Days bled into nights within the Foundation facility. The sterile environment and the constant scrutiny wore on Leo, but his primary concern remained Kaelen. He could still sense the younger man's anxiety and frustration, a volatile undercurrent that occasionally spiked with uncontrolled bursts of mana, triggering alarms and further tightening the Foundation's grip.
During one of his assessment sessions with Dr. Aris Thorne, the lead researcher, Leo decided to broach the subject. Thorne, while detached and clinical, possessed a sharp intellect and a certain scientific curiosity about Leo's unique abilities.
"Dr. Thorne," Leo began, his voice calm but firm. "I understand your protocols, but I believe separating me from Kaelen is counterproductive."
Thorne looked up from her tablet, her expression neutral. "Subject Unknown Two presents a significant containment risk. Your proximity offers no discernible benefit to our objectives."
"That's where you're mistaken," Leo countered. "I have been helping Kaelen control his mana outbursts for a significant period. My abilities allow me to harmonize with his energy, to provide a stabilizing influence. Since our arrival here, his anxiety has been heightened, exacerbating the problem."
Thorne raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest in her eyes. "Your 'harmonization' is unquantifiable and falls outside established containment procedures."
"But it is effective," Leo insisted. "You've witnessed my ability to stabilize his surge in the city. Keeping us apart only increases the likelihood of uncontrolled incidents. Allowing me to stay with him could provide a degree of natural containment, a way to mitigate his volatile energy without resorting to more… forceful methods."
Thorne considered his words, tapping her pen against her tablet. "Your claim lacks empirical evidence within our controlled environment."
"Then allow me to provide that evidence," Leo proposed. "Grant me access to Kaelen under controlled observation. Monitor his energy levels in my presence compared to when he is isolated. I am confident you will see a difference."
Thorne remained silent for a long moment, her gaze fixed on Leo. He could sense her internal debate, the conflict between established protocol and the potential for a more effective, albeit unconventional, solution. The Foundation valued control above all else, but they also valued efficiency.
"Your suggestion is… unorthodox," Thorne finally conceded. "It deviates significantly from standard containment for a Keter-class anomaly. However," she continued, her tone carefully measured, "the recent energy spikes from Subject Unknown Two have presented challenges. A controlled experiment… might yield valuable data."
She made a note on her tablet. "I will recommend a trial period. You will be granted supervised access to Subject Unknown Two. Any deviation from established parameters, any attempt to facilitate escape or exacerbate anomalous activity, will result in immediate and permanent separation, with escalated containment protocols for both of you."
Leo nodded, a small measure of relief washing over him. "Understood, Doctor. I assure you, my priority is to help Kaelen, and by extension, to ensure a stable environment for everyone."
The following day, Leo was escorted to a more secure containment area. The air here felt heavier, charged with suppressed energy. Behind a reinforced observation window, he saw Kaelen in a larger cell, pacing restlessly, his blue hair flickering with faint sparks of mana. Restraints that glowed with an unsettling energy were clasped around his wrists and ankles.
As Leo entered the cell, Kaelen's head snapped up, his eyes widening with a mixture of surprise and relief. "Leo! What are you doing here?"
"I convinced them to let me stay with you," Leo explained, his voice calm. "Hopefully, I can help."
The Foundation observers behind the reinforced glass watched with detached interest as Leo approached Kaelen. As he drew closer, he focused his intent, gently projecting his harmonizing energy. The faint sparks of mana around Kaelen began to subside, his restless movements slowing. A visible sense of calm seemed to settle over him.
The readings on the Foundation's monitoring equipment began to fluctuate, showing a decrease in Kaelen's ambient energy levels and a stabilization of his internal mana flow. Dr. Thorne watched the data intently, a flicker of something akin to surprise in her usually impassive expression. Leo's unconventional approach was yielding results that their standard containment procedures had failed to achieve. The dynamic between the two "unknown" subjects was proving to be far more complex and potentially useful than they had initially anticipated.