demiGod : Part I: demiGod Rising, #1

Prologue - The Burning

Aiden stared into the flames and could not believe that this had happened again. The fire ate away at the hanging tapestry, while dark smoke cascaded into the ceiling of the auditorium. The palms of Aiden's hands were still warm from producing the fire.

John stammered in disbelief, looking rapidly back and forth between Aiden and the flames. Aiden already knew what John was thinking. John had been threatening to pummel Aiden just moments before, but now the tall boy was speechless and wide-eyed. He finally managed to utter something unintelligible, clasping his closely-shaven head and looking wildly around.

John raced from the room, his sneakers squeaking and echoing chaotically on the flooring. Aiden felt glued to the spot. He released a sigh of exasperation and blinked uncontrollably for a moment. When the blinking had subsided, he realized that people were rushing into the room and gasping at the fire.

Shouts filled the expanse and bounced off the walls. Someone told the others to remain calm, but Aiden heard a handful of feminine shrieks from somewhere behind him. The flames had crawled to the top of the hanging by now and were sprawling along the fabric connecting the other tapestries. What once had been a symbol of school pride now hung as a smoldering hodgepodge of threads and charred materials.

A firm hand landed on Aiden's shoulder. It was Principal Sevalis.

Aiden said nothing, especially in light of the man's firm demand that Aiden follow him. The principal was a rotund man who always wore striped jackets, and when his mustache twitched--as it did now--students knew the man was serious. Aiden trailed the principal out of the auditorium and into the hall, keeping his own small frame in the large man's shadow even as crowds began to gather around the fire. Principal Sevalis' eyes were furious, and he reached around to grab Aiden by the collar. They were now side by side. They continued on in silence, and the man only stopped to bark commands to teachers passing by. He was letting the others deal with the emergency, and Aiden prepared himself for what he knew would come next.

In moments, Aiden found himself in a seat against the wall, just across from the school receptionist. After his face had grown a shade of red, the principal told Aiden to wait. After a moment, Aiden heard the principal talking to someone inside his office, then came the clack of the receiver, abruptly ending with a small ding.

All was quiet behind the Principal's closed door, so all Aiden could do was wait.

Aiden might have been more upset or even scared, if this sort of thing hadn't already happened at two other schools within the last couple of years.

He observed the scene just outside the large office windows. Firemen rushed through the hall, followed by teachers. Finally a handful of police followed. A whirlwind of energy and commotion could be heard from somewhere beyond the outside hallway. Aiden buried his face in his hands and could only hope it would soon be over.

The minutes seemed to drag on, but in record time, Aiden saw his mother's face come through the office door. She was somewhat tall with a calming presence, despite her troubled expression. She rushed to Aiden's side, sweeping her auburn hair away from her pale complexion. Despite how much her features greatly contrasted with Aiden's olive-toned skin and dark hair, there was no doubting their connection to each other.

Are you alright? his mother asked, her face more wrinkled with worry than usual.

Yeah, I guess, Aiden said, maintaining his indifference.

But the firetrucks and the police...

Aiden stood as his mother forced her arms around him. Yeah, I know, he said with a sigh. I, uh, caught a tapestry on fire. This time, I swear it wasn't on purpose.

His mother broke their embrace and glared at him.

You've only got a month left of school, she said, disappointment dripping from her words. We'll figure it out. But what am I going to do with you?

Aiden shook his head and sat back down. He didn't care to recall how many times he'd heard her utter that phrase.

His mother sat next to him and grabbed his face, her brown eyes searching his. I just don't know what to do, she said, her eyes turning glassy. You and I have to figure out how to control this thing.

Aiden averted his gaze and remained silent, pulling free from her grasp.

I don't know if this changes anything, Aiden's mother muttered, her forehead wrinkling in anger. But no more TV, music, or video games for a month.

Seriously? Aiden snapped, as if broken out of a trance. That's all I have left.

His mother threw him a piercing look. Aiden Gailhart, she said through clenched teeth, glancing back to make sure the receptionist was not paying them too much attention. What am I supposed to do? I've tried everything, haven't I? Until we get this thing figured out... This--thing that you do--until you can learn some self-control... I mean, who else can start fires--

By now, she was so upset that Aiden leaned back, unsure if she would scream or cry. Her thoughts no longer seemed coherent.

