Kai found himself standing in the ruins of the orphanage again. Everything around him was walls cracked, furniture burnt, the scent of smoke and ash still fresh in the air. It was raining, just like it had that night. The rain matched the tears he cried back then.
He walked through the empty halls. Once, these halls were full of laughter. Now, there was only silence. Every step hurt. He saw faces in the walls and memories of kids he had once laughed and played with. Friends he'd never see again.
He went deeper into the building. And there she was.
Miss Agatha. The woman who raised him. She was lying on the ground, eyes open, lifeless. The sight hit him like a punch to the chest. Guilt gripped him. He dropped to his knees.
Then, in the room where everything had gone wrong, he saw him again.
Richard.
His red eyes glowed in the dark. The fight played out again in front of Kai's eyes. The same one he had relived countless times. He could hear Richard's laugh, see every move, feel every hit. The pain. The fear.
Kai screamed, "Stop!"
But the nightmare didn't stop.
It never did.
Every time he closed his eyes, it came back. Every night ended the same way.
With Richard smiling as he died, whispering:
"You are one of us."
---
Kai woke up gasping for air, drenched in sweat. His eyes wide with horror. It had been days since that night, but the nightmares didn't stop. Every night, the same pain. The same end.
And it was driving him mad.
But that night, something was different.
"Kai?" a small voice called out.
It was Minny. The little girl who had become like family to him.
"I heard a noise," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
Kai forced a smile. "It's okay. Just a bad dream. Go back to sleep."
Minny yawned and nodded, curling back under her blanket.
He watched her for a moment. She was the only thing keeping him sane.
She hadn't seen what he had. She didn't need to. And he'd keep it that way.
She was the most important person in his life now.
And he would protect her no matter what.
He clenched his fists.
"I need to get stronger. Stronger than anyone."
And today, he planned to take the first step.
---
"Alright Minny, I'll be gone for a bit. But I'll be back soon, okay?"
"Can I come with you?"
Kai smiled. Her attachment to him always warmed his heart. He bent down and gently touched her cheek.
"Sorry, Minny. You can't come this time. But I promise I'll be back before you know it."
She held up her pinky. "You promise?"
"I promise," he said, linking his pinky with hers.
She smiled, and so did he. "Some of our new friends will be with me. And you'll have someone to stay with while I'm gone. Sound good?"
Minny nodded sleepily. "Okay. I trust you, Kai."
"That's my girl. I'll be back soon, alright?"
Just then, there was a knock at the door. The agents from The Order had arrived.
Kai stood, gave Minny's hair one last ruffle, and walked to the door.
But as soon as he stepped out…
The warmth left his face.
That soft side of him disappeared.
---
The ride to The Order's headquarters was quiet. Kai stared out the window, lost in thought.
When they arrived, he looked up at the massive building in front of him. It was huge shiny steel, glass everywhere, cameras in every corner. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.
The inside was just as impressive. The floors gleamed. The walls had high-tech screens and glowing symbols. At the center was a big logo: a hawk's head.
It felt like the building itself was watching him.
"Welcome, young man," a calm voice said.
Kai turned. A man in a white suit smiled at him.
"I'm Director Jacobs."
Kai's eyes widened. This wasn't just anyone.
This was Jacob Vancouver 'the White Lion'. A living legend. A hero. A founder of The Order.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"This doesn't make any sense."
Jacobs tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"Do all cursed users get welcomed by people like you?"
Jacobs chuckled. "No. But I took an interest in your case. So I decided to see it through myself."
Kai didn't buy it. "That still doesn't explain anything."
Jacobs kept smiling. "You're free to feel flattered."
Kai gave a fake little bow. "Wow. I'm honored."
The agent behind them in sunglasses had enough.
"Watch your tone, boy," he growled.
Jacobs raised a hand. "That's enough."
The agent stepped back, clearly annoyed but obedient.
Jacobs looked at Kai. "Shall we begin?"
Kai studied him for a second, then nodded.
"Sure."
And with that, they walked into the assessment room. Completely unaware of just how much was about to change.