Southridge Hospital — Burn Unit, 3rd Floor
Marcus sat on the edge of the bed, shirt half-off, bandages wrapped across his ribs. His body ached — not from the damage, but from the energy crash.
Zara stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the storm clouds gather over the city.
"You're lucky you didn't burn out," she said without looking at him.
"I didn't have a choice."
She finally turned to face him. "You always have a choice. But that... was your first Awakening. You went full-time dilation without stabilizing your body. If I hadn't stopped that Wraithborn, you'd be a smear on the wall."
Marcus winced. "Noted."
Zara exhaled. Her voice softened. "You're not the only one. These awakenings are accelerating. And the Circle is counting on that."
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✦✦✦
Elsewhere — Rooftop Overlook, Old Southridge
Elena stood under a neon sign, rain dripping off her hoodie. Rico leaned beside her, arms folded, watching the street below.
"You feel it?" he asked.
She nodded. "The static. The flux distortion."
Another Wraithborn had appeared — third one this week. But something was different now. She didn't just sense them — she felt the gravity ripple subtly around her. Like her own flux was warning her.
"I've been training more," she said. "Breathing drills. Body flow reinforcement. I can hold my enhancement for almost three minutes now."
"Not bad," Rico said. "Most take a year to hit that."
"Yeah, well," she muttered, "I've got motivation."
Rico smirked. "Same. Loneliness is a hell of a personal trainer."
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✦✦✦
Thorne's Gym — Sub-Basement War Room
Zara, Rico, Elena, and Marcus stood around the central table, watching a digital flux map of the city. Red zones pulsed like infected wounds.
"The Wraithborn are clustering here," Thorne pointed, "and the Circle's influence is growing."
"How do we stop them?" Marcus asked.
"You don't," Thorne said. "Not yet. First, you stabilize. Learn to manage your awakened abilities — otherwise, they'll eat you alive."
He looked at Rico. "You've already hit early-stage stabilization?"
Rico shrugged. "I've figured out how to control two copies. Can maintain for thirty seconds each. Still messy if I lose focus."
"Good. Keep training. They'll get smarter."
Thorne turned to Elena. "And you — your gravity's still unstable. You shift too wide."
"I'm trying—"
"Try harder. Someone like Vincent won't give you second chances."
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "Vincent?"
Zara nodded. "We intercepted reports this morning. One of the Eclipsed Circle's named agents was spotted near Flux Arena downtown. He goes by The Equalizer."
Marcus frowned. "What's his ability?"
Thorne's tone dropped cold.
"Damage Share. He takes any hit you land — and splits it across everyone in a ten-meter radius."
"Wait — so if you punch him—"
"You hurt your allies, too," Zara said. "He turns your strength against your team."
"Sounds like a nightmare."
Thorne tapped the table.
"Which is why we're forming a team. A real one."
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✦✦✦
Southridge — Flux Arena
The massive underground tournament site was a crucible of raw energy. Hundreds gathered daily to spar, spectate, or train. Tonight, something darker moved through the crowd.
A cloaked figure stepped onto the outer platform, where students tested basic techniques.
A young trainee rushed him with a simple Flux punch.
The cloaked man caught it.
A wave of black flux rippled outward — and six nearby spectators suddenly screamed and dropped to their knees.
Their arms twisted. Noses bled. Some vomited from the sudden internal impact.
The attacker froze.
The man pulled back his hood.
Vincent. Hair slicked back. White gloves. And eyes that burned with judgment.
"You chose violence," he said quietly. "So all must share the price."
He turned to the crowd.
"You are fractured. Divided. Drowning in imbalance."
"The Circle brings symmetry."
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✦✦✦
Back at the gym, Elena slammed her fist into the training pillar — this time coating her knuckles in flux without them flaring out of control.
"Three-point-four seconds," Rico called out. "Better."
"Still not enough."
"You're rushing it."
She turned. "The Equalizer is already out there, hurting people. You think I care about breathing drills when he's splitting spines open?"
Rico stepped forward. "Yes. Because without control, you're next."
She paused. Silent.
Then nodded.
"Alright. Again."
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✦✦✦
Ending Scene — Elsewhere
Deep in an old cathedral, members of the Eclipsed Circle met in shadowed silence. A woman with black braids and a blindfold sat at the center.
Mira — The Empath.
"The girl who shifted gravity," she said. "She's waking up fast. That one will be trouble."
Vincent stepped into the room.
"She won't last long without breaking."
Mira smiled.
"Then we'll make sure she does."