"Damn it—how dare you touch me like that?!"
Elara's voice sliced through the air, sharp as her metal-element blade. She slammed a palm against Kael's chest, scrambling to her feet with a face flushed crimson—embarrassment and irritation warring in her eyes.
Kael's low, rumbling laughter chased after her. "What's the fuss? I love holding you."
His lips curved high, eyes sparkling with reckless tenderness—nowhere near his usual ruthless self.
Elara shot him a withering glare, yanking the door open. "Bastard!"
She fled down the hallway, the word dripping with venomous annoyance.
Outside, she froze.
Mother Voss stood there, her elegant face haggard with worry. "Elara? Is Kael awake? How is he?"
Father Voss rested a gentle hand on his wife's shoulder, his own concern unspoken but palpable.
Behind them, Reno Stark, Jax Stark, and the other men waited anxiously—their faces lighting up like torches the moment they saw her.
Further back stood Jaxon Hale, Elias Voss, Silas Thorne, and Piper Thorne—all wearing looks of relieved worry.
A warm current surged through Elara's chest. These people would stand with her family through thick and thin, she realized.
"Don't worry, everyone. Voss—my brother's awake and fine. He'll be out soon."
A collective sigh of relief swept over the group.
"I knew our boss would pull through!" one man cheered.
"Those bastards who took advantage of his absence? They're dead meat!"
"Yeah! I'll crush their skulls for daring to backstab us!"
Reno Stark's men chattered excitedly. Reno and Jax exchanged a glance, grinning with unburdened relief.
Silas Thorne stepped forward, his gaze steady on Elara. "Shall I check on your brother? As a wood-element Superpowered healer, I might help."
Elara slapped her forehead in frustration. She'd completely forgotten Silas's ability!
But Kael's power was mutated fire—Silas, a newly awakened wood-user, couldn't even get close to him.
"His condition's special. You can't help," she said, shaking her head.
Silas's expression flickered.
If he, a rare wood-element healer, couldn't treat Kael, that meant Kael had also awakened a Superpower—one far stronger than his own. He nodded silently, stepping back.
"Elara姐 (Sis Elara), why's your face so red?" Piper asked, tilting her head in innocent worry.
"It's nothing. Let's eat," Elara mumbled, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead.
She linked arms with Father and Mother Voss. "Mom, Dad, let's head to the makeshift dining hall first."
The elders' faces brightened, their earlier gloom lifting.
They chatted as they walked, asking about Kael's condition, and Elara responded with a soft smile—Father and Mother's quiet joy at their children's fragile reconciliation warming her heart.
Piper hurried to keep up.
The door creaked open.
Everyone turned to see a man leaning against the frame—black shirt, black slacks, his sharp features carved like stone. His ink-black hair stood up like steel shavings, exuding unruly arrogance.
His eyes sliced over Jaxon, Elias, and finally settled on Silas.
One dark eyebrow arched, sending a wave of murderous pressure rolling out.
"Boss!" Reno Stark shouted, ecstatic.
The others swarmed around him, chattering about the past few days' events and their concerns.
Jaxon, Elias, and Silas exchanged a look—this must be Elara's brother, Kael, finally awake.
Elias pushed his glasses up, stepping forward amid the chaos. "Master Voss. What a coincidence we meet again."
Kael narrowed his eyes, then suddenly grinned. "Lawyer Nie. Small world, huh?"
Jaxon shivered, scratching his head. "Why's it suddenly so cold?"
Kael crossed his arms, smirking at Silas and Jaxon. "You three must've gone through hell with my Elara. Rest well here—when you leave, I'll personally see you off."
Reno twitched, gesturing to Jax.
Jax nodded, herding their ten men toward the dining hall.
Elias's stoic face froze.
Silas's pale, slender features flickered with displeasure.
Jaxon, ever obtuse, scratched his head. "Thanks, bro! But I'm not leaving. I'm here to find my cousin. Whether I find him or not, I'm sticking with Elara—Silas and Elias agreed too!"
