Deference (noun): respect, consideration

Before the explosive cloud could even dissipate, the hero’s broken body was already plummeting towards the earth. Right before he slammed into the wreckage, a gray shadow swept him up and vanished behind into an alleyway.

How could you betray us like this? The hero’s mentor thought bitterly as he clambered over the empty storage boxes and garbage dumps in search of shelter. He looked at the apprentice in his arms. For power, you abandoned honor…

A violent burst of energy shredded his path. Emerging from the wispy smoke was none other than the villain, grinning from ear to ear with dark satisfaction.

“What? Still shielding him?” The villain asked playfully. “His little trick today cost at least twice the amount of lives he would’ve saved, had he not turned against you.”

“I know. And as his mentor, it’s my responsibility to return him to justice,” he breathed, scanning their scorched surroundings as if he could find an escape out of the blazing inferno.

The pitch black figure before him groaned. “Hand him over. The authorities will kill him, anyway. The people don’t need a defect for their saint, do they?”

Although he asked a question, his tone carried an air of ultimatum. Another raging ball of fire was gathering in his hand.

The mentor knew there was nowhere else to run. He looked at the hero. Then at the villain. And just before the next explosion hit, he flung himself over his apprentice.

Pain. Excruciating pain. He howled as the flames swallowed his back, but not once did he let go of the young man he’d trained with his blood, sweat, and tears.

“Aw… you confuse me. Is this ‘responsibility’ really so important?” The villain mused, kneeling to inspect the gasping man. “Man, you’re a cool one.”