Loren and Aric were back at Loren's home, sitting in the quiet confines of his room. The familiar surroundings should have brought comfort, but the weight of his family's indifference pressed heavily on Loren's shoulders.
Loren was the third son of Vera and Cedric Valen. Vera was one of Agustin's five daughters. Despite their esteemed positions in the family, they had always considered Loren's Super Intelligence to be second-rate—useful but not as impressive as the flashy, combat-oriented powers most Novas wielded.
It had always made Loren feel like a background character in a family full of superstars. Neither Vera nor Cedric had visited him in the hospital, which stung more than he would ever admit.
"They didn't even ask about me," Loren muttered, his voice tinged with the bitterness he had been trying to hide.
"Maybe they had some other things to do? You know, our parents are super busy," said Aric.
Sitting across from him, Aric clenched his fist, feeling the bandages around his hand press uncomfortably against his skin. He wanted to comfort Loren, knowing how much he was hurting, and it pained him to see his friend feel so small.
But Aric knew that offering comforting words wouldn't really change anything. Loren had pride, and bringing up his family's neglect wouldn't help. Still, Aric couldn't just stay silent and let his friend face the pain alone.
"Yeah. That's another superpower of theirs, super busy," replied Loren, trying to cheer up the atmosphere. But then, he remained silent. Aric did not push him for anything, at least for now.
After a few long moments of silence, Loren cleared his throat and forced a small, determined smile. "Anyway… about our plan."
Aric seized the change in subject, glad to avoid Loren's family troubles. "Yeah?"
Loren's eyes gleamed with that familiar light, the excitement of their secret plan returning. "We do not need to wait for so long. Agustin, David, and the others left already. We can start our plan sooner than we thought—tonight."
Aric blinked in surprise. "Wait, tonight?! You mean we'll sneak into the Sanctum of Records tonight?"
Loren grinned, that mischievous spark back in his eyes. "Exactly. Why wait? Once they're gone, the place will be practically deserted. There will still be a few of the Twelve Elders around, but none care enough to watch the Sanctum. They're all too wrapped up in their own power games."
Aric's pulse quickened, and a mix of excitement and nerves swelled in his chest. He had expected this mission to happen soon, but tonight? It was sooner than he'd imagined. "You're really serious about doing this tonight?"
Loren leaned back, crossing his arms as his confidence grew. "Of course. This is the perfect time. The sooner we get in there, the sooner we can figure out what's happening to you and the Galactic Conqueror."
Aric felt a rush of responsibility fall on his shoulders. This wasn't just some thrilling adventure anymore. The dream he'd had, the sense of urgency that lingered after waking up—it all pointed to something bigger than either. His connection to this strange, ancient power had to mean something, and Loren was allowing him to find out what that was.
"Alright," Aric said, the weight of the decision settling on him. "What's the plan?"
Loren's smirk grew as he leaned forward. "Here's the deal. The library is open 24 hours a day. There are always some members of the family there—people reading, studying, researching. It's a massive estate, and with over 2,000 Valen family members living here, the place never really shuts down."
Aric nodded, already picturing the crowded halls and endless bookshelves. The Valen estate was more like a fortress city than a home, always buzzing with activity. Even at night, people would be in the library—studying, working on projects, or just passing the time.
"We can't exactly stroll in there together," Loren continued. "If we're seen going in at the same time, someone's going to notice. Especially since you're supposed to be recovering."
Aric smirked. "So, what do you suggest?"
Loren's eyes twinkled. "You'll go in first. Head in like you're just browsing; maybe grab a book or two. Make it look like you're passing the time. I'll come in a few minutes later and hang back."
Aric leaned forward, thinking through the plan. Loren had always been the brains of their duo, and this was no different. But Aric had his own strengths—his instincts, ability to blend in, and ability to make himself seem unimportant when needed.
He knew the dynamics of their sprawling family well, and while he wasn't a Nova, he had learned how to navigate their world by being overlooked.
"And once you're inside?" Aric asked.
Loren's grin widened. "That's where it gets tricky. The Sanctum of Records is locked, but like I said, I know the code. The problem is that there might still be a few family members lurking around. They'll ask questions if they see me heading toward the restricted section."
Aric thought for a moment, his mind ticking through the possibilities. He didn't have powers like the others, but he wasn't without his talents. "We'll need a distraction," he said, thinking aloud.
Loren nodded. "Exactly. And that's where you come in."
Aric raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
"You're the fun one. You've got that carefree, happy-go-lucky thing going for you. Use it. Chat up whoever's in there, keep them busy. Make them think you're just bored, maybe even a little reckless. Meanwhile, I'll slip past and unlock the Sanctum."
