"PROGRAM COMPLETE," the computer announced. "ALL TARGETS ELIMINATED. TI: 3.47 SECONDS."
Aileen lowered her arm, that small smile never having left her face. She walked calmly back toward the spectator area as the fallen robots began to dissolve, their holographic forms disintegrating into motes of light that faded away.
Jayden, Jessica, and Tasha sat in stunned silence, trying to process what they'd just witnessed.
"Holy shit," Jessica finally managed. "That was..."
"Incredible," Tasha finished, her eyes wide. "Aileen, I knew how capable your ability was, but I didn't know you could use it like that. This was way beyond what I've seen you do in school."
"That was nothing," Aileen reached them, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose in a gesture that was almost endearingly normal after the display of power they'd just witnessed. "I usually hold back during the combat classes also. No point in drawing unnecessary attention."
"Hold back?" Jessica echoed. "That was you holding back?"
"Well, yes. Level 10 Xenos are barely a challenge," Aileen said it casually. "The tournant will probably throw Level 20s or higher at us," she explained matter-of-factly.
Jessica was still processing. "Wait, your ability... it looked like Tasha's lightning ability, but that spread effect, the way it chained between targets... That's not quite the sa, is it?"
"Indeed," Aileen smiled, settling onto one of the benches. "Tasha has lightning manipulation; she can generate and control lightning, which is essentially atmospheric electrical discharge. It's powerful, destructive, and operates at extrely high voltages."
Tasha nodded. "It's nature-based. I'm calling down lightning from the atmosphere or generating it through rapid temperature differentials," she added.
"My ability is electricity manipulation," Aileen continued. "While similar, it's fundantally different. I control electrical currents and fields directly. I can interface with electronic systems, manipulate power grids, even read and alter digital information if I'm skilled enough."
Jessica chuckled softly. "So you're basically Electro," she said, grinning. "And Tasha is Raiden."
The comparison made everyone laugh, breaking the tension.
"That's... actually pretty accurate," Tasha admitted. "I never thought about the distinction that way before."
"The practical difference," Aileen explained, "is that my electricity can do things like that chain effect you saw. I can route it through conductive materials, interface with technology, even generate EMP pulses. Tasha's lightning is more raw destructive power... pure, concentrated strikes that hit like a hamr."
"Both sound terrifying to fight against," Jessica said with a mock shudder.
Jayden had been quiet throughout the exchange, his mind still wrestling with what he'd witnessed and what Dragon Eye had... or rather, hadn't shown him. Aileen's demonstration had been impressive, certainly beyond what most people her supposed level could accomplish.
But was it enough to completely block his ability?
"Luna" he called ntally. "What do you make of this?"
[She's clearly more skilled than her level would suggest] Luna replied thoughtfully. [That speed, that precision, the way she took out all ten bots with a single attack... it speaks to exceptional ability control and combat experience]
"But is that enough to make her unreadable?" Jayden asked.
[I don't know] Luna admitted. [Penelope is far more powerful, and you could still read her stats. The fact that you can't read anything about Aileen suggests sothing else is at play]
Jayden frowned. "Like what?"
[Like she's not what she appears to be] Luna said quietly. [Or she has so kind of protection that even I can't detect. Either way, be careful around her, Jayden. There's more to that girl than ets the eye]
Jayden filed that warning away as Jessica stood up, stretching her arms above her head.
"Alright, that was amazing and all, but now I'm itching to try this thing out," she announced. She turned to Tasha. "Co on, let's do a duo battle. You and against... how about fifteen Xenos?"
Tasha laughed. "You sure you can handle fifteen?"
"Please, with your lightning and my wind? We'll crush em'"
Tasha chuckled, standing up. "Alright, let's do it," she said. Then her gaze landed on Jayden, who was seemingly lost in thought.
Tasha furrowed her brows, then an idea popped up. "Actually..." she murmured, a sly smile crossing her face. "...I was thinking Jayden and I have a quick spar first."
The words hung in the air.
Aileen looked surprised, stunned by Tasha's declaration.
Even Jessica's was awestruck. "What?!" she sputtered. "Are you crazy? Tasha, you can't fight Jayden and win. You know that."
"I'm willing to try," Tasha said, her sapphire eyes gleaming with determination as she turned to face Jayden fully.
Jayden, who'd been lost in thought about Aileen, suddenly snapped back to the present. "Huh? What's happening?" he asked.
"Tasha wants to spar with you," Aileen relayed helpfully, a hint of amusent in her voice.
Jayden blinked, clearly surprised. He turned to face Tasha fully. "Oh...Tasha, I don't think that's a good idea. We..."
"Oh, it is," she cut in smoothly, that competitive smile still in place. "Unless you're scared?"
It was a blatant challenge, and they both knew it. Jayden sighed, recognizing the trap she'd set. "Okay, if that's what you want."
Tasha's smile widened. "And when I win, you have to tell what really happened between you and Cassie yesterday."
Ah. There it was. She'd been planning this, using the spar as leverage to get answers he'd been avoiding.
Through their pack bond, Jayden could feel her determination, her concern for him, and her frustration at being kept in the dark. She wasn't just doing this to prove she could fight him... she was doing this because she cared and wanted to help.
"And if I win?" Jayden asked, playing along.
Tasha shrugged, her expression turning playful. "You won't have your face fried." She giggled at her own joke, and despite everything, Jayden felt his lips twitch upward.
"Alright, it's a deal," Jayden said, standing and walking toward one end of the arena. "You ready?"
Tasha smirked and walked to the opposite end, her deanor shifting from playful to focused as she assud a battle stance. "Let's do this."
Jessica and Aileen remained at the spectator section with eager anticipation.
"Oh my God, it's finally gonna happen," Jessica said excitedly, bouncing slightly on the bench like a child. "The ultimate battle between Tasha and Jayden!"
Aileen settled beside her, adjusting her glasses with interest. "Who do you think will win?"
Jessica stared at Tasha, who was already crackling with small arcs of lightning as she prepared herself. The electricity danced across her skin, making her hair stand on end slightly. "I don't know. But there's one thing I'm certain of... she's not gonna go down without a fight. My sister's stubborn as hell when she wants sothing."
In the arena, Jayden and Tasha stood facing each other across the white expanse. The room's computer registered their presence and intent.
"COMBAT SIMULATION DETECTED. PREPARE FOR ENGAGENT."
The countdown began.
"Ten... nine... eight..."
Jayden studied Tasha carefully. She was strong... level 25 now, thanks to the pack bond boost. Her lightning manipulation was formidable, capable of delivering devastating strikes at range. She was also smart, tactical, and knew his fighting style intimately from all their ti together.
This wouldn't be easy. Not because he couldn't win, but because he'd have to be careful not to hurt her while still giving her a real fight.
"Seven... six... five..."
Tasha's eyes glowed faintly with electrical energy, small sparks dancing across her skin. She was already channeling her power, preparing to strike the mont the countdown ended.
"Four... three... two..."
Jayden settled into his own stance... weight balanced, ready to move in any direction. He wouldn't transform or use his full strength. Just his combat skill. Anything more would be overkill.
"One..."
Through their pack bond, he could feel Tasha's excitent, her determination, and beneath it all, her genuine worry for him. She wanted answers about Cassandra. Wanted to help him through whatever he was dealing with.
Maybe... maybe he should let her win.
The thought had barely ford when the computer's voice bood:
"BEGIN!"
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