The glowing barrier pulsed like a living thing, its light rippling outward and keeping the monstrous beast at bay. It clawed and snarled against the radiant shield, its cries echoing down the empty street. Behind the barrier, JC stood tall, his hand still extended, his expression calm but distant.
The others huddled together, their faces a mixture of awe and terror. The light coming from JC wasn't just a trick or some hidden tech—it was something far more powerful.
"JC," Lissy whispered, her voice trembling, "what's happening? How are you doing this?"
JC's eyes didn't leave the beast, but he spoke, his voice steady and resolute. "There's something I've never told you. Something I hoped I'd never have to explain."
"Now's a great time!" Mark yelled, his panic barely contained.
JC took a slow breath, the barrier shimmering brighter as if responding to his focus. "I'm not like you guys. I'm not from Magina. I'm from the Country of Nations."
The revelation hung in the air like a weight, heavier than the beast's presence.
"The Country of Nations?" Angel repeated, her fiery demeanor momentarily subdued. "You mean the place where those 'freaks' live? The people with powers?"
JC's jaw tightened at the word, but he nodded. "We call ourselves Elites. And yeah, I'm one of them. My family… we're called the Logia family."
"Logia?" Jackson asked, clutching his holo-watch like a lifeline. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's a name that carries weight," JC explained, his voice edged with something between pride and regret. "My family is one of the oldest and strongest in the Country of Nations. We specialize in light and storm magic—abilities that have been passed down for generations."
Angel stared at him, her green eyes wide. "So, all this time, you've had powers like this? And you didn't think to tell us?"
"I didn't want to drag you into it," JC admitted, his eyes flicking to the group for the first time. "Being an Elite in Magina isn't exactly safe. People like me aren't welcome here. If they knew who I was—what I am—they wouldn't just kick me out. They'd kill me."
The beast slammed against the barrier again, its roars growing more ferocious. The light wavered slightly, and JC winced, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple.
"You don't look like you're handling this," Mark said nervously, his gaze darting between JC and the beast. "What do we do?"
"I can hold it off for now," JC said through gritted teeth, "but I need you to trust me. If this thing breaks through, it's going to go after all of you first."
"But why is it even here?" Angel asked, her fists clenched. "Why would a beast come into the city? They never get past the walls!"
"Something's wrong," JC muttered. "The monsters out there—they're changing, getting smarter. This isn't a random attack. It's hunting."
"Hunting what?" Lissy asked, though she already feared the answer.
"Me," JC said flatly.
The group fell silent, the gravity of his words sinking in.
"Why you?" Jackson asked hesitantly.
"Because of who I am," JC said. "The Logia family isn't just strong—we're targets. Our powers are rare and dangerous. If something—or someone—wants to destroy the Country of Nations, we're the first ones they'd go after."
"And now you've dragged us into it," Angel said, her voice sharp but not unkind.
JC's barrier flickered, and he clenched his fist, forcing the light to stabilize. "I didn't want this. I never wanted any of you involved. But now that you are, I'll protect you. I swear."
The beast roared again, its glowing red eyes locking onto JC with unrelenting fury. The tension in the air was suffocating, the light of the barrier casting eerie shadows across the group's faces.
"What do we do now?" Lissy asked, her voice trembling.
JC glanced at her, his dark eyes intense. "You run."
"What?" Mark exclaimed.
"I'll distract it," JC said. "I can hold it off long enough for you to get to safety. Go to the nearest shelter and stay there. Don't come back for me."
"No way," Angel snapped. "We're not leaving you alone with that thing!"
"You don't have a choice," JC said, his tone firm. "If you stay, you'll die. I can't let that happen."
The group hesitated, fear and loyalty warring in their expressions.
"Go!" JC shouted, his voice carrying an authority none of them had ever heard before.
Reluctantly, they began to move, Angel grabbing Jackson's arm and pulling him along. Lissy and Mark followed, their footsteps echoing in the empty street.
As they disappeared around the corner, JC turned back to the beast, his expression hardening.
"Alright," he muttered, the barrier fading as he raised his other hand. A crackle of energy sparked to life, arcs of lightning dancing across his skin. "Let's see what you've got."
The beast lunged, and the night erupted in a blinding flash of light and thunder.