Boom!
A loud explosion is heard throughout the hideout behind closed doors, echoing through every corner of the building until it reaches its peak.
It reverberates against walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and even a few others within earshot. Everyone stops what they are doing and walks toward Sylvester's dorm.
Rai looks behind and can tell the rest of the team are concerned about Sylvester's training methods since they had been humbled in the sparring match a week ago.
Dahlia has her hands on the door handle while contemplating if she should address their concerns or not.
"Don't," Rai whispers, looking straight forward.
Sylvester had been using the simulation room in his dorm to train his body and mental fortitude over the past few days.
Dahlia turns to Rai, voicing out her concern, "did we make a mistake letting a monster like him use those simulations?"
Keelan whispers, "he might be even stronger now!" Remembering the damage Sylvester caused in the last fight.
"Rai..." Amelia calls out cheerfully. She is always one step away from being happy-go-lucky to crazy, so it didn't take much effort for her to smile.
She walks by everyone, leans on the wall, and says, "so the first order of business from our new leader is to tear down everything we've built here… and blow shit up?!"
She laughs hysterically, making the others turn to look at her. They couldn't help themselves; after seeing how things turned out, there wasn't another reaction possible.
Dahlia turns to the team with a worried look and says, "I think he'll help us in achieving our goal, he's our last hope."
Winston angrily retorts, "does that make us mere extras?!" He crosses his arms and glares at Rai.
Rai scoffs, turning his attention to Winston.
He inhales and exhales before walking over to Winston. Standing next to him, Rai puts both palms flat onto Winston's shoulders.
The two gaze deeply into each other's eyes, locking gazes so intensely that neither flinches nor looks away.
Rai straightens Winston's collar and says. "If it means I show you my true capabilities, I won't hesitate to make you regret having healing abilities!"
Winston stares blankly at Rai, bewildered by what he just heard.
He whispers through gritted teeth, "what did he do to you?"
A small smirk appears on Rai's lips.
His hand slowly moves upward, touching the side of Winston's cheek, and patting him lightly. He pulls back quickly, leaving an imprinted bolted mark on Winston's skin.
Everyone gasps loudly, watching as the mark glows.
As soon as the mark vanishes, Winston falls to his knees, holding his head as the unseen bolt mark sends currents through his brain.
Rai clicks his tongue, shakes his head at Winston struggling to heal from the mental brand, and says, "too much?"
He turns his attention to the rest of the group, glaring at them angrily.
Rai reminds everyone who was in the last fight, "I guess you'd rather have Sylvester as your enemy. That duel taught you all nothing!"
The group stares blankly at Rai. Their expressions show confusion mixed with fear. They look at Dahlia who stands beside Rai, her expression shows satisfaction with the way Rai handled it.
Dahlia pats Rai on the shoulder reassuringly. "What you did was necessary. We need someone like him around when dealing with those bastards."
Her tone softens slightly but still carries authority.
With a nod, Rai replies, "when have I ever disappointed you? You know me better than most do."
"What about me?" Mae cuts in with pouty lips.
Looking directly at her, Rai's features soften. A slight grin forms on his face. "Do I need to assure you too?"
Mae smiles brightly, nodding enthusiastically.
Rai turns to the rest of the team and continues, "we'll become stronger together. No matter what, this place will be secure under our protection."
Slam!
The door opens violently causing everyone to jump backward.
Sylvester towers at the doorway, dressed in sleek black pants and a fitted shirt, his hair pulled back in a tidy ponytail, exuding an aura of calm confidence.
Their jaws drop open once again. This time, however, no one could hide their shock. Their attention is drawn to the silver streaks of hair running throughout Sylvester's black locks.
They stand frozen staring at him until he spoke.
"So you know, I can hear every shit word coming from your mouths. It's fucking distracting," Sylvester says coldly without even glancing at anyone.
They all look down, ashamed, as they have forgotten they are standing outside his bedroom.
Sylvester glances at them with a blank face and then deeply sighs, aware of the repeated death wishes directed at him from some team members in their thoughts.
The one exception would be the traitor who stared at him, repeatedly thinking about how to get him alone and carry out a plan from an organization working with Collux Haven.
'How slow-witted can they all be not to see the traitor among them?' Sylvester thinks bitterly. 'It doesn't take a genius to figure it out.'
Without saying anything more, he takes a step back inside, closing the door behind himself.
Dahlia knocks on the door and waits for permission to enter. She has many questions she wants answered about the events leading to his next plans.
"I won't let you go in yourself," Rai whispers, holding onto her wrist firmly.
She turns to the rest and forces a smile. "It's fine, I'll take it up from here."
Reluctantly, the others disperse, not wanting to confront Sylvester after seeing him looking so different a few minutes ago.
Once the hallway falls silent, Dahlia looks back at the door waiting patiently to get a response.
When approved by Sylvester, she enters cautiously. Her heart beats rapidly against her chest while trying hard to keep calm.
Rai closes the door behind them both, locking it securely.
Sylvester stares at the ceiling, deep in thought, in the dimly lit room.
Dahlia and Rai take a step back upon seeing what Sylvester is staring at, when they glance upward.
'What the heck is that?!' Dahlia asks herself silently, staring on in shock.
Looking over to Rai, she sees him also taken aback. His eyes widen briefly before narrowing into slits.
'What's going on here?' Rai turns to Sylvester, hoping he could respond to his thoughts.
But he is bound to have his question unanswered as Sylvester just stares at the ceiling.
Turning to look up at what he is looking at, what they see shakes them from the core, it was. . .
–––––––––––
Author's note
¶ Any ideas on who is the traitor?
¶What do you think could shake up Rai and Dahlia?
¶ Do check out the weekly auxiliary chapter[Bonus chapter task] to know how you can participate.