Waking up early after barely managing three hours of sleep had become a routine lately. Most of the time, I spent those sleepless hours mapping out my next steps. First on my list was visiting the orphanage. My little brothers and sisters there deserved a visit, and of course, I had to see Miss Ophelia and Miss Reina, the two amazing women who took care of us all. The thought of their warm smiles made me eager to head out. After that, I planned to fly around the city and help people in any way I could, doing my best to improve the lives of Blüdhaven's residents. I knew it wouldn't be easy—stepping on the toes of corrupt officials and criminals alike—but isn't that exactly what a hero signs up for?
During my sleepless hours, I also found myself thinking about more practical matters, like finding a job. In my previous life, I'd worked at Simon & Schuster, one of the big five publishing houses. I was a highly successful assistant HR director—one of the youngest, at just 23 years old. Things took a turn, though, when the company was sold to a private equity firm in early 2023, and a few months later, I got promoted right before… well, before I died. Now, in this new life, I figured it wouldn't hurt to try my luck at the Blüdhaven Gazette, the city's only newspaper. It seemed like a good place to start rebuilding my career.
My adoptive father, William, had left me a small inheritance. His will named me as the secondary beneficiary after my adoptive mother, Rachel, but since both had passed, I received the full $100,000 he had saved. That money brought its own set of problems—debt collectors, beatings, and me not knowing where the money had gone. I didn't find out about the will until a few months after their deaths when William's lawyer reached out to me. I was only 15 at the time, so the lawyer took control of the bank account where the money was deposited, allowing me access only when I turned 18. Until then, he let me withdraw up to $2,000 a month, just enough to scrape by.
The apartment I now lived in had belonged to my father's parents, and it was officially mine according to the will. I was thankful for the roof over my head, especially now that I had to care for Cassandra too. Money wasn't my biggest concern at the moment, but I wanted to ensure that we wouldn't face any financial troubles down the road.
Of course, I could have easily cheated my way into a fortune using my powers—x-ray vision and scratchcards, for instance—but that didn't sit right with me. Instead, I decided to go about it honestly. I will open a new bank account and soon after start investing in stocks, targeting companies like NVDA, APPL, NFLX, AMZN, MNST, ISRG, and BKNG. It will be slow going, but little by little, I hope to grow my wealth. Who knows? Maybe in a few years, I'd be well on my way to becoming a multi-trillionaire.
Then, maybe one day, I can donate a huge sum of money to the orphanage. The thought of helping Miss Ophelia and Miss Reina keep the place running smoothly, giving my little brothers and sisters a better life, brought a smile to my face. I imagined new toys, freshly painted rooms, and even better meals for them—everything I wished I had when I was growing up there. Being able to give back like that would be more fulfilling than any fortune I could ever make. It's not just about the money, but the difference it could make in their lives. Maybe, just maybe, I could change things for the better in Blüdhaven, starting with the orphanage that gave me so much.
But that was still a long way off. For now, my focus shifted back to the present as I spotted Cassandra, looking groggy but excited, heading to the bathroom. She greeted me silently, and I could tell from the way she moved that she'd had the best night's sleep in a while. Her energy was different—brighter, more alive.
While she was in the bathroom, I decided to whip up breakfast for us both. Using my super speed, I had it all done in less than ten minutes: a mountain of fluffy pancakes, maple syrup on the side, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon strips, hashbrowns, fresh orange juice, and water. By the time Cassandra stepped out of the bathroom, the table was fully set.
Her eyes lit up when she saw the feast, and she gave me two enthusiastic thumbs up with a smile. I couldn't help but grin back. It was a simple moment, but it felt like a victory—a small, wholesome start to what I knew would be another long, challenging day. We sat down at the small kitchen table, ready to dig in, and for a moment, everything felt right.
After our satisfying breakfast—which Cassandra devoured as if she hadn't eaten in days—we moved to the sofa. She was still in her PJs, looking cozy and content. It was the perfect moment to let her know I'd be heading out for a while. I pointed to the pizza in the fridge, explaining that if she got hungry later, she could just pop it in the microwave. She gave me a quick nod of understanding before turning her attention to the TV, tuning me out completely.
I chuckled to myself, thinking I might have just turned my place into a couch potato's paradise. But the sight of her relaxing after everything she'd been through made me smile. It was good to see her unwinding, even if it meant she might never leave the sofa.
