Louis's heart was pounding as Commander Arthur stood before him, flanked by two of the most powerful Earth Defenders he had ever seen: Tara, the infamous lightning manipulator, and Dan, a quiet but intimidating figure with super strength.
Louis swallowed as he stared at Arthur's scarred face, forged by years of battle, as intimidating as the golden sword by his side, a symbol of his fire mastery and leadership.
"Sit down, Louis Lee," Arthur ordered, his voice sharp.
Louis obeyed. His mind was racing.
"Is my grandmother safe?" Louis blurted out.
Tara's electric eyes softened, barely. "She was evacuated. She's in our care."
Louis let out a shaky breath.
Arthur continued, his tone hard, "You are in a secure facility. The… core inside you is alien technology. We don't know what it's capable of."
Louis swallowed. "I don't either. I didn't choose this."
Dan, standing to the side, stepped forward with a glowing tablet in hand. "Preliminary scans show the core is integrating with your biology. It's possible it could be weaponized—by you or by the Veltrix."
Louis clenched his fists. "I just want to help. I'm not your enemy."
Arthur's sharp gaze stabbed into him, silencing him with a look.
He leaned forward slightly, his voice low. "For now, you are held under observation. Any attempt to use your powers without clearance will be treated as an act of aggression. Is that clear?"
Louis nodded with desperation. "Yes, sir,"
*****
The Earth defenders left the sterile room. As they strode down the corridor, soldiers and staff made way; some saluted, others avoided their eyes.
"There's a council meeting," Tara said, matching Arthur's pace. "Nicholas is hosting. Every major power wants a say."
Dan handed Arthur a tablet, showing streams of data: bio-readings from Louis, analysis reports, and threat assessments written in cold, clinical language. "They're scared, Arthur. No one's seen tech like this."
Arthur skimmed the reports, his jaw tightened. "They see a weapon. I see a child."
Tara touched his shoulder. "You can't change their minds alone."
Arthur gazed at Tara for a bit and sighed, his mind raced as he knew Warrior Nicholas, the leader, would not hesitate to sacrifice one life for many.
Arthur refused to forget the boy's humanity.
A black armored SUV waited beyond the gates.
Dan and Tara stayed behind as Arthur climbed in alone.
As the vehicle moved, Arthur couldn't help but worry as he noticed how the city had changed.
Once-glass towers now bore scars of war: crumbling facades, scorch marks, and barricades.
Civilians moved warily past checkpoints, soldiers at the ready.
Drones buzzed overhead, the wail of sirens in the distance.
At the city's Green Zone, blast doors opened to admit them into the underground council complex.
Arthur was escorted through tunnels lined with biometric scanners and patrols.
He entered the council chamber, a vast, circular room filled with donzens of delegates who murmured in urgent clusters.
At the far end, Warrior Nicholas waited, imposing in a crisp black uniform, golden insignia glinting.
Security tech gleamed everywhere.
The air was filled with tension.
Arthur took his seat as the council came to order.
Nicholas wasted no time.
"This will be brief," Nicholas announced. "The Veltrix core in the boy—Louis Lee—is an existential threat. We need decisive action."
A U.S. general leaned forward. "Can we remove the core without killing the boy?"
A Russian official shook his head. "It is a weapon, not a gift. If it activates, millions die."
A Japanese scientist's voice trembled. "He's a child. Are we prepared to just end his life?"
Nicholas's eyes narrowed. "We are not executioners, but we cannot risk humanity for one boy. Commander Arthur, your opinion?"
Arthur looked around at the fearful and angry faces.
"Louis Lee is the son of our lost heroes," he answered. "He didn't choose this. He's not our enemy."
The room fell silent as Nicholas clicked his tongue, staring intently into Arthur's eyes.
"What do you mean, Commander Arthur? Do you want us to risk the core activating?"
Arthur frowned. "Is that how you see it? But how will it seem if we treat every unknown as a death sentence? Don't we have a conscience? The kid is human like us. His parents gave their lives for Earth."
A debate erupted. Some shouted against his opposition, while others pleaded for mercy. Most were simply overwhelmed.
Nicholas stood, silencing the chamber. "The Veltrix have outmaneuvered us at every turn. We cannot gamble with extinction. The council will vote: extract the core, whatever the cost."
Arthur's fists clenched. "If we fail... if we kill him and gain nothing, that blood is on our hands."
Nicholas's voice was final. "I will not risk the planet for a single child."
The vote was swift; most hands rose in grim agreement.
Without another word, Arthur stood and left, heartbroken. He went to the bathroom and splashed water on his face, his mind filled with the faces of Louis's parents.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I couldn't protect him."
****
Louis was led into the operating room under heavy guard.
Cold metal pressed against his back as they strapped him down, wrists and ankles restrained. Panic surged. Masked surgeons surrounded him.
"Wait!" Louis yelled. "What are you doing?"
"We can't risk it anymore." A surgeon replied, his voice flat. "The Core is too dangerous for the planet."
Confused, Louis looked around.
Machines whirred to life, green lights flickering.
The Core's monitor flashed:
[Warning: Host vitality at risk.]
"Is the host vitality at risk?" he whispered, his mind racing. "Are they trying to kill me?"
A new message appeared:
[Directive: Resist extraction.]
Suddenly, a surgeon fired a laser at his chest. Agony exploded through him. Louis screamed as green energy erupted from the Core within him. His body convulsed; his vision blurred.
"Vitals spiking! The Core's destabilizing!" shouted a technician.
The Core's power surged uncontrollably.
Machines sparked and burst, alarms blared, and medics scrambled for cover.
The Core lashed out, a pulse of energy knocking people across the room.
Then, gas hissed from the walls. Louis's limbs grew heavy, and his vision swam. He heard frantic shouting as the sedative dragged him toward unconsciousness.
Suddenly, an explosion shattered the wall. Dust and debris rained down, revealing a tall, hooded figure in a crimson cloak. His eyes glowed red, a staff in his hand, the air shimmering with power.
"Stay away from the boy!" the stranger commanded, blood magic coiling at his fingertips.
"Traitor! !" the guards shouted, the remaining guards drew their guns.
The man flicked his wrist, and their weapons melted in an instant. With another flick, he sent them flying against the wall.
He then approached Louis.
"Who…who are you?" Louis asked through the haze.
"I'm your mentor." The man said. "Come with me. Learn to control the core, and show the world that you are more than just a weapon. You can be a savior."