Koby's eyes locked onto Kai's, filled with a mix of love and urgency. "Before I go, I need to tell you something about myself and my past. You're old enough now to understand. The world isn't what it seems."
Kai's curiosity was piqued, sensing a revelation was about to change everything.
"Father, what do you mean?" Kai asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Koby took a deep breath, his frail body trembling. "I've kept secrets from you, son. Secrets that could put you in danger."
Kai's grip on his father's hand tightened. "I'm ready, Father. Tell me
Koby's eyes locked onto his son's. "This world isn't what it seems, Kai. You see, my boy, I'm not the person you think I am. I'm more."
Koby paused, collecting his thoughts.
"Kai, our ancestors were special. They harnessed extraordinary powers. When we reach a certain age, we inherit those abilities. We become stronger, faster, and our minds process information at incredible speeds. We become overachievers."
Koby's gaze intensified. "Have you noticed any changes since yesterday, son? Any unusual reflexes or sensations?"
Kai thought to himself, "Wow, how did Father know? These are the exact changes I've experienced."
Koby continued, "As young children, we don't exhibit these powers. But when we turn nineteen, something within us awakens, and our abilities surge. You're approaching that age, Kai."
Kai's mind reeled with questions.
Kai's eyes locked onto his father's, filled with excitement and embarrassment. "Father, strange things happened to me yesterday. I was incredibly fast, and I almost flew! I'm sorry, this is embarrassing, but Mister Johnson saw me. I made a mistake."
Koby's face lit up with awe. "Son, that's amazing! I only managed to fly at twenty-three years old. And mind reading? Our generation never achieved that until our greatest grandfather did it at fifty. I always wanted to read people's thoughts, make them forget or control their minds. Wow, this generation is remarkable!"
Koby's expression turned serious. "Kai, our family has a hierarchy. The strongest rise, while the weakest fall behind. I broke away from this system when I met your mother. Our families didn't approve of her as my wife, so I chose love over power and wealth."
Koby's eyes gazed into the past. "I left everything behind – riches, influence, and family ties. I wanted a simple life with your mother in Soweto. I've always loved her, and I always will."
Kai's mind reeled with questions and emotions.
"Kai, when I left my family's hierarchy, I wanted to create something new," Koby said. "An organization to protect people, fight for justice, and do good. I told your mother I was looking for a job, but she didn't know about my family's secrets or powers."
"Our family has traditions, Kai. We don't share our powers with outsiders. They're not worthy. But there are others like you, your nephews, who possess powers. They're power-hungry, raised in a harsh environment. That's why I broke away from the family and its wealth."
"I wanted to live with your mother, with love and care. Remember, Kai, always be kind, love, and take responsibility for your actions. There are consequences."
Koby's gaze intensified. "There's a book at home, crucial to our family lineage. It explains how to control your powers, contacts, and shares. Just say you're Kobe's son, and you'll receive everything."
Koby continued, "I also know Mister Reginald."
Kai's eyes widened. "You know Mister Reginald?"
Koby nodded. "Yes, I do. The one with numerous stores."
"I saved his daughter from gangsters," Kai said.
Koby's expression changed from surprise to awe. "That's incredible, son! You're already making a difference."
"Kai, I know Mister Reginald well," Koby said. "He's a skilled martial artist, and I helped him in the past. But you saved his daughter? Tell me what happened."
Kai recounted the events, from fighting off the gangsters to meeting Mister Reginald. "He gave me this black card, Father," Kai said, pulling out the Emerald Black card.
Koby's eyes widened. "An Emerald Black card? He must have forced it on you."
"I didn't have a choice, Dad," Kai replied. "I refused money and other offers. He insisted on giving me something."
Koby nodded. "That's Mister Reginald's nature. He doesn't want to owe anyone. He gives generously, and now you've saved his daughter's life... You'll be connected to his family."
Kai added, "He offered me shares and wants me to train his security personnel."