Glancing at the clock, I saw it was around 10 a.m. Time to head out. I grabbed a face mask and cap, slipping them on to stay under the radar. As I walked out of my apartment, excitement bubbled inside me. I was about to visit the orphanage—the place that shaped me, that gave me family when I had none. The thought of seeing everyone again, especially Lady Ophelia and Lady Reina, made my steps a little lighter.
This visit wasn't just a trip down memory lane. It was a reminder of where I came from and why I wanted to make this world better—starting with the orphanage that gave me a second chance at life.
But things weren't going as smoothly as Kyn had hoped. In a lavish, dimly lit office, two of Blüdhaven's most notorious villains were deep in conversation about the emerging superhero known as the Sentry. The office was decorated with gaudy displays of wealth—gold-trimmed furniture and expensive artwork hanging on the walls—yet the atmosphere felt tense and heavy with danger.
Behind a large mahogany desk sat Richard Desmond, the criminal mastermind who ruled over Blüdhaven's underworld. Towering over most men, Desmond was the Kingpin of the city, a massive figure with a reputation as ruthless as it was well-earned. Across from him sat another imposing man, though much smaller in comparison—Delmore Redhorn, the corrupt Chief of Police, who practically ran the city's law enforcement on Desmond's orders.
Desmond's frustration boiled over as he slammed his massive fist on the desk, the force so powerful it nearly split the table in half. His voice thundered as he yelled at Redhorn, his temper clearly on the edge. "What the hell do I pay you for? Why haven't you found anything about this 'Sentry' guy yet? We need to know what we're up against!"
Redhorn, trying to keep his composure in front of the enraged kingpin, replied with a sneer. "I've got every corrupt officer on my payroll searching for clues, but this Sentry came out of nowhere, and he disappears just as fast. He's like a ghost." His voice lowered as frustration mixed with a hint of fear. "But what really worries me? More of the force is going rogue. Rebellious cops, too many questions. The mayor's stopped returning my calls. This... this Sentry... he's giving people something we worked hard to take away—hope." Redhorn spat the word like it was poison. "We need to crush him. Fast. Before he becomes something more dangerous than we've ever seen. I'm also concerned—just how close to Superman's level is this guy?"
Redhorn's lips curled into a cruel, wicked smile as he leaned forward. "Once Sentry shows himself again, we'll find his weaknesses. And then, we'll tear him apart." His eyes gleamed with malice, savoring the idea of Sentry's downfall.
"I'll have Cisco Blaine form a team with Shrike, Lady Vic, and our top hacker, Giz. With the best we've got, we'll find this self-righteous do-gooder, and figure out how to wipe him out before he gets too strong."
The room filled with cold, malicious laughter. Both men reveled in their shared confidence, knowing that soon enough, they would gather everything they needed to bring down their new, powerful enemy. They knew that taking down Sentry wouldn't be easy, but they were determined to break him—before he could become the worst threat Blüdhaven's criminal empire had ever faced.
Kyn, none the wiser about the two cancerous individuals plotting his demise, walked calmly towards the orphanage where the former body's owner had spent his childhood. He had already made the decision to live as himself—Kyn James—and not dwell on the past. As he got closer to the orphanage, about a few blocks away, he noticed something unsettling: gangsters loitering around the neighborhood. Their eyes locked on him aggressively, but Kyn, not wanting trouble, simply ignored them and kept walking.
When he finally saw the orphanage, his heart sank. The building looked worn-down, as though it had been neglected for years. The cracks in the walls, the chipped paint, and the broken windows told a story of hardship. It was clear that the lack of funds had taken its toll. He felt a pang of guilt in his chest, knowing that he had been absent for so long.
Determined to greet everyone, Kyn walked up the steps and immediately noticed a surveillance camera above the front door. He smiled and waved at the camera, then knocked. The sound of multiple locks being undone took him by surprise—this wasn't the warm, open place he remembered. Finally, the door creaked open, revealing a young woman, probably in her mid-twenties, who smiled at him.
"Hello, how may I help you?" she asked.
Kyn smiled back. "Hello, miss. I used to be an orphan here a few years ago. My name is Kyn. Could you let Miss Ophelia or Miss Reina know that I'm here, please?"
The young woman's smile faded into surprise, then sadness as he mentioned the two caretakers. Kyn immediately felt a knot form in his stomach.
"Okay," she replied, "Come in. Have a seat in the entrance hall while I get Miss Reina." She hesitated before adding, "But... Miss Ophelia is... terminally ill. She's been sick for about two years now—cancer. She's resting at the moment, and I don't dare wake her."
