Chapter 5. Fall of the Heroes

As Haruto and Nobubaki approached the heart of Tech City, the sounds of battle grew louder—explosions, clashing forces, and the occasional shout or command. They navigated through the deserted streets, keeping a low profile to avoid being spotted by emergency responders or other onlookers. The city, usually vibrant and bustling, was now a war zone.

The brothers slipped through an alley and came upon a scene of destruction. Buildings were damaged, debris littered the streets, and smoke billowed from several locations. Haruto spotted a collapsed structure nearby, its upper floors crumbled but the base still offering some cover. He tugged on Nobubaki's sleeve, and they carefully made their way over, crouching low and hiding under a large piece of rubble that provided a small, concealed vantage point.

From their hiding spot, they had a clear view of the ongoing battle. Light Ray, though battered, continued to stand firm alongside Atomion, the G-Brothers, Forecaster, and Bolt. They formed a formidable line against Megasonic, who seemed even more menacing up close. The air crackled with energy as Melics clashed, each hero wielding their unique power in a desperate bid to turn the tide of the battle.

Haruto clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "We shouldn't be here," he whispered, though his eyes remained glued to the scene. "But... I can't look away."

A faint cry pierced through the cacophony of battle. It was a woman, trapped beneath the weight of collapsed concrete. Haruto's heart pounded in his chest. Without hesitation, he turned to Nobubaki.

"Stay here," he ordered, his voice firm. "I'll be back."

Before Nobubaki could respond, Haruto's body began to glow a golden light Like his father. A soft, ethereal light enveloped him, and in an instant, his hand transformed into a colossal, translucent arm. With a surge of strength, he lifted the heavy debris, revealing a terrified woman cowering beneath.

Gently, he scooped her up and disappeared into the chaos, leaving Nobubaki alone with the battle. As he watched his brother vanish, a surge of pride and fear washed over him. He knew that Haruto was capable of extraordinary things, but seeing it firsthand was a revelation.

Left alone, Nobubaki felt a strange emptiness. The intensity of the battle was overwhelming, and yet, he felt a growing sense of purpose. He reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around the familiar pendant. As he held it tightly, he felt a surge of energy, a tingling sensation that spread through his body.

Could he do what Haruto had done? Could he harness this unknown power? The question hung in the air, a silent challenge.

The battle raged on, a symphony of destruction and hope. Light Ray, despite his valiant efforts, was slowly being overpowered by Megasonic's relentless assault. Nobubaki's heart pounded in his chest. He had to do something.

Nobubaki crouched back under the rubble, his eyes fixed on the battle unfolding before him. The top five heroes were still locked in combat with Megasonic, their Melics clashing in a dazzling display of power. Despite the chaos, there was a rhythm to their movements, a coordination that spoke of years of experience and teamwork. Yet, something felt off—an undercurrent of tension that Nobubaki couldn't quite place.

Suddenly, Atomion raised his hand and shouted, "Time out!" The declaration was so unexpected that everyone froze in place, even Megasonic. The battlefield went silent, the only sounds the distant wail of sirens and the crackling of lingering energy.

Megasonic sneered, breaking the silence. "Time out? You have the audacity to call a time out. This isn't a joke Atomion."

Atomion's face remained impassive as he pointed a finger at Megasonic. The gesture seemed casual, almost indifferent. Then, without warning, he clenched his fist. In an instant, Megasonic's head exploded with a sickening pop, a spray of red mist filling the air. The villain's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Nobubaki's heart raced as he watched in shock. He had never seen anything like this; the scene felt surreal, as if time itself had slowed. The other heroes stared in disbelief, their expressions a mixture of horror and confusion. Light Ray, his golden aura flickering with tension, stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Atomion, what have you done?" Light Ray shouted, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "You—"

Before he could finish, Atomion made a subtle gesture, and Light Ray suddenly clutched at his throat, gasping for air. His golden light flickered and dimmed as he struggled, his breaths coming in short, desperate bursts. Atomion watched him with cold eyes, a twisted smile forming on his lips.

"I've had enough of you," Atomion spat, his voice dripping with venom. "All these years, you've been the number one hero, the shining beacon of hope. But what about me? Always second best, always in your shadow." He stepped closer to Light Ray, his tone growing more heated. "You were always the one people turned to, the one they adored. But not anymore. Not after this."

Nobubaki felt a chill run down his spine. Atomion's words were filled with bitterness and resentment, a deep-seated hatred that had festered for far too long. As Light Ray continued to struggle for breath, Nobubaki realized the gravity of the situation. This wasn't just a battle against a villain; it was a betrayal from within, a fracture in the very foundation of the heroes' world.

