Villain Retirement

"..."

A sizzle erupted in the air as a raging pair of feet landed on the ground; quickly melting away the ground it touched upon. The fiery smolder that came out of the steps, however raging, was filled with almost excruciating guilt and pain.

And ever so slowly, the fire faded– leaving only a helpless young woman. Not engulfed in fire, not engulfed in rage... only guilt and pain.

Hannah wanted to run away from everything, from everyone. But she was trapped inside a dome in which she can't leave, literal and perhaps figuratively as well. The only thing she could do was land in an area with no people; with only an unpaved ground and a view of trees to accompany her.

Maybe this was why the campus was built this wide? For them to be able to hide away from all the responsibilities and mistakes they have created? Her emotions went astray in an array of all sorts of things– too much for someone as sheltered as her to take in.

Too heavy that her trembling legs finally gave in. Her palms, touching the ground she scorched. She knew... she knew that her powers would lead to nothing but ruin. Unlike Riley, who had the ability to help people in a way she couldn't even begin to comprehend if he wanted to. Unlike Gary and Silvie, whose powers were similar to Megawoman and could probably do the things she did in the future. Unlike Tomoe; who, despite her powers looking ominous with the dark ice, could probably nourish life and comfort people with the peaceful cold.

Hers... was nothing but ruin. A power that only monsters have.

All her life, she had been avoiding her powers; avoiding the destruction that they could do as much as possible– not knowing that she had already committed a crime that would probably put other villains to shame.

How could anyone understand what she was going through? For her to be a monster all along... Did she even deserve to stand amongst these people?

"Heh..."

Hannah's face began to tremble, the edges of her lips not knowing whether to rise or sink. And soon, the only thing she could do was show her gritting teeth as the tears started to trail down on her face.

"Huk..."

She gasped. Her whispers, however, were drowned by the smoke that was coming from her tears as they drop to the ground; another sizzle...

...Not filled with rage.

Not filled with fiery.

Not filled with pain.

Not filled with guilt.

But just the madness of it all.

...

...

"..."

Hannah then sniffled as she wiped the snot and tears flowing from her nose; sitting up straight and patting the dirt sticking to her palms. Bernard said that her powers were sealed by some sort of limiter... so if she removes it...

...Will she burst into flames until she can't anymore? Perhaps that was the best way to end it all– to burn with the very same sin she committed.

Will... Riley be sad if she disappears? Who would take care of him when she's gone?

...But she's a monster; Does she really deserve to be with Riley?

"!!!"

She could not help but wince at the sudden thought that surfaced in her mind– what if she had done that to Riley when they were young?

"No..."

She covered her mouth at the thought of Riley screaming in pain; his skin, slowly burning.

"No... no," she whimpered. She was dangerous... how can someone as dangerous as her even think of standing beside Riley? What if she actually hurt him and just didn't remember? Even though Riley was not showing it, she was sure that he felt a little unnerved when he discovered his biological mother almost strangled her to death.

That sense of betrayal was something that once could not just brush away.

What if... what if she ends up doing the same to him?

"Oh, I knew that was you, m'lady. Who else could fly in the air and fill it with such beautiful splendor?"

"You..." Hannah then slowly turned her head towards the voice that suddenly whispered into her ear, only to see Julius Reuben slowly walking his way towards her; his cane, tapping almost rhythmically with his steps.

"You again?" Hannah then quickly wiped the tears on her face as she quickly turned her back to Julius, "What do you want?"

"You, m'lady," Julius replied without any hesitation.

"Get the fuck out of here!" Hannah's tone almost cracked as she waved her hand, "Haven't you already noticed I am not interested in you after our litter dinner together!?"

"Well, what can I say; I'm not one to give up."

"That's called harassment and being a persistent bitch. Leave me."

"I would have followed your orders any other time... but I feel like you need someone beside you at this moment."

"I don't need anyone!" Hannah then finally turned around to face Julius, "Do you want to get hurt, is that what you want!?"

"It's better to be hurt by you than never at all, miss Hannah," Julius then looked Hannah straight in the eyes, "If I am going to be with you, that's the least of the risks I am willing to take."

"You don't even know who I am!"

"But I will," Julius muttered, "And it will be beautiful. I know it."

"Leave. Me. Alone."

"I can't, miss Hannah," Julius let out a small sigh as he placed his cane on the ground, "The only way I will leave you is in death."

