Day 1: Disaster

Eria

My mother was a strong, independent woman who loved her family beyond anything else, even her own life. I thought the scene unfolding before me was just another nightmare, like all those nightmares before, and I would wake up any second now, right on the futon next to Ochako's bed.

But it wasn't.

"M-mom..." Hinata croaked feebly, beseeching his mother that was about to end his life.

My mother didn't hear anything. She remained rooted to the spot, unmoving.

"Eria! Stay back!" Scarlet Autumna cried as she sat on the ground; one of her legs were bent in an awkward angle. "Your mother! She......"

I wanted to beg my mother to stop. I didn't want to hurt her. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare. But the light was draining from Hinata's eyes......

I hurled a punch at my mother's torso. She whined in pain and dropped my brother to the floor. I hoped one punch could wake my mother. But she spun on the spot to meet me; her beautiful blue eyes had turned into a ferocious red.

A strong blow connected at my torso. I buckled, then my mother kicked me through the wall of the kitchen. I landed outside of the house in an ear-splitting crash, air knocked out of my lungs.

I became the target of my mother's ruthless onslaught. She flew through the human-shaped hole in the wall and punched the ground where my face was lying. I dodged in time, realising with the worst dread in my life that I had to fight my mother.

"Mom! It's me!" My voice cracked with strain as I shouted desperately. "MOM!"

My mother heard nothing. In one swift, fluid motion, she flew across the ground between us and hurled a punch at my head. I parried the attack but instantly I was blasted away. Pain seared in my hands; my bones felt like broken.

My heart scorched painfully, seeing the manic glint in her eyes, the blood on her white blouse.

This is not my mother. I told myself another lie. This is a villain pretending to be my mother. My mother would be back soon. She will never hurt me or her family.

My mother let out a bestial roar. Her large wings spread open on her back. Murderous aura enveloped her.

She was going in for the kill.

She was going to kill me.

I couldn't see what happened. It was just a blur of shapes and colours. When I came to, I was pinned to the ground. My mother had caged me in. Her strong arms held my arms tight and crushed my bones in a painstakingly slow process.

I shrieked in pain, thrashing around to free myself. My quirk couldn't fight against my mother: she was too strong. I needed my hidden demon.

But I didn't want to summon it. I didn't want to retaliate.

Because this bloodthirsty demon that wanted to kill me was my mother.

"Mom... mom..." I cried. My throat burned. "Please stop... please..."

My mother was unmoving.

"MOM!" I wailed as my mother raised her sharp talons. "WAKE UP, MOM! MOM!"

My mother didn't say anything. She didn't move neither.

I'm gonna die. My mother's gonna kill me. She's gonna be a murderer. I can't let her do this. I can't —

Droplets of water splattered onto my tear-streaked face.

I looked up. My mother was crying. Her eyes were turning into a blend of red and blue as she started to regain control over herself. Her aloft arm quaked, as though she was fighting the bloodthirsty desire to kill me.

My mother's lips trembled with the effort to speak; her voice cracking but it was gentle.

"It's okay, Eria... It's okay...... I love you so much......"

Then, she stabbed her razor-sharp claws into her chest, right where her heart was.

***

It was a nightmare. Just a nightmare.

I kept telling myself that, hoping that it was true. All of this was just a nightmare.

But it was true. It had happened. There's no denying the truth.

My father was weak, but he was still breathing. There was a huge gash across his chest that gushed blood as the first aiders carried him into the ambulance.

My brother survived too; he was conscious when they carried him into the ambulance. He cried for his mother because he too thought it was a nightmare.

Scarlet Autumna, who visited my house for the birthday party, broke one of her legs and her arm.

My mother, whom I thought she died from the suicidal move, lived. They restrained her limbs, like the villains that would be sent to prison.

I watched numbly as people moved busily in front of me. Neighbours gathered around the commotion, wondering which villain caused this dreadful incident, but they wouldn't have guessed it was my mother.

I moved lifelessly like a doll pulled on strings as the first aiders rushed me to the hospital. I had severe bruises over my body. Bones cracked in my arms. But no physical pain could compare to gaping void in my heart.

Aizawa-sensei, All Might and the principal, Nezu were already in the hospital, waiting for me. But they didn't speak to me; or rather, I didn't register anything they said.

