The aftermath left Izuku feeling more drained than he expected. His body was sore, his mind a tangled mess of questions, and the forge's hum, though quieter now, felt like a reminder that the fight wasn't over. The figure's words echoed in his head:
*"The forge's power isn't meant for you. It will destroy you."*
What did that mean? And more importantly, what *was* the forge, truly? He had always thought of it as a mysterious gift, something he'd discovered by accident and used to create and protect. But now, it felt like there was more to it—something dangerous, something hidden.
"Midoriya," Momo's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. They were still in the workshop, the air heavy with the smell of burnt metal and ozone. Mei was busy tinkering with what remained of her gadgets, her usual energy subdued but present, while Momo stood beside him, her sharp eyes studying his face.
"You should rest," she said gently, though there was a firmness in her tone that made it clear she wasn't just making a suggestion. "You've pushed yourself too hard."
"I can't rest," Izuku replied, shaking his head. "Not when we don't know what's coming next. That thing—it'll be back. And it won't stop until it takes the forge. I need to be ready."
"And you won't be ready if you collapse from exhaustion," Momo countered, crossing her arms. "Your strength comes from more than just the forge, Midoriya-san. It comes from your ability to think, to strategize. If you overwork yourself, you lose that edge."
Izuku opened his mouth to argue, but the look in her eyes stopped him. She was right. He *was* exhausted, and if he kept pushing himself like this, he'd only make things worse. He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "Alright. I'll rest. But just for a little while."
Momo nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Good. Mei and I will keep working on reinforcing the Harmony Suit. We'll wake you if anything urgent happens."
"Yeah, yeah," Mei chimed in, waving a wrench in their direction without looking up. "Go nap or whatever. I've got *so* many ideas for upgrades, you won't even recognize the suit when I'm done."
Izuku managed a faint smile, their support lifting some of the weight off his shoulders. "Thanks. Both of you."
---
Izuku didn't remember falling asleep, but when he opened his eyes again, he was somewhere else entirely.
The workshop was gone, replaced by an endless expanse of golden light. It wasn't blinding—more like a soft, warm glow that stretched in every direction, pulsing gently like a heartbeat. The air was still, yet it felt alive, humming with energy that resonated deep within him.
He looked down and saw the pendant glowing brighter than ever, its light merging with the golden expanse around him. For a moment, he felt at peace. But then he heard it—a voice, faint but clear, reaching out to him from the depths of the light.
**"Izuku."**
He turned, but there was no one there. The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
"Who's there?" he called, his voice echoing in the emptiness. "What is this place?"
**"The forge,"** the voice answered. **"This is where it began. And where it will end."**
Izuku's breath caught in his throat. "You're… the forge? You can talk?"
**"Not in the way you understand,"** the voice said. **"We are connected, you and I. When you awoke my power, our fates became intertwined. But there is much you do not know."**
Izuku's mind raced. He had so many questions, but one stood out above the rest. "What *am* I to you? Why did you choose me?"
The light pulsed, the hum deepening. **"I did not choose you. You chose me. When you found me, you reached out—not with greed, but with purpose. You sought to create, to protect. That is why I answered your call."**
Izuku frowned, his hands clenching at his sides. "Then why does that thing—the shadow—want you so badly? It said the forge's power isn't meant for me. What did it mean?"
The light dimmed slightly, as if the forge itself was hesitating. **"The shadow is part of what I once was. Long ago, I was whole—a force of creation and destruction, balanced and infinite. But that balance was broken. I was split, my essence scattered. What remains of me chose to create. What remains of the shadow chose to destroy."**
Izuku's eyes widened as the pieces began to fall into place. "So… that thing is part of you? And it wants to take you back?"
**"Yes,"** the forge said. **"If the shadow consumes me, it will become whole again. Its power will be limitless, and it will bring ruin to everything you fight to protect."**
Izuku's chest tightened. The weight of the forge's words was almost too much to bear. "Then we'll stop it. I'll stop it. I won't let it take you."
The light pulsed brighter, almost like a heartbeat. **"You have courage, Izuku. But courage alone will not be enough. The shadow grows stronger with each passing moment. If you are to stand against it, you must embrace the full power of the forge."**
Izuku hesitated, the memory of the shadow's warning creeping into his mind. "But… what if it's right? What if the forge's power *does* destroy me?"
The voice softened, its tone almost gentle. **"The forge's power reflects the heart of its wielder. If you lose yourself to fear or anger, it will overwhelm you. But if you hold true to who you are—to your purpose—it will guide you."**
Izuku took a deep breath, the warmth of the forge filling him with quiet resolve. "Then I'll do it. I'll use the forge's power to protect the people I care about. No matter what."
The light flared, surrounding him completely. **"Then you are ready."**
---
When Izuku woke, the workshop was quiet. The pendant was still warm against his chest, its glow faint but steady. He sat up, his mind clear for the first time in what felt like days.
Momo and Mei were still working, their focus unwavering. But when Momo glanced up and saw him, something in her expression shifted. "Midoriya-san," she said, setting down her tools. "You look… different."
Izuku smiled faintly, his hand brushing against the pendant. "I think I understand now. The forge—it's more than just a power source. It's… alive, in a way. And it chose me because it believed in what I wanted to do."
Mei raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Okay, that's cool and all, but does this mean you're, like, some kind of chosen hero now? Because if so, we *definitely* need to add more upgrades to the suit."
Izuku laughed softly, the tension in his chest easing. "Maybe. But whatever happens next, we'll face it together. The shadow is still out there, and it's only going to get stronger. But so will we."
Momo nodded, her calm determination matching his own. "Then let's get to work."
As they turned back to the Harmony Suit, the forge's hum seemed to echo in the background, steady and reassuring. The storm wasn't over, but Izuku was no longer afraid.
---
To be continued.