Dominic stood at the edge of the cemetery, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his black coat. The overcast sky mirrored the somber mood, with low-hanging clouds casting a gray pallor over the scene. A light drizzle fell, misting the air with a damp chill. Around him, the Guardians and a handful of other top heroes had gathered in respectful silence for the private funeral of Hana Kim—Crimson Nova. But despite the crowd, Dominic felt utterly alone.

  The rain pattered softly against the umbrella his mother held over them, her sharp, calculating gaze fixed on the simple casket that rested at the front of the procession. His father, Rayner Scotia—Titan Forge—stood at the center, towering and unshakable even now. The weight of leadership hung heavily on him, and Dominic could see it in the stiff set of his shoulders, the tension in his jaw. Titan Forge wasn’t just here as a grieving friend; he was here as the face of strength, the man who would reassure everyone that even in the face of loss, the Guardians would endure.

  Dominic shifted uncomfortably, his chest tight with unspoken feelings. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Crimson Nova had been untouchable, a legend, someone who couldn’t be felled. She was the pillar of the Nova Horizons, the shining beacon for students like him. And now she was gone, just like that, and the world felt infinitely more fragile.

  His mother, Viora, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. She said nothing, but her presence was comforting in its own way. Her abilities—her heightened spatial awareness and unparalleled intelligence—meant she was always attuned to what he needed before he even knew it himself. But today, even her quiet reassurance couldn’t ease the weight pressing on his chest.

  As the ceremony moved forward, his father stepped up to say a few words. The crowd shifted, falling into an even deeper silence as Rayner’s voice, deep and resonant, broke through the soft patter of rain.

  “We gather here today not just to mourn a friend, a colleague, but to honor a legacy,” Rayner said, his eyes sweeping over the assembled heroes. “Hana Kim—Crimson Nova—was more than a hero. She was a symbol of hope, of strength, of what it means to sacrifice for the greater good. In the face of danger, she never wavered. She gave everything to protect this world, and we are all better for having known her.”

  Dominic felt a lump rise in his throat as his father spoke. He wasn’t the only one feeling the loss. These heroes, many of whom he had looked up to his entire life, were visibly shaken. Even Stellar, standing beside his father, looked lost in thought, his usual confident demeanor replaced by a quiet intensity. Dominic had always admired Stellar’s powers—his ability to create stars and control cosmic energy was awe-inspiring—but now, seeing him like this, he realized even the most powerful could feel powerless.

  Rayner continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “Chicago was Hana’s home, her city. She protected it with every ounce of her strength. And though we are spread across the country—some of us farther than others—we are always on call, always ready to protect the people who rely on us. Whether we are here or miles away, our responsibility is the same.”

  Dominic knew what his father was talking about. The Guardians were a scattered force, stationed in different regions across the United States, each tasked with protecting their assigned territory. But whenever danger loomed, Porters—heroes capable of instantaneous travel—could transport them to any threat within moments. It was how they stayed connected, how they remained a unified force despite the distance.

  As the ceremony drew to a close, Dominic’s mind drifted, but his eyes remained focused on the gathering of heroes before him. The quiet words of thanks from Rayner, directed to the Guardians for coming to Chicago, barely registered in his mind. He was used to this, the formalities of hero life, the distant speeches given by his father. He’d seen them countless times. But today felt different. The weight of Crimson Nova’s absence, the eerie quiet that followed her death, hung over everything.

  Rayner’s deep voice cut through the soft drizzle, echoing off the gravestones. “Chicago was her home, the place she fought for, the city she protected. We will honor her here, where she gave so much of herself. And to those of you who traveled from farther regions, your presence here speaks to the strength of our unity. The Guardians are spread across the country, but we stand together, no matter the distance, no matter the cost.”

  The gathered heroes nodded solemnly, their faces drawn in varying shades of grief and respect. Rayner gave a small nod to Stellar, who stood nearby, looking unusually quiet. The young hero hadn’t spoken since arriving, his gaze distant, clearly struggling with the enormity of his new reality. Dominic could only imagine what it must be like for him—Crimson Nova had been a mentor, a guide, and now the responsibility to fill that void loomed heavily over Stellar’s head.

  When the ceremony finally ended, people began to drift away, some offering quiet words to one another, others exchanging nods and brief touches of comfort. Dominic felt his parents’ eyes on him, but he avoided their gaze, instead focusing on the way his father moved with purpose toward a small group gathering at the edge of the cemetery.

  Curiosity tugged at him. He glanced around, ensuring no one was paying attention to him, and quietly slipped after his father, keeping his distance but staying close enough to hear. Rayner was with Stellar, along with a handful of the older Nova Horizons—the heroes who were on the brink of graduating from the Academy. They huddled in quiet conversation, their voices low but filled with tension.

