The CoDas: Reboot [By Hex]

Chapter 44: Guardian

I remember the smell of burnt oil and shrieking of grinding metal when I first met him. It was a warm sunny day in Gothenburg, there were a lot more trees and grass fields in the neighborhood. I looked out the window, enjoying the amazing views from the car. His house was isolated at the top of a hill. Only a few other residents lived nearby. Compared to the brightness outside, the garage was completely secluded from the sun. 

There I saw him, working on a device with a welding tool. He was in his prime back then, a fresh body structure adapted for the productive work he has to do every day. My father called out to him as he turned to look at us. His face black with dust and ash, an intimidating presence. I tugged my father's arm and hid behind him. He laughed as he remarked, "Astah-farallah, Kello. Now you scared him."

His eyes eased down as he gave a genuine grin, he took a piece of cloth from his chair and wiped his face and hands before approaching me. Despite only turning 20 a few months ago, he looked too young for me to see him as an elder. Back then, I saw him as an older brother, his short combed hair and his soft hazel eyes gave him a friendly and trustful aura. I looked up to him and I still do. Kello embraced my father, trading remarks before looking at me and crouching down. He held out his hand for greeting, "Salaam, my name is Kello, what's your name?"

"N-Nakir."

"Wow, Nakir. What a strong name, just like your papa." He patted my rough brunette hair then looked up at my father, giving a nod. He asked me, "So Nakir, do you like superheroes?" 

I slowly nodded and my uncle's eyes lightened up a little, "Who's your favorite superhero?"

Still not feeling entirely comfortable, I muttered slightly, "S-Simon X"

"Ah, Simon X? I love his electric powers! He's such a cool superhero, right!?"

I nodded, "Mhm."

"What if I told you that you could also have his superpowers?"

My eyes stretched wide as I energetically asked, "Really!?"

"Mhm." He then pulled out a device from his pocket and showed it to me, I could not comprehend the details back then but it was a small electric coil with a wiring attached to a metal glove. He then explained, "This right here is a Van De Graaff generator, it creates electric currents by generating positive electrodes on one side and negative electrodes on the other." 

Kello begins to demonstrate by wearing the coil on his right arm and the glove on his left, he pressed the switch on the device that made the coil spin with a slow noise. He then brought his hands closer together but not touching, I watched closely at what Kello was doing until a single spark caused me to jump. Kello chuckled slightly as more and more sparks began to run between both of his hands, traversing from one hand to another. 

He turned off the switch and took off his glove before handing it over to me, "Now you try it."

"Okay!" He helped me wear it, tightening it and then turning on the switch, I carefully brought my hands together until a small spark ran between them, I jumped a little then brought them closer again, another couple of sparks went by.

I looked at my uncle and father, smiling and giggling as I jumped in joy. I looked intently at the sparks flying by, feeling like I finally achieved my dream of having superpowers.

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The Distant Storm Arc: Guardian

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