Awakening

  Ethan’s eyes fluttered open, his vision still hazy from the dream—or whatever that place had been. His body felt heavier than usual, his limbs weighed down as if something inside him had shifted. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows against the walls.

  Then, he heard them.

  His parents’ voices—low, urgent, filled with tension.

  “He shouldn’t have manifested this late,” his father muttered, pacing back and forth. “No child has ever awakened past sixteen, and now… this?”

  His mother’s voice was softer, but no less worried. “I know. But you saw what happened, didn’t you? The glow—it wasn’t just one power.”

  Ethan furrowed his brows, still groggy, struggling to process their words.

  “I saw it,” his father admitted, his tone grim. “At first, the fire—the unmistakable sign of Leo. But then… the shift. The precision, the energy, the control. Virgo.” He exhaled sharply, his hands gripping his hair. “This isn’t natural. It’s never happened before.”

  Ethan stiffened. Fire? Precision? What were they talking about?

  His mother’s voice wavered. “We always feared the Leo curse. Every child born under its sign was hunted, slaughtered by the king’s decree. If anyone finds out…” She trailed off, her voice barely a whisper now.

  His father’s footsteps stopped. “It’ll be a death sentence. For him. For us.”

  Silence. The weight of his father’s words settled over them like a thick fog.

  Then, his mother spoke again, more determined this time. “But what if it’s not hopeless?”

  Ethan could almost hear his father’s frown. “What do you mean?”

  “The Virgo manifestation,” she said, almost breathless. “If we can hide his Leo abilities, suppress them, make it seem like he only has Virgo’s gifts… maybe, just maybe, we can keep him safe.”

  Ethan’s breath caught in his throat.

  Hide his powers? Suppress them? His heart pounded as he clenched his fingers against the sheets. A sickening realization crept over him. His parents—his own parents—were afraid of him.

  Not just afraid. They saw him as a threat.

  His stomach twisted. What was happening to him?

  And worse—what if they were right to be afraid?

  He took a deep breath and pushed himself up. “I—” His voice cracked, and his parents turned sharply toward him. His mother rushed to his side, concern etched across her face.

  “Ethan, you’re awake.” She brushed his hair back, searching his face. “How do you feel?”

  He hesitated before answering. “Different.”

  His father folded his arms. “You collapsed, and then… your body started glowing.” His sharp eyes studied Ethan. “Do you remember anything?”

  Ethan opened his mouth, then hesitated. Could he tell them about Sophia? About the lion? Would they even believe him? He needed answers, but he couldn’t reveal too much.

  “I think… something’s wrong with my memory,” he said carefully. “Things feel… off. Like I don’t remember parts of my life.”

  His mother’s brow furrowed. “Your mind must still be recovering from the awakening.”

  His father, however, narrowed his eyes. “What exactly do you mean?”

  Ethan glanced down, pretending to struggle. “I remember you, I remember home, but… history feels blurry. Things I should know, I don’t.” He met his father’s gaze. “Like the Great Houses.”

  His father’s expression shifted, exchanging a look with his wife. Then, with a deep sigh, he sat down across from Ethan.

  “Then we’ll remind you.”

  His mother took a seat beside him. “Our world is ruled by twelve Great Houses, each tied to a Star Sign. Every person is born under a House and inherits its power. Some stronger than others.”

  His father continued, his voice more measured. “Leo’s House was known for its fire—strength, leadership, and an unyielding spirit.” A shadow crossed his face. “But they’re gone now.”

  Ethan forced himself to nod, though his heart pounded in his chest.

  His mother gestured to herself. “I’m of Virgo’s House, as you are. Our power is mastery—the ability to refine, craft, and perfect both skills and objects. While Leo was strength, Virgo is control.”

  Ethan’s mind spun as his father listed more Houses:

  — Aries, the House of Warriors, wielding raw, unstoppable force.

  — Taurus, the House of Endurance, blessed with unwavering resilience.

  — Gemini, the House of Illusions, masters of deception and communication.

  — Cancer, the House of Protection, known for shielding and emotional depth.

  — Libra, the House of Balance, with the power to judge and maintain order.

  — Scorpio, the House of Shadows, feared for their mysterious and deadly abilities.

  — Sagittarius, the House of Seekers, relentless explorers with boundless energy.

  — Capricorn, the House of Ambition, known for unbreakable discipline.

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  — Aquarius, the House of Innovation, wielding forces beyond conventional understanding.

  — Pisces, the House of Dreams, capable of visions and deep intuition.

  As his father spoke, Ethan’s head throbbed. It all sounded so familiar, yet distant—like a story he had once heard but never lived.

  His mother placed a hand on his shoulder. “You have Virgo’s power too, Ethan. That means you can master skills, control the energy around you. If we train you, you might be able to suppress Leo’s fire.”

  Ethan’s mind flashed back to Sophia—to the prophecy he had seen in the lion’s eyes.

  He clenched his fists. If he was going to survive, he had to learn.

  “I want to train,” he said firmly.

  His mother nodded, but his father’s expression remained uncertain.

