Chapter 11: Trial by Fire

Kieran rolled the military ID between his fingers, his mind racing. Taskforce Omega. The name alone sent a chill down his spine. These were the same people who hunted unregistered Awakened like him.

And Elias Vance had been one of them.

“Why are you here?” Kieran finally asked, his voice steadier than he felt.

Elias smirked. “That’s the wrong question.”

Before Kieran could react, Elias moved—fast. His foot slammed into Kieran’s chest, sending him sprawling across the cold concrete.

Pain exploded through his ribs.

What the hell?!

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Kieran barely had time to push himself up before Elias advanced again. This time, he didn’t strike—he simply stood over Kieran, waiting.

“Fight back,” Elias said.

Kieran gritted his teeth. His hands sparked with energy, but his body was sluggish, exhausted from the last fight. He wasn’t ready.

Elias tilted his head. “If you hesitate, you die.”

Then he vanished.

Kieran barely registered the movement before a fist collided with his gut. Lightning-fast. Precise. Controlled. His vision blurred, his breath stolen from his lungs.

He hit the ground hard.

[System Synchronization: 5.7%]

[Warning: Fatigue Levels Critical.]

Elias crouched beside him. “That hesitation? That’s why you lost back there.”

Kieran coughed, his entire body screaming in protest. What was this guy’s deal?

“I don’t care if your system is broken,” Elias continued. “I don’t care what you think you are. Right now, you’re weak. And weak people don’t survive.”

He stood up, stepping away.

“Get up, Kieran. Or stay down and die the next time someone comes for you.”

Kieran’s hands clenched against the rough pavement. His mind burned with frustration, but beneath it… something else stirred.

A cold, primal hunger.

I’m not weak.

Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself up.

Elias smiled. “Good.”