Chapter 3

The morning sun bathed the abandoned house in a warm, golden light, filling the broken windows with a soft radiance. I stirred, my eyes slowly adjusting to the brightness as I emerged from a deep and restful sleep. The previous day's discoveries had ignited a fire in my soulâ€"a desire to explore the full extent of my pyrokinetic abilities and find a purpose beyond the confines of this secluded house. I knew that staying hidden was no longer an option, and so I set out into the world, seeking to use my powers for the greater good.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, I ventured out into the night. My body, cloaked in darkness, moved with a sense of purpose through the quiet streets of the nearby town. I had heard whispers of criminal activity lurking in the shadows, and my fiery spirit yearned to bring justice to those who dared to prey on the innocent. I hoped that by using my pyrokinetic abilities to help others, I might also find a way to sustain myself and perhaps even earn some much-needed money.

My keen senses, heightened by my unique nature, alerted me to a disturbance in a nearby alleyway. As I drew closer, I heard the desperate pleas of a woman, her voice shaking with fear. "Please, don't hurt me!" she cried out, her voice echoing off the brick walls. "Take my purse, just let me go!"

Driven by an instinct to protect, I rounded the corner, my eyes narrowing at the sight that greeted me. A man, his face hidden in the shadows of a hoodie, brandished a gun, its barrel pressed against the woman's temple. His finger tightened on the trigger, threatening her life.

A surge of protective anger coursed through me, and without hesitation, I unleashed a burst of my pyrokinetic powers. A stream of fire, crackling with intense heat, shot forth from my palm, engulfing the assailant in flames. He screamed, his voice filled with agony, as the fire consumed him, leaving nothing but a pile of ash in its wake.

The woman, her eyes wide with shock, stared at me, her fear now directed at the source of her salvation. "W-what are you?" she stammered, her voice trembling. "Are you... some kind of superhero?"

I took a step toward her, my hands raised in a gesture of peace. "I'm not here to harm you," I said, my voice calm and steady. My wings, a dark red scaled armor, stirred slightly behind me, their presence adding to the intimidating silhouette I cast. "I only wanted to help. Are you alright?"

Confusion clouded her features as she took in my appearanceâ€"the dark red pigmentation of my skin, the horns curling upward from my temples, and the shimmering wings that now retracted, leaving only the scales visible. "You're... different," she said, her voice laced with wonder.

I nodded, my eyes softening. "I know I might seem unusual, but I promise, I'm here to help." I offered her a reassuring smile, hoping to ease her fears.

But before I could say more, the sound of approaching sirens pierced the night. The woman's eyes widened, and she took a step back, her expression turning from wonder to suspicion. "The police are coming," she said, her voice tense. "You should go. Now."

I hesitated, unsure of how the authorities would react to my presence. "Please, just wait," I pleaded, my voice urgent. "I can explain everything. I only want to help."

But my pleas fell on deaf ears. The woman, her fear overcoming her curiosity, turned and fled, disappearing into the darkness of the alleyway. I stood alone, the sound of sirens drawing closer, my heart pounding with uncertainty.

The police officers, their weapons drawn, rounded the corner, their eyes widening at the sight that greeted them. "Hands up!" one of them shouted, his voice commanding. "Who are you? What did you do to that man?"

I raised my hands, palms facing outward, in a gesture of surrender. "I didn't do anything wrong," I said, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. "I was only trying to help. That man was threatening this woman, and I stopped him."

But my words fell on deaf ears. The officers, their eyes filled with suspicion and fear, opened fire. Bullets whizzed past me, their metal piercing the air with deadly precision. I felt a searing pain as one grazed my shoulder, and my pyrokinetic instincts kicked in.

My wings, a dark red scaled armor, snapped forward, moving instinctively to protect me. The bullets ricocheted harmlessly off the hardened scales, sending sparks flying into the night. I stood there, my wings shielding me, a powerful figure of defiance and strength.

"Stop shooting!" I roared, my voice echoing through the alleyway. "I'm not your enemy! I only want to help!"

But my pleas went unheeded. The officers, their eyes wild with fear, continued to fire, their bullets striking the protective scales of my wings, sending shocks of pain through my body. Panic gripped me, and in a desperate attempt to escape, I leaped into the air, my wings carrying me upward and away from the onslaught.

The night sky, a canvas of darkness, welcomed me as I soared higher, the wind whipping through my hair. I felt a sense of freedom and power as I left the chaos behind. But my heart was heavy, confused by the fear and suspicion I had encountered.

Guided by instinct, I returned to the abandoned house, my sanctuary amidst the turmoil. The broken mirror, hanging lopsided on the wall, reflected a distorted image of myselfâ€"a being of fire and power, with wings of dark red scaled armor. I stared at my reflection, my eyes narrowing as I contemplated the fear I had seen in the eyes of those I had tried to help.

A low growl rumbled in my throat as anger and frustration built within me. I was Inferno, a being of fire and strength, capable of incredible destruction. Yet, I had only sought to aid those in need, and in return, I was met with fear and hostility.

The decision crystallized within me, it was time to show the world what it meant to be treated like a monster. I would unleash the full extent of my pyrokinetic powers, and let humanity decide if I was a force of destruction or a beacon of hope.

A sinister smile curved my lips as I turned away from the mirror, my eyes glowing with an inner fire. I stepped out into the night once more, my wings unfurled, the scales shimmering in the moonlight. The world would soon know the name Inferno, and they would learn to fear the wrath.