The First Light. A blinding flash that shattered the world, sending shockwaves through every city, every country on Earth. This inexplicable phenomenon left behind a precious gift: Radianite. Prominently discovered all over the planet after The First Light, they began to be extensively used by men for the production of technology and energy. This is the reason technology could ever advance to unimaginable heights, and possibilities. Many saw it as a divine offering, a boon from above.
The world seemed unanimous in its understanding, except for a select few—the "gifted ones."
The First Light gave rise to the Radiants. Shortly after, individuals began to manifest extraordinary superhuman abilities. While these powers held the potential for societal good, they also carried the risk of unimaginable harm. Crime rates soared, as some exploited their newfound powers for personal gain, leaving others to mourn the loss of loved ones, casualties of uncontrollable forces.
For some, it was a blessing. For others, the Light that had forever changed the world a decade ago was...
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a curse bestowed upon humanity.
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Present day, 2:06 AM
Somewhere in Vancouver, Canada.
(Or any city in your country of choice. This is YOUR story, after all!)
"Reports of a disaster in Italy. Having the ground explode into the air, Venice is now 300 meters above the ground. Radianite may have been involved. Kingdom, whose Radianite program accounts for over three quarters of the world's energy production, has denied any connection to this disaster--"
Y/n leaned against the counter, his gaze fixed on the television broadcasting the increasingly chaotic world. Each passing day seemed to push the boundaries of madness further, but the news unfolding before him was on a whole new level. With a cloth in hand, he meticulously wiped a wine glass, ensuring its pristine condition before hanging it on the rack in front of him. He reached for another freshly washed glass, continuing his task with practiced efficiency.
A man seated across the counter broke the silence, voicing the thoughts that lingered in the air. "Well, the world's really going to the shitter one of these days..." he muttered, pushing his empty glass toward the bartender, "More beer, please" he said. Y/n, who doubled as the bartender, offered a polite smile and gently declined the request.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't serve you any more beer tonight," he replied. Glancing at his watch, he added, "It's already 2:07 AM, and we close at 2." Lowering his wrist, he carefully placed another glass on the rack. "I'll be here again tomorrow if you fancy more drinks," he reassured in a soft tone. Late-night patrons were a regular occurrence in the bar, and y/n had grown accustomed to their presence over the years. He understood that losing track of time was all too common, and he didn't wish to inconvenience the customer. As the man's coat concealed his arms, y/n's gaze unintentionally fell upon his hands. The sight of metallic prosthetics caught his attention, prompting thoughts of the untold and perhaps tragic tale behind them.
"Huh...? Oh, no worries," the customer replied, a hint of surprise in his voice. He rose from his seat, preparing to take his leave. Towering over 2 meters tall, his bearded face and braided brown hair exuded a rugged charm. His metallic hand casually slipped into the pocket of his coat, retrieving a handful of dollars that he placed on the counter, creating a faint clattering sound. With a nod, he made his way toward the exit. "That's a little something for your service. I won't be around tomorrow. Actually, I won't even be in this country anymore," he stated, followed by a chuckle. "Thanks for the beer." With that, he swung the door open and departed, his murmurs fading as the door closed behind him.
Y/n released a weary sigh, turning his attention to the task at hand. "Time to close up the bar," he muttered to himself. Everyone else had left at least 15 minutes ago, leaving y/n to take care of the final duties. He switched off the lights, casting a dim glow upon the room, and turned off the television. Making sure all doors and windows were securely shut and locked, he embarked on his journey home.
The street was quiet, too quiet, giving off an eerie vibe. Y/n walked along the familiar path, his footsteps creating soft echoes on the pavement. Even though he had taken this route countless times before, the unsettling silence of the midnight hour always managed to make him uneasy. Loneliness seemed to creep in, sometimes subtly and other times more strongly, tugging at his thoughts. Was it just an occasional feeling, or did it linger within him more persistently? He couldn't quite grasp the answer, and its uncertainty cast a shadow over his mind. There was a time when he hadn't known such loneliness, when he found comfort and purpose before taking his role as a bartender.
"...!"
In an abrupt halt, y/n's footsteps ceased. The weight of his emotions palpable in the clenched grip of his teeth. The bitterness from the memories of his former job surged to his mind.
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7 years ago.
Everett-Linde Research Facility, New Mexico
(The collaboration between the Kingdom organizations of Alpha and Omega has not yet begun in this facility at this time.)
A heated debate raged among the group of researchers. The emergence of Radiants had become a menacing threat to society, prompting them to contemplate a drastic solution - creating their own Radiants as a defensive measure.
"This is utterly absurd!" Dr. Williams exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. "You actually believe that injecting liquid Radianite into a person will transform them into a Radiant? It's far too dangerous! Count me out!"
"FILTERED liquid Radianite, Dr. Williams," countered another researcher. "I have conducted numerous tests on various subjects, and the results have been promising." She showcased a series of graphs and images on the monitor, presenting her work to the skeptical colleagues. "I can confidently say that the experiment has a success rate of at least 90%."