  “…we need to discuss who’s ready,” Rayner said, his voice steady but firm. “The Nova Horizons are about to move into full-time hero work. It’s time to decide who among them will join the Guardians.”

  Dominic’s heart sank as he listened. This was the moment—the conversation he had dreaded hearing for so long. He watched from behind a tree as the group exchanged glances, their expressions serious.

  The older Novas, who had been standing in respectful silence during the funeral, now looked tense, their postures shifting from somber mourning to something more uncertain. For the first time, they were being faced with the possibility that one of them would be selected to join the Guardians, the elite team of heroes that his father led. And Dominic could see the mixture of anticipation and anxiety that flickered across their faces.

  Rayner, standing tall, looked at each of them in turn. "You all know why I wanted to speak with you privately," he began, his deep voice steady. "Hana’s death has left a hole in the Guardians, and we need someone who’s ready to fill it. We’ve never been in this position before—choosing from the Novas to join the Guardians. But times are changing, and we need to adapt. One of you will have the opportunity to step into that role."

  The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of what they meant. Dominic watched as the Novas glanced at one another, their faces a mix of disbelief and excitement. None of them had expected this—not now, not like this.

  Isabella Ruiz, a Nova known for her incredible reflexes and acrobatics, was the first to speak. Her voice was low, as if she didn’t fully trust the opportunity being presented to her. "Join the Guardians? We’re… we’re not even officially full-time heroes yet." She looked around at the others, her dark eyes wide. "This is… I mean, this is everything we’ve trained for, but I didn’t think—" She trailed off, clearly overwhelmed.

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  "None of us thought," Jalen Hughes cut in, his tone sharper. He was one of the strongest Novas, both physically and in his command of kinetic energy, but even he sounded unsteady. "This is the Guardians. The team that’s supposed to be untouchable. And now… now one of us is supposed to replace Crimson Nova?" He shook his head, the uncertainty clear in his expression. "It’s a huge responsibility. Bigger than any of us imagined."

  Rayner nodded, his gaze never wavering. "It is," he agreed. "But it’s a responsibility one of you must be ready to take on. The world is looking to us for stability, for strength. And I believe one of you can offer that."

  There was a long pause as the Novas exchanged glances again, processing what was being said. This wasn’t just an opportunity—it was the opportunity. The chance to join the Guardians was something every hero dreamed of, but it was never given so easily, especially not to those still on the cusp of graduation. But this was different. This was a time of crisis, and Rayner was offering them a chance to step up.

  Emily Shaw, a manipulator with the power to control ice and water, broke the silence. "But how do we know who’s ready?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "I mean, we’ve all trained together, we’ve all fought together, but… the Guardians are something else. How can we even compare to Crimson Nova? To any of you?"

  Stellar, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. His expression was still strained, but his voice was calm. "It’s not about comparing yourselves to us or to Hana. No one can replace her. But the Guardians aren’t just about power or strength. It’s about leadership. It’s about being able to make the hard choices when no one else can." He glanced briefly at Rayner before turning back to the group. "And it’s about believing in yourself, even when you’re not sure you’re ready."

  Dominic could see the effect Stellar’s words had on the Novas. Their uncertainty didn’t vanish, but there was a new determination in their eyes. The weight of what was being offered to them was immense, but so was the opportunity. One of them would be chosen to fill the gap left by Crimson Nova, to stand alongside the strongest heroes in the country.

  But there was only one spot.

  Rayner shifted slightly, his voice growing softer but more urgent. “We won’t make the decision lightly. Over the next few weeks, you’ll be tested—physically, mentally, emotionally. We need to know not just who’s strongest, but who can handle the pressure, the responsibility. You’ve all shown potential, but this is different. The stakes are higher now. Each of you will also have the chance to prove yourselves in battle. You’ll be allowed to challenge any Guardian of your choosing. If you win, you’ll be considered for the open spot on the team."

  The Novas exchanged glances, the weight of what he was saying sinking in. Rayner continued, his tone firm. "This won’t be a private test either. The fights will be broadcast live for the entire country to see. It’s not just about proving yourselves to us—it’s about proving yourselves to the world. We need the public to believe in whoever takes this position. You’re not just fighting for a place on the team; you’re fighting for their trust.”

  Dominic’s heart pounded as he listened. He knew some of the Novas personally—some were his friends, others were mentors. And now, they were all competing for something so far out of reach for him that it made his stomach churn.

