The door creaked open, and Lily stepped into Alex's room, her presence commanding yet soft. Her long black hair swayed as she surveyed the neatly packed bags by his desk, her sharp eyes softening as they landed on him. Dressed in a flowing silk blouse and tailored pants, she looked like she'd stepped out of a fashion magazine, but her gaze held a mother's warmth.
"Alex, sweetheart," she said, her voice smooth as velvet, "how are you feeling? Are you sure you want to go to university? You know you don't have to. I'll always take care of you."
Alex sat up straighter, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I'm okay, Mom. Just… nervous, I guess. But I can't just stay here forever, taking advantage of you. I want to do this."
Lily's lips curved into a gentle smile, but her eyes caught the slight tremor in his hands. She crossed the room, sitting on the edge of his bed. "What classes are you looking forward to?"
He shrugged, relaxing a bit. "Advanced Strategy, maybe? And Supernatural History. I figure if I can't use powers, I can at least understand them better."
She took his hand, her touch warm and grounding. "Don't worry, honey. Your abilities will come. You're just a late bloomer, like I was." Her voice was reassuring, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. "Goodnight, my sweet son." She kissed his forehead and left, the door clicking shut behind her.
Alone again, Alex lay back, his mind racing. If I do get powers, what would they be? Something flashy like Lila's shadows? Or maybe something subtle, like Mom's healing? He sighed, grabbing his phone as it buzzed. A text from "ShadowStriker," one of his online gaming friends he'd never met in person.
ShadowStriker: Yo, you're quiet tonight. What's up?
Alex: Just thinking. Starting college tomorrow.
ShadowStriker: NO WAY! You're going to ASD? I'm there too! Let's meet up tomorrow, yeah?
Alex: Seriously? That's awesome. Sure, let's do it.
ShadowStriker: Sweet. Night, dude!
Alex grinned, unaware his friend was a girl. He changed into shorts, ready to sleep, when the door creaked again. He didn't need to look to know it was Alice, his sister. She slipped into his room, her long black hair loose, wearing a loose tank top and shorts. Without a word, she slid under the covers, curling up beside him. It had started after his accident eight years ago—her sneaking in to sleep beside him, a comforting routine that had become second nature. Half-asleep, Alex pulled her close, murmuring, "Goodnight, sis," before drifting off.
Alice watched his sleeping face, her fingers gently brushing his hair. Her expression hardened, her thoughts drifting to earlier that evening. After Lily left Alex's room, she'd found Alice in the sprawling living room, its walls adorned with priceless art—paintings of storms and shadowed figures that seemed to watch them. Lily's voice had been low, serious.
"Alice," she'd said, her eyes piercing, "I couldn't convince him to stay. You know what this means. Protect your brother. Keep him close."
Alice had nodded, understanding the unspoken weight. Protect Alex from danger—his lack of powers made him vulnerable in a world of superhumans. But more than that, no one could know who he really was. Not yet. Her voice had taken on an almost possessive edge. "No one will take him from us."
Back in the present, Alice's eyes glinted as a shadow tendril slithered from her hand, attaching itself to Alex's wrist like a faint, inky bracelet. She closed her eyes, her breathing syncing with his as she fell asleep.
Morning came too soon. Alice, already dressed in a sleek black outfit that screamed confidence, nudged Alex awake. "Rise and shine, bro. I'll see you at school." She gave him a tight hug before vanishing out the door.
Alex dragged himself out of bed, nerves buzzing. He checked himself in the mirror—black jeans, a fitted jacket, glasses polished. His long hair was tied back, though a few strands fell into his eyes. Lily appeared in the doorway, looking like she'd walked off a runway in a tailored coat and heels. She adjusted his collar, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "You are the most handsome son," she said, chuckling as his cheeks flushed red. "Let's go."
He grabbed his bag, pausing to wave at their maid, Clara—a stunning middle-aged woman with silver-streaked hair who'd become like family. "Take care, Alex," she called, her warm smile easing his nerves.
They stepped outside to Lily's sleek, black SUV, its tinted windows gleaming. As they drove to the Academy for Supernatural Development, Lily's voice was calm but laced with excitement. "I've already spoken to the dean. Everything's set for your first day."
Alex nodded, staring out the window as the city blurred by—skyscrapers pulsing with holographic billboards, students levitating or teleporting to school. He caught glimpses of powers in action: a boy juggling orbs of crackling electricity, a girl with vines sprouting from her hands, weaving through the air like living ropes. Another student's eyes glowed as they manipulated sound, sending a low hum that shattered a nearby bottle into a spray of glass shards.
They pulled up to the academy, a sprawling campus of glass towers and training arenas. As Alex stepped out, he froze. Students were staring, their mouths agape. Girls screamed, "Is that really Lily?" Whispers erupted. "She has a son?" "Look at him, he's gorgeous!" "Those glasses are so cool." "Wait, is that Alice's brother?"
Alex's brow furrowed. Why are they freaking out? He'd rarely left the house, oblivious to his mother's fame. Lily, unfazed, strode forward with a radiant smile, her heels clicking. Alex hurried to keep up, his cheeks burning as he caught more comments. "He's gotta have powers like hers, right?" "No way, I heard he's powerless."
They reached the dean's office, a sleek room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a training field where students sparred, powers clashing in bursts of fire, ice, and telekinetic force. The dean, a towering woman of 6'6" with lean muscle, long silver hair, and striking red eyes, looked up from her desk. Her smile was warm toward Alex but faltered for a split second when she saw Lily, a flash of something cold in her gaze before it vanished. "Welcome, Alex," she said, her voice smooth. "And… Lily."
Alex sat, dismissing the odd tension. The dean, Dr. Veyra, explained his situation. "Since you haven't manifested powers yet, you won't participate in ability-based matches. You'll train with non-powered students for now." She noticed his disappointed expression and added, "Don't worry. Your sister, Alice, will be in your first two classes—Advanced Strategy and Supernatural History."
Alex nodded, relieved. He bowed, clutching his class list, and stepped out. Behind him, Dr. Veyra's smile faded as she locked eyes with Lily. "You're sure about this?" she asked, her tone clipped. "He's defenseless out there."
Lily's smile was razor-sharp. "He's my son. He'll be fine. Alice will ensure it."
As Alex walked into the bustling hall, he didn't notice the weight of their stares—or the shadow tendril still clinging to his wrist, pulsing faintly with Alice's power.