A Hero's Song (Darkest Secrets Volume 1)

Chapter 8 - Homework

The man known as Zero was one of the leaders of the Sentinels - a group called the Shield. Had he been officially recognized as a Hero before the invasion, he would've been a High Hero of the old system. However, Zero chose to help those in need without ever claiming credit for it.

Once the greatest vigilante, now the most well-known Super alive.

Gabriel had known that Zero was powerful, but it was incredible the unassuming man handled Lucian with ease. His mutations had never been publicly tested, so his reflexes, physical strength, and healing ability remained unknown to all but him.

Though, he seldom used his physical abilities. His control of shadows made them essentially redundant. The shadows were his weapon of choice, responding to his will in a way that meant Zero basically had telekinesis. They were also his armor; the pitch-black coat covering him gave him Class 5 abilities and protections.

If Lucian were to pop into existence somewhere and start slaughtering innocents, Gabriel would need to stop him once and for all. He needed more power. That would mean intensive training and some serious upgrades to his suit. Gabriel had no clue what he could do to his suit to beat a Telepath as powerful as his brother, but he did know he wouldn't stop until he created something that could stand up to him on equal ground.

He didn't want to end up like Quickdraw, a champion of the people dying in a basement to some hired goons.

Wait, what was he thinking? He couldn't possibly be considering staying in such a deadly profession... could he? Why didn't he feel the urge to go be 'normal'?

Zero led the way out of the facility through the stairwell and into the vast lobby of the Iodine Building. A team of paramedics and police Supers stood around, looking confident the perimeter was safe.

The older Super set down the injured Strike team with a groan from both injured parties. Paramedics set to work on Helios, applying rejuvenation accelerants and using gauze to put pressure on his wounds. His broken bones were set with metal splints to keep him immobile.

Terra was a different story. The medical team propped her up against the wall and placed her shattered limbs against her stumps. Then they splinted them like Helios and left her without using any ointments or traditional medicine.

Gabriel walked to her. "Are you going to be alright, Terra?" He spoke softly. Terra was wheezing.

"I'll be fine, child." She responded. "I will grow back into the legs and be good as new in about a month."

"A month!" Gabriel blurted out before he could help it.

"It would take me a lot longer if we hadn't been able to recover the legs so intact. That's the drawback to a stone body. My regenerative mutations took a hit. I heal slowly, rock takes millions of years to harden, I'm lucky I don't take just as long."

Gabriel frowned. His newfound friend had a severe flaw in her power set. The damage done by Lucian could be replicated by many other Supers. He wondered how often she had to stay like this.

He was startled by the sound of tinkling stones. Terra was crying. Tiny jade pebbles rolling to the floor from her cheeks.

"A-are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes, I will be fine. Quickdraw's family... Her husband and two daughters..." She responded, the stone tears dropping more quickly now. "I will mourn her for a long time. Leave me."

Gabriel looked at her with soft eyes. "I am sorry for your loss, Terra." He placed his hand on hers, and she smiled through the tears.

He walked away from the crying giant, only to be accosted by a flying blur of white and pink.