different Landon

Chapter 2:

The warmth lingering in Landon's hands faded by the time he followed Hope to the school's main hall. His head buzzed with questions, each one louder than the last. Hope hadn't said a word since the courtyard, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

Rafael had tried to come with them, but Hope waved him off. "I'll bring him back," she promised before leading Landon down the hall.

"Where are we going?" Landon finally asked, breaking the silence.

"The library," Hope said, her tone clipped. "We need answers."

---

The Salvatore School's library was vast, its shelves filled with leather-bound tomes and scrolls that smelled of dust and age. Hope walked with purpose, scanning titles before pulling a book down and flipping through its pages. Landon hovered by the door, unsure if he should step inside.

"Sit," Hope said without looking up.

Landon obeyed, sinking into a chair at one of the long tables. "So… are you going to tell me what's going on? Or is this some kind of magical intervention?"

Hope closed the book with a snap and set it down. "What happened out there wasn't normal. You're human, but that… whatever you did… that wasn't human."

"Yeah, I figured that out when I turned a monster into a campfire," Landon shot back, though his voice trembled.

"Have you ever done anything like that before?" Hope asked, ignoring his sarcasm.

"No," Landon said, shaking his head. "I mean, I've always been weird, but not flaming hands weird."

Hope frowned. "Weird how?"

Landon hesitated, then sighed. "I've had these dreams… nightmares, really. Always about fire. Sometimes, when I wake up, I swear I smell smoke. But I just thought…" He trailed off, unsure how to explain.

"That it didn't mean anything," Hope finished for him. "It does."

She pushed the book toward him. The page showed a detailed illustration of a bird engulfed in flames. Beneath it, a single word was written in bold script: Phoenix.

"A phoenix?" Landon read aloud, disbelief coloring his tone. "You think I'm… what, some kind of mythological bird?"

Hope leaned against the table, crossing her arms. "Phoenixes are rare, but they're real. They're immortal, reborn through fire. If what happened out there was your first transformation, it makes sense you didn't know."

"Transformation?" Landon repeated, his voice rising. "You're telling me I'm some kind of firebird-human hybrid, and I didn't even get a warning?"

"Welcome to the supernatural world," Hope said dryly. "It's never subtle."

---

As the revelation sank in, Landon's mind reeled. He wasn't just an outsider in the supernatural world—he was something rare, something dangerous. And yet, deep down, a small part of him felt… relieved. He wasn't just an ordinary guy tagging along for Rafael's sake. He had a place here, even if it came with more questions than answers.

"So what now?" Landon asked. "Do I get a fireproof jacket or something?"

Hope smirked despite herself. "We start with control. If you can't manage your powers, you're a danger to yourself and everyone around you."

"Great," Landon muttered. "No pressure."

---

Training began the next morning.

Hope led Landon to the clearing behind the school, where students often practiced their magic and combat skills. She carried a spellbook, though she made it clear she wouldn't be relying on magic alone to teach him.

"We're going to trigger your abilities again," Hope explained, setting the book aside. "The only way to learn control is to push your limits."

Landon crossed his arms. "And what if I accidentally set myself on fire?"

"You'll heal," Hope said, as if it were obvious.

"That's comforting," Landon muttered, but he followed her instructions anyway.

Hope lit a small fire in the clearing, using a spell to keep it contained. "Focus on the flames," she instructed. "Feel the heat, the energy. Try to connect with it."

Landon crouched by the fire, staring into the flickering flames. At first, he felt nothing. But as he reached out a hand, a familiar warmth stirred in his chest, spreading through his limbs. The fire seemed to respond, its glow intensifying.

"That's it," Hope said, her voice steady. "Keep going."

Suddenly, the flames leapt toward Landon, wrapping around his hand. He yelped, pulling back, but there was no pain—only a strange, exhilarating heat.

"Whoa," he breathed, staring at his hand. The fire clung to his skin for a moment before fading, leaving no trace.

"You're stronger than I thought," Hope admitted, a hint of surprise in her tone.

Landon grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."

---

Their session was interrupted by a commotion from the woods. A group of students burst into the clearing, panic etched on their faces.

"Another creature," one of them said breathlessly. "It's huge, and it's heading this way!"

Hope's expression hardened. She turned to Landon. "Stay here."

"What? No way!" Landon protested. "I can help."

"You don't know how to control your powers yet," Hope argued.

"Maybe not," Landon said, "but I'm not sitting around while everyone else risks their lives."

Before Hope could stop him, Landon sprinted after the students, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He didn't know if he was ready, but he wasn't going to let fear hold him back.

---

The creature was even more terrifying up close—a hulking, shadowy beast with razor-sharp claws and eyes that glowed a sickly green. It swiped at a group of witches, sending them scattering.

Hope arrived seconds later, launching a spell that struck the creature's side. It roared, turning its attention to her.

Landon didn't think. He acted.

The familiar heat surged through him as he charged forward, flames erupting from his hands. He slammed into the creature, driving it back with a burst of fire. The beast howled, its shadowy form flickering as if it couldn't withstand the heat.

"Landon, get back!" Hope shouted, but he didn't listen.

With a final push, Landon unleashed everything he had. Flames engulfed the creature, consuming it entirely. When the fire died down, nothing remained but a charred patch of earth.

Landon stumbled back, breathing hard. His hands still glowed faintly, the warmth comforting rather than frightening.

Hope approached, her expression unreadable. "That was reckless."

"Yeah," Landon admitted, "but it worked."

Hope sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're going to be impossible to deal with, aren't you?"

"Probably," Landon said, grinning despite himself.

---

As they walked back to the school, Landon felt a strange sense of purpose. For the first time in his life, he wasn't just a bystander. He was part of something bigger. And though he still had a lot to learn, one thing was clear: he wasn't going to let anyone—or anything—hold him back.