CHAPTER 9 — "No Room for Error"
Present-day • First Field Encounter
Aiden didn't run.
He cut through the air, solar energy thrumming beneath his skin like a pulse of thunder trying to get out. His eyes glowed faint gold—the suit responding to adrenaline and purpose.
Each stride took him a block closer, his power surging toward the source of panic. With every beat of his heart, the voices grew clearer.
"Stay back!"
"Drop your weapon!"
"Somebody help him!"
The light bent around him as he gained speed.
Command Center
Kael stood before a holographic screen, watching Aiden's vitals spike.
"Power output rising," Dr. Hart muttered.
"He's accelerating too rapidly."
"He's pushing himself," Dr. Zhao noted analytically.
"He's drawing from emotional current."
Kael's expression didn't change, but his jaw set slightly.
"He's scared," he said.
Hart glanced at him. "For himself?"
Kael slowly shook his head. "No. For someone else."
Crash Site
Police cars blocked off both sides of the street. Officers hid behind open doors, weapons drawn, all aimed toward the crashed sedan and the man Jax held tightly.
The hostage trembled, tears in his eyes as the cold barrel dug beneath his chin.
Martin stayed calm, hands slightly raised—controlling the standoff.
Ryder paced nervously, clutching his bleeding arm.
Martin whispered to Jax, firm and low, "Don't panic. Do not shoot.
Jax trembled, adrenaline burning.
"J-Just get me out of here, man—"
Martin gritted his teeth. "Stay focused."
Ryder stared at the hostage, guilt making him look away.
Then—
FWOOOOOSH—!
A flash of radiant yellow light streaked down the street, cracking the pavement with each step.
Someone gasped, "…What the hell is that?!"
The light slammed to a stop, rippling energy like heat waves.
Aiden stood there.
Breathing hard.
Aiden's First Stand
He raised his hands slowly, showing empty palms.
"Let him go."
Jax flinched. "Who the hell are you?!"
Aiden swallowed. His voice steadied.
"…Someone who doesn't want anyone to die today."
Police hesitated—uncertain whether to order Aiden down.
Jax laughed breathlessly. "Stay back—this ain't your business!"
Aiden's eyes flickered gold. "It is now."
Martin narrowed his gaze. "You're that kid from the news… the light one."
No response.
Martin continued, "You're too clean. No dirt on your boots. You really think you can walk into this and—"
Aiden stepped forward.
Martin's eyes widened. "Don't—"
CRACK—!
Aiden's boot shattered asphalt slightly. He froze.
Too much force.
Everyone stared.
Aiden gritted his teeth internally.
Too strong. Control it. Don't show weakness.
He softened his steps deliberately and continued walking.
Kael Watching
Kael leaned forward. "Too fast. He's not managing the output."
"Should we intervene?" Zhao asked.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"No. Not yet."
Aiden Confronts the Gunman
He was now close enough to see the fear in the hostage's eyes.
To see Jax's shaking hands.
To see Martin's calculations.
"I know you don't want to kill him," Aiden said gently.
Jax gasped, furious. "Shut up!"
"You fired into a wall instead of the guard," Aiden continued.
"You didn't hit anyone when you ran. You had every chance."
The officers exchanged looks.
Martin whispered, "…What're you doing?"
Aiden met Jax's eyes.
"You're not like that."
"DON'T—" Jax snapped, panic rising. "You don't know us!"
Aiden slowly raised a hand, light forming.
"I don't need to," he whispered.
Aiden stepped into Jax's shooting line.
Officers screamed, "STAND DOWN!"
Jax panicked—
BANG!
The gun fired.
People screamed.
Aiden's fingers moved faster than instinct.
His hand flashed out—catching the bullet mid-air.
Gasps silenced the street.
Aiden looked down at the smoking bullet resting against his palm.
He exhaled.
"…I won't let anyone die."
Then moved.
The Rescue
He snatched the hostage away in one blurred motion—so quick the world momentarily froze.
Kael muttered under his breath from the command room. "Too flashy. Now they'll expect miracles."
Aiden placed the hostage down gently near the officers.
"You're safe," he said softly.
The man sobbed in relief.
Jax stared in disbelief.
Martin stepped forward—
"Enough," he muttered. "We surrender. Nobody else gets hurt—"
But Jax pushed him aside.
"NO! I won't go down—"
He raised the gun again.
Aiden turned—
"Don't—"
WHAP—!
A sudden force erupted.
It wasn't Aiden.
It was Kael.
He appeared in a distortion of shadow, blinking into existence next to Jax.
The moment Jax fired, Kael's hand covered the barrel—crushing it.
Metal bent like clay.
Kael's voice was ice.
"You should've stopped."
He flicked his wrist—
THUD—CRACK!!
Jax shattered against a brick wall, coughing violently.
Alive—but definitely not fine.
Aiden's Reaction
Aiden's eyes widened. "KAEL!"
Kael glanced back casually. "He's breathing. Don't panic."
Police didn't know who to aim at.
Kael approached Ryder next.
Ryder raised his hands. "Wait—"
Kael lifted his intact hand, dark tendrils dancing around his fingers.
"Don't run."
Ryder froze.
Martin stepped between them. "He surrenders."
Kael lowered his arm.
Aiden stepped forward, placing a hand on Kael's chest.
"You weren't cleared to be in field."
Kael smirked. "Neither were you."
"Difference is—" Aiden said through clenched teeth,
"I didn't break someone's ribs."
Kael leaned in.
"They were going to try again."
Silence.
"…Maybe."
"For sure."
Paramedics rushed in. Police began cuffing the criminals.
The hostage sat on the sidewalk, hugging his knees.
One officer approached Aiden.
"…Who should we call you?"
Aiden hesitated.
His reflection in the visor showed exhaustion.
"I'm not here for recognition," he said softly.
Kael shrugged. "He's still working on the name."
The officer nodded.
Then spoke quietly to his radio.
"First meta vigilante has intervened. Civilians safe. Suspects detained."
Aiden turned away.
Kael stood behind him, hands in pockets.
"You did good," Kael said quietly.
Aiden stared at his cracked footprint in the road.
"…Not good enough."
Kael smirked.
"No room for error, right?"
Aiden looked at him.
"No. There isn't."
Aiden's debut leaves a mark. Kael reminds the world mercy has limits.