Alex's parents were in the next room, their voices hushed but filled with tension. They had been increasingly distant, their fear of Alex's unusual demeanor causing them to retreat. Alex could sense their avoidance even through the thin walls. Their unease was palpable, a constant undercurrent that he had learned to navigate. He had long given up hoping for their comfort, their attempts to maintain normalcy more a façade than a reality.
A soft creak from the doorway made Alex's head snap up. He saw his mother standing there, her blonde hair illuminated by the dim light from the hallway. Her blue eyes, though concerned, were guarded, as if she was afraid to approach him. She hesitated at the entrance, her posture rigid with apprehension. The warmth that should have accompanied her presence was missing, replaced by a cautious distance.
"Alex," she said quietly, but her voice held a strained edge, a subtle tremor of fear that she couldn't quite mask. She looked at him with a mixture of concern and wariness, her gaze flitting nervously to the side as if she were unsure of how to deal with his presence.
Alex looked up at her, his expression a mixture of vulnerability and resignation. He wanted to reach out, to bridge the gap that had grown between them, but he knew it would be futile. He gave a small nod, attempting to reassure her, but it was clear that his past and his demeanor had created an insurmountable distance.
His father's footsteps followed, but his entrance was no less hesitant. With his blue hair and grey eyes, he appeared more like a shadow in the doorway, his posture reflecting a similar unease. He stood beside his wife, his gaze flicking between her and Alex, his anxiety evident in the way he wrung his hands together.
"Is everything alright?" his father asked, but the words sounded hollow as if they were more a formality than a genuine inquiry. There was no warmth in his tone, only a strained attempt at normalcy.
Alex wanted to tell them that he was struggling and that he needed their understanding, but the words caught in his throat. He could see their fear, their attempts to keep their distance, and it pained him. Their presence was more of an intrusion than a comfort, their concern tinged with an underlying fear that only served to deepen his isolation.
His mother and father exchanged a glance, their unspoken agreement clear. They couldn't offer him the solace he needed; their fear was too great, their ability to comfort too limited. They turned away, their departure almost silent, as if by leaving the room, they could leave behind the discomfort Alex's presence brought.
In the quiet of the night, with the distant sounds of his parents moving about their own lives, Alex sat alone, his thoughts a tangled mess of memories and longing. The walls of his room seemed to close in, the once comforting darkness now a suffocating reminder of his isolation.
His thoughts spiraled into self-recrimination. Was it his greed to desire a normal life, to yearn for peace despite the power and destiny that awaited him? He had once been a warrior, a leader, burdened by the expectations and the chaos of his previous life. Now, he was a child, caught between the remnants of that past and the reality of a world that didn't quite fit.
As he sat in the dim moonlight, a sobering realization struck him: perhaps wanting to live a normal life was his form of greed, a selfish desire to escape the responsibilities and the pains that came with his powers. It was a wish that seemed increasingly unattainable, a longing that only deepened the divide between him and his family.
Alex looked around the room, his gaze lingering on the peaceful face of his brother. The stark contrast between Leo's effortless normalcy and his internal struggle felt like a cruel joke. Maybe, he thought, he was destined to live with this internal conflict, forever yearning for something that was always just out of reach.
As the night wore on, Alex remained by the window, the moonlight casting a cold, reflective light on his thoughts. The echoes of his past and the weight of his current existence melded into a haunting realization—perhaps his desire for normalcy was not just a longing, but a deep-seated greed, a refusal to accept the fate that had been thrust upon him.
*****
The early morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden light across the room. Alex lay in his bed, the covers pulled up to his chin, his emerald eyes open and alert. The soft chirping of birds outside was a gentle reminder of the world beyond the confines of his room. Despite the warmth of the sunlight and the promise of a new day, Alex felt an unshakable heaviness in his chest.
He pushed himself up, the memories of his past life still clinging to him like shadows. He had made a promise to himself, a vow to live a normal life in this new existence, no matter how difficult it was. The weight of his previous life's experiences, though ever-present, was something he had decided to keep at bay. He wanted to embrace this new beginning with a sense of normalcy, to blend into the background and avoid drawing attention.
Alex shuffled to the bathroom, his movements deliberate and careful. He splashed water on his face, the cold shock momentarily jolting him out of his lingering thoughts. Staring at his reflection, he tried to remind himself of his goal. His dark green hair fell into his eyes, and he brushed it away with a sigh. The emerald eyes staring back at him seemed to hold a world of secrets, but he was determined to keep those secrets hidden.
