Their Light

Special Chapter - Finn, age 9

Finn, age 9

Mother and father's trip felt like it was lasting forever. I had the house staff to keep me company, but it just wasn't the same. Kent and Ryder spent almost all their time at training nowadays. I missed them, but I didn't like how mother and father acted when they were home.

Once mother and father were back, they promised to take me shopping for new clothes for the upcoming school term. I only had two more weeks of summer left. Lately, I wanted it to last forever.

I liked school, but I was also dreading it. More and more of my friends got pulled from the general class as their powers came in. I wished my powers would show up already.

Father asked me every day at dinner if I felt anything or had done anything. I hated disappointing him, but my answer was always no. I made sure to spend my required time outside every day. They hoped this would nurture my connection to nature. Their words, not mine.

Kevin, my father's Kustos, was my constant companion. He guarded me and also taught me most days. Some days he was insufferable, but other days he felt like a friend. Today was unfortunately the first kind.

"Why can't I go?" I asked again rather loudly. "Khan and Leo are going to the market. I told them I would meet them there. I can't just not show up!"

"You have been putting off your lessons all summer," Kevin scolded. "You have to get them done before your parents' return."

Frustration filled me. I paced around my room, not caring that I was on the verge of a tantrum. My parents had signed me up for these extra lessons. I didn't want to spend my summer reading from a textbook, but there was no arguing with my parents.

Khan practically ruled the school. He would make me a laughingstock if I didn't show up. His father was a powerful Probus, like mine. The difference was Khan had come into his abilities. He was a Probus.

"Everyone is going to be at the end of summer market," I tried to explain. The market was one of the biggest annual events in Domu. My parents had been enraged when their travel had coincided with the dates of the festival.

"Well, apparently not everyone," Kevin said pointedly. I rolled my eyes. Before I could say anything else, I heard the door open downstairs.

"Anybody home?" a familiar voice called. A smile bloomed on my face as I rushed out of my bedroom. The world blurred around me, my sole focus on getting to the entrance as fast as possible.

"Kent!" I shouted, jumping at him and hugging him tightly. He staggered back, his arms wrapping around me.

"H-hey, kiddo," he stuttered out. I glanced up at him, concerned.

"What's wrong?" I asked. He looked normal. His hair was longer and I could see a couple of bruises peeking out of his shirt.

"Nothing, nothing's wrong." He placed and hand on my head and ruffled my hair. I batted his hands away.

"Stop!" I laughed.

"Welcome back, Kent," Kevin said behind me. I turned, and he was just coming down the stairs.

"Slowpoke, what took you so long?" I teased. Kevin glanced at Kent. Kent cleared his throat, drawing my attention.

"You got your powers, Finn," Kent said, confusing me.

"What? I did?" He nodded.

"You just moved so fast you blurred," Kent told me. I looked back to the stairs. Everything blurred when I moved, but I was just so focused on getting to Kent.

"I got my powers!" I exclaimed, jumping.

I tried to do it again. I focused on running around Kent as fast as I could. The world blurred around me again. I stopped in the same place I had started. Kent smiled at me, but it was a sad smile. It took me a moment to realize why.