The Ripples of consequences

The air in the lab was heavy with tension as Justin leaned against a wall, the book still clutched tightly in his hand. Kain watched him intently, his eyes narrowing as a flicker of something crossed his face—fear, perhaps? Or was it resolve?

"You did well, kid," Kain said, his voice even. "But that thing you're holding... it's not just a tool. It's a weapon, and weapons have consequences."

Justin met his gaze, his expression torn between pride and unease. "What are you talking about?"

Kain rubbed his temples, exhaling sharply. "I had a vision, Justin. It came the moment you used the book. I saw what it could do—what it will do—to you."

Nia, who had been quietly cleaning a wound on her arm, froze. "What do you mean? What did you see?"

Kain's face darkened. "The book feeds on emotions. The stronger your feelings, the more powerful it becomes. But it doesn't just amplify your strength—it digs into your soul, twists it. I saw you, Justin. I saw you lose yourself to it, becoming something... unrecognizable."

Justin tightened his grip on the book, his heart racing. "That's not going to happen. I can control it."

Kain stepped closer, his tone urgent. "That's what they all think. Every person who's tried to wield power like this thinks they're in control—until they're not. And when you lose control, you'll destroy everything, including the people you care about."

The words hit Justin like a punch to the gut. Nia placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice gentle. "Justin, maybe we need to step back. Figure this out before it's too late."

Before Justin could respond, a hologram flickered to life in the center of the room. The figure of a woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes appeared—Seraphina.

"Touching," she said with a smirk. "But let's not waste time. Justin, you have something I want. Hand over the book, and I'll spare your friends. Resist, and I'll tear this place apart."

Justin stepped forward, defiance in his eyes. "I'll never work for you."

Seraphina's smile widened. "Oh, Justin. I'm not asking."

The hologram vanished, and alarms blared throughout the lab. Kain turned to Nia and Justin, his face grim. "They're here."

Before anyone could move, Kain grabbed Justin by the shoulders. "Listen to me. I've got a plan to keep you two safe, but you have to trust me."

"What plan?" Nia asked, her voice sharp.

Kain strode to a hidden panel in the wall, pressing a series of buttons. A section of the floor slid away, revealing a cylindrical machine surrounded by glowing wires.

"What is that?" Justin asked.

"It's a temporal displacement device," Kain said. "The Framework discovered it years ago—an abandoned relic from a civilization we'll never understand. It can send you to another timeline, far away from Seraphina and her hunters. You'll be safe there."

Justin's eyes widened. "You want us to run? What about you?"

"I'm staying," Kain said, his voice steady. "Someone has to hold them off. And besides..." He hesitated, then looked Justin square in the eye. "This is bigger than me. It's bigger than all of us. You need to figure out how to use that book without losing yourself, and you can't do that with them breathing down your neck."

Nia stepped forward. "Kain, this is crazy. You can't fight them alone."

Kain flashed her a wry smile. "Crazy is what I do best. And remember, bullets are allergic to me."

For a moment, the tension broke as his smile carried a rare touch of levity, even in the midst of chaos.

The pounding of footsteps echoed down the hall as the hunters closed in. Justin and Nia exchanged a look, then reluctantly stepped into the device.

As the machine powered up, Kain placed a hand on the glass, his voice calm despite the chaos. "Stay alive. And when you figure it out... come back."

The last thing Justin saw before the world went white was Kain turning to face the door, his fists clenched as the hunters burst into the room.

——

Justin and Nia stumbled out of the machine, their surroundings a stark contrast to the sterile lab they had left behind. Towering trees stretched into the sky, their canopies blocking out most of the sunlight. The air was thick and humid, filled with the calls of strange creatures.

"Where... are we?" Nia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Justin looked around, his grip tightening on the book. "I don't know. But we need to figure it out—fast."

In the distance, a low growl rumbled, and glowing eyes began to emerge from the shadows.

Back in the lab, Kain stood his ground as the hunters surrounded him, led by Seraphina.

"You're brave, I'll give you that," she said, her tone mocking. "But bravery won't save you."

Kain smirked, even as blood dripped from his temple. "Maybe not. But it bought them time. And that's all I need."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Take him."

The hunters closed in, and Kain let out a sharp laugh. "Good luck."