[Television: now on local new- four children have gone missing this week again. The local police departments and selected hero agencies by the states ministry of heroes, are continuing their joint investigation. there has been a surprising rise in child trafficking cases in major towns and cities all over. Authorities assure the public that every effort is being made the save the children and put an end to those suspected trafficking operations. On other news a horde of calamities just attacked a neighboring kingdom. This is channel 7 news, stay tuned..'']
The room was quiet. , steeped in the soft glow of sunset light filtering through silk curtains. Eric laid on massive bed draped in white linen, the pillows embroidered with the crest of the Ranvier family. Then something happened. He begun to hear voices, loud, mysterious while in his sleep it called[ Raelion, Ingra, Thalos ,Sakura,.] over and over again.
The walls of the room were beige in color, trimmed with golden line patterns and designs which shimmered faintly.
A faint scent of incense lingered in the air, something clean, almost royal.
Eric got up and stirred at himself. His fingers twitched against the sheets, body wrapped in neat layers of bandages. ''Of course i got beat up...Again.'' he murmured to himself.
A low groan escaped his lips as he slowly turned his head, His vision blurred for a moment before clearing- and there sitting beside him, was Sir Ethan. The noble sat quietly on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together, his eyes locked on Eric but his mind, drifting.
Eric blinked, trying to sit up. ''..huh?...Sir Ethan?''
Ethan gave a faint nod. '' You're awake. I'm glad.''
Eric stared a his arms and body coved in white bandages. '' I'm guessing I didn't win.'' He laughed awkwardly.
'' No you didn't win,'' Sir Ethan chuckled. '' I just came to check on you. How are you feeling does anything hurt?''
Eric blinked a couple times, his body still ached, reminding him of the fight. '' Is ok, I've gone through worse.'' he muttered with a big smile on his face . '' I'm breathing so, I'll live.''
Ethan exhaled, a mix of relief and regret. ''I'm glad to hear that. ''he paused, stood up before speaking again.'' I apologize for what my son did to you yesterday and for the fight with E-Quake. You shouldn't have been dragged into that mess. Afterall, you had just been discharged from the hospital. I should have been there sooner.''
Eric looked down at his bandaged hands. '' Is not your fault,'' he said.
Ethan's voice darkened. '' That's no excuse . what happened on that field, what Leopold did, what happened to Arthur, and Annabelle. I'll deal with the branch family myself.''
Eric eyes widened in shock '' Annabelle? you mean they left her out there on the street alone?''
Sir Ethan nodded slowly. '' Yes, E-Quake said so.''
Eric raised an eyebrow. '' Sorry but, I don't think they'll just stop that easily just because they said so.''
''I know.... is war they want Eric... so is war they'll get.'' Ethan's eyes met Eric, calm but firm. '' Again...I was informed by the siblings that you were observing some of my amazing collection of books, if it makes you happy you can take one home if you want.''-
Eric's eyes widened, caught off guard. '' Yo, seriously?, Really? I can take one?''
''Of course,'' Ethan replied lightly.'' I have more than i can ever read - half of them came from an auction i barely remember attending. So, yes, take as many as you want.'' he paused, looking at Eric with a bright smirk. '' After all... you and I aren't so different partner.''
Eric squinted his eyes and pouted in a funny way. '' huh?''
''I'm saying that you and I aren't so different, I wasn't born into comfort or wealth. Just like you I was an orphan just like you.''
Eric's sat there shocked, staring at Ethan for a minute.
''Just like you i grew up in an orphanage. When I was thirteen, I saw a man on television- the noble of the Ranvier family. And... i didn't know why, but wo looked so much alike. It was stupid, really- but a thought crossed my mind that night. Could he... be my father?
He chuckled. '' I was a dumb thought, i just saw a man on television, a noble... now I'm thinking whether he could by my father, but what if it was not, i had to find out. So when i hit sixteen, I ran away from the orphanage and took a job here- as a servant in the Ranvier estate.''
Ethan paused, eyes looking at the opened window. '' A year later, I told him the truth- that i was his son. The reaction was not so ok. The main and branch families were furious, the queen was ok, but the others... . They called me a bastard, a mistake, telling my dad that the family cant be disgraced my presence, '' what would the other nobles say?, what would the press and news say?''. But the noble- my father- he accepted me.''
