Lightning Strikes Twice

Chapter 41: Storm

I immediately run back inside feeling nothing, but panic. I feel my heart beating faster than it ever has before as I freeze, taking in everything I just saw.

"Marsh? Are you okay?"

I'm so far in my head, that I didn't even hear Minerva's footsteps until she got right beside me. She puts a hand on my face, just looking at me with worry.

Taking in a hard swallow, I finally respond.

"The sky.. it's all red.. and a massive lightning storm.. Nexus is already at it.."

Minerva's eyes widen as I say that. She looks like she's about to go into a panic like me, but stops herself from doing so by taking in a deep breath. Minerva grabs and squeezes my hands as she looks me in the eye with a serious face.

"I know what you must be feeling, I'm certain I feel the same. It's hitting us like a brick right now, but you have to remember-"

"We have a shot at this. Right. You're right."

Minerva smiles, giving me a nod. Afterwards we both waste no time grabbing our things, readying to head out and face my half brother.

When we both are ready and are about to head for the door, I sense and then hear something. That something turning out to be Allison's portal.

As Allison steps through, she gives this look like she's ready to fight. Her gripping tightly onto the device that turns into her weapon only helps that image. She looks between us both before going to speak.

"You two have noticed then."

"Yeah.. we did."

"Then let's get moving. Because it's bad, real bad."

I gulp before going to ask a question I know I'm going to regret asking.

"How bad..?"

"They seem slow for now. But these lightning strikes.. They're not random. They're hitting people. And from the looks of it, this storm stretches far beyond the capital."

"Oh god.. we need to go now.."

"Yeah, we do."

Allison says, turning back towards her portal. She only gestures a hand towards herself, not needing to say much else as we quickly follow after her.

---

After coming out through the other side of her portal, we appear just on the outside of the walls for my city. I first see Arcane, just standing there patiently. Leaning against the walls, I see Xenith and Celosia by each other, Celosia just leaning onto him with her arms crossed.

Celosia makes eye contact with me, giving a weak smile as she nods. I smile back before looking at Xenith. He has his scarf on but to my surprise, he's not covering his mouth. He makes contact with me after a moment with a brow raised.

"Something up, Marsh? Anxious?"

"Not that.. I'm just a little surprised to see you out and your scarf down."

"Ah.. right. Well.. I was thinkin'. If.. no, when we get out of all of this, I'm gonna try to stop hiding it."

After hearing Xenith's words, I just smile. I take a moment to realize how much he's changed over the time of our relationship and our group forming. He went from having a blade pointed at my neck, to having enough confidence to stop hiding his scars.