glanced up, my eyes catching on the large TV screen inside. The volume was up, and the news anchor's voice was clear even from the sidewalk.

"Breaking news: The vigilante known as Nemesis has struck again. Reports are coming in from across the city about a violent confrontation at a known criminal hideout. Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities and significant property damage. The police are currently investigating the scene, but details remain scarce. What we do know is that Nemesis, a vigilante who has been active for the past two years, is believed to be responsible for the attack."

The screen shifted to footage of the destroyed building, smoke still rising from the wreckage. The camera panned over the shattered walls, the broken windows, the bodies covered in sheets. It was a scene of utter devastation, and yet, it was nothing new to me. I had seen worse. I had caused worse.

"The identities of the victims have not yet been released, but sources indicate that the hideout was used by a notorious gang involved in human trafficking. This is not the first time Nemesis has targeted such operations, and his methods have drawn both praise and criticism from the public. While some see him as a necessary force in a city overrun by crime, others argue that his actions are reckless and dangerous."

The anchor's voice dripped with concern, but I could hear the underlying tension in her words. She didn't know what to think of me no one did. A hero? A villain? Something in between? The lines had blurred long ago, and I no longer cared where I stood.

The screen cut to an interview with a police spokesperson, a middle-aged man with a tired expression. He looked like he hadn't slept in days probably hadn't, given the state of the city.

"We're doing everything we can to apprehend this vigilante,"

he said, his voice firm.

"But Nemesis is highly skilled, highly dangerous, and seems to operate with no clear pattern. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities."

His words were met with nods of agreement from the news anchors, who quickly turned the conversation to a panel of "experts" discussing the implications of vigilante justice. I tuned them out, my gaze shifting to the people around me.

A group of teenagers stood near the entrance of the restaurant, their faces glued to the screen. They were whispering to each other, their eyes wide with excitement.

"Did you see that? Nemesis is insane! He took out that whole gang by himself!"

"Yeah, but he's, like, a total psycho. Did you hear how he just kills people? That's not what a hero's supposed to do."

"Who cares? The cops weren't doing anything about those scumbags. Someone's gotta clean up this city."

The conversation drifted into arguments about whether I was a hero or a monster, their voices growing louder as they debated my actions. It was a familiar refrain, one I had heard countless times before. The world couldn't decide what to make of me, and frankly, I didn't care. Their opinions didn't matter nothing did, except the mission.

As I continued walking, I caught snippets of conversations from other people.

A young mother pushing a stroller was talking on her phone.

"I heard he's just a kid, can you believe that? How messed up do you have to be to do the things he does?"

An older man at a newspaper stand shook his head as he glanced at the headlines.

"It's a damn shame what's happening to this city. These vigilantes think they can just take the law into their own hands. Where are the real heroes when you need them?"

Two office workers huddled together on a smoke break, their eyes flicking nervously around the street.

"You think Nemesis is gonna come after the gangs around here? My cousin said he saw him last week, just a shadow on the rooftops. Scared the hell out of him."

The words washed over me, a constant barrage of opinions and judgments. Some were afraid, others were intrigued, and a few even seemed to admire what I was doing. But none of them understood. None of them knew what it was like to be trapped in a living hell, to be turned into something less than human, to be consumed by a hatred so deep it drove you to the brink of madness.

I kept walking, letting the noise of the city fade into the background once more. My destination was clear in my mind a small alleyway, hidden from view, where I could slip into the sewers and disappear from the world above. The pills in my bag were a reminder of the life I was forced to lead, a life where every day was a battle to survive.

As I reached the alley, I paused for a moment, my gaze drifting to the sky. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the city. It was almost time for Nemesis to come out again, to continue the hunt. But for now, I allowed myself a brief moment of respite, a fleeting second of peace before the darkness consumed me once more.

The city continued to buzz with life around me, oblivious to the storm that raged within. I pulled up my hood, took a deep breath, and stepped into the shadows, disappearing from sight.

Timeskip

I ducked underneath a knife that sliced through the air inches from my face, and in one swift motion, I grabbed the arm holding it, yanking the person forward. With a forceful twist, I slammed them onto the cold, hard ground. The impact echoed through the narrow alleyway, and I pinned them down, ready to strike.

