Dave's body trembled with a mix of relief and fury as he teleported back to his villa, Emily's frail form cradled gently in his arms. The calm surroundings of his home felt surreal compared to the horrors he had just witnessed. As he stepped into the guest bedroom, he carefully laid Emily down beside Sarah, his eyes lingering on the two of them.
They were finally safe, out of that nightmarish place. But the sight of them—bruised, broken, and unconscious—only fueled his anger further. His hands curled into fists, and he took a deep breath, trying to rein in the rage simmering beneath the surface.
"Bella, analyze Emily's condition," he commanded, his voice hard and steady. "Tell me everything."
"Understood, Dave. Scanning now," Bella's calm tone responded, as if she were oblivious to the storm brewing inside him. Dave's gaze remained locked on his sisters as a soft blue light emanated from his wristwatch, sweeping over Emily's still form.
A few moments later, Bella's voice broke the silence. "Emily's physical condition is stable. No severe external injuries. However, she has been subjected to a significant amount of trauma, both physical and psychological."
Dave's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice level. "Is she… like Sarah?"
"No," Bella replied softly. "Emily isn't in a coma, but her mind has shut down temporarily to protect itself. She's in a state of deep shock. There are traces of sedatives in her bloodstream, likely used to keep her subdued during… the experiments."
Dave swallowed hard, forcing himself to focus. "Will she recover?"
"With time and proper care, yes. But she will need intense emotional and psychological support. For now, she needs rest."
"Thanks, Bella," Dave murmured, his voice barely a whisper. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from Emily's face. "I'm so sorry, Emily. I should have found you sooner."
He straightened up, turning to glance at Sarah's still form on the adjacent bed. Seeing them like this—helpless and hurt—ignited something inside him. He had made a vow to himself to protect his family, and he had failed. But that would never happen again.
"I'll make it right," he promised quietly, his gaze hardening. "I'm going to make Helios pay for everything he's done."
Without another word, he took a step back and focused his mind, the familiar sensation of energy building up within him. In an instant, he teleported back to the underground facility, landing in the exact spot where he had found Emily.
The air was still thick with tension, but this time, there was something else—a presence lingering in the atmosphere. He knew who it was. Dave's heart pounded as he moved forward, the dark, cold corridors blurring around him as he walked with single-minded purpose.
At the end of the hallway, a massive, reinforced door loomed before him. Dave didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, he tore the door open, the metal bending and twisting as if it were made of paper. He stepped into the room, his gaze immediately locking onto the figure standing at the far end.
Helios.
The man looked up, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He was tall and imposing, his sharp features partially hidden in the shadows. His eyes, however, were bright and calculating, studying Dave with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
"Well, well," Helios drawled, his voice smooth and almost mocking. "So, you're the one who's been causing all this trouble. I've been wondering when we'd finally meet."
Dave felt a surge of raw power ripple through him. The room seemed to darken as he let his aura spill out, filling the space with a palpable sense of menace. He took a step forward, his eyes blazing with fury.
"You did this," Dave growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You took my sisters. You experimented on them like they were nothing more than lab rats."
Helios chuckled softly, his expression unchanging. "Ah, so those two girls are your sisters? Interesting. I didn't expect someone like you to show up for them."
"Someone like me?" Dave's voice dripped with venom. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Someone capable of such… power," Helios replied, his gaze lingering on Dave's form as if sizing him up. "It's rare to see such abilities combined in one person. Teleportation, matter control… and I sense there's more, isn't there? You're a fascinating specimen, Dave."
Dave's patience snapped. He surged forward, teleporting directly in front of Helios and grabbing him by the collar. With a snarl, he slammed the man against the wall, the sheer force of the impact cracking the concrete.
"Enough," Dave spat, his grip tightening. "You're going to tell me everything—every single detail about what you did to my sisters and why. Or I'll tear you apart, piece by piece."
Helios didn't flinch. In fact, his smile widened, a dark, twisted amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh, I'm sure you would. But you see, Dave, I'm not afraid of dying. The things I've done… they go far beyond your understanding. Killing me won't change a thing."
Dave's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "Then let's start with the 'why.' Why did you kidnap them? Why did you experiment on them?"
"Why?" Helios echoed, his tone almost incredulous. "Because I could. Because the pursuit of power demands sacrifices. Your sisters were just two of many—pawns in a much larger game. The world needs stronger beings, and I'm the one creating them."
Dave's fingers twitched, and he had to force himself not to crush Helios right then and there. "You're making monsters," he growled.
Helios's gaze didn't waver. "I'm making gods."
For a long moment, the two men stared at each other, the room crackling with tension. Then, slowly, Helios's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"But you're different, aren't you?" he murmured, his voice thoughtful. "You're not like the others. You've already transcended the limitations of a normal human. I can sense it—your strength, your abilities. It's fascinating, really."
Dave's lips curled into a sneer. "You think I'm going to let you get away with this? After everything you've done?"
Helios shrugged lightly. "It doesn't matter what you do, Dave. You can destroy this place, kill me, and everyone involved. But there will always be others. People like me, with the same drive, the same vision. You can't stop evolution."
Dave's grip tightened until he heard the fabric of Helios's coat tear. "You're right about one thing—I can't stop others. But I can sure as hell make an example out of you."
Helios's smile faltered slightly as Dave's aura flared, a dark, oppressive energy filling the room. The walls seemed to tremble under the pressure, and for the first time, a flicker of unease crossed Helios's face.
"Now," Dave said quietly, his voice laced with deadly intent, "tell me everything."