The neon lights flickered outside the fast-food restaurant, illuminating the faces of the two men huddled over their trays.
Orion glanced around, taking in the chaotic scene—the clattering of trays, the sizzle of fryers, the muffled laughter of students.
"Are you sure we should be talking about this here?" he asked, lowering his voice.
Blaise, in his fresh clothes, shrugged nonchalantly as he took a bite of his burger.
"Trust me, Orion. No one cares what we're discussing. It's just another day at the university."
Orion shifted in his seat, his brow furrowing.
"Right, but…"
"Relax," Blaise interrupted, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Just focus on what I need to tell you."
With a deep breath, Orion leaned back, contemplating the young man sitting across from him.
"Why are you here?" he finally asked, his tone serious. "You look like you're barely out of college. How old are you, really?"
Blaise grinned, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing.
"Twenty-two. But I've been watching you for a year now, Orion. I need your abilities."
Skepticism washed over Orion.
"Abilities? What are you talking about? I'm just a researcher. I don't have powers like you."
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong," Blaise said, his demeanor shifting as he leaned forward. "You have the potential to do something incredible. You just don't see it yet."
Orion narrowed his eyes.
"Potential? What kind of potential?"
Blaise waved a hand dismissively, his casual attitude perplexing Orion.
"Let me explain everything. My age, my abilities, my intentions— I'll answer all of it."
Orion folded his arms, skepticism rising.
"Go ahead then. I'm listening."
Blaise took another bite of his burger, a teasing smile creeping onto his lips.
"I'm not from Earth," he stated, his tone dropping into an enigmatic whisper.
Orion blinked, momentarily speechless.
"Are you serious? You think I'm going to buy that? What is this, a bad sci-fi flick?"
"Orion, think about it. Your skepticism is amusing, but you're smarter than this. You'll understand once I explain."
Orion leaned in, intrigued despite himself.
"Fine. Explain. How is it that you're not from Earth?"
Blaise's eyes sparkled with excitement as he spoke.
"Let's start with when superpowers first emerged."
Orion relaxed slightly, the shift in topic easing his tension.
"Early 20th century," he replied, his confidence returning. "It was linked to some significant world events, reshaping politics, and social dynamics."
"Exactly," Blaise nodded, impressed. "But have you ever wondered why it happened?"
Orion paused, the question hitting him like a brick.
"I… I haven't really thought about it. It's like the mystery of dinosaur extinction—nobody knows for sure."
Blaise chuckled, his laughter light and carefree.
"No one has the answer, Orion. It's part of the enigma surrounding transcendent beings."
"Transcendent?" Orion echoed, leaning in.
"Those who've surpassed human limitations," Blaise clarified, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "There are only three in the world, and they're god-like."
Orion raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself.
"God-like? What do you mean?"
"They can manipulate reality, alter time, even bend space." Blaise leaned back, crossing his arms. "And I'm one of them."
"Right," Orion scoffed, shaking his head. "And I'm the King of Atlantis."
"Really? You'd make a terrible king," Blaise quipped, the corner of his mouth quirking upward.
Orion chuckled, but the laughter faded as he considered the implications of what Blaise was suggesting.
"Okay, if you're serious about this, then what caused the emergence of superpowers? You must have some insight."
Blaise met his gaze with an intensity that sent a shiver down Orion's spine.
"I have a theory," he said slowly. "But it's still just a theory. What I do know is that superpowers exploit the 'loopholes' in our understanding of science."
"Loopholes?" Orion frowned, trying to wrap his head around the concept.
"Think about it," Blaise continued, his excitement palpable. "Science is just a set of rules we've created to understand the universe. But what if those rules are incomplete? What if superpowers exist because there's more to reality than we've been taught?"
Orion's mind raced.
"So you're saying there's a layer of reality we can't see? One that allows people to… transcend?"
"Exactly!" Blaise's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
Orion considered this for a moment, skepticism battling with curiosity.
"If that's true, then what about those three transcendent beings? What makes them different?"
Blaise leaned forward, his expression serious.
"They've tapped into that hidden layer. They've become something more than human. That's why I need your help, Orion."
"What do you want from me?" Orion asked, his heart racing.
"I need someone who can help me navigate the complexities of this world. Someone who understands both science and the supernatural."
"Why not just recruit one of these transcendent beings?"
Blaise shrugged.
"Because they're unpredictable. I need someone grounded, someone with a moral compass."
v felt the weight of Blaise's words settle heavily in the air between them.
"I don't know if I'm that person," he admitted, doubt creeping into his mind.
"You are," Blaise insisted, his gaze unwavering. "You just have to believe it."
Before Orion could respond, the door to the fast-food restaurant swung open with a jarring clatter.
A group of boisterous students poured in, laughter and chatter filling the air.
Blaise's expression shifted, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes.
"Let's take this somewhere more private," he suggested, glancing at the newcomers.
Orion nodded, suddenly feeling the weight of their conversation pressing down on him.
"Where to?"
"Follow me," Blaise said, sliding out of the booth.
Orion hesitated, the tumult of thoughts swirling in his mind.
As he rose to follow, he glanced back at the now-bustling restaurant.
Blaise moved swiftly toward the exit, his demeanor shifting from casual to purposeful.
"Wait," Orion said, catching up. "You're serious about all of this, aren't you?"
Blaise turned, a hint of urgency in his eyes.
"More serious than you know. But we have to go now."
v felt a chill run down his spine as he followed Blaise outside, the cool evening air wrapping around them like a cloak.
Questions raced through his mind, uncertainty gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.
"What if you're wrong?" he asked, glancing at Blaise.
"Then we'll figure it out together," Blaise replied, his tone confident.
But as they stepped into the night, an unsettling feeling washed over Orion.
What if they weren't prepared for the truth?
And what awaited them in the shadows beyond?