The room was thick with tension. Zhang Wei stood at the head of the table, his eyes scanning the gathered officials, all waiting for his next words. The silence stretched, heavy and foreboding.

  He tapped the holographic screen before him, and the image shifted to an outline of a human figure—its chest glowing with an eerie, pulsating light.

  “This," Zhang began, his voice low but cutting through the stillness, "is the human cup.”

  A faint hum filled the room as the hologram expanded, showing the limits of energy that could flow into a person. But then, the screen flickered, and something changed. The light inside the figure doubled, the outline of a second, massive cup forming within the first.

  “Each individual is born with a single cup,” Zhang continued. "As they absorb energy, they fill that cup, until they reach their limit. But what if they have two?”

  A shiver ran through the room. One official, seated near the back, swallowed audibly. Zhang ignored him and pressed on.

  “Second cup wielders absorb energy twice as fast. Their limits are Off the charts, Those who possess this ability are the true power of this world." He paused, letting the words sink in.

  A chill spread across the room, a collective realization dawning. Some of the officials shifted uncomfortably in their seats, the implications settling over them like a storm cloud.

  “We don’t know how they unlock it or what influence it, but we do know one thing: They are the most dangerous beings alive.”

  Outside the window, the skies over the capital were darkening. The world had just crossed into an era of unimaginable power.

  Nations finally understood how to adapt into this new crises that was upon them. The world had finally reached a new turning point...

  LOCATION – LAGOS

  James was slowly getting used to his life in the refugee camp. He moved through the camp but it felt like he was somewhere else. Somewhere far away. The refugees were all lined up for their daily ration. Sounds were muffled, colors were faded and faces blurred together. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and desperation. But James felt nothing his body just walked around the camp not because he wanted to but because it had to. He ate from time to time. But just to keep enough energy in his body to move. He had no sense of hunger, no exhaustion, no fear and no will to live either. Only instincts.

  Three days later…

  Lagos had become a graveyard for life, but people still clung onto it. The hidden markets were filled with survivors, merchants, former solider each playing their own desperate games of surviving. Children clinging onto their mothers silently as they traded for rations and other items that were valuable during this period.

  “You want some?”. A kid walked up to James and handed him a bar of chocolate. He looked at James with a smile. James answered. “no thanks am full”. “You are lying I have seen you for days you barely eat, barely move or barely talk. You are like a robot programmed to just survive”. James looked at her trying to smile but he forgot how to and just replied. “no worries about me am a light eater. Have always been”. James walked away as he replied to the little girl. The 10-year-old kid looked at James in a confused expression. Then walked away. But everyday she kept looking for James over and over and over again. Until one day, the kid didn’t show up at all. Maybe she’s finally given up. But as he said that, some people were murmuring in the background.“ That is the third kid today they have taken away”.

  “Give him back that he's my only family left”. A woman desperately trying to get her child taken away by the military.” He hasn’t done anything wrong just give him back to me”. The child shouted for his mother too. “Mom don’t let them take him away”. But the soldiers still took him away from his mother. “You will get your child soon enough mam”. the military replied to the mother as he was being taken away. And as James was watching the scene unfold before him.

  A voice appeared before him. “Mr. Kelechi cornor. I need you to come with us”. James did not resist. There was no point resisting an outcome that won't change.

  But just asked as he was walking with the soldiers and researcher in white lab coat that was taking him away. “Where am I going”? The researcher replied “you would find out when we get there. Don’t worry it won’t threaten your safety”.

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  As James and researcher finally reach their destination James, eyes gazed at the scene before him. A heavily guarded fortress that could be mistaken for the president villa was seen before him. The solider were fully armed not with guns but cold weapons like swords and spears. “Please this way the researcher pointed to to James”. They were taken into the fortress with a car. Driving for over a mile until they finally reached a 5-foot story building that was made out of glass. James got out with the scientist and as he stepped into the building; kids were seen being tested on by the scientist and researchers. James was taken to a room filled with medical equipments. As he laid down on the bed, “I will be taking a little blood” a woman said as he pierced James arm with a syringe. "Ouch!" Exclaimed... James. And as the woman took it into a machine that was displaying his blood type in a screen. "Energy level 9%". She said to the researcher that brought him in. "impressive" the researcher said.

  "He should already be above most normal humans". He shouted out to a soldier, “Colonel Tosin, we are taking him to the gifted camp ”. As they drove into a military like base. James stood in a camp that all personnel were officers but the people in the camp was ranging between 14 and 20. James was shown around the camp by Colonel Daniel. “You will eat and live here until we deem is no longer necessary”. James sighed, as he knew from now on this was his new life.

