Alex stared out the window, the fading light of the evening casting long shadows across his room. The reflections on the glass seemed to blur, mirroring his tangled thoughts. He leaned against the wall, his mind racing as he considered the complexities of his current predicament.
At the age of ten, Alex's body was young, but his soul carried the weight of someone who had lived and experienced much more. The memories of his past life, filled with battles and betrayals, made the idea of liking someone as young as Natalia a confusing, almost unsettling thought. He felt a strange dissonance, a clash between his soul's maturity and his physical age.
He let out a deep sigh, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I'm technically ten, just like Natalia. But my soul… it's been through so much more. Is it wrong to have feelings for someone who is also ten? I'm still a child in this body, but my experiences and emotions are far more complex."
He chuckled softly, a wry smile playing on his lips. "So, I'm a ten-year-old with the mind of someone who's lived thirty-four years. And here I am, wondering if it's a crime—or if it's even appropriate—to like a girl who's my age in this world, given my past."
The irony of the situation struck him. He had spent so much of his life trying to fit in, to blend into the normalcy of a child's world, only to find himself facing a dilemma that was anything but ordinary. He felt a mixture of amusement and frustration at his predicament.
With a determined nod, Alex made a decision. He would approach this with the same level-headedness he applied to his other challenges. "I'm ten. Natalia is ten. We're both in the same stage of our lives, even if my mind is more experienced. I'll focus on being a good friend and see where things go from there. I can't let my past dictate my present relationships."
As he looked at the fading sunlight, Alex felt a sense of calm settle over him. He understood that navigating his feelings and relationships was part of adapting to his new life, balancing the complexities of his soul with the simplicity of his current age. For now, he would cherish his friendships and remain true to himself, allowing things to unfold naturally.
He turned back to his book, his thoughts now clearer. Life, after all, was about adapting and growing, no matter how old—or young—one's soul might be.
*****
The Great Temple of the Pantheon loomed over the horizon, its towering marble columns gleaming under the midday sun. Hundreds of families and young hopefuls gathered at its grand steps for one reason: the awakening ceremonies. Today was Leo's day, and he stood at the center of it all, radiating nervous energy. His blue hair fluttered in the light breeze, reflecting the oceanic hue of his expectant gaze. This was the day he would forge his path and be chosen by one of the gods.
Alex arrived at the temple quietly, accompanied by Kael. Unlike the other attendees, there was no excitement in his step. His presence was muted, blending into the crowd, as though he were just another shadow among the many that filled the temple. He kept his distance, his eyes settled on Leo but devoid of the emotional attachment that would have once surged through him. Time had changed that. He was an observer now, watching Leo's fate unfold before him.
Kael glanced at Alex. He could sense the shift in him—the tension was absent, of caring even. Alex no longer seemed to be tied to the family drama that had defined their lives. He had grown distant from it all, detached from the brother who had once been his constant source of concern. Perhaps it was self-preservation, or perhaps it was simply acceptance of a new reality.
As Leo approached the altar, the temple resonated with a deep hum, the divine energy palpable in the air. The High Priest stepped forward, his voice booming across the chamber.
"Leonardo Harrison, step forward and receive the blessing of the gods."
Leo inhaled sharply and took a step closer. The statues of the Olympian gods encircled him, their stony visages gazing down as if appraising his worth. Then, slowly, the waters of the sacred fountain began to ripple. From the depths, a trident-shaped light emerged, hovering above Leo before lowering gently onto his head. The blessing of Poseidon.
A collective gasp echoed through the crowd as the light enveloped Leo, a shimmering oceanic blue. The power of the sea god was his to command now.
"Poseidon has chosen," the High Priest declared. "Leonardo Harrison is the blessed of the sea."
The crowd erupted in applause. Leo stood in awe, his eyes wide with disbelief and excitement. His parents, who stood near the front, wept with joy. Their son, the chosen of Poseidon—a proud day indeed.
But in the shadows, Alex merely watched, unmoved. He felt nothing for the grand spectacle unfolding before him. The familiar pang of jealousy or longing was absent. This moment, once something he might have dreaded or resented, was now hollow to him. He had his path to walk, and it had long since diverged from Leo's.
Kael shifted beside him, his brow furrowing as he glanced at Alex. "Are you sure you want to stay in the shadows like this?"
Alex shrugged. "This is Leo's moment. He's got what he wanted. My presence doesn't matter."
"You're still his brother," Kael replied softly.
"Maybe," Alex said, his voice devoid of emotion, "but not in the way that matters anymore."
Kael sighed but let it go. He knew Alex's detachment wasn't something that could be easily changed. He had seen too much and lived too many lives for this world's petty dramas to mean anything anymore.
The ceremony continued, but for Alex, it was just another day. Another reminder of how far he had drifted from the boy he once was.
*****
As most of the crowd began to disperse from the Pantheon, Alex stood silently, watching them go. His footsteps were hesitant, almost reluctant as if he still wasn't entirely sure why he was there. The ceremony for his brother was over, and yet, something in the air felt different now—charged with energy and anticipation.