"I personally witnessed the outcome of Dr. Callas's experiment," interjected a specialist, none other than y/n. "The mice and guinea pigs injected with the liquid Radianite exhibited significant bodily changes that stabilized over time. One mouse began generating high-voltage electricity, while another managed to... devour the guinea pigs."
Dr. Williams rose from his chair, slamming his hands on the table in frustration. "There you have it! The mouse devoured the guinea pigs! Just imagine the consequences if it were a human! They would either perish or transform into mindless monsters! Kingdom will never allow us to conduct such a risky experiment on a human subject!" His voice reverberated through the room, filled with a mixture of concern and agitation.
"I volunteer as the subject." a resolute voice came from the corner of the room. "Let's take our chances. the potential rewards far outweigh the risks. This could be the answer we were looking for." the researcher said. Doctor Frederick Wallace, the esteemed principal investigator and lead researcher, gracefully rose from his seat, making his way to the front of the room where Doctor Callas stood. "I'll risk myself for you, Sabine. I know you don't fail." he whispered.
Doctor Callas placed her hand on Doctor Wallace's. With a gentle touch, her thumb drew soothing circles on his hand. "Thank you, Fred. I won't let anything happen to you", she whispered back to him.
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"AAAARRRGHH!"
"FRED!!!"
"Abort! Abort immediately!"
"I-I can't! The machine is not responding!"
"Radianite energy is surging beyond containment! It's getting out of control! Evacuate everyone!"
"Doctor Callas, that machine is going to explode!"
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Present day, 8:21 AM
Y/n awoke from a restless sleep, his body drenched in sweat. He sat up on his bed, taking a moment to collect himself and regain his composure. Inhaling deeply, he focused on steadying his racing heart and quieting his anxious thoughts. Memories of the senior researcher, Doctor Wallace, flooded his mind, reminding him of the haunting events that had unfolded in the research facility. As the youngest member of the team, Y/n bore witness to it all, etching the traumatic experience deep into his psyche.
After allowing himself a moment to regain his calm, his gaze drifted towards the corner of the room where a cabinet stood, containing a neatly folded battle suit and mask. "Doctor Wallace... The second attempt yielded success, but it did not bring the peace we had hoped for," he murmured softly, his eyes fixed upon the suit.
Within the confines of the Everett-Linde Research Facility, the group of researchers grappled with the decision of whether to proceed with the experiment using a different subject. Over half of the team had withdrawn from the project, seeking to distance themselves from the potential risks and further disasters. Furthermore, the team had lost their leader, Doctor Wallace, who had valiantly sacrificed himself during the incident. However, when Doctor Wallace's successor, Doctor Callas, took charge, some members argued that abandoning the experiment would render his sacrifice in vain. Ultimately, Doctor Callas agreed.
Less than a year after the fateful events involving Doctor Wallace, the team embarked on a second experiment, and this time, it proved successful.
The subject of this pivotal second experiment was none other than Y/n himself.
Y/n settled into the comfort of the couch, switching on the television. In a world where dragons or dinosaurs appearing on the news seemed like a distinct possibility, nothing could truly surprise him anymore. Just last night, reports of floating cities had made headlines, further blurring the line between fantasy and reality.
"--are currently requesting support from Kingdom. 7 Radiant criminals were reported to have stolen Radianite from a Kingdom warehouse in Downtown Vancouver. The police are--"
Y/n's curiosity piqued as he listened to the news report. The audacity of stealing Radianite intrigued him. While the significance of Radianite in technology and energy production was undeniable, the majority of it resided in the hands of Kingdom, one of the largest corporations in existence. Engaging in such a brazen act against a formidable entity like Kingdom seemed ill-advised, to say the least. Even if the criminals managed to pilfer some Radianite, their only potential buyers would be... Kingdom themselves. It appeared to be a futile endeavor, rendering the act of stealing Radianite nothing short of foolish.
Y/n jolted as a deafening BOOM reverberated through the air, causing a tremor that shook his surroundings. His eyes remained fixated on the TV screen for a fleeting moment, processing the unexpected disturbance. A surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins, pushing him into action. With a mixture of hesitation and determination, he approached the cabinet standing in the corner of his living space. After a lingering gaze, he reached out and retrieved the battle suit and mask that lay folded within. He then exited his apartment to head downtown.
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9:10 AM
Clad in his battle suit, y/n maintained a crouched position atop a nearby building, peering intently down at the Radianite warehouse. To his surprise, the area appeared devoid of any sign of policemen, security guards, or workers—a peculiar absence that piqued his curiosity.
"So, there were seven of them," he muttered to himself, scanning the surroundings in search of the Radiant criminals. After a brief moment, his gaze locked onto three figures emerging from the warehouse through an open gate.
"Alright, it's been a while, but time to step in and save the day," y/n declared, readying himself to leap from the building. However, his intent was abruptly halted as his attention was drawn to a pair of extraordinary individuals down the street. Both armed with assault rifles, they exuded an air of determination and power. The man, discarding his coat, revealed the glimmering presence of prosthetic metal arms—a distinct reminder of their encounter the previous night.
