In a world where the extraordinary was ordinary, superpowers defined the lines between heroes, villains, and the everyday folk caught in between. Heroes soared through the skies, wielding flames or telekinesis to protect the innocent, while villains lurked in the shadows, twisting their abilities into tools of chaos and destruction. The government, in alliance with the supernatural elite, had established the Hero Organization—a beacon for young adults discovering their powers, guiding them toward a life of valor or, at the very least, control. But not everyone played by the rules. Some embraced the darkness, using their gifts for crime, extortion, or worse. It was the heroes' solemn duty to stop them, often in battles that left cities scarred and bloodied.
Eight years ago, the top hero—Jake "The Unbreakable"—fought alongside his team against a rampaging villain whose powers warped reality itself. Amid the chaos of crumbling buildings and screams, Jake's ten-year-old son vanished, snatched by an unknown villain who slipped through the cracks like smoke. Jake's wife, Elena, head of the Hero Organization, mobilized every resource to find him. But as months turned to years, hope faded. In a fit of rage during a subsequent mission, Jake lost control of his immense strength, accidentally crushing a group of civilians under debris in his blind fury. The toll was gruesome—limbs twisted unnaturally, blood pooling in the streets, the air thick with the metallic tang of death. For that, he was sentenced to ten years in a specialized superpower prison, though his status as the former top hero afforded him luxuries like private quarters and occasional visits. Four years into the ordeal, Elena divorced him, her heart hardened by grief. The organization eventually halted the search, and Elena accepted the bitter truth: her son was dead. She rose to become the absolute head, her resolve unyielding as she trained the next generation.
But fate, it seemed, had other plans.
Alex stirred in his king-sized bed, the soft hum of his headphones drowning out the world. At eighteen, he was tall—six feet one inch—with long black hair that cascaded past his shoulders, sharp features that could cut glass, and a pair of sleek glasses perched on his nose. He had no powers, or at least none that had manifested yet, which made him feel like an outlier in this supercharged society. He lived in a sprawling mansion on the outskirts of the city, courtesy of his "mother," a towering woman with raven-black hair and an aura that screamed beautiful villainess—elegant, intimidating, with eyes that seemed to pierce souls. His sister, Lila, was his age, a mirror image of their mother: same striking beauty, same commanding presence.
Alex's memories of his early life were a fog. All he recalled from eight years ago was waking up in a sterile hospital bed at age ten, his head throbbing like it had been split open. A woman he didn't recognize sat by his side, her hand gently on his. "Who… who are you?" he'd croaked, his voice weak.
She'd smiled warmly, though there was a sharpness in her eyes. "I'm your mother, darling. You've had a terrible accident—a head injury. But it's okay. We'll help you remember everything."
Then came Lila, bounding in with energy that lit up the room. "Hey, bro! I'm your sister. Don't worry, we'll get those memories back together."
Since then, life had been a cocoon of luxury and isolation. Their mother was absurdly wealthy—old money from some shadowy enterprise she never discussed—and Alex rarely left the estate. He completed his education at home with top-tier tutors, surrounded by the best books, tech, and resources money could buy. Over the years, he'd grown incredibly close to them. His mother treated him like her own flesh and blood, showering him with affection, healing his minor scrapes with her renowned abilities—one of the best in the world, though he suspected she had more powers hidden away. She only let him see the healing side, her hands glowing softly as wounds knit together in seconds, flesh mending without a scar.
Lila was his constant companion, teasing him relentlessly but with a affection reserved only for him. "Come on, Alex, your powers are just late bloomers! One day you'll wake up and boom—super strength or something epic." She'd hug him out of nowhere, ruffle his hair, or drag him to watch her train. Her shadow abilities were mesmerizing: she could manipulate darkness into tendrils that whipped through the air, slicing dummies to ribbons in sprays of synthetic blood and gore during practice sessions. Alex had spent countless hours observing, fascinated and a little envious, as shadows coiled like living serpents, tearing through targets with brutal efficiency.
He'd studied hard, his sharp mind absorbing knowledge like a sponge. Now, as he lay there listening to a mellow rock playlist, his stomach twisted with nerves. Tomorrow was his first day at college—the prestigious Academy for Supernatural Development, affiliated with the Hero Organization. Lila had started a semester ahead, her powerful shadows making her an instant star. She was popular, with three close friends—all superpowered: one with fire manipulation, another with enhanced speed, and the last with illusion-casting. They'd be heading there together in the morning.
Alex sighed, pulling one headphone off as the music faded into the background. Great, first day jitters. What if everyone sees me as the powerless freak? Lila's got it all—friends, strength, confidence. And me? I'm just… normal. Smart, sure, but in a world of heroes and villains, that doesn't count for much. He rolled onto his side, staring at the ceiling. And let's not even start on girls. I'm eighteen now—time to think about that stuff. A girlfriend would be nice. Someone who doesn't care about powers, just… me. The thought made his cheeks heat up. Yeah, right. Like that'll happen on day one.
A soft knock echoed through the door, pulling him from his thoughts. Alex sat up, yanking off his headphones completely. "Come in," he called, his voice steady despite the flutter in his chest.