Chapter 2: The Chosen

Chapter 2: The Chosen

Sunny stood in the training arena, feeling the weight of his mask in his hands. The intricate patterns of gold and crimson were mesmerizing, yet it gave him no clue to its power. Around him, the other six orphans who had survived the bond with their masks began to stir, exchanging glances. Each of them had already sensed the power within their masks, but Sunny's remained silent.

It was Serena who broke the silence first. She stepped forward, her confident smile lighting up her face, and flipped her fiery red hair over her shoulder. "Well, I guess we're all in this together. Why don't we get to know each other? We're going to be spending a lot of time together anyway."

Her voice was bright and welcoming, a stark contrast to the grim surroundings of the training facility. The others seemed to relax slightly as she spoke.

"I'll start," she continued, her fingers grazing the jagged lightning bolt designs on her mask. "I'm Serena. I can already feel the lightning inside me. It's... wild, like a storm waiting to be unleashed." The faintest crackle of electricity flickered in the air around her as she said it, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Honestly, I can't wait to see what I can do with it."

Adrian, standing next to her, offered a small nod before speaking. His dark hair partially covered his face, but his voice was calm and focused. "Adrian Vale. My mask gives me control over space—at least, I think that's what it is. I can sense the way things bend and shift, but I haven't really figured out how to control it yet." His mask had a sleek, almost liquid quality, reflecting light in strange ways, making the space around him seem to ripple ever so slightly.

Jax, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, smirked. "I'm Jax. Wind manipulation. The air just kind of… moves with me. I haven't done anything crazy yet, but I can feel it." He glanced over at Sunny, giving him a playful grin. "Let's hope you're not stuck with something lame, huh?"

Mira, standing a bit further back, remained quiet for a moment before speaking. "I'm Mira," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think my mask has something to do with shadows. I can feel them… but they're distant. Like they're watching, but not ready to move yet."

Noah, standing tall with his arms crossed, gave a nod toward the group. "Noah. Gravity manipulation. I can feel it—pulling, pushing, making things heavier. But I haven't quite gotten the hang of controlling it yet." His mask, marked with heavy, angular designs, seemed to emanate a quiet pressure, as if the very air around him was denser.

Finally, Elara stepped forward, her silver eyes gleaming under the dim lights. "Elara," she said smoothly. "Mind control… or something like it. I can sense thoughts, hear whispers. But I haven't figured out how to control them yet. It's like I'm just listening in on a crowded room."

After they had all introduced themselves, all eyes turned toward Sunny. He stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say. Unlike the others, who had felt their powers stirring from the moment they bonded with their masks, his remained an enigma.

Finally, he spoke. "I'm Sunny," he began, his voice a little uncertain. "But... I don't know what my mask does yet. It hasn't shown me anything."

There was an awkward pause before Serena spoke again, her tone encouraging. "Hey, that's okay. Like the scientists said, some masks need special conditions to unlock. You'll figure it out soon enough. We're all still figuring this out."

"Yeah," Jax added, flashing Sunny another grin. "Maybe yours is saving up for something big. Just don't let us down, alright?"

Sunny nodded, but inwardly he couldn't shake the frustration. Everyone else seemed to have some inkling of what their masks could do. Even Mira, with her elusive connection to the shadows, had something. But his? His mask was a mystery—one that made him feel more like an outsider than part of the group.

As if sensing his thoughts, Noah spoke up. "We're all going to need each other, you know. We might have different powers, but in the end, we're fighting the same war. Whether you've unlocked your power or not, you're still one of us."

There was a murmur of agreement from the group, and for the first time, Sunny felt a flicker of belonging. Maybe they were right. Maybe it didn't matter that his mask hadn't revealed its power yet. They were all in this together, and sooner or later, he would unlock whatever potential lay dormant within his mask.

The scientist overseeing their training approached, clipboard in hand. "As you've all introduced yourselves, remember this: the masks have chosen each of you for a reason. But not all powers reveal themselves immediately. Some will require specific triggers—combat, stress, or even emotional thresholds. You will discover them in time. For now, focus on honing your enhanced physical abilities. Remember, even without your powers fully unlocked, you are far stronger than any normal human."

With that, the scientist turned to leave, leaving the group to their thoughts. The reality of their situation was starting to sink in. They were no longer just orphans from the wasteland—they were something more. Each of them carried a piece of the catastrophic-class demon's power, and with it, the fate of humanity.

But as Sunny looked down at his mask once more, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him. Something inside the mask, waiting for its moment to reveal itself.

And when it did, he had no idea what it would mean for him—or for the world.