A Spark in the Shadows
The walk home was quiet, too quiet for a city alive with the hum of late-night generators and restless dogs. But Henry wasn't hearing any of that. Not really.
Inner Monologue:
Jack's afraid… but it's not just fear of the unknown. It's something deeper, something gnawing at him from the inside. That stone—whatever it is—knew it too. Let go of his fears, it said. But what fear? What's he hiding?
He shoved his hands into his hoodie pocket, kicking a stray soda can as he approached his garage—a small haven of sparks, wires, and blueprints that no one but he truly understood. The moment he stepped inside, the scent of solder and plastic greeted him like an old friend.
Henry (softly):
"Hmph. Looks like I might also have something to hide after all…"
He wandered toward his workbench. Amidst the clutter lay his prized invention: a glowing blue cable. It pulsed like a heartbeat—his heartbeat. Capable of syncing with any tech or energy source… in theory. In reality? It still short-circuited if you looked at it funny.
He sighed and was about to pick up his wrench when—
A faint echo rang through the walls. A hum. Like wind through a bottle.
Henry (brow furrowing):
"…What the—?"
The sound wasn't from the garage. It was coming from the house. He dropped the wrench with a clank and darted inside.
"Grandpa?"
There he was. The old man, standing still in the middle of Henry's room, eyes shimmering with something halfway between terror and awe. And floating before him…
A glowing, radiant stone. Soft golden-orange light cast strange shadows on the wall. Henry's breath caught.
Grandpa (wheezing):
"Hold on… are you… one of the spirits I saw in my younger days…?"
Henry ran to his side, steadying him.
Henry (half-panicked):
"Hey—hey, you okay? Don't worry, it's harmless... (glares at the stone) What are you doing here? I thought Jack was your golden ticket."
The stone pulsed and spoke—its voice calm, deep, ancient.
Creation Stone:
"Yes… but you are part of this. You have a heart of gold, Henry. And yes, Grandpa—I was the one you saw… many years ago. It is good to see you again."
Grandpa blinked, then grinned wide, tears glinting in his eyes.
Grandpa (chuckling):
"I knew it. Hah! That day—everyone thought I was loopy. But I saw you. I knew I did… And you—you're connected to Adu Oberempong, right? That great warrior…?"
Henry stood there, lips parted, the weight of it all settling on his chest.
Henry:
"…Wait. You knew about the stone? Grandpa, this—this is nuts. Jack was right… all of it."
Creation Stone:
"Indeed he was. The temple, too. Those were sacred times. Adu was revered, not just as a warrior of nature… but as a living legend. One of the last true champions. Worshipped among the Akan gods…"
Henry rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous chuckle escaping.
Henry:
"So, what now? I'm the next in line for the superhero title or something?"
Creation Stone (warmly):
"No path is forced. Destiny is not set in stone… only influenced. But I seek not just Valitor's heir… I seek brave, pure souls. Those who can resist corruption. Your choices, Henry, will always matter."
Henry scoffed, half in disbelief.
Henry (smirking):
"Well, that's too good to be true. Choice actually matters, huh? Alright then. I accept."
Grandpa placed a hand on Henry's shoulder, eyes glistening with something more than pride.
Grandpa:
"I always knew you had something special in you… but this? This is something else."
Henry nodded, but his mind was racing. One thought kept echoing.
Henry:
"Can I… take a rain check on the whole 'superpower' thing though? I've got stuff to figure out first. Wires to fix. People to talk to…"
Creation Stone:
"Absolutely. So long as your soul remains intact, your time will come. And Henry… Jack needs you. Perhaps more than he realizes."
Henry:
"Yeah. I know. And I need him too…"
And just like that, the stone shimmered—folding in on itself—and vanished without a trace, as though it had never been there.
Grandpa (grinning like a schoolboy):
"Don't tell anyone about this, alright? Or they'll throw me in the old folks' asylum again, hehehe…"
Henry burst out laughing despite himself, then gave a solemn nod.
Henry (to himself):
"…Alright, Jack. I'll figure out what's eating you. I promise."
He looked out the window, the stars blinking like quiet sentinels above.
Two paths had now converged. One light, one shadow—but both beating with the same heart.
And somewhere, beneath the weight of secrets and whispered monsters, a bond was being reforged.
Even if Jack didn't see it yet.
The Whisper of Shadows
Jack's POV
The food sat cold beside him, untouched. A plate of jollof rice, still steaming when his mom brought it in with a warm smile and a gentle "Eat something, Jack." But now, it just sat there. Forgotten.
Jack was curled up on his bed, knees tucked to his chest, his head pressed into them like he could hide inside himself. The room was dim, save for the soft flicker of his desk lamp.
Inner Monologue:
No... no... no. Get out of my head… I'm not—I'm not some entity. I'm just a normal person. Just Jack. Just... Jack.
But the room had other plans.
A slow slither of blackness crept from the corner. Not like a shadow, but like oil in water—fluid, corrupting, alive. It wrapped around him like a shroud, and with it came the voice. That cursed voice.
Ghoul (a silken whisper):
"You deserve to rule, Jack. You are more than they think. You feel it, don't you? The pull. The power. The blood of Valitor…? Please. That's only the beginning."
Jack's eyes widened, pupils trembling.
Ghoul:
"You are not just his son. You are a god. A god forced to kneel before ants. Why? Why pretend to be lesser?"
Jack (muttering, panicked):
"No… no. Stop it. I don't wanna be special. I don't wanna be feared… I don't wanna hurt anyone. I'm not a monster."
The darkness coiled tighter. The voice, soothing yet sinister, poured like honey laced with venom.
Ghoul:
"You're not a monster… you're magnificent. You are divine, Jack. And divinity isn't cruelty—it's balance. You punish the wicked. You bring justice. That's not evil. That's poetry."
Jack:
"No…"
Ghoul:
"Yes. You're perfect just the way you are. They just don't see it. But you can show them, Jack. Show them what it means to cross a god."
Jack gripped his head, squeezing his eyes shut so tightly it hurt.
Jack:
"I said no! You're wrong! You don't know me! I don't want any of this! Just leave me alone—please!"
The aura began to fade, curling backward like mist under a dawn sun. The voice retreated, satisfied. But not defeated.
Ghoul (faintly, with a chuckle):
"Oh, Jack… I've already done what I came for. A seed planted… will always grow."
The air went still.
Jack collapsed back onto his mattress, breathing like he'd just run a marathon. Sweat dotted his forehead. The room returned to silence… but it wasn't peace.
It was the silence before a storm.
Narration:
And so, the whispers of corruption faded into the corners of Jack's mind. Not gone. Just buried. For now. The seed had been planted. Doubt had taken root. And even the strongest soul can crack under the weight of uncertainty.
What Jack doesn't know… is that true divinity isn't about power. It's about choice. And soon… he'll have to make one.