Waking up to the pungent smell of alcohol, covered in bandages, Aric eyelids slowly opened.
Looking up at the white ceiling illuminated by a white fluorescent light, Aric felt a throbbing sensation on his right temple causing his face to crump up.
After a couple of seconds, and after the pain passed away, trying to sit up straight, Aric suddenly felt a sharp pain coursing through his body almost resulting in his screaming.
In the end, he could only helplessly lay down on the white hospital mattress. Once again staring at the white ceiling above him, Aric truly felt helpless.
Everything felt like a blur to him. Fragmented memories of what had happened before waking up here appeared in his mind.
The images of him almost dying at the hands of Tony constantly replayed in his mind.
…it was only after a couple of seconds that Aric fully understood what had happened.
At first, he couldn't quite place his finger on the emotion he was feeling, but as time passed in the white hospital room, he finally could taste it.
The bitter taste of defeat…
He, who thought that he was better than most others almost died at the hands of a Fallen human.
It was strange, for the first time in his entire life that Aric was this close to death and who was responsible for all of this? Tony, of course.
Arc thought he was strong but that illusion was broken by Adrian when he came to Nove.
So what he did do to catch up to him? He trained every single day.
So why he still hasn't caught up to him? He didn't know.
From a young age, he wanted people to idolize him more. He wanted them to know just how strong he was.
He was getting stronger at speeds that were thought to be impossible for someone his age.
Soon, he started beating ranked heroes who had been training for years without much effort.
'Ahh, this feels good'
Every time he beat someone, his heart would flutter.
Along with the pleasure Aric felt whenever he would beat a strong opponent came a powerful realization
How strong he was and how weak they were.
From that point on, everything suddenly started to click for him.
He was the chosen one. He had something that others didn't. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
Talent and a good background.
It was from that point on that he developed a pride that no one else had. The pride of being the best…
…At least that's what he thought.
Laying down pathetically in the hospital bed with his body covered in bandages, Aric realized that his pride had turned into conceit.
…He had been deluding himself for a long time.
"I see…this sense of loneliness, fear, and helplessness is a first for me"
They say men don't shed tears.
…yet at the age of 16, Aric for the first time in a long time, cried like there was no tomorrow.
He was strong yet so weak.
As Aric lay in the hospital bed, his eyes stinging with tears, the weight of his defeat pressed down on him. The sterile whiteness of the room seemed to reflect the emptiness he felt inside.
The journey of self-discovery was often a painful one, and Aric was now confronted with the harsh reality that strength wasn't just about physical prowess. The emotional and mental fortitude he lacked had become glaringly apparent.
The sound of footsteps approached, and the door to his room creaked open. Adrian, his once rival, now stood at the entrance, a mix of concern and relief on his face.
"Hey, Aric. How are you feeling?" Adrian's voice held genuine care, but Aric couldn't bring himself to meet Adrian's gaze.
"I thought... I thought I was invincible," Aric admitted, his voice hoarse with the rawness of his emotions. "But I was just fooling myself. I've never felt so weak."
Adrian walked closer, taking a seat beside Aric's bed. There was a moment of silence before Adrian spoke softly, "Strength isn't just about physical power, Aric. It's about resilience, learning from failures, and finding the courage to stand back up."
Aric clenched his fists, grappling with the conflicting emotions swirling within him. The pride that once fueled his determination now felt like a distant echo.
"I don't know if I can face everyone at my home. They all saw me... saw me fail," Aric confessed, his vulnerability laid bare.
Adrian placed a comforting hand on Aric's shoulder, "We all face defeats, Aric. It's how we rise from them that defines our true strength. Don't be too hard on yourself."
Aric nodded, a gesture of gratitude and bitterness in his expression. The journey ahead was uncertain, filled with the need to rebuild not just his physical strength but also the shattered illusions of invincibility.
As the tears dried on his cheeks, Aric began to grasp the complexity of true strength — a lesson learned through the bitter taste of defeat and the genuine support of those willing to help him rise again.
After spending a bit of time with Aric, Adrian left the infirmary so Aric could rest in peace.
Taking a long breath, Adrian decided to head out to get some fresh air.
The longer he stayed in this place, the worse he felt.
He needed to get his mind off of things.
'Perhaps the best place is the rooftop'
A quiet place with no one to disturb him. The rooftop was the perfect place to clear his mind…
With that thought, Adrian decided to head toward the rooftop.
As Adrian made his way to the rooftop, he noticed a familiar figure already standing at the edge, gazing at the cityscape below. It was Lucas, another classmate who had been part of the recent events.
"Lucas," Adrian called out as he approached. The wind carried a hint of tension as he joined Lucas on the rooftop.
"Adrian," Lucas acknowledged with a nod, his eyes still fixed on the city lights.
The two stood in companionable silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts. The events of the recent battle and the aftermath weighed heavily on them.