## Three Weeks Later
The S.T.A.R. Labs training facility looked like someone had crossed a high-tech gymnasium with a superhero testing ground and added just enough medical equipment to keep everyone marginally safe. Cisco had outdone himself with the setup—reinforced walls that could theoretically withstand a nuclear blast, sensors that could track movement down to the microsecond, and what appeared to be enough backup generators to power a small city.
"Okay," Cisco announced, practically bouncing with excitement as he consulted his tablet, "today we're testing Karan's light construct capabilities. Specifically, we want to see if there's an upper limit to the complexity of what you can create."
Karan stood in the center of the training area, armor manifested in its full golden glory. Over the past three weeks, he'd gotten much more comfortable with the transformation—what had initially felt like wearing someone else's skin now felt as natural as breathing. The armor responded to his thoughts and emotions with increasing sophistication, adapting to whatever situation required his attention.
"And I still maintain," Cisco continued, pointing his stylus at Caitlin, "that these are not constructs in the traditional Green Lantern sense. They're manifestations of concentrated solar energy that the armor absorbs and converts into solid matter. Completely different underlying physics."
Caitlin didn't look up from her own tablet. "The end result is the same—he creates objects made of energy that can interact with physical matter. The mechanism is less important than the practical applications."
"The mechanism is totally important! It's the difference between willpower-based constructs and divine solar manipulation!" Cisco turned to Karan with the expression of someone seeking validation from a higher authority. "Back me up here, man. You're not using willpower to create these things, right? It's more like... channeling the sun?"
Karan considered this as he held up his hand, letting golden light coalesce into a simple sphere above his palm. "It's hard to describe. It doesn't feel like I'm forcing anything into existence. It's more like... the energy is already there, and I'm just giving it shape and purpose."
"See!" Cisco pointed triumphantly at Caitlin. "Divine solar manipulation!"
"Fine," Caitlin conceded with a smile. "Divine solar manipulation that creates construct-like manifestations of concentrated light energy. Happy?"
"Deliriously."
Barry, who had been doing stretching exercises against the far wall with the careful precision of someone still learning to control superhuman reflexes, jogged over to join the conversation. "So what are we testing today? More geometric shapes? Weapons? Please tell me you're going to try making a car."
"Actually," Karan said, feeling that familiar warmth building in his chest as he prepared to manifest something more complex, "I had something specific in mind."
The golden light around his hand began to spread, flowing down his arm and coalescing in front of him. But instead of forming another simple shape, the energy began to take on a familiar configuration—a long, elegant curve that spoke of ancient craftsmanship and divine precision.
When the light finally solidified, Karan was holding a bow that looked like it had been forged in the heart of a star. The weapon was roughly six feet long, carved from what appeared to be crystallized sunlight, with intricate Sanskrit inscriptions running along its length that pulsed with their own inner radiance. The string appeared to be made of pure golden energy, thrumming with barely contained power.
"Holy crap," Cisco breathed. "That's not just a bow. That's the bow. Like, mythological weapon of mass destruction bow."
Karan grinned, testing the weight and balance of the weapon. It felt perfect in his hands, as if it had been designed specifically for his grip, his stance, his particular approach to archery. "It's based on the Gandiva—Arjuna's bow from the Mahabharata. Though this version is... adapted for the current situation."
"Can you actually use it?" Caitlin asked, her scientific curiosity overriding any concerns about having mythological weapons manifested in their training facility.
In response, Karan drew back the string, and a golden arrow materialized between his fingers. The arrow was beautiful and terrifying in equal measure—a shaft of concentrated light that seemed to contain enough energy to level a building.
"Okay," Barry said, taking a step back, "that looks like it could put a hole in something significantly more substantial than a target."
"The training room's reinforced," Cisco said, though he was also backing away. "Theoretically, it can handle anything short of a nuclear explosion."
"Theoretically," Caitlin emphasized.
Karan aimed at the reinforced target at the far end of the room—a massive steel and concrete construction that Cisco had designed to withstand incredible forces. He drew back the string, feeling the bow's energy synchronize with his own, and released.
The arrow crossed the training room faster than the human eye could track, striking the target with a sound like controlled thunder. When the golden light faded, there was a perfectly circular hole punched through six inches of reinforced steel and concrete, the edges still glowing with residual energy.
"Well," Cisco said into the sudden silence. "That target lasted longer than I expected."
