"What Kind of Hero Even Are You?" - Desecration Arc

Hiroshi walked Bibi back into the city walls. Wisteria and Tomokazu waited at the wall, still catching their breath. The conversation that Wisteria had with Kage came back to her mind. 

"I can feel a darkness in him, Wisteria." He had told her. Wisteria shivered, a cold sensation running up her spine. Something didn't feel right about his new form. It wasn't like Hiroshi was getting stronger, it was more like Kuro-Yami was getting more control.

"That form. I haven't seen that before," Tomokazu spoke up, breaking Wisteria's train of thought. "You think he unlocked it in the Light Speed Chamber? That definitely looked like he was going faster than the speed of light."

"I...I don't know, Tomo," Wisteria gulped. "I'm not a fan of it, though."

"Can't say I disagree with you there," sighed Tomokazu. He watched as Hiroshi brought Bibi back to the group. Thankfully, all four of them had come out with very minor injuries. However, the shift in power was obvious. If Bibi was correct, and there was at least six more Desecrators, then they would be almost unstoppable compared to One and Two.

"Hey, you two alright?" Hiroshi asked, concerned for his girlfriend and his best friend's safety.

"We are fine, Oshi," Wisteria spoke up bluntly, leaning her boney back against the wall. "What was that form? We haven't seen it before and you never told us about it."

"Don't be worried," Hiroshi gave a small chuckle as he rubbed his neck. "When we were working on our speed, I knew Kuro-Yami could take me even further beyond the speed of light. I don't want to lag behind you three. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but as you can see, it's not a pretty form."

"I think you look great in darkness, Hiroshi," Kuro-Yami gave a small smirk in his mind. "Maybe you should let me take over again, and these Desecrators will go down easy."

Hiroshi ignored the Ardor of Darkness. Every time he used Kuro-Yami's power, he felt as if he was losing control of his body. It was unnerving to him. Scary, even. But that power - it felt too good to give up.

Before Tomokazu and Wisteria could question him further, a city dweller tapped Tomokazu on the shoulder. He turned around and examined the man. He wore very dirty clothes, covered in head to foot in ash. He wore a dark, green apron, complimented by a dark undershirt and black trousers. He had wispy, white hair, with deep wrinkles and dark eye bags. His eyes, which had lost its' twinkle, was blue and grey at the same time. He wore black, small circular glasses that rested nicely on his nose.

"Um...hello?" Tomokazu asked, peering down at the man. He was almost a whole foot shorter than he. The old man had to reach at an arm's length to tap him on his shoulder.

"That man," the elderly civilian said, pointing at Hiroshi. "Why did he save us?"

"Because that wasn't me," Hiroshi responded, staring at the man in his beady eyes. "You and your city are safe now."

"You...you're a hero," the old man smiled. "My name is Sanguro. Please, come to my forge. I can craft some wonderful weapons for you. It is the least you deserve for saving our city."

"A blacksmith? In Sunchel?" Tomokazu piped up in shock. "Not many of those around in Titania."

"There is a lot more money here. You would be surprised," Sanguro laughed as he spun on his heel. "Follow me, I'll take you there."

"Hiroshi! What the hell?!" Kuro-Yami yelled inside the void of Hiroshi's mind. "Why did you say that?! We are supposed to be the villians of the world!"

"Shut up," Hiroshi growled. "What else was I supposed to say? People aren't stupid. This plan by the Desecrators is clearly to ruin my reputation. If I save people, it's not my fault that I'm viewed as a hero."

Bibi walked beside Hiroshi. She looked up at him, in his darkening eyes. She knew that he was troubled. He looked tired, fed up, even. Like he wanted to just waste away into nothingness. She grabbed his sleeve, just like a young child would.

"Are you alright? You seem agitated," Bibi pointed out, scanning Hiroshi's eyes for answers.

"I'm fine," retorted Hiroshi, who had Kuro-Yami in his ear the whole time.

"What kind of hero even are you?" Kuro-Yami pouted. "The one that killed innocents last year? The man that wants to kill the Ardors, who 'protect' the world in the eyes of the public? Stay with me Hiroshi. Let the darkness consume you. Trust me. I haven't let you down yet, have I, my friend?"

"No...I guess not," Hiroshi whispered, focusing his eyes ahead. He knew it himself. It was too late to become a hero, after the things he had done. However, after meeting Wisteria, Tomokazu, Bibi and Kage, he wanted to be a better person. For them.

The city dwellers began coming out in masses. They weren't too happy about their city being ruined by the fighting. Hiroshi felt as if a thousand daggers were stabbing in him the back. Kuro-Yami grinned. This was the reaction he wanted. Even though he had saved them, the man he had saved them from had his face. It was certainly a confusing situation. 

So, why was the old man Sanguro any different?

As they walked towards the forge, all the eyes glaring at him. Hiroshi knew he had to settle the tension once and for all. He didn't want to lose his friends. They reached the forge after a long walk, and Hiroshi finally began using his words.

"You head in, Sanguro. I have something I want to discuss with my friends."

Sanguro nodded, and headed into the forge. Hiroshi sighed as the other three turned to face him.

"Well?" Tomokazu sighed, crossing his arms. "Say your piece."