The city rolled by like a film. Tall glass skyscrapers, civilians strolling on sidewalks, the distant sound of chatter among people, food vendors and street performer using their powers to make a living. For once he felt peace. but still, the cats words lingered in his thoughts, the thought of being a hero.
He exhaled softly. '' Be a hero, huh?'' he muttered under his breath.
Tracy glanced at him. '' You say something?''
'' Umm, no-no nothing.'' Eric replied quickly.
At that moment his phone buzzed. He looked at the screen- Zain.
He smirked and picked up. '' Hey man.''
'' Eric! Dude, where have you been?'' Zain's voice was loud and so full of energy. '' I heard you got attacked! I thought you where dead.!
Eric chucked lightly.'' Almost was. But I guess I'm tougher than i look.''
'' Yeah that is true.'' Zain said. '' You're like, what, some kind of disaster magnet now? Always running into trouble.''
Eric chuckled.
There was a pause before Zain asked.'' So where are you guys headed? you sound like you're in a car. Are you on your way home?''
'' Aunt Tracy and I are on our way to the House of Ranvier.''
'' The House of Ranvier!?.'' Zain yelled in disbelief '' As in the noble house Ranvier? Why?''
'' They asked to meet me,'' Eric said casually. '' During the attack i saved a little girl's life, who surprisingly happened to be royalty. Anyway Zain i need to go, lets talk later alright.''
Zain responded'' No problem you get some rest. bye.''
''Bye.''
The call ended.
Eric smiled, looking outside the open window as the car entered the countryside- lush green fields stretching out ahead, and there it was, the distant silhouette of the Ranvier mansion waiting on the horizon.
Finally after the long drive they made it to the front of the Ranvier Estate. The gate opened and they drove in, their car smoothly navigated the winding gravel drive. They drove closer as the manor grew larger and more imposing.
It wasn't just a house ; it was a fortress carved from pale, a perfect blend of classical architecture with reinforced modern elements.
As they walked out, a tall older man approached them. His posture immaculate, dressed in a sharp grey uniform. '' Good day to you madam.'' he greeted. His voice formal yet old. ''Are you the Carthers?'' he asked.
'' Yes, yes we are,'' Tracy answered smiling. ' This is Eric, Sir Ethan wished to speak to him.'' Eric gave a small, awkward wave; the mans eyes registered him with tempered appraisal. ''Hmm. I sense morale on this young man, but its faint. I expected more,'' was his mental note.
''Follow me madam, sir. Sir Ethan is aware of your arrival.'' he said as the led them inside the mansion.
The interior of the mansion was magnificent. They walked through a cavernous foyer with a high, vaulted ceiling and a polished floor that reflected light from massive, stained-glass windows.
the man led the guests through a long silent gallery. Tracy observed the walls, lined with portraits of stern looking men and women in various degree of royal attire. Finally, they stopped before a set of double doors carved with the Ranvier crest.
Silas, the man who led them tapped once then the doors opened. Then they entered. Eric and Tracy walked into a spacious sunlit room looked part study with bookshelves and part science laboratory , with constellations adorned the ceilings, a giant round table with a map of the first world in beautiful detail.
Seated on a plush red sofa was a beautiful looking woman lady Helen Ranvier whose hair was elegantly pined up. Beside her was six children some deeply absorbed in their books, they took off the book shelves , others chatting amongst themselves in quite tones, until their curious gaze drifted toward on Eric. '' Eric how are you,'' Lady Helen greeted warmly setting her book aside.
'' I'm doing well, lady Helen.'' he responded politely
Lay Helen got off her sofa and walked over to Tracy. '' Tracy, thank you for coming.'' she said embracing her afterwards.
'' Thank you for inviting us.'' Tracy replied, returning the hug.
Immediately the two begun chatting like long-lost friends reunited after years apart. Before long the two left the study, their laughter echoing faintly through the corridor-leaving Eric alone with the Six children.
Eric averted his gaze, pretending to not notice their presence.
His eyes drifted toward the towering book shelves that lined the room. Intrigued he stepped closer, scanning the neatly arranged spines, amazed by the number of volumes, but one stood out the most for him.
