Path of Salvation

Chapter 2: Hyperion

"Where'd you get those clothes?", Alpha's mother asked him somewhat irritated. She wasn't happy about him wasting money and he had to think of an excuse to not have her find out about him spending time with Elena. "Why'd you even leave without saying anything? You think you can just up and leave like that?"
"Franky told me about a sale within the mall. I rushed there to get school supplies and these clothes on a discount." Knowing that his mother loves Franky simply for being the outstanding kid "that is capable of everything". Though he thought about putting the blame on one of his sisters by claiming that he told them to relay the message that he never left for his mother, he couldn't bring himself to do so.
"I'm gonna go study with Franky later. Is that okay?" Though it was a lie, he couldn't allow his mother to keep on micromanaging his life. He finally wanted to do something he desired to. Whenever he tried to deviate from what she wanted, his life was even more hellish.
"Studying? Just before the end of 10th grade?"
"He wants me to revise everything for 11th grade and teach me how to play an instrument one day. So I have to start now if I want to get this done some day."
She beamed with joy as she deemed this a wonderful occurence.
"Look! I told you that Franky is a wonderful friend! He's such a perfect child that I would adopt him on the spot if I could! You have to be more like him, understand?" It was always the same conversation when he talked about Franky. He can't talk of his friend's flaws or ever make jokes about him as this was the kid she wanted but not the one she had. Sometimes it makes him hate Franky. He wished that this could stop and the only way it will is by cutting contact.
Though it didn't take long, he left in a hurry despite not having to rush. He felt like it was suffocating him. His mother was a chain dragging him down he simply wanted to get rid of while his father was rather absent and an abusive drunk.
"I'm on my way," he texted Elena.
"See ya in half an hour."

"Okay! Figure out how to use that ring. I'll be here to give you tips."
And just like that, she decided to take a nap on a picnic blanket. With her strawhat lying on her head, she drifted off within her mind while awaiting progress.
"Don't forget to use your imagination and why this ring is so bland," she lectured him.
Alpha couldn't tell what exactly it was that she wanted him to do but deduced that each bland ring turns into a special one as soon as the conditions are met. Though he had nothing to confirm this theory, he deducted that it was worth asking about.
"Elena?", he asked.
"What's wrong?", she responded somewhat bothered by his question.
"Can I see your ring? I was wondering-"
"I don't have one." She cut him off before he could answer. "It was yellow and soft," she added.
That was all he needed.
"Yellow like her threads... Soft like cloth... So its change in appearance is based on the abilities the owner possess. I guess it's a start."
While he was pacing around, Prometheia decided to chime in and have a part in training Alpha.
"When Elena used her abilities for the first time, she ran straight into a bomb while imaginging how to delfect the blast. There she gained her ability to weave threads out of thin air and summon turbulent storms that can blow away entire cities."
"Hey Prometheia!", Elena shouted as she wanted him to learn such things on his own.
Prometheia cheekily disappeared behind Alpha not to be seen again for today. Making this task easier than before, he could grasp what made it necessary for him to unleash his power. Closing his eyes and focusing on the goal ahead, he thought of the stars as deep fascination lies within it.
"A little more..."
He just needs a little more to grasp what lies hidden within. He thought of his aspirations, of his hopes, and of his dreams. It was all he needed to move forward.
"I want to be better off than I am now and help others just like Elena is helping me now." His aspirations lied in helping others. Though it was something that always was a part of him, it was stilled by the way people treated him. Abuse and betrayal nearly killed his need to help others. It was rekindled by Elena. Her gracefully saving him is making him chase for something dangerous. Alpha could continue living the quiet but also depressing life he's lived before or put his life on the line for others.
"I hope... I hope I can save them too." Speaking of Demons, after meeting one that wasn't exactly hostile to him, he couldn't help but feel sorry for all of them. It didn't talk to him but she seemed sad. It bothered him as that was all he could think about.
"I'll definitely grow stronger and save as many as I can," he thought. Almost religiously, he was thinking about magic. "So that, like me, people can walk their very own "Path of Salvation"."
Upon opening his eyes, he found himself standing in front of Elena. Both awestruck and happy, she awaited a reaction from him. He couldn't tell why exactly she was staring at him but he felt that something was odd. His eyesight was constantly zooming in and out of focus while also tracing strange golden light that moved as if they were strung along by a thread. It was strange and overwhelming.
Elena put something around his neck. His vision adjusted and allowed him to foscus before he could break out in panic.
"So. How do you feel?", she asked.
He couldn't describe what exactly it was but it was if someone had lifted a weight off his body. Surprisingly, he was rather comfortable and a lot happier. Looking at his feet, he spotted a small crater destroyed by what could have been a violent explosion.
"Was that me?", he asked while pointing at himself. Another thing that was strange about himself were the change of clothes. Radiating genuine happiness and confidence in himself, he admired the new outfit he was in. His now white hair was blocking his view. Incredibly messy somewhat long hair for a man... it suited him a lot more. Golden eyes that mimicked the scope of a gun and golden crosses as earrings made him even more charming. Wearing a professional collared coat in white with golden lining and white cargo pants with the same golden lining.
"It's kinda cool but really flashy. I'm not sure if that fits my style."
"Don't worry about it. A change in style every once in a while is great. I do it all the time just to try out different looks. I suggest that you do that too from now on." Elena loved his new look and it gave him even more confidence.
His coat had seven crosses attached to his collar and a golden sword entangled in two chains. Though it wasn't visible, he wore a golden belt with a chain attached to it. Attached to the chain was the divine key that melted Elena's hand. The black steel-plated boots and the black gloves contrasted his white wear. All over him were golden rings. Two on the sleeves of his coat, two at the ends of his cargo pants, two on top of his boots, three on the right directly beneath his collar and three on the left directly beneath his collar... Twelve rings in total.
"Maybe Emma would love to cosplay that. She's always been fascinated by white haired characters."
"Emma?", Alpha asked.
"Don't worry about it. You'll meet her soon. And I believe we'll have to call it quits for the day. Let's continue tomorrow."
A little fatigued, he went back to the way he looked before the transformation.