Dabi's eyes flashed with anger—his voice was a low growl.
Dabi: "Bring it, psycho."
He lunged forward—grabbing the axe handle in an attempt to wrestle it away from Akira.
Dabi: "I'm not dying—not yet! I have a score to settle with Random!"
He strained—his muscles bulging—but Akira held onto the axe with inhuman strength—pushing Dabi backwards until his head cracked against the wall—knocking him out cold. Akira stood over him—a twisted smile on his face.
Dabi's vision was hazy—he saw Akira raise the axe—but before it could come down, someone tackled Akira to the ground—Midoriya's voice ringing out.
Midoriya: "Detroit Push!"
Both men went crashing to the ground—the axe clattering beside them. Akira snarled.
Akira: "Get off me!"
Midoriya growled back.
Midoriya: "Never!"
He pinned Akira down—his eyes blazing with determination as he fought to keep the psychotic man subdued.
(In the background watching).
Random's voice echoed in Dabi's mind—clear and commanding.
Random: "Kill one of them..."
The command washed over Dabi like a tidal wave—his eyes widened—he felt his body moving against his will as if possessed. He staggered to his feet—his movements mechanical as he walked toward the axe. Midoriya looked up—his eyes widened in horror.
Midoriya: "Dabi, what are you doing?!"
He cried out desperately. But Dabi didn't respond—he simply stood over them—raising the axe high above his head.
Akira: "Move, you idiot! He's being controlled by Random!"
He yelled—pushing Midoriya roughly out of the way just in time. The axe came down—the blade burying deep into Akira's skull—blood spraying everywhere and coating Midoriya's face and torso.
Midoriya: "Dabi—stop it!"
He screamed—but Dabi just stood there—his expression blank—Random clearly controlling his movements.
Midoriya: "Why would you?"
He asked incredulously—looking at Dabi with a mix of horror and confusion. Akira, lying on top of him, coughed weakly—blood bubbling from his mouth.
Akira: "I-I don't know why... usually I just kill people for a living..."
He gasped out—his voice grew weaker by the second.
Akira: "But for some reason... I want to feel what it's like to save someone... even though nobody ever saved me... At least I saved someone... once..."
Midoriya felt a strange sense of gratitude toward Akira—for saving his life despite being a killer. He gently pushed the dying man off—only to realize Dabi was gone. The axe was missing too.
Midoriya: "Where did he go?"
He whispered—looking around frantically. The alley was empty—no sign of Dabi, or anyone else. Just the sound of pouring rain and Akira's fading breaths echoing around him.
Midoriya: "Dabi...?"
He called out—but there was no response. Only silence.
(In the real world).
Dabi woke up next to the SUV—his head throbbing. He looked down and saw the axe still gripped tightly in his hand. He dropped it immediately—his eyes scanning his surroundings. There was someone standing right in front of him—a figure shrouded in shadows. Dabi approached slowly—his voice cold and guarded.
Dabi: "Who are you supposed to be?" He demanded, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make out the stranger's features.
(In Random's twisted world).
Shigaraki and Lady Nagant navigated the eerily quiet city streets—both on edge, expecting danger at any moment. Shigaraki muttered his thoughts aloud.
Shigaraki: "Probably changed the game again..."
He turned back to Lady Nagant—he suddenly collided with something solid. Looking back, he found himself face to face with a tall, disfigured man looming in the darkness—a chilling grin spreading across his grotesque face.
Shigaraki stumbled back—his heart racing as he took in the disfigured man's horrifying appearance. Lady Nagant's terrified voice cut through the silence.
Lady Nagant: "Shigaraki..."
Shigaraki: "Yeah?"
He looked back at her—his eyes widening in shock as he saw the man slowly approaching from behind. The man's eyes were swarming with cockroaches—his grin wide and sinister.
(From Shigaraki's perspective).
The disfigured man's grotesque face loomed larger—cockroaches crawling from his eye sockets. Shigaraki fumbled for the knife he'd brought from the abandoned house—pulling it out and pointing it at the creature.
Shigaraki: "Stay away from me!"
He growled—taking a step closer to the disfigured man—trying to appear threatening. But his hands were shaking—his voice betraying his obvious fear as the cockroach infested figure continued its slow, deliberate approach.
