The Strike of Lightning

"How strong is the ward around the building?" It was the only thing Maitho could think of asking. Perhaps because the magical protection surrounding the property was the only thing keeping the man with the power of thunder away.

"It's powerful enough," said Brigid, crossing her arms across her chest. A defensive posture. It didn't inspire confidence nor reassurance.

"It's powerful enough for how long?"

The question elicited no response. Maitho thought that this was going to be one of those silent sessions that have become quite a habit with the Celtic group, especially with their leader. A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Ah will head tae th' top floor now," said Epona. "Unless ya want me tae stay."

Maitho knew that the last bit of her response was because of him. But why? For all his efforts, he couldn't quite understand why someone would invite him to join forces with them, and then antagonize him at nearly every opportunity. Did they want him to start a conflict? If that was indeed the case, then what purpose would they gain from it?

"I'll be okay. We need someone to be on a lookout." Brigid responded and offered a smile of approval. "Besides, we don't know when he will strike or how."

Something about the word strike made Maitho think. His mind flashed through images. Memories passed through his consciousness, each one an event from the past few hours. Rather than randomly sift through ideas, he began to go through the night's affairs in quick succession.

The Cray mansion. Cafe. Inside the car. Raiden's attack. Entering the room. Watching the monitors.

That's it. The monitors. More specifically, something that occurred in one of the monitors.

"You said this building was warded," said Maitho, a string of connections forming in his mind. They were flitting through his consciousness far too quickly to grasp, but he held on to as much of the information as he could.

"Of course I did. Memory loss Maitho?" said Brigid, a mocking laugh punctuating her response.

"I wasn't asking actually. Just thinking out loud." Maitho placed his hand on the sofa. "Now that I think about it, don't you find something strange?"

"I really have no time for puzzles because right now, there's a powerful Guardian out there threatening to attack this building."

"But that's the thing. He's not supposed to be able to attack."

Brigid stared at him for a moment like he had just blabbered something incomprehensible. She waved her arm in front of her in a circular motion. "Speed up Maitho, would you please? Unlike you, we like to plan ahead."

"How did Raiden destroy the intercom if the building is warded?"

Silence.

The kind of silence that holds a lot of answers. No one needed to say anything. No responses were necessary to explain that there was a lot that was hidden. Secrets that were being withheld. Answers that were not fully revealed.

A laugh from Brigid. Bevan looked uncomfortable and returned to watching the monitors.

"And now it is conspiracy theories. Honestly, not sure why Raiden would want you of all people." Brigid turned her attention to Epona. "Let's at least focus on our plan."

"Is there or is there no warding?" said Maitho, his fists clenching.

Brigid turned her gaze towards him slowly, like she wasn't considering his question any important.

"All you need to know is that we are protected."

"Doesn't seem like it."

"I can't explain the intricacies of Celtic magic."

Maitho pounded his fist into the sofa's headrest. "Then a quick answer in ten words or less. I'm sure you can manage that. Or just have the courage to say that you don't want to talk about it."

"I don't want to talk about it," said Brigid, a vein appearing on her forehead despite her best attempts at nonchalance.

"Why don ye juist step out 'n' save us th' trouble?" said Epona. There was a sound like a string being pulled. "After all, its ye he wans."

When Maitho looked back, the crossbow had been armed with one arrow.

"She isn't wrong," said Brigid.

In an instant, Bevan was on his feet. He had stood up with such force that he had pushed the chair against the desk holding the monitors. The bang of impact was enough to grab everyone's attention.

"Just like that?" said Bevan, his lower lip trembling. "We get him here and then we hand him over to the enemy? How different are we to them?"

All the questions had a transformational effect on Brigid's expression—they lost their hardiness. In fact, her eyes exuded kindness. Perhaps even warmth and, something else. It could be affection but Maitho wasn't certain.

Whatever they had against him paled in comparison to the camaraderie that the Celtic team seemed to share with each other. At least, from what Maitho had observed so far. But that still did not excuse the animosity most of them showed towards him. There was no hint to even guess their end goal.

"Tis either him or dis place that we call home," said Epona. "Th' choice isnae difficult."