  Alexis King, one of the oldest Novas and a powerful telekinetic, finally spoke, her voice steady despite the tension. "We’ve all been through a lot to get here," she said, her gaze fixed on Rayner. "But this… this is the ultimate test, isn’t it?" She looked around at her peers, her expression hardening. "I won’t lie—this is what I’ve been working for. I’m ready to do whatever it takes."

  Jalen nodded in agreement, his competitive nature showing through. "Same here. I’m not backing down from this. We’ve all worked too hard to let this slip away."

  The others murmured in agreement, their determination growing by the second. It was clear now—this wasn’t just about honor or duty. It was about proving themselves. Each of them had a shot at something that seemed impossible just days ago, and none of them were willing to let it go without a fight.

  Rayner nodded, satisfied with their resolve. "Good. That’s what I needed to hear. We’ll be watching closely, and when the time comes, we’ll make the decision. Until then, stay sharp. This is your chance to prove that you’re ready for what’s next."

  The group dispersed, the weight of the conversation still heavy in the air. The older Novas walked away, their faces a mixture of determination and nervous anticipation. Dominic watched them, his heart sinking. They had a chance to prove themselves, to fight for a place on the Guardians. Meanwhile, he was left on the sidelines, powerless and overlooked.

  As the Novas headed back toward the funeral site, Rayner gestured for Stellar to stay behind. Dominic leaned in closer, his pulse quickening. Whatever they were about to discuss felt even more important, and he couldn’t resist listening.

  "I need to talk to you about the academy," Rayner began, his voice low, though it carried the authority of someone who was used to being heard. "I’ve been thinking about how we handle the Nova program—specifically, how we select the students."

  Stellar nodded, his brow furrowed. "You’re talking about bringing more students in?"

  "Exactly," Rayner said. "We’ve been too selective. Right now, we only allow a few to become Novas each year, but the world is changing faster than we anticipated. We need more heroes, and we can’t afford to wait for them to come into their own naturally. I think it’s time we open up the program to more students—give them the chance to prove themselves earlier."

  Stellar’s expression was thoughtful, but hesitant. "That’s a big shift, Rayner. The students we pick now are the best of the best. If we start bringing in more, we could dilute the quality."

  "I understand the risk," Rayner replied, "but we’re not living in the same world anymore. The attacks on NovaTech, the loss of Crimson Nova—it’s a wake-up call. We need more boots on the ground, more heroes capable of stepping up when it matters. And not just the ones we already know have potential. There are students who might not look like they’re ready yet, but with the right guidance, they could surpass even our expectations."

  Dominic’s heart raced. Was this his chance? If they opened the program to more students, maybe he wouldn’t have to wait another year. Maybe, despite his lack of powers, he could finally be considered for the Novas.

  Stellar crossed his arms, clearly weighing the idea. "If we go through with this, we’ll need to be careful. Bringing in more students means more responsibility for everyone. Not just the teachers, but the current Novas as well. They’ll need to step up as mentors."

  "That’s part of the plan," Rayner said. "We’ll give the older Novas a bigger role in training the new recruits. It’ll be their job to help mold the next generation, to prepare them for the challenges ahead."

  Stellar nodded slowly. "I see your point. If we do this right, we could bring in a new wave of talent that we’ve been overlooking. But it won’t be easy. The students who get in will need to be tested—just like the current Novas."

  Rayner smiled, a rare expression of warmth crossing his otherwise stern features. "I knew you’d understand. We’ll make the changes gradually, but I want you to be a part of this. You’ve shown real leadership potential, Stellar. And if you’re going to lead the Nova Horizons, I need you to take this seriously."

  Stellar looked up, meeting Rayner’s gaze with quiet resolve. "I’m ready. Whatever you need, I’ll make sure it happens."

  Rayner clapped him on the shoulder, the gesture heavy with the weight of responsibility. "Good. We’ll discuss this more in the coming weeks, but for now, focus on what’s ahead. The Guardians need new blood, and the Novas are our future."

  Dominic felt his stomach twist. They were talking about a future that he wasn’t sure he’d be part of. Even if they expanded the program, would it matter without powers? Would they ever see him as anything more than the powerless son of Titan Forge?

  Rayner and Stellar turned to leave, their conversation over, but Dominic remained rooted in place, the words he’d overheard echoing in his mind. The Novas were about to change, and he had no idea if he would be swept up in that change—or left behind entirely.

  As Rayner and Stellar disappeared from view, Dominic clenched his fists. The fire inside him flared to life. He wouldn’t let himself be forgotten. He would find a way to prove that he belonged with the Novas, with the heroes who shaped the world. Powers or not, he wasn’t going to be left behind.