Dante didn't sleep much that night.
His mind wouldn't shut up.
Null had been watching.
Zane had forced an alliance.
And now, he was actively hunting someone that Dante wasn't sure they could stop.
It was reckless.
It was dangerous.
And worst of all?
Dante wasn't sure he wanted to stop them.
Not yet.
Null had something that no other Gifted had—the ability to erase Gifts completely.
And that meant if Dante could figure out how their power worked...
He might be able to steal it.
The thought alone sent a thrill through his veins.
But for now?
He had to be careful.
Because Zane was already suspicious.
And if he figured out the truth?
Dante would be in more danger than Null.
---
The second he stepped into school, he felt it.
The eyes on him.
The whispers.
"That's him. The late bloomer."
"Did you hear? He stood up to Zane."
"And Stacy Archer talked to him."
Dante ignored them.
He had bigger problems.
Like the fact that Zane was waiting for him.
Zane stood near his locker, arms crossed.
Dante sighed. "Already?"
Zane smirked. "Yeah. Already."
Dante didn't stop walking.
Zane fell into step beside him.
"We need to talk."
"Wait till lunch again" Dante muttered. "We agreed—"
"No." Zane's voice was sharp. "Now."
Dante clenched his jaw.
"Fine."
Zane led him to an empty classroom, shutting the door behind them.
Dante crossed his arms. "Alright. What's so urgent?"
Zane leaned against the desk, studying him.
And then—
"I don't trust you."
Dante laughed. "Yeah. You mentioned that."
Zane's eyes narrowed.
"But I don't have a choice."
Dante's smirk faded.
Zane continued, "I did more digging last night. Three more Gifted are missing."
Dante stiffened.
Zane didn't notice—he was pacing now.
"This isn't just Null. Someone else is hunting Gifted."
Dante stayed quiet.
Because he already knew.
And Zane was getting too close to the truth.
Dante shrugged. "So? We knew that already."
Zane's eyes locked onto his.
"No. You don't get it."
Dante arched a brow. "Enlighten me."
Zane took a slow breath.
Then, he dropped the bombshell.
"The missing people? They all had powerful Gifts. Strong ones."
Dante frowned. "And?"
Zane leaned in. "And the only people who have been seen near them before they disappeared?"
Dante's pulse spiked.
"It was you, Dante."
Silence.
Dante forced a casual smirk. "That's a hell of a coincidence."
Zane didn't blink.
Dante felt it.
The shift in the air.
Zane was close.
Too close.
One wrong word—one wrong move—
And he'd figure it out.
That Dante wasn't just a late bloomer with two Gifts.
He was a thief.
A predator.
And he wasn't the only one.
---
Before Zane could push further—
The door swung open.
"Dante?"
Dante turned—
And his stomach dropped.
Stacy Archer stood in the doorway.
Zane scowled. "What do you want?"
Stacy ignored him, her eyes locked onto Dante.
"I was looking for you."
Dante's mind raced. Why?
Stacy took a step inside.
She hesitated—then smiled.
"I was wondering if you wanted to hang out after school."
Zane's face twisted.
Dante nearly laughed.
This was perfect.
Zane had been seconds away from figuring out too much.
But now?
Now he was too busy watching Stacy with a mix of jealousy and disbelief.
Dante grinned.
"Well, how can I say no to that?"
Stacy beamed. "Great. Meet me outside after last period?"
Dante nodded. "Yeah. Sounds good."
Zane looked like he was going to explode.
Stacy turned to him. "Later, Zane."
And then she walked off.
Leaving Dante victorious.
---
The moment Stacy was gone, Zane turned on him.
His hands clenched into fists.
Dante smirked. "Something wrong?"
Zane's jaw tightened. "You're playing a dangerous game."
Dante shrugged. "What can I say? People like me now."
Zane exhaled sharply, trying to stay calm.
"I don't know what you're up to," he muttered. "But I'll find out."
Dante smiled. "Looking forward to it."
Zane huffed, a frown plastered across his face "Whatever, I'll figure out this plan myself just meet me outside Stacy's place tonight".
Zane stormed out.
And Dante?
Dante leaned back against the desk, feeling something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Power, not just the Gifted kind, but in all senses. In this very moment he felt like he was King of the World.
---
Dante waited outside the school, still not entirely sure why Stacy had invited him.
Then—
She appeared.
Golden hair. Bright smile.
A literal light in the darkness.
She grinned. "Ready?"
Dante smirked. "Lead the way."
---
They ended up at a quiet coffee shop.
Stacy ordered for them, all confidence and ease.
Dante?
Dante was still figuring out what the hell was happening.
When they sat down, Stacy leaned forward.
"So…"
Dante arched a brow. "So?"
Stacy giggled. "You're different."
Dante tensed.
She studied him.
"You used to keep your head down. Stay in the background."
Dante shrugged. "People change."
Stacy's eyes gleamed.
"Or maybe…"
She tilted her head.
"…you were just waiting for your moment."
Dante froze.
For a second—just a second—
He felt exposed.
Like she could see through him.
But then—
She smiled.
"You're like a butterfly finally leaving its cocoon; I think it's cool."
Dante exhaled. "Yeah?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
Then she reached across the table—
And lightly touched his hand.
Warm. Soft.
Dante swallowed hard.
His heart thudded.
She didn't know who he was.
Didn't know what he'd done.
And for a second…
He wished he could keep it that way.
---
Dante walked Stacy home that night.
They talked. Laughed.
For the first time in forever…
Dante felt normal.
But that feeling wouldn't last.
Because when he got home?
A message was waiting for him.
A simple text.
From an unknown number.
