Chapter 3: Awakened Bonds
The Augustine estate was abuzz with the quiet energy of its staff, whispers of Argus's unprecedented awakening rippling through the halls. But while the maids and attendants discussed the young master in hushed voices, there were two people who had yet to encounter the boy after the event: Rhea and Lily.
The morning light filtered through the large windows of the east wing, casting a golden hue over the finely decorated rooms. This part of the estate was a quieter place, where Rhea—Darius's third wife—and her daughter Lily resided. Though the tension between Evangeline and Darius was well-known, Rhea kept to herself, preferring not to interfere in the delicate balance of the household. She had long since accepted her position in the estate, despite the history of the second wife's violent death at Evangeline's hands. Rhea, even knowing the risks, had married Darius out of necessity and security, understanding her place in the household dynamics. And in the midst of it all, her daughter, Lily, had become a bright spot of joy amid the often-tense atmosphere.
Rhea stood at her vanity, brushing her long, dark hair, the silence of the morning broken only by the distant sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below the estate. It was a sound she had grown accustomed to, though today, there was an undercurrent of something else in the air—an energy she couldn't quite place.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
"Mother?" a small voice called out.
Rhea smiled, setting down her brush as the door creaked open, revealing Lily. The girl's brown curls framed her round face, her bright green eyes wide with excitement.
"Come in, darling," Rhea said, motioning for Lily to enter.
Lily bounded into the room, her energy palpable. "Mother, have you heard? The maids are all talking about it—about Argus!"
Rhea raised an eyebrow, curious. "What about Argus?"
Lily jumped up and down, barely able to contain herself. "He awakened! This morning! They say he's already showing signs of his power, and he's only seven!"
Rhea paused, her expression shifting from curiosity to surprise. She knew Argus was special—how could he not be, with Evangeline as his mother?—but awakening at such a young age was unheard of. Most children with potential powers didn't experience their first signs until they were twelve or older. Seven was... unprecedented.
"Is that so?" Rhea murmured, her fingers tightening slightly around the brush she still held. "I have never heard of someone awakening so young."
Lily nodded enthusiastically. "I want to see him! Can we go see him, Mother?"
Rhea hesitated. While she had no ill feelings toward Argus, she was always cautious when it came to interacting with Evangeline's son. The boy was beloved by the entire estate, but there was a certain distance between their family and Evangeline's. Darius had long since taken a back seat in the household, and Rhea preferred to keep things peaceful by staying out of Evangeline's way. Still, it would be improper not to acknowledge such a significant event.
"All right," Rhea said finally, standing from her chair. "Let's go see Argus. But remember, Lily—be respectful. This is a big moment for him."
Lily grinned, her excitement barely contained as she followed her mother out of the room. "I will, I promise!"
They found Argus in the west garden, where the morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the neatly trimmed hedges. The young master stood near a stone bench, gazing out over the expanse of the estate with a calmness that seemed beyond his years. Though only seven, there was a quiet maturity about him, a sense of stillness that often made him seem much older.
Lily, however, didn't notice the subtleties. As soon as she spotted Argus, she sprinted toward him, her voice ringing out across the garden.
"Argus!"
Before he could react, Lily leapt into his arms, her small frame colliding with his in an enthusiastic embrace. Argus staggered slightly under her weight but quickly regained his balance, a soft smile playing on his lips as he held her steady. Her energy was infectious, and for a moment, Argus felt lighter, as though the shadows that always lingered around him had faded in her presence.
"I heard you awakened! Is it true? What's it like? Can you show me?"
Argus blinked at the barrage of questions, his small smile widening. "Yes, it's true," he said quietly, though he offered no further explanation. The void within him still felt raw, untested, and he wasn't sure he was ready to show it to anyone—especially not Lily, whose innocence radiated like sunlight.
Rhea approached more slowly, her movements graceful as always. She nodded politely to Argus before stopping a few feet away, her gaze gentle but curious.
"Lily tells me you've had quite a morning. I have never heard of someone awakening so young."
Argus shrugged slightly, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Guess I just couldn't wait."
Rhea smiled at his playful tone, though the weight of what his early awakening meant was not lost on her. She studied him for a moment, noting the calm with which he spoke. There was no arrogance or excitement in his tone—just a quiet acceptance, as if this was simply another part of his life. She could see Evangeline's influence in him, that same self-assuredness that Evangeline had always carried.
"It's a remarkable gift," Rhea said after a pause. "You must be proud."
Argus hesitated, his gaze flickering toward the shadows beneath the trees. He could feel the void there, pulsing quietly, waiting to be called upon. But instead of pride, he felt something more akin to inevitability, a sense that this was merely the next step in a path that had been laid out for him long ago.
"My mother expected it," he said finally, his voice low. "It was only a matter of time."
Rhea's eyes softened at his words. "Your mother must be very proud, then."
Argus didn't respond, but there was a faint flicker of something in his expression—a hint of satisfaction, perhaps, at meeting his mother's expectations.
Lily, however, was too excited to notice the subtle exchange. "Can you show us, Argus?" she asked eagerly. "What can you do?"
Argus looked down at the eager face of his half-sister, her enthusiasm so innocent and pure that he found himself hesitating. The void wasn't something playful or bright—it was a force of darkness, of space and nothingness. It was cold, unyielding, and infinite. He wasn't sure how Lily would react if she saw it.
"Maybe another time," he said gently. "It's still new to me."
Lily pouted slightly but didn't push him. "Okay... but promise you'll show me one day?"
Argus nodded. "One day."
As they sat together, the sun climbing higher in the sky, the quiet peace of the garden seemed to settle over them. Rhea watched her daughter and Argus, noting the quiet bond that had formed between them. Lily adored her half-brother, and while Argus treated her with a protective warmth, there was a genuine fondness that went beyond bloodlines. He treated Lily as his own sister, something Rhea found endearing.
"I'm glad we came to see you," Rhea said after a while. "It's not often we get to share in moments like this."
Argus looked at her, his dark eyes thoughtful. "Thank you for coming."
Rhea smiled softly. "You're part of this family, Argus. We may not see each other often, but that doesn't change anything."
For the first time that morning, Argus felt a sense of connection—one that went beyond the power that now coursed through his veins. Rhea's words were gentle, but they carried a weight that he hadn't expected. In a household dominated by his mother's presence, it was easy to forget that there were others who cared about him, even if they didn't show it in the same way.
As they sat in the garden, the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below, Argus realized that his awakening was more than just a moment of power—it was a reminder of the ties that bound him to the people around him.