Chapter 140

Moscow, Russia: The Government Fights Back

In Moscow, the Russian government had taken an uncompromising stance, deploying ability users within their ranks to control rogue individuals. Ivan, a soldier who could encase himself in unbreakable ice, stood among the government's elite squad.

Beside him, his partner, Misha, could summon powerful gusts of freezing wind. Together, they had been tasked with taking down rogue ability users who defied state control. But recently, rumors spread that their own government feared them.

"What if they decide we're too dangerous?" Misha asked, her voice barely a whisper. "What if they turn on us, too?"

Ivan's expression darkened. "Then we show them they're right to be afraid."

Their conversation ended abruptly as a rogue ability user, with the power to melt anything with his touch, appeared in the distance. Without a word, Ivan launched himself forward, encased in a glistening armor of ice, clashing against the heat-wielding rebel. The sound of sizzling ice filled the air, a grim reminder that their world was now ruled by the unpredictable.

In New York, entire neighborhoods had become battlegrounds, with some individuals using their powers to establish control over territories. Gabriel, a former paramedic with the ability to control time in short bursts, had taken it upon himself to protect a local safe zone.

As a gang of ability users with telekinetic and fire powers approached the perimeter, Gabriel raised his hand, slowing their movements just enough for his allies to react.

"Fall back!" he yelled to his team, whose powers included enhanced strength and speed. "We can't hold them here!"

Behind him, people huddled in makeshift shelters, watching their defenders fight to keep the peace. Among them was Anna, a nurse who had gained the ability to heal wounds almost instantly. She clasped Gabriel's arm, her face etched with fear.

"Gabriel, we're running out of space," she said urgently. "We can't keep moving people like this."

Gabriel glanced back at her, determination flickering in his eyes. "We'll do what we must. These people deserve protection, Anna. If we give up now, who'll be left to help?"

Across the world, leaders convened to discuss drastic measures as the balance of power tipped further. Some countries, fearing the consequences of uncontrolled abilities, debated the possibility of nuclear containment strategies.

At a high-level meeting in Geneva, world leaders, military generals, and scientists gathered, the weight of the conversation heavy on their shoulders.

"Deploying nuclear weapons would be catastrophic," warned Dr. Ellis, a scientist. "The environmental consequences alone would destabilize the entire region."

General Morales of the U.S. nodded grimly. "But our conventional weapons have proven ineffective. These ability users can dodge, deflect, or even absorb what we throw at them. What choice do we have?"

A quiet voice spoke up—President Liu from China. "We need to find another way. If we use such drastic measures, we risk triggering a global chain reaction. We should focus on negotiation and containment, however challenging."

In the end, the world found itself fractured yet united by a common struggle. Alliances formed across borders, with some regions embracing their ability users as protectors, while others sought to subdue them. As tensions escalated, whispers of a new world order emerged, driven by those who understood that power came with responsibility.

In safe zones and battlegrounds alike, the people watched and waited, knowing that the choices made today would define the world of tomorrow. As dusk settled across the continents, a fragile hope remained that, somewhere amidst the chaos, a path forward could still be found.