A World in Fear
News of Kael's awakening spread like wildfire. The Strongest Association had been prepared for a rogue monster, a calamity beyond human control.
But what they witnessed… was different.
"He's not losing control?" The council of the Association sat in stunned silence.
A recording played before them, showing Kael standing over Cain, his body bathed in divine energy. His power wasn't rampaging. It was contained. Barely.
"But that's impossible," one of the senior Hunters muttered. "Anyone who opens both Heaven's Gate and Hell's Gate at the same time is either consumed or destroyed."
The leader of the Association, the strongest Hunter, leaned forward. His gaze was sharp. "Then why is he still standing?"
No one had an answer.
---
The Hunters' Verdict
Kael stood at the edge of a ruined battlefield, Cain leaning heavily on his shoulder. Iria stood beside him, watching the Hunters surrounding them.
They weren't attacking.
They were… waiting.
"Kael," Iria murmured, her voice tense. "They think you've lost control."
Kael gritted his teeth. "I haven't."
She nodded. "I know. But they don't."
The strongest Hunter stepped forward, his presence suffocating. "Kael," he said, voice echoing across the battlefield. "Surrender now."
Kael's fingers twitched. His body was still recovering from borrowing Heaven's Gate's power. The healing energy had restored him, but his limits were clear—Hell's Gate wouldn't open. Not now.
Cain chuckled weakly. "Looks like they're scared of you now, kid."
Kael didn't respond. He looked at Iria, then at the dozens of Hunters surrounding them.
He took a deep breath.
And raised his hands.
"I already surrendered once," he said. "And I meant it."
The tension in the air didn't ease.
Kael took a step forward. "But I'm not your enemy."
The strongest Hunter narrowed his eyes. "Then prove it."
---
The Chains of Power
Kael felt it before he saw it.
The moment the strongest Hunter moved, a crushing weight locked onto him. His body tensed, his breath caught.
A binding spell.
Not just any spell—this was meant for monsters.
The golden chains materialized around his wrists, forcing him to his knees. Power suppression seals flared to life, wrapping around him in glowing inscriptions.
Kael gritted his teeth. He had expected this.
He didn't resist.
Cain, still bleeding, growled. "Damn bastards…"
Iria clenched her fists. "This is wrong. He's not a monster."
The strongest Hunter's gaze didn't waver. "Then he has nothing to fear."
Kael said nothing.
His hands were bound.
His fate, uncertain.
And deep within him, the Gates whispered.
This was just the beginning.