"You look perfect now," Elius murmured, stepping beside Keith and regarding his reflection with a wistful, almost bittersweet expression. "You have no idea how long I've waited to see that. The hair… the eyes… the posture. Now you look like him. Radiant Man won't be able to deny you anymore."
Keith remained silent, eyes still locked on the image in the mirror. His breath came slow, shallow. The change was subtle, almost natural — but undeniable. The raven-black hair that once marked him, separated him, set him apart from the father who ignored him, was gone. In its place was a shimmering cascade of golden strands that caught the moonlight just like Elius's did. Just like his did.
