Zara, Rowynn, and Orea lay sprawled on their beds after training, enjoying the comfort in the sheets. Even the silence was comfortable—until a soft knock at the door broke it.
Zara rolled off her bed and opened the door, brow raised in curiosity. Valtor, Kymani, and Lynx stood there.
"May we come in?" Kymani asked politely.
"What's up with you guys?" Rowynn said as the boys stepped in and found seats. Orea stayed on her bed, watching silently, her expression unreadable.
Kymani glanced at Valtor, then said, "Valtor and I were talking. And… you all need to hear what he's been saying."
All eyes turned to Valtor. He didn't flinch under the attention. His voice was low, steady.
I know you're all wondering why I left for a while, he began.
"The reason I've been gone is because… my dad took me away. To restore my memory."
His words hit like a thunderclap.
The room fell silent—too silent. No one interrupted.
"I remember everything now," Valtor continued. "I saw how the council brought you all in for the experiment—the one that gave us our abilities. I remember how my dad and I tried to stop it. We were outvoted."
He looked down for a moment, then back up.
"I was abducted, just like you. They took me so they could control my father. He wouldn't agree to the experiment unless they had leverage. That leverage was me."
The room remained still. Too still.
Sensing the disbelief etched on their faces, Valtor exhaled slowly. "I know I lost your trust when we found out my dad was the professor. But I swear on my life, I'm telling the truth."
"I wasn't supposed to be part of the study. I became part of it so they could control him."
There was a pause, then-
"Alright, wait." Lynx spoke up, cutting through the tension. "What you're saying is, your dad gave you back your memory, and now you conveniently remember that both of you were the good guys who didn't want any of this to happen and now you're here as leverage?"
Valtor nodded once. "Yes."
"Seriously?" Lynx's voice sharpened. "So, you just skip out on training, roll back in here, and expect us to believe this story about how you're actually a victim too? That this was your punishment for trying to do the right thing?"
"It's not a story," Valtor said evenly. His eyes scanned the room. "It's the truth."
Then why do I keep seeing you in my visions?" Lynx demanded as the others silently watched their exchange.
"Because you saw me," Valtor said softly. "Back in the lab—our eyes met. You called for help. I tried to get to you, but the doors were locked. So I did the only other thing I could... I spoke to my father. I begged him to stop their plan."
"If your dad's really not the enemy," Lynx snapped, glancing around at the others, "he would've found a way to help us a long time ago. Or am I the only one thinking this?"
"You're right," Valtor admitted. "He should have. That's why he opened up on what the council's planning next."
"And what is that?" Zara asked.
Valtor turned to them, eyes serious. "Once we return from this mission we're training for, the council wants my father to… elevate our powers. Through mutation. It's supposed to make us stronger. He says it'll work—but it'll also permanently alter our DNA."
"Wait!" Rowynn cut in. "What does that even mean?"
"It means we'll be less human," Valtor said.
Rowynn's voice dropped. "They'd really do that? All in the name of saving the world?"
Valtor nodded. "They would. And they will."
So what are we supposed to do now?" Zara asked, her voice sharp with tension. Orea listened quietly from behind, arms folded.
"My dad's working on a plan to end all of this," Valtor said. "But first, we have to get somewhere safe."
"Where?" Zara pressed. "And how? We're stuck here!"
"Zaire," Valtor replied. "It's the safest region there is. The only time we can escape is during the mission. We'll run, - then hide out until my dad comes for us."
Lynx scoffed, arms crossed, causing Valtor to slump his shoulders in frustration.
"You realize how hard this is to believe, right?" Lynx said, stepping forward. "How do we know you're not leading us into a trap? Working with your father? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm struggling to trust any of this."
"I get it," Valtor said quietly. "And I'll find proof if that's what it takes. But you need to believe me—I wouldn't make this up."
He met Lynx's stare—steady, sincere. Lynx didn't look away, but his expression softened slightly.
No one else spoke for a moment.
Then, from the corner of the room, Kymani finally broke the silence. "So... what do you guys think?"
Orea turned to him. Her gaze was calm but sure. "I think we owe Valtor an apology."
Valtor looked up, surprised.
"And I want you to know…" she said, a gentle smile tugging at her lips, "I believe you."
Valtor nodded in thanks. The others stayed quiet, each lost in thought—grappling with everything they'd just heard.