The school siren rang, signaling the end of classes. Instantly, the building buzzed with noise. Students rushing for their bags, others dashing to the gates eager to go home.
Kaelith, calm as ever, walked to his locker and pulled out his most important project.
Not far away, a loud voice echoed through the hallway.
"Hey, weirdo!"
Kaelith's brows furrowed at the insult. He didn't need to look; he already knew who it was.
Right beside him, Seraphina closed her own locker. Noticing his reaction, she gently placed her hand on his.
"Don't listen to him," she said softly.
Tharos swaggered closer, his usual smug grin plastered on his face, three of his equally foolish friends trailing behind.
Kaelith slammed his locker shut with a sharp clang. He turned away, unwilling to waste time on them. Trouble was the last thing he wanted. Seraphina immediately followed his lead, but Tharos and his gang picked up their pace too, closing the distance.
What are they planning this time…? Kaelith thought, quickening his steps.
They ended up at the park nearby. The gates were shut, the fence too high to climb. There was no easy escape.
Tharos spread his arms mockingly, a cruel smile tugging at his lips.
"Kaelith, you've got nowhere left to run. Just accept defeat."
Before Kaelith could respond, Tharos's friends grabbed Seraphina by both arms, yanking her to their side. She struggled, trying to shake free, but their grip was too strong.
Kaelith froze, his fists tightening. His mother's words echoed in his mind "Never cause trouble." He stood there, silent, his rage simmering beneath the surface.
Tharos stepped forward, eyes burning with petty jealousy.
"You think you're so smart and handsome, huh? Everyone believes it. But because of you, I look like a fool. And worst of all, you always steal this beautiful girl away from me."
Kaelith's jaw clenched. His voice was steady, but his words cut sharp.
"You've got it all wrong, Tharos. I never took anything from you. If people see you as a fool, that's because of how you act. As for me and Seraphina… there's nothing between us. So if you want her so badly, she's yours."
Seraphina's eyes widened, her voice trembling with disbelief.
"Wait—what, Kaelith? Are you seriously letting them take me away?"
Kaelith turned and walked away, leaving Seraphina in their hands.
Tharos burst out laughing at his retreat, the sound echoing cruelly in the park. Seraphina's voice cracked with anger and hurt as she screamed after him.
Kaelith's chest tightened. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to help her, but his mother's rule weighed heavily on him—never get into trouble. The conflict gnawed at him, pulling him in two.
Tharos leaned closer, one arm snaking around Seraphina. His grin widened, but her eyes burned with fury at the unwanted touch.
"Get your filthy hands off me!" she shouted, spitting straight at his face.
The spit landed across Tharos's cheek. His expression twisted instantly into rage, and without thinking, his hand shot out, striking her across the face. The slap rang sharp in the air.
Kaelith exhaled deeply, his restraint breaking. He turned back, eyes fixed on them.
"Enough, Tharos. Let her go."
His voice carried no hesitation this time. He wasn't speaking as a bystander anymore, but as someone who had finally decided to act someone remembering she was his friend.
Tharos only smirked, folding his arms like he was enjoying the show.
"And what if we don't? What will you do then?"
Kaelith stood there, fists trembling, words caught in his throat. But he forced them out.
"I don't know… but you'll find out if it comes to that."
Tharos and his lackeys laughed, the sound sharp and mocking.
"So that's it? Then we're not letting her go. Come on then, show us what you've got!"
Kaelith sighed and walked straight toward them. His steps looked firm, but he wasn't planning to throw punches. What he carried was something else, he wanted to outsmart them.
Seraphina kept her eyes on him. "What is he thinking…?" she muttered.
When Kaelith reached them, he didn't waste time. In one sharp move, he yanked their hands off Seraphina and shoved them away.
Tharos tilted his head, a crooked grin still on his face. "Did you just push us, Kaelith?" His voice was calm, but the irritation underneath was clear.
Seraphina's chest eased, and for the first time, her eyes lit up at Kaelith's presence.
Kaelith looked at Tharos, his voice steady. "I told you before. I don't have a problem with you. But you clearly have one with me. Why?"
Tharos smirked wider. "Because you don't belong here. Simple as that."
Kaelith didn't answer. He just turned, grabbed Seraphina's hand, and led her out of the park without looking back.
Tharos's friends made a move to follow, but he raised his hand, stopping them in their tracks.
[Ironvale Factory.]
From the outside, it looked abandoned, but the truth ran darker. Fenris, the owner, used the factory as a cover. Its real purpose wasn't production, it was a holding ground. Teenagers were dragged here, tested, and sorted. The ones who showed potential were transferred into Fenris's underground lab. The rest? They were discarded, sold, or killed.
"Hey, Doc Fenris." A tall man—Malrick—grinned as Fenris stepped into view.
"Long time no see."
Fenris flicked his lighter, lit a cigarette, and exhaled slowly. "I know. Been a while."
Malrick smirked. "So, how's the project going? That dream of yours still crawling forward?"
Fenris's eyes narrowed through the smoke. "It's moving. Rough, but moving. We need more bodies. More villains. More teenagers for the trials. If this works, we send them across the globe but first, they'll take root here."
Malrick leaned forward. "Villains? That's easy. I'll get you plenty. But where do we start with the kidnappings?"
Fenris let out a low laugh, dark and heavy. "Anywhere quiet. The forgotten corners. Don't worry. Project 312 will launch soon. Once it does, the kids won't even resist. They'll come on their own."
Both men broke into sharp, ugly laughter that echoed against the steel walls.
The moment was cut short when a guard burst in, breathless and pale. "Sir! A call just came from the lab, there's an intruder inside!"
Fenris froze, the cigarette trembling between his fingers. His face twisted in fury. "What did you just say?"
The guard swallowed hard.
Fenris ground the cigarette under his boot, his voice snapping like a whip. "Get every guard on it. Now. No one leaves alive."