Kyn felt his heart ache. Miss Ophelia had been like a mother to him and all the other children. He couldn't help but think about how helpless he felt—until he remembered that perhaps one of his powers might be able to help her in time.
While Kyn was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a warm embrace from behind. He turned around to see Miss Reina, her face beaming with joy.
"Oh my God! It's really you!" she cried out, pulling him into a tight hug. "It's been over two years since we last saw you, right before your parents passed. How are you? You look amazing and so tall!"
Kyn smiled, hugging her back just as tightly. "I'm doing a lot better now. It's been rough these past few years, but things are turning around."
Miss Reina, the loving and nurturing woman he remembered, looked him over with pride. "You look so well. I'm glad to see you've grown into such a fine young man." Then, her expression turned more serious. "Things haven't been easy here, Kyn. We've had trouble with thugs and gangs in the neighborhood. No one wants to work here, and no contractor will even touch the building. That's why we've had to increase security—one of the nurses who helps Miss Ophelia has a cousin who's a hacker. He helped install the cameras and locks."
Kyn listened with concern as they walked into the lounge, where all the kids would gather to play. As soon as the door opened, the older children, now around 13 or 14, recognized him instantly.
"Kyn!" they cried in unison, running toward him.
"Big brother Kyn is back!"
Kyn smiled as they enveloped him in hugs. The sight of their tattered clothing tugged at his heart even more. "I've missed you all," he said softly, almost tearing up. "I'm so sorry it took me so long to come back. After my parents passed, I had a lot of problems, but now... I'm here."
For the next few hours, Kyn played with the children, talking to them about their lives over the past two and a half years. The older kids confided in him about how potential adoptive parents had stopped coming because of the gang activity. His heart hardened with resolve—he vowed to clean up Blüdhaven, to bring hope not only to this city but everywhere he could reach.
When it was finally time to leave, Kyn noticed the children's sad expressions. "Don't worry," he promised, "I'll be back soon."
Miss Reina walked him to the door. "By the way, Kyn," she said, "the young caretaker you met is Miss Samantha, Miss Ophelia's niece. She's as kind and gentle as her aunt."
Kyn nodded and smiled. "I'll keep that in mind."
Before stepping out, Miss Reina added, "Please, be careful with those gangsters, Kyn. If you feel threatened, come back here, okay?"
Kyn smirked confidently. "Don't worry. Life's been tough these past two and a half years, but I found a teacher who taught me martial arts. Those small-time gangsters won't be able to harm me."
Miss Reina's eyes widened in surprise, but she looked relieved. "Well, at least something good came out of your struggles. Stay safe, Kyn."
Waving goodbye to everyone, including Miss Samantha, Kyn stepped outside and began walking towards his next destination: the Blüdhaven Gazette, where he hoped to find a job.
But just a few blocks away, he found himself surrounded by nine thugs. They all looked menacing, but one man stood out—a tall figure in a red biker suit, his helmet covering his face. Kyn immediately recognized him: Thrill Devil, a low-tier villain from DC Comics.
Thrill Devil stepped forward, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Hey, punk. What the hell were you doing at the orphanage? I'll give you one warning—stay away from them if you know what's good for you."
Kyn looked at him calmly, then gave a smirk. "You think you and these eight clowns are going to stop me? After today, I want nine fools to leave this neighborhood if you know what's good for you."
Thrill Devil's expression darkened, and with a nod, he signaled the thugs to rush Kyn. But before they even got close, Kyn became a blur, moving so fast they could barely see him. In seconds, all eight thugs were lying on the ground, groaning in pain, some with broken arms or legs.
Thrill Devil stood in shock; his eyes wide with disbelief. He reached for his gun, but before he could even draw it, Kyn was in front of him. Grabbing Thrill Devil's arm, Kyn snapped it with ease, causing him to drop the gun in agony.
Before Thrill Devil could scream, Kyn delivered an elbow uppercut, followed by a swift roundhouse kick, sending the villain spinning through the air. Thrill Devil crashed down onto his own motorcycle, completely unconscious.
Kyn looked down at his handiwork, impressed by his own martial arts skills. With a satisfied smile, he dusted himself off, confirmed there wasn't a drop of blood on him, and walked away, ready to find a job and continue his journey.
Blüdhaven's underworld had no idea what was coming.