Dominic Scotia sat on the edge of his bed, staring out the window as the morning sun poured in, casting a golden glow over the city. From this height, the world looked so small—just a maze of streets and skyscrapers. But to him, it was a kingdom, and his family sat at its very pinnacle. The son of heroes, of legends, and still, here he was, powerless.

  The Scotia household was a testament to their status. Walls adorned with awards, commendations, and portraits of Rayner Scotia, the towering figure who wore the mantle of Titan Forge, the nation’s number one hero. His mother, Alexa Scotia—Viora—was equally revered, a strategist, a visionary who could see through dimensions, or so the stories said. The living room had no shortage of holograms depicting their past victories, battles fought and won, all in the name of peace and justice.

  Dominic shifted his gaze to the framed photo on his nightstand—his parents in their full hero attire, standing tall, their arms around his shoulders. To the world, they were invincible. To him, they were just mom and dad. But even he couldn’t ignore the sheer weight of their legacy.

  The thought of going to school gnawed at him. West Horizon Academy wasn’t just any school. It was the school for the children of heroes—future heroes. Every classroom, every hallway, every interaction was drenched in the idea that they were destined for greatness. But how could Dominic step into that when he hadn’t even manifested his power yet?

  “Dominic, breakfast!” his mother’s voice called from the hallway.

  He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Twelve years old and still no powers. The rest of his classmates had already started showing signs—strange quirks, sudden displays of strength, minor manipulations of the environment. But for Dominic, nothing. He’d checked a hundred times in the mirror, willed something—anything—to happen. His dad always said, "It’ll come when the time is right," but when?

  He walked downstairs to the kitchen, where his mother stood, reading something on her tablet while sipping coffee. Rayner was already gone, probably off dealing with another supervillain threat or leading an operation somewhere halfway across the world.

  “Ready for school?” Alexa asked without looking up.

  “Yeah,” Dominic muttered, grabbing a piece of toast.

  Alexa finally looked at him, her gaze softening. “I know you’re worried. But it’ll happen. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.”

  Dominic didn’t respond. It wasn’t that easy. When your father was the strongest hero in the country and your mother one of the most brilliant tacticians alive, it was impossible not to compare. He didn’t just want powers; he needed them. How else was he going to prove himself? How else could he be a part of Nova Horizons?

  At West Horizon, it was all anyone talked about—joining the Novas. They were the academy’s elite hero team, a stepping stone to The Guardian's highest ranks. Led by Crimson Nova, the number four hero in the country, the team was a group of young prodigies being groomed to take over the world stage. It was all Dominic ever wanted, but without his powers, he was just... there. Another Scotia, living in the shadow of two titans.

  He finished his breakfast quickly, kissed his mom on the cheek, and headed out the door. The sleek, advanced hover shuttle awaited him, its polished exterior gleaming in the morning light. Every child at West Horizon had transportation like this, a luxury most could only dream of. But Dominic never really thought about it. It was just how things were—how they’d always been. He was privileged, yes, but in this world, being a Scotia meant more than just wealth. It meant expectations.

  As the shuttle sped through the skies, he saw the massive spires of West Horizon Academy come into view, glistening against the cityscape. The academy was more like a fortress, built to withstand any attack, with high-tech defenses and state-of-the-art facilities. It was both a school and a training ground, preparing the next generation of heroes for the reality of the world outside.

  The shuttle docked, and Dominic stepped out, adjusting his backpack as he made his way toward the entrance. Students passed him, some in uniform, others showing off their abilities in subtle, casual ways—a small flame flickering between fingers, someone levitating an inch off the ground, a few manipulating shadows to make faces on the walls. It was all second nature here.

  "Yo, Scotia!" a voice called out.

  Dominic turned to see Mason, one of the older boys, grinning at him. Mason had the power of seismic energy—he could create tremors with a stomp of his foot. He was already being eyed by the Novas. “Any sign of the big power yet?”

  Dominic forced a smile. “Not yet.”

  Mason chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. “It’ll come. You’re a Scotia, man. No way it won’t be something epic.”

  Dominic nodded, but the reassurance did little to soothe his anxiety. Everyone expected greatness from him, but no one understood the pressure. He didn’t just need to be good—he needed to be legendary.

  The academy’s halls buzzed with activity as students shuffled to their respective classes. Dominic’s heart always sank a little when he passed the Nova training room, the glass walls showing glimpses of the elite group inside. There, at the helm, stood Crimson Nova. Her presence was commanding, her crimson hair practically glowing under the artificial lights as she demonstrated techniques to the team. Even from a distance, Dominic could feel her power. The way she moved, the energy she radiated—it was as if she controlled the very air around her.

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  He paused, watching the Novas in action. They were sparring today, practicing controlled bursts of their abilities under Crimson Nova’s supervision. Each of them was powerful in their own right, but together, they were unstoppable. They moved with precision, their attacks calculated, their defenses impenetrable.

  Someday, that could be him.

  “Dominic, you’re going to be late.”

  He blinked, realizing one of the teachers had noticed him loitering. With a quick nod, he hurried off to his class, the image of the Novas still fresh in his mind. He’d get there. He had to.

  The rest of the day passed in a blur of lessons and training exercises, but Dominic’s mind was elsewhere. He kept replaying the morning—his dad’s words about patience, Mason’s teasing, and the way Crimson Nova had looked, so confident, so sure. He couldn’t afford to wait much longer. Every day without his power felt like he was falling further behind.

