Shadows of Valor

Part 17

Sebastian exhaled heavily, feeling a mixture of frustration and exhaustion. He took a step back from Reid, creating a bit of distance between them. For a brief moment, he gazed into the room, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings. Then, he turned his attention back to Reid, his voice laced with weariness.

"What's your power anyway?" Sebastian asked, a tinge of curiosity laced with his fatigue. It was a question that had been lingering in his mind since their encounter began.

Reid's eyes brightened with excitement, seemingly eager to share his unique ability. "Well, I have the power of pyrokinesis," he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I can manipulate and control fire. It's pretty awesome, if you ask me."

Sebastian's eyebrows raised in surprise, momentarily forgetting his annoyance as he absorbed Reid's revelation. "Pyrokinesis? That's incredible," he replied, a hint of admiration seeping into his voice. "You must have some impressive control to wield fire like that."

Reid's chest puffed out slightly, a proud expression crossing his features. "Yeah, I've been practicing for a while now. It took some time, but I've learned to harness the flames and use them to my advantage."

Sebastian nodded, contemplating the vast differences in their powers. While Reid had the ability to command fire, he himself was connected to the enigmatic shadows. The contrast fascinated him, igniting a curiosity to explore the depths of their abilities and uncover their true potential.

As the weight of their powers settled upon them, Sebastian's gaze shifted to the marks on his own hands. They had become his constant companions, reminders of the extraordinary nature of his abilities. The shadows beckoned him, urging him to delve deeper into their mysteries, to unlock the secrets they held.

Lost in thought, Sebastian's voice broke through the silence. "I suppose it's my turn now. My power... well, it's connected to shadows," he said, his tone tinged with a mix of uncertainty and intrigue. "As you already know, I can manipulate and control them to some extent. It's like they respond to how I feel, but they also have a mind of their own."

Reid's eyes widened with interest; his excitement reignited by the revelation. "Can you do anything else with them? I mean, one basically bit me, so you gotta have something cool you aren't telling me."

Sebastian shrugged, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I'm still figuring that out. The shadows seem to have a certain energy, and they can help conceal, create illusions, and even provide some level of protection. But there's so much more to learn."

Reid's eyes widened with interest; his excitement reignited by the revelation. A spark of mischief danced in his eyes as he leaned forward and asked, "Can you show me? I mean, some of those illusions you mentioned. It would be so cool to see what you can do!"

Sebastian's annoyance resurfaced, evident in the furrowed lines on his forehead. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating Reid's request. The shadows within him stirred uneasily, as if sensing the mischief in Reid's gaze. "No, Reid," he said firmly, his voice laced with frustration. "It's not something to play around with. Illusions can be powerful and unsettling. I don't want to risk causing any harm."

Reid's expression fell, disappointment washing over his features. He opened his mouth to protest, his eyes pleading with Sebastian, but the latter's frustration grew into anger. "No, Reid! I said no, and I meant it! I won't be responsible for any nightmares or trauma I might inflict on you," Sebastian snapped, his voice trembling with frustration.

A heavy silence settled in the room as Reid's relentless persistence continued to chip away at Sebastian's patience. Sebastian could feel his anger simmering beneath the surface, fueled by the mounting annoyance at Reid's insistence. He clenched his fists, trying to maintain control over his emotions.