The TV flickered to life in the corner of the room.
Kai sat still.
Axel held the remote.
Leo stood behind them, arms crossed, already knowing this wouldn't be good.
"…You should see this," Axel said quietly.
Kai didn't respond.
But his eyes lifted.
"BREAKING NEWS."
The screen shifted to a reporter standing outside a damaged prison facility.
"Authorities have confirmed that Kai—previously convicted for attempted murder—has escaped custody late last night. Officials describe him as extremely dangerous, even without his abilities…"
Kai's expression didn't change.
But his fists tightened slightly.
The screen cut to security footage.
Blurry. Dark.
But clear enough.
Him.
Running. Fighting. Escaping.
"…Citizens are urged to stay indoors and report any sightings immediately. A nationwide manhunt has been launched…"
Axel muted the TV.
Silence filled the room.
Kai leaned back slowly.
"…Dangerous," he repeated under his breath.
Leo sighed. "They're controlling the narrative. To them, you're not a person—you're a threat they failed to contain."
Axel shook his head. "This is messed up. They didn't show anything about the Dragon. Nothing about what you went through."
Kai stood up and walked closer to the TV.
His face stared back at him.
But it didn't feel like him.
It felt like… a version they created.
The news continued silently—images of police patrols, checkpoints, officers scanning cars, helicopters sweeping areas.
Then—
Another headline appeared.
"Possible accomplices identified."
Photos flashed.
Axel.
Leo.
Both labeled as "persons of interest."
Axel froze. "…You've got to be kidding me."
Leo adjusted his glasses, his voice calm but serious. "That means we're officially involved now. No going back."
Kai turned slowly.
"You can still leave," he said. "Both of you. This doesn't have to be your fight."
Axel scoffed. "Too late for that."
Leo nodded. "We chose this the moment we stood with you."
Kai looked at them for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…Alright."
The TV switched again.
This time—
A familiar face.
Zara.
Standing outside the school, being interviewed.
"Did you know Kai personally?" the reporter asked.
Zara hesitated.
For a second, she looked unsure.
Then she spoke.
"…Yeah. I did."
Kai's eyes locked onto the screen.
The reporter leaned in. "Do you think he's dangerous?"
Silence.
Zara looked down briefly.
Then back up.
"…No," she said. "I think he's been through things people don't understand."
Kai blinked slightly.
"…He's not perfect," Zara continued, her voice steady but emotional. "But he's not what they're saying either."
The clip ended.
The room went quiet again.
Axel smirked slightly. "Didn't expect that from her."
Leo nodded. "People change."
Kai didn't say anything.
But something shifted in his expression.
Not a smile.
Not relief.
Just… something softer.
Outside, sirens echoed faintly in the distance.
The world was looking for him.
Watching him.
Hunting him.
But for the first time since escaping—
Kai didn't feel alone in it.
He turned away from the TV.
"They're coming," he said calmly.
Axel cracked his knuckles. "Let them."
Leo smirked slightly. "We'll be ready."
Kai looked at both of them.
Then nodded.
"Yeah," he said.
"This time… we move smarter."