Shadows of power

Chapter Three: Luca

Luca Voss was born on a stormy night, the kind that seemed to crackle with the promise of something extraordinary. As thunder rumbled in the distance and rain lashed against the windows of their modest home, his parents, Elara and Thorne Voss, welcomed their first child into the world. Elara, a gifted elemental manipulator known for her command over water, often said that the storm had been a harbinger of his unique powers. Thorne, a quiet yet formidable presence with the ability to create protective barriers, was the perfect complement to his wife. Together, they were a family rooted in love and the responsibilities that came with their gifts.

From an early age, Luca exhibited a curiosity that often led him into mischief. With tousled dark hair that matched his mother's deep brown eyes, he bore a striking resemblance to her. His skin was lightly freckled, a testament to countless hours spent outdoors exploring the world around him. He was a spirited child, his laughter infectious, bringing warmth to their small home that often felt too quiet for the two powerful beings who inhabited it.

Growing up, Luca learned about the responsibilities of being Gifted from his parents. They shared stories of their own training at Hollowreach Academy and the trials they faced as young students. His mother often reminded him, “With power comes responsibility,” a lesson that shaped his understanding of the world and his place within it. He marveled at the tales of his parents’ adventures, dreaming of the day he would step foot into Hollowreach himself.

Luca’s first manifestation of power occurred on his seventh birthday, a day marked by excitement and anticipation. Surrounded by family and friends, he had been playing with a group of children in their backyard, their laughter echoing through the air. As the day progressed, an argument erupted over a toy—a bright red truck that seemed to capture everyone’s attention. Voices rose in frustration as the children jostled for control, each wanting a turn to play with the coveted vehicle. The tension grew, a palpable energy crackling among them.

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos, Luca's heart raced, and a sense of desperation washed over him. He just wanted the fighting to stop; he wanted to restore the joy of the day. In that moment of frustration, he shouted, “I wish you would all just forget about it!”

To his astonishment, a strange wave rippled through the air. The children froze for an instant, and then, as if a switch had been flipped, they dropped the toy, their earlier conflict evaporating from their minds. They turned to each other, laughter bubbling forth as if the argument had never happened, their attention shifting seamlessly to the colorful balloons floating in the sky and the cake waiting to be sliced.

Luca felt a surge of exhilaration and confusion wash over him. He had done something incredible, yet he was left grappling with the implications. What had just happened? He watched as his friends began to chase each other around the yard, completely oblivious to the toy that had caused the uproar moments before. In the midst of this joy, however, a sharp pain shot through his head. The toll of exerting his young mind was palpable—he could feel his energy draining, a physical strain that manifested in the form of a nosebleed. Warm blood trickled down his upper lip, and panic surged through him. What was happening? He felt as if he were teetering on the edge of a precipice, struggling to keep his balance as the pressure mounted.

His mother, who had been nearby, quickly rushed over. She reached him just as he collapsed to his knees, the exhilaration of his power giving way to discomfort as he lost his grip on the moment. The children continued to play, blissfully unaware of what had just transpired.

“What just happened?” Luca asked, bewildered and frightened. Elara knelt beside him, her eyes wide with a mix of pride and concern. “You did something incredible, Luca,” she said softly, wiping the blood from his face. “But we need to learn how to control it.”

In the months following that fateful birthday, Elara and Thorne guided Luca through the process of understanding his abilities. His power, the ability to manipulate memories and influence minds, was both remarkable and daunting. They practiced together, refining his control and teaching him the importance of focus and intention.

Year Eight brought unexpected challenges. During a school field trip to the city, Luca overheard a conversation between two adults discussing a recent tragedy. A local family had lost their home in a fire, and the sorrow in their voices resonated with him. In that moment, he instinctively reached out, trying to lighten the burden of their grief. When he focused, the sadness around him seemed to lift, replaced by a gentle warmth that enveloped the adults. They exchanged smiles, their worries forgotten, but again the effort took its toll. That night, he woke to find blood on his pillow, a reminder of the emotional weight he had tried to bear.

By the time he turned nine, his powers began to manifest more frequently. During a particularly heated argument between his parents, he felt the tension crackling in the air. As his father raised his voice, Luca cried out, “Stop! Just stop!” The air shimmered around them, and in an instant, the argument ceased. Elara and Thorne blinked at each other, confusion and relief replacing anger. Yet, once again, Luca felt the headache pulse in his temples, the weight of their emotions flooding back to him like a tidal wave.

In his tenth year, a pivotal moment occurred at a family gathering. Cousins and friends filled the backyard, laughter blending with the aroma of grilled food. Amid the chaos, one of his cousins, feeling rejected after being excluded from a game, sat alone, tears streaming down her face. Sensing her pain, Luca approached her and said, “You don’t need to feel sad. We’re all here for you.” As he spoke, he instinctively reached out with his power, planting seeds of happiness in her mind. The effect was instantaneous; her frown melted away, replaced by a smile as she rejoined the group. Yet this time, the effort drained him profoundly. He spent the rest of the day nursing a crushing headache, retreating to a quiet corner of the yard, where he pressed his hands against his temples, trying to ease the pressure.

At eleven, Luca found himself grappling with the implications of his powers. One afternoon, he caught a glimpse of his mother staring out the window, her expression distant and sad. He approached her, wanting to help but unsure how. “Mom, what’s wrong?” he asked. Instead of answering, she sighed deeply, and in that moment, he felt an overwhelming urge to alleviate her burden. He concentrated, coaxing the weight of her worries to fade. Her smile returned, but he could sense that something deeper still lingered. That evening, he felt the familiar ache in his head return, this time coupled with a feeling of disconnection; it was as if part of his essence had been pulled away.

Finally, on the eve of his twelfth birthday, Luca received news that would change everything. His parents gathered him in the living room, their expressions serious yet excited. “Luca, we have something to tell you,” Elara began, her voice filled with warmth. “You’ve been selected for the application process at Hollowreach Academy.”

The words sank in slowly, filling him with a mix of disbelief and elation. Hollowreach Academy—the very institution his parents had spoken of so often, where Gifted like him honed their abilities and prepared for the responsibilities of their powers. “You’ll have a chance to learn, grow, and meet others like you,” Thorne added, a proud smile on his face.

As the news washed over him, a spark of determination ignited within Luca. He knew this was just the beginning of his journey, a chance to master his abilities and understand the power he held within. Little did he know that the path ahead would test not only his powers but also his understanding of friendship, loyalty, and the complexities of a world divided by fear and ambition.

With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, Luca prepared for the challenges that lay ahead, ready to embrace his destiny as a Gifted.