Dante had spent his entire life watching from the shadows.
Watching the Gifted show off their powers. Watching them move through the world like they were untouchable.
But tonight?
Tonight, he wasn't just watching.
He was hunting.
The city stretched before him, alive with energy. Neon signs reflected off rain-slicked streets, the sounds of laughter and music spilling from crowded bars and restaurants.
People moved through the night, some of them Gifted, their abilities on casual display.
A woman created tiny glowing butterflies out of light, sending them floating through the air. A man flicked his fingers, sending small sparks crackling between them.
Dante's eyes scanned the crowd, his hood pulled low over his face.
He wasn't looking for the strongest.
Not yet.
He needed someone easy.
Someone who wouldn't be missed.
Someone with a Gift worth taking.
A thrill shot through him.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't at the bottom.
For the first time, he had control.
And he wasn't going to waste it.
---
Dante kept to the edges of the crowd, moving carefully through the city.
The mugger had been an accident. A mistake.
This time, he had to be smarter.
He couldn't just take any power—he had to pick something useful.
Something that would make him stronger.
Then, he saw him.
A guy, maybe nineteen or twenty, standing outside a small convenience store.
He was Gifted—Dante could tell immediately. The way he casually flicked his fingers, sending tiny sparks of electricity arcing between them.
A street-level Gifted.
Not a big deal. Not someone powerful.
But Lightning Manipulation?
That was a step up.
Dante's fingers curled into fists.
This was it, his first real hunt. Excitement rushed through Dante as he felt Adrenaline pulsing in his veins.
He took a slow breath, pulling his hood over his head, shadowing his face.
Then, he followed.
---
Dante kept his distance, watching the man's movements.
The guy didn't seem particularly cautious. He strolled through the city like he had nothing to worry about.
Which meant he had never been hunted before.
The thought sent a dark thrill through Dante's chest.
When the guy turned into an alleyway—probably taking a shortcut to avoid the crowds—Dante knew this was his chance.
He picked up his pace, closing in.
This time, he wouldn't hesitate.
This time, it would be his choice.
---
Dante moved fast.
One step. Then another.
His pulse quickened.
This was different from the mugger.
That had been self-defense.
This?
This was deliberate.
But just as Dante reached for the guy's wrist—
The man spun around.
Dante barely had time to react before a bolt of lightning cracked through the air.
Shit—!
Dante dove to the side, the energy searing past him and slamming into the brick wall behind him. Sparks scattered.
The man's eyes narrowed. "The hell do you think you're doing, freak?"
Dante's heart pounded.
He had planned for this to be quick. A grab. A transfer. Done.
But now?
Now, he had to fight.
The man clenched his fists, electricity snapping around his knuckles.
Dante lifted his hands, shadows curling at his fingertips.
The guy laughed.
"Oh, so you're one of those losers who got stuck with a lame Gift, huh?" He sneered. "What, can you even throw a punch with those little smoke tricks?"
Dante didn't answer.
Instead, he struck.
He lunged, shadows snaking forward like whips—
But the man was fast.
Lightning surged from his hands, blasting the shadows away.
Dante staggered, eyes widening.
The darkness shrieked as it was forced back, the energy disrupting its movement.
The man grinned. "Yeah, nah, I don't think so."
Then, he attacked.
Dante barely had time to react before lightning shot toward him.
He twisted, throwing himself backward, but the electricity clipped his shoulder.
Pain exploded through his body.
His muscles seized, and he hit the ground hard, gasping.
The man stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. "You're in over your head, kid."
Dante grit his teeth, trying to push past the pain.
This wasn't working.
The shadows were too slow.
And his body was still adjusting to using them.
But then—
A thought hit him.
He didn't need to dodge the lightning.
He needed to steal it.
The moment the man stepped closer, Dante moved.
He forced himself up, lunging forward with everything he had.
The guy's eyes widened, electricity crackling at his fingertips—
But Dante was faster.
His hand latched onto the man's wrist.
And then—
It happened.
A shockwave tore through Dante's body.
But this time, he didn't resist it.
He let the power flow into him.
The man's eyes widened in horror.
His lightning dimmed.
His body shuddered.
And then—
The electricity was gone.
Dante staggered back, gasping.
His whole body felt different.
The pain in his shoulder was still there, but underneath it—
A new energy buzzed.
His fingers twitched.
A spark snapped between them.
The man stumbled backward, pale and shaking.
"No," he whispered. "What did you—?"
Dante lifted his hand.
And lightning danced across his fingertips.
His lips curled into a satisfied grin.
"I think you know what I did." Dante then let out a blast of lightning sending the manflying into a nearby wall; scorchmarks covering his chest.
Dante looked down at his hands in shock "I-I did that? Wicked!" A gleeful smile crossed his face as he then approached the now Giftless man. Looking down at his prey he checked his pulse, still breathing but out cold. Dante turned away, shoving his hands into his pockets.
He didn't feel guilty.
Not really.
The guy would move on. Adapt. Find another way to live.
And Dante?
Dante had just become stronger.
He disappeared into the night before the guy could wake up, by the time he was conscious Dante would be long gone.
---
Dante turned away, shoving his hands into his pockets.
He didn't feel guilty.
Not really.
The guy would move on. Adapt. Find another way to live.
And Dante?
Dante had just become stronger.
He disappeared into the night before the guy could even think about chasing him.
---
By the time he got home, Dante's hands were itching to test his new power.
He locked his door, his breath still shaky from the fight.
Then, he focused.
The electricity answered instantly.
Lightning snapped between his fingertips, dancing across his skin in bright, jagged streaks.
It felt alive.
More responsive than the darkness.
More powerful.
Dante grinned.
He clenched his fist, and the sparks vanished.
This wasn't just power.
This was control.
He wasn't just surviving anymore. In a society ruled by strength he could reach the pinnacle of power.
With every new Gift he acquired he would evolve.
---
The thrill of his new ability lingered—until the headache hit.
Dante gritted his teeth as a sharp pain lanced through his skull.
His breath shuddered, and suddenly, he felt lightheaded.
His hands trembled.
His body wasn't used to this.
Was it the lightning?
Or was it because he had too many abilities at once?
Dante clenched his fists.
It didn't matter.
If his body was struggling, then he just had to push past it.
He wouldn't let something as stupid as limits hold him back.
But a voice whispered in the back of his mind.
"What if you burn out? What if one day you wake up, and it's all gone?"
Dante shook his head, trying to push the thought away.
That wouldn't happen.
He wouldn't let it happen.
Because he wasn't done yet.
Not by a long shot.
Dante sat in the dark, staring at his hands.
Lightning crackled between his fingers.
The shadows coiled at his feet.
Two Gifts, they were stolen Gifts, but still Gifts none the less.
He now had his answer; he wasn't limited to just one Gift.
But at what cost?
His body was struggling.
People were starting to notice.
And if Alyssa—or anyone else—figured out the truth…
Dante didn't know what he would do.
But there was one thing he knew for sure.
He wasn't going to stop.
He couldn't.
Because now?
Now, he had come too far to turn back.
And if the world came after him—
He'd steal whatever power he needed to survive.