Redemption

Chapter 19

Flames crackled, surrounding Giovanni and Sebastian. A wide grin spread across Sebastian's face, while Giovanni let out a heavy sigh.

"I was planning to end this quickly, but it seems your mutation has already activated," Giovanni said. "You've grown stronger. Last time we fought like this, your Synchronization ability took far longer to access and understand your opponent's powers."

"As I said, power runs in the Flynn family. We are never satisfied with mediocrity," Sebastian replied.

Giovanni sighed again. "Here you go with your power shenanigans… Fine. Let's see just how strong you've become."

Sebastian dashed forward, throwing a punch. Giovanni didn't dodge. Instead, Sebastian's fist collided with the heat aura surrounding him, burning his hand. Wincing, Sebastian recoiled, but Giovanni stepped in, landing a heavy punch that singed his shirt. Sebastian quickly put some distance between them.

This time, as he launched another punch, it bypassed Giovanni's heat aura entirely, landing cleanly. Giovanni's eyes widened in surprise.

"You have a bad habit of assuming you understand people—right down to their abilities," Sebastian said, as if reading his mind. "My Synchronization ability allows me to mimic one's powers, thoughts, and memories—so long as I understand how their abilities function and how they think. Once I do, I can use their powers at full capacity. Watch."

He stretched out his hand toward Giovanni.

"What did you call it again?... Ah, right—Dragon's Wrath."

A massive stream of flames shot toward Giovanni. But Giovanni remained still, completely unfazed. He raised a hand, and instead of countering, he absorbed the flames—every last one, including the inferno around them. The fire slowly faded, revealing Giovanni's face, now twisted in anger.

"Is this supposed to be an insult?" he growled. "My mutation is far more powerful than this pathetic imitation."

Giovanni unleashed a massive heatwave in all directions, melting, incinerating, and exploding everything in its path. Within seconds, flames consumed the entire area.

Without hesitation, he dashed at Sebastian, landing a rapid succession of punches—each one detonating on impact with small bursts of explosive force.

Crimson Pulse.

Giovanni clasped his hands together, a small fireball forming between them. He pressed his palms closer and closer until they were fully shut, a brilliant white light seeping from between his fingers. Then, with a sharp motion, he released a thin, blinding stream of energy. The beam shot forward at an impossible speed, leaving a fiery trail in its wake before piercing straight through Sebastian's shoulder.

Sebastian groaned but didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, swinging wildly. Giovanni weaved through his attacks with ease, his movements fluid and precise. With a devastating punch to the stomach, he forced the air—and blood—out of Sebastian's mouth. He followed up with a brutal kick to the head, sending him crashing through a nearby building.

Giovanni strode toward the wreckage, but just as he was about to step inside, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

"Isn't that enough?" Isaac's voice cut through the heat.

Giovanni turned, his eyes still burning with rage.

"Master Isaac… that bastard insulted my strength," he growled, attempting to push forward.

Isaac didn't budge. "Are you really satisfied with a one-sided victory over someone beneath you?"

Giovanni clenched his fists. "We're both Vanguard-class heroes. Let me—"

"You're well beyond that," Isaac interrupted, smiling. "You're almost at Dominion-class now, though on the lower end."

Giovanni stared at him for a moment before letting out a frustrated scream. Then, unexpectedly, he pulled Isaac into a hug.

"You survived against Lucien. That's impressive," he admitted with a small smile.

"But look at where it's all led," he continued, his expression darkening. "The council members were chased out by Lucien. Sierra is more vulnerable than ever."

Isaac met his gaze. "I have a plan."

Giovanni exhaled sharply. "Is that so? …Are you going to lead the colony?"

Lucien sat in a stark white room, his arms restrained by massive black handcuffs that buzzed softly with energy. A straightjacket bound his torso, keeping him completely immobilized. Beside him, Helen sat in silence, her gaze fixed on him.

Lucien scoffed. "Don't give me that look," he muttered.

He let out a heavy sigh before breaking into a quiet, almost amused chuckle.

"What's funny?" Helen asked.

"For the first time in a long while… my mind feels light—like a weight has been lifted from my soul."

A gentle smile crept onto Helen's face. "I'm glad you didn't make any mistakes that could've cost you dearly."

Lucien turned to her, his expression softening. "Helen… thank you. For tolerating all my shitty ideals. For standing by me when I needed it most."

Helen shook her head. "You helped me when no one else saw me as human. I was obligated to stand by you. I should be the one thanking you… But does this mean you've given up on your dreams?"

Lucien exhaled, looking up at the ceiling. "No. I still believe this world should be ruled by power. But right now, I'm weak. Maybe it's time to give someone with a different view of power a chance."

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed through the room.

"People of Nova. Citizens of Sierra. Look around you—at the destruction, the grief, the blood staining our hands. How much more must we lose before we see the truth? This war will not bring justice. It will not heal our wounds. It will only leave us with ashes."

Isaac's face appeared on every television and radio station, his words commanding the attention of all who watched.

"For years, Nova suffered under oppression. I know the anger that burns in your hearts. But if we let vengeance guide us, we become the very thing we fought against. We cannot rebuild our home with hatred—we must build it with each other."

His voice was steady, unwavering.

"The Council will return—not as masters, but as stewards of peace. And I will watch from the shadows, ensuring that no hand, no power, no ruler ever drags us back into this cycle of suffering."

"But I cannot make this choice for you. The future of this colony is in your hands. Will we remain prisoners of the past, or will we rise and forge something greater?"

"The fighting ends today. And a new era begins."

Giovanni stood at the entrance of the room where Isaac delivered his address, watching with quiet admiration.

Across the city, Janice, Malick, and Mrs. Hart sat in their home, watching the broadcast. Malick cheered wildly for Isaac, his excitement uncontainable. But Janice, without a word, rose from her seat and made her way down to the basement.

Malick hesitated before following her. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he found Janice gripping a ruptured sandbag, her knuckles white. The room was in disarray—sand scattered everywhere, ice creeping up the walls, spreading slowly but relentlessly.

"Janice, you okay?" Malick asked cautiously.

She didn't answer.

"You've been acting strange since we got back with Isaac."

"I'm fine," she replied flatly.

Malick swallowed hard. Words hovered on his tongue, but he hesitated before finally speaking.

"Is it—"

"I said I'm fine," Janice snapped, her voice like ice.

A sudden chill filled the basement as frost overtook the floor and walls. Their breaths became visible, white clouds escaping their lips. Malick stood there for a moment, staring at her. Then, without another word, he turned and walked back upstairs.

Back at the Prison

Lucien chuckled lightly

"Still trying to fix the world with words…let's see if this will work"

"Do you think they'll just listen to Isaac?" Helen asked.

Lucien leaned back against the cold wall, his expression unreadable. "All we can do is wait and see."

Before Helen could respond, a policeman entered the room. "Time's up," he announced, stepping toward Lucien.

Lucien pushed himself up as much as his restraints allowed before the officer grabbed him by the arm, pulling him to his feet. He turned to Helen one last time.

"Goodbye, Helen… Stay strong."

Without another word, the officer led him out of the room, the door closing heavily behind them.

Helen sat in silence for a moment, then exhaled.

"A new world, huh… Let's see how it goes."