The crackle of a flickering fluorescent lamp droned in the silence between them in the break room, where Kai and Isaac lounged on a tattered leather couch.

  "Alright, you damn asshole, you've already tortured me, freed me, and now you want to make a deal... What is it that you fucking want?"

  Isaac snickered while he leaned closer. "I want to study your abilities. I've never seen such versatility before, and, luckily for you, you're still low-level—meaning you'll be able to unlock even more powers in the future."

  Kai frowned. "And what do you get from this?"

  "Knowledge. Understanding. Power," Isaac's voice dropped, becoming serious. "You don't have a clue about what you are, do you?"

  Kai hesitated a moment and said, "Fine. So tell me this: What is it with the Ergokinetics? Why is the government hunting for them?"

  Isaac glanced around and then lifted his hand, activating his Technokinesis. There was a bass hum as some invisible barrier folded around them. "Soundproofing, just in case someone is listening."

  Kai did not say anything.

  Isaac took a deep breath. "The Ergokinetics were originally a family, calling themselves the Energons. For that matter, they were treated like royalty, for they had no equal regarding their abilities. But all that was changed when the son of the late head of the Energon family went rogue. It was unthinkable that he shared his powers with people without abilities."

  Kai stiffened. "So you are saying...I am one of those?"

  "You are living proof of it," Isaac replied.

  Kai ran a hand through his hair, slowly absorbing the information. "If the government knew all that, how come they don't know more about their powers? More importantly, why don't you know?

  Isaac sighed. "Well, my family wasn't given full access to that information. The higher-ups were scared that if the information became public, somebody would construct an Ergokinetic Homunculus, an artificial life with the same powers. That kind of being could wipe out the Earth."

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  Kai released a loud breath. "Well, what's your take?"

  Again, Isaac adjusted his glasses. "As far as I know, Ergokinesis is divine power. For me? It's just a puzzle to solve."

  Kai scoffed. "You sound too relaxed about this."

  "You want revenge on Guido, right? Then we have the same goal."

  At the mere mention of Guido, Kai's jaw clenched, and his blood began to boil. Isaac pulled a sleek metallic bracelet out of his coat pocket and tossed it to him.

  "Put this on. It will nullify the effect of the Ability-Tampering Device."

  Kai caught it and studied the smooth surface covered in energy pallor.

  He then looked up at Isaac. "I want you to do me a favor."

  Hours later, in Guido's extravagant villa, a heavy knock reverberated through his grand office. The messenger stepped forward to place a holographic device on the polished desk.

  Guido reclined on his leather chair and impatiently asked. "Well? What is it?"

  The device cast a flickering light and showed Kai's smirking face.

  "Hey, Guido. Hope you're comfortable, 'cause tomorrow, I'm coming for you; I'll fucking rip your guts out and kill you myself."

  Guidos's features darkened.

  Kai proceeded on, "Feel free to call in all the spies you've got from the different clans. You are going to need every one of them."

  The message was cut off.

  For a long moment, silence reigned in the room. Then, like an angry lion, Guido grabbed the device and threw it against the wall, breaking it into pieces.

  Niccolo Stewart, his consigliere, watched in silence while the boss turned his burning rage to him. "Gather all of the Capos and Soldiers! I want every single one of them here in the villa right now!"

  "Yes, sir." Niccolo calmly replied.

  As he turned to leave, Guido clenched his fists in fury and muttered. "Kai... you just made the biggest mistake of your life."