The Null Syndicate didn't believe in subtlety.
Their arrival in New Brooklyn was announced by a blackout that swallowed six city blocks, followed by a pulse of electromagnetic static that fried every drone, camera, and sensor in the area.
Elias and Seraphine were walking through the industrial district when the lights died.
Elias stopped. "That's not normal."
Seraphine cracked her knuckles. "Nope. That's a calling card."
"Whose?"
"The Null Syndicate. Tech‑terrorists. Mercenaries. Cyber‑criminals. They steal anything with a power source and blow up anything without one."
Elias frowned. "Why would they come here?"
Seraphine gave him a look. "Because you glow like a walking battery."
Before Elias could respond, a convoy of armored vans screeched around the corner. Men in matte‑black exosuits jumped out, their helmets glowing with red targeting lines.
One of them pointed at Elias.
"Target confirmed. Capture alive."
Seraphine sighed. "I hate being right."
The mercenaries opened fire.
Elias reacted instinctively — the Spark flared, forming a shimmering barrier that deflected the bullets like raindrops. Seraphine dove behind a dumpster, firing back with modified rounds that sparked against the exosuits.
"Elias!" she shouted. "These guys are enhanced. You need to hit harder!"
He didn't know how to hit harder. He barely knew how to hit at all.
But the Spark did.
Energy surged through him, golden light crackling across his arms. He thrust his hands forward, unleashing a shockwave that sent the front line of mercenaries flying.
Seraphine whistled. "Okay, Spark Boy. That's new."
More mercenaries poured out of the vans — heavier armor, bigger weapons, glowing gauntlets humming with stolen tech.
One of them slammed a fist into the ground, sending a shockwave toward Elias. He braced himself, but the force still knocked him back.
Seraphine sprinted toward him, sliding across the pavement and grabbing his arm.
"Hey! Focus! You're stronger than them."
"I don't know what I'm doing!"
"Good news — neither do they."
She yanked him to his feet.
"Now hit them again."
Elias inhaled. The Spark pulsed. He stepped forward, fists glowing, and charged.
The street erupted into chaos.
Elias moved faster than he thought possible, dodging plasma blades, deflecting energy blasts, and striking with bursts of golden power. Seraphine fought beside him, flipping over mercenaries, planting explosives, firing precision shots that hit weak points in their armor.
They were a storm — chaotic, synchronized, unstoppable.
Finally, the last mercenary fell.
Elias stood in the middle of the street, chest heaving, hands trembling with residual energy.
Seraphine walked up beside him, brushing dust off her jacket.
"Well," she said, "that was fun."
Elias stared at the wreckage. "They wanted to capture me."
"Yeah," Seraphine said. "And they're not the only ones."
Elias swallowed hard. "Why me?"
Seraphine looked at him — really looked at him.
"Because you're becoming something the world hasn't seen in a very, very long time."