"Because the original awakening was different," Uncle Dom said quietly, his voice carrying a weight of knowledge that made everyone turn to look at him. "The power that changed the first seven... it wasn't just individual abilities. It was something more fundamental."
Noah felt pieces clicking together in his mind, but the picture they were forming didn't make complete sense yet. "Different how?"
"Think about it," Dom continued, settling into one of the archive chairs like he was preparing for a long story. "Seven people exposed to the same energy source, but each one developed completely different abilities. Lightning, fire manipulation, enhanced strength, psychic powers... that's not how energy absorption usually works."
