He couldn’t believe it. Volt had fallen unconscious twice, and he didn’t even know what hit him. He just knew he had to find Abyss.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59cBNLWqnQ
Volt threw caution to the wind and began to run through this massive underground structure. All sort of machines, top secret weapons and strange liquids, not to mention a life support monitor.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCOwm5AmGl
What are they doing down here?33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lob0eMbGq
Volt shook off the curiosity. He couldn’t help but feel like it was his fault Abyss was missing in this place, and that terrified him.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yZ9GiG5Pd
“I should have stopped him,” Volt growled. He swore under his breath in his first language, but then, realizing no one would understand, hear, or care around here, he shouted it at the top of his lungs before calling out. “ABYSS, WHERE ARE YOU?!” 33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMC13tNwTd
No response this time. I hope he’s okay...33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WIoLvXoFP
Volt continued to search for what felt like another hour. He grew continuously more panicked as he found spots where it looked like wires were ripped out of the various machines. Volt worried about all these high-voltage machines and the live wires protruding from them. He wouldn’t be affected by them, but if Abyss wasn’t actively trying to absorb their power as he made contact, Volt swallowed back a lump in his throat as he called out again.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWOaMHIQjq
Eventually, Volt found Abyss sitting, dazed against a machine. Destroyed wires sat around the dark-haired twin, and Volt felt a surge of devastation strike. Did he get electrocuted? Why is he zoning out? If he’s been awake, why didn’t he respond? “Abyss!”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrsznrDeYs
Abyss shook himself and looked up at Volt. “Huh?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUTnG4PwLv
Volt ran over to his brother and grabbed his shoulders tightly, shouting at Abyss in their first language. “You almost gave me a heart attack! And you don’t have enough control of my power to bring me back! What were you thinking? Didn’t you hear me calling for you?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqzRyQOIEb
“Before or after the second wave?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Vi9XexNT
“Second wave of what?” Volt asked, feeling flustered.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeesCDth2J
“That girl... she had some sort of toxic power...”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaczJAebvYf
“What girl? Alexandra? Sol, this isn’t funny,” Volt said, fuming. “Your brain didn’t get scrambled, right? Why aren’t you making sense.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfksvme0ukS
“No, someone else entirely. She’s the one who knocked you out.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2Q7a7qPLz
“What? She... okay? Did she try and abduct you or something?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMMR3DhtxV
“I mean, she kind of did?” Abyss answered.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn3zPDglDu
Volt groaned, “helpful. Look, I think we need to make an agreement. No more separating. I’m lucky I found you.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVhTmd3aYk
“I agree,” Abyss pressed. “Seriously. It’s not like I could do much to prevent it.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoPXU1Vnk5
Volt sighed. “Fine. Fine. But don’t you see? This is what happens when you go off looking for danger.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybRDvBfAjD
“This is the worst trouble I’ve gotten us in up to date,” Abyss argued, “I’d say we’re even after your skydiving stunt.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2Mw0s2GJK
“Regardless, it could have been a lot worse,” Volt lectured.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIomNv6dnnN
“I know that! Believe me, I do! You don’t even know the half of it.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMhuK05bh6
Volt felt his breath catch in shock. “What? What’s that supposed to mean?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKOQDRpEPY
Abyss didn’t respond.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40c5lmOtkp
Volt shook his brother, “Abyss, talk to me! Come on, man, you’re scaring me!”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3nJaAMgu3
“Sorry! Sorry! Is that what you want?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80BVk7cMdU
Volt clenched his teeth. “I want to know what’s going on with you lately,” Volt growled.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3vOx1EQNB
Abyss balled his fists. “Alright. Alright! You want to know what’s going on? I’ll tell you! I didn’t want to come here! I don’t like all these people staring at us like we’re aliens just because we were raised by them. I hate knowing Kronos just wants to use us to hurt people, and you don’t seem to care!” Abyss got up and stormed off in the direction of the exit, grabbing his own arm, nails digging into his flesh. Volt stared helplessly back at Abyss.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGokVeU67Ph
He didn’t want to admit to himself that Abyss had been growing more detached and distant.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25xIoquCfs
Volt was starting to worry that they were growing apart.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6wNUs6lO3
“You’re right, let’s go,” Volt muttered to himself. “I wasn’t even supposed to come down here to look for you, but do I get any thanks? Of course, not...”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CEEr3kcel
No response.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA8Dysszpd
Neither brother expected this would be their last chance to talk to each other.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn295oG75HK
* * *
The next day, the commander met up with Abyss and Volt after their training with Alexandra. The older man had grim expression on his face. Volt could tell something was off. This wasn’t the man he was talking to in the elevator yesterday.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqF6tDsQ4u
“Advancements have been made concerning the fate of the world, and it comes with troubling news. I hope you both are ready.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvUbdvgJEh
“Ready?” Volt asked. He looked behind himself to make sure Abyss was there, but the dark-haired brother had lagged to speak with Alexandra. Volt wished he could know what Abyss was talking about, but at the same time, her worried it might be about their dispute from yesterday. Abyss hadn’t said another word to Volt since.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnxtBiQDe3
“Fate is not kind. Have you boys ever killed before?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWMUkVZ99m
Volt’s eyes widened in surprise. “No,” he said simply. He swallowed and hardened his expression. He couldn’t let himself be thrown off by this topic. He was part of a war against humanity, he knew there would be death at some point.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINPD9OJrsq
“I need one of you for an essential task. I have trained my soldier to fight against those with supernatural abilities, but this opponent seems outs of reach for even the best of us.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX81lMrZSr
“I’ll go,” Volt answered, without hesitation. If going himself meant Abyss would stay here, if he could know for certain that Abyss would be safe, he would do anything, even kill himself.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag6VHwl6j6
The commander just nodded. “I heard of yesterday’s incidents; you and your brother went to the bottom floor and were attacked.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40RWMDZ1sZ
