"Are you alright?"
Kevin blinked when he heard Vince's voice. Jack and Amiire stirred awake next to him in the king-sized bed Vince laid them in. They knew they were back at the mountain, but because of the massive size of the mansion, they had never been in this room before.
Glowing inscriptions slowly faded the more they awoke, and their energy increased faster than they anticipated.
"Vince? What happened? We were looking for you," Kevin questioned as he was the first to sit up.
"I'm sorry. I was attacked last night bringing Marli home and he took me to the healing springs. I woke up when Zyair found me and he told me you boys were in trouble, so I left before fully recovering," Vince said as he held his shoulder.
With a skin-tight, turtleneck hoodie that cut off from his collarbone down his shoulders, they found a faded bullet wound imprinted in his skin. Kevin frowned before tracing it with his finger, finding an unsettling amount of energy still residing inside.
"Ralyks and Bibimal flew us all home after stopping Vestigan. Leaving the barrier drained you more after the damage you've already endured. This room in laced with natural healing spells created by Molton alchemists. A few hours in this room returns you to your natural strength."
"Just tell us you're a damn wizard already," Jack grumbled as he and Amiire sat up as well.
"Where's Vestigan?" Amiire asked.
"At one of my private holdings away from here. He has information about someone who has a particular interest in you lot."
"Why though? We don't even outrank a Kappa in this world, what's so special about us?" Jack asked and Vince frowned.
"Ito told me how she possessed you three to help you escape. That you expressed heightened abilities once she did."
"Wasn't that just her powers flowing through us?" Kevin asked, confused.
"The delusions and manifestations were hers. Ito does not have the power to enhance elemental abilties like you two did. I didn't want to believe it, but because of your rapidly extending abilities, you and the rest of the boys have become a forbidden race in this world. Humans capable of harnessing given energy isn't too much of a deal since it can be easily taken away by the host. But humans who mold that energy into their own are Mutants. Creatures no one understands since magic doesn't belong in humans. Somebody who knows about you lot wants to figure out what makes you tick and thought Vestigan could figure it out. All he managed to do was confirm their suspicions."
"So that's why your eyes glowed," Amiire mumbled. "You guys are evolving into a mythical race. And because no one has ever seen a Mutant before, there's no telling how much magic you'll end up possessing nor what it will do to you."
"We'll have to watch your power levels very closely from now on. Even if Mekhi was here, he can't drawl that energy back out without killing you."
The four jerked their attention to the door as Amias burst in. Holding Yun in his arm, he and Kit made their way inside.
"That's enough talk, I have brought the fountains of youth to help forget about all your worries!"
"You're one weird kid, you know that?" Jack chuckled as Kit tackled Kevin back on the bed.
Vince grinned before ruffling Amias's hair and taking Yun. Rea and Zylith came in as well as Rea hugged her cousin.
"Are you alright? You guys scared me when you dropped Yun off as Nick's house this morning."
"We're fine, Ree.....but you seem anxious for some reason. Is something wrong?"
Rea blushed when all attention was drawn to her. Drawing her legs up to her chest, she hid her face behind her golden bangs.
