The underground lab was silent except for the low hum of machines.
A masked figure stood still in the shadows — Slander.
In front of him, a man in a white coat moved calmly, his back turned, his face hidden in darkness.
"You made a mess," the man said coldly.
Slander didn't respond.
"Thirteen officers," the man continued. "Do you understand what that brings? Attention. Pressure. Interference."
Slander tilted his head slightly. "They were obstacles."
A pause.
"Next time," the man said, his voice sharper now, "be precise. We are building something greater than chaos. Do not reduce my work to reckless violence."
Slander nodded once. "Understood."
The man turned slightly, but his face remained unseen.
He walked toward a large machine at the center of the lab. Tubes, wires, and glowing containers surrounded it. Inside—
A lifeless man, somewhere in his thirties, floated in a tank.
Still. Empty.
The scientist picked up a vial glowing faintly — radioactive genome energy.
"This," he said quietly, "is evolution."
He inserted the vial into the machine.
The system activated.
Energy surged through the tubes, flowing into the body.
The man inside twitched.
Once.
Then again.
Slander watched silently.
"Soon," the man whispered, "humanity will change."
Morning came like any other day.
Aria sat cross-legged on her bed, fabric spread around her, scissors in hand.
Pieces of blue cloth, thread, and sketches were scattered everywhere.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"A hero needs a costume to carry out her duties ," she said, focused.
Ella leaned against the wall, watching. "You're actually serious about this?"
Mira crossed her arms. "Like… actually going out there?"
Aria didn't look up. "Yeah."
Ella laughed lightly. "Okay, but can you even fight?"i
That made Aria pause.
"…I train," she said.
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Train what? Running?"Because I don't remember U taking martial arts
Aria smirked. "I'm fast, strong, and I learn quickly. I don't really need a martial class to be prefect at fighting so I'll figure it out."
Ella shook her head, smiling. "You're crazy."
"Maybe," Aria replied. "But someone has to do something."
By evening, the costume was ready.
A fitted blue suit, simple but bold. A mask covering the upper part of her face. Gloves. Light, flexible.
Aria stood in front of the mirror again.
Same girl.
Different purpose.
"…yeah," she whispered. "This works."
Suddenly—
From the living room, the TV volume increased.
"Breaking news!"
Aria rushed out.
"Multiple armed robbers are currently attacking a downtown Chicago bank. Police response units are on the way—"
She froze.
This was it.
Her moment.
She looked at her parents — distracted, shocked at the news.
Then back at the screen.
Without another word, she turned and ran.
Night fell over the city as Aria moved across rooftops in her new suit.
Her heart pounded as she leapt from roof to roof with a high speed.
This is real… I'm actually doing this.
She reached the bank.
Sirens. Screams. Chaos.
Inside, masked robbers held civilians hostage. Guns raised. Voices shouting.
Aria took a deep breath.
"Okay… hero time."
She jumped down.
Landing right in front of them.
The robbers froze.
"…who the hell are you?" one of them said.
Aria straightened up.
"Someone you shouldn't have to deal with."
A pause.
Then—
Gunfire.
Aria moved instantly.
Fast.
She dodged the bullets, her body reacting faster than her mind. She closed the distance in a second — one punch sent a robber crashing into a counter.
Another swung his weapon — she ducked and kicked him across the room as he hits body on the wall as the hit impact made him unconscious.
Her movements weren't perfect.
But they were powerful.
Unpredictable.
Raw.
"Yo, who is bitch!" one shouted.
Aria grabbed another, disarming him, giving him a mighty punch causing his teeths should get scattered then pushed him aside.
Her confidence grew.
I can do this.
She moved again—
Too confident.
Then a robber who already fell picked his gun determined to cause damage to the mysterious lady causing havoc ,with the last bullet in his pistol he aims for her stomach region and shot. Aria body reflexes reacted to the sound of gunshot but she decided not to dodge having full confidence in her strength and powers .
She thought she didn't need to.
The bullet hit.
Her body froze.
Pain exploded through her side.
"…ah—!"
She staggered back, eyes wide.
Blood.
Spreading fast.
Her breath hitched.
"I… I thought…"
Another shot rang. She barely moved this time, slower, weaker.
Reality crashed into her.
She wasn't invincible.
Not even close.
The robbers stared.
"She bleeds!"
Aria clutched her wound, her vision blurring slightly.
Her heart pounded louder than ever before.
Fear.
Real fear.
Her first fight.
Her first mistake.
Her first blood