  “We’ll start tomorrow,” his mother said. “But you must promise—never let anyone see the fire.”

  Ethan met her gaze and nodded.

  But deep down, he knew the fire wouldn’t stay hidden forever.

  The next morning, Ethan stood in the training chamber beneath their home, an underground space carved from stone, lit by glowing lanterns. His mother stood across from him, her expression calm but serious.

  “Virgo’s power isn’t about raw strength,” she explained, holding out her hands. A soft green glow shimmered around her fingers. “It’s about mastery—control over the physical and the mental. Precision, refinement, the ability to enhance what already exists.”

  Ethan watched as she reached for a simple wooden staff resting against the wall. With a mere touch, the wood darkened, its surface hardening into a polished, nearly indestructible material.

  “With time, a Virgo can craft weapons, fortify structures, even sharpen their own senses,” she continued. “But the key to our power is patience and focus.”

  Ethan swallowed hard. He had never trained for anything like this. The warmth of the Leo fire still pulsed deep within him, restless, waiting to be unleashed. But he couldn’t afford to let it show.

  “Close your eyes,” his mother instructed. “Feel the energy around you. It’s not just in your body—it’s in everything. The ground, the air, even the objects you touch.”

  Ethan took a breath and did as she said. At first, he felt nothing. Just the cold stillness of the chamber. But then, as he concentrated, a faint hum pulsed beneath his fingertips—a subtle vibration in the stone floor, the weight of the air shifting around him.

  “Good,” his mother said gently. “Now, direct that energy into something small. Pick up that stone.”

  Ethan opened his eyes and reached for a small rock on the ground. His mother’s green aura flickered softly as she watched him. He focused, willing the energy into the stone.

  Nothing happened.

  He clenched his jaw and tried again. Still nothing.

  His mother placed a hand on his shoulder. “Mastery isn’t about forcing power. It’s about understanding what’s already there. The stone is strong, but you can make it stronger. Don’t overpower it—guide it.”

  Ethan exhaled slowly. This time, he didn’t push. He listened. He felt.

  A faint green glow sparked at his fingertips. The rock trembled, its surface smoothing ever so slightly.

  His mother smiled. “That’s it.”

  Ethan grinned, but the moment was short-lived.

  The fire within him flared—unbidden, untamed. A surge of heat raced through his veins, and before he could stop it, a faint ember of golden light flickered across his skin.

  His mother’s smile vanished.

  “Ethan,” she said sharply.

  He yanked his hand back, heart pounding. The ember faded, but it was too late.

  His mother looked at him with fear. “You have to control it,” she whispered. “If anyone sees—”

  A loud knock echoed from above.

  Ethan and his mother froze. His father’s voice called from the entrance.

  “There’s someone at the door.”

  Ethan’s heartbeat quickened. His mother shot him a warning glance before swiftly extinguishing the last traces of energy lingering around her hands.

  “Go upstairs,” she whispered. “Stay out of sight.”

  Ethan hesitated. “Who is it?”

  “I don’t know,” his father answered from above. “But someone is at the door.”

  A firm knock echoed through the house.

  His mother didn’t waste another second. She grabbed Ethan’s wrist and pulled him toward the far end of the training chamber. Pressing her palm against the stone wall, she whispered a single word. The glow returned, pulsing softly as the wall shifted, revealing a narrow passage.

  “Go,” she urged.

  Ethan stepped inside just as the door creaked open. He pressed himself against the stone, listening.

  “Ah, old friend!” a familiar voice boomed. “I was just passing through and thought I’d pay you a visit.”

  Ethan’s father let out a breath. “Joren. You startled us.”

  Joren? Ethan recognized the name—an old family friend. But why now?

  “I hear you’ve been keeping busy,” Joren continued. “Hard to believe our children are growing up so fast, isn’t it? My daughter just entered the Stars Academy last month. Top of her class already! It’s only natural, of course—she manifested at sixteen, right on time.”

  Ethan’s mother stiffened beside him.

  “I imagine your boy will be enrolling soon?” Joren asked casually.

  Silence. Then his father spoke, voice measured. “Ethan’s future is still uncertain.”

  Joren let out a hearty laugh. “Nonsense! With his lineage, he must have developed an incredible ability.”

  Ethan swallowed hard.

  “Or… has something delayed his awakening?” Joren added, a note of curiosity in his voice.

  Ethan’s mother shot him a look, warning him not to make a sound.

  “Every child’s path is different,” his father said smoothly. “Now, why don’t we sit for some tea?”

  Ethan barely breathed as he heard their footsteps retreat toward the sitting room. His mother turned to him, whispering urgently.

  “Stay here. Do not come out until we call for you.”

  Ethan nodded. His heart pounded.

  Joren was no threat, but if word got out that Ethan’s powers had manifested a year late—and worse, that they bore the mark of both Leo and Virgo—there would be questions.

  And questions could lead to danger.

  Ethan lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind spinning with everything he had seen. His mother’s green aura, the way the wall had shifted like it was alive—he never imagined anything like this was possible. A whole world of magic and power existed right in front of him.