"But it isn't easy either," said Bevan, taking a step forward and moving his hand in a downward-swiping motion. "The fact that we were quick to make a decision troubles me."

"Fur godsakes Bevan, ye know whit happened last time."

"This is not the same." Both of Bevan's hands were raised in front of his chest, and shook with almost every word he spoke. "This shouldn't even be a conversation we should be having." He closed his eyes and let his arms relax by his side. After taking a deep breath, he continued. "There is no reason for us to trust anything he says." His finger was pointed towards one monitor that showed Raiden. "Remember that he wanted to capture us first. What's the guarantee that this building, or us for that matter, will not be harmed after he gets Maitho?"

As Maitho continued to watch the monitor, he noticed Raiden walking away from the entrance. Soon, the descendant of Thor was back to standing in the middle of the road.

"I hate to interrupt this energetic debate, but what the hell is Raiden doing?" said Maitho.

The monitor showed arcs of electricity swirling around Raiden's arm.

"I don't understand," said Bevan, his eyes widening. "Why is he trying to attack us?"

"Maybe because he hasn't seen Maitho step out of the front door," said Brigid, her eyes glued to the screen.

"But he doesn't know what's happening. Maitho could be making his way to the entrance for all he knows."

The conversation did not proceed further. There was no point in talking any more when what happened next was something Maitho had never witnessed before.

A flash of lightning appeared on the screen, but it's journey was not natural. It ended up in front of Raiden and then bent at a nearly 90-degree angle. To Maitho, it seemed as though the lightning had bounced off Raiden's hands. The vicious arc of energy zapped forwards. Within a split second, it appeared in the monitor that showed the entrance to the building. The lightning struck the double doors, sending dozens of electrical bolts flying outwards from the point of impact. The door was practically ripped off its hinges and sent flying into the building.

Down in the basement, Maitho heard the effects of the attack. First the sounds of metal and wood shattering, then a loud boom as sound finally caught up to the speed of the lightning.

Instantly, Brigid moved towards the wall of weapons. "Epona, you should follow your plan. Head to the top floor and give us an update."

"I'm going with her," said Maitho.

Brigid picked up a handgun and checked its chamber. "No you're not."

"If I stay here, he is more likely to come here. But if I can head upstairs, then I can act as a distraction, if it comes to that."

"You're not bait, Maitho," said Bevan.

Brigid picked up another handgun and tossed it to Bevan, who caught it deftly and performed a press-check.

After a contemplative gaze, Brigid nodded, "Okay. If we find ourselves in more danger than necessary, then you are not missing your appointment with Raiden." She looked at Epona. "Keep watch on everything that happens."

The real meaning of her words was obvious. Keep watch on Raiden and Maitho.

"Oh I don't believe this," said Bevan, his attention grabbed by a monitor.

Raiden was joined by two more people, a man and a woman. Without any interactions, the two newcomers proceeded towards the entrance. When they neared the opening caused by the lightning attack, they stopped. The woman took out a small dagger and sliced forward.

Her attack bounced midair against an invisible force. A blue symbol appeared for a few seconds right where the blade had deflected.

It seemed like the building's wards were keeping them away. But the fact that it did not block the lightning was curious to Maitho.

Raden walked towards the entrance. He casually examined the opening and spoke something to the other two, who simply nodded.

He took a step back and smiled at the camera.

Maitho didn't wait to see anything further. He turned around and spotted Epona already opening the door. She was in front of the elevators, holding her hand out in front of the call button, by the time Maitho burst into the hallway. "Ruig," she said, almost yelling.

The elevator doors were not even fully open before Epona squeezed herself into the cabin shoulder first. She was ready for Maitho's arrival, immediately saying "Mullach" as he entered the elevator and pressed himself against the back wall.

Another boom resonated around Maitho. This one was close, as though it had occurred somewhere directly above them. Lights flickered in the cabin, but the elevator continued to ascent.

"Can he attack the elevator from where he is now?"

Epona did not say anything. She didn't have to. Her silence gave away the answer.

They were trapped in what could possibly be their tomb.