Chapter 11: Lightning Shower

"Tsk, tsk, so the rumors are true. You are quite the firecracker, aren't you?" the man replied, stepping forward and adjusting his white gloves.

Thalia had had enough. She might not kill the man, but she could certainly fry him until he soiled that lovely suit of his. She sent a surge of electricity straight toward him. He sidestepped, evading the bolt—or so he thought. The current shifted direction in midair, tracking him as he began jumping, weaving, and rolling to avoid it.

"This power you possess is impressive and unorthodox. Are you controlling the flow of this lightning with nothing but your will?" the man asked, effortlessly dodging the lightning bolts directed at him.

Thalia was flustered by his indifference in the face of her "homing bolt." Irritated, she decided to escalate the situation.

"I tried to go easy and spare your life, but you've left me with no choice." She raised both hands in the air. Her brother Theo looked horrified and started running back toward the monorail platform.

"You crazy pendejo! Did you forget I'm even down here?!" he yelled, still retreating further away from her attack range.

Thalia brought her hands together as if in prayer. The thunder roared once again, and the largest cloud above them shifted, producing a thunderbolt that flashed overhead. She pulled her hands apart just before the thunderbolt struck the ground. Her eyes glowed a bright blue as she shouted, "Lightning Shower!"

The once uniform thunderbolt shattered, releasing electricity in all directions. The only area untouched was where the bolt was initially aimed. Blue streams of electricity crackled and popped as they spread outward.

"I want to see you dodge this!" Thalia said, grinning. The man stopped and watched the electricity spread across the land, jumping and getting closer to him with every breath. His smile widened even more as he cocked his head to the side. He placed one hand out right before the electricity reached him. Thalia's eyes grew large halfway, expecting the man to combust into flames. She at least thought he would try to run like Theo did earlier.

If she had known he was suicidal, she would have chosen a less destructive approach. "I guess it's time to report this incident. Damn, I was really looking forward to entering Pandora's box."

Thalia willed the wind to push her toward the monorail platform.

"Marvelous! Absolutely smashing!" the man exclaimed, surrounded by the hum of electricity.

Thalia froze midair, staring at the man she thought she had turned into a fried human kabob. He was standing unfazed, electricity surging around him. As she looked closer, she realized the electricity wasn't actually surging around him; it was being magnetized and drawn into his hand, creating a barrier around his body—or more precisely, it looked like a shield.

"Alright, you pass!" the man said, flicking his hand down and dispersing all the electricity in the area.

Truly intrigued and a bit stunned, Thalia dropped to the ground next to him. "Who are you exactly? At first, I thought you were an enemy, but that can't be true."

"Oh? And why is that?" the man asked, frowning for the first time.

"It's obvious I haven't sensed any killing intent or aura from you, nor have you counterattacked. That tells me two things: first, that you're very powerful, and second, that you have no ill will or intentions. So, if I had to guess, you must be the gatekeeper," Thalia replied.

Theo sensed that the worst of the conflict was over and came running up behind them. "Hey, sis, why did you suddenly stop your attack?"

"Impressive, both of you," the man said, clapping his hands.

Theo huffed, trying to catch his breath after running back over. "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything," he wheezed.

"I see you, even if no one else does. You quickly analyzed my battle strength in comparison to your sister's. Then, you referenced my mannerisms and actions, judging that I was not a threat. So, you took into account your sister's personality and allowed her to do what she does best. You stayed out of the combat zone, close enough to enter the battle to help or call for assistance." The man explained.

Theo rubbed his hand through his thick brown hair and looked away. "Honestly, I would rank your analysis skills as the highest I have seen from a cub," the man said with a devious grin.

"So you are the gatekeeper for Pandora's box?" Thalia asked begrudgingly.

"No, however, I am the vice-captain of your newly assigned squad. My name is Alexander Numek," he said, bowing while flipping his hat off.