As Atomion continued to taunt the other heroes, they began to advance on him, their expressions a mix of anger and determination. But Atomion raised a hand, and a wave of dark energy surged from him, causing the heroes to halt in their tracks.

"Back off!" Atomion commanded, his voice cold and authoritative. "Or you'll face the same fate as Megasonic."

The heroes exchanged uneasy glances. The palpable threat in Atomion's voice made them hesitate. Their fear was evident; Atomion's power was clearly formidable, and his demonstration of it had shaken their resolve.

Atomion smirked, watching their reaction with satisfaction. "This reminds me of Aiko before she lost her head," he said casually, his tone dripping with disdain.

The mention of Aiko was like a spark to Light Ray. His face contorted with fury as he realized the gravity of Atomion's words. "You... you killed her," Light Ray growled, his voice trembling with a mixture of rage and sorrow.

Without warning, Light Ray surged toward Atomion, his golden light flaring as he prepared to strike. But just as he was about to make contact, Atomion's eyes glowed with a sinister light. In a heartbeat, Light Ray's body went limp, his energy flickering and fading. He collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

The remaining heroes gasped, their faces reflecting the shock and horror of the moment. Atomion stood over Light Ray's fallen form, a cruel smile on his lips. The battlefield was silent, the once chaotic clash now overshadowed by the grim reality of betrayal and loss.

Nobubaki, hidden under the rubble, felt a mix of disbelief and fear. The battle had taken a dark turn, and the heroes they had looked up to were now caught in a deadly power struggle. Atomion's actions had shifted the balance, and the stakes were higher than ever.

The remaining people on the battlefield, both heroes and civilians, were paralyzed with shock and fear. Tears streamed down their faces as the reality of Light Ray's death settled in. Atomion's laughter cut through the silence, a chilling sound that echoed through the ruins of Tech City.

"No one is leaving here alive," Atomion declared, his voice filled with cruel amusement. He lifted his hands, moving them gracefully through the air like a conductor leading an orchestra. As if on cue, the gruesome symphony began—one by one, the heads of the remaining civilians started to explode, a macabre dance of death orchestrated by Atomion's twisted power.

The scene was chaotic and horrifying. Screams filled the air as people tried to flee, but it was futile. Atomion's power was absolute, and he wielded it with merciless precision. He grinned, watching the carnage unfold, and then turned to the other heroes, his eyes gleaming with a twisted delight.

"I won't swim in this blood alone," he sneered. "Come, my fellow heroes, join me. Show them the true power of Melic."

For a moment, there was hesitation. But then, as if under a spell, the heroes began to move. Forecaster raised her arms, and dark, thunderous clouds gathered overhead. Lightning crackled and struck the ground, decimating anyone in its path. Bolt became a blur of motion, zipping through the crowd and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. The G-Brothers joined forces, manipulating gravity to crush and obliterate those who tried to escape.

Nobubaki watched in horror, his stomach churning. The heroes, the symbols of hope and justice, had become executioners. The air was thick with the stench of blood and burnt flesh, the cries of the dying drowned out by the relentless assault. Nobubaki could hardly breathe, his chest tight with revulsion and fear. This wasn't just a battle; it was a massacre. The lines between hero and villain had been blurred, and all that remained was chaos and death.

Nobubaki couldn't take it anymore. The horror, the bloodshed, the grotesque transformation of the heroes he once admired—it was all too much. He had to find Haruto. With a burst of adrenaline, he bolted from his hiding spot, weaving through the chaos and debris, his heart pounding in his chest.

As he emerged from the rubble, Atomion caught sight of him. The malevolent hero's eyes locked onto Nobubaki, and a cruel smile spread across his face. Atomion raised his hands, preparing to unleash his deadly power. But before he could complete the gesture, a sharp crack echoed through the air. A bullet pierced Atomion's eye, causing him to stagger back in shock and pain.

Atomion snarled, clutching his wounded eye. He quickly scanned the rooftops, searching for the sniper. "Find the shooter!" he bellowed, his voice dripping with rage. The other heroes immediately sprang into action, scattering in search of the unseen assailant.

In the brief chaos that followed, Nobubaki seized the opportunity and vanished into the shadows. Atomion turned back, expecting to see the boy still there, but Nobubaki was gone. Atomion's remaining eye glowed with a monstrous intensity, the injury only heightening his fury. His body began to emit a dark aura, a manifestation of his anger and power.

The sniper had bought Nobubaki precious moments, but the danger was far from over. The city was a battlefield, and Atomion, now even more unhinged, was a force to be reckoned with. Nobubaki had to find Haruto and escape this nightmare before it was too late.