Chapter 7: The white lion

Kai found himself back at the orphanage, standing amidst the wreckage, surrounded by remnants of shattered lives. The air was heavy with sorrow, and a constant drizzle fell, mirroring the tears he'd shed on that fateful night.

He walked through the corridors, once echoing with children's laughter, now filled with eerie silence. Each step was a painful reminder of the friends he had lost, and their faces appeared one by one, etched in the walls like ghosts.

Kai ventured deeper into the darkness of the orphanage, only to come face to face with Miss Agatha, the woman he had regarded as a mother. She lay on the ground, her lifeless eyes staring into the void. Her memory engulfed him in a sea of regret, and guilt clawed at his soul.

The boy's heart pounded as he ventured into the room where the ultimate confrontation had taken place. He saw the shadowy figure, crimson eyes burning with intensity. The dream forced him to relive every detail of their battle, every emotion he had felt

Richard's sinister laughter echoed in the room as the fight played out before him. The pain and despair Kai experienced that night felt just as real, just as soul-crushing

He screamed for it to stop, but the dream was unrelenting. The memories continued to wash over him, a torrent of emotions that threatened to drown him.

It was a vivid, haunting dream, and when Kai finally awoke, drenched in sweat, he realized that some nightmares were harder to escape than others.

Kai was gasping for air after he woke up,

With a look of horror on his face

Several days had past since that day and yet every single night he relived those moments

And every single dream ended the same way, with Richard saying the words

"I won" with a smile on his as he died

Kai's nights had become an unending loop of nightmares, each ending with Richard's cruel victory declaration. The repetitiveness was driving him to the brink of madness.

One particular night, his nightmares were interrupted by a soft voice. Minny, the young girl who had become his anchor in this tumultuous sea of chaos, had woken up. Her concern was evident, even in her sleepy eyes.

"Kai, is everything okay? I heard a noise," she mumbled, her little hand rubbing her eyes in an attempt to stay awake.

Kai smiled gently and reassured her, "Everything is fine, go back to sleep now, okay?"

Minny, her trust unwavering responded with a drowsy nod before snuggling back into her blanket. Her resolute innocence served as a calm to Kai's troubled mind. She had been shielded from the horrors of that fateful day, and he intended to keep it that way.

They had recently moved into one of the Order's safe houses, away from the memories of the orphanage. He had been careful to ensure Minny didn't watch anything related to the incident to prevent her from experiencing any trauma. He wanted her to completely forget about that day and everything that had happened.

She was the most precious person in his life now , and he was resolved to protect her at all costs.

Kai, his fingers clenched into tight fists, muttered under his breath, "I need to get stronger, stronger than anyone else."

And today was the day, he planned on making the first step in achieving that

******

" Alright Minny, I will be going out for a bit, but the moment I am done I will be right back okay?"

"Are you sure I can't come with you?

Kai smiled at Minny's request to join him, touched by her attachment to him. He knelt down to her eye level, gently brushing her cheek with his hand.

" I am sorry minny but you can't, stay here until I get back, I will be fine don't worry"

Kai said trying to reassure the little girl

"U promise? "

Minny asked with an outstretched pinkie.

"I promise, Minny," he said, forming a pinky promise to solidify their agreement. He wanted her to know that he'd always keep his word and that she could rely on him.

Kai's heart swelled with affection for her concern. He ruffled her hair and spoke reassuringly, "I'll be fine, Minny. I'll have some of our new friends with me, and they'll make sure I'm safe. And you'll have someone here to keep you company while I'm gone. How does that sound?"

Minny considered this, then nodded and "Okay, I trust you, Kai."

With a warm smile, Kai said to Minny. "That's the spirit. I'll be back soon, I promise. You be good while I'm gone"

As they shared this heartfelt moment, a knock on the door signaled the arrival of The Order's agents. Kai understood it was time for him to go, but he also wanted Minny to feel at ease.

"Alright, Minny, our new friends are here," he assured her. "I'll be back before you know it. You take care, okay?"

Minny nodded and looked up at him with those trusting eyes. Kai ruffled her hair one more time before heading to the door, carrying Minny's warm presence in his heart.

However, as he stepped out of the room, The warm and bright smile he had with Minny was replaced by a cold, emotionless demeanor . The only person who had been allowed to see that softer side of him was no longer present.

Kai felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness as he prepared to leave the safe house with the agents. He knew that their destination was the headquarters of The Order, where he would undergo a curse assessment to determine the extent of his abilities.

The journey was a quiet one, with Kai lost in his thoughts, occasionally stealing glances at the agents who had come to pick him up.

Upon arriving at The Order's headquarters, Kai was struck by the imposing grandeur of the building. It stood tall and commanding, a colossal structure of steel and glass that exuded advanced technology and an undeniable aura of authority.

The building itself was an architectural masterpiece, its design sleek and modern, with high-tech security measures evident in every aspect. An intricate network of surveillance cameras adorned the exterior, keeping a vigilant watch over the premises. The glass windows gleamed under the sunlight, reflecting the surroundings with a subtle, dominating presence.

As Kai entered, the foyer was expansive and well-lit, adorned with futuristic designs and The Order's insignia—the head of a majestic hawk. The symbolism was clear: this structure observed all. Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight of this marvelous building .

"Welcome, young man" . the man with said with faint smile. " I am director Jacob's. We've heard a lot about you"

Kai's eyes widened as he recognized the man before him. He knew who this was—Jacob Vancouver, known as the White Lion, a retired hero and one of the founders of The Order. This man was a living legend.

However, despite the awe he felt, Kai's thoughts and words conveyed a different sentiment.

"This doesn't make any sense".

Kai said with hints of caution in his eyes

Director Jacobs, although not expecting such a reaction, maintained his composure. "What do you mean by that, young man?" he inquired.

"Do every awakened curse user have the privilege to be welcomed by a man such as yourself?" Kai asked with an air of disbelief.

Director Jacobs chuckled, unruffled by Kai's questions. "I understand where you are coming from. The short answer is that I happened to take an interest in your case and decided to oversee the entire process myself."

Kai's skepticism remained. "Does that answer your question?" Jacobs asked.

"Not even a little, but I guess you can consider me flattered," Kai responded, adding a sarcastic little bow.

The suited man in sunglasses behind them had been struggling to tolerate Kai's disrespect, and he couldn't hold back any longer. "You'd better watch your tone, boy," he warned, his voice firm.

Director Jacobs intervened before things escalated. "That's enough." His voice carried an air of authority, and Kai's sarcasm hung in the air, the tension between them palpable.

"Apologies, Director," the agent in sunglasses spoke, showing deference to his superior.

"Very well, shall we proceed?" Director Jacobs inquired with a smile on his face, gesturing the way forward.

Kai observed the man silently. Despite his earlier attempts to provoke a reaction, Director Jacobs remained composed. With nothing more to retort, Kai simply said, "Sure."

They proceeded to the assessment room, completely unaware of the spectacle that was about to unfold.