The facility's outer wall crumbled in a cloud of dust and fire, the controlled detonation marking the rebels' entry point. Kai was among the first through, flames dancing on his fingertips as he led the way. The air was thick with tension, every shadow a potential threat.
"Group Alpha, secure the control room," Elias's voice crackled through the comms. "Group Beta, plant the charges. We have twenty minutes."
Kai, Maya, and their squad moved through the labyrinthine corridors, their footsteps muffled on the steel floors. Facility Omega was colder than Kai expected, its sterile white walls and fluorescent lights exuding a lifelessness that made his skin crawl.
Leena's voice came through the comms. "Sensors are offline for now, but stay sharp. If the backup systems kick in, you'll have company."
"We'll be in and out," Maya replied, her voice steady. She glanced at Kai. "Right?"
Kai nodded, though unease churned in his gut. "Yeah. Let's keep moving."
As they approached the first lab, the sound of muffled cries and the hum of machinery grew louder. Kai's flames flickered, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. Maya gestured for him to cover her as she peeked into the room.
Her breath caught. "Kai… you need to see this."
He stepped forward, peering into the lab. Inside were rows of containment tanks, each holding a figure suspended in a glowing liquid. Some were no older than Kai, their bodies marked with scars, their eyes closed in uneasy slumber. Monitors displayed their vital signs, the data scrolling rapidly.
"They're kids," Maya whispered, horror in her voice.
Kai's fists clenched, flames licking up his arms. "They're experimenting on them... like we were."
One of the tanks emitted a faint beep, drawing Kai's attention. His heart stopped when he saw the face inside—a girl with dark hair and freckles, her features eerily familiar.
"Lila?" he breathed, his voice cracking.
Maya turned to him. "You know her?"
"She's—she was my best friend," Kai said, his voice heavy with disbelief. "They told me she didn't survive the fire."
Before Maya could respond, the tank's screen flickered to life. A holographic projection of Dr. Darius Morven appeared, his cold eyes boring into them.
"Ah, the prodigal son returns," Morven said, his voice laced with mockery. "Enjoying my handiwork?"
Kai's flames flared. "What did you do to her?"
Morven's expression was unreadable. "The same thing I did to you, Kai. She was a promising candidate—until she wasn't. But don't worry, she'll serve her purpose soon enough."
Kai lunged at the hologram, his flames scorching the console beneath it. The image fizzled out, leaving only silence.
Kai staggered back, his breathing ragged. Maya grabbed his arm. "Kai, we need to stay focused. We'll save her, but we have to finish the mission first."
He shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't leave her here."
"Kai," Maya said firmly, "she wouldn't want you to risk everything for her. We need you. The rebellion needs you."
Her words struck a nerve, and Kai forced himself to take a shaky breath. "You're right. Let's go."
As they continued deeper into the facility, the rebels encountered their first wave of resistance. Elite guards clad in black armor emerged from hidden doors, their weapons glowing with an unnatural energy.
"Ambush!" Maya shouted, diving for cover as the guards opened fire.
Kai unleashed a torrent of flames, the heat forcing the guards to scatter. His powers surged wildly, the fire spiraling out of control. The metal walls glowed red-hot, and the air became suffocatingly thick.
"Kai, focus!" Maya yelled, dodging a blast of energy.
He gritted his teeth, struggling to contain the inferno. A stray flame ignited a nearby console, triggering alarms throughout the facility.
"We're out of time!" Maya shouted. "We need to move!"
Kai nodded, reining in his flames with visible effort. The team pushed forward, their path now littered with debris and the echoes of the blaring alarm.
In the central control room, Elias and Leena worked frantically to download data from the Council's servers. The files painted a grim picture: blueprints for larger facilities, experiments on unwilling subjects, and a detailed timeline of their plans for global domination.
"They're creating an army," Elias said, his voice grim. "This isn't just about controlling mutants. They want to replace humanity."
Leena's fingers flew over the keyboard. "I'm pulling everything I can, but we don't have much time. Security forces are closing in."
Elias activated his comms. "Beta team, status report."
Maya's voice came through, strained but steady. "Charges are set, but we've got company. Get what you need and get out."
As the rebels converged at the extraction point, Kai hesitated. He glanced back toward the lab, Lila's face etched into his memory.
Maya touched his arm. "We have to go."
"I can't leave her," he said, his voice shaking. "Not again."
"You're not leaving her," Maya said. "We'll come back. But if you go now, you'll get yourself killed—and then we all lose."
Kai looked at her, torn between his past and the mission. Finally, he nodded, the fire in his eyes dimming. "Let's go."