But then, I heard a familiar, soft giggle a sound that could only belong to one person.

Izuku:Oh, it's you

I said in a cold, detached voice, recognizing the blonde hair and manic smile. "Himiko Toga."

She lay beneath me, a wild grin on her face as she looked up at me with those wide, unblinking eyes, filled with a twisted affection.

Himiko:Heheheh, can't I see my Izuku?

she purred, her voice dripping with a strange, almost childlike glee.

I sighed, the tension in my body easing slightly as I let go of her and stood up

Izuku:What am I going to do with you?

I muttered under my breath. Toga was unpredictable, dangerous, and utterly broken in a way that mirrored my own fractured existence. And yet, I couldn't bring myself to push her away. Maybe it was because, deep down, I understood her better than I cared to admit.

As she sat up, still smiling at me, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a syringe attached to a large storage container. The sight of it made her eyes light up with anticipation.

Izuku:You really shouldn't be here, Toga

I said, my tone carrying a hint of sternness.

Izuku:This city is dangerous for people like you.

Himiko:But I like danger, Izuku!

she exclaimed, her voice almost gleeful.

Himiko:And I like you even more.

I ignored her comment and focused on the task at hand. Carefully, I inserted the syringe into my arm, wincing slightly as it pierced my skin. As the blood began to flow into the container, I glanced down at her.

Izuku:You know, the first time you tried my blood, it almost killed you

I reminded her.

Izuku:The energy and artificial enhancers in my blood they injected into me aren't exactly meant for people like you.

It was so bad and yet good she had a quirk awakening, she gains the quirks of the owner of the blood she drinks

And also she can use several transformation and change from different ones even gaining some of their memories she had seen some of mine she had traumatized her

But the downside she's even more addicted to blood

She tilted her head, still smiling as if my words were nothing but sweet nothings to her.

Himiko:But your blood… it's so special, Izuku. It makes me feel… whole.

Izuku:Yeah, well, you're lucky I figured out how to neutralize the energy

I said, watching as the storage slowly filled with my blood.

Izuku:Otherwise, you'd be dead by now.

She pouted playfully, her eyes gleaming with something close to adoration.

Himiko:You're always looking out for me, Izuku. That's why I love you so much.

I didn't respond to that. What was there to say? Toga's feelings for me were complicated, to say the least. She was obsessed, infatuated in a way that bordered on dangerous. And yet, she was also dependent on me. My blood had become her lifeline, calming the violent urges that had once driven her to kill. It was the only thing that kept her grounded, that made her somewhat sane if she could even be called that.

I met her a few months back, in an alley much like this one. I had been on a mission, tracking down a small-time villain when I came across her. She had been covered in blood, her eyes wild and desperate, like a feral animal. I was ready to kill her, to end her life and move on without a second thought. But then, something in her eyes stopped me.

Her eyes they had mirrored mine. There was a brokenness in them that I recognized all too well. I saw myself in her, saw the same pain, the same abandonment. It was ironic, really. She had been cast out by her family because of her quirk, while I had been abandoned for not having one. Two sides of the same coin.

That night, instead of ending her life, I made her a deal. She could have my blood, as much as she needed, but in return, she had to stop killing. I wasn't sure if it was pity or something else, but I couldn't bring myself to let her go. She was broken, just like me, and in some twisted way, I had grown to accept her.

She needed me immensely. And maybe I needed her too, though I'd never admit it out loud. We were two lost souls clinging to each other in a world that had no place for us. And as much as I hated to admit it, I couldn't abandon her. She was the only one I had, and I was the only one she had.

The syringe beeped, signaling that it was full. I carefully removed it from my arm, the container now filled with the dark red liquid that Toga craved so much. I handed it to her, and she took it eagerly, her eyes practically glowing with excitement.

"Here," I said, my voice softer now.

Izuku:This should last you for a while.

She hugged the container to her chest, a blissful smile spreading across her face.

Himiko:Thank you, Izuku. You're always so good to me.

I watched her for a moment, the way she held onto that container like it was the most precious thing in the world. It was strange she was a killer, a villain by all accounts, and yet, here she was, relying on me, trusting me. It was almost surreal.

