The first thing Asol noticed about Aegis Prime was how bright everything felt.
Even the sky seemed… cleaner. Bluer. It wasn't like Earth's skyline where buildings clawed at the clouds with steel and glass. Here, the towers were dazzling arcs of white and silver, curving elegantly into the heavens like something out of a dream. Massive holographic screens hovered above the streets, projecting smiling faces of caped figures and shining emblems that rotated slowly in midair.
For a long moment, Asol stood there on the edge of the plaza, head tilted back, drinking it all in. He'd never seen anything like this before, not even in Dystopia. The whole city pulsed with life and color. Flying cars zipped overhead like silver birds. Neon signs floated lazily near the walkways, advertising energy drinks endorsed by beaming superheroes mid-flight. People strolled everywhere, laughing, carefree.
For the first time in what felt like years, Asol let himself… smile. A real smile, one that tugged at the corners of his mouth before he even realized it.
So this… this is their normal?
Here, "normal" was kids running down a polished boulevard without fear. Vendors handing out candy shaped like hero emblems. And people trusting—actually trusting—that someone would save them if things went wrong.
"Quite the view, isn't it?"
Aoi's voice broke his thoughts.
He glanced sideways at her.
She looked at home here, her long hair catching the sunlight as she smiled like she belonged to this world more than Earth.
Well, considering the fact this is her home world, it makes sense.
Kazuma (Fire Mode) was next to her trying to hide his grin but failing.
Asol shook his head slowly.
"View? This is… something else entirely."
They started walking. The plaza stretched into a wide street lined with gleaming shops and open-air cafés. Everywhere, Asol saw signs of what Aoi had mentioned earlier:
Heroes.
Billboards showcased vibrant images of men and women in bright costumes with some smiling confidently with their arms folded and others caught mid-pose in explosive action shots. Kids clutched plastic masks and foam swords, darting between adults, yelling out attack names. One little boy had a red cape trailing behind him, his fist raised to the sky as if he could fly any second now.
"They really… love them, huh?"
"Of course!"
Aoi said, twirling once as if to take in the whole street.
"Heroes are everything here. They're hope, inspiration… symbols of what we can all become!"
Asol stopped for a moment, watching as two actual heroes flying overhead. One left a sparkling contrail of blue light as the other rode on a disc of energy like it was second nature. People pointed up and cheered. A group of teenagers waved banners as the pair disappeared beyond the spires.
He felt something tighten in his chest. Not jealousy, exactly… but a strange sense of wonder mixed with disbelief.
Could a world like this really exist without crumbling under its own weight? Could people stay this… pure?
A loud squeal snapped him out of it.
"AOI?! Oh my gosh, it's YOU!"
A stranger bounded up—a young woman with pink-dyed hair and a phone already in hand. She practically vibrated with excitement as she skidded to a stop in front of them.
"You're Aoi Shigure, right? The Idol Hero? Oh my gosh, can I get a selfie?!"
Asol blinked. Idol Hero?
Aoi gave the girl a practiced, dazzling smile.
"Of course!"
She leaned in effortlessly, flashing a peace sign as the girl squealed and took about six rapid shots.
"Thank you SO much! And tell your brother we're rooting for him! He's gonna win again this year, I know it!"
"I'll let him know!"
Aoi promised before the fan dashed away, almost tripping over her own boots.
Asol raised an eyebrow.
"You're famous here?"
Aoi tilted her head like it was no big deal.
"I'm a Hero here too. I mean… I can't do full-time hero work because of my idol activities, but I help when I can."
Kazuma smirked.
"She's underselling herself. She's popular in both worlds."
Asol let out a low whistle.
"And your brother… she mentioned him?"
Aoi's eyes softened, pride gleaming there.
"I may have told you this some time ago but... he's the number one hero here! Not just because of his strength, though. It's because… people believe in him! He makes them feel safe, like nothing bad can happen while he's around! Including me!"
Asol stayed quiet for a moment, letting that sink in. Strength was one thing. But trust? To carry the weight of a world's hope… that was something else.