The house was already buzzing with activity as he made his way to the kitchen. Leo was at the breakfast table, chattering excitedly about his upcoming day. His blue hair was neatly combed, and his bright blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Leo's carefree demeanor was a sharp contrast to Alex's internal struggle. He watched his brother with a mixture of admiration and envy, wishing he could be as naturally at ease.
"Morning, Alex!" Leo's cheerful voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you excited for today?"
Alex forced a smile, trying to match his brother's enthusiasm. "Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."
Their parents were already seated at the table, their faces reflecting the exhaustion and stress that had become a part of their daily lives. They barely glanced at Alex as he took his seat, their attention focused on Leo. Alex had grown accustomed to this dynamic, the way his parents' affection seemed to flow more freely towards Leo. He didn't let it bother him; instead, he focused on his resolve to maintain his normalcy.
Breakfast was a quiet affair, with Leo's chatter occasionally punctuated by Alex's attempts to engage in casual conversation. He asked about Leo's plans for the day, expressed mild interest in his brother's activities, and made polite small talk. He was determined to fit in, to be a part of the family's daily routine without drawing attention to himself.
After breakfast, Alex headed to school, his steps purposeful and his demeanor composed. At school, he made an effort to blend in with his classmates. He answered questions when asked, participated in group activities, and kept his interactions with others cordial but not overly involved. He was determined to live a life of mediocrity, to avoid standing out in any way.
In the classroom, he sat quietly, his attention focused on the lessons, his emerald eyes scanning the board with careful precision. When he completed his assignments, he handed them in with calm efficiency, his work neither exceptional nor lacking. His goal was to maintain average grades, to blend in with the crowd, and to avoid drawing any unnecessary attention to himself.
The school library, a sanctuary of silence and knowledge, was bathed in the gentle light of the late afternoon sun. The large windows allowed the sunlight to filter in, creating a serene ambiance perfect for studying. Alex sat at a table in the back, pretending to be engrossed in a history book while his thoughts were elsewhere. His emerald eyes, however, betrayed his inner restlessness.
Mr. Thompson, the history teacher, stood at the front of the room, preparing to dive into a topic that seemed to stir both intrigue and unease among the students. His voice, steady and authoritative, soon filled the library with the gravity of the lesson.
"Today, we're going to discuss a pivotal event in our history: the alien invasion of 300 years ago and how it led to the awakening of divine powers in certain individuals," Mr. Thompson announced, his tone both somber and engaging.
A ripple of excitement passed through the classroom. Alex observed his peers, noting their eager expressions and bright eyes. His brother, Leo, was among those fascinated, leaning forward with wide-eyed interest. Alex, however, felt a knot of apprehension tighten in his chest.
Mr. Thompson began recounting the events of the invasion. "Three centuries ago, our world faced a cataclysmic event. Extraterrestrial beings, referred to as 'aliens,' launched a massive invasion. They brought with them advanced technology and a ruthless determination to conquer Earth. The invasion resulted in widespread devastation, with cities reduced to rubble and countless lives lost."
The room fell silent as Mr. Thompson's words painted a vivid picture of chaos and destruction. Alex's mind flashed back to his previous life, to battles fought and sacrifices made. He had seen firsthand the horrors that such invasions resembling the war could bring. He forced himself to focus on Mr. Thompson's voice, attempting to keep his thoughts from spiraling into past traumas.
"The gods, who had long watched over humanity from a distance, intervened during this crisis," Mr. Thompson continued. "In response to the invasion, they chose certain individuals and bestowed upon them divine powers. These individuals, now known as heroes, became the vanguards of humanity's defense."
Alex listened, trying to push aside his discomfort. The idea of divine intervention, while intriguing to many, reminded him of the burden and responsibility that came with such power. The gods' choice of heroes was not just a blessing but a heavy mantle to bear. Just like talent and brain to lead an army and warriors to set ablaze and kill.
"Despite the eventual defeat of the alien forces, the threat did not disappear entirely," Mr. Thompson added. "The dimensional rifts caused by the invasion remained open. These cracks allowed for occasional breaches into our world, sometimes letting through lesser alien entities or disturbances."
Alex shifted in his seat, the implications of Mr. Thompson's words weighing heavily on him. He had experienced the fallout of such breaches, the constant threat they posed to peace and stability. His life had been marked by battles against such threats, and the idea of these rifts re-opening filled him with a mixture of dread and resignation of another possible calamity in the world he had just born. At least one thing is obvious, the hunters are killing aliens but he in his past life, killed humans.
"To combat these ongoing threats," Mr. Thompson explained, "heroes and hunters were established as part of our defense system. These individuals are tasked with closing dimensional cracks and preventing any further alien incursions. The role of a hero or hunter is critical in maintaining the safety of our world."