"How much force would that require?" Barry asked, moving to examine the hole.
Caitlin was already running calculations on her tablet. "Based on the size of the penetration and the materials involved... somewhere in the range of a small artillery shell. Maybe more."
"And that's just one arrow," Karan added, letting the bow dissolve back into golden light. "I can create multiple arrows simultaneously, and they can be programmed with different effects. Explosive, penetrating, non-lethal concussive force..."
"Non-lethal?" Barry perked up with interest. "Like, crowd control applications?"
"Among other things. The armor seems to understand that not every situation requires lethal force. It adapts the constructs based on what I need them to accomplish."
Cisco was already making notes, his excitement building. "This is incredible. You're not just creating weapons—you're creating smart weapons. Ammunition that can assess the situation and adjust its effects accordingly."
"Which brings up an important question," Caitlin said, looking up from her tablet with a more serious expression. "Karan, have you thought about what you want to do with these abilities? I mean, long-term?"
The question hung in the air for a moment. Over the past three weeks, they'd been so focused on understanding and testing his powers that Karan hadn't spent much time thinking about the bigger picture. But now, with the evidence of what he could do literally punched through six inches of reinforced materials, the implications were becoming impossible to ignore.
"I want to help people," he said finally. "That's... that's why I have these abilities, right? To protect people who can't protect themselves."
"Like a superhero," Barry said quietly.
"Like a superhero," Karan agreed.
Cisco whooped loud enough to probably alert the entire facility. "I knew it! You're going to be Central City's archer! Oh man, this is so cool. Are you going to say it?"
"Say what?"
"You know!" Cisco gestured dramatically. "The thing! 'You have failed this city!' Please tell me you're going to say the thing!"
Karan laughed despite himself. "I'm not going to go around dramatically declaring that people have failed their city, Cisco."
"Aw, come on! It's classic superhero banter!"
Barry was grinning now too. "Though Cisco has a point about the archer thing. Central City could use someone like that. Someone with range, precision, non-lethal options..."
"Someone who can put arrows through six inches of reinforced steel when the situation calls for it," Caitlin added.
"Speaking of which," a new voice said from the training room's entrance, "I hope you're all planning to clean up that target before dinner."
Harrison Wells rolled his wheelchair into the room, surveying the damage with what looked like paternal amusement mixed with scientific fascination. His eyes lingered on the hole in the target, then moved to Karan with that calculating look that had become disturbingly familiar.
"Dr. Wells," Karan said, letting the last traces of golden energy fade from around his hands. "We were just running some tests on construct manifestation."
"So I can see." Wells wheeled closer to examine the destroyed target. "Impressive precision. The hole is perfectly circular, with no collateral damage to the surrounding materials. That suggests remarkable control for someone who's only been conscious of their abilities for three weeks."
*Or it suggests that mythological divine armor comes with built-in targeting systems,* Karan thought, but just nodded appreciatively.
"Actually, Dr. Wells," Wells continued, turning back to face Karan, "I wanted to speak with you about something else entirely. Your education."
Karan blinked. "My education?"
"You were a scholarship student at Central City University before the explosion. Double major in archaeology and comparative mythology, with a minor in ancient languages. Quite impressive academic credentials for someone your age."
The memories of Karan Matthews' academic achievements felt both familiar and foreign—pride in good grades that he'd never actually earned, satisfaction from research he'd never actually conducted. "I remember. But given everything that's happened..."
"Your scholarship is still valid," Wells interrupted gently. "I've spoken with the university administration, and they're more than willing to work with your current situation. Modified class schedules, independent study options, whatever accommodations are necessary to help you continue your degree."
Barry looked surprised. "You want to go back to school?"
Karan found himself considering the idea seriously. The academic life of Karan Matthews felt like it belonged to someone else, but it also represented a kind of normalcy that his new existence at S.T.A.R. Labs couldn't provide. Plus, there was something appealing about the idea of studying mythology now that he was literally living inside of it.
"It would give you a cover identity," Wells continued, as if reading his thoughts. "A reason to be in public, to maintain connections outside of S.T.A.R. Labs. And frankly, given your unique perspective on mythological subjects, you might find the coursework... illuminating."
*And it would give you another way to monitor me,* Karan added silently. *Make sure I'm not developing any inconvenient independence from your careful supervision.*
But out loud, he said, "That's... actually a really thoughtful offer. I'd like to think about it."