He was about to say something when a prickling sensation crawled along his spine. Instinct, sharp and cold, honed from his battle with the Saviours. His eyes flicked to the rooftops, scanning the spires and terraces. Nothing. Just sunlight gleaming off glass and the faint shimmer of force-fields keeping the flying cars in lane.
"Asol? Is something wrong?"
Aoi's voice cut in gently.
He forced himself to relax, shaking his head.
"No… just thought I saw something."
...
...
...
Far above, a lone figure crouched on the edge of a skyscraper. The wind tugged at their coat as they raised a sleek communicator to their lips.
"He's here..."
The figure said, eyes locked on the young man below.
A voice crackled softly in reply.
"Good. Commence Phase One Alpha."
The figure's mouth curved into a faint smile as they slipped back into the shadows.
...
...
...
By the time Asol turned back, Aoi and Kazuma were waving him over to a food stall. As he wandered closer, catching the warm scent of grilled skewers and something sweet, he was halfway there when something small collided with his leg.
"Whoa—"
A little girl. Maybe six years old with clothes torn and ragged like she'd crawled out of an alley. She fell back onto the pavement, wide-eyed. He couldn't help but notice her black hair coupled with her red eyes.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Asol crouched, offering a hand. She stared at him like he was something out of a storybook, then slowly placed her tiny hand in his. Her grip was cold and rough.
"Where are your parents?"
He asked gently but received no answer. Just silence. Her lips trembled like she wanted to speak but couldn't.
Asol frowned. Up close, he noticed dirt smudged across her cheeks, and her shoes were practically falling apart. Something about her… felt wrong. Not in a dangerous way, but in a way that made his chest ache.
He was about to press further when Aoi's voice rang out.
"Asol! Over here!"
He glanced back at her—and when he turned to the girl again.
She's gone?
He froze. Looked left. Right. Nowhere. Just a whisper of movement vanishing into the crowd.
"Asol?" Aoi called again, walking closer with two trays of food and Kazuma beside her.
He forced a smile.
"Coming!"
As he followed the two, a question lingered, heavy and sharp in his mind.
Was she even real?
By the time they reached the dome, Asol had pushed the thought aside—mostly. The structure was massive, gleaming like a pearl under the afternoon sun. Thousands of people flooded inside, their cheers echoing through the air like a living storm.
"What is this place?"
Asol asked, craning his neck as the entrance swallowed them into a corridor of light and banners.
"The Grand Coliseum!"
Aoi said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You're in for a treat! This is where the Tournament of Heroes takes place!"
Tournament?
Asol blinked as they emerged into a sea of humanity. The dome stretched wide and endless, seats packed with screaming fans. Energy screens hovered in the air, showing live feeds from every angle.
Aoi grinned at his stunned expression.
"Every five years, the greatest heroes gather here to fight for the title of Number One. It's… kind of a big deal."
Kazuma (Fire Mode) added-
"You'll see what real power looks like soon."
Asol swallowed hard as the lights dimmed as the roar of the crowd surged to a fever pitch.
Then, the ceiling began to open. Panels slid away, flooding the arena with golden sunlight. The air shimmered with energy as eight figures descended—some flying, some walking out through massive gates. The crowd went wild, chanting names Asol had never heard before.
And then… silence.
A single figure floated down from the sky, bathed in pure light, his white cape billowing like wings. His presence was calm, commanding—like the sun itself had chosen to follow him here.
Aoi's hands clenched with excitement.
"Asol… that's him. That's my brother!"
Her voice trembled, almost reverent.
"The Ultimate Hero..."
Kazuma said softly.
Providence.
Asol stared, the roar of the crowd fading into a dull hum as their eyes met for a fleeting second—or maybe it was just his imagination. For the first time since arriving in this world, Asol felt something stir deep inside him. Not fear. Not envy. Something else.
Something that whispered:
This world isn't just bright. It's blinding.
And somewhere in that blinding light… shadows waited.