Chapter 7 | Hell's Kitchen

× Midtown School | Monday ×

After those challenging yet productive weekends, I went to work filled with motivation. My plan had become even clearer; I no longer felt lost in this world, but I still needed to be extremely cautious as I suspected Magneto would be seeking the killer of his son. I needed to acquire other stands' abilities to eliminate him. With these thoughts, I entered the classroom as the students calmly watched me - "Good morning," I said, standing before them.

"Before we start the lesson, I'd like to announce something..." I piqued their curiosity as interest grew in the children's eyes - "As some of you may know, this Friday, Reed Richards along with the other members of the Fantastic Four will be showcasing their inventions at the Baxter Building. Our school is invited to attend this event."

"That's it?" Flash complained with a scowl, but his rare enthusiasm was cut short by an excited Harry - "What are you talking about?! Imagine what inventions might be shown there! There could be something even better than Iron Man's suit!"

Among the buzz of students excited for an interesting Friday instead of regular classes, I saw Peter, who always sat at the back, practically glowing with happiness. If anyone, he would definitely be interested in what was to be presented.

"Alright, quiet down," I clapped my hands to regain their attention - "You can be as happy as you want, but quietly. Now, let's start the lesson."

"Ugh..."

× After Classes ×

The day went by rather quickly, which was pleasing. I thought now I could start implementing my plan. My assumptions about receiving arrows through killings were unfounded. The arrow I previously obtained was already in my possession; killing Mercury simply gave it a reason to reveal itself. This means I must search for them independently. As for the plan, it involves gradually taking out heroes and villains so they won't interfere with my future actions. I already have my first target, and that's where I'll begin.

After resting at home and waiting for nightfall, I went out hunting. I moved across rooftops with utmost caution, Stone Free's ability allowing me to move almost like Spider-Man, though unlike him flying most of the time, I simply moved from building to building. Finally, I reached my targets in Hell's Kitchen, one of Manhattan's districts. He was supposed to go on patrol. My first target.

Roaming the rooftops didn't take long as I soon heard sounds of hits and men's screams in one of the alleyways. Peeking from the corner of a building, I saw a red blur in the shadows knocking out thugs one by one, giving them no chance. Watching this dance for a few seconds, I descended from the roof into the darkest part of the street.

"Too fast!" was all the last man managed to say before he was knocked out with a kick to the head.

"You can't hide from me," he said calmly, standing with his back to me next to the recently defeated thug - "Come out."

I smirked, stepping out of the shadow - "I wasn't hiding from you. I just didn't want to interrupt your work, and it was interesting to watch the prowess of the famous Daredevil," everything I said was true, his agility, strength, and ability to read fights were astonishing, and he's blind - "Eight in how many seconds? Nine?"

"Seven," he replied calmly, turning around - "What do you want? You're not one of them, so if you leave now, I won't chase you."

"I'll have to decline," I exhaled, stepping forward as the stand appeared behind me.

"Ora!" Without saying a word, he charged at me, but the stand's attempt to hit the man in red made him retreat - "What is this?" he asked - "Suddenly next to you, I felt an unknown energy. What kind of power is this?"

"It doesn't matter" - so his heightened perception allows him to sense my stand? After Mercury saw it, I'm not surprised.

× Murdock ×

I initially sensed something strange about him, but now I understood what it was. This power prevents me from getting too close to him; he has a limited range. Quickly grabbing a knife from one of the thugs, I threw it at the man, but it was easily deflected. Using the moment, I rapidly closed the distance and landed a hit on the "phantom's" face according to my senses, sending the man backward as blood burst from his nose. Pulling out one of my red sticks, I pinned him to the ground, pressing his throat - "If I hit 'him,' you get hurt too. One of your weaknesses, give up."

"Never..." he gasped, and then I felt a knife flying towards my back, the one I had thrown at him earlier. Dodging aside, I increased the distance.

"Barely made it..." spitting blood, the man stood up holding something in his hands - "It's hard for me to switch between abilities quickly, but I've taken away your advantage."

Not immediately understanding what he meant, I realized I felt my left side differently. He took away my arm! He's far more dangerous. He used the knife to distract me, damn! Though I still feel my arm. It's as if he just disconnected it.

"Time to bring it back," charging at him again, I threw my red stick forward and then kicked him into the body, pushing him through a window into an abandoned building.

× Kira ×

With shards of glass, I flew into the dark room where no light penetrated. He broke several of my ribs, "Agh, I'll kill him." I can't keep up with him; although the stand is faster, he anticipates where the attack will go. Standing up, I realized I couldn't see anything in the pitch darkness, just the sound of creaking floors.

"This is my advantage," hearing his calm voice to my left, I immediately received a blow to the face, and before I could stand, another hit my body, intensifying the rib pain. A bit more, and I'd lose consciousness.

"I can see everything... unlike you," I thought frantically as he approached - "Stone Free!" Thin threads of the stand wrapped around the room around me. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on vibrations rather than the pain.

"I can easily bypass the threads," hearing his voice above me, I just smirked - "Your breathing vibration is enough. And now... Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora!" A barrage of hits enveloped the opponent, sending him through the wall and back into the alley where our fight began.

He was in the air, unable to dodge, which I took advantage of. I broke his leg, arm, and rib bones. He couldn't escape. I won.

× Murdock ×

I can't move a finger. The hits were incredibly powerful; I had become too relaxed in the darkness - "This was tough..." The man emerged from the hole in the wall I had made, holding his ribs - "You're quite strong."

Approaching me, he stood beside me.

"...why?" was all I could muster from my punctured lungs

"What?" he asked, already preparing to deliver the final blow.

"Why?" expending all my strength on this word, I began to understand that my consciousness was gradually fading. I am dying.

"For the sake of paradise," with those words, Kira delivered the final and decisive blow to Murdock's heart. On this very ordinary night, New York lost its first superhero in line.