Chapter 14: The Awakening of Aiden's Power

Aiden sat cross-legged on the polished marble floor of Elena's mansion, his eyes tracing the intricate patterns of the rug beneath him. The flickering firelight danced on the walls, casting shadows that seemed to stretch and sway with a life of their own. He had grown since that day, one years ago, when his mother's injury had awakened something deep inside him. His powers, though still hidden, felt more present than ever, like a shadow lurking beneath the surface of his consciousness.

Today, Aiden was three years old, but it felt like he had lived many more years than that. His eyes, once wide with childlike innocence, now carried a glimmer of something else—something older, deeper. His mind was sharper than most children his age, and he had learned to hide his emotions behind a carefully constructed mask. He had not yet fully understood what had happened the day his mother cut her hand, but the lingering sense of something beyond his control had never left him.

He could still remember the sharp pain in his chest, the rush of anger and sorrow that had flooded him when his mother's blood had spilled onto the floor. The way it had felt as if time had stopped, and his heart had echoed with the sudden surge of power. He knew, deep down, that something had changed within him that day. Something that he couldn't explain, but could feel in every breath, every heartbeat.

Aiden's powers were not like the magic stories told by the servants, nor were they like the feats of strength that Lyria, his mother, displayed on the training grounds. His powers were... different. Hidden. Unseen by the naked eye. Yet they were there. And sometimes, when his emotions ran high—like when his mother had been hurt—he could feel them surging, like the calm before a storm.

But he had learned to control them. Or at least, he thought he had. He had never dared to let his powers show, especially not in front of his family. They might have noticed if he had let them slip. But every so often, in his quieter moments, when he was alone in his room, he would feel the power stir inside him. It felt like a great weight, waiting for him to let go of the reins and allow it to pour out. And each time, he held it back. He had learned to keep it buried deep within himself. He was afraid of what might happen if he didn't.

As Aiden sat, lost in his thoughts, the soft sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. He looked up to see his mother, Lyria, standing in the doorway. Her eyes, sharp and discerning, locked onto him immediately.

"Aiden," she said softly, stepping into the room. "You're quiet today. What's on your mind?"

Aiden smiled, but it was a thin smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just thinking, Mother."

Lyria's gaze softened, though there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. She walked over to him, sitting down beside him. "You know, you don't need to hide your thoughts from me. I can tell when something's bothering you. I've been your mother long enough to know."

Aiden nodded, though he didn't speak. Instead, he allowed the silence to stretch between them, his eyes drifting back to the floor. He wasn't sure if he could trust her with the truth. After all, how could he explain the strange feelings that were tied to his emotions, the sensations that welled up inside him like an invisible force?

Lyria watched him for a moment longer, her expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, she placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Whatever it is, Aiden, know that I'm here. If you ever need to talk, I will always listen."

Her voice was full of warmth and care, and Aiden could feel the love she held for him. But there was also something else there—a quiet, unspoken fear. He knew she had been worried about him since his birth, ever since the incident with his father. But there was more than that now. She was afraid of what he might become. And Aiden could sense it. The fear was palpable in her touch, in the way her eyes never fully left him when he was around.

For a moment, Aiden wondered if his mother knew more than she let on. If she had begun to suspect what he could do. He wasn't sure, but he wasn't ready to face that possibility yet.

"Mother," he whispered, his voice small despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. "Do you ever feel like... something inside you is different? Like there's more to you than just what everyone sees?"

Lyria's brow furrowed slightly, but she didn't pull away. "Sometimes," she admitted after a moment. "But I've learned to accept who I am. Why do you ask, Aiden?"

Aiden hesitated. He wanted to tell her everything, to confess the strange power he felt bubbling beneath his skin. But something held him back. Maybe it was the fear of what she might think, or perhaps it was the deep-seated worry that he might not be able to control it.

"I don't know," he said finally, his voice quiet. "I just feel... different. Like I'm not like other children."

Lyria's eyes softened, and she smiled gently at him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "You're special, Aiden. You're more than you know. But remember, no matter what you become, you'll always be my son."

Aiden nodded, but the words didn't quite comfort him. He couldn't shake the feeling that his destiny was pulling him in a direction he wasn't prepared for. And the more he felt his power grow, the more he realized that there was no going back.

As his mother left the room, Aiden sat alone again, the weight of his secret pressing down on him. He had kept it hidden for so long, but he knew deep inside that the time was coming when he could no longer hold it back.

Soon, he would have to face the truth—not just about his power, but about who he was becoming.

And when that time came, nothing would be the same.