From the moment I saw my mother turning into a bloodthirsty demon, my world had abruptly ended. My mind failed to grasp the impossibility, because my mother wouldn't do all the stuff I had witnessed, all the evidence of my senses must be lying......

Then, as the truth settled in like lead in the pit of my stomach, my senses grew numb. Everything was a blur around me. The only thing that ever registered in my mind was the gentle smile my mother gave me before she stabbed herself.

All Might had sat by my side quietly as my family went through strenuous operations.

"Here, drink something," All Might said gently as he passed me a bottle of water. I took it, but I didn't drink. It seemed to be a selfish luxury to be drinking right now, while my family teetered on the brink of life and death.

"Eria!"

I spun my head dispiritedly towards the voice. Ochako, Midoriya, Iida and Todoroki strode across the quiet hallway, looking stricken.

I remained quiet. I didn't look up at them, for fear I would burst into tears.

Everything was nice today: the school had no homework, Fat Gum had no assignments, the cafeteria food was exceptionally delicious, the sky was a brilliant blue. So why, why did something horrendous befall upon my family today?

I couldn't understand at all.

My friends and All Might stayed by my side until my family were strolled out of the operations theatres. I didn't even dare to look at them as they passed by before me.

I was afraid to see the white cloth covering their cold, lifeless bodies.

"Takasaki." It was Todoroki's sympathetic voice that greeted me after long hours of silence.

I stared at him. His expression was pained, even though it was not his family that was injured.

"It's okay to cry," he said softly.

My numb senses slowly returned. I felt truly relieved at the sight of him: his candy cane-coloured hair, his mismatched grey and blue eyes.

The excruciating pain started flooding in. The physical pain, the emotional pain...... everything. Then, they started to flow out of me, in the form of tears, of anguished screams.

I cried in agony, in the warmth of Todoroki's arms as I realised my family would no longer be whole again.

***

Day 2: Revelation

I woke up after a few hours of sleep, which was not possible if not for Recovery Girl's kiss. My broken hands were healed, my bruises cleared, but it seemed her kiss was unable to mend the void in my heart.

"Good morning," Todoroki greeted as he entered my private ward, carrying a tray of food. "You should eat. It's good," he said cajolingly.

I took a bite. It tasted bland. I didn't have an appetite to eat so I pushed the plate away.

Todoroki's brows furrowed but he said nothing.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class?" I asked.

"I got permission to leave to look after you. Iida and Uraraka will be here after class," he replied.

Todoroki fiddled with his fingers, searching for the perfect words to say that wouldn't agitate me. "No one else in class knows about... you. Only the four of us know. The news said it was an incident caused by a villain."

My heart ached and my stomach dropped an inch or so. My mother was described as a villain. A villain.

I clenched my fork tight. It curved under the sheer force. Todoroki hesitantly touched my hand, and sighed in relief when my grip loosened.

"Sorry. Force of habit. I thought my hand would crush yours..." Todoroki muttered under his breath, but it failed to make me smile.

Silence. We said nothing while I stared at my food listlessly and Todoroki looked out of the window.

"Your brother and your father are safe in their wards. They haven't recovered from the anesthesia," Todoroki spoke gently. "Your mother......"

An obstruction tightened in my chest.

"......she's fine but she hasn't wake up. The police are waiting for her side of the story," Todoroki continued, treading carefully with his gentle tone and appropriate choice of words.

"And there's the hero named Scarlet Autumna. She woke up. Recovery Girl healed her. She's talking to All Might and the police—"

I threw my blanket off me and staggered to the door of my ward.

It was tonic — the desire to know the truth behind my mother's attack, though my mind was still torpid and slack from the trauma.

I need to know.

I need to know why my loving mother became a monster and attacked her family......

......just like Lucifer.

Todoroki let out a sigh, as though he regretted telling me. He didn't object and swung my arm over his shoulder, carrying me to the ward where Scarlet was. After passing through the curtained windows of wards next to mine, we arrived at Scarlet's ward. The door was ajar and we peeked inside.

All Might stood beside a couple of policemen. Scarlet sat on the bed, looking frail, as if she could break with a blow of wind. Her voice was a tiny, soft whisper, but it was still audible. I strained my ears to eavesdrop on them.