Fine, Aiden finally responded, moved by his mother's emotion. I'll do what I have to do I guess... But you would punish me on my birthday?

His mother straightened up and almost laughed, dabbing at her eyes. It's not your birthday, she said, maintaining a serious tone. Not yet anyway.

Dammit.

Watch your language, his mother chided him. Anyway, how could I forget your fifteenth birthday? I'm your mother. Of course, you will be spending it grounded with none of your toys...

Aiden groaned and rolled his eyes.

He threatened to kill me, Aiden said, watching his mother's eyes dart to the principal's door. John threatened to kill me this time.

Kids say all kinds of things they don't mean, his mother replied somewhat casually despite Aiden's somber tone.

I don't need this place anyway, Aiden sighed. It's bad enough that they're always calling me a gook.

His mother's head snapped back in Aiden's direction. You listen, she began with a ferocious gleam in her eyes. If all you do is care about what others say--I don't care how terrible it is--you'll never get past who they think you are. You'll never be who you're supposed to be.

Aiden sat silently, surprised by his mother's reaction.

Understand?

Aiden nodded, feeling as though he were a child again.

His mother stood, straightened up her skirt, and asked the receptionist if the principal was ready to see her now. The receptionist nodded. Aiden slumped back in his chair, wishing he had a hat or something to pull down over his face.

Wish me luck, his mother said in a sardonic tone.

It's your favorite part, Aiden muttered, staring straight ahead with an empty gaze.

Chapter 1 - Of Agnecs and Amblers

In all of Aiden's fifteen summers, he couldn't remember a hotter couple of months in Philadelphia. His bedroom was sweltering, despite the fan oscillating at full blast. He had already resorted to wearing his white undershirt, which was more of a long tank top, and still he could hardly take the heat. He decided the best thing to do was not move.

So far, this idea had seemed to work a little, and he stretched out on his bed, his back soaked in sweat. Beats were emanating from the stereo on Aiden's dresser as he listened to the latest rap CD. He tried only thinking of the music, but there were far too many other things to think of.

Most of them were things he really didn't want to think of.

Despite how school was no longer in session, the events of last year still taunted him. Once word got out that he was different, it was a sure sign that he would end up at some other school. Some other school in some other neighborhood, and his mother would have to drive out of her way to get him there. Sometimes he hated that the most.

Some of the guys from school, including John, had caught him at the store just this morning. They would not let him forget about the fire.

Aiden wasn't sure how to explain it, but something strange sometimes happened when he felt intense emotion. His hands would swell and burn, and his heart would pound until the compulsion to rid himself of this energy was far more important than anything else. Flames would leap from his hands in bright balls, slamming into anything in their path.

He was very thankful he had never actually hit anybody with one of these energy balls, as he called them, but he had done a fair bit of property damage. Although, when he saw the leering faces of his accusers in his mind, he could almost feel that burning sensation all over again.

Screw them anyway... Aiden said, staring at the popcorn-patterned asbestos ceiling.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, and his mother popped her head inside the room. She smiled, but her eyes were tired and her hair was pulled back in a rather rushed fashion.

Honey? she said, glaring at the stereo. Can you turn this down?

Aiden sighed and rolled his eyes. It took all of his energy just to pry himself off of his bed and reach over to turn down the volume. When he was done, his mother smiled again.

Someone's here to see you, his mother said.

Aiden's face wrinkled in confusion. Who?

Come on out and see.

Who is it? Aiden asked, refusing to move.

Someone's here from the school I was telling you about.

Aiden grimaced and his shoulders tensed. That reform school?

It's not a reform school, his mother hissed. Now get out here.

Aiden stood up, clicked off the stereo, and begrudgingly followed his mother out of the room and into the short hallway. Being not very tall himself, he couldn't see past his mother in the narrow space, though he tried. There, in the small living room, Aiden stopped, taken aback.

Before them stood a tall, bearded man with strikingly blue eyes. His long trench coat made Aiden think of those old mob movies he used to watch on late night television.

Mister Pestler, Aiden's mother addressed the man. This is Aiden. She gestured to her son. Why don't you two sit down?

