Su Zhan sat in the quiet hotel suite, the city's lights flickering beyond the window. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his ambition settle into his bones. The taste of red wine lingered on his tongue, but it was not the wine that made his blood sing. It was the anticipation of what was to come.
He glanced at the Haitian, who stood by the window, silent and watchful as always. There was something different about Su Zhant—a quiet intensity, a sense of purpose that seemed to radiate from him. The Haitian could not put his finger on it, but he felt an urge to submit, to follow Su Zhan without question. It was not fear, but a strange, instinctive reverence.
Su Zhan rose from his chair and set the empty glass aside. "Let's go," he said quietly. "The hunt is over. Now it's time to feast."
They left the hotel and stepped onto the street, where a van was parked at the curb. The driver, a middle-aged man in a cleaning company uniform, was just getting out. Su Zhan approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Excuse me," Su Zhan said, his voice low but commanding. "I need your van for the night. Come back here tomorrow, and you'll find it waiting."
The man's eyes glazed over, and without protest, he handed Su Zhan the keys. "Alright. I'll pick it up tomorrow night," he replied, then wandered off, oblivious to what had just happened.
The Haitian climbed into the passenger seat while Su Zhan slid behind the wheel. As they drove through the city, Su Zhan activated his location ability, searching for the signatures of those with powers.
The first was Peter Petrelli, a nurse with a gentle heart and the rare gift of mimicry. Peter was leaving the apartment of a terminal patient, his mind heavy with the weight of another life slipping away. As he stepped out into the night, he saw Su Zhan approaching.
"Peter?" Su Zhan called, his voice soft but unmistakable.
Peter paused, confused. "Yes? Do I know you?"
Su Zhan smiled, his eyes turning dark and deep. "Come with me," he said, his tone brooking no argument.
Peter's eyes glazed over, and he nodded. "Yes," he replied, moving toward the van.
The Haitian watched silently as Peter climbed in. Su Zhan nodded in satisfaction, then turned his attention to the next target.
They took the elevator up to a modest apartment. Su Zhan stared at the door lock for a moment, then heard a soft click as the door swung open. Inside, an elderly Black man sat in a wheelchair, his body frail but his eyes sharp. This was Charles Deveaux, a telepath whose mind was still formidable despite his failing health.
Su Zhan greeted him with respect. "You're dying, Charles. Your gift will be wasted if it disappears with you. Let me take it. If I find someone who can restore your vitality before you pass, I promise to return the favor and give you more years."
Charles regarded Su Zhan for a long moment, then nodded. "Do what you must," he said quietly.
Su Zhan placed a hand on Charles's head, feeling the telepathic energy flow into him. The sensation was dizzying—so many thoughts, memories, and emotions, all pressing in at once. He took a steadying breath, then released Charles and wheeled him out to the van.
"Expand the search," Su Zhan said to the Haitian. "There's another one nearby."
They crossed to the next building, where a rooftop pigeon coop sat in the shadows. There, a bearded man stood watching them warily. He was the Invisible Man, a former associate of Bennet who had gone into hiding after leaving the organization.
"You're not invisible now," Su Zhan said with a faint smile. "I can see you, and I can hear your thoughts."
The Invisible Man's eyes widened in shock. "Are you with them?" he asked, panic rising in his voice.
Before he could run, Su Zhan conjured a wall of fire, blocking his escape. The man stumbled back, and the Haitian stepped in, pressing a hand to his neck. The Invisible Man crumpled, unconscious.
Su Zhan handed him off to the Haitian, then returned to Charles. "Three so far," he murmured. "But that's not enough."
They returned to the van and drove through the city, collecting more abilities. Nathan Petrelli, Peter's brother, was next—a politician with the power of flight. Then came Angela Petrelli, their mother, who could dream the future. Su Zhan tracked down a heavyset man with the ability to melt solids and, finally, a repairwoman with super hearing.
By the time they returned to the hotel, the van was full. Seven people, seven unique powers, all gathered in one place. Peter with his mimicry, Charles with telepathy, the Invisible Man, Nathan with flight, Angela with precognition, the melter, and the woman with super hearing.
Su Zhan surveyed them, his eyes shining with hunger and anticipation. He turned to the Haitian. "You should leave for now. Come back in the morning."
The Haitian nodded and slipped out, leaving Su Zhan alone with his quarry.
He began with the woman who possessed super hearing. He placed his hand on her head, activating his devouring power. The sensation was intense—a rush of sound, every whisper and heartbeat in the city pressing into his mind. He gasped, steadying himself, then moved on to the next.
The melter was next. Su Zhan felt a wave of heat, the power to liquefy metal and stone surging into him. He gritted his teeth, pushing through the discomfort.
One by one, he devoured their abilities. With each new power, his body felt heavier, his mind more crowded. By the time he reached the third, sweat beaded on his forehead. He could feel the strain, the warning signs of overload, but he pressed on.
The fourth ability nearly broke him. His vision swam, and his knees buckled. He forced himself to continue, desperate to reach the limits of his devouring power. He wanted to be stronger, to be worthy of the title he had claimed for himself: King.
When the last ability faded into him, Su Zhan collapsed onto the floor, his body wracked with exhaustion. The room spun, and for a moment, he lost consciousness, drifting into a darkness filled with the echoes of a thousand voices and the weight of seven new powers.
He did not know how long he lay there, but when he finally opened his eyes, he felt changed. Stronger, yes, but also more vulnerable. He had pushed himself to the edge and survived. And tomorrow, he would do it again.
For now, he allowed himself a moment of rest, knowing that the path to true power was never easy and that every step forward came with a price.