The law offices of Sarah and David Stern stood tall in the heart of the city. Inside, legal discussions filled the air—sharp voices debating over laws and contracts, the steady rhythm of quills scratching against parchment.
Alex walked with measured steps, leading Olana and Max to a door with two elegantly engraved names:
Sarah & David Stern
He hesitated, then knocked lightly.
"Mom? Dad?"
A chair scraped inside, and moments later, the door opened.
Sarah Stern's eyes widened in surprise. "Alex? What are you doing here?"
Inside, his father, David Stern, sat behind his large oak desk, flipping through legal documents. He raised an eyebrow at the unexpected visit.
"And who are your friends?"
Alex stepped aside, gesturing toward Olana and Max.
Olana greeted them politely. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Stern."
Sarah put down her pen, adjusting her glasses slightly. "Well, this is a surprise. Alex doesn't usually bring people here."
David leaned forward, his gaze sharpening.
"Especially not ones from the Church."
Alex swallowed hard.
Here we go.
He rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers clenching slightly as he tried to find the right words.
"She's… she's here because of the Church. They think I'm part of some prophecy."
His father's expression hardened slightly.
"The Church thinks that?"
Alex forced himself to keep going, even as his chest tightened.
"Yeah. They say I'm… one of the Four."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Sarah and David exchanged glances.
They didn't look surprised.
Olana caught the shift immediately, her green eyes flickering with curiosity.
"You don't seem shocked."
David sighed, closing his book with a soft thud.
"We always knew Alex was… special."
Sarah nodded, her fingers intertwining. "What kind of six-year-old can cast Sparks without training?"
Alex's stomach twisted.
They had known?
For how long?
He took a step forward, his voice quieter now. "Then… why didn't you tell me?"
David exhaled. "Because we didn't want you to feel like an outsider. You already had enough struggles fitting in."
Sarah placed a gentle hand on Alex's shoulder. "And we didn't know what it meant. Until now."
Alex wasn't sure how to feel.
Betrayed? Relieved?
Before he could process it, David turned back to Olana.
"I assume you want to take him to Lotardale?"
Olana nodded. "He needs training. He has power, but without guidance, it could become dangerous."
Sarah hesitated. "And if we say no?"
Olana's expression remained calm. "Then he will still have this power. And others will come looking for him."
David tapped his fingers on the desk, thinking. Then, he glanced at Olana.
"Can we have a moment alone?"
Olana gave a short nod, then turned to Max.
"Max, take Alex outside for a bit."
Max tilted his head but didn't argue. He nudged Alex. "Come on, let's go."
Alex hesitated, but followed.
***
The cool air brushed against Alex's skin as they stepped outside. The city lights flickered, casting long, shifting shadows across the cobblestone streets.
Max leaned against a nearby stone railing, crossing his arms with an easy confidence.
"You look like you're about to pass out."
Alex let out a shaky exhale, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I just… I don't know what they're going to say."
Max smirked, tilting his head slightly.
"Well, you're already in this. So, really, they don't have a choice."
Alex scoffed, shaking his head.
"It's not that simple."
Max chuckled, the sound light and effortless, as if the weight of prophecy and expectation meant nothing to him.
"Nothing ever is."
For a moment, Alex just stared at him—this boy who had been thrown into his life so suddenly, yet somehow, felt… familiar.
And then, without meaning to, he smiled.
A small, hesitant curve of his lips at first—then something real. Something genuine.
The feeling was strange, unfamiliar.
But it was the first time in his life he had looked at someone and thought,
Maybe I'm not alone anymore
*****
Inside the law office, Sarah and David stood by the window, watching.
Below, Alex and Max laughed together, the tension in Alex's shoulders gone for the first time.
Sarah brought a hand to her mouth, her eyes shining. "We've never seen him like this before."
David let out a long breath. "Maybe this is what he needs."
They turned to Olana.
"If this is truly what Alex wants, then we'll accept it. And we're going too."
Sarah smiled softly. "We won't send him off into the unknown alone."
David looked back outside at Alex before nodding. "Call him back in."
Once Alex was back inside, his parents sat him down one last time.
Sarah reached for his hand. "Alex… is this what you want?"
Alex took a deep breath, then nodded. "Yes."
Sarah and David exchanged glances once more before David finally spoke.
"Then it's decided."
Olana took a slow breath before adding something else.
"Before we leave, I want you to know something, Mr. and Mrs. Stern."
She glanced at Max briefly, then turned back to Alex's parents.
"Max isn't just traveling with me—he's one of the Four, too."
Sarah's eyes widened. "What?"
David's brow furrowed as he turned his gaze toward Max. "He's… also an Heir?"
Max gave a small grin but stayed silent, letting Olana continue.
Olana nodded. "Yes. He is the Earth Heir. And I want you to know that I will train Alex the same way I've trained my brother."
Sarah and David exchanged another look, their expressions shifting from shock to deep thought.
Olana gave a small smile. "Yes. And I understand your concerns as parents more than you know. That's why I promise you—Alex will be safe. I will protect him the same way I protect my own brother."
David studied her for a long moment. Then, he nodded.
"Then let's go to Lotardale."
Sarah smiled at Alex. "Together."
Alex felt a strange warmth in his chest.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't alone.
As they prepared for Lotardale, Alex felt a mix of anticipation, excitement, and a hint of apprehension. The unknown lay before them, and the journey promised challenges and discoveries. Yet, deep down, Alex knew they were embarking on an extraordinary adventure that would forever shape their lives.