"You can pretend to be normal, Dante. But I know what you are."
His blood went cold.
Another message followed.
"See you soon."
Dante stared at his phone.
Fingers tightening.
His pulse pounded.
Null.
They weren't done with him yet.
And this time?
There was nowhere left to run.
---
Dante couldn't shake the feeling.
Null had been watching.
Even now, as he sat in Zane's car, staring out at the passing streets, his mind raced.
They weren't just being hunted.
They were being studied.
Every move. Every conversation.
Null was waiting.
For what?
Dante didn't know.
But he wasn't about to let them make the first move.
---
"Alright," Zane said, gripping the wheel. "We need to figure out their pattern."
Dante leaned back. "You already said three more Gifted vanished last week. Where?"
Zane pulled out his phone, swiping through his notes.
"All in different areas. No common thread. Different ages, different Gifts."
Dante frowned. "Then how do we track them?"
Zane smirked.
"We use bait."
Dante raised a brow. "Bait?"
Zane glanced at him. "Someone Null would want to erase."
Dante's stomach twisted.
"Let me guess," he said dryly. "You mean me."
Zane shrugged. "You're the obvious choice."
Dante exhaled sharply.
He hated to admit it—
But Zane was right.
---
The two of them pulled up to an abandoned mall on the outskirts of the city.
It had been shut down for years. Overgrown parking lot, broken glass, and faded signs.
Perfect for an ambush.
Dante pulled his hoodie tighter, stepping out of the car.
"You really think this will work?"
Zane leaned against the door. "If Null wants to erase you so bad, they won't ignore an open opportunity."
Dante rolled his shoulders. Fine.
He walked toward the entrance, letting himself be seen.
Alone.
Vulnerable.
It didn't take long.
The air shifted.
A presence.
Dante's stomach clenched.
They took the bait.
---
A whisper of wind.
Dante didn't turn around.
He knew.
They were here.
Zane stayed hidden in the shadows, waiting.
A voice—cold, empty—cut through the silence.
"You're making this too easy."
Dante smirked, forcing confidence. "What can I say? Thought I'd give you a fair shot."
Null stepped forward, slow, deliberate.
They weren't rushing this.
They were enjoying it.
Dante's fingers twitched.
Waiting.
Stalling.
Then—
Zane struck.
---
Fire erupted from the side—
Zane's attack came fast, controlled.
Dante barely dodged as flames engulfed Null.
For a split second, the world lit up.
Dante's breath hitched.
Maybe—
But the fire vanished.
Snuffed out like it had never existed.
Null stepped forward.
Unscathed.
Dante barely had time to react before they moved.
---
Null closed the distance.
Fast. Too fast.
Dante threw up a wall of shadows.
Null tore through it like paper.
Dante tried to switch to Lightning.
Null reached for him—
He barely dodged.
The moment was razor-thin.
Null's hand grazed his sleeve—
And for a horrifying second—
The Lightning flickered out.
Dante stumbled back, heart hammering.
If they touched him—if they really touched him—
He would be nothing.
Just like before.
No.
No, he refused to be weak again.
---
Zane Fights Back
Zane roared, lunging forward.
His fists blazed with intensity, flames hotter than before.
He threw a punch—
Null caught it.
The fire in Zane's hand blinked out.
Zane's eyes widened.
"Wh—"
Null's knee slammed into his stomach.
Zane choked, stumbling back.
Dante cursed.
They weren't strong enough.
---
Dante had seconds to act.
He forced his mind to work. Think.
Lightning won't work. Fire won't work. Shadows won't work.
Then—
He saw it.
A weakness.
Null wasn't dodging.
They were walking through every attack.
Because they could erase it.
But what if—
What if they had a limit?
Dante charged forward.
Not attacking.
Not using his Gifts.
Just moving.
Null reacted instantly, reaching out.
But this time—
Dante was ready.
He twisted just enough.
Null's hand brushed his arm—
And Dante grabbed them.
---
For the first time—
Null flinched.
Dante's grip was tight.
Desperate.
Null tried to erase him—
But Dante's will held.
Something clashed.
A battle of force.
Of control.
Of existence.
Dante's vision blurred.
His Lightning flickered. His Shadows trembled.
For a second—
It felt like he was being pulled apart.
But then—
He pushed back.
His stolen Gifts surged.
Lightning. Shadows. Power.
They fought back.
And for the first time—
Null staggered.
---
Zane saw it too.
His breath was ragged, but his fists tightened.
"Now."
They attacked together.
Zane swung wide, his fire erupting.
Dante's Lightning lashed out.
Null blocked one.
But they couldn't block both.
Fire and Lightning collided.
For the first time—
Null was forced back.
They skidded across the pavement, landing in a crouch.
Dante panted.
Zane gritted his teeth.
Null stared.
A long pause.
Then—
"You're learning."
They sounded almost… amused.
Then—
Null was gone.
---
The silence was deafening.
Zane collapsed against a wall.
Dante bent over, gasping for air.
His entire body ached.
His mind spun.
They didn't win.
But they didn't lose.
Zane exhaled sharply.
"Alright," he muttered. "Now I really hate that guy."
Dante let out a breathless laugh. "Welcome to the club."
---
They both knew it.
Null wasn't done with them.
This was only the beginning.
And next time?
Next time, they wouldn't get lucky.
Dante clenched his fists.
"We need more power."
Zane nodded, wiping blood from his lip.
Dante's mind raced.
Who?
Who had a Gift strong enough?
Then—
He knew.
A name flashed in his mind.
Someone who could help.
Someone strong enough to make even Null hesitate.
Dante grinned.
It was time to hunt again.
And this time?
He knew exactly who to target.