Guilt

"I didn't think you would know him, Pyre" Blake says his curiosity clear as day in his tone.

Melancholy of the past paints Pyres expressions. "We go way back, me and him"

"We would spar endlessly sharpening our powers day and night". Fond memories bubble their way to the surface in Pyres' mind.

"We were a trio but that's long in the past now" Extinguishing the remnant nostalgia before unwanted memories come forward.

"So what is this about mentorship and why didn't I get anything like this?" Blake says remembering the opportunity he wasn't given, annoyance fills his tone.

"The simple answer is you don't have a power". Pyre says without any sugar coating.

"However your sister does and a strong one at that, she just needs help getting used to it"

"That's where I come in" Pyre says forming a familiar gesture of pointing his thumb to his face a bright smile starts to form.

"For the next year or two I'll be looking after her and getting her used to her powers"

"At the same time I'll be looking after you Blake. Harm will not come to you two while I'm still breathing".

"If that does happen an inferno will be waiting for your enemies". Pyre says as his hair roars with fire.

"I guess that's fine then" Blake says nonchalantly.

"I still haven't forgotten that slam" Blake says as his previous grudge lifts slightly.

"Hurt a bit my ass" Blake scoffs.

"Pain is a great fertilizer for growth kid, you'll thank me for it later" Pyre says, sending a soft jab into Blakes shoulder.

''He's not wrong that lesson persists even now'' Blakes inner thoughts shoot throughout him sending shivers down him at the remembrance of the event.

"For now kid you should get some rest, remember these retakes are a privilege by no means will they abide by your time. The next one is tomorrow". Pyre says through a crust filled mouth.

"This is meant to be a flash exam. You win or you lose, they're not drawing this out any further". Gulping down the remnants of his pizza.

"I wish you luck kid, I know you can do it your fire burns brighter and brighter by the day that should tell you something" Motivation oozes its way out of Pyres tone.

"Raven I'll be coming by twice a week going forward".

"Our first goal is to get you used to your power, Once we have that will go from there". He says wiping the crumbs out of his red beard.

"Be safe you two. If you need to get a hold of me for any reason, ring this number". Pyre flicks a holo screen towards Blakes watch with his number embedded in it. Leaving their humble abode at last.

"He seems nice. I'm guessing he was your examiner" A inquisitive stare starts forming possible answers.

"Well done sis". Blake smirks at her.

"It's obvious genius". Raven says, flicking him in the head.

"So Blake". Her annoyance subsides a little.

"Want to fill me in on the juicy details of your retake or how you escaped gene hunters". Her stern curiosity illuminates her green eyes followed by an inquisitive smile.

Chaos bursts forth out of Blake's mind, the horrifying match regurgitating itself in his mind. ''I don't know what the hell that was, I don't even know what has happened to me fully yet'' His mind begins to overload at the thought of having to explain this.

''I want to tell her''.

''I need to tell her''

''I can't continue dealing with this alone'' The immense pressure of everything prior crashes down on him, almost increasing his gravity, his once calm like state shattered again with stress.

''Am I even Blake still?'' Detachment follows his cascading thoughts as they swirl together into a violent tornado in his mind.

Only for his resolve to cut through the swirl of chaos brewing in his mind. ''I have to protect her, involving her in this will only create trouble for her "

"I need to keep this to myself, like they said there's a storm brewing and I don't want to be the fuel for it to burst". Reaffirming his painful decision his resolve cuts through their tight knit bond.

''I have to as much as it hurts''. His thoughts finally come to a close on the decision.

"I got lucky I guess, the military provided me with some better materials. A fake expression of cheeriness forms like a mask over himself.

"So I could finally make some decent gear to stand a chance".

"It worked out quite well in my favor. I just managed to scrape by with it". Lying as hard as he can through his teeth. Guilt starts to spread through his moral compass.

"Imagine my surprise when the same gear helped me escape those hunters". Blake says laughing nervously over his flimsy forming lie.

"Oh, I'm glad Blake. I'm gonna head up for some rest". A quick smile is sent Blakes way as she makes her way upstairs.

''He still won't tell me anything, I know for a fact the military would never give him materials like that. How did he even manage to escape those hunters? Did he even escape''?

''Why, why don't you tell me Blake? I thought we could lean on one another we have ever since dad died what changed''. Tears started to well up in her green eyes as she ascended the stairs.

''Ever since that lightning strike you haven't been the same, what's happening to you''? The tears finally fall down her face as she faceplants her pillow.

Left guilt ridden, Blake makes his way to the balcony of the complex.

*Click*

*Zap*

Smoke trails from his lips as nicotine flows into his bloodstream. Numbing the stressful events of the day.

*Buzz*

A green static courses its way up his shoulder, a familiar tiny being forms on it. "You did a really good jump against those, what are they called again"? Zeus says bubbling with his usual innocence.

"Gene Hunters"

"Yeah those guys, you did a good job against them you didn't even need my help this time" A buzzing smile zaps its way into Blakes view.

"What are you thinking about brother"? Zeus says, noticing Blakes mood.

"My sister, I have to keep lying to her about everything. It hurts I have to do it" Blake says with a long flick of ash.

"I still don't know if this power is a blessing or a curse" His cigarette slowly caning from the stress he's endured.

"On one hand I can do something now and I've gained you". A small smile forms on his face.

"On the other hand I feel like I'm being hollowed out slowly" The same smile disappearing entirely into his worried expression

"The recent events don't help with that either"

"I don't even know what that thing was". Blake says as his hair stands on end.

"What thing"? Zeus says with an attentive look.

''Even Zeus doesn't know. Should I tell him?'' Doubt breaks its way through.

''No, the last thing I want is for him to fear me. Were brothers, I don't want him to think that's gonna fall through because of something like this'' His mind continues to fly through thoughts at a rapid rate, the tornado almost forming back together.

With a deep inhale, the cigarette reaches the end of its life. "Don't worry about it Zeus if it becomes a big deal I'll let you know. For now its just stress I have to deal with" Blake says patting his tiny brother on the head. Not wanting to involve his little brother any further.

The night sky hangs over Boreal stars illuminating the darkness. Extending his hand outward Blake pretends to catch a star. "One day dad I will enter space, I just need to get through these hurdles first". Ashing his cigarette he heads inside.