Location: Emberfall Site C – Cryo Core Chamber
The lights in the chamber flickered erratically as the once-dormant system rebooted. Dominic and Jasper stepped back, weapons raised, eyes locked on the cryo-chamber that now hissed open, releasing a dense mist into the air.
From within, a figure stepped out—barefoot, tall, and cloaked in a tattered containment suit. His hair was silver as ash, skin marked with cryptic symbols that pulsed faintly with blue light. His gaze swept the room, emotionless.
"Subject Z1…" Dominic whispered.
The figure's voice was deep, resonant, ancient. "That is not my name."
"What do we call you?" Jasper asked, tense.
The man turned toward them, eyes glowing briefly.
"Kael."
Before either could react, Kael raised his hand, and the steel around them warped as if pulled by unseen forces. The facility groaned in protest. Jasper yelled, "Fall back!" and hurled a stun grenade.
Blinding light. Smoke.
They vanished into the shadows, barely avoiding Kael's path.
---
Location: Damien's Command Center – Underground
"Kael…" Damien repeated, his voice edged with disbelief.
Nora stared at the old files flashing across the holographic screen. "He was the prototype subject for the Helix Core serum—part of the forgotten Omega Trials. They believed he died when the Emberfall vault collapsed."
Damien's expression darkened. "He didn't die. He evolved."
"If Celine controls him—"
"She won't," Damien interrupted. "She's playing with forces that nearly wiped out an entire black ops unit. Kael's not a weapon. He's a catastrophe waiting to happen."
Nora placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's your next move?"
He exhaled slowly. "I need to speak to Father. If Kael was created under the Wycliffe legacy… then this monster might be our blood."
---
Location: Wycliffe Family Estate – Private Bunker
Eldon Wycliffe, Damien's estranged father, was frailer now—his once imposing figure reduced, but his mind razor sharp. He sat surrounded by surveillance feeds and antique books filled with family secrets.
Damien stepped in, the door locking behind him.
"You kept Kael from me."
Eldon didn't look up. "Some truths bury themselves for a reason."
"He's awake."
A flicker of fear crossed Eldon's face. "Then the final lock is broken."
Damien leaned in. "What is he, really?"
Eldon sighed. "Kael was your uncle. My brother. Chosen as the first vessel for the Omega Core—before it destroyed his mind and gave him dominion over magnetic and elemental energy."
Damien froze.
"You buried your own brother?"
"I had no choice. He was no longer human."
---
Location: Celine's Island Fortress – Control Room
Kael stood beside Celine, eyes scanning the surveillance feeds. Despite his immense power, his expression was calm, curious, almost childlike.
"Why did you awaken me?" he asked.
Celine smiled. "Because they fear you. Because the world must remember the gods it tried to erase."
Kael tilted his head. "You want vengeance."
"No," she replied. "I want balance. And you… will show them what that means."
Kael looked at the ocean beyond the window. "Then the world must burn. So something better may rise."