Beyond the family shadow

Edana paced back and forth in the dimly lit room, her long silver hair swaying like a river of moonlight. Her eyes, a piercing shade of indigo, gleamed with a mixture of frustration and curiosity. She had many questions, but they seemed to get stuck in her throat like a stubborn knot. Kael, her brother, explained everything in meticulous detail, from Lyra, the enigmatic silver-headed being, to the eerie skeletons, ancient ruins, and mysterious books they had discovered. Edana's gaze narrowed as she listened, her mind racing with the implications.

"So, you're telling me this...this crazy being..." Edana began, her voice trailing off as Espona, their companion, corrected her.

"She's not a witch, Edana," Espona said firmly, her voice like a gentle breeze on a summer day. Edana's eyes flashed with surprise; no one had ever interrupted her before.

"Huh?" Edana's tone was laced with a hint of irritation, but she bit back her retort, her gaze flicking to Kael, who watched the exchange with interest.

"Lyra is not a witch," Espona repeated, her eyes sparkling with a quiet intensity. Edana might be an idol to her, but she wouldn't let her race be blamed for something they didn't do. Besides, wasn't Kael's newfound power a good thing?

Edana's lips parted, ready to flare up, but she caught herself, her expression smoothing into a mask of calm. "Right," she said, her voice even. "So, this being gave you the power of 'END'?"

Kael nodded, his eyes serious. "Correct, sister."

Edana's gaze sharpened. "And gave her 'Beginning'?"

Kael hesitated, his eyes darting to Espona, who seemed to be struggling with what to call Edana. "Correct, um—"

Edana waved her hand dismissively, her expression wry. "Whatever."

Espona announced her departure, her mother waiting at home, a psycho who shouldn't know about their adventure. Edana waved goodbye, her hand fluttering like a butterfly, her eyes never leaving Kael's face.

"Hmm, you can leave," Edana said, her voice laced with a hint of dismissal.

Espona didn't notice, leaping out the window with a graceful bound. Kael watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Does she ever take the front door?" Edana asked, her tone dry.

Kael chuckled. "Do you ever take the front door?"

Edana's eyes flashed, her lips parting in a retort, but she caught herself, a wry smile spreading across her face. "It was a rhetorical question."

Kael nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Mine too."

The silence that followed was awkward, until Edana broke it, her voice low and serious.

"Dad and mom found out already, Kael. They knew when you left the house and placed a monitoring spell on you."

Kael's eyes widened, his face paling. "What? That's an infringement on my privacy!"

Edana shrugged, her shoulders barely moving. "Say that to the humans, and they might understand."

Kael's face twisted in frustration. "Since when has it been on me?"

Edana's gaze was unyielding. "Since you knew how to go out of the house yourself?"

Kael's eyes dropped, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Achk, fuck, seriously. Since when has it been on me?"

Edana's expression softened, her voice gentle. "You really don't know the shit you got into, do you?"

Kael swallowed hard, his eyes darting to the door, his mind racing with the consequences.

"Why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Edana's gaze was piercing. "You'll find out soon enough. They want you in the training hall."

Kael's face paled further, his eyes wide with trepidation. "I am now starting to miss my old life," he thought, his heart heavy with foreboding.

As Kael stood up, Edana remained seated, her eyes never leaving his face. "Aren't you coming along?" he asked, his voice hesitant.

Edana's gaze flickered, her expression enigmatic. "I have an errand to run."

Kael's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press the issue, his mind already racing with the impending confrontation with their parents. With a sigh, he turned and left, the door closing behind him with a soft thud.

Edana's gaze lingered on the door, her thoughts a whirlwind of concern and calculation.

Here's the continuation of the rewritten scene:

The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment, the silence a palpable thing. Then, the shadows seemed to stir, and Edana reappeared, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief

With that, she vanished again, leaving the room to its silence. The darkness seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, as if the very fabric of reality was waiting with bated breath for Edana's return.

Meanwhile, Kael made his way to the training hall, his heart heavy with trepidation. He could feel the weight of his parents' gaze upon him, their expectations and disappointments a crushing burden.

As he entered the hall, the familiar sight of his parents, Aurora and Erebus, greeted him. Their faces were stern, their eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

"Kael,"  Irene said, her voice like a gentle breeze on a summer day, but with an undercurrent of steel. "We need to talk."

Kael nodded, his throat constricting. He knew what was coming. The monitoring spell, the power of "END," Lyra's enigmatic presence – it all swirled in his mind like a maelstrom, waiting to be unleashed.

"Let's get this over with," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Irene's' gaze softened, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. "We only want what's best for you, Kael. But you need to understand – the power you've been given comes with a great cost. The power of End together with your gaurdian spirit is a terrible combination ."

Kael's heart sank, his mind racing with the implications. He knew he had stumbled into something much bigger than himself, something that threatened the very fabric of the peace he hoped for.

"I know," he said, his voice firmer now. "I'll do what it takes to control this power. But I won't be held prisoner by your expectations."

Finley face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "You would do well to remember your place, Kael. You are not yet ready to wield the power you've been given."

Kael stood tall, his eyes meeting his father's gaze. "I may not be ready, but I'll learn."

The room seemed to hold its breath, the tension between Kael and his parents a living, breathing thing. Then, Irene's face softened, her eyes filled with a deep sadness.

"Very well, Kael. We'll give you the chance to prove yourself. But remember – the consequences of your actions will be far-reaching. And we will not always be there to protect you."

"Irene, please," Kael said, his voice laced with a hint of desperation. "You're not even my real mom. You can't dictate what I do."

Irene's face remained stern, her eyes flashing with a hint of hurt. "I may not be your biological mother, Kael, but I've raised you as my own. And as your parent, it's my duty to guide you."

