"Did anyone else feel that?" Kael asked "An incredible energy pulse"
Seraphina nodded solemnly. "It was faint, but unmistakable."
Lance with a playful scoff. "Come on, guys. You're letting your imaginations run wild. He's just a kid"
Rylan crossed his arms "Eos is supposed to be a powerful being, not an idiot walking into a cafe."
His words seemed to resonate with the group.
They stole one last glance at Aiden.
They turned their attention back to the bustling city, their mission seemingly unchanged.
"Hey, Ma," Aiden greeted, his voice laced with a warmth that never failed to make Maya's heart melt.
"Aiden!" she exclaimed, setting down the cloth and wiping her hands on her apron. A worried crease appeared on her forehead. "Is everything alright? You're here earlier than usual."
Aiden chuckled. "Everything's great, Ma. Just finished up my classes early today and thought I'd surprise my favorite barista."
Maya's smile widened at his words. "Well, you're just in time," she said, gesturing to the empty stool beside her.
"Take a seat, and I'll whip you up your usual."
"Mom" he began, curiosity piqued. "What happened to those tables in the back?"
Maya immediately caught the shift in his attention. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron, a practiced smile replacing the warmth she had shared with Aiden moments ago.
"Oh, those," she said casually
"Just a little bit of a commotion earlier. A customer got a bit... rowdy."
Aiden raised an eyebrow "Rowdy? What happened?"
Maya hesitated. She knew Aiden was perceptive, and a blatant lie might raise more questions than answers.
"Well," she began, carefully choosing her words,
"He caused a bit of a scene, got a little loud. Luckily, everything got sorted out quickly, and no one was hurt."
"So tell me about Max," Maya asked, breaking the silence.
"I haven't had a chance to catch up properly."
Aiden's face lit up. "Max, he's great."
"We go on late-night hikes, sometimes even crash poetry readings just for the heck of it."
Aiden said with amusement in his voice, "remember how Max used to have this huge crush on Sarah Miller in middle school?"
Maya's eyebrows shot up. "Sarah? The daughter of Mrs. Miller from the bakery down the street?"
Aiden nodded "Yep, the same one. She's also going to our college"
Maya exclaimed. "Maybe Max finally has a chance to rekindle his childhood crush."
Aiden chuckled. "He's been trying to act casual. But knowing Max, he's probably going to end up tripping over his words and scaring her away."
Aiden sighed
"Ma," his voice strained. "I... I think I need to tell you something."
He recounted the events leading up to the encounter with Mark, his voice gaining strength as he spoke. But as he neared the climax, the details grew hazy. He could recall Mark's men charging at him, the fear in his heart, then… nothing.
Aiden opened his eyes, with confusion.
"Ma, I don't know what happened next. Everything just went blank after the attack, I think I passed out."
"I woke up this morning with a throbbing head and Max by my side, but... but I don't know what happened. I don't know who hurt us, or how we got away."
"It's alright, Aiden," Maya said, her voice soft and soothing, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "We'll figure this out together. But right now, you need to rest. The police can wait."
Maya's heart hammered against her ribs as she watched Aiden
The knowledge, a burden she had carried alone for years, felt heavier than ever. The weight of the secret, the fear of what it could mean for Aiden and the world, threatened to suffocate her.
She looked at her son, oblivious to the extraordinary heritage he carried within him. But beneath that ordinary facade lay the potential for immense power, a power that could safeguard both worlds or plunge them into chaos.
A wave of guilt washed over her. She should have told him more, prepared him for the truth. But the fear of overwhelming him, of driving him away.
The fear of losing her son to a world filled with danger clashed with the knowledge that Aiden, as Eos, was destined to play a critical role in protecting both Earth and Aethel.
Maya leaned back, a silent prayer escaping her lips: "Please," she whispered, "let him be strong enough, wise enough"
"Mom," Aiden said gently, placing his mug down. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just a bit tired, that's all." Maya replied
With a heavy sigh, he nodded slowly.
Looking at his watch, Aiden realized it was getting late.
"I should probably get going, Mom,"
Maya nodded "Of course, dear. You have your studies."
Aiden rose from his chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "
Tell Dad, Lily, and Leo that their little brother is doing well in college," he said, a playful smile on his face.
"And tell them not to worry too much about me. I can handle myself."
A gentle laugh escaped Maya's lips. "I will," she promised. She reached out, pulling him into a warm hug
"See you soon, Ma," he whispered
He offered one last smile, then stepped out of the cafe, the setting sun casting a golden glow on his path. As the cafe door closed behind him
Moros, his eyes glowing with an unnatural crimson light as he surveyed his vast palace before him.
