Chapter 2: Resolve

1 year later

'Being a baby is...difficult. I have no control over my limbs or my bowel movements.'

In a grand mansion, within a large study, we see what looks to be 4 year old child perusing through information on a holographic tablet.

'Thankfully, my advanced cognitive abilities aren't seen as something demonic in this world. In fact it was quite celebrated.'

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FLASHBACK

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"Honey it's only been 3 months since he was born...and he's walking."

Godfrey's father, Ambrose Gallahad, whispers to Godfrey's mother, Calanthe Gallahad.

"HE'S A PRODIGY!! HAHAHAHA!"

Ambrose suddenly shouts and scares poor Godfrey into a tumble.

'Father, I'll get you back for this once I am grown.'

"WAAAHH"

Calanthe kneels down by Godfrey's side and soothingly whispers.

"Hush my baby, it's alright. You can try again. Your father was simply too excited."

Godfrey regards her words and nods. He stands back up and resumes walking.

Calanthe turns to her husband with a glare.

"Keep your voice down you big oaf! Let him concentrate!"

Ambrose visibly shrinks in response to his wife's words.

"Sorry dear..."

Godfrey witnesses the ease in which his Father is cowed, and looks to his mother.

"...mama...thank..."

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Calanthe bursts into a sprint and picks Godfrey up.

"Oh my god!! He spoke!!! Our baby spoke!! He's a prodigy, a genius!!!"

Godfrey stares deadpan at her, yet she doesn't seem to register his displeasure as she spins with him in her arms. Ambrose boisterously laughs and easily picks the both of them off the ground.

"HAHAHA, WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!!"

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END FLASHBACK

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Godfrey let's out a chuckle as he reminisces.

"Heh, they're a bit much but they're my parents and I love them."

He looks to the tablet once more and finds a livestream. The title reads (Superheroes Vs Giant monster). He clicks onto it and is immediately greeted with a woman shooting explosive blasts at a giant crab monster.

Craters adorn its shell as fractures become ever larger under the woman's onslaught.

An explosion mutilates the monster's face and it staggers back in pain. A large man then propels himself through the air and delivers a mighty blow that topples the massive being.

The ground shakes as the creature crumples helplessly under the force of the punch.

"ROOOOOAAAA---"

It tries to get up but is permanently put down by a precise explosive blast into its brain. The creature slumps down as black blood explodes outwards from its face.

"WOAHHH! Did you see that??"

"That was incredible!!"

"It couldn't even fight back!!"

Applause rings out immediately after the beast was felled, and reporters swarm the destructive duo. Godfrey frowns as he has developed a minor dislike of reporters.

'The majority of them twist words and facts to boost traffic for their articles. A most distasteful endeavour.'

A piercing voice suddenly cuts through the swarm.

"Ambrose, Calanthe, what are your thoughts on the increasing frequency and strength of these mysterious monsters?"

Ambrose turn to the reporter and smiles.

"AHH Dave, my friend!! How are you? To answer your question. This monster seems to be as easy as the last. Hahaha. To all the worried people at home. Do not worry, these monsters will be dealt with."

He then turns to the camera and poses with his hands on his hips.

"To my son. Did your father look cool? HAHAHAHA!!"

Calanthe merely smiles and grabs Ambrose's arm.

"Shall we dear?"

Ambrose picks her up in a princess carry and smiles.

"Yes, let's."

He then leaps upwards and onto a building before leaping out of view. The livestream then ends.

Godfrey puts the tablet down and thinks of the world he is now in.

'This world is quite peculiar to say the least. Here, mortals can wield powers of all kinds. Some are even comparable to gods.'

He types away on the tablet and presses search. A holographic display of a school then appears.

'When their powers awaken during puberty, they're sent to places of higher learning in order to harness those abilities for good.'

Godfrey types again and a holographic display of his parents appear.

'As soon as they graduate, they're able to acquire government support in their careers as superheroes. Or like my parents, become independent superheroes.'

The tablet shuts down as Godfrey ponders his future.

'Fascinating.'

Just then, a *thud* sounds out in the courtyard and Godfrey knows his parents have returned.

Godfrey walks out as fast as his little legs can take him. He opens the front door and Ambrose immediately picks him up.

"HAHA did you see your parents Godfrey? Were we cool?"

Godfrey chuckles and smiles.

"Yes Father, you were both awesome."

His mother then hugs him gently and playfully asks.

"Who did you like better, mother or father?"

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'An impossible question. I must deflect.'

"Was the monster strong?"

