Cont.
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Just before they could say anything else, Luka's hologram sparked to life on the desk, his voice brisk. "We've picked up some chatter—Veyra is gearing up for another attack, and she's moving quicker than we anticipated." Kael clenched his jaw, but for once, his eyes stayed fixed on Ezra. He hesitated before placing his hand on top of Ezra's trembling one, which still gripped the edge of the desk. "Prove it," he said finally, his tone a sharp blend of authority and cautious optimism.
Ezra's breath caught in his throat, tears welling up once again, but this time they carried a steadier resolve. For the first time since the betrayal had come to light, the distance between them didn't seem insurmountable; it felt as if a fragile bridge was beginning to form.
The atmosphere in Kael's office shifted after those words—"Prove it." Ezra clung to them like a lifeline, his body shaking under the weight of the moment. Luka's hologram flickered, his voice efficient and precise. "Veyra's drones are already on the move toward District Twelve. If they break through the communication grid, they'll take control of half the city's surveillance by noon. I've rerouted two teams, but—" he paused, narrowing his mechanical eye. "There's a vulnerability in their network that I can't close. Someone left it open intentionally."
Ezra's stomach sank. He recognized that vulnerability all too well; he had created it at Nico's request months ago, buried deep in Veyra's systems. He turned to Kael, urgency lacing his trembling voice. "I can fix it. I know the code she's using—it's mine. If she exploits it, she'll take control of your satellites and the drones in the lower grid. Luka can't close it because… it has my signature. But I can."
Kael's jaw tensed, skepticism flickering across his features. "And you think I should trust you with my network again?"
Ezra's throat tightened, but he held Kael's gaze. "Not think. Beg." His voice shook, but there was a fierce determination in his eyes. "Let me clean up my mess. If I don't, you'll be at a loss. If I do, maybe I can finally stop running from my past."
Luka spoke up with a calculating tone. "He's right. If that breach isn't fixed, Veyra will drain us dry."
Kael's silence felt heavy, his fingers tapping against the desk. Finally, he spoke in a low, authoritative voice. "One chance. If you fail, you'll wish Nico had found you first."
Ezra nodded quickly, almost too fast to see clearly. He moved to the secondary terminal at Kael's desk, his fingers unsteady over the holographic keys. As the interface activated around him, his heart raced. This was the moment—the test that could offer him redemption. Lines of foreign code slithered across the screen, his own signature taunting him at the base strings.
Ezra's fingers danced over the keys, sweat trickling down his temple. Fear threatened to overwhelm him, but then Kael's steady voice broke through. "Focus, Ezra."
He bit back a sob and centered himself. The network pushed back against him like a living creature, Veyra's systems resisting his every attempt to patch things up. Digging deeper, he hacked like a man trying to cleanse his own poisoned veins. Minutes passed, alarms blared, and then—click. The breach sealed, and the system stabilized with a soft chime.
Ezra slumped back in the chair, his chest heaving, tears streaming down his face—not just from the exertion, but from the relief of finally releasing so much guilt. Luka leaned in to scan the results. "It held. The grid is clear—for now."
Kael remained silent, his eyes fixed on Ezra. There was no triumph, no forgiveness, but something had shifted—an acknowledgment that Ezra had faced the consequences of his betrayal and made a different choice.
Ezra lifted his gaze to meet Kael's, his voice trembling with emotion. "I've already told you—I'm ready to give you everything I have to offer(All Of Me),Even the parts of myself that I despise."
Kael's jaw tightened, as if he were struggling to hold back thoughts and feelings that he wasn't yet prepared to voice. After a moment of hesitation, he closed the distance between them, placing a hand on the console near Ezra. The shadow he cast enveloped Ezra completely, imposing and powerful, yet his voice surprised Ezra with its gentleness when he finally spoke.
"You've carved out a place for yourself by my side. Make sure you don't lose it again."
Ezra's breath caught in his throat, and a sob slipped past his lips—but there was a difference this time. It was a sound laced with something transformative. Relief washed over him, offering a sense of hope he hadn't felt before.