The crowd grew larger and larger, with people chanting his name, or rather because they did not know him: " That Guy " was his temporary name.
Derek blinked. For a moment, it felt like the world had hit the pause button just to throw him a parade. It wasn't just gratitude in their eyes—it was hope.
And something clicked.
So this is what it feels like to be the hero.
Not a soldier. Not a survivor. Not a statistic on a mission board.
But a symbol.
No wonder every comic book cape kept coming back for more.
A kid on someone's shoulders pointed at him, eyes wide.
"That guy saved everyone!"
Another voice joined in. Then another.
"That guy!"
"That guy!"
"That Guy!"
It shouldn't have meant anything. It was vague, generic and forgettable.
But somehow, it echoed louder than his real name ever had.
Derek stood still, absorbing it all. The cheers. The eyes. The warmth.
And behind all of that—Caster.
The guy who used to laugh while kicking him down in the rain.
