Chapter 2: Pond's Ambition

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Bangkok, the sprawling capital of Thailand, was a city that never slept. Its towering skyscrapers gleamed under the sun by day and sparkled with neon lights by night, a testament to the wealth and power that flowed through its veins. The Chao Phraya River wound its way through the city, a lifeline amidst the chaos of congested streets and bustling markets. Amidst the ancient temples and modern malls, there stood one building that dwarfed them all—Pond's empire, a towering fortress of glass and steel that reached toward the heavens.

The penthouse of this building, perched at the topmost floor, was where Pond, the wealthiest man in Thailand, resided. The view from his vast, floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the entire city, making it seem as though Bangkok itself was within his grasp. The penthouse was as luxurious as one would expect, with marble floors, modern art, and furnishings that exuded opulence. Every inch of the space was meticulously designed to reflect Pond's success and ambition.

But beneath this veneer of wealth lay something far more dangerous—a hunger for control that went beyond money or power. Pond possessed an extraordinary ability, one that had allowed him to rise above everyone else: the power of mind control. With a single thought, he could bend others to his will, turning them into puppets to serve his every desire. Yet, despite his immense power, there was one thing Pond craved more than anything else—true domination, not just over people, but over the very forces of nature itself.

Pond sat in his penthouse, gazing out over the city as dusk settled in. The lights below twinkled like stars, and the hum of the city's pulse seemed to echo his own restless thoughts. He leaned back in his chair, a glass of the finest whiskey in hand, his mind far from the comforts that surrounded him.

For years, Pond had manipulated and controlled his way to the top, using his abilities to outmaneuver rivals, amass wealth, and build an empire that no one could challenge. Politicians, businessmen, even military leaders—none were immune to his influence. But despite all this, Pond found himself increasingly dissatisfied. His power, while formidable, had its limits. He could control the minds of those around him, but he couldn't touch the world beyond—the forces of nature, the elements themselves. That is until a rumor reached his ears.

A soft chime interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Joong, his right-hand man, entering the room. Joong was a tall, imposing figure with sharp features and an air of cold efficiency. He had served Pond for years, executing his orders with ruthless precision.

"Pond," Joong began, his tone respectful yet direct, "we've received some interesting news from one of our informants."

Pond raised an eyebrow, gesturing for Joong to continue.

"In a rural town in the north, Ban Sai, there's been talk of a young man with extraordinary abilities. They say he can control fire and wind—powers that defy nature itself. What's more, it seems this boy is immune to your mind control."

At these words, Pond's interest piqued. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Immune, you say?"

Joong nodded. "Yes, sir. Our informant swears by it. The boy's powers are unlike anything we've seen before. If the rumors are true, he could be... significant."

Pond set his glass down, the clink of crystal against marble the only sound in the room for a moment. His mind raced. A boy with powers over the elements? And immune to his control? This was no ordinary person—this was an anomaly, something that could either be a threat or the key to unlocking a power greater than any he had known.

For the first time in a long while, Pond felt a surge of excitement. "Find him," he ordered, his voice calm but laced with urgency. "I want to know everything about him. Where he is, what he can do, who he's with. And when you find him, bring him to me."

Joong bowed slightly. "As you wish. I'll send our best men to track him down."

As Joong left the room, Pond turned back to the window, his mind already racing with possibilities. The boy could be the answer to everything he sought—the missing piece that would elevate him from merely the most powerful man in Thailand to something far greater. If he could control this boy, harness his abilities, Pond would no longer be bound by the limitations of his current powers. He could reshape the world itself.

Pond's lips curled into a smile, cold and calculating. The game had just begun.

In the following days, Pond's organization moved quickly and quietly, scouring the northern regions of Thailand for any trace of the boy from Ban Sai. Informants were placed in every town, every village, listening for any whisper of unusual events. The network of spies and agents that Pond had built over the years was vast, and it wasn't long before they found their first lead—a villager who spoke of a miracle, a fire that had burned itself out as if commanded by unseen forces.

Pond studied the reports that came flooding in. Each piece of information only fueled his obsession further. The boy was real, and so were his powers. The thought of such raw, untamed potential made Pond's pulse quicken. He had to have this power for himself—no matter the cost.

One evening, as the sky turned a deep shade of violet, Pond stood on the balcony of his penthouse, overlooking the city. The air was thick with humidity, and the distant rumble of thunder hinted at an approaching storm. It seemed fitting, given the storm brewing in his mind.

Joong approached him from behind, his voice cutting through the night. "Our men are closing in on Ban Sai. It won't be long now."

Pond nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Good. Once they find the boy, bring him to me unharmed. I don't want him broken—at least, not yet."

Joong inclined his head. "Understood."

As Joong turned to leave, Pond's voice stopped him. "And Joong... if anyone else tries to interfere, make sure they don't live to tell the tale."

"Of course," Joong replied, his tone as cold as the orders he received.

Pond watched as the first drops of rain began to fall, splattering against the glass railing of the balcony. The storm was coming, and with it, the opportunity to seize a power beyond imagination. Pond's heart pounded in anticipation, his thoughts consumed by the boy who had defied nature itself.

In the distance, lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating the city below. Pond's eyes glinted in the brief flash of light, his mind already calculating the next steps. The boy would be his, and when that day came, nothing—not even the elements—would stand in his way.

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