For the next several hours, they conducted various tests, measuring Kael's energy output, analysing its properties, and comparing it to known energy forms.
"It's unlike anything we've ever seen," Kara remarked, her voice tinged with awe. "His energy is… almost alive. It's reactive, adaptable.
No wonder the special units are so interested in him."
As they worked, Lia couldn't help but notice the trust Kael gave them. He was no longer the guy she had first met. He was focused, driven—ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with them by his side.
But Lia knew they were running out of time. The special units were closing in, and it was only a matter of time before they found the Techno facility.
"We need to act fast," Thomas said, his voice grim. "The portal's almost ready, but we need to buy more time. Kael, can you still fight?"
Kael looked at Thomas, determination etched on his face. "Yes. I'll do whatever it takes."
Lia's heart ached at the thought of Kael having to fight again, but she knew it was necessary. "Just… be careful, okay?"
Kael nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "I will. I promise."
The next day, as Lia and Kael prepared for what was to come, the inevitable happened. The special units had found them.
"They're here," Thomas said, his voice tense as alarms blared throughout the facility. "Everyone, get ready!"
The team sprang into action, securing the lab and preparing for a possible breach. Lia and Kael stood by the entrance, ready to defend the facility if necessary.
"Remember, Kael," Lia said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "We're in this together."
Kael gave her a small, determined smile. "I won't let anything happen to you, Lia."
As they braced themselves, the doors to the lab were blown open, and the special units stormed in, their weapons aimed at Kael.
"There's nowhere to run," the captain, the same one from their previous encounter, announced as he stepped forward. "Surrender now, and no one has to get hurt."
But Kael wasn't backing down. "I'm not going with you."
"Then you leave us no choice," the captain replied, raising his weapon.
Before he could fire, Lia stepped forward, placing herself between Kael and the captain.
"Stop! You don't understand—he's not a threat to you!"
The captain's eyes narrowed. "Girl, step aside. This is your last warning."
But Lia stood her ground. "No. If you want to get to him, you'll have to go through me."
The captain hesitated, clearly conflicted. But before he could decide, Kael stepped forward, his body beginning to glow with that familiar blue energy.
"Lia, get back," Kael said softly, his voice filled with a quiet strength.
But before Lia could move, a shot rang out.
The world seemed to slow down as Lia felt a searing pain in her side it was the second time.
She looked down, shocked to see blood staining her shirt.
"Lia!" Kael's voice was filled with panic as he caught her before she fell.
"Why am I not to protect you the proper way??" he said is despair.
The pain was overwhelming, but Lia managed to look up at Kael, her vision blurring. "Kael… you have to… stop them…"
Kael's eyes burned with fury as he gently laid Lia down. The blue energy around him intensified, crackling with power as it engulfed his entire body.
The captain's eyes widened in horror as Kael unleashed his full strength, the energy tearing through the facility with unstoppable force.
The soldiers were thrown back, their suits unable to withstand the onslaught.
"Fall back!" the captain ordered, but it was too late. Kael was unstoppable, his power too great to contain.
And then, just as it seemed like nothing could stop him, Lia's voice broke through
Kael's power surged, filling the room with a brilliant blue light that pulsed with raw energy.
The special units scrambled to retreat, but Kael's anger was too overwhelming—his energy lashed out like a storm, striking down anyone who got too close.
Lia, lying on the cold floor, felt the searing pain in her side, but she forced herself to stay conscious. She couldn't let Kael lose control like this.
With great effort, she tried to push herself up, but her body was too weak. The world around her seemed to blur, and she felt herself slipping away.
But then, something within her stirred—a warmth spreading from deep inside. It wasn't just the pain; it was something else, something powerful.
She could feel it—energy, like a heartbeat, pulsing through her veins just like last time.
As Kael continued to unleash his power, Lia's body began to glow with a soft, golden light, mixing with the blue energy that filled the room.
