A Power Unleashed

Luca sat on the edge of the bed, his hands shaking. He could still feel it—that darkness clawing at the edges of his mind, whispering to him, urging him to let go.

Evelyn sat beside him, hesitant. "Luca, talk to me. What's happening?"

His jaw clenched. "I don't know." He exhaled sharply. "But I'm scared, Evelyn."

Hearing him admit that made her heart ache. Luca was always the strong one—the one who carried the weight of everything without breaking. But now? He looked like he was crumbling.

She reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together. "Whatever this is, we'll fight it. Together."

Luca squeezed her hand, but the look in his eyes said he wasn't sure that was possible.

Then, the lights flickered again.

A cold gust of wind rushed through the room, though the windows were shut.

And the voice returned.

You cannot fight what you are meant to become.

Luca jerked up, his breath hitching. "Shut up," he hissed.

Evelyn's grip tightened. "Luca, who are you talking to?"

She does not belong in this war.

The shadows in the room thickened, swirling around them.

And then—Evelyn felt it.

A force wrapped around her throat, lifting her off the ground. She gasped, clutching at the invisible grip as she dangled helplessly.

"EVELYN!" Luca roared.

The moment his anger exploded, something inside him snapped.

A pulse of energy erupted from his body, sending a shockwave through the room. The darkness shrieked and recoiled, releasing Evelyn as she collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.

Luca was shaking, his eyes burning with silver and black energy.

But what terrified Evelyn the most—

Was that for the first time…

Luca didn't look human anymore.

—

The Aftermath

Julian and Rayna burst into the room, weapons drawn. "What the hell just happened?" Julian demanded, scanning the wreckage.

Evelyn struggled to her feet, still catching her breath. "It was them again. The shadows. They tried to kill me."

Julian's gaze snapped to Luca, who was still trembling. "And what the hell happened to you?"

Luca didn't answer. He just stared down at his hands, horrified. "I lost control."

Rayna's face darkened. "No. That wasn't losing control." She took a cautious step closer. "That was something waking up inside you."

Luca finally looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Then I need to find out what it is."

Julian crossed his arms. "And what if you don't like the answer?"

Luca's eyes flashed again—just for a second.

"I don't think I have a choice."

—

Next Chapter: The Search for Truth

Luca's power is growing, but so is the danger. Can they find the source of his transformation before it's too late?