"We also know that anyone with powers they can't control, they either lock them up, register them, or worse. And now they're painting all UMS as monsters-in-waiting," Theo continued.
Aries folded her arms on the table. "But they're still the ones in power, Theo."
"That doesn't make them right."
"No. But it means they have the authority. That's reality," she said calmly. "You can disagree with how they do things - hell, I do too - but pretending they don't have the power to act is just reckless."
He looked at her, jaw tight. "So what? I just fall in line and become their soldiers?"
"No," Aries said, shaking her head. "But if I had your powers… if I could actually protect people beyond this house-"
She paused, her expression flickering with something more vulnerable.
