A sharp, sterile smell entered the scene as Kai's consciousness relapsed into his surroundings.

  His body was numb and stiff with whatever was done to him—though for a short while, he had lost consciousness for quite some time. He felt dull throbbing pain all over his limbs, and while trying to move, the cold clamp of metal restraints reminded him of his present predicament.

  All Kai saw was white.

  This was pretty much the only color that showed up: white walls, a white ceiling, and the bright metallic platform he was strapped down to, which looked pristine and clinical.

  Then his eyes fell upon the single object fulfilling that description of a thing that was not white.

  It was a large transparent window with an observation room from the other side. Then, the sound of the door to that room slid open with a hiss. Someone finally entered.

  Isaac Technovaire.

  Head of the Technovaire family. One of the most brilliant, ruthless, and unpredictable scientists in the world.

  Isaac tipped his head as he tapped the microphone within the confines of the console in front of him. His piercing green eyes were studying Kai with the novelty of a scientist studying a rare specimen.

  "Kai Ciphera," Isaac's voice echoed from the intercom, "You've got a lot of nerve breaking into my private property and trying to steal top-secret information. Frankly, I'm impressed."

  Kai flexed his fingers, testing his ability. This did not give him any sign of movement, but he felt nothing, just like before.

  Just like at Guido's restaurant.

  His energy had been completely suppressed.

  "Look, I'm not looking for trouble—"

  Suddenly, pain exploded through Kai's body as the electrical surge coursed through the restraints, causing him to convulse, his jaw clenched tight as every nerve screamed in agony.

  Not enough to kill him. But quite enough to make him suffer.

  "I'm not done talking," Isaac said in an utterly calm tone, sounding incredibly casual. It was almost like this was just another routine experiment for him.

  Kai drew in a sharp breath as the shocks ceased, his fingers twitching in the aftermath.

  "Listen," Isaac continued. "I'll do the asking. When I ask, you answer. That's how this works. Clear?"

  Kai exhaled, his angry eyes burning. "Whatever."

  Isaac smiled. "Good."

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  He tapped a few buttons on his wrist-mounted holographic device. A blue screen materialized, showing a live data feed.

  "Now… Who sent you?"

  Kai held back for a moment but then shrugged. "That fucking bastard, Giorgio Guido."

  Isaac's eyes darkened.

  "I see..." His hands flew over the console. "Well, I suppose it's about time I bomb his hideout in Z City."

  Kai's smirk faded. "What?"

  Isaac's voice was low, drawing a chuckle from him. "Thanks to your little stunt, I pinpointed his exact location."

  He gestures toward the data stream on his screen and lets out his pent-up anger. "That motherfucker stole my Ability Tampering Device Prototype! And now... he'll pay for it with a thousand bombs!"

  Isaac grinned maniacally. "That fucker won't see it coming."

  Kai snorted despite himself. "You sure do talk a lot."

  BZZT!

  Another shockwave ripped through him, forced into a strangled grunt from his throat.

  Isaac shook his head. "Sharp tongue." He smirked. "Try not to let it get you killed."

  Kai's mind raced. "So Guido was using stolen tech to suppress my abilities," His fists clenched. "Sneaky bastard! I was stupid to think that he had an ability that surprised other abilities."

  Isaac pressed the hologram again, and a fresh holographic interface presenting Kai's biodata popped up.

  "Now, this is interesting."

  Isaac's gaze darted between the screen and Kai.

  "Level 4.1 Ergokinesis."

  Kai simply stared with no violent reaction. "...And?"

  Isaac whistled. "Never in my whole lifetime have I seen one like you, an Ergokinetic." He leaned in closer, eyes glinting in curiosity. "Guess you're lucky I'm not killing you. You're... special, more like endangered, to be exact."

  Kai looked glum. "Why? Aren't you part of that government?"

  Isaac laughed. An honest, genuine, mocking laugh.

  "The government? They can lick my fucking ass!"

  Isaac's smirk widened. "I've been their lapdog long enough!" His voice turned bitter. "If they think they can control everything, then they're fools! If they come after me, then so be it!"

  Then Isaac folded his arms.

  "As for you, Kai Ciphera..."

  His gaze turned.

  "...I know you want to learn more about the origins of your ability."

  Kai's heartbeat quickened.

  Isaac leaned forward. "So, how about we make an alliance?"

  A grin stretched across Isaac's face as he deactivated the Ability Tampering Device.

  Kai felt his powers coming back instantly. His energy came roaring back to life and surged through his veins like an untamed storm.

  Kai stared at the window.

  For the first time in a long while, he had a stroke of freedom.