Suddenly, a soft cooing broke through the noise of shuffling feet, and Alex looked up to see a flock of white pigeons taking flight, their wings cutting through the fading light as they soared gracefully across the vast temple ceiling. Almost in perfect synchrony, rose petals fluttered down like gentle rain, carried by an invisible breeze that swirled through the hall. The sound of the grand temple bell ringing in the distance echoed softly around him, growing louder with each toll.
The priests stopped what they were doing, their heads turning towards Alex as if they'd been waiting for this very moment. From across the hall, one of the older priests, clad in deep crimson robes, stepped forward and called out, his voice filled with reverence and authority.
"Alexius Harrison, step forward. Your time has come."
A murmur passed through the remaining few who had lingered in the temple. Alex could feel their eyes on him, but his focus remained solely on the vast hall ahead of him. The enormous Pantheon stretched before him, its colossal pillars and ancient walls inscribed with the tales of gods and heroes. Every inch of the space seemed to vibrate with ancient power.
Alex took a deep breath and walked forward, each step echoing in the silence that had fallen over the room. His heart, normally calm, began to beat faster as he approached the grand altar. He had never been one for theatrics or divine grandeur, but now, as he stood at the threshold, it was impossible to ignore the weight of this moment.
When he crossed the threshold into the Pantheon, the world seemed to change. Time slowed. Space bent. He could feel it all at once—the weight of divine eyes on him, watching, waiting.
Suddenly, he felt a shift in the air. The statues lining the walls, each representing one of the Twelve Olympian Gods, seemed to come alive. Their presence was palpable. It wasn't just marble and stone anymore—it was power, wisdom, and age-old authority, all focused on him.
The first to stir was Zeus, his stone form radiating authority and might as lightning crackled faintly in the distance. His deep voice resonated in Alex's mind, filled with an undeniable power. "Alexius Harrison, we have waited for you."
Next was Poseidon, the waves around his statue seeming to shimmer as the god's voice washed over Alex like a strong current. "Your path is not tied to the sea, but it is no less vast."
Hades' statue glowed with a dark, cold light. His voice was both a whisper and a command, threading through Alex's mind. "The shadows have always been your refuge, but now, they are your strength."
And then Hera, regal and commanding, her voice soft yet stern, "You are bound by no one, Alexius. Yet your loyalty runs deep."
Athena's statue seemed to pulse with wisdom and clarity, and her voice echoed with sharp intelligence, "You have the mind of a tactician, the strength of a leader."
One by one, each of the twelve Olympians greeted him, their words layered with meaning, power, and cryptic purpose. Artemis, Apollo, Hephaestus, Demeter, and Dionysus each welcomed him into their fold, their words forming a strange connection Alex hadn't expected. But even as they spoke, there was one more presence waiting in the shadows.
It wasn't the Olympians who made him stop. It was the last one. A being that watched from the edges of the Pantheon, a figure cloaked in obscurity and power. The Watcher.
The presence stirred and finally spoke, its voice cold, detached, and yet echoing with endless knowledge. "You are no mere child of prophecy, Alexius Harrison. You are both a catalyst and an observer. Your path intertwines with destiny and chaos alike. Are you prepared?"
All twelve Olympians had turned their attention to him. It was overwhelming, the sheer power of the gods descending upon him, yet Alex stood firm.
When he spoke, his voice was soft but unwavering, echoing through the Pantheon. "I'm not who you think I am," he began, his words laced with truth and uncertainty. "I'm just another selfish human being... someone who wants freedom."
There was silence in the hall. The gods remained silent, their faces unreadable, as if considering his words.
Alex glanced up at the statue of the god who had always watched from afar—The Watcher, the one who saw all. He could feel their gaze weighing on him the most. Even with the presence of all the Olympians, he couldn't shake the feeling that they knew something deeper. Something he was still unraveling himself.
"I'm not here to become a hero," Alex continued, his voice steady. "Or to fulfill some prophecy. I'm just… me. I want my freedom, my life, the way I choose to live it."
The air grew heavy with expectation, but Alex didn't back down. He stood before them not as a divine servant or a chosen warrior but as a boy seeking a way to carve his path. And as the words left his mouth, the weight of his past lives, his burdens, and the expectations placed upon him lifted, if only for a moment.
He didn't wait for a response, knowing deep down that the gods would speak when they chose. Instead, he simply bowed his head, his gaze lingering on the floor. For the first time, in the presence of the gods, he felt a strange sense of peace.
As Alex lowered his head, feeling that fleeting peace, the atmosphere shifted again. But this time, it wasn't the gods before him who stirred—it was something far more chaotic.
Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed the collar of Alex's shirt and yanked him backward with a force that nearly knocked him off his feet. He gasped, stumbling as he tried to regain his balance. When he looked up, he saw the furious eyes of Kairos, the god of opportune moments, his face contorted with anger.
"You selfish fool!" Kairos spat, his grip tightening on Alex's collar. His golden eyes burned with fury, and the air around them crackled with tension. "You don't even know what you've done!"
Alex's heart raced. This wasn't what he expected. His mind whirled, trying to piece together what had set the god off, but before he could speak, another figure appeared beside them.