A cruel smile twisted his lips
"Naive. They cling to their fragile order, their precious balance, suffocating true potential"
For years, Moros had attempted to sway his brothers, the King, to embrace this power, to see its potential to truly safeguard Aethel and Earth. He had offered its strength, its untamed potential, as a shield against the encroaching dangers. But the King, blinded by his archaic beliefs and his reverence for the World Tree, had refused.
His gaze drifted to the swirling vortex of dark energy at the chamber's heart. Tendrils of inky darkness danced within
"They refused to see the truth. They clung to their archaic ways"
He reached out again, his fingers brushing against the pulsating vortex.
"So be it. Aethel's fate no longer rests in their hands."
"Their loss anyways," Moros added, He extended a hand towards the vortex
The darkness coalesced around his hand, forming a swirling orb of raw energy.
"I am done offering them power."
"And who was that, Eos?... he will have the privilege of witnessing the destruction of the world he was supposed to save. Then, he will face me"
"he will meet his demise before he can even grasp the true potential that lies dormant within him."
"Then right after that, Aethel will cease to exist"
"From its ashes, a new Aethel will rise. One forged in my image, my ways"
The vortex roared in agreement, a monstrous entity hungry for the power it was about to consume.
"Listen up," Kael commanded, his voice firm.
"We're wasting precious time here. Eos could be anywhere on Earth by now."
"Splitting up is the most efficient way to cover more ground" Luna suggested
Lance nodded curtly. "I'll head south," he declared
Rylan rolled his eyes. "East side's mine."
Ion simply nodded and moved towards west
Prism tugged on Seraphina. "Can I please come with you, Sera?" he chirped
Seraphina offered a gentle smile. "Not this time, dear. It's too dangerous to be spread so thin. We'll find Eos, I promise."
Kael's gaze softening towards prism. "You and Luna," he said
"will roam the city together. Talk to people, gather information. Look for anything unusual, anything that might point us towards Eos."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Roaming the city? Sounds like a mundane task for interdimensional beings searching for a missing child, wouldn't you say?"
Kael met her gaze. "Yeah but even the smallest details can be crucial. You have a way with people, a way of getting them to talk. Use that to our advantage. And Prism's innocence might disarm potential witnesses, making them more likely to open up."
Luna sighed. "We'll do what we can."
Kael then watched all of his comrades disappear
"I head north," he stated to himself, his voice low
"We must find him before it's too late."
In the obsidian depths of Chthonos, Moros' palatial fortress, a council of shadows convened. Ten figures, each cloaked in darkness and purpose, gathered around a central dais where Moros, their creator, sat.
These were the Scars, his most potent lieutenants, each harboring unique and devastating abilities.
Mirage began, " Those fools Aeon sent after the child, The 'Inner Ring' they call themselves. What a name for such weaklings."
"The Inner Ring," Fulgur began. "Nuisance".
Mirage lets out a playful snort. "Imagine the looks on their faces when they realize their precious Aethel crumbles to dust"
"we'll have them running back with their tails between their legs."
Xiphos, his hand resting on the hilt of his enchanted blade, remained silent.
Malleus, his form shifting between a sleek panther and a hulking ogre, chuckled, a sound both playful and unsettling.
"Weaklings indeed," he drawled
"They pose no real threat. We can literally crush them like ants."
Acheron stroked his chin, "But what of Morwen's child? Leaving him in their grasp is a gamble"
Fulgur frowned. "Why capture the boy? He is nothing but an ant."
A slow, predatory smile spread across Moros' lips.
"He is more than that. He is the key. By capturing him first, we can turn his power to our advantage. Imagine, wielding it not for the protection of these pathetic idiots, but for the glorious purpose of forging a new Aethel ruled by me."
Moros added. "We can capture the child on Earth, before the Inner Ring can interfere."
Malleus responded, "That could work"
"Imagine the beacon of both worlds kneeling at our feet, and make him turn against his own kind"
The Scars exchanged glances
Moros exploded with laughter, "A weapon forged from their own blood. The thought of their precious legacy turned against them is music to my ears."
"We shall lure the child to us, corrupt his innocence, and turn him into a weapon. A weapon that will not only conquer Aethel, but also bring Earth to its knees"
"Besides, a child is far easier to manipulate than a seasoned warrior." Moros concluded
Fulgur sparked with impatience, "This waiting is tedious. Let's do this already"
Jax, rumbled in agreement, "A mere tremor, and their city will turn to dust."
Malleus swished his tail playfully "Patience. Lord Moros has a plan, remember? We capture the child first, then the rest will crumble like dominoes."
Fulgur added "We'll ferret that child out like a startled rat."
A collective grin spread across the faces of the Scars. The prospect of turning the key to Aethel against itself, of wielding the very power Moros sought to protect, was far too tempting to ignore.
The fate of two worlds teetered on the edge of a knife, and the once noble protector, Moros, had now become the spearhead of its destruction.