(Lady Nagant's perspective).
Shigaraki's behavior was completely bizarre. He was pointing a knife at her—telling her to stay away—as if she were some kind of threat. She backed up quickly—her hands raised in surrender.
Lady Nagant: "Shigaraki—what's wrong with you? Are you high or something?"
She asked incredulously—her voice echoing in the empty alleyway. She had no idea he was seeing something she couldn't—a disfigured man with cockroaches for eyes.
(Shigaraki's perspective).
The disfigured man suddenly turned and bolted—his grotesque form disappearing into the dark alleys. Shigaraki wasted no time—his fight-or-flight response kicked in as he sprinted after him.
Shigaraki: "Run, coward!"
He screamed—the knife still glinting in his hand.
Shigaraki: "But this time—I'm the one who's going to kill you!"
His adrenaline fueled every step.
(Lady Nagant's perspective).
She ran desperately away from Shigaraki—his terrifying words echoing in her ears. She glanced back and saw him in hot pursuit—his eyes wild with fear or madness. Suddenly, the buildings around her began to move on their own—trying to block her path. She skidded to a halt—her heart pounding in her chest as she took in the surreal scene. Then she saw it—a tall black figure lurking in the shadows, watching her intently.
Lady Nagant: "It's Random!"
(Shigaraki's perspective).
The disfigured man suddenly stopped running—his grotesque form frozen in place as if waiting for its inevitable demise. Shigaraki slowed to a halt—his breathing heavy and his heart pounding with hatred. He stared at the creature with utter disgust.
Shigaraki: "You make me sick just by looking at you."
He spat, his voice dripping with venom. He raised the knife—his grip tight—ready to strike the killing blow.
Shigaraki: "Accept your fate—it's going to be a painful death!"
(Lady Nagant's perspective).
Suddenly, Lady Nagant's desperate voice cut through the air.
Lady Nagant: "Stop it, Shigaraki!"
She sprinted towards him—her hands outreached as if trying to physically pull him back from the edge. From her perspective, Shigaraki looked completely possessed—as if he was seeing something she couldn't. She had no idea he was staring at a disfigured man—all she saw was Shigaraki ready to commit murder.
Lady Nagant: "Snap out of it!"
She cried out—her voice laced with fear and urgency.
(Shigaraki's perspective).
The disfigured man suddenly lunged forward—grabbing onto him and shaking him violently. Shigaraki's eyes widened in shock and fear.
Shigaraki: "Get off me!"
He screamed—his quirk activating instinctively. He felt the familiar decaying sensation—watching in horror as the disfigured man began to crumble to dust. But then everything went wrong. He looked down—his hands covered in blood that wasn't the disfigured man's. It was Lady Nagant's.
Shigaraki's heart stopped. His eyes widened—horror consuming every inch of him as he looked down. Lady Nagant's body was decaying—her flesh crumbling away into dust right before his eyes. Her hands were still reaching for him—the last act of someone trying to save him from the creature only he could see.
Shigaraki: "No..."
His voice came out broken—shattered. In an instant, he was back in the real world—standing beside the SUV in complete silence—alone. Lady Nagant was gone.
(Lady Nagant's perspective).
She heard Shigaraki screaming for her to let go—but her arms were already wrapped around him—trying desperately to pull him back from attacking nothing. She looked down—seeing her arm decay rapidly.
Lady Nagant: "Oh no..."
She whispered—in shock and acceptance. She looked up at Shigaraki one last time—his face twisted in horror and confusion.
Lady Nagant: "I guess this is the end..."
She whispered softly—closing her eyes as the decay consumed her entirely.
(In the real world).
Dabi approached cautiously—his voice was gentle despite the confusion written all over his face.
Dabi: "Shigaraki? What happened?"
He asked softly—taking in Shigaraki's tear-streaked face. Shigaraki looked up at him—his eyes filled with sorrow and guilt.
Shigaraki: "I killed Lady Nagant..."
He whispered brokenly.
The old man from before emerged from the shadows behind Dabi—his voice calm and steady.
The old man: "You're back..."
(Meanwhile in Random's world).
