Chapter 2: 2) A New Beginning: Revelations and Resolutions
With a snap of his fingers, God's presence faded, and the boy—now Thane—found himself waking up in an all-too-familiar yet entirely unfamiliar room. The soft glow of the morning light filtered through the window, casting a calm ambiance over the space. Thane blinked, taking in the surroundings, feeling the weight of his new life begin to settle in.
The confusion was further amplified by the realization that this was just one of the many homes his parents owned. The room, though familiar in its luxury, still felt foreign to him.
His mother, Amelia Astris (née Delacour), was a stunning woman, famous for her beauty and her talents as a singer and Hollywood star. Her presence was undeniable, both in the music world and on the big screen. His father, James Astris, was a man of wealth and influence—owner of several casinos in Vegas, inherited from his grandfather, and the proud owner of a Hollywood studio. But above all, James was a renowned movie director, creating films that shaped the industry.
Thane lay there, absorbing the new world around him, realizing that his life had already been set on a path of extraordinary privilege and opportunity. He was no longer just an ordinary man; he was now part of a legacy, one that would carry its own burdens and advantages.
Thane had heard his parents recount the story of how they came together, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of warmth and admiration. They spoke of a time when a handsome and capable music video director—his father, James—first saw a beautiful and pure singer—his mother, Amelia—on stage. It had been love at first sight. There was a spark, an undeniable connection that transcended the superficial world of fame and Hollywood glamour.
Unlike many stories of love and relationships in the industry, this one was different. Thane could feel it in the way they spoke, the way their eyes softened when they looked at each other. His parents' love wasn't the flashy, transient kind often seen in Hollywood circles—it was real, deep, and unwavering. They truly cared for one another, and that love had only grown stronger with time. And as Thane sat there, remembering many past events, he could sense that their love for him was just as genuine.
He didn't need the Hollywood facade to tell him that his parents cherished him. Their words, their actions, the way they made him feel, all made it clear: he was loved deeply, unconditionally, by two people who had chosen each other above all else.
After getting up, Thane shook his head to clear his thoughts. The weight of the conversation and the overwhelming sense of love from his parents lingered in his mind. Normally, he would have joined them in the gym to exercise and meditate—something they all did together to start the day—but today was different. It was his birthday, and as per tradition, he was allowed to skip his usual routine and indulge in the rare privilege of taking the day off.
He walked over to the window, gazing out at the expansive view of their estate, his thoughts wandering. Today wasn't just any ordinary day—it was a celebration of his life, of the journey that had brought him here. But it was also the beginning of something new. The past, with all its complexities and struggles, was behind him, and the future was full of possibilities. With a sigh, he let go of his thoughts and decided to enjoy the freedom that his birthday brought.
Thane grabbed his things, entered the bathroom, and sank into the bathtub, the warm water enveloping him. It was a habit from his past life—something that always helped him sort through his thoughts and calm his mind. The quiet solitude of the water seemed to bring clarity, and as he closed his eyes, he allowed himself to drift for a moment.
So now I am Thane Astris, a 7-year-old boy. Right now, we are in our London home, and the date is 12 January 1987.
The weight of his new identity settled in. He wasn't the man he had been, burdened by the struggles of his previous life. But even with all the changes, the essence of who he was remained, and he could feel that same drive, the same yearning for something more.
He let the water wash over him, taking comfort in the familiarity of the routine, while also feeling the stirrings of excitement for the life that awaited him. This time, with all the opportunities and gifts bestowed upon him, he would make sure not to waste a single moment.
"System?" Thane called out softly.
[Welcome host, what do you want to learn?]
"Hello, System, please call me Thane. First, I would like to learn about your functions and my powers."
[Certainly, Thane. You can ask me for any knowledge that you want, but it must not violate someone's privacy. I also have a virtual space, where you and I can interact face to face.]
[As for your other powers—The first one, your Superman powers, includes Super strength, Super Speed, Super vision, Flight, Bio-Field, and other abilities inherent to the Kryptonian physiology. However, unlike Superman, you do not suffer from weaknesses like Kryptonite, Red Sun radiation.]
Thane nodded, processing the information. He already had an understanding of what Superman's powers entailed, but hearing it from the System gave him a sense of clarity.
''What about magic? Isn't that also one of his weaknesses?" Thane asked, knowing he was now in the magical world of Harry Potter and wondering if it would affect his Superman powers.
[No, Thane, Superman has the same tolerance to magic as any normal wizard in this world. Magic is not one of his weaknesses.]
Thane nodded, understanding that magic wouldn't be a problem for him, which was a relief given the magical nature of his surroundings.
[As for your second ability, you have become a Complete Prodigy. This grants you perfect memory, perfect comprehension, creativity, intelligence, knowledge adaptability, and body control. Your mind and body will adapt and learn at an exceptional pace, giving you the capacity to excel in virtually any field.]
"Cool. So will I be able to learn anything instantly?" Thane asked, excited by the idea of mastering anything.
[Most of it, yes. However, some skills, like Occlumency and others, will still require practice, though you will learn them faster than anyone can imagine. You can use the virtual classroom for those skills, where you can simulate and practice them until you're proficient.]
Thane furrowed his brow, still processing everything. "What about my Superman powers? While I feel much stronger, I don't believe Superman was this weak..."
[You will develop the powers as you age. Your ability includes perfect body control, so it will be easier for you to harness and refine them. Right now, you are already stronger than normal adults, and your abilities will grow faster now that you're awake and active. The full extent of your powers will unfold as you continue to grow.]
Thane nodded, reassured. He knew that with time, his powers would become as immense as the legacy of Superman.
"Thanks, Bree. How about I start calling you that from now on?" Thane asked with a smile.
[It would be my pleasure, Thane. By the way, you should get ready. Your parents are waiting for you downstairs.] Bree informed.
Thane got dressed and headed downstairs, where his parents were waiting for him at the breakfast table.
"Happy birthday, champ," his father greeted warmly.
"Thanks, Dad. Sorry for keeping you waiting," Thane replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
"It's alright, love. Happy birthday," Amelia said with a tender smile, her voice filled with affection.
"Thanks, Mom. Having you both with me is the best birthday gift I could ask for," Thane said, his voice sincere as he wrapped his arms around Amelia in a warm hug.
James and Amelia exchanged a surprised glance but quickly smiled, joining the embrace, turning it into a heartfelt family moment.
"So, are you ready to tell me what gift you want now?" Amelia asked as she helped him settle at the dining table.
Thane hesitated for a moment before meeting her gaze. "Mom, I've decided. I want to learn everything you both know. I want to make you proud. Please teach me acting, singing, cooking, business, directing—everything you're good at," he said, his voice earnest and filled with determination.
James let out a hearty laugh, clearly proud of his son's ambition. "Haha, you're a bit young to take on everything all at once, Thane, but I love your enthusiasm," he said, ruffling his son's hair.
"I know I'm young, Dad," Thane said with determination, meeting his father's eyes. "But don't you always tell me that good habits formed early lead to greatness? I really want to learn everything, but I also understand I need to focus on one or two things at a time. So, I want to start with acting and music."
James raised an eyebrow, intrigued, as Thane continued.
"In fact, Dad, I've already come up with a script. I'd like you to give me your honest feedback, and if it's good enough... maybe we could turn it into a movie," Thane said, his voice brimming with hope and excitement.
"Oh, so our Thane wants to be a big star like his mom, huh? Guess he doesn't love his dad as much," James teased, putting on a dramatic pout that made them all burst into laughter.
"Alright, baby," Amelia said with a warm smile, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "Finish your breakfast first, and then you can tell us all about your script."
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