A book with the word ORIGIN written on the spines. '' hmm, what book is that.'' he thought.
He climbed a ladder leaned against the shelf until a voice called out to him. '' Hey, boy!'' one of the children called out.
Eric didn't respond.
''They guy on the ladder!?'' the voice called.
no response.
'' Are you deaf or something cant you see, I'm calling y-''
Eric sighed, eyes glued to the book'' What the heck do you want?, cant you see I'm busy?''
A boy his age stepped forward, chin slightly raised. ''You're standing in the presence of royalty, you know. Me and my siblings- were nobles of House Ranvier. It's rude not to acknowledge us.''
Eric stared, unimpressed. '' fine hello children of house Ranvier, I'm Eric, of the streets, are you happy now.'' he went back to his book checking.
The siblings found it funny but the boy frowned.'' You should show respect.'' without another word, he reached for his pocket and pulled out a wand-sleek, dark with rune on top
M-mana User, Eric realized.
The boy whispered something under his breath. And just like that the air trembled. With swift flick of his wand, a ripple surged through the study.
Shadows crept across the marble floor, twisting and gathering beneath the boys feet.
Then- swoosh.
Froom his shadow, a shadow creature emerged. It towered behind its summoner, tall, thin with fists clenched to look like boxing gloves. its eyes a dull yellow glow.
'' Now like i said earlier. You forgot to greet us.'' the boy walked closer to Eric. Be a good boy and obey, greeting us wont kill your pride.''
Feeling cautious Eric took some steps back, preparing the likely event that he might need to fight. He hated people who who would used their power to bully and oppress those they called weak. His experience from the orphanage revealed so much.
'' So I'm guessing this is how your power works.'' he asked.
The boy smirked proudly. '' Precisely, My mana allows me to summon shadow puppets with one flick of a wand as long as there are shadows available. and this one.'' he pointed the wand straight at Eric '' Will teach you some manners.''
'' Why is he telling me how his powers work to such detail?, is he dumb?''
And just like that the fight begun.
The boy pointed his wand at him.'' beat him mercilessly!.'' he yelled.
The shadow creature nodded and lunged forward. Its body Twisted unnaturally as the limbs stretched and snapped like rubber, forming a crude fist he swung at Eric.
Eric kept calm he didn't panic. He had experienced this kind of situation before, and adapted. People with powers, hiding behind it to feel bigger and bully the weak just because they can.
The young man before him reminded him of the bullies he suffered under at the orphanage, and it repulsed him.
The shadow swung and Eric ducked quickly, his eyes focused trying to anticipate the shadow monsters next attack. its right arm moves first.
He took a step back, but slipped. The creature seized the opportunity, sucker punched Eric in the guts. The air burst from his lungs. The impact left him on the ground, coughing out saliva. The monster gave him no break, it begun punching him consistently, swiftly, raining blow after blow across his face and chest. Eric tried to block but his strength was fading fast so he curled himself on the ground.
The boy laughed his voice dripping with mockery.'' What's wrong hero?, You survived a calamity attack but cant deal with some punches.''
The boy snapped his finger.
And the shadow monster stopped mid-strike and walked over to his master. The other kids were shocked '' What have you done, Leopold!?'' one boy yelled his voice in disbelief '' Father called for him to come here, why did you beat him up like that.''
''OH shut up , Arthur you self righteous saint.'' Leopold snapped '' If you where any better you would have stopped me. But you didn't, you watched , and you laughed.''
Arthur's expression darkened ''Until you took it too far and injured him like that, look at him he's bruised.''
As the boys snapped and argued amongst themselves. Their voice echoed through the Study.
But, behind them Eric was getting up.
Slowly he stood. Blood dripping from his nose. one eye swollen, bruises painted on his arm and lip. He wiped the blood off his nose with the back of his hand. '' There no way, in hell I'm going to let this guy or anyone bully me..... not this time, not ever.'' he thought with his eyes focused on Leopold .
'' Hey.... Leopold!.''
Leo froze. Then turned.
panting but not broken yet, Eric threw a fighting stance.
Leopold smirked. '' You see Arthur? He's not injured. He's just dirty. '' Leo's tone sharpened into a hiss. '' He's enjoying this... and so am I.''