"You!"

A hint of orange then reflected on Julius's eyes as Hannah pointed her fiery arm towards him. Julius's eyes, however, did not flicker for even a moment.

"Lea– What are you doing!?"

And before Hannah could even finish her words, Julius suddenly appeared in front of her... holding her hand that was engulfed in a raging fire.

"!!!" Hannah wanted to pull her hand away as she extinguished the fires around her, but found she was unable to do so, "L... let go! Your hand is..."

Hannah could only take in a short but very deep breath as she saw Julius's hand– his bones almost showing from having his flesh completely mawed away by her fires.

"You were right, miss Hannah," Julius then whispered as a smile slowly appeared on his face, "We're not even together yet and you're already hurting me."

"That's–"

"But I am also right."

"..." Hannah's eyes then widened as she saw what remained of the flesh on Julius's bones wriggled. And soon, as if worms multiplying, the charred edges of his wounds expounded– his flesh, once again returning to the way it was just moments ago; completely unscathed.

"This pain is something I am willing to take," Julius then said as he slightly and very gently tightened his grip on Hannah's hand, "So, please...

...let me have the chance to bear this pain with you."

"You..." And before Hannah could even finish her words, the tears that she tried to stop once again flowed from her eyes.

"Please shed away your tears, Miss Hannah," Julius then wiped the tears on Hannah's face, "You are splendidly perfect."

And with those words, Hannah could only close her eyes; slightly resting her cheeks on Julius's warm hands.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Let's go, Silver Moon."

"Are you sure? Is it really alright to leave her with him?"

Behind one of the trees surrounding the glade, Riley and Katherine was watching as the scene unfold in front of them.

"It should be alright for now, Silver Moon," Riley then whispered, shaking his head as he turned around; walking, but his steps stood inches above the ground.

"You're lying..." Katherine uttered, "...I could feel your heart fluctuating, even more so when you talk about Megawom–"

Katherine could only take in a small but very deep breath as Riley's cold eyes suddenly landed on her. It did not last long, however, as it disappeared with a very quiet sigh.

"That's just the way it is, Katherine," Riley then said as he once again turned around, "She...

...is the only thing in this world that I hold very dear to me."

"..." Katherine could only let out a small smile as Riley's words whispered into her ears. She had spent a lot of time together with Riley, perhaps in many ways that others could and never will. But not once did he look at her the way he looked at Hannah earlier.

"And also," Riley muttered, "I promised Julius that I would kill everyone in his country if he ever hurts Hannah, I...

...always keep my promises."

***

"What's up, you twats!?"

"...Why are you talking like an old British lady?"

The next day, Gary, Silvie, and Tomoe could not help but look at each other as Hannah seemed to be acting like nothing even happened yesterday. They actually thought that she would be suspended for running amok and even using her powers without permission...

...but here she was, seemingly back to her old self.

"Are... you alright, Hannah?" Silvie could not help but ask as she moved a seat away from Riley to give Hannah her seat back.

"It's fine, it's fine," Hannah, however, just casually waved her hand, "Sorry for the mess I created. Don't worry, we'll get out fathers to sit at one table soon to talk about who your real mother is."

"I... don't think that's important right now," Silvie muttered, "Are you really alright?"

"Yeah, you went all cray cray yesterday," Gary was very careful with his words, "I thought you were going to burn this whole thing down."

"Psh, who do you think I am? Finding out Silvie's origins should be our top priority; why would I wallow in sadness like a weakling like Gary?" Hannah scoffed, "Anyway, our new advisor is late... so much for being better."

"That's–"

"Sir Bulwark is on the news!"

And before Silvie could finish his words, the other students started whispering loudly to each other.

"He's outside the Academy with the Hope Guild! I thought he already quit!?"

"...What?"

And with those words, Hannah and the others quickly grabbed their phones. They did not have to search long, however, as their newsfeed was filled with the Hope Guild's faces– and there was one other familiar face... or perhaps it was better to say a familiar helmet.

"What is Dark Millenium...

...doing in front of the Academy?"

***AUTHOR'S NOTES***

Hi, I do have a patr*on, so please do support me there as well! patr*on.com/Romeru.

I'll consider drawing illustrations or maybe even a webtoon if enough people support me! Financially, of course.. Hmph. Have a merry new year!