In Z-01's dormitory, the muscles in his body burned with the effort of his telekinetic push-up routine. His determination and focus were palpable, evident in every precise movement.
However, this serene moment of self-improvement was shattered by a deafening explosion that rocked the very foundations of his room. The windows shattered into a shower of glass, and the walls quivered as if in fear. Z-01 staggered backward, his heart racing, his once-confident demeanor now replaced by a gnawing sense of dread.
Panic seized him, and he knew he had no time to waste. Ignoring the pain in his aching muscles, he rushed to the door and flung it open. The hallway outside was a chaotic scene, filled with smoke and dust. The cacophony of gunfire and blaring alarms echoed in the distance.
Without a second thought, Z-01 sprinted down the smoke-filled corridor, the soles of his shoes echoing off the cold, hard floor. As he rounded a corner, his eyes widened at the sight of armored men in the distance, firing their weapons down the hallway.
With reflexes honed through training and sheer survival instinct, Z-01 dove behind a nearby wall, invoking his telekinetic powers. He focused his energy, lifting a heavy metal bench with his mind, and hurled it at the assailants. The makeshift projectile crashed into them, sending them sprawling to the ground.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Z-01 swiftly moved past the incapacitated men and continued down the corridor. He reached Saiya's room, his heart pounding in his chest, and without hesitation, he forced the door open.
Saiya stood in the center of her room, her eyes wide with fear. Her attire was nothing more than a towel and her underwear, a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding outside.
"What's happening?" she questioned, her voice quivering.
"I don't know," Z-01 admitted, his expression tense with worry.
However, instead of allowing Saiya to venture outside and assess the situation, Z-01 took control. He closed her door with purpose and barricaded it with any items he could find. Retrieving his phone, he dialed Aster's number.
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Aster answered the call, still in the throes of sleep, and his sister seemed equally disoriented. Yet, before any of them could utter a word, the room was invaded by the unexpected arrival of an armored intruder.
Clad in black, the intruder sported a face-concealing helmet and gripped a firearm menacingly. He demanded, "Get out of bed."
Aster, panic rising, complied and began to back away. "Who are you?" he stammered.
"I'm here to take you," the intruder declared, his voice cold and unwavering.
Aster's voice quivered as he inquired, "Take me where?"
The intruder remained cryptic. "That's none of your business."
With an unsettling swiftness, the intruder aimed his firearm at Aster, who froze in terror.
In a sudden turn of events, a burst of energy erupted from the doorway, propelling the intruder to the floor. Ember, standing there with her eyes radiating with power, shouted, "Run!"
The call abruptly ended, leaving Z-01 with a disconcerting image of the intruder abducting Aster and Ember.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the woods, Lucas Corbin, infamously known as Silverclaw, relished in the triumph of a successful kidnapping mission. The Chimera, a shadowy and influential organization, had rewarded him generously — an advance of 50 million dollars and the promise of an additional 100 million upon completion. Such a vast fortune held the potential to elevate him from his history of minor bank robberies to a level of genuine significance.
Silverclaw's task was to deliver the kidnapped twins to an figure named Remy. He held the twins in his grasp, his mission nearly accomplished. However, an eerie and unsettling sensation coursed through him. One of his aura abilities, the innate power that had guided him through countless endeavors, emitted a warning. It signaled that a formidable and undisclosed danger was near, despite the absence of any visible threats except for the two twins he held.
Silverclaw scrutinized the twins for the first time, and his heart sank as he observed their eyes, now an unsettling shade of bloodshot red. His aura ability screamed at him, urging him to release the twins and flee. Responding to his inner voice, he relinquished his captives, preparing for escape.
Yet, something sudden and inexplicable pierced his back with searing pain, impeding his getaway. Silverclaw discarded the twins and activated his trump card aura ability — rapid regeneration — freeing himself from the unknown restraint. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, he abandoned the twins and sprinted away, heedless of his destination.
He ran and ran, the world blurring around him until he reached his base, only to find it engulfed in roaring flames — an inferno that foretold of ominous forces in relentless pursuit.