She could feel it growing stronger, the warmth spreading until it enveloped her completely. And then, without fully understanding how, she knew what she had to do.
Kael's energy shot out, forming a massive wave that was about to engulf the remaining soldiers. But before it could strike, Lia, now standing with renewed strength, stepped forward.
Her golden aura flared brightly, and with a wave of her hand, she absorbed the energy blast into herself.
The entire room went silent as Kael stared at Lia in disbelief. The overwhelming power that had been radiating from him was gone, replaced by a calm, steady glow that now surrounded Lia.
"Lia… what did you…?" Kael's voice was filled with awe and confusion.
Lia gave him a small smile, her breathing steady. "I don't know how, but… I could feel your energy. It was too much for you to handle alone."
But before they could speak further, the doors at the far end of the room were blasted open, and a new figure stepped through the smoke.
It was Evrard, the boy from Lia's class. He wasn't dressed in combat gear of the special units, a cold, determined look on his face.
"Evrard?" Lia whispered, her heart sinking.
Evrard's gaze swept over the chaos, then locked onto Kael. He didn't hesitate, raising his weapon and pointing it directly at Kael's heart.
"You're coming with me, Kael. Dead or alive."
Kael's eyes narrowed, the blue energy flickering back to life around him. "I won't let you take me."
Lia stepped in front of Kael, her golden aura intensifying as she faced Evrard. "Evrard, you don't have to do this. We can find another way."
But Evrard's expression didn't change. "This isn't personal, Lia. Orders are orders. Stand down, or I'll have to take you down with him."
Lia's resolve hardened. "Then you'll have to go through me first."
Evrard didn't reply, but the look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know—he was serious.
Without another word, he charged forward, his weapon blazing with energy.
Kael moved to intercept him, but Lia was faster. She leaped into action, her golden light flaring as she blocked Evrard's attack, absorbing the energy from his weapon just as she had with Kael's blast.
Evrard faltered for a moment, clearly surprised, but he quickly recovered, his expression hardening. "Impressive, Lia. But you can't keep this up forever."
Lia didn't respond, focusing all her energy on keeping Evrard at bay.
She could feel the strain, the immense pressure of containing both Kael's and Evrard's powers within herself. But she couldn't give up—not now.
Kael, seeing Lia struggle, felt a surge of determination. He couldn't let her fight this battle alone.
His blue energy flared up again, and with a roar, he charged at Evrard, their powers colliding in a blinding flash of light.
The room shook as the two forces clashed, the sheer power of their battle threatening to tear everything apart. Lia struggled to stay on her feet, her golden aura flickering as she absorbed the shockwaves from their attacks.
Kael and Evrard moved with blinding speed; each blow more powerful than the last. Kael's attacks were fuelled by his desperation to protect Lia, while Evrard fought with the cold precision of a trained soldier, each move calculated to bring Kael down.
But as the battle raged on, it became clear that Kael was holding back. He was powerful, but he wasn't fighting to kill—he was fighting to protect.
Evrard, on the other hand, showed no such restraint. His attacks were ruthless, aimed to incapacitate or even kill.
Lia, seeing this, knew she had to do something before it was too late. Gathering all the energy she had absorbed, she unleashed it in a powerful wave that knocked both Kael and Evrard back, forcing them to stop their fight.
"Stop!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room. "This isn't the way! Evrard, please—there has to be another way!"
Evrard, panting from the exertion, looked at Lia with a mix of frustration and something else—regret, perhaps. But he didn't lower his weapon.
"Lia… this is my job. I have to do this."
"No, you don't," Lia insisted, stepping closer to him. "We can find another way. Kael isn't our enemy. You know that."
For a long moment, Evrard didn't move. The tension in the room was palpable, every breath heavy with the weight of the decision he was about to make.
Finally, Evrard lowered his weapon, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Lia… you don't understand. This goes beyond what you think."
Before Lia could ask what he meant, Evrard suddenly turned and walked away, leaving her and Kael standing in the wreckage of the lab.