  The daily schedule was strict, every moment accounted for:

  - 6:00 AM – Wake Up:The sharp blare of a siren jolted everyone awake. No exceptions.

  - 6:30 AM – Breakfast:Eaten in silence under the cold, calculating eyes of soldiers.

  - 8:00 AM – Morning Assessments: Children were evaluated for their physical condition, mental stability, and, most importantly, potential usefulness.

  - 1:00 PM – Afternoon Chores: Cleaning, organizing, and maintaining the facility under supervision.

  - 6:00 PM – Dinner: Identical to breakfast. No one spoke unless necessary.

  - 9:00 PM – Lights Out: Sleep was expected, whether it came or not.

  The gifted camp was heavily secured. Soldiers patrolled the perimeters, their boots crunching against gravel. Drones buzzed overhead, scanning the facility for potential threats. Beyond the high, barbed-wire fences, the outside world remained unstable—looters, unstable awakeners, and the remnants of destruction lurked in the shadows.

  James spoke to no one.

  He sat at the far end of the cafeteria, back pressed against the cool metal wall, eating methodically. Each motion—lift, chew, swallow—was precise, devoid of thought or emotion.

  The cafeteria hummed with activity—clinking trays, whispered conversations, the occasional cough—but James existed in his own world, a place where nothing touched him.

  Then, a voice shattered the silence.

  “James? James Kelechi Conor?!”

  James didn’t react.

  Footsteps. Quick, uneven.Someone was moving toward him fast, ignoring the orphanage’s usual quiet restraint.

  A boy his age skidded to a stop beside the table, slightly out of breath. His uniform was wrinkled, his shoes scuffed, and his messy dreadlocks hinted at someone who cared little for discipline. Yet, his eyes burned with energy—a stark contrast to the lifeless air of the facility.

  James recognized him instantly.

  Samuel Chuka Johnson.

  Loud. Reckless. Unshakable.

  Unlike everyone else drowning in silence, Sam refused to be quiet.

  “Damn, you’re really here! I thought you died or something!” He threw his hands up. “I mean, you didn’t talk much before, but now you’ve gone full-on statue mode.”

  James didn’t flinch, didn’t even glance up.

  Sam exhaled loudly and slid onto the cold metal seat across from him. “Alright, fine. Be all mysterious and broody. I’ll talk enough for both of us.”

  James continued eating, unfazed.

  Sam leaned forward, elbows on the table, watching him with an exaggerated squint. “You’re seriously not gonna say anything? Not even a grunt? A nod? A flicker of emotion?”

  Silence.

  Sam grinned, undeterred. “Cool, cool. Guess I’ll just sit here and annoy you till you break.” He dug into his food, talking between bites. “You know, I was kinda hoping you’d turn out different after all this. Like, maybe I’d finally see you panic or something. But nope—you’re still the same unshakable weirdo.”

  James remained still, his body language unreadable.

  Sam sighed dramatically and leaned back. “Man, this place sucks.”

  James ignored him.

  He wasn’t wrong. The gifted camp wasn’t cruel, but it wasn’t kind either. There were no unnecessary comforts, no reassurances. Everything was about maintaining order. Children weren’t allowed to dwell on their losses. The past was irrelevant—what mattered was whether they could contribute to the future.

  Sam jabbed at his food. “You ever wonder why they’re keeping us so locked down? I mean, it’s not like we’re prisoners, but it sure as hell feels like it.”

  James still didn’t answer.

  But Sam kept talking.

  He always did.

  “I heard some of the older kids talking about awakenings.” He lowered his voice slightly, like it was some grand conspiracy. “They say some people—regular people—are waking up with abilities. Even here. They think the government is watching us, waiting to see who shows signs.”

  James finally paused.

  It was small, a fraction of a second, but Sam noticed. His grin widened.

  “Ah-ha! That got your attention, didn’t it?” He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. “They say it’s random, but I don’t believe that. What if the government already knows? What if they’re testing us? Watching for signs?”

  James’ grip on his spoon tightened slightly, then relaxed.

  Sam watched him closely. “You don’t think it’s weird?” he pressed. “All these security patrols, all these medical check-ups? It’s not just for our well-being. They’re looking for something.”

  James didn’t respond.

  But Sam saw it—the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers curled for just a moment.

  He was listening.

  That was enough.

  Sam grinned, triumphant. “Fine, keep your cool act. But I know you’re paying attention now.” He stretched, cracking his knuckles. “Guess I’ll just have to stick around till you finally decide to talk.”

  James

  sighed softly, barely noticeable.

  Sam?

  He wasn’t going anywhere