Thane Astris: The Starborn Wizard

Chapter 8: 8) Echoes of Brilliance



Inside, the theater was grand, filled with an air of excitement that hummed throughout the room. Thane, Amelia, and James made their way to their seats, finding the perfect spot near the front. As the lights dimmed and the film began, Thane felt a rush of emotions—pride, excitement, and the knowledge that he had created something truly magical.

As the opening scenes played out on the screen, Thane leaned forward, watching intently. Every line of dialogue, every action, every tiny detail that had been crafted with such care by him and Amelia came to life. The movie wasn't just a story—it was an extension of them.

The crowd laughed at the slapstick comedy, and gasped at the tense moments, but Thane's attention never wavered from the screen. He knew exactly where every punchline was coming, every twist unfolding. But seeing it in front of an audience—hearing their reactions—was something entirely different. It was a moment he could never forget.

Amelia glanced over at Thane and caught his eye, a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She had always known her son was special, but this… this was something extraordinary. The script they had crafted together, the characters, the world they had built—now it was living and breathing in the hearts of the audience.

James, sitting next to them, felt a lump in his throat. He had always supported his family's dreams, but this was beyond anything he had ever imagined. The movie, and Thane's journey, was proof that with enough passion, talent, and love, anything was possible.

As the movie reached its conclusion, the theater erupted in applause. Thane sat back in his seat, overwhelmed. He had always known he was capable of creating something special, but to see it come to life in front of so many people, to know that it would be remembered for years to come—that was a feeling beyond description.

The lights came back up, and the trio stood as the cast and crew made their way to the stage. Thane, standing tall with Amelia by his side and James behind him, felt like he was part of something bigger than himself. This was just the beginning.

Later that evening, after the premiere, the three of them stood on the balcony of a rooftop party, overlooking the bright lights of Hollywood.

"You did it, Thane," Amelia said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

"We did it," Thane corrected with a grin, hugging his parents excitedly, his gaze sweeping over the city below. "This is just the start, mom. I want to achieve so much more with both of you by my side."

James clapped his son on the back, his voice filled with pride. "Just wait and see, son. The world won't know what hit it."

Thane smiled, his heart full of hope and excitement for the future. He had taken the first step on a journey that would lead him to places beyond his wildest dreams. And he was ready for whatever came next.

"Dad, Mom, I think it's time for me to show you my next script. Also, Dad, we should start arranging the shooting of Home Alone 2 before school begins to avoid any scheduling conflicts," Thane said thoughtfully.

"Trust me, champ, I'm just as eager to start shooting your next movie. But we're running a bit tight on the budget," James replied with a wry smile.

"Hmm, I'm sorry, Dad. I should have considered that," Thane apologized.

"No, son. You're only seven, and you're already doing more than most people could dream of. Let's take a look at your second script tonight and figure out how to move forward," James said, giving Thane a reassuring pat on the back.

"What's the name of your new script, sweetheart?" Amelia asked with a curious smile.

"The Sixth Sense," Thane replied, grinning.

The two of them headed home earlier, as Thane was still just a little kid, while James stayed behind to attend to other matters.

By the time James returned from the party, it was already too late to discuss anything, so the conversation about The Sixth Sense was postponed until the following day.

"How is it? I have higher expectations for this film than even Home Alone—if we're not counting the sequels," Thane asked eagerly, looking to his parents for their thoughts.

"Absolutely amazing. The plot is even better than Home Alone," Amelia praised, clearly impressed.

Amelia looked over at Thane with a curious expression. "So, Thane, what exactly inspired you to write The Sixth Sense? It's such a unique concept."

Thane paused, his gaze thoughtful as he leaned back in his seat. "Well, it all started when Fleur mentioned something last summer. You know, she's at Beauxbatons now, and she told me that ghosts are pretty common in the wizarding world. In fact, Beauxbatons has its own ghosts, and I know from you that Hogwarts does too. She even told me that one of the ghosts teaches History there."

Amelia's eyes widened, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "A ghost teaching History at Hogwarts? I remember that now, but it always felt like something from the past. We had our own ghosts at Beauxbatons, though they were more... subtle."

Thane nodded. "Exactly. I've always thought about how connected the wizarding world is to the supernatural, and it made me wonder what it would be like to see things that no one else can. And then I started thinking about Cole—he's just like me in that way. A boy with a unique gift, able to see and interact with ghosts. But unlike me, he doesn't know how to handle it. He feels isolated because of it."

Amelia listened, her gaze softening. "You're saying Cole is like you, in a way?"

"Yeah," Thane said quietly, meeting his mother's eyes. "I've always felt different, like there's more to my existence than meets the eye. That's what inspired me to write about Cole—he has this gift that makes him special, but it also makes him different from everyone else. And through his journey, I wanted to explore how someone like that learns to understand and control their abilities, just like I have to."

Amelia felt a swell of pride and emotion. "I see. So you're writing about Cole's journey, but in a way, it's also your own."

Thane gave a small, knowing smile. "In a way, yeah. I guess that's why the story feels so real to me. I want to show people that being different isn't a curse—it can be a gift, even if it's hard to see that at first."

James smiled watching the two people who made his whole world. He,however, shifted the focus of the conversation. "What kind of budget do you think we'll need? Have you given any thought to the director or cast?"

James asked, instead of directly answering Thane's question. He had come to accept that his son was far beyond his years, and he had started to take Thane's words and suggestions seriously, recognizing the depth of his vision and maturity.

"It would need about 40 million in total for salaries, production, and marketing. As for the director, I think Chris Columbus or Jonathan Demme would be great choices. I'll play Cole, and Mom can play Lynn. For the role of Malcolm, I was thinking Kevin Costner, and Johnny Depp as Vincent. I haven't decided on the other roles yet," Thane replied candidly.

"Hmm, you've really thought this through," James said, his voice filled with pride as he looked at his son.

"What do you think, Amy? We can't raise 40 million on our own without mortgaging one of the casino or a few properties," James said, his face showing the strain of the financial challenge.

"Dad!" Thane interrupted, his tone firm yet hopeful. "Just wait for a month. Then we can take out a loan against the script of Home Alone 2. Please trust me on this—we won't need to mortgage any other properties."

He paused, making sure his point was clear. "I just need you to talk to Chris Columbus, so he can keep his schedule clear for at least a month. Also, the salary can be paid after the shooting is finished. By then, we'll have our share from Home Alone."

Thane was determined to ease any financial concerns his parents might have.

_______

Word count - 1400


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.