Lightning Strikes Twice

Chapter 32: Summit

I wake up, follow routine as usual. Bathroom. Clothes. Breakfast. As I'm eating, I see Xenith all dressed and sword on his back.

"Where are you going?"

"Huh? Oh. I'm moving out."

Upon hearing those words, I nearly choke on my food. I hit myself in the chest as I finally managed to get words out.

"You're what!?"

"Moving out. I got a place of my own now."

"But I haven't seen you move any-"

"I hardly own anything Marsh."

"Oh.. right.. Well, shit.."

Xenith walks over to me and pulls down his scarf. He smiles at me before hugging me tightly.

"Thank you so much for giving me a place to stay. I couldn't be more grateful to you for helping me out as long as you have."

"Of course Xenith. You're my friend, I'll do anything for you."

As he lets go off me, I can't help but start crying.

"Whoa, hey Marsh are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. It's just going to be so weird without you here."

"I'm sure you'll make do bud'. And it's not like I'm never gonna see you again."

I laugh as I nod. Xenith steps away from me as he pulls up the scarf.

"Well, everyone's gonna be outside in a bit. If you're feeling up to, we'll wait a bit for you."

"Alright, I won't be long."

While Xenith walks out of the house, I finish up my food and clean off my dish. As I go back to my room to grab my jacket I feel a rush of rage as I try to throw a punch at Nexus.

He dodges the punch, I swing with my other fist afterwards. Nexus dodges it again and grabs my arm, he twists it and then pushes me over to my bed.

"Calm down brother, I didn't come to fight."

"You expect otherwise after what you did to Oro!?"

"Come now, don't blame me because you are too weak to save your friends."

I try to get up from my bed, hoping to try and punch him again. Before I can even stand, he kicks me back down. Nexus grins at me as he starts to speak.

"I wish not to fight.. but I do have some plans. Bring your group and meet me at the summit of Mount Arcin."

"Mount.. you mean at the border of Ultia and Xaltan? Cold and extremely dangerous?"

"You've got the place."

"But that's.. hundreds of miles away."

Nexus scoffs as he shakes his head at me. He leans forward as his grin gets wider.

"You underestimate the power of proxy and celestial, brother. We can make a portal like rift outside your city's gates that'll send you to the base of the mountain. Hit it with your electricity and you'll be able to open and close it."