"Of course. Take all the time you need." Wells smiled that paternal smile that was becoming increasingly unsettling. "Though I should mention—the spring semester starts in just over a week. If you're interested in resuming your studies, we'd need to finalize arrangements soon."
Cisco bounced excitedly. "Dude, you should totally do it! College superhero! Like Spider-Man, but with divine armor and a bow that can punch holes through steel!"
"Cisco," Caitlin said warningly.
"What? It's a compliment!"
Barry was watching the exchange with thoughtful eyes. "It might be good for you, actually. Having something normal to balance out all the..." He gestured vaguely at the destroyed target. "All the superhero training."
Wells nodded approvingly. "My thoughts exactly, Barry. Young men need structure, purpose, goals that extend beyond their enhanced abilities. Karan's academic career could provide that foundation."
As the group began discussing practical arrangements—class schedules, transportation, maintaining his cover while attending university—Karan found himself thinking about the implications of Wells' offer. On the surface, it seemed genuinely helpful, even thoughtful. But everything Harrison Wells did served multiple purposes, and Karan was beginning to suspect that his education was just another piece in whatever game the Reverse Flash was playing.
Still, the idea of studying mythology while literally carrying mythological armor was too intriguing to dismiss. And if it gave him more freedom to move around Central City, more opportunities to help people outside of S.T.A.R. Labs' controlled environment... maybe it was worth the risk.
"Okay," he said finally, interrupting a detailed discussion between Cisco and Caitlin about the physics of his light constructs. "I'll do it. I'll go back to school."
Wells' smile widened, and for just a moment, Karan could have sworn he saw something predatory in the older man's eyes.
"Excellent," Wells said. "I'll make the arrangements immediately. Welcome back to Central City University, Mr. Matthews."
As they began cleaning up the training room and preparing for dinner, Karan caught Barry's eye and saw his own wariness reflected there. Both of them were beginning to understand that their lives at S.T.A.R. Labs were more complicated than they'd initially realized.
But they were also beginning to understand that they weren't facing those complications alone.
And sometimes, that made all the difference.
---
Later that evening, after Wells had disappeared into whatever corner of S.T.A.R. Labs he used for his private work, Karan and Barry found themselves sitting in the facility's kitchen, sharing a late dinner and the kind of companionable silence that had developed between them over the past few weeks.
"So," Barry said finally, poking at his pasta with the distracted air of someone whose enhanced metabolism required constant fueling, "college superhero. That's going to be interesting."
"Tell me about it." Karan took a sip of his coffee—his third cup of the evening, because apparently divine armor came with enhanced caffeine tolerance. "Though I have to ask—earlier, when Cisco was talking about arrow-based heroics, you seemed to know exactly what he was referencing. 'You have failed this city' isn't exactly common knowledge."
Barry paused mid-chew, and Karan could see him weighing how much to reveal. "There might be someone operating in Starling City. Someone who uses a bow and arrow. Hypothetically."
"Hypothetically."
"Very hypothetically. And if such a person existed, they might be doing some good work cleaning up corruption and crime that the normal justice system can't handle."
Karan grinned. "Oliver Queen?"
Barry nearly choked on his pasta. "How did you—I didn't say—"
"Relax. I'm just good at putting pieces together. Billionaire playboy returns to his city after five years of being presumed dead, suddenly there's a vigilante archer targeting the people on his father's list of corrupt individuals. Plus, you said it like you actually know the guy."
"We've... crossed paths. Professionally speaking." Barry was trying for casual and not quite managing it. "He helped me with a case a while back. Before the explosion."
"And now you're thinking that maybe Central City could use its own version of that kind of help."
Barry set down his fork, his expression growing more serious. "Karan, there are people out there with abilities like ours who aren't interested in helping anyone. Joe mentioned some of the incidents the CCPD has been dealing with—enhanced individuals using their powers for robbery, assault, worse. The regular police can't handle metahuman criminals."
"But we could."
"We could. The question is whether we should."
Karan considered this, thinking about the hole he'd punched through six inches of reinforced steel earlier that afternoon. About Barry's ability to move faster than the human eye could track. About the responsibility that came with power most people couldn't even imagine.
"In my experience," he said finally, "the question isn't whether we should help people. It's whether we can live with ourselves if we don't."
Barry studied his face for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. I think you're right."
