Mutant Teenagers

Back in Athens: Cracks in the Group

The group returned to Athens under a heavy cloud of tension. Morena stayed at Leonidas's safehouse while recovering from her injuries, though she insisted she was fine. Nikolas had grown quieter, keeping to himself and avoiding Kwstas whenever possible. Meanwhile, Spuros had started acting distant, clearly frustrated by the growing divide between him and the rest of the group.

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The Confrontation Between Kwstas and Nikolas

One evening, as the group gathered for dinner, Nikolas abruptly got up and walked out. Kwstas sighed, pushing his plate away and following him to the training area, where Nikolas was punching a practice dummy with more force than necessary.

"Hey," Kwstas called out, his voice firm. "You can't just keep walking away like this."

Nikolas stopped, his back still to Kwstas. "What do you want me to say?"

Kwstas took a deep breath, his frustration bubbling over. "I want you to stop shutting me out. You wanted to tell me something, and then you just left-like nothing happened. You can't do that to me!"

Nikolas turned, his face a mixture of guilt and anger. "I didn't know how to say it, okay? I'm not good at...this. At feelings."

Kwstas stepped closer, his voice softening. "You don't have to be perfect, Nikolas. Just be honest with me."

Nikolas looked at him, his walls crumbling for a moment. "I'm jealous, Kwstas. Of the way she looks at you. Of the way you smiled at her. I know it's stupid, but I can't help it."

Kwstas blinked, caught off guard. "Nikolas, Morena's just...she's scared and new to all this. I was trying to make her feel safe. But you-you're the one I trust, the one I...care about."

Nikolas's tension eased, but before he could respond, Spuros's voice interrupted them. "Must be nice," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "Having powers and all the drama that comes with them."

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Spuros's Frustration

Kwstas and Nikolas turned to see Spuros, his expression bitter. "I mean, you're out here throwing light beams and earthquakes, saving the world. And me? I'm just the guy who holds the backpack."

"Spuros, it's not like that," Kwstas said. "You're part of the team."

"Am I?" Spuros snapped. "Because it sure feels like I'm just...extra. The normal one tagging along while the rest of you do all the cool stuff."

Nikolas, still reeling from his own emotional turmoil, snapped back. "You think this is easy? You think having powers doesn't come with pressure and risk? We almost die every time we go out there!"

"At least you can do something!" Spuros shouted. "I'm useless out there, and you know it!"

"Stop it!" Kwstas said, stepping between them. "This isn't helping anyone."

Melina, who had been listening from the hall, walked in. "Spuros, you're not useless. You've saved us plenty of times, powers or not. But if you really feel like you're being left behind, maybe you should talk to Leonidas about training. We all have something to offer."

Spuros scoffed but didn't argue. "Whatever. I'm going for a walk."

---

A New Mission: Morena's Power in Danger

The group didn't have time to dwell on their personal conflicts. The next day, Leonidas called them into the briefing room. Morena's arrival in Athens had drawn attention, and a new group of rogue mutants-led by a psychotic fire-wielding mutant named Theron-was targeting her for her metal manipulation abilities.