"Did you notice anything weird when Takasaki Hana returned home yesterday?" a policeman questioned.

"She didn't seem like herself..." Scarlet said hesitantly. "Like she was possessed."

My knuckles tightened, like the knot in my stomach.

"Did she say anything at all before she attacked you?" the policeman asked.

Scarlet shook her head. "We were all in the kitchen when she came in. Then she..." Sobs racked her frail body.

All Might and the policemen exchanged tense looks.

"It could be she was controlled by a villain. She didn't know what she was doing," All Might hypothesised. I felt relieved to hear him defending my mother.

Suddenly, Scarlet took in a sharp intake of breath and gasped. Her body shook with renewed sobs. But she forced herself to stay calm. "I think... I think I saw someone outside when she came in..."

All curious eyes turned back to Scarlet. I gripped onto the door, dreading what she was about to say next.

"I think... that person bumped into her. He... or she... I couldn't tell. I couldn't see who it was from inside. He was hooded and hid his face well," Scarlet said. She clutched her arms as they shook.

Scarlet wasn't the only one shaking. My whole body was shivering from the shock, and it took tremendous effort not to burst into the room.

"I think he saw me. Our eyes met and I... I suddenly sank into some kind of illusion. I thought I saw spiders crawling all over me. I tried to get rid of them but they just won't disappear...... then Rokurou, Hana's husband, called me and I snapped out of it. The spiders suddenly disappeared... like... like magic. Like I just saw......"

"......an illusion," I muttered under my breath. Goosebumps popped up on my arms, as if the surroundings had turned ice cold. I shook uncontrollably and my legs buckled.

It's him. It's him again.

My most feared nightmare had come true.

Darkness enveloped me, suppressing me from all sides, crushing my body, blinding me. I couldn't hear anything except the cursed words that repeated like a broken record in my mind.

He's back. He's back......

He couldn't get me last time......

......so now he's decided to get my family instead.

The truth was too overwhelming that my mind spun and spun, and the image of me facing the illusion villain came back, clear as though it happened yesterday.

I screwed my eyes tight and covered my ears, blocking out the horrifying thoughts and memories.

It's just a nightmare. I'll wake up soon. I'll wake up and everything will be fine. My mother, father and brother will be fine.

"Eria... Eria..."

A whisper called my name through the darkness; gentle, soothing. I thought it was my mother, calling me, waking me for school in the morning.

Something warm touched my cheeks.

"It's okay... it's okay..." the muffled voice crooned.

I opened my eyes slowly. Todoroki's flawless face was marred with concern, but he still managed a smile.

"I'm here now."

Todoroki's hand was so warm, so comforting on my cheek. His face, his voice, his touch...... his entire presence was like a blissful ray of light, piercing through the darkness that enveloped me, giving me hope among the dreadful pool of despair.

With him by my side, I felt stronger, braver, fearless...... I could overcome any obstacles, I could conquer my fears......

I had never felt so grateful to have known him in my life.

"Thank you......" I croaked. "Thank you for staying by my side."

Todoroki smiled; it was gorgeous, blinding like the sun.

"Eri — Takasaki... you're welcome."

"What are you two doing here?"

Todoroki and I jumped apart. My face blazed with heat when I realised how close Todoroki was crouching in front of me.

All Might peered down from his looming height and knelt down beside me. "I guess you have heard everything," he said calmly. "Young Todoroki, let's bring her back to her ward. She needs rest."

Todoroki was still staring at his hand, but immediately jerked upright and straightened himself. He helped me to my feet and the three of us returned to my ward. I didn't object their arrangement even though I wanted to talk to Scarlet. I wanted to know more......

In the next few hours, All Might and Todoroki were by my side, reassuring me that me and my family would be safe, that the school, the Pro Heroes, and the police were doing all their best to track down the villain before he does more harm.

I remained silent the whole time, mulling over the words Scarlet had said. Understanding blossomed in my mind.

I must overcome my nightmare and my fear. I must conquer it, so that no one I care about would be harmed anymore.

And to fulfill that, I need to......

"I'm going back," Todoroki said abruptly as he looked at his watch, though he sounded quite reluctant. "I think Iida and Uraraka will come with Aizawa-sensei."

I stared at him, and gave him a short reply. "Okay."

