The Hero Algorithm: Prism

Mika Burrows wakes in his dorm room, disoriented and in pain, only to discover a strange relic fused to his chest. Panic rises, but the sight of his alarm clock grounds him — he decides to push through the day and investigate later. At class, whispers spread about the meteor crash at Riverdale Park and the government’s sudden closure of the area. Mika keeps silent, hiding his connection to the event. At lunch, he confirms the park is sealed off, his anxiety mounting as he wonders how he returned to his dorm the previous night. Chloe calls to remind him of Ellis’s football game, and Mika reassures her he’ll be there. That afternoon, he joins Chloe in the stands, cheering as Ellis scores the winning touchdown. But dizziness overtakes him, forcing Mika to leave abruptly — a moment Ellis notices. Back in his dorm, the artifact tightens its grip, and Mika collapses. Hours later, he awakens to find Ellis watching over him, concern etched on his face. Pressed for answers, Mika confesses everything: the meteor, the artifact, and his confusion. Ellis listens, shocked but supportive. Their conversation is interrupted when Ellis accidentally knocks over a book, and Mika instinctively creates a glowing construct to catch it. The issue closes on this revelation — Mika’s powers are real, Ellis is the first witness, and their friendship now carries the weight of a secret that could change both their lives.