A note materialized in front of the remaining survivors—its message clear and horrifying. Midoriya read it aloud—his voice trembled with dread.
Midoriya: "The gate has been closed... meaning there's no way out—unless someone uses the app again. But that's impossible—the app has been taken down."
He watched in horror as the note vanished into thin air. The realization hit him like a freight train—he was trapped here forever. The others stood in stunned silence—facing the same grim fate.
The old man spoke calmly—the truth of their situation sinking in.
The Old Man: "You two might be the only ones who made it out alive."
Shigaraki shook his head violently—unable to accept that everyone else was gone.
Shigaraki: "No way! We can't be the only two!"
But his hands told a different story—they were still stained with Lady Nagant's blood—a grim reminder of what happened in that hellish world.
Dabi sighed, still gripping the axe as he walked over to the SUV. The old man's question hung in the air—simple but heavy.
The Old Man: "Are you going to get that?"
Shigaraki remained silent, still staring at his hands in shock. Dabi reached for the SUV door, pulling it open slightly. His phone was vibrating violently on the seat—screen lit up with an unknown number. He picked it up—and his blood ran cold when he saw the name: Toga.
Dabi answered the phone quickly—his voice betraying the relief he felt beneath his tough exterior.
Dabi: "Toga... you came out safe? Where are you?"
A small smile tugged at his lips—the first genuine one since this nightmare began.
Dabi took a quick assessment of the situation—Shigaraki was still in shock, the old man was watching silently, and he was holding an axe.
Toga laughed softly—her voice was lighthearted despite the seriousness of their situation.
Toga: "Well, I was on the highway when I got out... so I flagged down a cop."
Dabi raised an eyebrow—imagining Toga's colorful explanation to the police.
Toga: "Now I'm at the station. They think I'm crazy—they won't believe my story about the other world."
Dabi smirked slightly at her remark—knowing full well how insane it sounded. But they both knew it was real.
Dabi: "Stay there I'm coming to get you."
He hung up with Toga, a new message popped up—Overhaul's number. He read the text.
Dabi: "Overhaul is here too."
This meant Midoriya was the only one still unaccounted for. Dabi's expression turned serious—his grip on the axe tightened slightly. He looked over at Shigaraki, who was still lost in thought, and then at the old man standing quietly beside them.
Dabi: "Overhaul's here."
He announced quietly.
Dabi: "Midoriya's still missing."
His face hardened—his eyes firm with determination.
Dabi: "Midoriya is out there—alone. We have to go back and help him."
But Shigaraki's expression was anything but cooperative.
Shigaraki: "I'm not going back there, Dabi."
He snapped, his annoyance was clear.
Shigaraki: "That creature is more powerful than you think."
He crossed his arms—his stance unwavering.
Shigaraki: "I'm not risking my neck for Midoriya."
Dabi: "We have to go back."
He scrolled through his phone as his eyes widened searching desperately for the Random app. But it was gone—vanished without a trace.
Dabi: "No way..."
He muttered—his grip tightening on his phone as realization dawned on him.
Dabi: "Midoriya... he's trapped there."
His voice dropped—fear and determination mixing together.
Dabi: "Without the app... he's stuck in that nightmare forever."
He looked up at Shigaraki—his expression grave.
The old man's calm voice cut through their frustrated bickering.
The Old Man: "Random will keep one person—or maybe a couple people—in its world."
He stated simply—his eyes holding a wealth of unspoken knowledge.
The Old Man: "It's how the game works."
Shigaraki's head snapped up—his expression turned thoughtful as he listened intently. Dabi, however, was growing more frustrated by the second.
Dabi: "What are you talking about?"
He snapped—his patience wearing thin.
Dabi: "How do you even know this?"
The old man leaned forward—his eyes gleaming with otherworldly wisdom.
The Old Man: "I know because I've seen it before. Random puts out tasks—it calls them games. The real game is to find the perfect host—a body strong enough and compatible enough for Random to possess."
He paused—his voice dropping to a whisper.
The Old Man: "Whoever is left in Random's world... will be possessed."
Dabi stood in front of Shigaraki—listening intently.
The Old Man: "Random needs a body to enter this world."