Reno felt the temperature drop several degrees around his boss.
He shot Jaxon an admiring look—blissful ignorance truly was a blessing!
Kael's heart boiled with jealousy, but his smile never wavered. "Since Elara's my sister and you're her friends, help yourselves. Need anything? Just ask. Elara's a delicate girl who's been through hell—she needs rest. Don't trouble her with your trivialities."
Silas frowned, studying the dangerous, imposing man before him.
Kael's words reeked of wanting to separate Elara from them—was it distrust, or overprotectiveness?
"With all due respect, Master Voss, you underestimate Elara's strength," Jaxon said, oblivious to the tension. "She saved our lives! Without her, we'd be dead. Elara's our savior—we swore to follow her, she's our goddess!"
Reno watched his boss's face darken, stifling an eye-roll.
Jaxon really had no sense of timing!
Kael's eyes narrowed to slits.
He wanted to slaughter these three pests swarming around Elara! But he couldn't—not without upsetting her.
Before he could speak, Silas suddenly grabbed Jaxon's arm and strode away.
Elias followed close behind.
"Hey! Where are we going?" Jaxon protested.
"To eat," Silas snapped, his brows furrowed.
"But—"
"Shut up!" Elias cut him off coldly.
Jaxon pouted, falling silent.
He'd complain to Elara later! These two were being so rude!
Once the three were gone, Kael turned to Reno. "Fill me in on what happened while I was out."
They entered an empty room.
Reno recounted Cyrus Voss inciting betrayal, trying to drive them out of X City, and Elara's timely arrival—every detail, no holds barred.
Kael leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, staring out the window.
He chuckled. "So Elara's a metal-element Superpowered user..."
As Kael's most loyal and capable subordinate, Reno already knew about the Apocalypse and Superpowers—Kael had trusted him with everything.
His eyes lit up. "Boss! You mean Miss Elara awakened a Superpower?"
Kael nodded. "Metal-element. Our weapons supply is sorted. But keep this to yourself—no loose lips, or I'll shut you up permanently."
Reno nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, boss. I know better than to poke the hornet's nest."
He hesitated. "And you, boss? Were you unconscious because you were awakening your Superpower too?"
Kael's grin turned playful, almost dreamy. "You bet. Fire conquers metal—Elara's mine for life. She can never escape me."
Reno instantly understood, mentally sighing for Elara.
Poor Miss Voss—stuck with such a domineering, jealous man.
"Boss, what about Cyrus Voss and his lackeys? We've got them locked in the underground warehouse," Reno asked.
"Traitors to me have only one fate," Kael smiled, his eyes cold and vicious. "Hang everyone except Cyrus on the city walls of the Safe Zone. Let every soul entering or leaving know—betray Kael Voss, and you die a slow, painful death."
The Safe Zone was already taking shape—centered on the city hall, including the Champs-Élysées Hotel across the road.
Three kilometers long, two kilometers wide, it was a fifth the size of X City—built quickly due to limited supplies and manpower, and Kael's eagerness to finish so he could fetch Elara.
Despite Cyrus's betrayal, construction hadn't slowed.
The four walls stood three meters high, with another three meters to go. Reinforced with steel rods and thick concrete, they could withstand Mutated Beast attacks.
The main gate—four meters tall, three meters wide—was made of thick steel plates bolted together, with a small side door for pedestrians.
Eight watchtowers were planned at the corners, plus a guard room at the gate—all still pending.
"Who's in charge of the Safe Zone now?" Kael asked.
Next Chapter Teaser:
Cyrus's execution becomes a bloodbath warning for traitors! Kael's mutated fire Superpower rages as he takes control of the Safe Zone, but Elara's metal-element secret starts to attract unwanted attention. Meanwhile, Silas's unspoken feelings for Elara spark a silent rivalry—will Kael's jealousy push him to eliminate this new threat? And what dark secrets does the Safe Zone's temporary leader hide? The fire of obsession and the clash of Superpowers are just getting started!