I'm Not Short

I rap my knuckles against the heavy wooden door once before pushing it open, not bothering to wait for an invitation. If Cain wanted me to wait, he should have locked it.

Cain is seated behind his desk, a glass of wine in one hand and an open book in the other. He looks up the moment I step inside, a grin spreading across his face like he's actually pleased to see me.

"Well, well," he drawls, setting the book aside. "Look who's finally awake. I was beginning to think you'd decided to stay unconscious just to spite me."

I smirk, strolling further into the room and flopping into the comfy chair across from him. "Trust me, if I was going to spite you, I'd come up with something much more creative than sleeping in."

Cain chuckles, swirling the wine in his glass. "Fair enough. Also, Ayato" he gestures vaguely in my direction "the new look suits you look more mature now less of a little boy."

I blink in confusion. "New look?" "Also what do you mean little boy" 

His grin just widens. "Oh? You haven't noticed?" He lets out an amused breath, reaching into a drawer and pulling out a small, ornate hand mirror. "Did you think awakening as an Elite only left its mark on your soul? Power like that changes everything, even your appearance."

He hands me the mirror, and I hesitate before taking it. Lifting it up, I get my first look at what he's talking about.

For a moment, I just stare in abject shock.

The face looking back at me is mine, but not quite. My once brown hair is now an inky black, sleek and darker than before. My features are sharper, no longer softened by boyish thinness. And my eyes.

I inhale sharply a soft breathe escaping my lips. 

Gone is the light green I've known my entire life. In its place, a striking shade of violet gleams back at me, glowing faintly even in the dim light of the study. The color is unnatural, eerie and inhuman.

"Well then," I say after a minute, tilting my head and examining my reflection with a small grin. "At least I look good."

Cain lets out a laugh, clearly entertained by my reaction.

I lower the mirror, still adjusting to what I just saw. Then, something clicks in my mind, and I glance back at him, squinting.

"Ohhh shit I get it now," I say slowly, dragging out the words.

Cain raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"No wonder your eyes are so disgustingly bright." 

I wave a hand vaguely in his direction, gesturing at his own unnaturally bright blue eyes. "I always thought they were just obnoxious by nature. But I get it now. It's an Elite thing."

Cain just shakes his head and looks at me with an offended expression. "You really don't hold back, do you?"

I grin, tossing the mirror onto his desk. "Where's the fun in that?"

Cain leans back in his chair, eyes his glinting with humor as he sips his wine. "Well, at least I wasn't cursed to be a short pipsqueak."

I narrow my eyes at him, crossing my arms. "I am average height."

He nearly chokes on his drink from laughing. "Average for who? The dwarves in children's storybooks?"

I scowl, resisting the urge to chuck the nearest heavy object at him. "Five-five is respectable," I say, lifting my chin with as much dignity I could muster .

Cain sits his wine glass down still laughing his ass off. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that."

I roll my eyes, muttering under my breath as I grab the apple from my pocket and take another bite. 

Cain's laughter lingers for a few moments before he finally collects himself from laughing at my cursed fate of being vertically challenged he exhales, setting his glass down with a soft click. "All jokes aside, we do need to talk." He tilts his head, the ever present amusement still dancing in his disgustingly bright eyes. "Three Marks… wow, man, you really out did even me good job the first in history to achieve such a feat."

I let out a whistle, feigning surprise. "Damn, Cain, didn't think you had it in you to admit I'm superior. Must've taken a lot out of you good job."

He rolls his eyes, picking up his glass again. "Regardless," he says, pausing to take a slow sip, "I felt the power from the opening chamber of the church. Where, by the way, I was trying to have some quiet reading time thanks for interrupting."

I snort in derision. "Oh, my deepest apologies for ruining your "me" time."

Cain waves a dismissive hand. "Tell me what your powers are. The Inquisitors could barely form coherent sentences after you passed out, so whatever you did was clearly something ridiculous and uncalled for I'm sure."

That makes me pause. Ridiculous? Yeah, I guess that is one way to put it. I shift my weight in my seat. The memory of their screams, their terror the way it felt still lingers in my mind like a phantom itch just beneath my skin. 

I exhale through my nose, running a hand through my now-black hair.

I raise a finger. "One - Veilshaper. I can weave illusions, mess with what people see and hear." Another finger. "Two - Fearmonger. I can sense peoples fears and darkest secrets. I pause, flexing my hand, feeling the phantom sensation of power curling at my fingertips. "And three - Regenerator. Haven't exactly tested it out yet, but I've got a feeling I could survive more than most."

Cain watches me, his expression unreadable, fingers idly tapping against his wine glass. Then he hums, tilting his head slightly. "I see."

That's it. No shock, no wide-eyed disbelief, just a calm, measured acceptance. Like I'd just told him the sky was blue.

I narrow my eyes in disbelief . "That's all you have to say? I see?" "What the hell do you mean I see" 

Cain chuckles, swirling his wine. "What, were you expecting me to throw myself at your feet and sing praises? I knew you were strong, Ayato. This just confirms it." His gaze sharpens slightly, a knowing glint behind it. "Though, Fearmonger and Veilshaper, huh? That's quite the nasty combination. Power over perception and terror. Dangerous, in the wrong hands."

I grin. "Lucky for you, I have such a well-adjusted moral compass."

Cain just shakes his head, amusement flickering across his face once again. "Yeah. Lucky me."