As she stood up to leave, I called out to her. "Hey."

She turned back, her smile still in place.

Himiko:Yes, Izuku?

I reached into my bag and pulled out several cans of store-bought food. It wasn't much, but it was something.

Izuku:You might get hungry

I said, holding the cans out to her.

She looked at the food, then back at me, her eyes softening. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of something gratitude, perhaps? It was hard to tell with her.

Himiko:Thank you, Izuku

she said, taking the cans from me.

Himiko:You're always thinking of me.

I shrugged, trying to play it off like it was nothing. "It's no big deal."

But it was. Because as much as I tried to deny it, I cared about her. I cared about what happened to her, about whether she was okay. Maybe it was because I had no one else. Maybe it was because, in some twisted way, I saw a reflection of myself in her. Whatever the reason, I couldn't just let her go. Not when I knew she needed me.

She turned to leave, but before she did, she glanced back at me, her smile a little less manic, a little more genuine.

Himiko:I'll see you around, Izuku.

I nodded, watching as she disappeared into the shadows of the alley. I stood there for a moment, alone once again, the cold air biting at my skin. The weight of everything I carried pressed down on me, but for some reason, it didn't feel as heavy as it usually did.

I sighed, pulling my hood back over my head as I turned and walked away. The night was still young, and there was work to be done. But for now, at least, I knew I wasn't completely alone. I had someone who needed me, someone who relied on me. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to keep me going.

Meanwhile

Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa sat at his cluttered desk in the police station, sifting through a pile of case files. The room was dimly lit, the harsh fluorescent lights above flickering slightly, casting long shadows across the room. The air was thick with the smell of coffee and old paperwork, a constant reminder of the endless hours spent tracking down the city's worst criminals. His eyes were heavy from lack of sleep, but he forced himself to stay focused. The Nemesis case had consumed him for months now, and he wasn't about to let it slip through his fingers.

Suddenly, the door to his office burst open, and a young officer rushed in, clutching a stack of papers in his hand. He was breathing heavily, clearly having sprinted through the station to get to Tsukauchi.

Tsukauchi:What's your problem?

Tsukauchi asked, his tone stern but not unkind.

Tsukauchi:Calm down and catch your breath before you speak.

The officer nodded, leaning against the doorframe as he tried to steady his breathing. After a few moments, he straightened up and looked Tsukauchi in the eye, his face flushed with urgency.

"Sir, we have a breakthrough in the Nemesis case,"

the officer said, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

Tsukauchi's heart skipped a beat at the words. This was the moment he had been waiting for. He leaned forward in his chair, his tiredness forgotten as adrenaline surged through him.

Tsukauchi:you discovered his secret identity?

Tsukauchi asked, unable to keep the excitement from his voice.

The officer hesitated, shaking his head slightly.

"Sir, not exactly. But hear me out. Remember the incident two years ago when there was an explosion of light at that location? The one where we discovered an abandoned facility that was destroyed beyond recognition? We only found corpses, no survivors, no other clues."

Tsukauchi nodded, the memories flooding back. That incident had been one of the most perplexing cases he had ever encountered. The facility had been completely obliterated, the bodies inside charred and mutilated beyond recognition. Whatever had happened there, it was something powerful something terrifying.

Tsukauchi:Yes, I remember

Tsukauchi said, his voice low.

Tsukauchi:We found residual energy at the site, and we concluded that they were experimenting on something or someone that broke free, killed everyone, and destroyed the facility in the process.

The officer nodded eagerly, flipping through the papers in his hands.

"Exactly, sir. We initially thought that whatever or whoever it was had either died in the explosion or escaped, but we had no leads to follow. We couldn't determine the source of that energy or its nature."

Tsukauchi's eyes narrowed as he listened, his mind racing.

Tsukauchi:And now you're telling me you've found a connection?

"Yes, sir," the officer said, his voice trembling with excitement.

"During our recent investigations into Nemesis, we analyzed the energy signatures left at his crime scenes, and we found something shocking. The residual energy from the facility two years ago… it matches the energy used by Nemesis."

Tsukauchi's eyes widened in surprise, his mind reeling.