He gazed at me concernedly, as if he was afraid something might happen if he left.

I smiled, for the first time since the horrible incident, to reassure him I would be fine. Even though his solemn expression suggested he had something heavy in his mind, he silently left with All Might.

Iida, Ochako and Aizawa-sensei came to check on me later on. Midoriya was nowhere to be seen, though I believed he was troubled by the Shie Hassaikai raid, especially the girl, Eri.

Iida brought me my homework and a few books to serve as distraction. Aizawa-sensei never said much, but only kept guardian in the room, highly alert, as though villains might come in to snatch me. Ochako didn't sob like she did whenever I was in distress. A gloomy expression clouded her bright, round face, which made me hoped that she would at least cry instead of keeping the emotions all to herself.

When night fell, Aizawa-sensei urged Iida and Ochako to return to the dormitory and insisted that policemen will keep guard outside of my ward. But, Ochako refused.

"I think she needs someone she knows by her side now," Ochako said calmly and stared determinedly at her teacher.

Aizawa-sensei glared back, but gave in as he let out an exasperated sigh. "Don't leave this room until I come back for you in the morning," he said. It seemed strict security measures were not only applied on me, but on my friends as well.

Ochako bowed and sent the two on their way. She bolted the door.

"Please don't tell me you're going to do what I think you're going to do," Ochako said firmly.

I jumped a little but passed the movement by shifting myself on the bed.

"What are you talking about?" I asked calmly, feigning innocence.

"Todoroki texted me about the eavesdropping. He probably didn't realise it, but I know what you're going to do. You're planning something stupid, suicidal, isn't it? Like the time when you trained yourself to death to control your quirk."

"I can't plan anything. Why would I?" I replied.

Ochako glowered. Her petite body emanated waves of anger that made me tremble slightly. But I tried hard not to let it show on my face.

"Really?" Ochako asked, doubtful.

I nodded.

Ochako bit her lip. "Fine. But I'm keeping an eye on you!"

This was a first, Ochako being just as shrewd as Bakugou always was. If that pineapple was here, he would probably spill out my entire plans just by looking at my face.

Dinner was nutritious chicken teriyaki with rice. I ate it as happily as I could, pretending I was finally recovering from the trauma, in order to lull Ochako into a false sense of security. After dinner, Ochako watched over me as I pretended to sleep. She planned to stay awake for the whole night. But I knew that would be impossible.

With my eyes closed, I watched her with my Sixth Sense, carefully waiting for the time when her head started drooping.

Tiny snores resonated the room. When I made sure Ochako was asleep, I treaded to the door of the ward carefully. Two policemen stood guard outside. Cursing under my breath, I tiptoed across the room to the window. The window creaked a little as I pushed it open, but thankfully Ochako was not aroused.

I squeezed myself through the window, but I still looked back at Ochako's sleeping figure. There was a pang of guilt in my heart. The faces of my friends dashed through my mind: Midoriya, Iida, Todoroki......

"I'm sorry, I'll be back soon," I muttered, then I soared into the air.

I flew across the building, finding the window where I could find......

I halted as I recognised the purple hair through the window.

Takasaki Hana lied ever so quietly on her bed, with a bandage across her chest and her body attached to various machines that gleamed her vitals in the dark. Her hands were bounded in a metallic case, like a prisoner.

My heart was squeezed by an invisible hand.

"Mom..." I muttered. "Stay safe. I'll be back. I'll make sure no one can hurt you anymore."

I thought my mother stirred in her coma, as though she had heard me. But it was probably my imagination.

Painfully, I left her and flew to the ward where my brother and my father were. They were located in the same room, beds placed side-by-side. My brother's neck was encased in a brace, while my father was in the similar state like my mother: bandaged chest, machines attached to his body to sustain him. Apparently, my parents were still too weak to receive Recovery Girl's kiss, and it would take days.

I stared at them longingly, but decided to leave before it was too late.

I will protect you, all of you. I will not let anyone hurt you again.

And to do that, I need to vanquish the evil at its roots.

I didn't look back as I flew into the velvety darkness, and swore never to return until the job was done.

***

Author's notes: The tragedy of Eria's family will span over a few days, so I had the next few chapters listed into Day 1, Day 2 etc. 

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