House of Cards

The First Dual Ability User

“I surrender, I already have my answers. My goal is achieved, I no longer have other things that I wish to learn.” I repeated since he doesn’t seem to hear that I conceded defeat earlier and just stared at me with blank expression like he was about to finish me off mercilessly. He stared at me for a brief moment but it felt like years in my time. He then suddenly put me down and removed the cold blooded expression on his face. “Is your special ability wielding lightning or immortality? Based on what happened earlier, there is no way that it was hyper healing since no healing has happened earlier- if it was healing then it will slowly return but what happened is that your body parts seemed to have regained immediately. There is no way that it was time travel because if that is the case then you would have done something to avoid having you seen by your recent classmate and this fight would not have happened. Thus the only conclusion I have was that it is immortality- which explains your youthful appearance since then.” I asked as I assumed after observing the abilities that he showed so far. He lightly turned his head towards my direction. “Both.” His late reply blew my mind completely off. ‘There is no way- no I have already seen it with my eyes.’ I covered my mouth with my trembling hands when he revealed to me that he has two special abilities.

“There is no use trying to lie to your face about my abilities since you have already saw them for yourself. Lying would only make me more suspicious and seem unreliable so in order to avoid such unnecessary things to happen I told you the truth.” He added as he completely turned towards and stared at me again but this time it was the look of defeat. “Is that so? I can’t believe that someone I know wields two special abilities who is also the hero of the city.” I sat on the ground after my legs finally gave up on me.

‘Where did those guys go? I hope none of them got hurt, well, I should be more worried about Chloe’s uncle since Rain seem to have an ability that keeps him young, maybe a regenerative ability or whatever it is.’ I thought as I turn my head from left to right non-stop trying to see any sign of them on the vicinity then suddenly we saw two figure walking out of the cloud of dust. ‘Thank goodness they’re safe! Gosh, I thought my heart would pop out of my chest in any moment.’ I sigh in relief as I thought when I saw them walking alongside each other without any sign of hostility towards each other. ‘Looks like they were able to patch things up.’ I smiled when my greatest fear did not happen.

‘I was worried if my uncle was planning something funny but it seems like nothing happened of some sort. I was worried for nothing- look at them smiling at each other, what are they talking about to make Rain smile like that?’ I thought to myself as I suddenly felt jealous of my uncle who is able to converse with Rain easily which is something that I was not able to do even though I have rehearsed talking to myself on the mirror for the past few years after our graduation. “I’m so glad I got to talk to you- it was really reassuring.” My uncle said with a huge smile in his face, I could not really tell if it was a real or fake smile but it was a smile nonetheless. “It was really nice talking with you as well Mr. Ferlin.” Rain replied as they continued to exchange words with each other and eventually Aron, teacher Van’s colleague joined in on their conversation like they knew each other for many years.

“I feel bad for going in on her parent’s stead, they are quite the busy people so I was the only one she could bring from her family.” Uncle Kadmus bowed his head in apology. “I apologize as well, I don’t really have relatives and family members since I am an orphan and teacher Van and teacher Aron are the only ones I can rely on in difficult times.” Rain apologized as well as he humbly bow his head. An ice cream truck pulled over near us which is a perfect coincidence since it was really hot out in the park with so little shade. So we took the opportunity and bought ice cream for four and continued to talk to each other. Eventually it was time for uncle and I to return home since each of us have some unfinished work to do to lessen our work on the following week. “I guess it’s about time we head home. Let us meet again next time.” My uncle said with a smile on his face. Immediately Rain and the others also said the same thing- I guess we are busy adults with our work taking priority. ‘When will I get to see his face again?’ I asked myself as I stole a few glimpse at Rain before we leave and unexpectedly our eyes met then I immediately averted my gaze and after that I feel my cheeks burning up. ‘I am definitely getting flustered right now.’ I thought to myself even after not seeing it through a mirror.

We bid our farewell as Kadmus and his niece got inside the car and drove off as we wave our hands behind them, after the car disappeared in the distance. Van puts down his hand and asked “What happened earlier uncle? It’s not normal for a tree to fall on the ground when it is still young.” He asked without any delay. I was about to answer him but Aron grabbed his shoulder and reminded. “This is a park and someone might hear you guys, I suggest we continue this discussion at your house where we can get a little privacy compared to here where we are like naked dudes on a beach trying to hide something from the others around us when we do not even have something to hide.” He suggested with a stern tone, Van immediately acknowledge Aron’s suggestion and put pursuing his question on hold for now.

After we arrived at Olympus, at our house, Van did not waste a single second and pursue his question immediately. I had no other choice but answer but before that I asked Aron what is his thoughts through facial expression but he just nodded his head. “That guy attacked me out of nowhere so as a result, that tree ended up paying the price when I dodged his attack- hands.” I explained but Van’s expression is telling me that he wants to hear the rest so I was obliged and told them everything. “So that’s what happened huh? Well, I guess it can’t be helped since he has such a dangerous ability if it weren’t for your immortality you would have died-“ Van immediately stopped talking when he realized that Aron was still not aware that I have something as incredible as immortality. He slowly turned his head towards Aron who had his eyes widen in shock. “What the hell-?” he muttered.

I was shocked when I heard that he had something incredible as immortality that almost froze on the spot. ‘No way- having the ability to wield lightning is already impressive on its own but to have immortality as well? That guy is stacked- I can’t believe even Pandora’s Box has its own biases.’ I immediately fell into frustration after I realize that I must be the only person who is really weak inside this house. Then I cursed at myself and the thing that gave me such a weak ability. ‘Damn it- damn it at.’ Then all of the sudden the doorbell rang. All of us look at each other while trying to get an answer if either one of us is expecting company, since that none of us is expecting one I decided to open the door. My eyes widen in surprised when I saw a familiar face.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked with a surprised tone. Van and Rain immediately ran towards me and saw the same face and had the same reaction like I did. But that guy just stare at us and for some reason it felt like he is a bit disappointed when we got surprised after seeing him. “Didn’t I tell you see you next time?” the man retorted. “I didn’t expect it to be this soon.” I spoke in their stead. “Well, I can’t really contain my excitement so I decided to come here today.” He said as he takes off his hood. “Kadmus Ferlin- you really are a pain in the ass.” Rain exclaimed in a frustrated manner.