Light exploded.
Not from the generator.
From Kael.
Electricity tore through the room, wild and violent—cracking across walls, shattering metal, ripping through the air itself.
"—!"
The Hunter jumped back instantly.
Even he didn't expect this.
Kael stood at the center of it all.
Head lowered.
Body trembling.
Power poured out of him like a broken dam.
"Energy levels exceeding the safe threshold."
Aetherion's voice echoed sharply.
"System instability detected."
Kael didn't respond.
His breathing was uneven.
His mind—
Breaking.
Memories flashed.
The rooftop.
The man.
The fear.
Then something else.
Not his.
Stars collapsing.
Worlds burning.
Endless destruction.
Aetherion.
"STOP…!"
Kael's voice tore through the room.
The power surged harder.
The walls cracked.
The floor split.
The generator behind him exploded in sparks.
The Hunter watched.
Silent.
Focused.
"…So this is what you are."
Kael's head lifted slowly.
His eyes—
Glowing.
Not just blue.
Something deeper.
Something… ancient.
"I said…"
His voice wasn't normal anymore.
It echoed.
Layered.
"STOP."
BOOM.
The energy burst outward.
A shockwave slammed into the Hunter, forcing him back several steps.
His expression changed.
Just slightly.
"…Interesting."
Kael moved.
This time—
Faster.
Faster than before.
Faster than I thought.
He was in front of the Hunter instantly.
His fist came down—
CRASH.
The ground shattered.
The impact sent debris flying in every direction.
The Hunter blocked it.
But barely.
His arm trembled.
"…Now this is new."
Kael didn't stop.
He attacked again.
And again.
And again.
Each strikes faster.
Stronger.
Less controlled.
The room couldn't handle it.
The walls began to collapse.
The ceiling cracked above them.
"You're breaking yourself," the Hunter said calmly.
No response.
Kael wasn't listening anymore.
"Cognitive function deteriorating."
Aetherion's voice cut in.
"The host is losing control."
Kael's vision blurred.
The world twisted.
But the power kept rising.
Too much.
"This is dangerous…"
The Hunter's tone shifted.
Not fear—
Concern.
If this continued—
The entire building would collapse.
Maybe more.
"Enough."
He moved.
This time—serious.
His speed exploded.
He slipped past Kael's attack—
Closed the distance—
And struck.
THUD.
His hand hit Kael's chest.
Right where the core pulsed.
Everything froze.
For a split second—
Silence.
Then—
The light flickered.
Kael's body went still.
The power… stuttered.
His eyes widened.
"…What did you—"
The Hunter leaned closer.
His voice was low.
"Found it."
Kael's chest burned.
Not like before.
Worse.
Like something was being… touched.
Interfered with.
"Warning."
Aetherion's voice—
For the first time—
Distorted.
"Core integrity compromised."
Kael's breath caught.
"…No…"
The Hunter smiled faintly.
"Now I understand."
His grip tightened.
"You're not just dangerous…"
"…you're valuable."
The light in Kael's chest flickered violently.
And for the first time—
Aetherion…
Sounded afraid.