Thank you, Lisa, the man said, his voice strong. Please, call me Vodin. In the Agnec world, everyone tends to be on a first-name basis.

Aiden's mother nodded in agreement, ignoring Aiden's lost expression. Vodin smiled at the woman, then turned his attention to the boy.

Aiden shrugged. He sat down on their old couch while the older man sat across from him on a floral-patterned armchair. Vodin seemed far too comfortable, making Aiden squirm in his seat. Vodin looked away for a moment, watching Aiden's mother step into the kitchen, but then returned his full attention to the boy.

Aiden, the man said, his kind eyes taking in the boy's discomfort. I am Headmaster of the Mount Katahdin Guild School for D'Tari. Your mother's told me a lot about what you're going through.

Aiden was silent, feigning a look of disinterest. He tried to ignore the school's very strange sounding name. He tried to ignore the almost hypnotic effect of the man's youthful blue eyes.

I hear you've had some trouble at school, Vodin continued, his mouth almost curling in a whimsical smile. As did I, in the olden days.

Aiden almost smiled, but caught himself. Despite the beard, the man did not look old enough to talk of olden days.

Aiden's mother returned and handed Aiden and Vodin each a tall glass of lemonade Vodin nodded in appreciation, looking weary in his trench coat.

Aren't you uncomfortable in that coat? Aiden's mother asked the man.

Vodin nodded. Yes, I suppose I am. I hadn't thought about it.

Aiden placed his glass of lemonade on the old coffee table, unsure how cool it was to be drinking lemonade. It seemed like such a little kid's drink to him. Then again, he could feel the sweat gluing his back to the couch... He picked up his glass again and drank deeply.

When he was done, Aiden looked over and realized Vodin had taken off his long trench-coat. Aiden's brown eyes widened at the sight. Once Vodin had gently laid his trench coat over the puffy arm of his chair, it was revealed that he wore a kind of suit. It was a casual suit, and looked liked something men wore a long time ago, perhaps in the early nineteen-hundreds, or even before. Aiden couldn't even be sure. He just knew that he'd only seen this sort of thing in movies.

Vodin wore a green sleeveless vest with a high-collared white shirt beneath it, the sleeves of the shirt neatly rolled up just above his elbows. Aiden raised an eyebrow at the Headmaster's pants, which were somewhat tight, tan trousers that tucked into tall leather boots. He averted his gaze, trying to hide his amusement.

Maybe he's one of those historical reenactment weirdos, Aiden wondered.

Where were we? Vodin said, looking back to the boy after Aiden's mother had left the room once more. You've noticed my clothes, I see.

Aiden's eyes snapped back to Vodin's face, his cheeks turning pink.

Vodin smiled. No matter. It is all part of the culture clash I suppose, he said. As I was saying, your mother tells me you've been in some trouble.

I guess...

It's alright. Most of us do, when we realize we have something that others don't.

Aiden's face had gone blank.

I hear you can make fire, Vodin said, his tone matter-of-fact. Energy, more explicitly. Raw energy that bursts into flame whenever it impacts upon something.

Aiden knew that he looked guilty, but he said nothing. Why would his mother have actually told someone about that?

No. I can't do that, Aiden mumbled, shaking his head.

You set something on fire in your school auditorium, I believe...

Aiden could only stare at the floor.

It's alright, Vodin said, smiling at Aiden. So can I. It was one of the first things I realized I could do.

There was a moment of silence as Aiden tried to imagine what Vodin had meant.

It won't be easy to hear this, but bear with me, Vodin continued. I belong to an ancient order called the D'Tari. We all have the abilities you have, and in fact, many more. We train children like you at the Mount Katahdin Guild, and help them discover their abilities.

Aiden was listening, his mind exploding with questions.

Wait, Aiden said, looking around the room as if wondering where the camera crew was. There's others who can do... what I can do?

Vodin smiled. Of course. And more.

This can't be real.

I know this can be shocking at first, Vodin said, his tone calm. So I suppose it's good you're sitting down. I feel I should explain to you some of the basics right now, because, well... Vodin stopped and made eye contact with Aiden. You've never had the chance to know.

Aiden wasn't sure how he should feel