"Darian," The president greeted.
Darian smiled, "Sir..."
The president smiled back.
"We need to talk... privately, let's take this somewhere else," he whispered. "This way."
"Mhm." Darian said, following after the man.
A few moments later, Darian and the president entered an office. The office had a large window overlooking the city.
They sat in a pair of chairs across from each other, a large desk in front of them.
The president folded his hands together on the desk in front of him and took a deep breath before speaking, his tone calm, his voice smooth and gentle, "Please, help me."
Darian leaned forward in his seat, a curious expression on his face, "I'm listening,"
"You are a great asset, Darian...the walking miracle! Why don't you come back to Algaria?" He stated, his voice cracking slightly.
Darian narrowed his eyes.
"The only way you'll get me to come back to the states is if you make it worth my while." He said sternly. "Otherwise I won't return. And you won't have your walking miracle,"
"Darian... You've continued healing people, my people, even after leaving," He explained with a frown, "That shows you're loyal. I have an opportunity for you. A chance to serve your country...in the biggest way possible."
"Elysium is my home." Darian replied as he stood up, "Now if you'll excuse me... I'll be going now," He said as he turned to leave, only to freeze as he saw the guards standing in the doorway.
"Alright, alright." The president said angrily, standing up from his seat. "I thought you were Algarian...patriotic! Well I need you to perform a little miracle," He exclaimed.
"There are two children who will die within the week." The man explained, "their names are Jacob and Katie, both four years old."
Darian frowned, "What's wrong with them?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"They're both suffering from an extremely rare disease."
"Okay..." He said, thinking about what to do. "What disease?" He asked as he turned to face the president once more.
The man smiled wickedly, "Their hearts will fail in less than a week and their parents are willing to pay a whole lot of money for a miracle."
"What do I get?" Darian questioned. "What are you offering me in exchange for saving their lives?"
He inquired, his gaze unwavering, "If you don't have anything better than money, then you can go fuck yourself."
The president nodded, "Of course, I've arranged it so the American government will never touch your son."
Darian smirked, "Sounds interesting."
"I figured you might say that," He said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to him, "This is all you need to know about them," He added as he took it out and examined its contents.
"That's their medical report."
Darian nodded, "Well then, if you're giving my son immunity...he might as well be the one to heal them!" He exclaimed with excitement, a mischievous grin on his face, "I'll see you soon," He said before he turned to leave the office.
"Wait!" The president called out after him.
Darian turned to face him.
The president stood up. "What do you mean? They're willing to pay top dollar...for YOU. Not your son!" He shouted, slamming his hand down on his desk.
"Oh, I see." He chuckled, "Well, my son's a better miracle worker than me," He admitted, "So if they're willing to pay me top dollar, I don't mind letting my son do it. Besides... I don't care how much they're willing to pay, you're just going to take it all for yourself. You money hungry dog, if you really care about your people... then you'll let my son help. So what will it be?" He asked sternly. "I don't want to hear another word of how much they want me," He growled, turning around and walking away.
"Fine!" He called out.
"See you around, Mr. President!" He yelled out.
With that, he left the room and made his way out of the building and towards the party once more.
...
After a few minutes of looking around the large building, Kane found himself on a balcony, overlooking the city.
He felt the wind blowing through his hair as he leaned over the railing and watched the people gathered around the gates, waiting to see the heroes, some were holding posters, and pictures of their favorite heroes. Others had bags and gifts, for their hero.
He sighed.
"Beautiful view isn't it?" Someone behind him asked.
Kane turned around, and to his surprise, he saw Mystery Woman from the ceremony.
"Yeah." He replied, "I didn't see you there."
The woman chuckled and stepped towards him. "It's nice to finally meet you... Kane."
"Nice to meet you, too." He replied awkwardly, a smile on his face.
She stared into his eyes for a long while before Kane averted his gaze and looked up at the sky again.
She took a few more steps forward. "So..." She said, leaning on the railing next to him. "How different is this from Elysium" She questioned curiously.
Kane shrugged.
"A lot less trees. A lot more buildings and people... but more people means more danger," He replied as he turned to face the woman again.
She gave him an amused smile, "So you're not used to crowds like this, are you?" She inquired.
Kane shook his head, "No. But, it's fine. I can deal with it," he answered, as he turned back around.
"This is where heroes live, and this is where heroes come to die... It's a nice place, don't you think? Better than living on a farm..." She chuckled, leaning on the railing and looking towards the crowd.
"Not all heroes live here, though." Kane pointed out, "Other countries have plenty of strong people. Elysium especially," He said.
"Mhm, but I think you'll agree that they aren't as big a deal here, and they're not as loved, or as powerful in other countries. This country... well, it's where it all happens, you know? Heroes, villains... wars... That's why the government is always involved," she replied as she took a step closer towards Kane and leaned in towards him.
