Chapter 1: The Fall of Izuku Midoriya
Izuku Midoriya sat hunched over his notebook, furiously scribbling down observations about the latest hero he'd seen on TV. His small desk was cluttered with pages filled with diagrams, strategies, and detailed notes on Quirks. This was his world, a sanctuary from the harsh reality outside his bedroom door.
He wasn't like everyone else. He didn't have a Quirk—a fact that had been made painfully clear every day of his life. And yet, the fire to become a hero burned brightly within him.
The school day had been miserable, as always. His classmates mocked him relentlessly, their laughter echoing in his ears. Even Kacchan—Bakugo Katsuki, his childhood friend turned tormentor—had hurled his usual insults.
But today was different. Bakugo hadn't joined in on the teasing. Instead, he'd stood silent, arms crossed, as the other kids laughed. It was a small mercy, but it still left Izuku feeling hollow. The world wasn't fair, and neither was his place in it.
"Why was I even born Quirkless?" Izuku muttered, closing his notebook and pushing it aside. He sighed deeply, staring at the All Might action figure on his shelf. "All Might would never give up, right? I just have to—"
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Before he could respond, his mother peeked in, her worried eyes scanning his face.
"Dinner's ready, Izuku," she said softly. "Come down when you're ready."
"Thanks, Mom," he replied, forcing a smile. She lingered for a moment, then closed the door, leaving him alone once more.
Izuku decided to take a walk to clear his head. The city lights glittered in the distance as he strolled down the familiar streets of Musutafu. The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of rain. He clutched his notebook tightly, as if it were a lifeline.
He stopped on a pedestrian bridge, gazing down at the cars rushing below. His mind wandered to the heroes he admired so much. He imagined himself among them, standing proud and saving lives.
But that dream was always out of reach.
A sudden, sharp voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Hey, nerd! What are you doing out here?"
Izuku turned to see Bakugo approaching, hands in his pockets. His expression wasn't the usual sneer—it was softer, almost curious.
"K-Kacchan?" Izuku stammered, startled.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Bakugo said, stepping closer. "What's with you tonight?"
Izuku hesitated. "I-I just needed some air. That's all."
Bakugo leaned against the railing, staring at the sky. "You're always muttering about heroes and stuff. Still dreaming of being one?"
Izuku felt the sting of those words but nodded. "Yeah. I know it's impossible, but I can't give up."
To his surprise, Bakugo didn't scoff. Instead, he let out a low chuckle. "You're braver than most people, you know that? Stupid, but brave."
The faintest hint of a smile touched Izuku's lips. "Thanks, Kacchan."
Before the moment could settle, a deafening roar shattered the night. Both boys whipped around to see a massive, shadowy figure tearing through the street below. Civilians screamed as the villain wreaked havoc, cars flipping and debris flying.
Without thinking, Izuku bolted toward the chaos.
"Wait, you idiot!" Bakugo shouted, chasing after him.
Izuku's heart pounded as he reached the scene. A small child was trapped under a piece of rubble, crying for help. The villain loomed closer, its grotesque form dripping with an eerie, black sludge.
"Get out of here!" Bakugo yelled, grabbing Izuku's arm. "You're gonna get yourself killed!"
"But the kid—" Izuku protested.
"I'll handle it!" Bakugo growled, releasing an explosion from his palm. "Stay back!"
As Bakugo charged at the villain, Izuku darted toward the trapped child. He pushed against the rubble with all his might, his muscles straining. The Demon Queen's voice in his head, faint and unnoticed, whispered. "Such bravery...but such fragility. A rare vessel, indeed."
The villain roared, slamming Bakugo aside with a massive arm. He skidded across the pavement, groaning in pain.
"Bakugo!" Izuku screamed, panic flooding his veins. He shielded the child with his body as the villain turned its attention to him, raising a massive, clawed hand.
And then everything went dark.
In the void of death, Izuku's soul drifted, weightless and cold. He felt no pain, only an overwhelming sense of emptiness.
Then, a voice pierced the silence.
"So small. So weak. And yet...you burned so brightly."
Izuku opened his eyes—or what felt like his eyes. He was no longer in the world he knew. A crimson throne loomed before him, and seated upon it was a figure of unspeakable beauty and terror. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, her golden eyes glowing like molten lava. Black horns curled from her head, and a cruel, knowing smile played on her lips.
"W-Who are you?" Izuku stammered, trembling.
"I am Lilith," she said, her voice dripping with power. "The Demon Queen of Wrath. And you, little human, are dead."
"Dead?" The word felt foreign and wrong. "No...I can't be. I have so much to do—I have to save people!"
Lilith leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Your determination is intriguing. I've never seen such a fragile soul burn with so much fury."
Izuku's fists clenched. "If I'm dead, then what do you want from me?"
Lilith's smile widened. "I want to offer you a deal. A second chance at life. But in return, you will become my vessel in the mortal realm."
"What does that mean?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"It means I will live within you, sharing your body and mind," she explained. "I will grant you power—power to change your fate. But be warned: I am not a benevolent savior. This pact comes with a price."
Izuku hesitated, fear and hope warring within him. But then he thought of Bakugo, the child he'd tried to save, and all the heroes he wanted to stand beside.
"I'll do it," he said firmly. "Whatever it takes, I'll do it."
Lilith's laughter echoed through the void. "Very well, little hero. Let the flames of wrath guide you."
With a snap of her fingers, Izuku's world erupted into fire and darkness.
And then he woke up.
To be continued in Chapter 2.