Kaelen leaned against the peeling wall of his apartment, a wicked smile spreading across his face. The energy from the fragment coursed through him, giving him a confidence he hadn't felt before. The city was his playground now, and he intended to take full advantage. This power wasn't meant to be hidden, and he knew it. He was going to show this rotten city exactly who they were dealing with.
His target tonight was an underground gambling ring—a place hidden in the back alleys of the industrial district, notorious for its cash-rich operation and guarded by both gangsters and superhumans alike. It was the perfect place to test out his newly enhanced abilities. A direct robbery, brazen and unfiltered.
He threw on a dark hoodie and strapped a duffel bag across his back, checking himself in the mirror briefly. His face was cast in shadow, his eyes sharp and unwavering. He was ready.
---
The streets were alive with the sounds of the city. Kaelen slipped through the crowds, blending in with the late-night wanderers. When he reached the gambling den's nondescript entrance, hidden between two rundown warehouses, he paused, letting his senses stretch out like invisible tendrils. With his heightened awareness, he could feel every heartbeat, every breath around him. He could sense the faint but unmistakable energy signatures of superhumans scattered throughout the building—each like a flickering flame in the darkness.
"Two… maybe three guarding the main hall. Another near the cash room," he muttered to himself, assessing his path. He grinned, the thrill of the hunt igniting a fire in his chest. He wasn't afraid of them. If anything, he was eager for a challenge.
Kaelen moved with calculated steps, phasing through the back wall of the building and emerging in a dimly lit hallway. The muted sounds of laughter, cursing, and the clinking of coins drifted from the main room. The gamblers were oblivious to the shadow that had just slipped past them.
Careful to avoid direct sight, he phased through the wall again, stepping directly into the cash room. His eyes gleamed as he took in the stacks of money piled carelessly on tables, filling open bags, and scattered across the floor like forgotten leaves. This wasn't just some small stash; it was enough cash to fund operations, bribe officials, and pay off enforcers. The sight of it made his pulse quicken with excitement.
Without hesitation, he opened his duffel bag, shoveling bundles of bills into it as quickly as he could. Each handful was a step closer to his plans, a step closer to carving his own empire out of this city's underbelly.
Just as he stuffed the last of the cash in, he felt a faint shift in the air—a prickle at the back of his neck. Instinctively, he phased, vanishing just as the door burst open and a superhuman guard stormed into the room, looking around with narrowed eyes. Kaelen grinned, watching from his unseen plane as the guard's gaze swept past him, completely oblivious.
*"Too slow,"* he thought with a smirk.
As soon as the guard turned, Kaelen re-materialized and walked straight through the walls, weaving through the building, avoiding sightlines with perfect precision. The world was practically bending to his will, his senses guiding him effortlessly past every guard and superhuman in the building.
When he reached the outer wall, he took a breath and stepped through, emerging into the cool night air without a trace. The duffel bag slung over his shoulder was now heavy with cash, its weight a satisfying reminder of his newfound power and success.
Kaelen didn't linger. He melted into the shadows, moving swiftly and quietly back toward his apartment, a grin on his face as he felt the weight of $200 000, pressing against his back. The city may have its own rules, its own power plays, but Kaelen was making a point.
As he reached his apartment, he tossed the duffel bag onto the floor and exhaled, running a hand over his face as he took in the pile of cash before him. It was exhilarating—a reward for his boldness and skill.
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Kaelen's muscles burned as he finished his final set of push-ups, his breath coming in controlled, steady exhales. The routine had become almost meditative for him—daily training to keep his body sharp and his mind focused. His enhanced abilities demanded a certain level of discipline, and he had no intention of becoming complacent. He was in his apartment's dimly lit living room, sweat dripping down his forehead, his knuckles raw from his earlier shadow-boxing drills. His body bore the scars of his past, each one a testament to his resilience and ruthlessness.
After wrapping up, he made his way to the small bathroom, peeling off his shirt and stepping into the shower. The hot water cascaded over him, washing away the grit and tension from his training. As the steam filled the room, he felt his muscles relax, but his mind remained alert. The Voice hadn't spoken much since the incident at the facility, remaining a silent presence in his thoughts. Until now.
"Kaelen," the Voice spoke suddenly, the low, whispering tone reverberating in his mind. "There is a place you must go. A forest… outside the city."
Kaelen frowned, wiping water from his eyes. "What's there?"
The Voice remained cryptic, offering no more information than before. "You will understand in time. Trust me."
Kaelen stood there, letting the water pour over him, contemplating. The Voice had been his guide, his mentor in this new path of power, and though it was enigmatic and sometimes insidious, he had come to rely on it. If the Voice said there was something in that forest, then it was worth investigating. But first, he needed transportation. Walking or relying on public transit was out of the question; it lacked the speed and efficiency he required.
Once he dried off and changed into clean clothes, he settled down at his computer, searching for options. He quickly found a second-hand motorbike for sale online—sleek, agile, and perfect for maneuvering through the city streets or disappearing into the wilderness. The price wasn't an issue; his recent cash haul had made sure of that. He placed the order and arranged for quick delivery, expecting it to arrive within a day or so.
As he waited, he turned his attention to the television, hoping to distract himself with whatever mundane chaos the world had to offer. But what he saw on the screen grabbed his attention immediately. The news was broadcasting a live event, showcasing one of the Society Avengers, a so-called "hero" named Silos. Kaelen watched intently as the camera focused on the figure—a tall, muscular man dressed in the signature dark and blue colors of the Society Avengers, his expression cold and calculating.
Silos was in the midst of a confrontation, her eyes glowing with a strange, ethereal light. Across from her, a man stood, clutching his head as if in excruciating pain, though no one was physically touching him. Kaelen squinted, realizing what he was witnessing. Silos had telekinetic powers, bending the man's mind or body with just a thought.
The reporter's voice crackled over the footage. "In another display of the Society Avengers' strength, Silos has detained a known criminal who was allegedly involved in illegal Krystal dealings. Authorities say this individual was linked to a larger ring of superhumans who misuse their abilities for profit…"
The scene shifted, showing Silos with a smirk, raising her hand as the man crumpled to the ground, seemingly paralyzed by an invisible force. The display was ruthless, raw power flaunted in the most public way possible. Kaelen's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as he absorbed every detail. The Society Avengers were like gods in this city, enforcing their justice as they saw fit, above any law or authority.
But there was something about Silos that irked him, a sense of superiority, a smugness that lingered even in his controlled demeanor. Kaelen watched as Silos raised the man off the ground with a mere flick of his wrist, as if he were no more than a puppet. It was clear—the Society Avengers wielded powers that put them far above the average superhuman. And they knew it.
A dark thought flickered in Kaelen's mind. One day, I'll show them. The world will see just how fragile their sense of control really is.
He turned off the TV, a grim smile tugging at his lips. For now, he had his own path to follow, his own powers to cultivate. The Society Avengers were too prominent, too strong to challenge directly—yet. But if he kept building his strength, if he kept acquiring power… well, even they wouldn't be untouchable forever.
As he waited for his bike to arrive, Kaelen mentally prepared himself for whatever awaited him in the forest. The Voice's instructions were vague, but he trusted it, especially if it led him closer to becoming a force that could rival those so-called heroes.
He was ready to face the unknown.