They finished their dinner in contemplative silence, both of them thinking about the future that was beginning to take shape around them. A future where they might be more than just test subjects in Harrison Wells' laboratory, more than just victims recovering from the particle accelerator explosion.
A future where they might actually be heroes.
Neither of them noticed the small camera hidden in the kitchen's ventilation system, or the way its lens tracked their conversation with mechanical precision.
In his hidden chamber beneath S.T.A.R. Labs, Eobard Thawne leaned back in his wheelchair and smiled.
Everything was proceeding exactly according to plan.
---
## The Next Morning
Central City University looked exactly like every other mid-sized American college campus—red brick buildings that tried to balance tradition with modernity, well-maintained lawns dotted with students who all seemed to move with the casual urgency of people who had somewhere important to be, and the general air of intellectual ambition mixed with caffeinated anxiety that characterized higher education.
Karan stood at the entrance to the Humanities Building, checking his class schedule for what had to be the fifth time in ten minutes. His first class was "Comparative Mythology: Eastern and Western Traditions," which felt either perfectly appropriate or cosmically ironic, given his current circumstances.
"Nervous?" Barry asked, appearing beside him with the subtle blur that indicated he'd used super speed to cross the campus courtyard.
"Shouldn't you be at CCPD?" Karan asked, grateful for the distraction from his pre-class anxiety.
"I'm taking a extended leave of absence. Captain Singh thinks I need more time to recover from the coma." Barry grinned. "Plus, someone should keep an eye on you during your first day back in the world of normal human education."
"Normal being a relative term, considering I'm wearing divine armor under my clothes and you just moved faster than physics allows."
"Details."
They started up the steps toward the building's main entrance, and Karan found himself cataloging the differences between this reality and his memories of college life. The students looked the same—that mix of eager freshmen, exhausted upperclassmen, and graduate students who seemed to exist primarily on coffee and existential dread. But there were subtle changes that spoke of a world where superheroes had been operating for years.
A girl walking past them was wearing a t-shirt with Superman's stylized 'S' symbol. A bulletin board near the entrance advertised a student organization called "Future Heroes of America." One of the campus security guards had what looked like a high-tech scanner attached to his belt, presumably for detecting metahuman activity.
*This universe really has integrated the superhero concept into everyday life,* Karan thought.
"Mr. Matthews?"
They turned to see a woman approaching from across the courtyard—middle-aged, with the kind of practical clothing and confident stride that suggested academic authority. Her dark hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, and she carried herself with the easy competence of someone who was comfortable being in charge.
"I'm Dr. Sarah Chen, Department of Anthropology and Mythology Studies. We spoke on the phone yesterday about your return to classes."
Karan shook her offered hand, noting the strength of her grip and the way her eyes seemed to catalog details about him with professional interest. "Dr. Chen. Thank you for accommodating my unusual circumstances."
"Unusual circumstances seem to be increasingly common these days," she replied with a wry smile. "Especially among students affected by the particle accelerator explosion. You're the third student I've worked with this semester who's needed special arrangements due to... enhanced recovery processes."
Barry perked up with interest. "Enhanced recovery?"
"Physical and cognitive improvements that exceed normal expectations for trauma recovery," Dr. Chen explained. "Increased strength, enhanced reflexes, improved memory and processing speed. The medical literature is still trying to catch up with what we're seeing in post-explosion patients."
*So I'm not the only one,* Karan realized. *There are other students here who were affected by the dark matter wave. Other potential metahumans.*
"Is that something the university is prepared to handle?" Barry asked.
"We're adapting as we go," Dr. Chen admitted. "Enhanced students sometimes require modified physical education requirements, adjusted laboratory safety protocols, that sort of thing. Nothing we can't manage with a little creativity and understanding."
She turned back to Karan with a more focused expression. "Which brings me to your particular situation. I've reviewed your academic records, and I have to say, your work on the intersection of mythological narratives and archaeological evidence was quite impressive for an undergraduate."
"Thank you," Karan said, trying to access Karan Matthews' memories of his previous coursework. "I've always been interested in the ways that ancient stories reflect historical realities."
"Well, you're going to find this semester's coursework particularly relevant to current events. We're doing a unit on the modern manifestation of mythological themes—how ancient archetypes are appearing in contemporary contexts."
Barry shot Karan a meaningful look. "Contemporary contexts?"
