Red had let Anecus go for the day and the first thing he did was fall asleep under the fig tree but now Naia was with him, she was sitting next to him head resting on his shoulder dozing off. They have been spending more time together lately.
Then subtly so subtly Anecus felt it, something fell more and more into the front of his mind. Like it had always been there but it was just now surfacing…pill…alig' he sits up straight unsure what he just heard.
Then again, 'Pillar…aling.' His movements wake Naia. "Ane, what's wrong?"
Focused on the voice he didn't answer.
Finally it all came in clear, 'Pillar alignment detected.' his hand clench 'Accursed confirmed…Welcome Accursed Anecus.' Then in an overwhelming motion a display appeared, it was in a language he didn't know...but he could understand it. "My Divine circuit awakened."
Naia "Really! What's it say…what's it look like!?"
Anecus looks back to the strange display and inspects it more.
▓▒░⟡ DIVINE CIRCUIT – AWAKENING REPORT ⟡░▒▓ ║
NAME: Anecus
DESIGNATION: Accursed
SOUL TYPE: Prismatic Soul
SOUL GRADE: Undefined
══════════════════════
PRISMATIC SOUL
▸ Allows the soul to fracture into reflective fragments, each resonating with different aspects of the world.
▸ Emits a radiant field that accelerates star progression and attracts outside influence.
══════════════════════
TRAIT: SOULREND
▸ Can perceive and manipulate souls directly.
▸ Passively feels emotions of others.
PILLAR ALIGNMENTS DETECTED
WATER PILLAR
Talent Level: 4 Star Level: ★☆☆☆☆
Mantle: None Assigned
Deviant Traits: None
Notes: High adaptability, intuitive flow control, resonance with natural systems
'woogh' staring at the floating text I try to reach out and touch them. My hand passes through them like air, but there is a faint humming sensation when I do. I didn't expect it to look so…formal.
The colors are simple, structured and academic. The voice with it, feminine? I noticed while passing my hand through it the words moved up.
Noticing there was more I motioned my hand to repeat the sensation.
FIRE PILLAR
Talent Level: 5
Star Level: ★☆☆☆☆
Mantle: None
Assigned Deviant Trait: Sun King
– Grants purifying solar fire
– internal heat amplification
– Resistant to suppression
– Flame obeys
'Should I tell mom and dad?' taking a big breath in and out he grabbed Naia's hand and walked down the hill.
"Come on, I have something to tell everyone."
That evening Anecus chose to tell Jane and Red what his Divine circuit read. Out of everyone Jane had an understanding of what Anecus will go through when forming human connections. 'I'll need to teach him how to not let them in.'
Red started calculating, he wanted Anecus to have a normal childhood, but at the same time he wanted to train him in a way that allowed him to survive this world. 'I'm sorry son…I wish I was more for you.'
Resting a firm hand on his shoulder, "You'll have to hide your fire, that much you know."
Anecus nod's.
"But more than that… you need to understand something. He turns and gestures toward the window. "Out there, this world doesn't care if you're good or careful."
"It won't allow a simple life. When they learn of what you can do they'll label you."
Jane kneels next to him "We aren't trying to scare you sweety but they'll want to test you, use you... worship you."
Anecus was smart for his age and mature past his years but the idea of people wanting to worship some farm kid was so alien to him it brought out an anger stemmed from annoyance. "Why would they want to do that?"
"I'm just a person…so what if I have something other don't, is it really that important?"
Red "To them, those who are looking for answers they will think it's some sort of prophecy…" He breathes a sigh not finding it worth the time to list the reasons of mad men.
"It doesn't matter their reasons, just know people will hold reverence to the unknown, and if the subject of that reverence denies them it turns into fear and hatred."
Jane steps forward again, this time pulling Anecus into her arms. Her voice is low, but filled with awe. "You'll do great things, but even if you don't choose greatness just know we love you and you have been everything we ever wanted."
Anecus didn't know what to say as he stood in the warm silence of his parents embrace, something inside him clicks.
'The world may never understand me, but they do. That is enough.'
Sitting on the opposite side of the wall was Cassia and Naia, they didn't mean to hide but the conversation seemed serious.
After Anecus left to the roof Cassia tugged on Naia's sleeve they shared a look of two people unified by a single goal.
That night, Anecus sits on the rooftop with Cassia and Naia. The stars are unusually sharp in the cold air. Neither of the girls speak, both feel the change.
Cassia looking up at the stars forms a new resolve, "I'm going to ask dad to start training me as well."
Anecus for whatever reason felt bad hearing this. "What why? Aren't you training with mom already?"
"Yes but it's not the same, mom is great about theory and giving incite... but need to know how to fight like you."
Looking into my sister's eyes I knew there was no argument. "Uhg fine."
Naia was about to say the same but Anecus interrupted.
"Naia no…you haven't awakened your pillar yet."
Naia genuinely looked upset at Anecus. "So! You got to start training before awakening…why not me?"
Anecus had no answer, so looking down at his hands. "Why?'
'is it because of me?'
Cassia and Naia exchanged nods, "because we don't want to be left behind."
Naia "We also want to protect you."
"From what?! There's no danger here, why is everyone so worried about my future…it just makes me feel like a burden."
"I have been silent all this time, just letting all this brush off me. Is it because I'm not doing enough? Do I need to prove I can protect myself?" With much debate Anecus came to a conclusion. 'I need an opportunity'
Naia "you are not a burden Ane…try to understand it from our perspective."
Before he could replay the door below them swung open and Red stepped out. Looking up at the three of them. "Anecus, you are going on the next hunting trip. Prepare for a week's time."
"Yes father."