Koby beamed with pride. "Excellent, son! You're only nineteen, and already achieving great things. But how did Mister Reginald know about your martial arts skills?"
"I fought the gangsters in front of his daughter," Kai explained. "She saw my abilities, and that's why he wanted to recruit me. I declined money, but he offered shares instead."
Koby's expression turned thoughtful.
"Kai, you have a great heart, son," Koby said, smiling. "I knew you'd be the best, young tiger. But beware, there are people who crave power and wealth. They'll try to control you, exploit your abilities. Be cautious."
"Yes, Father," Kai replied.
Koby's expression turned serious. "I saved Mister Reginald once, too. It's no coincidence. My organization was just three months old. Mister Reginald was fleeing from gangsters. He offered me money, but I refused. I helped him with my powers and defeated those men."
Kai's eyes widened. "Wow, Father, you were amazing back then!"
"But, Father, how did you end up with cancer?" Kai asked, concern etched on his face.
Koby's gaze dropped, his voice filled with regret. "I ended up with cancer because I overused my powers, relying on supplements instead of natural control. Five months ago, I went on a business trip, and our own people tried to destroy our organization. One of our nephews is behind it. I fought back, took too many supplements, and collapsed at home. Your mother was devastated."
Just then, the door swung open, and a nurse entered. "Mister Koby, we're moving you to the Supreme Room today."
Koby's eyes snapped open. "What Supreme Room?"
"I didn't apply for a Supreme Room. What is going on?"
The young miss was looking at him and saying, "Sir, the young boy sitting there, your son, requested for us to move you to a Supreme Room."
Koby looked at his son and said, "Father, uh, I forgot to tell you. I'm moving you to the Supreme Room. I don't like seeing you in these circumstances."
His father said, "You did this?"
Kai replied, "Yes, Father. I want you to move into this clean and supreme environment."
Koby said, "But I like it here."
Kai said, "Father, you don't need to be here now. We have money. Why don't you use all your assets to do this?"
Koby said, "Son, that's what I want to tell you. I want to live a normal life and be there for your mother."
Kai said, "Father, you worry too much. Let me take care of you. You took care of us all these years; now we can take care of you."
The nurse was still standing there and said, "Uh, sir, are we going to move you?"
Koby said, "Uh, yes, uh, let me just talk to my son and finish this. We will answer you right now."
The nurse replied, "Okay, tell me when you're ready."
She walked away, and Koby said, "Son, you did that for me?"
Kai said, "Yes, I told you I got shares, I got the Black Emerald Card from Mister Reginald."
Koby's eyes were full of tears, and he gripped his son in his embrace. Kai also cried tears, and Koby thought, "I always wanted my father to be happy like this."
As they hugged, Kai said, "Father, we need to move you to the Supreme Room today. I also have some things to attend to."
His father smiled, "My son, you're growing up to be a responsible man."
Kai called a nurse, "Nurse, come!" The nurse arrived, and Kai instructed, "Move my father to the Supreme Room now."
As they prepared to part, Koby reminded Kai, "Don't forget something important, son. There's a key under my bed. When you find this key, there's a cabinet in my room. You can open it. Look in the third drawer; you'll find two books: the Book of Our Family's Greatest Lineage and the Book of Powers."
Kai nodded curiously, "What's in these books, Father?"
Koby's eyes became serious. "Our family's history, secrets, and the source of our powers. Guard them well, son."
Kai promised, "I will, Father. I'll take care of it."
Just then, Kai's phone rang. "Who's this now?" he answered.
It was Mike. "Kai, I made a mistake, bro! There are four guys at my house demanding money. I told them we'd pay, but please come help!"
Kai calmed Mike down, "Calm down, bro. What's happening?"
But before Mike could explain further, the line went dead.
Kai tried calling back, "Mike! Mike!" but there was no answer.
Determined to help, Kai rushed out of the hospital, hailed a cab, and headed to Mike's house.