Finley, Kael's father, spoke up, his voice firm but gentle. "Kael, we're not trying to dictate what you do. We just want to protect you from the consequences of your actions. You became a gifted just a month and few days back. You don't know how high a mistake could cost you"

Kael snorted, his eyes rolling. "Consequences? You mean like the monitoring spell you placed on me without my consent?"

Irene's expression softened, her voice taking on a conciliatory tone. "Kael, we did that to keep you safe."

Kael's face twisted in frustration. "You never give me a chance to prove myself. You always assume I'll mess up." They did that in his past life until he lost his sister

Finley stepped forward, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. "Kael, we want to believe in you. But you need to show us you're responsible enough to wield this power."

Kael's gaze dropped, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He knew his parents were right, but it was hard to accept. He felt like he was being suffocated by their expectations and restrictions.

"Fine," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do what you want. But know this–the fate of whatever does not rest in my shoulder. I live for myself and those that matters"

The room fell silent, the tension between Kael and his parents palpable. Irene's face was a mask of concern, while Finley's eyes held a deep sadness. They knew they were pushing Kael away, but they believed it was for his own good.

Finley's expression turned resolute, his eyes gleaming with a hint of anticipation. "Kael, the time has come. You begin your training at the Mages' Academy at dawn. No delays, no excuses."

Kael's heart raced, his mind sprinting with the implications. He had expected a reprieve, a chance to prepare himself for the challenges ahead. But Finley's words left no room for argument.

"I'm ready, Father," Kael said, his voice firm, trying to hide his trepidation.

Irene stepped forward, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and determination. "Kael, we'll always have your back, no matter what. But you need to own your power, your destiny. The Academy will push you to your limits way past your potential but you can do it."

Kael nodded, his throat constricting. He felt the weight of his parents' expectations, but also a spark of determination. He was ready to embrace his journey, to unlock his potential.

As the night wore on, Kael's thoughts swirled with anticipation and doubt. He knew the road ahead would be tough, but he was ready to face it head-on.

The darkness outside seemed to vibrate with energy, the shadows cast by the flickering candles dancing on the walls like restless spirits. Kael felt a thrill of excitement, a sense of purpose. He was about to embark on a journey that would change his life forever.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Kael stood up, his eyes fixed on the door, his heart pounding in his chest. It was time to unleash his potential, to embrace his new life and master his powers.

.......

Kael stood in the sleek, modern foyer of his family's high-rise penthouse, his backpack slung over his shoulder. His father, Finley, a powerful  mage to the supernatural communities and an influential businessman to ordinary humans, handed him a phone.

"Keep this phone for emergencies only, got it? And remember, no one at the Academy knows who you are. You're just another student. Prove yourself, earn your place."

Kael nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. He was finally leaving the suffocating bubble of his family's influence and reputation behind.

Finley continued, his voice firm but proud. "You're starting fresh, Kael. No special treatment, no favors. You're on your own. Make us proud, but more importantly, make yourself proud."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Finley smiled. "That must be Professor Lyrik, your escort to the Academy."

Kael's heart raced as he opened the door to reveal a stylish woman with piercing green eyes and purple hair, dressed in a sharp black suit.

"Hey, Kael! I'm Professor Lyrik. Ready to start your new journey?"

Kael nodded, feeling a sense of liberation wash over him. He turned to his father, who gave him a firm nod and a brief smile.

"Go make your mark, son. We'll be watching from the sidelines."

With that, Kael followed Professor Lyrik out of the penthouse and into a sleek, black car waiting at the curb. As they drove away from the city skyline, Kael felt a sense of wonder and anticipation.

As they drove, Professor Lyrik briefed Kael on the Academy's rules and expectations. "Remember, Kael, the Academy is a place for learning and growth. You'll be pushed to your limits, but don't be afraid to ask for help. And always keep your phone on silent mode during classes."

Kael nodded, taking it all in. He was determined to make the most of this opportunity.

After a smooth ride, they arrived at the Academy's modern campus, surrounded by sleek buildings and lush greenery. Kael's eyes widened as they pulled up to the main building, a stunning glass-and-steel structure.

"Welcome to the Mages' Academy, Kael," Professor Lyrik said, smiling. "Your new home for the next few years."

Kael felt a thrill of excitement as he stepped out of the car and onto the campus grounds. He was finally here, ready to unleash his potential and make his mark.

As they walked towards the main building, Kael couldn't help but notice the familiar sight of people tying on their smartphones and using human gadgets. He turned to Professor Lyrik, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Professor, I don't mean to be rude, but...why do supernaturals use ordinary human technology? I mean, can't you just, I don't know, magic everything?"

Professor Lyrik chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, Kael, that's a great question. But the truth is, magic can only take us so far. Human technology has its own unique advantages. It's often easier, more efficient, and more practical for our everyday needs."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Easier? But...you're supernaturals. Can't you just, I don't know, conjure up what you need?"

Professor Lyrik laughed. "Conjuring takes energy, Kael. And sometimes, it's just simpler to use a laptop or a smartphone. Trust me, you'll understand once you've been here a while. Besides, we're not just supernaturals, we're also human, though not all of us. We've learned to adapt and use the tools that work best for us."

Kael nodded, intrigued. He had never thought about it that way before. Maybe there was more to being a supernatural than just magic and power.

"Now get ready for your test, not just anyone can be accepted, expecially not one who wants to be free from family influence".

As Kael nodded, seemingly convinced by Professor Lyrik's explanation, a sudden chill ran down his spine. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that there was more to the Academy's secrets than met the eye.

"And remember, Kael," Professor Lyrik added, her voice low and mysterious, "the Academy has its own way of testing students. Be prepared for anything."