The Revelation

Nate leaned against his bedroom wall, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The room was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the house settling. Over the past few weeks, the voice of the jinn had become a constant presence, and their communication had gone from tense arguments to something bordering on... understanding.

"You're getting better at this," the jinn's voice echoed in his mind.

"Better at what?" Nate asked, crossing his arms.

"At not fighting me every step of the way. Trust is the key, boy. Without it, we'll get nowhere."

Nate rolled his eyes but couldn't deny the truth in the jinn's words. Their partnership had made a difference in Coast City. The streets felt a little safer, and he was beginning to feel like he was making a real impact.

As he stared into the mirror, the dark shadow of the jinn flickered into view. It was still unnerving to see—a tall, imposing figure with glowing eyes and shifting, smoke-like tendrils that radiated power.

"What are you, really?" Nate asked, his voice softer now.

The jinn tilted its head, its eyes narrowing. "You've been asking the wrong question, Nate. It's not what I am—it's what you are."

Nate frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The jinn's voice deepened, its tone almost reverent. "You're not just some kid with bad luck who stumbled into this. You were chosen. You're antrasite."

The word hung in the air, foreign and heavy with meaning.

"Antrasite?" Nate repeated, confusion etched across his face. "What does that even mean?"

The jinn's shadow moved closer to the mirror, its form taking on a more defined shape. "It means you're a conduit, a vessel capable of holding immense power without breaking. There are few like you in any world, Nate. It's why I was drawn to you during the wave explosion. Why I chose you."

Nate's stomach churned. "So… I'm some kind of freak?"

The jinn chuckled darkly. "Not a freak. A rarity. A gift, if you will. You have the strength to contain me, to balance the darkness and the light. It's why the seal within your mother couldn't hold me forever—I needed someone stronger. And that's you."

Nate ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room. "So, what? This was destiny? Fate? I didn't sign up for this!"

"You didn't have to. The moment you were conceived, your path was set. You can curse it, deny it, fight it all you want. But the truth remains—you are antrasite. And that makes you powerful, more than you've begun to realize."

Nate stopped pacing, staring at the jinn's reflection. "If I'm so special, why didn't I know any of this before? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

The jinn's form seemed to ripple, its glowing eyes locking onto Nate's. "Because you weren't ready to hear it. But now, you've proven yourself. You've embraced our partnership, and your resolve is stronger than ever. It's time you understood the truth."

Nate clenched his fists, the weight of the revelation pressing down on him. "So, what now? What does being antrasite mean for me? For us?"

"It means we have a purpose, Nate," the jinn said, its tone softer now. "We're not just fighting to survive—we're fighting to thrive. To protect this city. To reshape it into something better. Together, we can be unstoppable."

For the first time, Nate felt a flicker of hope. The jinn's words, while heavy, carried a strange sense of empowerment. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a curse after all.

"Alright," Nate said, standing taller. "If I'm antrasite, and this is what I'm meant to do, then let's make it count. But don't forget—this is my life. My choices. You're just along for the ride."

The jinn's laugh rumbled like distant thunder. "We'll see about that, boy. But for now, I'm with you."

As the jinn's shadow faded from the mirror, Nate felt a newfound determination settle within him. He didn't fully understand what being antrasite meant, but one thing was clear—he wasn't alone. And with the jinn by his side, there was no limit to what they could achieve.

---

From that moment on, Nate and the jinn's bond grew stronger. Their communication became seamless, their shared power more potent. But as Nate embraced his role as a protector of Coast City, he couldn't shake the feeling that the jinn still held secrets—ones that could change everything.