"Even if you hadn't said anything, I would've stepped in. Diablo is roaring inside me. His anger is almost impossible to contain. I can feel it."
Chato stood up and stretched.
The Talons had scattered, lurking in the shadows of the cave wall's folds. Some circled around from either side to surround the group, while others clambered across the ceiling like spiders. Silent and agile, they were like a swarm of elusive American cockroaches.
Tim tried his hardest to stay calm, but the rustling from every direction left him on edge.
Through Qin Wei's perspective, the boy had witnessed the Talons' terror firsthand, so it was hardly surprising that he had no confidence in Chato.
What he couldn't understand was how Lucius Fox could remain so composed when he faced the same threat of death.
"Fear and panic are the most useless emotions, especially when you're powerless to change the outcome of a fight-" Lucius seemed to notice Tim's unease and glanced back, winking at the boy.
"Neither approach is right or wrong, but I'm a born optimist. I prefer the latter."
Lucius liked Tim a great deal. He even saw his childhood self in the boy, which was why he was willing to offer him guidance and a little life experience.
If he had had an older mentor willing to guide him back then, perhaps his life would have taken far fewer wrong turns.
Meanwhile, Chato had reached the end of the cave and faced Alexander across the underground river.
Surrounded by Talons itching for a fight, he seemed entirely unruffled. With his hands in his pockets and his head tilted, he sized up Alexander in his stealth suit, his disdainful gaze sweeping him from head to toe.
Though he had gone straight years ago, Chato's street-punk attitude came