Tridonia Nexus: Alex's Journey

6 Grandpa Elion's Intuition

Alex's hands trembled slightly as he wrapped them around the warm coffee mug, taking small sips to calm his nerves. The café had returned to its usual lively atmosphere with the power restored, but inside him, a storm was brewing. He could still feel the surge of energy lingering under his skin, waiting for the next slip in control.

Across the table, his grandfather sat quietly, sipping his coffee with a gentle smile. He may have been blind, but years of experience had sharpened his other senses to a razor's edge. He noticed everything-the slight tremor in Alex's hands, the uneven breathing, the faint tapping of his foot against the floor.

"You're uneasy, Alex," his grandfather said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but there was a knowing edge to it.

"What's troubling you?"

Alex froze, staring into his coffee as if it could offer him an answer. He had always been close to his grandfather, a man who had taught him more about life than anyone else. But how could he explain this? How could he admit that his newfound abilities-his powers-were wreaking havoc on the city?

"I... it's nothing, Grandpa," Alex mumbled, forcing a smile.

"Just... a lot on my mind, that's all."

His grandfather didn't reply immediately. Instead, he sat back in his chair, listening not just to Alex's words but to the tension in his voice, the hesitation in his movements. He knew Alex was hiding something, but he wasn't the type to push. Instead, he waited, letting the silence do the work for him.

As if on cue, the TV mounted on the café wall switched to a breaking news broadcast. The image flickered momentarily before the anchor's voice filled the room, capturing everyone's attention.

"In breaking news, Solstice Haven City is experiencing widespread technical malfunctions. Reports indicate that solar panels across the city are not receiving sufficient energy, leading to power disruptions in various sectors. In addition, the newly acquired computer systems in government buildings are down, and delivery drones bound for other cities have malfunctioned mid-flight. Authorities are investigating whether this is related to the power outages recently reported in Daystar Reach."

Alex's grip tightened on the mug. 'Solstice Haven?' He thought back to the energy he had felt earlier, the way it had spread out of him in a pulse. It hadn't just affected Daystar Reach-it had reached even further than that.

"Solstice Haven?"

His grandfather's voice cut through Alex's thoughts.

"That's strange... I heard they just upgraded their entire power grid. Solar energy should be abundant there."

Alex's heart pounded in his chest. His grandfather's words echoed what the news anchor had just said, but it felt like more than just a coincidence. He could feel his grandfather's attention on him, though the man's eyes were unseeing. The old man's instincts were sharp, and Alex knew he was being watched more closely than ever.

"Alex," his grandfather said quietly, "this is the second blackout today. And you've been acting strange both times. Are you sure there's nothing you want to tell me?"

Alex opened his mouth, ready to deny it again, but the words caught in his throat. He couldn't lie, not to his grandfather. Not when the truth was staring him in the face. Before he could say anything, though, his grandfather leaned in slightly, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Let me guess," the old man said, his voice teasing but with a hint of seriousness, "you'll be excusing yourself again, and not long after that, the power in Solstice Haven will magically come back on, right?"