The sterile scent of antiseptics clung to the air as Kai was ushered into the med bay.
"Come in for your treatment," a woman in a red and white gown instructed, her voice laced with forced politeness.
Kai and Anton had expected the med bay to be overflowing with desperate souls seeking salvation, but the turnout was... underwhelming. Suspiciously so.
"Guess people aren't so eager to trust 'free' things anymore," Anton muttered.
Minutes later, both had taken the antidote, stepping out into the dull gray of the afternoon.
"How do you feel?" Kai asked.
Anton scoffed. "Really? You think it kicks in instantly or something?"
A sharp voice cut through their conversation. "The antidote isn't some magic potion. Idiots."
They turned to see a girl with chocolate skin, a white jacket, and dark blue trousers. She looked their age, but there was an air of superiority about her.
Kai narrowed his eyes. "And you are?"
The girl scoffed, flipping her hair. "A prestigious graduate. Something you scum will never be."
She brushed past them without another word.
"What's her problem?" Anton muttered.
"Rich kid syndrome. Huge ego," Kai replied. "Come on, let's check in with Victoria and Tommy."
---
Across the city, perched atop a luxurious rooftop, Lady Sydney lounged on a beach chair beside her shimmering pool, golden bikinis glinting under the sun. A cold drink rested beside her, untouched.
A voice crackled through the communication device on her table. "Lady Sydney, a report just came in."
Sydney lifted her shades, a single eyebrow arching. "And?"
"The antidote's rollout started slow, but numbers are rising."
Sydney remained silent, waiting.
The voice hesitated. "There are... complications."
Sydney's expression darkened. "Spit it out."
"First, the current number of recipients is nowhere near the expected 500. As of now, only 235 people have taken it."
Sydney said nothing, her nails tapping against her glass. The voice on the other end wavered, sensing the building tension.
"Secondly... Stacy, the daughter of Leonard Hector, has taken the antidote."
Sydney froze. Her grip on the glass tightened. The ice inside cracked under the pressure.
The silence on the line stretched into unbearable weight.
"Who. Allowed. That?" Sydney finally asked, her voice like a blade.
"Milady, Stacy was in Burg with her boyfriend for a business meeting—one arranged by our representative, Mr. Alfred. The news reached her before we could limit the broadcast—"
"Who the fuck scheduled that meeting?" Sydney snapped.
The voice stammered. "I-I did, ma'am... but in my defense, it was arranged before your conference! I wasn't even on duty yesterday! It was Tony's—"
"You incompetent, insufferable bitch." Sydney's voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Do you have any idea what will happen if Leonard's daughter dies?"
The woman on the line began to sob. "P-please, ma'am, I swear it wasn't my fault! Don't send me to the Crack Room!"
Sydney stood, brushing imaginary dust from her golden bikini. "Why are you crying, dear? Mistakes happen. I even made one by hiring you... but I forgave myself."
She smiled, serene. "Come to my office. Let's talk this out."
She turned to her butler. "Prepare my car. I need to visit Leonard. And let's hope—" she chuckled darkly "—that girl doesn't die. Otherwise... I'll need new employees."
---
Kai groaned as he opened his door, his body slick with sweat. "I feel like I'm burning up..."
Stripping off his shirt, he stumbled into the shower, letting cold water cascade over him. He expected relief. Instead, the water felt... warm.
"Since when do we have a heater?" Lily muttered as she passed by.
Kai frowned. "What do you mean? The water is ice-cold."
Henry, standing at the door, stared at him. "Your body is steaming. And your eyes... they're glowing."
---
Later that day, a half-dressed Kai entered Victoria's restaurant, his skin glistening with an unnatural heat.
"Kai! Why the hell aren't you wearing a shirt?!" Victoria sputtered, cheeks tinged red.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. My body is burning. I needed air conditioning."
Victoria sighed. "Come on. Let's go to the back."
As they moved, a voice called out. "Damn, Kai, you finally hit the jackpot? Trying to impress the ladies?"
Mike grinned, but his teasing was cut short when the restaurant's lights flickered violently. Then, chaos. Electrical equipment sparked, buzzing with unstable energy.
"What the fuck?!" Kai jumped to his feet.
The lights went out. Silence. Then, a slow creak as the lounge door slid open.
Kai and Mike tensed, ready to fight. Victoria clutched a knife.
A voice—excited, breathless—echoed from the entrance. "Holy shit. That was so cool."
"Anton?"
Stepping into the room with the biggest grin, Anton raised a hand. The lounge door slammed shut behind him—without him touching it.
"Anton, what the hell?" Kai demanded.
Anton smirked. "Check this out."
Swiping his fingers left, the door opened. Right, it closed.
"What kind of sorcery—" Mike started.
Kai's stomach twisted. "Wait... were you the one causing the flickering?"
Anton's smirk widened. "Dude, it's insane. I went to check my breaker box this morning, and the second I reached for the circuits—bam! Sparks jumped from my fingers. My entire house lit up."
Mike leaned forward, intrigued. "Prove it."
Anton grinned. "Got a dead light bulb?"
Mike fetched one from the storeroom, tossing it onto the table. Anton cracked his knuckles, then placed a hand over the bulb. His dark brown eyes suddenly glowed electric blue. Sparks danced across his skin. His hair stood on end, crackling with energy.
"Watch this."
The bulb flickered to life, glowing brighter and brighter until—
Pop.
Glass shattered, sending shards across the table. A spark landed on a cloth, igniting a small fire.
"Shit!" Mike scrambled for water.
But Kai... didn't move. His eyes were locked on the flame. Something stirred within him.
The fire—once wild—began condensing, curling into itself. It shrank, forming a perfect sphere of fire, hovering in place. The heat surged toward Kai as if obeying him.
His right hand stretched forward. The flames slithered to his skin, wrapping around his arm like a molten gauntlet. His eyes burned a searing yellow.
Victoria gasped. "The Electro and the King of Flames..."
Even Anton, still crackling with electricity, felt the surge in the air.
This was power. And it had only just begun.
TO BE CONTINUED...