Nephilim: Genesis

Chapter 2: The Elites

"So let me get this straight—we're basically turning ourselves in?" I ask, looking around the small office hallway, confusion knotting my brow. It doesn't make sense to be sitting here, waiting to be called in.

"Dax, the school has cameras. They're going to see what happened regardless," Kairo says, her voice steady, like she's done this a hundred times before.

"Not to mention Miss Harriet is a telepath," Kaze adds casually, leaning back against the wall like we're just hanging out and not about to face some weird, supernatural principal.

"Right... of course she is." I roll my eyes and bury my face in my hands, trying to collect myself. None of this feels real—like I'm in some twisted dream I can't wake up from. I take a long, slow breath, then look up, forcing my voice to stay steady. "So, Kairo... you have telekinesis?" The question feels ridiculous as it leaves my mouth, and I wonder how my life got to this point.

"Yep. I can move objects with my mind, but I'm still in training. I haven't reached my full potential yet," Kairo replies nonchalantly, like she's talking about a hobby, not some supernatural power.

"Kairo can move things like books, pens, chairs... and apparently people now?" Kaze smirks, raising an eyebrow at his sister.

"What can I say? I'm that girl." Kairo gives a playful hair flip, and for a moment, she's just a normal teen showing off. It's the first time I've seen her smile since that whole scene with Asani, and it makes her seem more... human.

"Can you move a car yet?" Kaze asks, eyes sparkling with excitement, like he's genuinely curious about the extent of her powers.

"Well, the other day, I was really focused on moving this guy's car. It was parked all crooked, annoying the hell outta me. And it budged—just a little bit, like *whoosh,* and then stopped." She grins proudly, the memory still fresh.

"Sis, that's freaking epic!" Kaze says, giving her a fist bump like they've just scored a touchdown. "Watch, you'll be sending cars flying through the air in no time!"

Kairo's grin widens, and I can tell that when it's just the two of them, she's a completely different person—vulnerable, open, not the fierce girl ready to throw down in the hallway. They share a bond that makes me wonder what it would've been like to have a sibling, someone who's got your back no matter what.

I clear my throat loudly, trying to break up their moment. "And, um, Kaze... you can stop time?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

"Man, I wish. Nah, my power's a little more complicated than that." Kaze rubs his chin thoughtfully. "I can control atoms on a molecular level. So far, I've only figured out how to freeze the atoms around me within a 150-foot radius, which kinda makes everything stop, like time is frozen. But I'm sure there's more to it—I just haven't discovered all of it yet."

He says it like it's the most normal thing in the world, and I try to wrap my head around what it means to control atoms. A million thoughts race through my mind about the possibilities, the insane potential he has. It makes my head spin.

"And, uh, what about Asani back there?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "What's his deal?"

"Asani can make things spontaneously combust," Kairo chimes in, a slight edge to her voice when she says his name. "But he can't control the fire, and he's not immune to it."

"So, he could actually get burned by his own fire?" I ask, trying to understand the downside.

They both nod. "Yep. He's gotta be careful," Kaze says with a slight shrug.

"Well, that sucks," I say, my voice trailing off. My mind is spinning at how all of this feels like some comic book story, the kind I used to read before bed. But now, I'm *living* it, surrounded by superpowers, battles, and a mysterious academy for kids like me. I don't know whether to be terrified or excited.