Eric sat there quietly. ''that's nice.'' he thought.
''Year passed,'' Ethan continued.'' and the main family begun to finally accept me. But the branch family...they never did. During one of the festivities of the family, the spirit bird-Ranvier- descended and chose me as my father's heir, blessing my with its power. The main family member were ok with it since i was the first born, but two brother and the main family- they saw it as theft. Calling me the bastard who stole someone's birthright.''
Sir Ethan sighed. '' That's how it is right now. Now they want to hurt my family... I wont let that happen!.''
The room fell silent for a while, until Eric spoke. '' That's cool..... If is ok with you your highness-'' Eric adjusted his pillow before laying his head down. He looked at his arm once more. The bet and message he got from Taffy the cat detective, rushed into his thought ''...Sir Ethan... I wish to enter a hero Academy.''
'' A hero academy?, really?''
''Yes sir,'' Eric answered '' E-Quake, plans to hurt my family, I'm sure of it, due to our association, and how i almost whooped his ass. I want to become stronger. strong enough that no one ever, looks down me and try to hurt the people i care about ever again.''
''But i heard you're a late bloomer, your powers might not even activate, i difficult for heroes without powers.'' Ethan said.
Eric smiled confidently.'' Did that ever stop them.''
Ethan blinked, surprised for a moment , he wasn't expecting that kind of reply.
''Ok, boy...I'll endorse you under the family name. That way it'll make it so much easier for you. The hero exam begins in a month, but since you're under me, you wont have to participate.'' Sir Ethan stretched his hand and Eric shook it '' Welcome to the hero academy Eric.''
''Thank you My lord.''
'' Your welcome. Oh...and one more thing.'' he said reaching into his pocket. ''Is from your Aunt Tracy she told me to give you this.''
he reached into his pocket and pulled out a recorder and handed it to Eric.
Just then ''buzzzz!'' Sir Ethan's phone rang '' A call?, Eric I've got to go.'' he walked over to the door. '' Your welcome to use my study.'' and just like that he left.
+++Hours later.
During the night, Eric put on his pajamas and quietly opened the door of his room with the idea to grab the book he saw at the study. The hallway was dimly lit by golden sconces. He walked slowly, his eyes watching the grand portraits hung along the walls- faces of nobles, superheroes and ancestors he didn't know. Each painting seemed to stare back at him. Then the voice called louder this time [ Raelion, Ingra, Thalos, Sakura!!!]. whare is that coming from he thought.
From down the corridor Eric heard the sound of footsteps. Eric glanced, Lady Helen was approaching- elegant as ever- and beside her was..... oh an unpleasant face... it was Leopold. As they both got closer, Eric noticed something. Other than the fact that his head hung low form shame, his face. the side of his face had swollen, red, and clearly with the outline of a hand. looked like he'd been slapped non stop.
Lay Helen noticed him. approaching him with a smile on her face. '' Oh. Eric,'' she said softly. '' what are you doing outside, are feeling unwell, i can have one of the maids bring you something?''
'' No no I'm ok i just couldn't sleep,'' Eric replied rubbing the back of his neck.'' So i went out for a walk.''
[ Raelion, Ingra, Thalos, Sakura!!!]
''I see..'' she said softly, then her gaze turned to Leopold- a cold, sharp gaze. '' I think Leopold has something to say to you, Eric. Right Leopold?''
Leopold stiffened in fear and nodded quickly avoiding both their eyes ''Y..Yeah...''
She gave Eric a nod and walked past, her perfume lingering in the air. Now it was just him and Leopold in the hallway.[ Raelion, Ingra, Thalos, Saku..
''Listen. Let's just forget about this, Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go.''
As Leopold started walking past Eric- but something snapped. In an instant Erics hand shot out, he gripped Leopold by the collar, yanked him back and slammed him against the wall. Eric hand rose to Leopold's throat, lifting him off the ground[Raelion, Ingra, Thalos, Sakura!!!]
Eric eyes changed color his gaze at Leo was crazy, his eyes dark Red, then green, then blue-white, then purple over and over again.