NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: Chapter 2: A Child of Defiance
The first thing he felt was warmth. It enveloped him like a cocoon, soft and comforting. His senses were still dull, his body small and fragile. He could hear the faint crackling of a fire nearby, the sound of footsteps on wooden floors, and the gentle hum of a woman's voice. He opened his eyes, blinking against the dim light of the cabin.
He was a baby again. Small, helpless, and utterly dependent on those around him. But his mind was sharp, his memories intact. He could feel the Essence coursing through him, a wellspring of infinite potential waiting to be tapped. He took a moment to assess his situation.
As he lay in his cradle, he mentally cataloged the powers granted to him by the Essence:
Unlimited Potential: He could learn and master any skill, power, or ability, no matter how complex or impossible it seemed. Whether it was the martial prowess of Kratos, the magical arts of the gods, or even the ability to manipulate time and space, he could achieve it all.
Hyper-Concentration: At will, he could enter a state of hyper-focus, accelerating his learning and understanding of any subject or skill. This would allow him to master abilities in days or even hours that would take others' lifetimes.
Self-Sustaining Abilities: None of his powers required external energy sources. Whether it was magic, chakra, ki, or some other form of energy, he generated it internally.
Harmonization: He could use conflicting powers simultaneously without issue. Light and dark magic, good and evil abilities—nothing was off-limits.
Perfect Instruction: He could teach others any skill or power he possessed, even complex systems like magic or advanced combat techniques. His students would naturally develop the necessary potential to learn from him.
Immunity to Perception: He was completely invisible to clairvoyants, precognitives, and Thinker abilities. His future and past could not be observed, making him a wildcard in any prophecy or plan.
Exponential Growth: His powers would grow stronger over time, doubling in strength every year if he did nothing. Active use of his abilities would accelerate this growth.
Unbreakable Will: His mind was impervious to control, manipulation, or despair. No amount of pain, suffering, or fear could break him.
Inspiring Presence: His mere presence could uplift and inspire others, restoring hope and courage even in the darkest times. He could easily recruit others to his cause.
Multiversal Awareness: He was attuned to the entire omniverse, able to sense and manipulate different universes, timelines, and dimensions. Time travel and spatial manipulation were within his reach.
Power Manipulation: He could nullify, enhance, modify, copy, or even steal the powers of others. He could also sense parahumans and powers within a large area.
Protection: The boons granted by the Essence could not be drained, suppressed, stolen, or manipulated against his will. He could extend this protection to others if he chose.
Faye, his new mother, stood over the cradle, her eyes wide with shock. She had expected only one child—Atreus. But here he was, a second son, lying beside his twin brother. Her hand trembled as she reached out to touch his cheek.
"You... you were not foretold," she whispered, her voice filled with awe and confusion. "The runes did not speak of you. How can this be?"
He looked up at her with eyes that seemed far too knowing for a newborn. She felt a strange energy emanating from him, something ancient and powerful. It was as if he carried the weight of the cosmos within him.
Faye stepped back, her mind racing. She had spent years studying the prophecies, preparing for the role her son Atreus would play in the coming events. But this child... he was an anomaly. A variable that had not been accounted for. And yet, she felt no fear. Instead, she felt a strange sense of hope. This child, this unexpected gift, might just be the key to defying the fate that had been written for them.
Faye knelt beside the cradle, her fingers tracing the runes carved into the wood. She knew that names held power, especially in their world. This child, who had defied prophecy and appeared where he should not have, needed a name that reflected his nature.
"Loki," she murmured, her voice soft but firm. "No, not Loki. That name carries too much weight, too much destiny. You are something else. Something... greater."
She paused, her gaze fixed on the child who seemed to be watching her with an almost unnerving intensity. Then it came to her.
"Eirik," she said, her voice steady. "It means 'eternal ruler' or 'one who defies fate.' You are not bound by the threads of prophecy, little one. You will carve your path."
The baby—Eirik—smiled, a small, knowing smile that sent a shiver down Faye's spine. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain: this child would change everything.