It's Ella.

Amidst the cacophony of the surrounding students, their words pierce through the air, heated and unyielding.

Ella's voice, a blend of fury and determination, carries across the space between them. "You can't keep doing this, Leon! You're not the ruler of everyone's fate!"

Leon's retort is laced with a chilling arrogance, his grin unyielding even as his powers writhe around him. "And what would you know about ruling, Ella? You're nothing but a powerless puppet."

Ella's eyes narrow, her voice unwavering in the face of Leon's taunts. "I may not have powers, but I know the difference between strength and abuse. You can manipulate shadows all you want, Leon, but it won't change the fact that you're using them to terrorize others."

Leon's laughter rings out, a twisted melody that sends shivers down my spine. "Terrorize? Oh, Ella, you always were too naive for your own good. I'm simply demonstrating the true nature of power. The strong rise to the top, and the weak... well, they serve their purpose."

Ella's fists clench at her sides, her resolve unshaken. "You're wrong, Leon. True strength is in protecting, in lifting others up. It's not about control, but about empowerment."

The words hang in the air, a resolute challenge to Leon's twisted perspective. But his response is a dark smile, his fingers weaving the shadows into a sinister dance. "Empowerment, you say? Maybe you'll learn the harsh reality of power soon enough."

In that moment, the shadows surge forward, an inky tide ready to engulf Ella. It's a menacing display of his dominance. But,before I can intervene, a sudden burst of energy explodes from Mia, a dazzling display of water manipulation that envelops Leon and sends him stumbling back.

The world around us seems to still for a moment, the cheers of the crowd silenced by Mia's display. The shadows that once obeyed Leon now seem cowed, recoiling from the brilliance of Mia's power. It's a breathtaking sight, and even Leon's malevolent demeanor falters, replaced by shock.

But my focus is drawn back to Ella and Mia, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange that speaks volumes.

As Leon's parting threats echo in the air, a shiver runs down my spine. His words are like a shadow cast on the promise of brighter days. But then, the tension eases as he retreats, leaving behind a heavy silence in his wake.

Mia's arms are still trembling around Ella as they share a tight embrace, their whispered words a testament to their shared relief. "Are you okay?" Mia's voice is gentle, a soothing balm after the storm.

Ella nods, her voice a mixture of gratitude and lingering defiance. "I'm fine. Thanks to you, Mia."

But as I approach Ella, the mixture of relief and frustration within me bubbles over. "Ella, what were you thinking?" My tone carries a tinge of scolding, the worry that had been clutching at my heart now manifesting as anger.

Ella's gaze lifts to meet mine, her eyes narrowing in response to my chastising tone. "Kyle, I can take care of myself. I wasn't just standing there waiting for trouble."

Her words ignite a spark of exasperation within me. "Taking care of yourself doesn't mean throwing yourself into dangerous situations."

Ella's eyes flashed with a mixture of frustration and defiance. "Kyle, I can't just stand by and do nothing. I won't let someone like Leon intimidate me."

My voice was tinged with exasperation. "But Ella, you can't protect yourself! What if he had seriously hurt you? What then?"

Ella's expression softened, her gaze meeting Kyle's with determination. "I know you're worried, Kyle. But I can't let fear control me. I won't hide away just because I don't have powers."

I clenched my fists, struggling to find the right words. "I get it, Ella. I understand that you're strong-willed and don't want to back down. But sometimes, it's not about strength. It's about being smart and staying safe."

Ella's brows furrowed, her voice resolute. "I won't let anyone dictate my life, Kyle. I won't let fear dictate my actions."

Frustration radiated from me as I threw my hands up in disbelief. "You're so damn stubborn!"

"And you're so overprotective!" Ella shot back, her eyes flashing with defiance.

The two of us stared at each other, a charged silence hanging in the air. Lilya gently placed a hand on Ella's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. Mia stood close to her, her presence a comforting anchor.

Frustration and concern still pulse through my veins as Ella and I exchange heated words. The weight of responsibility for her safety, for our family's reputation, crashes upon me like a tidal wave. "We'll talk about this on the way back," I mutter, my voice strained with a mixture of anger and fear.

Without waiting for her response, I turn on my heel and stalk away from the canteen. The crowd seems to part in front of me, their curious gazes grazing over my turmoil. My steps are quick and purposeful, driven by an urgency to escape the chaos that threatens to consume me. I hear Lilya calling me back there, but I am too angry and I am worried that I will explode , I have been trying to control my emotions for a very long time now , I can't have bad stuff happen again.

But just as I reach the exit, Alex's voice cuts through the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. "Hey, Kyle, wait up."

I pause, my hand on the door handle, my frustration finding an outlet in the sharp grip of my fingers. "What, Alex?"

Alex's face is a mixture of concern and understanding. "Look, I know you're worried about Ella, but yelling at her won't make things better."

I sigh heavily, my shoulders sagging under the weight of my emotions. "I know, Alex. It's just... She's always throwing herself into dangerous situations without thinking."

He places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I get it, man. But she's got a fire in her. You can't expect her to back down from every challenge."

