The Child

22

Cain watches as he sees his mother's casket slowly sinking into the ground.

Through his dark sunglasses his eyes glow yellow with anger. Ace places his hand on Cain's back, then slightly pulling him into a hug.

Cain's eyes fade from yellow back to blue as he feels the comfort from Ace's hug.

Hades and Zeus were there too, Hades in the form of a raven, and Zeus as a hawk.

Alice's father was there, some of her friends. It was a small ceremony, beautiful.

Cain fights back tears, gripping Ace's jacket.

He may look older, and he is. But his mind was still that of the 6 year old boy he was only days before.

He understood his situation. He was a man now. And the leader of an entire otherworldly realm.

He needed to grow up. So no tears.

....

"Are you okay?"Ace asks, patting Cain's shoulder as they walk back towards the car.

Cain only nods quietly.

Ace huffs, looking at the car and then at Cain.

"You wanna drive, big guy?"Ace asks, making Cain's head perk up with a small smile.

"For real?"he asks.

Ace tosses the keys to Cain.

Cain excitedly runs towards the driver's side, looking not ways and then darting into the car.

Ace takes a deep breath as he walks over to the passenger side, getting in.

"Don't you kill us Cain."Ace says, quickly buckling his seatbelt.

"It's cool, I can reach the pedals now."Cain says, stepping on the gas and then immediately on the brake, jutting them forward aggressively.

Ace looks at Cain with wide eyes.

"It's cool, I'm basically an expert now, I got it."Cain says, carefully turning the wheel and releasing the brake so the slowly drive out of the parking space.

"See, I got it."

"I'm so scared."Ace says as they drive down the road slowly.

...

The car swerves into the driveway, the tires screeching as they come to a stop before their house.

"Wow! Driving is fun!"Cain chuckles.

Ace, who was wide eyes, holding on to the door handles and hyperventilating, slowly looks over at Cain, his teeth clenched.

"Never again. Never."Ace says.

"Awe."Cain frowns as Ace gets out of the car.

"Hey, hurry up we've got a surprise for you."Hades says.

...

After getting out of the car, they go inside.

Inside, all the gods were assembled in one room, and Cain gasps.

Zeus stood hand in hand with a beautiful woman, Hera, they both step forward.

"Cain, we've all brought you gifts. One from each of us. And my gift to you is the power of strength, and agility."Zeus says, placing a glowing hand on Cain's shoulder.

Then Hera steps forward and cups his cheeks.

"I am so sorry for your loss, little one."she says softly.