He pulled away from her touch and took another step back.

– I... I don't know who you are. I need to go home; it's getting late.

As he contemplated fleeing, his body refused to move. His mind, torn between fear and curiosity, urged him to stay. To not let go of this chance to uncover his father's mysteries.

Mrs. Seleth smiled, a knowing, empathetic smile.

– HOW DARE YOU?

Elena's voice, sharp and fraught with fury, sliced through the air, startling both Ezra and Mrs. Seleth. Emerging from the shadows, Elena had come to pick up her son, and to her dismay, she found him in conversation with the very woman who had haunted her thoughts since their last unsettling encounter.

Rushing forward, her maternal instinct in overdrive, she positioned herself protectively between Ezra and Mrs. Seleth, her eyes blazing with anger.

– Who gave you the right to approach my son? I made myself clear last time: if you dare come near my children or my home again, I'll take legal action! Do you understand?

Mrs. Seleth's smile faded, yet her voice retained a calm that contrasted sharply with Elena's tempestuous demeanor.

– I think it's you who's misunderstanding…

– Leave us alone! Haven’t you caused enough pain already? What do you even want from us? Elena’s voice trembled with a mix of anger and fear.

Mrs. Seleth sighed, her expression solemn. 

– Whether you accept it or not, I need to explain something to you, and you’re going to listen. My aim is to protect you and your son from a looming threat, a reality you seem unwilling to grasp.

Elena, caught off guard, hesitated, her resolve wavering momentarily. 

– We're not Ashvins, my children and I. We have nothing to offer you. My husband and my daughter gave his life fighting; now it's someone else's turn!

– We never ceased our fight. But there's something you're overlooking… Mrs. Seleth turned her gaze to Ezra, her demeanor shifting from gentle to authoritative. 

– Your son entered Inglorium on his own, without any help from us.

Elena stiffened, the weight of this revelation hitting her like a physical blow.

– The powers that be will soon notice his presence, and then they'll have other, more ominous plans… Mrs. Seleth continued, her voice a soft but firm warning.

Elena’s heart raced as fear crept in, the unspoken question hanging heavily in the air.

– He seeks vengeance, Elena. Vengeance against the one who challenged him, your husband. And now, in his eyes, his vendetta extends to those left behind – you and your children.

– But my husband is dead! Elena protested, her voice breaking.

– Precisely. He aims to teach a lesson to anyone who dares oppose him. The retribution has already begun, starting with your daughter, Maya.

Elena, overwhelmed, buried her face in her hands, tears of frustration and fear welling up. She felt trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape the shadows of the past that were now resurfacing with a vengeance.

Mrs. Seleth continued, her tone unyielding yet tinged with empathy, 

–You can keep blaming me for your troubles and deny the truth, but in doing so, you're endangering your family. And in this fight, no one will come to your aid. Except, perhaps, me. The choice is yours.

Elena, tears streaming down her face, choked out, 

– I... I don’t want to put him in danger. I’m just so scared for him, don’t you see?

This time, Mrs. Seleth gently placed a comforting hand on Elena's shoulder. 

–I do understand. But shielding him from this truth doesn't protect him; it only puts him at greater risk. Think about it.

Behind them, Ezra had edged closer, his young face etched with concern as he watched his mother’s emotional turmoil.

– It’s nothing, my darling, just a little overwhelming, Elena attempted to reassure him, her laugh sounding hollow and forced.

Ezra offered a weak smile, his young mind grappling with the gravity of the situation. 

– What is this… danger?

Elena, words failing her, remained silent. Mrs. Seleth, sensing the need for clarity, stepped in. 

– This isn’t the ideal place for such a conversation, she said, scanning their surroundings cautiously, but time is lacking.

She paused, organizing her thoughts before revealing a world far beyond the window that Ezra had glimpsed. 

– Like I told you, the world you entered is a gift from the universe, a myriad of beings from every corner of the universe converge. The air is thick with the power beyond comprehension, artifacts that could tilt the scales of the worlds, secrets that bestow unimaginable strength. It was the allure of such things that once led a tyrant to ascend. His reign was marked by a relentless quest for supremacy, he brought not just rule, but a reign of terror and subjugation.

Ezra absorbed this information, a mix of awe and fear swirling within him. The notion of such a tyrant at large was terrifying.

– Your father was an Ashvins. Ashvins alone can navigate this world and uncover its secrets, but at a cost. You've seen the dangers firsthand.

Ezra’s mind flashed back to his harrowing experience, the closeness of death still haunting him. 

– How... how can you risk your life like that? he murmured, still shaken.

Mrs. Seleth’s expression softened, tinged with sadness. 

– Power, Ezra. Here, men crave it, and it’s a universal desire. It’s the reason for endless struggles.

Ezra remained silent, his mind racing with questions he dared not voice yet.

– That’s why all Ashvins must be prepared to fight. This tyrant will not relent. Do you understand?

Ezra nodded slowly, piecing together the puzzle.

Elena watched the exchange, a mix of fear and resolve in her eyes. Mrs. Seleth acknowledged her with a nod.

– They may not target you directly, Ezra, but you must be ready to defend yourself and join our cause.

Ezra, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, asked, 

– Do you think I’m… an Ashvins?

– Yes, Ezra. I believe so. You have the signs and sensitivity. But there’s much to learn about this world and its unique laws. It’s a journey only you can undertake.

Mrs. Seleth inhaled deeply, her gaze shifting between Ezra and Elena. 

–The choice to embrace this gift is yours. No one can compel you, but nor can anyone deny you this path.

Ezra felt overwhelmed, realizing there was much he didn’t yet understand about his father and his own potential.

Mrs. Seleth did not press further. 

–Take your time to decide. But should you accept, know that it will require patience, courage, and strength. I have faith in you.

Elena, who had been a silent observer, finally spoke up. 

– If we agree to your proposal, what happens to him?

– He will spend the summer in Asteria, under the tutelage of the Order's master, in complete secrecy.

– At Mr. White’s? But how? Why? Elena's confusion was evident.

– Because it’s the ideal place for him to catch up and learn, Mrs. Seleth explained, leaving some questions unanswered.

Ezra, curiosity piqued, asked, 

– Where is this place?

– In due time, you’ll know, Mrs. Seleth replied, a hint of mystery in her voice.

– Tomorrow evening, I will come for your decision. If you choose to follow me, be ready to leave.

Elena interjected, 

– But this is too sudden! Can’t he just train and come home?

– The concept of time differs there, Mrs. Seleth said cryptically. And no, we must act swiftly; the situation is urgent.

Turning to Ezra, she added, 

– Think it over, Ezra.

With that, Mrs. Seleth departed, leaving Ezra feeling isolated and burdened with the enormity of the revelation and the daunting decision ahead.

– We should head home, Ezra, Elena said gently, her voice betraying her own inner turmoil.

Ezra took a seat in the back and slammed the car door shut. He rolled down the window and, at that moment, he saw a long black car starting up, which had been parked near the exit. Despite the tinted windows, he had no trouble recognizing the sharp profile of the occupant in the back.

The window slid down and Ezra caught the icy gaze of Barton. It was no longer mockery, but malice, as if he was plotting some dirty trick. It was the look of an enemy. Fortunately, there was only one more day of school left. After that, Ezra and he wouldn't see each other all summer.

The car started moving, and Ezra, lost in his thoughts, watched the houses passing by. He had to make a decision, and he knew it. A decision that would not only change the course of the summer but perhaps the course of his life.