The energy exploded.
Nyra moved first.
Faster than either of them expected.
A wave of force slammed toward Kael and Ronan, sending them both sliding backward across the metal floor.
"Damn it!" Ronan growled, steadying himself.
Kael didn't respond.
His eyes were locked on her.
"Nyra—stop!"
She didn't.
Her movements were sharp.
Precise.
Not wild.
Not out of control.
That made it worse.
Because this—
This was intentional.
"You're in my way," she said coldly.
Ronan's expression hardened.
"Yeah, that's kind of the point."
Nyra tilted her head slightly.
Studying them.
Like they were strangers.
Like they didn't matter.
That hit harder than any attack.
Kael stepped forward slowly.
"I'm not here to fight you."
Nyra's eyes flickered.
Just for a second.
Then—
Gone.
"Then leave," she said.
Kael didn't move.
"I'm taking you with me."
Silence.
Then—
Nyra laughed.
Soft.
Low.
Dangerous.
"You really don't understand, do you?"
The air around her tightened instantly.
Pressure building.
Crushing.
"You don't get to decide what happens to me anymore."
The force surged again—
Stronger this time.
Ronan pushed against it.
"She's getting worse," he muttered.
Kael's jaw clenched.
"No."
A pause.
"She's changing."
Nyra raised her hand—
And the ground beneath them cracked violently.
Metal bending.
Energy surging.
The entire facility trembling.
"Stop holding back," Ronan said sharply.
Kael didn't respond.
Because he wasn't holding back.
He was hesitating.
And that hesitation—
Was dangerous.
Nyra saw it.
Felt it.
"You still can't hurt me," she said softly.
Kael's chest tightened.
"That's not true."
Nyra stepped closer.
Each step heavier than the last.
"Then prove it."
Silence.
Then—
She attacked.
Fast.
Direct.
Unavoidable.
Kael blocked it—but the force pushed him back hard.
Ronan moved instantly, striking from the side—
But Nyra stopped him mid-motion.
Without even looking.
The air around him locked.
Freezing him in place.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…Okay. That's new."
Nyra turned back to Kael.
Focused.
Unrelenting.
"This is who I am now," she said.
Kael shook his head.
"No."
Nyra's eyes darkened.
"Yes."
Her power surged again—
Stronger—
Heavier—
Crushing everything around them.
Kael stepped forward through it.
Against it.
Ignoring the pressure.
"Then look at me," he said.
Nyra hesitated.
Just for a second.
That was all it took.
Because in that moment—
Something flickered.
Something real.
Something hers.
Kael saw it instantly.
"You're still there."
Nyra's breath hitched.
"No…"
"Yes."
Her power wavered.
Just slightly.
Ronan felt it.
"She's breaking through!"
But Nyra's expression twisted.
Pain flashing across her face.
"Stop…" she whispered.
The power surged violently again—
Stronger than before.
Pushing them both back.
"I said STOP!"
Everything exploded outward.