Maxim stood in the dimly lit hall, his heart pounding in his chest as he felt a surge of apprehension and caution wash over him. The muffled sound of a male voice echoed through the walls, reaching his ears with a chilling clarity.
"Elena, listen to me," the voice pleaded urgently, its tone laced with a mixture of frustration and bitterness. "He's already old enough to fend for himself. Come with me and leave that brat alone. He should consider himself lucky that he wasn't born with an enlightened force like his older brother. At least he could live a normal life like these foolish humans. That would be enough, a peaceful life. So come!"
As the words hung in the air, Maxim's mind raced, his thoughts colliding with confusion. So many questions swirled within him, seeking answers that seemed to be just out of reach. His gaze flickered to the mention of his aunt, Elena, and a profound sense of unease settled upon him. Was she connected to the Enlightened Ones? What was happening? And who was this person inside, conversing with Aunt Selena?
The notion of an older brother struck Maxim like a bolt of lightning, his mind reeling with the revelation. How could he have an older brother? And if he did, was he fortunate enough to live a life untethered from the complexities of the enlightened world? What's the meaning of that? The doubts and uncertainties flooded his thoughts, mingling with the growing fear that this conversation was centered around him, like some convoluted family dispute.
A hushed mumble escaped Maxim's lips as he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible amidst the tension that hung in the air. "Aunt Elena, are you connected to the Enlightened Ones? Out of all billions of people around the globe, my aunt was connected to an Enlightened Ones? What is going on? Is this person inside somehow linked to the enigmatic forces that control humanity from the shadows? And an older brother? Have I been living in ignorance all this time, shielded from the burden of enlightenment? Is this some cliché family feud? Oh, comrades... I hope not."
With an effort to make his presence as inconspicuous as possible, Maxim willed himself to blend into the shadows. His ears strained, eagerly capturing every snippet of conversation that emanated from within.
The hush enveloped the room, its once lively atmosphere abruptly silenced. Maxim, caught off guard by the sudden cessation of sound, felt his entire being freeze in response. "I am noticed?" he questioned inwardly, his mind racing to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. It dawned on him that the presence of this Enlightened individual, who now occupied the room alongside his Aunt Elena, might possess a formidable strength. However, armed with his own Enlightened force, Maxim had gained insight into the individual's power, which alleviated any feelings of fear, trepidation, or horror that might have otherwise consumed him.
Taking a deep breath and clearing his throat, Maxim mustered the courage to step forward. As he approached the door, it emitted a low, eerie creak, amplifying the tension that hung in the air. With deliberate intention, he adopted an air of cluelessness, feigning ignorance about the situation unfolding within. But as he crossed the threshold, his gaze met the penetrating stares of those present, their eyes fixated on him.
Suddenly, a surge of curiosity coursed through Maxim's veins. Seizing the opportunity, he decided to maintain his act, his voice tinged with feigned innocence. "Aunt Elena? Who is that?" he inquired, his tone carefully crafted to portray genuine bewilderment.
In the dimly lit room, Elena stood silently, her gaze fixed on Maxim, the young boy she had cared for since his birth. The weight of her family's expectations pressed heavily on her shoulders, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of unease as the man before her scrutinized Maxim with a critical eye.
"Did he gain an Enlightened force?" the man inquired, his voice laced with seriousness. His piercing eyes roamed over Maxim's form, searching for any sign of the coveted aura that defined the gifted individuals within their society.
Elena's heart sank as the question hung in the air. She knew the answer all too well, but voicing it aloud felt like an admission of her own perceived inadequacy. With a heavy sigh, she softly replied, "No, he did not."
The man's gaze lingered on Maxim for a moment longer, his expression thoughtful. "As it should be," he murmured, a hint of relief shading his words. "If he did, I would have to eliminate him. The potential of his twin would be diminished once this little guy gains an Enlightened aura."
Within the ranks of the enlightened ones, a secret society known as the Illuminati, the occurrence of dual elements was a rarity. However, the Romanov Family, to which Maxim and Elena belonged, upheld a ritual that spanned generations. It dictated that the most talented females of the family would be matched with equally gifted males from other families, ensuring the birth of elite offspring with dual enlightened forces. Yet, this ritual came with a caveat—a dual-class child must always be accompanied by a sibling who lived a normal life, devoid of any awakened enlightened force. For should the unenlightened twin gain such power, it would hinder the progress of the dual-force offspring.
Elena had been chosen to care for the unenlightened child, Maxim, due to her low status within the family. After all, her enlightened aura didn't have an elemental class. For eighteen long years, she had watched over him, shielding him from the knowledge of his unique heritage. But now, the time had come for Elena to return to the bosom of her family, to face the expectations and judgments that awaited her.
As the weight of the man's words settled upon her, Elena felt a surge of protectiveness for Maxim. She had grown deeply attached to the boy, knowing that their fates were inexplicably intertwined. She had seen him grow, watched his struggles and triumphs, and nurtured his spirit with a tenderness born of an unbreakable bond.
With a heavy heart, Elena met the man's gaze, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and sorrow. "I must leave him behind," she stated, her voice tinged with regret. "Maxim is a normal human, and he deserves a life free from the dangers and expectations that come with our family's legacy."
The man regarded her for a moment, his gaze softened by a glimmer of understanding. "It is a difficult choice, but a necessary one," he conceded, his tone carrying a touch of empathy. "Protecting him from the complexities of our world is an act of love."
As Elena prepared to embark on her journey back to her family, a bittersweet ache settled within her. She knew that leaving Maxim behind was the right decision, but the pain of separation gnawed at her heart. She would have to navigate the treacherous waters of her family's intricate web of politics, all while safeguarding Maxim from those who might seek to exploit his connection to their esteemed bloodline.
With a heavy sigh, Elena reached out to touch Maxim's cheek, her fingertips lingering in a tender caress. "Be strong, my dear," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of love and reassurance. "You are destined for greatness, even without the enlightened force that flows through our veins. Your path may be different, but it is no less significant."
As she turned away, tears welled in Elena's eyes, but she steeled herself against the pain. The fate of Maxim and the delicate balance of their family's ritual hung in the balance, and she vowed to do whatever it took to ensure that both would emerge unscathed from the crucible of their intertwined destinies. With her heart heavy and resolute, she took a final glance at Maxim, etching his image into her memory before stepping out into the unknown, ready to face the trials that awaited her within the embrace of her family.