Chapter Four: Into the Tempest
The Blackbird soared through the churning sky, its sleek form cutting through wind and rain as lightning crackled ominously around them. Faith sat in the co-pilot seat, her hands gripping the armrests tightly. Ororo piloted with calm precision, her focus unyielding even as the storm's fury tested their resolve.
"We're approaching the epicenter," Ororo announced, her voice steady. "It's more powerful than I anticipated. Whoever's behind this knows exactly what they're doing."
Logan, seated behind them, leaned forward. "Any sign of what we're up against?"
Ororo shook her head. "Not yet. But the energy signature is distinct. Faith, keep an eye on the scanner. It should pick up any unusual activity."
Faith nodded, leaning over the console. The readings were chaotic, the storm's interference scrambling the data. Still, beneath the noise, she could sense something. It was faint but growing stronger with every mile they traveled.
"There," she said, pointing to a cluster of red blips on the monitor. "It's unstable, but it's concentrated in that valley."
Ororo adjusted their course. "Hold on. This will get rough."
The Blackbird descended, the turbulence jostling them as they neared the ground. Rain lashed against the windshield, and the wind howled like a living thing. Logan's claws unsheathed with a sharp snikt as they landed in a clearing surrounded by towering pines, their branches swaying wildly in the gale.
They disembarked quickly, the storm's fury swallowing them whole. Faith pulled her hood tighter around her face, her hair whipping in the wind as she followed Logan and Ororo toward the valley. The ground was slick with mud, their boots sinking with every step.
"This way," Ororo called, her voice barely audible over the storm. She led them to a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley. Below, a swirling vortex of energy crackled, its unnatural glow casting eerie shadows on the surrounding cliffs.
Logan sniffed the air, his jaw tightening. "There's someone down there. Two… no, three people. And they ain't friendly."
Faith peered through the rain, her heart racing. She could make out figures moving near the vortex, their forms blurred by the storm. One of them raised their hands, and the vortex surged, sending a shockwave rippling through the air.
Ororo's eyes glowed white as she raised her arms, summoning a countercurrent to stabilize the winds. "We need to stop them before they unleash something we can't contain."
Logan nodded, his claws gleaming. "I'll take point."
They descended cautiously, the storm's intensity increasing with every step. As they reached the valley floor, the figures turned toward them, their faces obscured by masks. One of them stepped forward, their voice booming unnaturally.
"You should not have come," they intoned, their hands crackling with energy. "This power is beyond you."
Logan charged without hesitation, his claws slashing through the rain as he closed the distance. Ororo unleashed a bolt of lightning, striking the ground near the vortex and disrupting its flow. Faith hung back, her pulse pounding as she tried to focus her energy.
"Come on," she muttered to herself, her hands trembling.
Logan's fight was brutal, his movements a blur as he took on two of the assailants. Ororo engaged the third, her command of the storm clashing with their attempts to amplify it. Faith could feel the energy in the air, wild and untamed, begging to be controlled. She closed her eyes, reaching out with her senses.
And then she felt it—the core of the vortex, a pulsing, chaotic force that threatened to consume everything around it. Summoning her courage, she stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly as she drew closer to the swirling mass.
"Faith, no!" Logan's voice cut through the chaos, but she didn't stop. She couldn't. The vortex was too unstable, and she was the only one who could balance its energy.
The moment she touched it, a surge of power coursed through her, burning hot and cold at once. Her vision blurred, the world around her fading as she focused all her strength on containing the force.
Through the haze, she heard Logan's voice again, closer this time. "Faith, you've got to pull back!"
"I can't!" she cried, her voice strained. "Not yet!"
Suddenly, his hands were on her shoulders, grounding her. His presence was a lifeline, anchoring her amidst the storm.
"You're not doin' this alone," he said, his voice fierce. "We've got you."
With Logan's steady grip and Ororo's power shielding them, Faith managed to redirect the energy, collapsing the vortex with a final burst of light. The valley fell silent, the storm dissipating as quickly as it had come.
Faith sagged against Logan, her legs trembling. He caught her easily, his arms strong and steady as he helped her to her feet.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice softer now.
She nodded weakly, meeting his gaze. "Thanks to you."
Logan's expression softened, a rare vulnerability shining through. "You're stronger than you think, Faith. Don't forget that."
Her chest tightened at his words, and for a moment, the chaos of the night faded into the background. She reached up, her gloved hand brushing his cheek lightly.
"I'm glad you were here," she said softly.
He gave her a small smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes but spoke volumes. "Always."
Ororo's voice broke the moment. "We need to move. Whoever they were, they'll regroup. And we need answers."
Faith and Logan stepped back, the unspoken connection between them lingering as they followed Ororo out of the valley. The storm was gone, but Faith knew the true battle was just beginning—both against their enemies and within herself. Whatever lay ahead, she wasn't facing it alone.