The rush of power was intoxicating.
It was all so new. The speed. The strength. The raw energy that surged through me every time I pushed myself a little further, a little harder. I felt limitless, like there was nothing I couldn't do.
Flying through the skies of Metropolis had felt almost too easy. Landing, crushing my first set of criminals, had been as simple as breathing. But something nagged at me, like a little voice whispering in the back of my mind.
What now?
After the Inner Circle's men scattered, I had gone back to my apartment, though I wasn't really sure why. Everything in my old life felt… irrelevant. This new world was so much more vivid. So much bigger. And I couldn't stop thinking about the feeling of power, of control. The desire to push the boundaries.
That first confrontation with those criminals—those weaklings—had been easy. Too easy. I couldn't help but wonder how much further I could go. How far I could push myself.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, looking at the person I'd become. The face staring back at me wasn't the same as it used to be. There was something… different in my eyes. Something darker. My hair had grown out a little longer, but it wasn't just the physical changes that were obvious. It was the aura around me. The confidence. The power radiating from within.
A soft knock on the door broke my thoughts.
I hesitated for a moment before walking over and opening it.
Standing there was a woman. Tall, strong, with dark, short hair and a look in her eyes that was sharp, calculating.
"Hi," she said, her voice smooth and controlled. "I'm Alexis Mercer. I'm here about you."
The name didn't ring any bells. But I didn't need to ask who she was. In this world, everyone had some kind of agenda. People weren't drawn to power without reason.
I stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. "What do you want with me?"
She didn't waste time with pleasantries. "I know what you did today. The Inner Circle's men? I've been keeping an eye on you."
"Why?" I asked, suspicious, not sure what to make of her.
She gave a knowing smile. "Because you've got potential. But power like yours… it's dangerous if you don't know how to use it. You've got the strength, the speed, the heat vision. But you don't have discipline. And there's a difference."
I bristled, annoyed by her assessment. "You think I need some kind of training?"
She didn't flinch. "Not training. Control. You need to understand the gravity of what you've become. You're not just some random guy with a flashy power. You're a threat. You don't get to just fly around, smashing buildings and killing people without understanding the consequences."
I stepped back, feeling the fire rise within me. It wasn't like I was doing anything wrong. I had stopped criminals. I had saved people. So what if it was a little… extreme? They'd deserved it.
But Alexis wasn't done. "Look, I'm not here to be your enemy. I'm offering you a chance to work with us. I know about your abilities. And I know you've got no idea what you're dealing with."
I narrowed my eyes, watching her closely. "Us?"
She pulled out a small, sleek black card, holding it between two fingers. "I work for an organization called Helix. We handle… problematic people with powers. We help them understand their place in the world. We're not just a group of do-gooders. We don't wear capes or fight for justice. We work for power, control, and influence. And we'd like you to join us."
I stared at her, my mind whirling with the implications. A part of me wanted to refuse, to reject her offer outright. I wasn't a team player. I wasn't some hero out to save the world. But there was another part of me, something darker, that liked the sound of what she was offering.
Control. Power. Influence.
It was tempting.
"What's in it for me?" I asked, my voice low.
Her smile grew colder, more calculated. "You'll have resources. People. A team that can help you expand your reach, build your influence, and teach you how to use your abilities the right way. You won't be some rogue, flying around, drawing attention. You'll be a part of something bigger."
I paused. The idea of working for an organization like Helix was… unsettling, but not without appeal. They seemed to know exactly how to wield power. And if they were offering me the tools to control mine, to make it even stronger… maybe it was the right move.
"What happens if I say no?" I asked, my voice thick with suspicion.
She tilted her head, her smile never fading. "Then you'll keep doing what you're doing now—blundering through the world, making enemies, taking unnecessary risks. The world is full of people who want to take down people like you. Heroes, vigilantes, governments. The last thing you want is to make the wrong enemies, especially when you don't even understand the full scope of your abilities."
That hit me harder than I wanted to admit. I hadn't thought about the consequences beyond the immediate satisfaction of using my power. But she was right. There were forces in this world I had no understanding of. People who would stop at nothing to take down a threat like me.
"I'll think about it," I said, still unsure.
Alexis didn't push. "Take your time. But just remember—Helix isn't just a group. It's a way of life. A chance for you to learn to control what you have before it controls you."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the apartment, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I stood there for a long moment, staring at the door.
Control.
I couldn't shake the word. It echoed in my mind, louder than anything else. I had all this power, but what was it worth if I couldn't control it? What if I became like him—like Homelander, who had everything, but no real sense of morality or self-restraint?
But was control the answer? Or was I just giving away my freedom?
I didn't know the answer yet. But I was going to find out.
And as for Helix—I wasn't sure if I could trust them. But if they had the key to unlocking the full potential of my powers…
I had to be ready for whatever came next.