The machines surged again.
Energy flooded the room as Nyra's body trembled violently against the restraints.
Her breathing was uneven.
Her strength nearly gone.
But something—
Something refused to give in.
"You're reaching your limit," the man said calmly.
Nyra laughed weakly.
"You think… this is my limit…?"
Her voice was faint.
But there was something behind it now.
Something dangerous.
The machines pulsed again.
More energy pulled from her.
Nyra screamed—
Then suddenly—
Stopped.
Silence.
The man frowned slightly.
That wasn't normal.
"Continue extraction," he ordered.
The system responded.
Energy surged again—
But this time—
It didn't flow out.
It pushed back.
Violently.
The machines flickered.
The lights dimmed.
"Energy instability detected," a voice echoed.
Nyra's head slowly lifted.
Her eyes—
Glowing again.
But different.
Not out of control.
Not wild.
Focused.
Cold.
"You've been taking…" she whispered.
Her voice echoed strangely.
Layered.
Controlled.
"Now it's my turn."
The man's expression finally changed.
Interest—
Turning into caution.
"Restrain her," he said.
Too late.
Nyra moved.
The restraints shattered instantly.
The device on her wrist cracked—
Then exploded.
Energy burst outward.
Destroying the nearest machines.
The room shook violently.
Alarms blared.
"Containment breach!" the system screamed.
Nyra stood slowly.
Her body still weak—
But her power…
Back.
And this time—
It listened.
The man stepped back slightly.
"You're adapting faster than expected," he said.
Nyra tilted her head slightly.
Her glowing eyes locked onto him.
"You shouldn't have touched me."
The air compressed instantly.
The man's movement slowed.
Pressure building around him.
Nyra stepped forward.
Each step steady.
Controlled.
"You wanted my power…" she said.
Her voice dropped lower.
"Now deal with it."
The man didn't panic.
Didn't run.
Instead—
He smiled.
That stopped her.
Something about that smile—
Was wrong.
"You think this is victory?" he asked calmly.
Nyra frowned.
"What?"
The man lifted his hand slightly.
And pressed a button.
The entire room shifted instantly.
Walls glowing.
Energy rising.
A stronger field activated—
Far beyond the first one.
Nyra's power flickered.
Then—
Dropped.
Her eyes widened.
"No—"
The field slammed down on her.
Harder.
Stronger.
Built for her.
Nyra's body froze mid-step.
Her power suppressed again—
More violently than before.
The man's smile widened slightly.
"Did you really think we didn't prepare for that?" he said.
Nyra struggled—
But this time—
Nothing happened.
Her power—
Didn't respond.
Nyra fought back…
but the hunters were ready for her awakening.