"The government has the resources, money, and power. It can't be ignored, no matter what anyone else says. It's in charge... and if the people want a hero to fight their battles, well, the government provides them," She said, her voice filled with disgust. "It's like a giant, hungry monster...eating everything it comes in contact with," She chuckled, shaking her head.
"Well..." Kane started, "I can understand why that'd upset you..." he trailed off.
Mystery Woman grinned at him. "But, that's just politics for you. What's your plan, Kane?"
He shrugged. "I want to be strong enough to protect my dad...and a few others." he explained.
The woman laughed. "That's it? You should be a little selfish." She rolled her eyes and sighed, "You really need to live a little."
"I am. I'm alive right now." He answered.
Mystery Woman smiled sadly at him. "That's not what I mean. I'm talking about something else... I'm talking about enjoying life, Kane... don't let the world pass you by. Go out there, adventure, get some experience...experience is the best teacher."
Kane nodded.
"You're right, I want to leave Elysium in a few years..." he admitted, "Get stronger."
"Good, then you should join us," The woman replied.
Kane's squinted his eyes. "What?" He asked. "Why should I join you?"
Mystery Woman leaned back onto the railing again. "Why? Algaria can make you the strongest superhero in the world, with our technology and resources at the academy. We could turn you into a real hero."
"Yeah?" Kane replied.
The woman nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. "Yes." She took a step forward and stuck her hand out in front of Kane, offering a handshake.
"Hah! Who said I want to be a hero?" Kane laughed before he slapped the woman's hand away.
She blinked at him with wide eyes.
Kane stopped laughing. "Why the hell would I join Algaria?" he asked. "Tell me... would a god answer to anyone?" He asked, glaring at the woman, the black voids in his eyes spinning violently.
"Why should I join a place my father abandoned? This country must be weak and pathetic." He said.
"Why should I care about you, why should I care about anyone who doesn't put in as much effort as me, why should I help a country too scared to fight me and my people? I don't think you can truly offer me a thing." Kane questioned, his voice rising with each few words.
"Answer that for me, Mystery Woman."
Mystery Woman's expression darkened and her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't...Don't take my kindness as a joke," she growled as she stepped closer towards Kane.
"Do not make the mistake of thinking you can speak to me like that!" Her voice echoed in his mind and through the night, causing Kane's skin to tingle with goosebumps. Her aura had become so dark and menacing that it made the air tremble around them.
Kane stood there silently as she spoke, not showing any fear on his face.
He continued staring at the woman.
Mystery Woman narrowed her eyes at him as her hands clenched tightly at her sides, the aura around her growing stronger. Kane noticed her breathing was becoming heavy, her body shaking slightly.
"The only thing that separates us from Elysium is a mere river and border!" She snapped back. "Algaria is not weak, we have plenty of resources to help people, and if our government weren't such pussies we would wipe you freaks out!
"Algaria has resources...sure," He replied. "But, who cares? You have plenty of superduper secret weapons and heroes, sure. But, what does that matter? Your tens of thousands of heroes... can't match one person from Elysium. We're people with real power. People that could wipe your heroes from existence in the blink of an eye," he replied as he stared down at her.
The woman glared at him.
"Algaria has plenty of heroes... but, not one is a god...no, but I am a god," Kane said. "If we wanted, Elysium could crush Algaria... but, we're not going to. You should be glad for that fact...very glad,"
She clenched her fists, the aura around her growing stronger and darker. "Why... How can you claim you're a god? You're nothing but a child!" she asked.
"Because," he answered, "Because of who I am." Kane raised a finger to point at himself. "If not me, then who? If not the person who can heal the sick and injured with a single touch... If not someone who can cure cancer with a thought. Then who? You can't compare yourself to me,"
She blinked and looked away, staring into the distance, the anger leaving her expression.
"That's not true..." she whispered, her eyes beginning to water as she gazed upon the stars in the night sky, "Humans cannot be gods..."
Kane chuckled.
"Oh... that's nice," He said sarcastically, "but who said I was human?" He explained with a shrug.
She glared at him and scoffed, "Of course not, you're a devil." She turned on her heels and walked back into the building. "Goodbye, oh, and... a god wouldn't hide his eyes like a little bitch." She called back before disappearing inside, leaving Kane alone on the balcony.
Kane shook his head. 'Why did I act like that?' he thought with a sigh before leaving the balcony himself.
He returned to the party. He walked past the various people in the hall as they all talked and mingled together, none paying any attention to Kane, other than a simple glance at his eyes. He continued walking towards the back of the building.
A few minutes later, Kane entered the lobby of the building, his eyes scanning the area.