Chapter 1: Eyes in the Shadows
New York City, 2010. The city never sleeps, but Alexander feels invisible, like a ghost in the crowd. People walk by without a second glance, ignoring the young man who once dominated magazine covers. Now, he is just another guy with a backpack. The memories of his former life, surrounded by cameras and adoration, seem so distant. Now, he only feels the weight of being watched, but without the glamour that once surrounded him. All that remains of his golden life is his name and a few stories that the world has already forgotten.
In a van parked down a dark street, three figures watched him closely. The scouts weren't sure exactly where he was headed, but their mission was clear: find out if the boy who was once a superhero star still had anything to offer. There was something intriguing about Alexander, something that drew attention, but also something that puzzled them: his attitude.
Dante, his face marked by years of experience and his indifference to anything that wasn't professional, kept his eyes on the boy, not missing a detail. The silence inside the van was thick, but Dante's presence cut through the tension. He hated what he saw: a kid with a life that many would envy, but who seemed to squander it with his attitude. The kid was a mess, but there was something else that Dante couldn't figure out. Dante was cynical and often wondered if power was the only thing that really mattered. And in this case, Alexander's power was undeniable.
— I don't know what he's waiting for, honestly. —muttered Dante, watching Alexander now stop in front of a café, as if searching for something or someone. — This guy has everything, and he's just throwing it all away. The typical rich kid who thinks the world owes him something. Does he really deserve to be at Coliseo?
Leah, sitting beside him, kept her gaze fixed on the boy, her expression more neutral. There was a calmness to her that was unshakable, but also a slight discomfort. For her, Alexander's life didn't inspire either sympathy or disdain. She didn't care about the persona; only the power.
— I'm not surprised, Dante. —Leah replied, without looking up. — Alexander has always been a controversial figure. A fallen prince, exiled for reasons no one knows for sure. But still, there's something about him… something that tells me he's not finished yet.
Dante raised an eyebrow and glanced at Leah in disbelief.
— What are you talking about? —he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. — This guy has the ego of a god, and he doesn't even know what to do with all he's been given. I don't want him at Coliseo. We need people with more… character.
Leah didn't say anything more but nodded slightly, understanding Dante's point. For her, the world of Coliseo had no place for those unwilling to sacrifice. However, Elias saw things differently, and he couldn't help but remember the image of Alexander as a star. He still admired what Alexander had been, and the fact that he was trying to get into Coliseo made him even more interesting.
— Come on, Dante. —Elias interjected, his tone much more enthusiastic. — Who else has the chance to be at Coliseo this year? We know Alexander is one of the biggest talents of this generation, and that's why he's here. No one has shown power like his.
Dante frowned, clearly annoyed by Elias' upbeat tone.
— It's not just about power, Elias. It's about knowing how to use it. And this kid… —Dante paused, unable to stop a sigh from escaping. — He doesn't even know what to do with his life. He's got more qualities than most of the aspirants, but if he doesn't have the right attitude, it's all useless.
Elias looked at Dante for a moment, his enthusiasm waning but still persistent.
— I get it. I know he's a mess. I know he's an egotistical idiot, but nobody can deny that he has incredible power. His ability to fly, his strength… no one in his class has shown what he can do. And if it's true that his father exiled him for some reason, maybe that reason can turn him into one of the best.
The conversation drifted as Dante kept watching the boy, his gaze more critical now. He couldn't deny that Elias' description was accurate. Alexander had the kind of abilities that could dazzle anyone at Coliseo. His power to fly at incredible speeds, his near-superhuman strength… it wasn't something commonly seen in the aspirants.
However, the scouts knew something they couldn't ignore: Alexander's attitude. His arrogance, his disregard for anything that wasn't his own reflection in the flashbulbs of fame had made him a nearly hated figure by many.
— Do you think just because he's a TV star, that he acted like a rockstar, that gives him the right to be at Coliseo? —Leah asked, showing no interest in Elias' answers. — What's to say he won't just be another nuisance in this competitive world?
The question hung in the air. Elias, for a moment, couldn't respond. He knew Alexander's arrogance was an obstacle, but his potential was undeniable. Deep down, he believed anything could change if he was given the chance.
— It's just an application. —Elias finally said, smiling with a bit of hope. — But with that application, he can show everyone that what seems like a failure can be the beginning of something greater.
Dante glanced out of the van again, watching Alexander's figure disappear into the darkness of the city, his silhouette now just another shadow in the vast urban landscape. Even though Dante didn't want to admit it, something inside him knew that, in some way, this kid could change the game.
But before that could happen, he would need more than just power. He would need to learn how to use it. And that, none of the scouts knew yet.
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