Recognition dawned upon y/n as realization set in. "That's the customer from last night!" he exclaimed, his focus shifting to the unfolding scene before him.
"Hah! Good thing we stayed for breakfast! If we went home last night no one would sa~ve the day!" The woman quipped with a playful nudge to the man's metallic arm. Before he could respond, their conversation abruptly halted as a Radiant antagonist unleashed a barrage of massive debris in their direction. Acting swiftly, the man crushed the incoming wreckage with his formidable metal arms, his voice resonating with an air of intimidation as he proclaimed, "Stand in my way. I dare you." Sparks of electricity began storming out his prosthetic arms, and the whole ground crumbled. Rolling thunder started spreading towards the warehouse, and the 3 Radiants were overwhelmed and knocked unconscious. "Haha! O~bliterated!" the woman shouted.
"Guess I wasn't needed after all" said y/n. He started feeling stupid for wearing that suit after a long while. But, as soon as he was about to leave the area, the streets start turning into ice that spread very quickly. The ice reached the man with metal arms, encasing him in ice. As he was unable to move, the woman swiftly retaliated, hurling satchel bombs at the ice surrounding them, and the ice was broken. But as soon as they were free, they were surrounded by 4 unidentified Radiants.
Y/n knew that the two were in trouble, so he turned back and jumped down the building to shorter ones, and eventually to the ground. The 4 Radiants were startled upon his landing. One shouted, "Who the hell are you? Get out of our way! We just want the Radianite!". Y/n calmly replied, "Yeah, you should've asked nicely. " Unleashed his agility, y/n began dashing around the bewildered Radiants, leaving behind an illusory figure in his former position. Seizing the opportunity while his foes were distracted, y/n struck swiftly and stealthily from behind, rendering the Radiants unconscious with deft and calculated blows.
The piercing sound of sirens finally broke through the air, signaling the arrival of the police. Y/n couldn't help but shake his head in mild exasperation at their seemingly sluggish response. It appeared as though they had been waiting for someone, anyone, to intervene before mustering the courage to confront the Radiants. Fortunately, fate had brought together this unlikely trio.
"The police are finally here. Time to make our exit!" the woman declared, with a sense of urgency. With a firm grip on both the man and y/n's arms, she wasted no time in leading them towards a designated direction. As they hurriedly moved, the man quickly relayed instructions through his radio comms, leaving y/n curious about the identity of the person on the other end. "Brim, we're heading South now. Can you pick us up there?" he spoke, his words hinting at a hidden network of allies.
In that moment, y/n contemplated his options. Standing around explaining himself to the arriving police seemed less appealing than joining this enigmatic duo on their daring escape. With a decisive nod, he resolved to follow their lead, trusting that their path held greater promise than the inevitable questioning that awaited him.
"Hey, you were kinda cool back there! You a Radiant?" the woman inquired, her curiosity evident in her voice as they continued their brisk sprint towards the south. Y/n had a chance to observe her closely, realizing she appeared younger than he had initially imagined. "It's complicated. I'll explain wh-... after we get in that...?" y/n responded, his words trailing off as an aircraft came into view, gracefully descending to street level. "That's the Vulture! You're coming with us, random hero!" the man shouted near y/n's ear, his excitement palpable as he leaped onto the aircraft.
Shaking his head in a mixture of disbelief and amusement, y/n muttered to himself, "Absolutely crazy... ridiculously random." With a leap of faith, he propelled himself onto the aircraft, feeling the door swiftly close behind him as they soared away from the scene. In the ensuing moments, the three of them took a well-deserved respite, allowing their breathing to steady and their heart rates to normalize. Once the adrenaline subsided, the man with the prosthetic arms rose to his feet, extending his mechanical hand towards y/n. "I'm Breach. Well, that's what the others call me. What do we call you fella?" he introduced himself, a genuine warmth in his voice. Y/n's gaze shifted from Breach's prosthetics to his eyes, and after a brief pause, he clasped the offered hand and replied, "I'm..."
"I'm..."
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"Doctor Callas! The device! I-i-it worked!"
"Congratulations, Doctor Callas. I think it is safe to say that this experiment is a resounding success!"
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"Doctor Callas, is everything alright? You don't seem happy with your success..."
"No... no, I'm alright. The experiment was successful. Now that our hard work has paid off, you should take some rest. All of you."
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"L/n, can you hear me? Wake up."
"Doctor Callas? Am I...? Was the experiment...?"
"The experiment was successful, y/n l/n. You are now..."
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"Radiant Hunter... That's what they called me," y/n chuckled, a mixture of amusement and acceptance. He pulled himself up with Breach's hand, embracing the identity that was once bestowed upon him.
"Well then, Radiant Hunter... Let's get you home for now," Breach said, a sense of camaraderie and understanding in his voice.
P.S. It's my first story so... please bear with it XD
I think I'll be updating once a week.