Chapter 57: Double the Storm When Lightning Strikes Hearts and Enemies Alike
The night air hissed with electricity.
Elliot's Raijin Protocol snarled inside him — his Boost flaring at 7000% — blue lightning crawling up his arms and snapping at the air like a living creature. The storm wasn't just awake… it was alive.
And now, standing in front of him — all neon fire and electric danger — was Vex.
The rebel daughter of a corporate dynasty.
A member of Black Dawn — the faction that created the Raijin Protocol.
Her plasma motorcycle hummed beneath her, glowing with violet energy. She wore a matte black combat suit lined with purple circuits pulsing in time with her heartbeat, and her electric blue hair crackled like static, a wild neon flame against the dark cityscape.
Her visor flickered — scrolling data reflected across its surface — but it did nothing to hide the smirk tugging at her lips.
"You're buzzing like a broken power grid," Vex said softly, her voice smooth as silk and just as sharp. "Guess that makes two of us."
Elliot's storm growled louder.
His Boost ticked to 8000% without him even noticing.
The System — StormGPT (aka Thundaddy) — screeched into his head.
---
[ALERT: Boost at 8000% — Emotional Surge Detected]
Reason: Introduction of Vex — Highly dangerous and highly attractive.
Pro Tip: Is it the electricity or the tension? Yes.
---
Nova stepped out of the Stormchaser — her plasma rifle still smoking from the last fight — and the neon lines along her bioluminescent suit flared wildly as the feedback loop between her and Elliot twitched.
Her suit was still tethered to his storm — every surge in his Boost making the glowing lines on her ribs, thighs, and back pulse harder.
And right now?
They were glowing like fire.
Nova's jaw was tight. "We don't need your help."
Vex didn't even glance at her — her sharp violet gaze locked on Elliot.
"I wasn't asking."
The System buzzed again — absolutely losing its mind.
---
[New Relationship Dynamic Detected: Enemies to Electro-Lovers?]
Vex: Mysterious, dangerous, and might kill you.
Nova: Loyal, fierce, and definitely pissed right now.
Pro Tip: Two storms. One heart attack.
---
Kain, still leaning against the Stormchaser's side panel, whistled. "Ohhh… this is gonna be good."
Before Elliot could respond—
A deafening roar split the air.
Spire Syndicate reinforcements.
A new assault squad appeared — six combat units in jet-black exosuits, glowing with crimson plasma circuits — and they weren't just here for a fight.
They were here to neutralize the Raijin Protocol.
And now?
They had two storms to deal with.
Their leader, a towering figure with a chrome-plated skull mask and a plasma blade strapped to his arm, stepped forward.
"Raijin Protocol detected." His voice was a low snarl. "Terminate on sight."
The System flared.
---
[New Threat Detected: Spire Omega Squad]
Leader: Agent Volt.
Special Units: Plasma swords, EMP grenades, combat drones.
Objective: Kill Elliot and capture Vex.
Pro Tip: Zap now. Regret never.
---
Elliot clenched his fist — lightning snapping down his arm — his Boost surging to 9000%.
He didn't spiral out of control.
He adjusted.
The storm obeyed.
Nova raised her rifle. "We end this. Now."
But Vex?
She just smiled — pulling twin plasma pistols from her belt, both guns glowing with violet energy.
Her hair flared brighter — every pulse of Elliot's Boost making the static around her snap and crackle.
"Let's see if the thunder god can keep up," she purred.
The System buzzed.
---
[New Combat Mission: Storms Collide]
Objective: Eliminate the Spire Omega Squad and protect the Black Dawn data chip.
Bonus: Don't let Nova or Vex kill each other.
Pro Tip: Why fight over you when they can fight with you?
---
The Omega Squad opened fire.
A storm of plasma bolts shrieked through the air — red and violet streaks of death aimed straight for Elliot.
His Boost surged to 10,000% — and this time, he controlled the chaos.
Lightning detonated from his body — a Raijin's Pulse howling outward — intercepting the plasma mid-air and devouring the energy, spiraling it into his storm like a hungry beast.
Vex blinked. "Did you just eat plasma?"
Elliot smirked. "Yeah."
The storm howled louder.
Nova, already moving, fired three plasma shots into the first enforcer, sending him crashing to the pavement, his exosuit short-circuiting from the feedback loop surging through her suit.
Her neon lines flared brighter every time Elliot's storm pulsed.
She wasn't just connected to him — the storm was leaking into her.
Vex shot past Elliot — her motorcycle roaring to life — plasma pistols screaming as she blasted two more enforcers into the ground, their armor frying under the violet energy.
She skidded to a stop beside Elliot.
Their storms snapped against each other — his blue lightning colliding with her purple plasma — like two hurricanes locked in orbit.
Elliot's Boost ticked to 12,000%.
The System buzzed.
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[New Ability Unlocked: Raijin's Dual Storm]
Effect: Syncs Elliot's Boost with another powered ally — doubling output for both.
Bonus: Can be extremely unstable if emotional factors are involved.
Pro Tip: Two storms. Infinite chaos.
---
Nova's voice cut through the static. "Elliot — she's pulling on your storm."
Vex's smirk deepened. "Looks like I'm in your head already."
Elliot's Boost jumped to 15,000%.
The storm purred.
And when the next wave of Spire enforcers charged—
Elliot didn't fight alone.
He fought with two storms at his side.
One — Nova — his lightning tethered to her in ways he still didn't fully understand.
The other — Vex — the rebel with fire in her veins and danger in her smile.
And the storm wasn't breaking.
It was evolving.