“That’s right.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwVf1EooMb
“You released one of the most dangerous threats this world has ever faced. If we don’t end this now, there will be no one left to save. Achlys. I made a mistake in locking her away instead of.... executing a threat. I’m relying on you to fix my mistake.” Volt could tell this topic was difficult for Commander H.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jtuXWPn5f
“Yes, sir. Where do I go? What do I need to know?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLDdr3XKgX
With that, the commander led Volt away, leaving Abyss behind.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UnQVaT8W9
* * *
“This is difficult for me to ask,” the commander explained in the confines of his office.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtemRep65yi
Volt stood stiff, arms pinned to his sides as he looked straight ahead. His first mission.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS2IwBz6wm
The commander told Volt all about Achlys’ abilities to create chemicals and gasses on a whim. Volt learned about the tell in her hair. If it glowed, she was using this ability. However, he also warned of a threat that even the commander didn’t know much about. He only knew about the potentials of this second ability.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbODErFLjJw
Umbrakinesis.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFoVCGEFfI
The manipulation of shadows and abilities that can be used in darkness.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcNoG6R7Be
He said she could have teleportation, gain temporary physical transparency, the ability to summon creatures of darkness, summon weapons from the shadows, enhanced strength and agility, regeneration, and a variety of other potential abilities. 33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgmb4q23hz
The truth was, there was no way to know for certain what she would be able to do with this power.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTmGotwNrz
Volt never considered the possibility of multiple powers before now. Did she have multiple cartridges in her heart? It didn’t seem possible. One was already a dangerous procedure. Or was she one of these “Inhuman” threats that PISTOL swore against? Whichever one, she was the target, and one Volt would have to take down in a controlled environment.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CGAk9Y2qR
* * *
Before Volt left, he wrote a note for Abyss and left it on his brother’s pillow. He couldn’t explain much. The mission was top-secret. Not even Alexandra knew according to H. Still, he explained that he would be back in a few weeks after he did an important job for the commander and explained that they wouldn’t give him time to say goodbye in person.
* * *
The first few nights were detective work. Volt got a lead on a power outage at a Samsung tech store a couple towns over. During this time, only a holo-watch was stolen.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsUtDblDRF
A similar lead took him to a well-known fast-food chain restaurant.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2rviKYm5Y
It was strange. The restaurant was closer to PISTOL HQ than the tech store, but the incident at the restaurant happened after the store. That’s when Volt realized she was might be going back to HQ.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGkx1OOr9O
Commander H told Volt to trust his instincts and be cautious. She was dangerous and could try anything. Volt knew he had to be on edge. It was near midnight the next day by the time he arrived back at HQ, but he didn’t make his presence known to anyone.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyNN3vfQks
Three more restaurant blackouts occurred in the area.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrqi7yucbl
“Must be hard to find a job for lunch money after escaping an underground rebel prison,” Volt muttered. He paused a moment. He tried to think of a better way to word that but gave up as he heard movement.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan37WUQ2Ac
He slowly but quickly followed it and found a dark mass clinging to the exterior of the base before climbing into a window.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3lmWHSbeA
Alarms sounded in the back of Volt’s mind.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDA3xkuPyU
She re-entered the base.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcMv2KAtbf
He began to panic and try to think of ways to get up to that level quickly, but he came up blank.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi85kpH4s51
That’s when he heard thunder in the distance as a drizzle came down. He saw a flash of lightning and got an idea. He concentrated his energy in the feet causing multiple blasts of electricity to launch him up. As he began to fall, he created another blast. It sounded like a terrible storm.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDkPBj3X7t
The shockwaves propelled Volt upwards, but his legs were in agony near the end. He barely caught himself on the windowsill and pulled himself up with only his fingertips. He looked inside and saw Achlys leave a note by the bottom bunk. The top bunk of this room was empty.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT4He0bv29
Volt’s eyes widened when he realized this was his room, and she was leaving a note for Abyss.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4DqnT20Z9
Suddenly, Volt’s hands slipped. From this height, a normal person would have died, but using multiple blasts from his hands, Volt was able to slow his ascent to minimize damage when he collided with the ground.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbQtp4076W
The wind was knocked out of Volt, and he could tell multiple ribs were broken, but somehow, he survived the damage he sustained.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFC1Aa3ooy
That’s when he saw the figure fly out of the window at high speeds. Volt forced himself up as soon as possible to follow at light speed as his legs screamed at him to stop.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnep3c5HE6d
* * *
Three days later, he finally caught up with her.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYq9lTMvKa
It was broad daylight as she wandered the streets outside Queen Ember’s castle. She seemed to be examining the layout, exterior, and guard posts. She was planning something, but she would never be able to pull it off.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahcAWN9JJM
Volt thought about the fear that gripped his heart when Abyss went missing in that place. At the time, he had no idea if his brother was alive. He didn’t know how he let Abyss get taken. But now he did know. Based on what Abyss said, based on everything H told him, Volt knew that if this woman was alive, Abyss was in danger.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYszg2zMCME
He pictured her standing over Abyss in his sleep, the dark, deadly form. He remembered how everything could have gone wrong that night if she spotted Volt.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw7A5Ebdkd
This woman was dangerous, and Volt was the only one who could stop her.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqTZyEUHkI
Volt charged a direct blast. A lightning spear should do the job. Volt smiled. After this, he could rest easy.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WkPV2gtmI
But she heard the high-pitched scream of electricity and spun around to face him. Her hair glowed green, and Volt knew to hold his breath, but without a constant flow of breath, his own electricity blew up in his face, knocking him back several paces. Everything went black.
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