Shaun blinked, his tiny hands trembling as Aldric held him tightly. The shattered pieces of the scale hovered silently around them, disappearing like fireflies into the air. His mind raced, a flurry of uncertainty and disbelief.
What just happened? He thought, his heartbeat hammering in his chest. Did I do that? Was that supposed to happen?
He tried to replay the moments in his head, but nothing made sense. He was a baby, a defenceless infant, and yet somehow, he had broken something that looked immensely significant. Is this good? Or... am I dangerous? The thought struck him cold, and anxiety crept into his tiny chest.
He looked up at Aldric's face, the man's expression unreadable. The overseers whispered among themselves. Their voices were subdued, so all Shaun could catch were fragments: "unprecedented... unheard of... power that can't be measured by the Astral scale?" Each statement sent a shudder down his spine.
This felt like something out of a manga. Was this his life now?
But his joy was tempered by fear. What if this power isn't normal? What if I'm not normal? He clenched his small fingers as he glanced at the room around him, feeling more lost than ever.
Despite his shaken state, Aldric held Shaun tightly. The awe and dread in his eyes were clearly visible. "This power... it's beyond measure."
Geralt, who was largely silent up until that point, took a few steps forward; his face was clouded in shock and confusion. "My lord, I have never seen anything like that in all my life of service." He paused, struggling to find words. "What does this mean?"
Aldric, still carrying Shaun, looked towards the gathered overseers as the protective barrier around him and Shaun came down; his countenance was solemn. "I demand an answer from one of you," he said.
"We have never seen anything like this in our records, my lord," a hooded figure spoke up, their voice trembling. "The Astral Scale is ancient and unbreakable, yet your son shattered it."
"Then what does this mean for my son?" Aldric demanded, his grip on Shaun tightening slightly.
"We cannot say for certain, my lord. However, we must consider all possibilities," the overseer responded, their voice quivering slightly.
"What possibilities?" Aldric questioned, his tone growing impatient. "You are the foremost experts on the Astral Scale. Is there nothing you can surmise from this situation?"
The group of overseers exchanged nervous glances, their silence filling the air with unease. Finally, one of them stepped forward, lowering their hood to reveal an aged face lined with worry. "My lord, it is possible that your son possesses a power so great, the scale could not contain it. Such a prospect is...unprecedented. We can offer no other explanation."
"This must not leave this room," Aldric said, with an authoritative voice. "The consequences of this knowledge escaping these walls could be dire, at least until we can understand what happened."
With a final, guarded glance around the chamber, Aldric turned and strode towards the circle they came in, Shaun still held close to his chest. Geralt fell into step behind him.
Aldric's mind was whirling with questions. What had just happened?
Geralt followed Aldric back to the glowing circle on the floor. Shaun squinted as the lines lit up once more. Geralt muttered a few words, the circle grew brighter, sending a warm light through the room. In a flash they were back in the quiet hallway.
Aldric wasted no time as he carried Shaun to his wife's room. She looked up as they entered, her face lighting up when she saw her son. "How did the test go?" she asked eagerly.
Aldric forced a calm smile, though his thoughts were heavy. "It went well," he said simply, placing Shaun gently in her arms. "I'll explain everything later. For now, Geralt and I have something important to handle."
His wife frowned, sensing there was more to the story, but Aldric kissed her forehead and left before she could ask further questions. Geralt followed closely behind.
Once they were in a private room, Aldric paced back amd forth, his eyebrows were squeezed together, like he was trying to figure out something.
Geralt cast a spell to seal the space, ensuring no one could hear them.
Aldric turned to him, "Shaun's power is extraordinary, but it makes him a target. If people find out, they'll try to harm him. We have to suppress his power," Aldric said suddenly.
Geralt blinked in surprise. "But suppressing his power could be dangerous. What if his strength isn't as immense as we think? It could weaken him significantly."
Aldric's paused and clenched his hands Into fists. "Do you think i haven't thought about that? That i don't know the risk?" He turned to fae Geralt. " He is my son, Geralt. My first born. Do you know what it felt like to see the scale shatter? It wasn't just pride i felt, i felt fear as well. Everyone in that room probably already sees him as a threat and someone might come for him."
Geralt frowned but said nothing.
"He's just a baby," Aldric continued, if the council finds out, you know as well as I do that they won't hesitate, Geralt. They will do whatever it takes to remove him so power can shift to them, even if it means killing him."
Geralt sighed, clearly uneasy. "Are you sure about this, my lord? It could change his future. What if he can't reach his full potential?"
Aldric ran a hand through his hair. "It's a gamble I have to take. If i leave him the way he is they won't be a future for him to reach that potential. I'll protect him no matter the costs."
Geralt hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. "If this is your decision, my lord, I will follow it. But.... i hope you're right about this."
"I hope so too," Aldric murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.