|Author's note: Cain's appearance description was in 191 if you forgot.|
3rd Person POV
*At H.A.P.P.Y Solutions headquarters*
In a dimly lit, luxurious boardroom, the secret head of the pharmaceutical corporation, Cain, sat at the head of a large table.
He was reading the news reports scrolling on the large screen before him. Around the table, his board of directors, a group of equally cunning and ruthless individuals, some of which were from the extinction class that worked as Cain's guards, were gathered, each exuding an air of tension and concern.
"These reports of our facilities being destroyed all over the world are not the kind of publicity we need." He said aloud, "For now, we'll double down on security at all our remaining facilities. Typhon, you're in charge, fortify our defenses, and increase personnel."
Typhon nodded and got up to leave the room.
"A moment please." Cain's words stopped him in his tracks, "If you find them a bit stronger than expected, retreat, your full power will require you to be visible, and your prosthetics are easy to replace, so self-destruct it and use that opportunity to retreat."
All their tablets then displayed the ongoing breaking news headlines, while the large screen at the front of the room projected various news outlets and social media feeds reporting on the widespread destruction of their facilities.
The room was filled with the murmur of voices as the board members picked up their devices to scan the headlines and read every conspiracy theory there is out there, like the public, they also had no clue who the culprit is, and can only also speculate.
"Sir, should we unveil Project Lucifer to the public?" One of his directors suggested, "It can help take the media's eye out of our main headquarters, they are proving to be a nuisance, and it won't be long till one of them find an escapee to put as a headline, so we can occupy the headlines with our unveiling and will use that delay to find the escapees."
"...Sure, we were going to do it anyway." Cain nodded, "With the conspiracy theories popping up, they'll think that Project Lucifer is our unethical project that's causing these attacks, it is unethical by mortal means, but...I don't think that it's the reason for these attacks, where is Dawn's location?"
"She is currently on a cruise trip and we have confirmed her latest message of her acquaintance visiting from the other side is true." one replied, "Are we to attack them?"
"No..." Cain responded, "Even though we know that Dawn is the cause of why we haven't been able to fully copy or study these abilities and we also know that she disagrees with our methods, we're still putting on a neutral front, it's better if she's not a bother, let her enjoy her trip, but do keep an eye on her."
*****
*Flashback*
Dawn POV
I stood at the edge of my thoughts, gazing out at the world through a borrowed vessel. It was exhilarating, this sensation of being in a mortal body. I was no longer a distant deity, observing from above. Instead, I felt the heartbeat, the warmth, and the vulnerability of a human.
It was a strange experience, I've done this before, but it's been quite a while since I've done it, I found a strange human...not only is he one of those supers, but he also had the presence and marking left behind by my eldest daughter...she found her champion.
Feeling the emotions coursing through Meira and through me, were both thrilling and frightening to say the least, even as a goddess.
I was strolling down a path lined with vibrant flowers, the scent of blooming petals mingling with the gentle breeze. As I turned a corner, I caught sight of him, Loki, sitting on a bench beneath a sprawling oak tree, engrossed in a book.
A strange boy, and he was a good friend of my host's brother. Meira and Perseus met and talked several times in the past and they've gotten along quite well, too well...because they have been seeing each other without Meira's brother knowing as they were afraid that it might ruin their dynamic.
Our thoughts are merged right now, and though I am currently in control, I can still hear her in my head.
"Yo, Ms. Goddess, are you sure that he's the one you're looking for?" Meira asked, "He may be a powerful guy, but he's very innocent and reserved, his demeanor usually shrouded in an aura of this aloofness...cute though."
"Yes, he is." I replied.
"Say, you just told me that you want to check him out...you're not trying to steal him from me, are you?"
"No."
"So what about my theory of you wanting to kill him because he is some sort of secret demon or something?"
"Not that either."
I can sense it clearly, Leilah's marking on him...the chosen champion of the black rose, I wonder what kind of man he is.
As he was reading, a young child nearby wandered nearby with a red teary face. He got up and approach the child, his voice was gentle as he spoke to her while crouching beside her, his eyes warm with concern.
"Are you lost?" he asked
"No..." the child replied, "Mom said to not accept the request of strangers."
"Your mom is right, it's important to be cautious," he said, his tone gentle and reassuring. "But you know, sometimes there are good people who just want to help. My name's Luke, if you want, I can help you."
"I'm lost," she admitted in a small voice, "I'm...Hannah."
"We're going to find your mom, alright? I promise. But first, can you tell me something you remember about where you were with your mom before you got lost?"
Hannah hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowing as she concentrated. "We were near a big fountain," she said, her voice shaky.
"Great! A big fountain. That's a good clue," Loki replied,
his smile reassuring. "Let's walk together, and we'll keep an eye out for that fountain. Sound like a plan?"
Hannah nodded, her small hand slipping into his much larger one. I then followed them as they walked through the park, Loki...or Luke kept up a gentle conversation, his voice soothing her as he kept talking.
And then, just around a bend in the path, they saw a fountain.
"Is that the fountain?" Luke asked
"Yes, that's it!" Hannah nodded vigorously.
As they approached the fountain, a frantic woman came into view, her face etched with worry. She saw Luke and Hannah, and relief flooded her expression.
"Hannah!" she cried out, rushing towards them and scooping her daughter into a tight embrace.
"Thank you so much for helping her," she said, her voice trembling.
"It was my pleasure," Luke said as he left.
"Please remind me to give him a kiss later, because that was really adorable." Meira said