I glance at Alex, my unease still evident in my eyes. "It's not just about this one incident, Alex. She doesn't have any powers yet, and who knows what kind of trouble she might encounter in the future? What if someone worse than Leon comes after her, and what if neither Mia or me are  there to protect her?"

Alex's expression softens, and he nods understandingly. "I get your concern, Kyle. But you can't be there for her all the time. She is strong in her own ways, and plus the two ladies have got each other's backs too."

I sigh, feeling a mixture of frustration and helplessness. "I know, Alex. It's just hard to let go and trust that she will be okay."

He claps me on the shoulder again, his gaze unwavering. "Hey, you're not alone in this. We're all here for each other. And who knows, maybe one day Ella's powers will show up, and she'll surprise us all."

Despite my lingering worries, a small smile tugs at the corner of my lips. "Yeah, you're right, Alex. Thanks for reminding me."

As I entered the bathroom, I couldn't shake off Alex's words. He was right to some extent—I couldn't be a constant shield for Ella, nor could I predict every danger she might face. But that didn't stop the gnawing worry that churned in my gut. It was my duty as her older brother to protect her, to ensure her safety. And right now, I felt like I was failing miserably at that.

I leaned against the cubicle's door , running a hand through my hair as I took a deep breath, attempting to clear my mind. But my thoughts remained tangled in a web of concern, and I couldn't shake off the images of Ella standing up against Leon, surrounded by those menacing shadows.

Just as I was starting to gather my thoughts, the bathroom door swung open, and a group of guys entered, their raucous laughter echoing off the walls. My heart sank as I recognized the voice that accompanied the laughter—Leon's.

"Did you see that? Ella, the powerless princess, trying to play hero. What a joke," Leon's voice dripped with amusement, his tone cruel and mocking.

I stood in the bathroom, a helpless witness to the conversation that unfolded just outside the cubicle door. The voices of Leon and his friends grew louder, their words cutting through the air like sharpened blades. The twisted amusement in their tones only fueled my growing anger.

"Did you see how she stood there? Like some kind of lost puppy, trying to protect Mia," Leon's voice rang out, dripping with scorn. "Honestly, I don't know what Kyle's so worried about. It's not like his precious sister can do anything."

Laughter followed his words, a chorus of mockery that sent a shiver down my spine. I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms as the urge to confront them surged within me. But I knew that acting on that urge would only make matters worse. Ella didn't need more attention drawn to her, especially not the negative kind.

"Seriously, man," one of Leon's friends chimed in, his voice laced with derision. "She's a liability. If it weren't for Mia, she'd be a complete joke."

I opened the door, my anger now a boiling tempest within me. The mocking laughter had ignited something primal, a raw fury that I'd held back for so long. It was time to make them pay for their cruelty, to protect my sister's honor.

My voice was low and seething, each word dripping with a dangerous intensity. "I heard all that. You're going to pay for it. You think it's smart to make fun of the Chaos governor's daughter? She couldn't do much but just wait to see what I can do"

I watched as a flash of fear crossed Leon's eyes. His bravado faltered for a split second, replaced by a realization that he'd underestimated the consequences of his actions. But it was too late for him to back down. I was beyond reason, beyond restraint and for the first time I used our title to intimidate someone else, maybe I'm not that different from my father.

Purple and black threads of chaos magic began to swirl around my palms, a manifestation of my anger and frustration. The energy pulsed from within me, an unstoppable force that I could no longer control. It surged outward, tendrils of darkness reaching for Leon like vengeful spirits.

His eyes widened as he stumbled backward, the panic in his gaze unmistakable. The room was filled with a charged energy, a malevolent aura that crackled in the air like lightning before a storm. But within that chaos, I heard a laugh—a sinister, familiar laugh that seemed to echo in my mind.

The laughter sent a chill down my spine, a sensation of dread that I couldn't shake. It was a sound I hadn't heard in years, a haunting reminder of a past I'd tried to forget. And then, without warning, the power erupted from me in an uncontrollable surge.

The bathroom seemed to shudder as chaos magic burst forth in a torrent of energy. It swept through the air like a whirlwind, tearing at everything in its path. Leon cried out as the force of it hit him, and I watched in horror as he was thrown against the wall, his body crumpling against the impact.

The chaos magic receded as quickly as it had come, leaving behind a scene of devastation. The bathroom was in shambles, the walls scorched and cracked, debris strewn across the floor. My own chest heaved as I struggled to regain my breath, my anger now replaced by shock and a heavy sense of guilt.

Leon was on the ground, groaning and dazed. Blood trickled from a gash on his forehead, and his eyes were glazed with pain. My heart raced, my mind a whirlwind of panic and regret. What had I done? The power had consumed me, and I'd let my anger spiral out of control.

As reality crashed over me, a sinking feeling settled in my stomach. I'd become the very thing I'd despised—a wielder of unchecked power, a chaos bearer who'd let his emotions rule him.And as I gazed at the aftermath of my fury, I couldn't help but wonder what dark path I'd set myself on, and whether I'd ever find my way back.