Chapter 3

There was a rush of air.

I felt my heart threaten to worm its way to my throat. A wave of yellow beset my vision and before I could move, I was blasted off my feet and into a blighted store billboard. Nothing serious, I have dealt with worse, although the discomfort of a foreign body probing my own wasn't welcoming.

He was very determined to end me because when I opened my eyes, clusters of debris lifted into the air, forming a large sphere of rocky brash which I intellectually decided was meant for me. My instincts kicked in as the deadly ball rushed for me.

"You're foolish, Thunder Girl, or should I say, Phoebe Thunderman!"

I strained the force and waned it completely. He hurled another pole towards me. I swatted it aside and ran. He did the same, knowing the tug war was getting him nowhere. I brandished my rod and met him head on. He caught my weapon, but was forced to retreat when it extended three meters long.

I started to think this was a bad idea because the moment I assumed a stance he rushed towards me with unparalleled speed I haven't witnessed before, and the more he imposed, the more I started to lose adequacy of my fighting style.

"See, the longer you bear that inept weapon on the battlefield, the harder it will be to defend yourself." he snarled and swept his hands upwards.

Impressively, the earth began to shake, power lines slithered and rose, tearing through the air towards me. Having no time to resort to my respective telekinetic powers, I infused energy into my lance. I propelled it at him as it crackled with electricity, attracting and absorbing what it could from the power lines, said cables lethargically falling to the ground.

I sped up and calculated the distance between us. Without using his hands, he forced the crepitating lance deep it into earth but that distraction was all that I needed as I descended upon him with a kick into his blind side. I wasn't holding back any punches, each more powerful than the last.

I winced when he luckily managed to recover and land one against my shoulder. The pain – was unbearable, but I shook it off. In the high hopes of trying to sweep me off my legs, I made use of our proximity and blew a freeze breath directly into his face. It wasn't enough to incapacitate his mobility as I witnessed flickers of flames already defrosting his body. Taking into account his hands were still frozen, I impelled him further, closing my fist, restraining him a good distance away.

Extracting my weapon from within the deep confines of the earth was no walk in the park but I managed to do it within the span of seconds and hurled the electrified weapon with all my might at his figure, releasing my hold in the process.

It blasted him further than my eye could see but I was assured that dealt a good amount of damage.

Pain. It was stinging all over and I couldn't bare it. This was the power of that woman. I was sure of it. Even in death, she remains an obstacle. I cough up blood. It was a long time since anyone had made me bled, a very long time since that boy. I growl. Despite my power, it was very much likely I would sustain damage from attacks that would instantly render most dead on the spot. I summon all the strength I could muster and with shaky fingers, tore the weapon from my torso and tossed it aside.

Phoebe •

I closed my eyes and tried to sense his rancid signature. There it was, at exactly three o'clock to my north, approximately a hundred or so metres away. I sensed no movement yet the vigilant side of me knew not to keep my guard down.

My body trembled and I fell to my knees. The consequence of exerting myself to this inhumane extent was rearing its head. My power may be astonishing, but my body still refused to even out in that regard. Dad had warned me about this. The energy that resided within me, that divided itself into the distinct affinities that I get to relegate as freeze and heat breath, plus my psychokinesis was unparalleled.

It was compressed in such a manner that should it be unleashed, its destruction was devastating enough to take out a whole city. Dad grew even more concerned when I announced my complete control over Dark Mayhem's toxic power. What I didn't take into account was that I added it to my own, disrupting a very complex balance in power.

My brother and I were born with exceptional strong builds, inured as we grew up, our power made sure of that fact, helping where it could. A balance had to be maintained though – meaning that as we grew, so did our power in potency, becoming volatile if remained unchecked.

Regular physical exercise was imperative to allow our very essence to help erect a barrier that invigilated that power. It sounded silly the first time I heard it but after that incident of having disrupted that balance, I swallowed my pride and accepted the concept for what it was, effective.

Unending years of awakening ability upon ability, I felt the relevance of physical training degrade to the point it became an afterthought. Yet here I was paying for it, immensely. The fight was far from over, but my lungs were in protest and muscles contracting in painful ways I couldn't begin to describe. Luckily, my strength was still there, in the nick of time too as I inclined my head to the side, avoiding one of many projectiles headed my way.

She was quick on her feet, I'd give her that.

It appears I might have underestimated her sensing capabilities. Her movements were precise to the letter, making use of her telekinesis to its fullest potential. I have to hand it to her, she is good, fighting her with the mind is a waste of time and energy but it was a good strategy if I wanted to tire her out.

I stopped the array of junk and debris. She cautiously eyed my next move, probably contemplating a counter of her own but I wouldn't allow her the privilege. This next one was special.

Phoebe •

My eyes widened.

The clouds above me roared and thundered. An ominous dark contrast loomed over the battlefield. The smell of ozone only added to my fears and before I knew what was happening, a loud crack reverberated in the air.

"..but, but how?" I whispered to myself, unable to accept this atrocity before me.