Lightning Strikes

The grayish haze of memory enveloped Selwyn's thoughts as he recalled the events that transpired after waking up at the Whispering Moon hideout. It was shortly after Cal had brought them to safety, and Selwyn was still reeling from the encounter with the monster.

"Listen closely," Cal had said, his tone firm and unyielding as he stood near the doorway, his arms crossed. His piercing gray eyes swept over Selwyn and Raven. "If you want to survive what's coming next, you'll need to do exactly as I say."

Selwyn, still sore from the ordeal, forced himself upright on the bed. "What do you mean, 'what's coming next'? Isn't it over? You killed the monster, didn't you?"

Cal shook his head, his expression darkening. "That was just the beginning. The Nihilum Legion doesn't give up so easily. They'll be back—probably sooner than you think—and this time, they'll come prepared. Which is why…" He paused, his gaze shifting to Raven. "We need to use you as bait."

"What?!" Selwyn's voice rose, his shock and anger cutting through the room like a knife. "You can't be serious! She's not some pawn you can just throw into danger!"

Cal didn't flinch at the outburst. Instead, he sighed, rubbing his temples. "You think I like this plan, kid? You think I enjoy dragging civilians into this mess? This is the only way to draw them out and deal with them before they become an even bigger problem."

Selwyn clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. "There has to be another way. There has to be."

"There isn't," Cal replied bluntly, his voice cold and unyielding. "And the sooner you accept that, the better."

Before Selwyn could argue further, Raven spoke up, her voice calm but resolute. "I'll do it."

Selwyn turned to her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Raven, no. You don't have to—"

"I said I'll do it," she interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument. She met his gaze, a small, determined smile playing on her lips. "If this is what it takes to keep you safe, to keep all of us safe, then I'll do whatever it takes. So, what do I need to do?"

Cal nodded approvingly, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "Good. Here's the plan. The Legion doesn't know I'm involved, or that I even know you two. For all they know, I could be hunting Raven myself. That gives us an advantage."

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Tomorrow, you're going to act as vulnerable as possible. Go about your day like normal—attend your classes, stick to your routine. The college is the safest place to engage them. Fewer variables. Fewer people to get hurt."

"And what happens when they show up?" Selwyn asked, his voice laced with doubt. "We can't fight them."

"You won't," Cal replied, his expression unwavering. "I will. All you two need to do is hold on. Trust me, I'll handle the rest."

The memory faded, the haze lifting as the present came rushing back.

The battle had already begun. Three members of the Nihilum Legion lunged at Cal with coordinated precision, their movements fluid and practiced. But Cal was faster.

He dodged their attacks with ease, the ground beneath him crackling with raw energy. Sparks of electricity danced across his fingertips as he raised his hand, unleashing a bolt of lightning that struck one of the assailants square in the chest. The force sent them flying backward, crashing into the ground with a thud.

The second attacker, undeterred, conjured a whip of dark energy and lashed out at Cal. He sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his expression calm and focused. In one swift motion, he grabbed the whip with his bare hand, the electricity coursing through his body overpowering the dark energy and dissipating it entirely.

"Is that all you've got?" Cal taunted, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

The third attacker charged at him, wielding a blade that seemed to shimmer with an unnatural glow. They swung at him with brutal force, but Cal caught the blade mid-swing, his hand crackling with electricity. The blade shattered upon impact, and the attacker stumbled backward in shock.

With a flick of his wrist, Cal sent a surge of energy through the ground, creating a shockwave that knocked all three of them off their feet. They lay on the ground, groaning in pain, their robes singed and tattered.

Cal turned his attention to the fourth figure, who had remained still throughout the fight, watching with an unsettling calm. "Your grunts are down," Cal said, his voice dripping with confidence. "Why don't you and I have a go?"

The figure stepped forward, their movements deliberate and measured. They lowered their hood, revealing a sharp, angular face and cold, calculating eyes. "Do you really think you can keep up with me, Lightning of the Moon?"

Cal's smirk faltered for just a moment, replaced by a flicker of surprise. "So, you know who I am," he said, his tone guarded.

"Of course," the figure replied, their lips curling into a sinister smile. "Your reputation precedes you. But tell me, Cal Mandem, how long has it been since you faced someone truly capable of matching your power?"

Cal's eyes narrowed, the electricity around him intensifying. "Guess we're about to find out."

The air grew heavy with tension as the two opponents squared off, their energies crackling in the charged atmosphere. The ground beneath them trembled as they prepared to clash, the promise of an explosive battle hanging in the air.