Aric felt a surge of responsibility. This was his part of the mission. It wasn't just about following Loren's lead anymore—he had a role to play and had to do it perfectly. He could charm his way through a conversation and spent enough time around his Nova relatives to know how to keep their attention off what mattered.
"Alright," Aric said, his voice firm and determined. "I'll keep them distracted while you get to the Sanctum. But once you're in, what do we do?"
Loren's face grew serious. "Once I'm in, I'll take the scroll out. That's it."
Aric took a deep breath, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. This wasn't just about curiosity anymore—this was a chance to figure out his connection to the Galactic Conqueror, to understand why he was having these dreams.
For years, he had felt like an outsider in his family, a spectator in a world of power. But tonight, that could change. His fate could drastically change.
"Let's do it," Aric said, his voice steady and resolute.
Loren's grin returned. "That's the spirit."
***
The evening air was cool as Aric approached the Valen family library. After dinner, he and Loren had agreed to split up, each making their way to the library separately. It was part of the plan—to keep their actions low-key and avoid raising suspicion.
Loren had told him to go in first to create a distraction. But Aric knew a fine line existed between blending in and standing out too much. The library itself was a marvel of modern design, even in 3023.
Its sleek glass walls and polished steel beams gave it a futuristic, almost ethereal look. Near the entrance, holographic displays floated, showing the latest updates on available books, research materials, and events.
Inside, the library was lined with digital shelves that projected books into the air, allowing members to browse with a flick of their hand. Despite its ultra-modern appearance, it retained a quiet, almost sacred atmosphere, where knowledge was revered above all else.
Aric stepped inside, welcomed by the cool air of the library's climate control. A few Novas were scattered around, each focused on their own activity—some were studying holographic texts.
Others, in contrast, enjoyed reading physical books the old-fashioned way. As he walked deeper into the library, he noticed two familiar faces. They looked up and nodded politely in acknowledgment.
"Hey, Aric!" one of the Novas called out, smiling.
Aric smiled back, trying to appear casual. "Hey, buddy," he replied, keeping his tone light as he navigated deeper into the library.
"So far, so good." He muttered as he was blending in, just as planned. But as he passed by one of the study areas, his heart sank. Sitting at one of the sleek, chrome tables was the last person he wanted to see tonight—Drake Valen.
Drake was Marcus' second son and the one cousin who seemed to delight in making Aric's life difficult. Like his father, Drake had awakened Pyrokinesis, and he never missed a chance to flaunt his power. Worse, he never missed an opportunity to remind Aric that he had no powers.
"Well, well, look who decided to crawl out of the shadows," Drake drawled, loud enough to draw the attention of the nearby Novas. "What brings you here, Aric? Trying to borrow a book on how to awaken powers?"
A few of the other Novas glanced over, some chuckling softly, but most looked away, not wanting to get involved.
Aric clenched his jaw but kept his expression neutral. "Just here to read like everyone else, Drake."
Drake's grin widened, the flame in his hand dancing playfully. "Reading? Seems like a waste of time for someone like you. No matter how many books you read, it will not give you what the rest of us have."
Aric's heart pounded, but he forced himself to stay calm. This wasn't the time to get into a fight, especially not when he had more important things to focus on.
"I'm fine with what I've got," Aric said evenly, turning to leave.
But Drake wasn't finished. He stood up, his flame intensifying as he sauntered over to Aric, his voice dripping with mockery. "Fine with what you've got? That's rich. No powers, no future, just wandering around hoping to be noticed." He leaned in closer, his voice lowering. "Face it, Aric. You're never going to be one of us."
Aric felt the heat of Drake's flame radiating from his hand, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he met Drake's gaze, his eyes steely. "Maybe. But at least I don't need to light myself on fire to get people's attention."
Drake's smirk faltered for a split second, his eyes narrowing. The tension between them was palpable, and the air around him heated up as he struggled to contain his temper.
Before things could escalate, one of the older Novas nearby cleared his throat loudly, glancing disapprovingly at Drake. "That's enough, Drake. This isn't the place for a scene."
Drake sneered, but he stepped back, extinguishing the flame in his hand with a flick of his wrist. "Whatever," he muttered. "I've got better things to do than waste time on you."
With that, he turned and walked away, though not without casting a final, scornful glance in Aric's direction.
Aric exhaled slowly, the tension easing from his shoulders as Drake disappeared from view. His heart still pounded, but he had managed to keep his cool.
That was a small victory, at least. More importantly, it seemed he had drawn enough attention away from the Sanctum's entrance, just like Loren had planned.
Now, it was time to wait for Loren to make his move.