The room was silent except for the soft hum of fluorescent lights.
Kai sat at a small, sterile desk in the government rehabilitation facility. His hands were cuffed lightly, just enough to remind him he was under control, and a strict officer sat across from him, clipboard in hand. It was supposed to be a test of obedience—a simple question meant to measure his focus and ability to control his powers under pressure.
But Kai was already on edge. The memory of Nova High, the Dragon member, the officers chasing him—it all still burned in his mind.
The officer cleared his throat. "Answer this carefully. What is the proper containment protocol for a powered subject when faced with an uncontrolled outburst?"
Kai's jaw tightened. He knew the answer, but the tone of the officer, cold and condescending, ignited something deep inside him.
"I—I think…" he began, but the officer slammed the clipboard down.
"No! That's wrong! Pay attention! You will follow instructions exactly or face consequences!"
Kai's face flushed with anger. Every muscle in his body tensed. He had endured battles with the Dragon member, attacks on his friends, and chaos in the streets—but now, he was being punished for answering a question wrong?
A low growl escaped him. "You… you think this is punishment? You don't know anything!"
Before the officer could react, Kai's restraints broke with a burst of energy. The red glow flared in his eyes as raw power surged through him. His hands shot out, grabbing the officer by the shoulders with terrifying strength.
The officer struggled, shouting for backup, but Kai barely heard him. In one swift motion, he threw the man toward the window. The glass shattered on impact, rain and wind pouring in as the officer tumbled outside, landing with a heavy crash far below.
Silence filled the room. Axel and Leo, who had been observing through a nearby security hatch, rushed in as soon as they could. "Kai! Stop! You can't keep doing this!" Axel shouted, trying to grab his friend.
Kai's chest heaved. His hands shook from the effort, his breathing rapid, but his eyes still glowed faintly red. "I… I can't… I won't…" he muttered, trembling with rage. "They can't control me. They can't make me someone else!"
Leo put a hand on his shoulder. "Kai, calm down. You can't let them break you—but you also can't destroy yourself in the process!"
Kai turned, his gaze meeting theirs, a mixture of defiance and exhaustion. "I don't care anymore! If they try to control me, I'll fight. I'll fight until the last breath in my body!"
Axel sighed, frustration and fear battling in his eyes. "We'll figure something out, Kai… but you need to calm down now, or this gets worse—much worse."
The officers outside scrambled, preparing for retaliation. Word of Kai's outburst would spread fast. He had just sent a clear message:
No one would control him.
No one.
And the rehabilitation had just begun.