  And I have power too…

  He clenched his fists, trying to recall the feeling from earlier, the surge of energy that had made his body glow. But no matter how much he focused, nothing happened. The thought unsettled him. He knew enough to realize this wasn’t normal.

  His eyes grew heavy, his thoughts tangling together as exhaustion took over.

  When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in his room. He was back beneath the golden tree, the soft rustling of leaves above him filling the quiet air. Across from him sat his sister, Sophia, resting against the large lion at her side. Its golden eyes stared at him knowingly, as if it recognized him.

  Sophia smiled. “You came back.”

  Ethan swallowed hard, emotions welling up in his chest. “I… I don’t understand any of this.”

  She patted the ground beside her.

  He sat down, still wary, his gaze flicking between her and the lion. “I saw Mom use her power today. She called it Virgo. And then I—” He hesitated. “I have it too. But I also have something else.”

  Sophia nodded. “I know. That’s why I brought you here.”

  Ethan’s brows furrowed. “You brought me here?”

  She tapped her temple. “We’re connected, remember? I can reach you when you sleep.”

  He let out a breath, still struggling to grasp everything. “Mom said Virgo power is about mastery… but what does that mean?”

  Sophia stretched out her hand, a soft green glow forming in her palm. “Virgo’s power is the art of mastery. It lets you refine, shape, and perfect things beyond normal limits. It’s why Virgo users are great craftsmen, alchemists, and healers. They don’t just control energy—they enhance it, make it their own.”

  Ethan watched in awe as she traced a pattern in the air, the green light weaving into a delicate shape before fading. “That’s… incredible.”

  “You have that power too,” she said. “Because I shared it with you.”

  Ethan blinked. “What?”

  She turned to him, her expression soft. “The night I… the night I died, something happened. I didn’t just disappear, Ethan. A part of me stayed with you. My Virgo power became yours.”

  His breath caught in his throat. “So that’s why I have two abilities?”

  Sophia nodded. “Yes. But you’ll have to learn to use them both. That’s why I’ll help train you.”

  Ethan felt overwhelmed, but he swallowed down the emotions rising in his chest. “Okay. Where do we start?”

  Sophia smiled. “Try to summon your Virgo aura.”

  He nodded, closing his eyes and reaching for that strange green energy he had felt earlier. At first, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a faint green glow flickered around his hands. But when he tried to hold onto it, it slipped away like water through his fingers.

  Sophia nodded. “That’s normal. Virgo power isn’t about control—it’s about mastering the flow. You have to let it move through you, not force it.”

  Ethan exhaled in frustration. “That sounds easier said than done.”

  She chuckled. “It takes time. Now, try the other one.”

  The moment Ethan turned his focus to the other energy inside him, everything changed.

  A golden aura erupted around him, powerful and radiant. The lion beside Sophia lifted its head, its body glowing in response. Birds scattered from the trees, only to circle high above him in perfect formation, their cries echoing in the distance.

  Ethan gasped at the sight, the sheer power of the moment overwhelming him.

  Sophia watched him carefully, a mix of pride and sadness in her eyes. “Your journey has already begun, Ethan.”

  He turned to her, the golden energy still pulsing around him. “What does this mean?”

  She met his gaze, her voice quiet but firm. “It means you need to be ready for what’s coming.”

  Ethan sat beneath the golden tree, the vibrant hues of the dreamscape surrounding him. Sophia knelt beside him, holding out two items: a strand of the lion’s mane and a single grain of wheat.

  “Take these,” she instructed, her voice gentle yet firm. “Focus on both simultaneously. Use your Virgo power to merge them into one.”

  Ethan furrowed his brow, taking the items into his hands. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the essence of each object, attempting to weave them together with the green energy he had begun to sense within himself.

  Minutes felt like hours as he struggled, sweat forming on his brow. Just as doubt began to creep in, the grain emitted a soft glow. Intricate symbols, reminiscent of ancient scripts, appeared on its surface, shimmering like ethereal code. With a final surge of energy, the grain and hair fused, emitting a bright green light. When the glow subsided, the grain had sprouted a delicate leaf.

  Ethan stared in awe. “What… what just happened?”

  Sophia smiled, her eyes reflecting pride. “The Virgo power is akin to rewriting the fundamental code of our world. Just as you understand computer programming, this ability allows you to deconstruct and reconstruct matter, transforming it into something new.”

  Ethan nodded slowly, the analogy resonating with him. “So, I can ‘program’ reality?”

  “In a manner of speaking, yes,” she replied. “But there’s more. You must learn to harmonize this with your Leo abilities. Transforming the raw, fiery energy of Leo into the refined essence of Virgo is a challenge only you can undertake.”

  He looked at her, determination mingling with uncertainty. “How do I do that?”

  Sophia’s form began to shimmer, the dreamscape wavering. “That is a journey you must embark on alone, dear brother. But remember, mastery comes not just from power, but from understanding and balance.”

  As her image faded, Ethan felt a profound sense of purpose settle within him, ready to face the challenges ahead.