The streets near Nova High were busy.
Students everywhere.
Laughing.
Talking.
Normal.
For once.
Kai walked beside Zara, hands in his pockets.
Leo was ahead, talking non-stop.
Axel followed behind, quiet as always.
"…You sure you're okay?" Kai asked.
Zara nodded.
"I'm fine."
But her voice…
Wasn't convincing.
Then—
It started.
A faint glow around her hand.
Kai noticed immediately.
"…Zara."
She froze.
"…Not now…"
The glow spread.
Faster.
Stronger.
Students nearby stopped.
"What is that?"
"Is she using power?"
Zara's breathing got heavier.
"I can't control it—!"
BOOM!
A wave of energy exploded outward.
Students screamed and ran.
The ground cracked.
Windows shattered.
Chaos.
Kai stepped forward instantly.
"Zara, look at me!"
Her eyes—
Glowing.
But not normal.
Wild.
Unstable.
"…Kai… run…"
Her voice didn't sound like her anymore.
Kai didn't move.
"I'm not leaving."
Another surge hit—
Stronger.
Faster.
This time—
It targeted him.
BAM!
Kai blocked, but the force pushed him back.
Axel's eyes widened.
"…She's attacking him?"
Leo shouted.
"Kai, do something!"
Kai stepped forward again.
"Zara! Fight it!"
She screamed.
"I CAN'T!"
WHOOSH!
She moved.
Faster than before.
Faster than anyone expected.
BAM!
A direct hit landed on Kai.
He flew back—
CRASH!
He slammed into a wall.
Gasps filled the street.
"No way…"
"She hit him?!"
Kai stood up slowly.
Blood at the corner of his mouth.
His eyes flickered red—
But he forced it down.
"…I won't hurt her."
Zara rushed him again.
This time—
Even stronger.
CRACK!
A brutal strike hit his ribs.
Kai dropped to one knee.
Axel clenched his fists.
"…He's holding back."
Leo panicked.
"He's going to get killed!"
Zara's power kept rising.
Uncontrolled.
Dangerous.
She grabbed Kai—
And slammed him into the ground.
THUD!
The impact shook the area.
Kai coughed.
But still—
He didn't fight back fully.
"…Zara…"
His voice was calm.
Even now.
"Come back."
Her eyes trembled slightly.
For a second—
She hesitated.
Then—
The power exploded again.
BAM!
Kai was thrown across the street.
He didn't get up immediately.
Silence.
Everyone watched.
Shocked.
Because for the first time—
Kai was being overwhelmed.
By Zara.
—
She stood there.
Breathing heavily.
Power surging wildly.
Then she looked at him.
"…Kai…?"
Her voice returned.
Confused.
Scared.
She saw him on the ground.
Bruised.
Barely moving.
"…What did I do…?"
Her power flickered.
Then—
Faded.
Gone.
She dropped to her knees.
"…Kai… I…"
Kai slowly stood up.
Injured.
But calm.
"It's okay."
Zara shook her head.
"No… I hurt you…"
Kai walked toward her.
Even now.
"I said it before."
He stopped in front of her.
"I won't let you lose yourself."
Zara's eyes filled with fear.
"…What if I already did?"
Kai looked at her.
Serious.
"You didn't."
But deep inside—
He knew the truth.
This wasn't over.
Because Zara's power…
Was only getting stronger.
And next time—
He might not be able to hold back.