Tsukauchi:Are you telling me that Nemesis might be the result of those experiments? That he's the one who destroyed that facility?

The officer nodded, his expression grave.

"That's what the evidence suggests, sir. The energy signatures are almost identical. It's possible that Nemesis was the subject of those experiments, that he was the one who broke free and destroyed the facility."

Tsukauchi leaned back in his chair, his mind racing as he processed the information. If Nemesis was indeed the result of those experiments, it explained a lot—his incredible power, his untraceable origins, and his relentless hatred of villains. But it also raised a host of new questions.

Tsukauchi:Do we have any idea what they were experimenting on?

Tsukauchi asked, his voice calm but intense.

Tsukauchi:Any clue as to what they were trying to create?

The officer shook his head, looking frustrated.

"Unfortunately, sir, we're still in the dark on that. The facility was destroyed so thoroughly that most of the data was lost. But based on the residual energy and the nature of Nemesis's abilities, we believe it was some kind of quirk enhancement or artificial quirk creation."

Tsukauchi's jaw clenched as he absorbed this information. Artificial quirks were a dangerous and largely unregulated field, one that had the potential to cause untold harm if not carefully controlled. If Nemesis was the product of such an experiment, it was no wonder he had turned out the way he did.

"And this energy," Tsukauchi continued, his voice steady.

Tsukauchi:It's consistent with all of Nemesis's activities? Every crime scene we've linked to him?

"Yes, sir," the officer confirmed.

"We've been tracking Nemesis's movements for a while now, and the energy signatures are always the same. It's like a fingerprint—unique and unmistakable. There's no doubt that the same energy was present at the facility two years ago."

Tsukauchi nodded slowly, his mind racing as he pieced together the puzzle.

Tsukauchi:So we're looking at someone who not only survived those experiments but also gained immense power from them. Someone who was pushed to the brink and came out the other side with a vendetta against villains. But why hasn't he gone after the people who did this to him? Why focus on street-level criminals?

The officer hesitated, clearly thinking through his response.

"Sir, it's possible that Nemesis sees all villains as responsible for what happened to him. Or maybe he's working his way up the chain, taking out the smaller targets before going after the big ones. We can't know for sure, but it's clear that he's driven by something personal something that's fueling his hatred."

Tsukauchi rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the case pressing down on him.

Tsukauchi:And we still don't have a clue about his identity? No leads on who he might have been before the explosion?

The officer shook his head, looking frustrated.

"No, sir. Whoever he was, he's done a good job of erasing his past. We've run every possible scenario, but without more information, we're stuck."

Tsukauchi let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in his chair.

Tsukauchi:This case just keeps getting more complicated. If Nemesis is as powerful as we think he is, and if he's fueled by this kind of rage… we could be dealing with something far more dangerous than we ever anticipated.

The officer nodded solemnly.

"Sir, with all due respect, we might be looking at someone who's beyond anything we've ever faced. Nemesis isn't just a vigilante he's something else, something… more."

Tsukauchi stared at the papers on his desk, his mind churning with possibilities. Nemesis was an enigma, a ghost with the power to level entire buildings and the skill to evade capture time and time again. But now, with this new information, the pieces were starting to come together.

"Keep digging," Tsukauchi ordered, his voice firm.

Tsukauchi:I want everything we have on that facility every scrap of information, every report, every witness statement. If there's even a hint of who Nemesis might have been, I want to know it.

"Yes, sir," the officer said, snapping a salute before turning to leave.

As the door closed behind him, Tsukauchi sat back in his chair, staring at the files in front of him. Nemesis was no ordinary vigilante, and this case was no ordinary investigation. It was a labyrinth of secrets and lies, one that he was determined to navigate, no matter the cost.

But as he sat there, the weight of it all pressing down on him, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were only scratching the surface. Nemesis was out there, somewhere in the city, waging his own private war. And Tsukauchi knew that if they didn't find him soon, the consequences could be catastrophic.

The city was on the brink, teetering between order and chaos. And Nemesis was the catalyst, the wild card that could tip the balance in either direction. Tsukauchi wasn't sure what drove the vigilante whether it was vengeance, justice, or something else entirely but he knew one thing for certain: the game was far from over.

And in this game, the stakes were higher than ever before.