Calanthe simply laughs at the obvious deflection and humours the young boy. She caresses his hair and answers with confidence.

"Yes, but not overly so. They've been steadily gaining strength. Our scientists think they're close to an answer as to why, but nothing as of yet."

She looks out of a window and sighs.

"The other heroes should have been there at that point but they weren't."

Godfrey frowns and thinks of another distasteful aspect of this world.

'Some heroes seek only personal gain. One would think that with great power, must come great duty. These 'heroes' ,however, lay back and do nothing.'

Calanthe looks to her son and sees a tiny frown. She laughs and pokes his forehead.

"That's enough talk about our day. Come let us head inside."

The family then bring themselves inside and prepare for dinner.

Inside his room, Godfrey meditates and feels for his divinity. He is in dismay when he sees that only a few fragments remain. Luckily, they are enough to use his Divine Sense.

He utilises his Divine Sense to feel for his Lightning of Judgement.

'It's there, but it's weak. Thankfully it's passively enhancing my physique and helping it grow.'

He stands up and looks at the mirror. Golden eyes stare back and he thinks of his old world.

'Let it stay buried. This is a chance for a new life. I must make full use of my advantages. I mustn't make the same mistake of allowing rage to consume me, and should temper my mind.'

Later, Godfrey arrives at the dinner table and sees his parents already eating. Most likely hungry from the earlier battle.

He sits and takes a breath before looking to his parents.

"Mother, Father."

They both look at him and Calanthe answers.

"Yes my baby? What concerns you?"

Godfrey exhales as determination etches itself on his face.

"I would like for you to train me in becoming a superhero."

Silence permeates the room as both parents take in the request. Ambrose puts down his fork and steak knife.

"This path is a grueling one my boy. For every success, there are bound to be setbacks. Can you promise to push through them regardless?"

Godfrey stands and puts a hand on his heart.

"I solemnly swear that hardships will be the fuel to my fire, and to never let it break me."

Ambrose stands and walks to him. He puts a hand on Godfrey's shoulder with a frown.

"Show me."

Suddenly, a crushing pressure tries to break Godfrey's body. Ambrose pushes down with a fraction of his strength.

"AAAARRRGGGGHHH"

He grabs his father's hand and tries to push against it but accomplishes nothing.

'Wait. What's happening to my body?'

Godfrey looks inside himself and sees his cells in a state of hyperactivity. The young boy pushes through the pain as he notices that his body is reacting positively to the stimulus.

His bones are thickening, his muscles are growing, and his tendons are becoming more elastic. Most importantly, his dormant lightning stirs and crackles as it spreads throughout his body.

Minutes pass like this, the sounds of snapping and tearing continues its haunting melody. Yet Godfrey stands stalwart in the face of such a challenging experience.

Ambrose finally stops as he sees that Godfrey has become taller and more robust. He looks on in awe at his rapid developments.

'Amazing. So much potential.'

Godfrey kneels and gasps for air as his father helps him up.

"Absolutely incredible. This is unprecedented growth my boy. You might even awaken your abilities before puberty. We'll push you to the limit and see where that takes us. Are you ready?"

Ambrose clenches his fists and looks at his father.

"I am."

Ambrose looks proudly upon Godfrey and pats his shoulder.

"Rest tonight my son, for tomorrow we begin your hellish training. You have potential, and I swear upon the name Gallahad that it will not remain buried."

Godfrey nods and quickly eats his dinner, then retires for the night.

Ambrose is sitting on the living room couch and can be seen organising a training plan. Calanthe sits next to him, and worry lines her face as she reads the program.

"Is this not too advanced Ambrose?"

Ambrose slightly gulps and realises that his wife used his first name. Denoting a situation in which she wants him to concede.

'For Godfrey's sake, I must not back down.'

He puts his pen down, takes his glasses off, and looks at her with a serious expression.

"My Love, I must push him to the brink. If you felt what I felt, then you would ask me to go even harder."

Ambrose interlocks fingers with Calanthe and adopts a faraway look.

"Our boy will be great, of that I have no doubt. However, power is a fruit all too sweet and is tempting to use for selfish reasons. I must ensure that he understands that."

Calanthe squeezes his hand and fondly caresses his face.

"Don't you mean we? You are not alone. The three of us are a team, and we have each others backs."

Calanthe smiles and plants a kiss upon Ambrose's forehead.

"Come, let us rest."

Ambrose nods and cleans the table of any papers. He looks once more to the training plan and reaffirms his resolve.

'Come what may, Father and Mother will be there to help you Godfrey.'

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END