  As the final bell rang, Dominic lingered in the courtyard. Most of the other students had already left, but he didn’t feel like going home just yet. He wandered through the school’s memorial garden, a place dedicated to heroes who had fallen in the line of duty. Statues and plaques honored their sacrifice, reminding everyone of the cost of their world.

  Dominic’s footsteps echoed softly against the stone path as he passed row after row of statues, each one commemorating a hero lost in battle. Some he recognized immediately—icons of his childhood, names whispered with reverence. Others were older, relics from a time before his parents became household names. All of them shared one thing in common: they were legends now, etched into history, immortalized in stone. He wondered if one day his parents would end up here, immortal in the garden but no longer by his side.

  His gaze lingered on a particular plaque, one that he always stopped by. It belonged to a hero named Radiance, who had died in a battle that his father often spoke about—a fight that had changed everything. Radiance had been one of Titan Forge’s closest allies, and the loss had been devastating. Even now, years later, Dominic could still see the sorrow in his father’s eyes whenever the name came up. Rayner Scotia was invulnerable, unstoppable, but even he couldn’t protect everyone. No one could.

  Dominic crouched down, tracing his fingers over the engraved name. “Radiance.” He knew the stories, how Radiance had thrown himself in front of an attack meant for his father, sacrificing his life to save Titan Forge. It was an act of heroism, but Dominic had always wondered—was that what it meant to be a hero? To sacrifice everything for the greater good, even your life? Would he ever be capable of doing that?

  The sound of footsteps approaching broke his reverie. He looked up to see a tall, imposing figure moving through the garden with purpose. Crimson Nova.

  Her crimson cape billowed slightly in the evening breeze, her sharp, glowing eyes scanning the garden until they landed on him. Dominic straightened up quickly, trying not to appear flustered. It wasn’t every day that the number four hero in the country stopped by for a casual chat.

  "Dominic," she greeted, her voice steady and calm, yet carrying a weight that made him feel like he was standing in front of a force of nature. "It’s getting late. Shouldn’t you be heading home?"

  He swallowed, unsure of what to say. Crimson Nova wasn’t just the leader of the Nova Horizons—she was the very embodiment of what it meant to be a hero in this new age. Powerful, confident, respected by all. To stand in front of her was both intimidating and awe-inspiring.

  “I—uh, yeah. I was just…” He gestured awkwardly to the statue. “Paying respects.”

  Crimson Nova’s gaze softened slightly as she looked at the memorial. “Radiance. A true hero.” There was a moment of silence as she stared at the plaque. Then she turned her eyes back to Dominic. “Your father spoke highly of him.”

  Dominic nodded, feeling the weight of the conversation. “He saved my dad’s life.”

  “He did,” Crimson Nova agreed. “And in doing so, he changed the course of history. That’s the thing about heroes, Dominic. We don’t just fight battles—we shape the world. Every decision we make, every life we save or lose, it all leaves an imprint. It’s not just about powers or strength. It’s about understanding the responsibility that comes with them.”

  He looked up at her, feeling a pang of frustration bubbling up. “But what if you don’t have powers? What if… what if you’re just waiting, and nothing happens? How can you be a part of that world?”

  For a moment, Crimson Nova was silent, her eyes unreadable. Then, with surprising gentleness, she knelt down to his level, her fiery presence somehow not as overwhelming as before. “Do you think having powers makes someone a hero?”

  Dominic blinked, caught off guard. “Well… yeah, I mean, how else could you…?”

  She shook her head. “Powers are tools, Dominic. Just like the weapons your father forges or the strategies your mother devises. They help, but they’re not what defines you. What defines a hero is what’s inside—courage, integrity, the will to stand up when others can’t. Powers are just the surface. If you want to be a hero, you already have everything you need.”

  Her words hit him harder than he expected. He’d spent so much time thinking about what he didn’t have, about what he was missing, that he hadn’t stopped to think about who he already was. He was the son of heroes, yes, but he was also Dominic Scotia. Maybe that was enough, for now.

  Crimson Nova stood up, her cape swirling as she glanced back at the statue. “Your time will come, Dominic. But remember, it’s not the power that makes the hero. It’s the choices you make. That’s the real test.”

  As she turned to leave, Dominic found his voice again. “Do you ever think about the ones you can’t save?”

  Crimson Nova paused, her back still to him. For a long moment, she didn’t speak, and Dominic wondered if he’d overstepped. But then she answered, her voice quieter, almost sad.

  “Every day.”

  She didn’t say anything more, simply walked away, her figure disappearing into the twilight. Dominic stood there, watching her go, feeling the weight of her words settle over him like a cloak. He’d always thought being a hero was about power, about saving lives and defeating villains. But maybe it was more complicated than that. Maybe it was about carrying the burden of failure, of sacrifice, and still moving forward.

  As the evening grew darker, Dominic finally turned away from the memorial and began the walk home. He wasn’t a hero yet. He didn’t have powers, and he wasn’t part of the Novas. But today, for the first time, he felt like he understood just a little more about what it meant to be one.

  And when his time came—whether tomorrow or years from now—he knew he’d be ready to step into that world. Not because of the powers he would gain, but because of the choices he was already making.

  With a final glance at the garden, he whispered a quiet promise to himself.

  "I’ll make you proud."