His face contorted into a grotesque smile—the cheerful facade crumbling—revealing something far more sinister beneath.
The Old Man: "This body is about to expire."
His voice shifted—becoming deeper, more demonic. Both Shigaraki and Dabi's eyes widened in horror—suddenly realizing their grave mistake. They had been talking to Random the entire time. The enemy was never in another world—he was standing right in front of them. Dabi's hand tightened around the axe blade.
Dabi: "You're Random."
The old man's body began to rot and decay before their very eyes—his skin turning gray and peeling away, revealing the bloody, organic matter beneath. It was a horrifying transformation—one that made both Shigaraki and Dabi take a step back in horror.
Random: "That boy with the green hair..."
The rotting corpse slurred, its voice barely intelligible.
Random: "He's perfect... He's going to be my new body..."
Shigaraki's voice was heavy with resignation.
Shigaraki: "Midoriya is in danger."
He stated—finally acknowledging the urgency. Dabi was already moving toward the SUV, his mind made up.
Dabi: "We have to find a way back. But first, we need the others—Overhaul and Toga."
He declared—opening the SUV door. Shigaraki followed slowly—his skepticism evident.
Shigaraki: "I know, I like Midoriya too, but going back isn't smart. The others probably won't agree."
Dabi: "Sorry for this Shigaraki."
Without another word, he moved swiftly—his decision was made. He walked up behind Shigaraki—raising his hand and striking him firmly on the back of the head. Shigaraki slumped forward—unconscious instantly. Dabi caught him before he hit the ground—carrying his limp form over to the passenger seat and placing him inside gently but firmly despite knocking him out cold.
The SUV engine roared to life—Dabi's decisive actions leaving no room for argument. Shigaraki's unconscious form slumped in the passenger seat as Dabi navigated the vehicle out of the forest, the GPS guiding him towards the police station where Toga were likely being held. The forest disappearing behind them, Dabi's mind focused solely on the task at hand—going to his friends and then finding a way back to Midoriya before Random could claim him as its next host.
(Meanwhile at the Hospital).
Overhaul was busy using his quirk to heal his injured arm—his focus solely on repairing the damage. Suddenly, his phone vibrated insistently—snapping him out of his concentration. He glanced down—seeing Dabi's name flash across the screen.
Overhaul: "Dabi made it back..."
Relief washed over him as he read the message—"Go to the police station. I'll meet you there."
Overhaul sat up slowly—the pain from his traumatic experience was still fresh and raw. He gritted his teeth—each movement sending sharp reminders of what had been done to him. His phone felt heavy in his hands as he typed out a simple but heartbreaking reply. "Sorry I can't." He couldn't go—not like this. He wasn't ready to face them—not after what happened. Not after being violated in the worst way possible.The guilt weighed heavily on him as he pressed send.
As Dabi drove towards the police station—his mind was focused on getting there quickly. His phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket—he pulled it out to see a message from Overhaul. The words were short but carried a heavy weight: "Sorry I can't."
Dabi drove the SUV—taking a sharp turn to pull up beside the police station where Toga sat waiting. The tires screeched slightly as he parked. He glanced down at his phone again—reading Overhaul's full message: "I can't go to the police station since I'm at the Hospital and I'm too sore to get up so sorry."
As Dabi pulled away from the police station—Toga safely inside—his mind shifted gears. He set the GPS to the hospital—his expression turning serious. Overhaul was injured and alone—probably feeling guilty for not being able to join them. Dabi's jaw clenched—imagining Overhaul's condition. He hoped it wasn't too severe—hoped Overhaul wasn't blaming himself for something beyond his control.
Dabi: "Almost there."
He muttered to himself—his voice was low and determined.
Toga's cheerful voice broke the silence.
Toga: "Cool! And I see Shigaraki made it back safe too."
She glanced at the unconscious man in the passenger seat—smiling slightly at him sleeping. Dabi simply nodded—his mind elsewhere. He was already planning their next move.
(In his mind).
"Once I gather everyone, we'll figure out a way to get back to Random."
But he kept these thoughts to himself—for now. They needed to regroup first. Overhaul was injured.
(Out of his mind).
This will continued in the next chapter.