Kane (2025)

Chapter Five: Allies in the Shadows!

The morning was grey and sombre as Kane and Professor Aubrey de Grey prepared to leave the hospital. The staff bustled about, their faces marked by exhaustion and a lingering sense of shock from the recent attacks. The usual hum of the hospital was now punctuated by the distant sounds of sirens and the occasional rumble of military vehicles.

"Professor, you'll need to sign these discharge papers," the nurse said, handing a clipboard to Aubrey.

Aubrey nodded, signing his name with a steady hand despite the bruises and cuts on his arms. "Thank you, nurse."

The nurse smiled faintly, her eyes tired. "Take care of yourself."

As they stepped out of the hospital, the reality of the missile strikes hit them with full force. The streets of Glasgow were almost unrecognisable. Buildings lay in ruins, and their skeletal remains jutting out against the cloudy sky. Rubble and debris cluttered the pavements, and the air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of smoke. Makeshift shelters had sprung up along the roadsides, housing those who had lost everything. Soldiers and emergency personnel moved about with grim determination, setting up checkpoints and distributing aid.

Kane and Aubrey walked through the devastation, each step a reminder of the chaos that had engulfed their city. The once familiar streets were now war-torn landscapes, with burned-out cars and shattered windows lining their path. Crowds of displaced people huddled together, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty.

"This is... it's like a nightmare," Kane said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aubrey nodded, his expression sombre. "Yes, it is. But we have to keep moving forward. We can't let this break us."

They walked in silence for a while, taking in the gravity of the situation. Kane's mind was a whirl of thoughts and emotions, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"Professor, what's happening to our world?" Kane finally asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

Aubrey sighed deeply. "It's a dark time, Kane. The world is in chaos, and it's up to us to find a way to restore some order. But you must remember what I told you about controlling your rage."

Kane looked at him, frustration evident in his eyes. "How am I supposed to stay calm when everything is falling apart around us?"

Aubrey stopped walking and turned to face Kane, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Rage is powerful, but it is also unpredictable. If you let it control you, you won't be able to focus your abilities. You need to channel your emotions to use your mind to direct your power with precision. Only then will you be able to achieve what you want."

Kane took a deep breath, trying to absorb the professor's words. "Alright, I'll try. But what do we do now? The lab is gone, the drugs are gone... how can I get stronger?"

Aubrey smiled gently. "The drugs were never the source of your power, Kane. They were just a means to accelerate your abilities. Your power is now a part of your genetic code. You are changed forever. You are Kane, the Immortal."

Kane couldn't help but laugh at the title, a brief moment of levity in the midst of chaos. "So, what's the next step?"

"We need to meet an old friend," Aubrey replied. "Someone who can help us in ways that go beyond what we've done so far."

They continued walking, eventually reaching a relatively intact area where they could catch a ride. The city’s public transport was in disarray, with many routes disrupted by the attacks. However, a few buses were still running, repurposed to help with evacuations and aid distribution.

Aubrey flagged down a bus heading towards Pollok. The driver, a weary-looking man in a high-visibility jacket, opened the doors with a nod. "Where to?"

"Pollok," Aubrey replied. "We need to get there as soon as possible."