LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 3: Chapter Three: Into the Fray
Kaito sat on the nearly empty subway train, the gentle hum of its motion vibrating beneath him as the car sped through the underground tunnels of New York City. His headphones blasted MF DOOM's Doomsday, the smooth beats and clever wordplay filling his mind as he gazed out the window at the dimly lit walls rushing past. The day's events replayed in his head—Peter Parker's transformation, Gwen Stacy's kindness, the fleeting encounter with Moon Knight. Life here was far more dynamic than his quiet hometown in Japan.
The music shifted to a slower beat, and Kaito closed his eyes, letting the rhythm wash over him. He imagined what his life might have been like if he hadn't met that god, hadn't received those wishes. Would he have been content with his old life? Or was this chaotic, hero-filled world exactly where he was meant to be?
A sudden, deafening explosion jolted him from his thoughts. The subway car rocked violently, and people around him screamed, clutching onto poles and seats as the train screeched to a halt. Kaito yanked off his headphones, his senses immediately going into overdrive. The sharp scent of smoke filled the air, and the distant sound of crumbling buildings echoed through the tunnels.
"What the hell?" someone shouted, their voice panicked.
Kaito stood, peering out the window. Above the subway station, through a jagged crack in the ceiling, he could see plumes of smoke and flickers of green and orange light. Then he saw them—two massive figures locked in a destructive battle: the Hulk and the Abomination. Their roars shook the ground, the sheer force of their blows sending shockwaves that rattled the subway car.
"Stay calm!" Kaito shouted to the panicking passengers. He turned and slammed his hand against the emergency release lever, forcing the train doors open. With a deep breath, he channeled his psychic energy, smashing the window beside him. The glass shattered, and he leapt through the opening, landing lightly on the platform.
As soon as he surfaced on the street above, the chaos hit him full force. Cars lay overturned, storefronts were reduced to rubble, and terrified civilians screamed as they ran in all directions. Kaito looked up just in time to see Abomination hurl a car toward a group of fleeing pedestrians. Without thinking, Kaito extended his hand, his telekinetic energy catching the car mid-air and gently lowering it to the ground.
The Abomination turned, his grotesque, scaled face contorting into a sneer as he spotted Kaito. The creature bellowed, slamming his fists into the pavement, creating a shockwave that sent debris flying. Kaito leapt into the air, hovering briefly before landing atop a lamppost. He grabbed a metal pole from the wreckage, gripping it tightly like a sword.
"Alright, big guy," Kaito muttered, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "Let's dance."
The Abomination charged, his massive feet cracking the pavement with each step. Kaito launched himself forward, using his super agility to dart past the beast's first swing. He brought the metal pole down with all his strength, striking Abomination's shoulder. The creature roared in pain but retaliated quickly, swinging his massive arm in an arc.
Kaito dodged, the air whipping past him as the blow narrowly missed. Using his telekinesis, he hurled chunks of debris at the Abomination, aiming for his eyes to disorient him. The beast staggered, swiping at the projectiles in frustration.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kaito saw a family trapped beneath a collapsed awning. The structure groaned under the weight of debris, threatening to crush them. Extending his free hand, Kaito focused his psychic energy, lifting the debris piece by piece. "Get out of there!" he shouted, his voice strained from the effort.
The family scrambled to safety, shouting their thanks as they ran. Kaito barely had time to react before the Abomination lunged at him, claws outstretched. Kaito brought up the metal pole just in time, using it as a makeshift shield. The impact sent him skidding backward, his boots leaving trails in the cracked pavement.
"Damn, you hit hard," Kaito muttered, shaking the numbness from his arms. He concentrated, summoning a psionic blast that struck the Abomination square in the chest. The force of the attack sent the beast flying into a nearby building, the structure collapsing under his weight.
The Hulk, who had been momentarily stunned by their battle, shook off the debris and roared, charging at the Abomination. The two titans collided again, their punches creating shockwaves that sent Kaito stumbling.
"This is insane," Kaito muttered, sweat dripping down his brow. He had read about battles like this in comics, but experiencing it firsthand was a different story. He couldn't let the destruction continue. Focusing his energy, Kaito propelled himself into the air, landing between the Hulk and Abomination.
"Hey!" he shouted, his voice amplified by his psychic abilities. "Take this fight somewhere else! You're endangering innocent people!"
The Abomination snarled, lunging at him. Kaito sidestepped, slamming the metal pole against the creature's jaw with enough force to make it stagger. Hulk roared in approval, joining the fray with a thunderous punch that sent the Abomination sprawling.
Kaito moved quickly, using his telekinesis to guide fleeing civilians to safety. He lifted a fallen streetlamp off a trapped firefighter, his muscles and psychic energy working in tandem. Each act of heroism fueled his determination, even as exhaustion began to creep in.
The fight dragged on, each blow from the titans shaking the city. Kaito knew he couldn't keep this up forever. Summoning his remaining strength, he launched a concentrated psionic blast at the Abomination, stunning the beast long enough for the Hulk to land a devastating punch that knocked him out cold.
As the dust settled, Kaito stood amidst the wreckage, breathing heavily. The Hulk turned to him, his green eyes studying Kaito with a mix of curiosity and respect. Without a word, the giant nodded before leaping away, his massive form disappearing into the distance.
Kaito collapsed onto a piece of rubble, his body aching from the fight. Around him, emergency responders began to arrive, helping the injured and assessing the damage. Kaito slipped away quietly, blending into the crowd.
By the time he reached his small Manhattan apartment, the adrenaline had worn off, leaving him utterly exhausted. He sank onto his bed, staring at the ceiling as the events of the day replayed in his mind.
"Welcome to the big leagues," he muttered to himself, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Despite the chaos, he felt a sense of purpose—a feeling that he was exactly where he needed to be.