"Superheroes," Dr. Chen said simply. "The emergence of individuals with extraordinary abilities who use those abilities to protect others. It's a perfect example of mythological patterns recurring in modern society. The hero's journey, divine intervention, the struggle between order and chaos—all playing out in real time."
Karan felt a chill run down his spine. "You're studying superheroes as mythology?"
"I'm studying the mythological frameworks that people use to understand superheroes," Dr. Chen corrected. "The way societies incorporate extraordinary individuals into their cultural narratives. It's fascinating stuff, actually. For instance, take Superman—clearly a modern interpretation of the divine hero archetype. Or the reports coming out of Central City about someone with armor that seems to manifest from light itself."
The chill intensified. "Reports?"
Dr. Chen pulled out her phone and showed them what looked like a grainy video—security camera footage of a golden figure moving through what appeared to be a convenience store robbery. The image quality was terrible, but the distinctive radiance of divine armor was unmistakable.
"This surfaced on social media yesterday," she explained. "Someone with apparent light-based abilities intervened in a robbery downtown. The footage is too poor to make out details, but the energy patterns are consistent with descriptions from various mythological traditions."
Barry was staring at the video with obvious concern. "Someone was recording this?"
"Security cameras, cell phones—it's almost impossible to operate in public these days without being documented somehow." Dr. Chen studied both of their faces with growing interest. "Of course, most people assume this kind of footage is fake. Special effects, viral marketing, that sort of thing. But those of us who study mythological patterns... we recognize the real thing when we see it."
*She knows,* Karan realized. *She doesn't know it's me specifically, but she knows that footage is real. And she's studying it.*
"Anyway," Dr. Chen continued, putting her phone away, "I think you'll find the coursework engaging. Especially given your background in both archaeology and mythology. Sometimes the best way to understand the present is to study the past."
She handed Karan a folder containing his updated class schedule and campus information. "Your first class starts in twenty minutes. Room 314. And Mr. Matthews? Welcome back to Central City University. I have a feeling this is going to be a very interesting semester."
As she walked away, Barry turned to Karan with barely controlled panic. "Dude. She has video of you."
"Security camera footage from a robbery I stopped three days ago," Karan agreed grimly. "I thought I was being careful, but apparently not careful enough."
"This is bad, right? This is very bad?"
"It could be. Or..." Karan considered the implications, then grinned suddenly. "Or it could be exactly the cover we need."
"How is 'professor studying superhero caught on camera' good cover?"
"Because now I'm not just a student taking mythology classes," Karan explained, starting toward the building entrance. "I'm a student taking mythology classes from someone who's academically interested in the very phenomena we're part of. If Dr. Chen is studying superheroes as modern mythology, then I'm in the perfect position to influence that research."
"Influence it how?"
"By making sure she understands that real heroes aren't just mythological archetypes playing out in contemporary settings. They're people trying to do the right thing with abilities they never asked for." Karan's smile widened. "Besides, who better to provide insight into mythological heroism than someone who's actually living it?"
Barry stared at him for a moment, then started laughing. "You're going to use your mythology professor to help establish your superhero identity. That's either brilliant or completely insane."
"Why can't it be both?"
As they entered the Humanities Building and started up the stairs toward Karan's first class, both of them were thinking about the same thing: their new lives were getting more complicated by the day, but they were also getting more interesting.
And in a universe where gods walked among mortals and ancient powers manifested in modern contexts, interesting was probably exactly what they needed.
After all, normal had never really been an option for either of them.
The question was whether they could stay one step ahead of the people—and entities—who were taking notice of their abilities.
Only time would tell.
But at least they wouldn't be facing whatever came next alone.
—
Room 314 was exactly what Karan expected from a university mythology classroom—rows of slightly worn desks arranged in a semicircle around a lectern, whiteboards covered in the ghostly remains of previous lectures, and tall windows that let in just enough natural light to make the fluorescent fixtures seem unnecessary but not quite enough to make them avoidable.
Karan chose a seat about halfway back, close enough to show engagement but not so close as to seem overeager. The classroom was filling up with the usual mix of college students—a few eager freshmen taking notes before class even started, several upperclassmen who looked like they'd rather be anywhere else, and a handful of graduate students whose expressions suggested they were already mentally writing their thesis dissertations.
He was pulling out his notebook and trying to remember how to be a normal college student when someone slid into the seat beside him.
"Is this seat taken?" a voice asked, though she was already settling into the chair.
Karan turned to respond with a polite "no, go ahead" and promptly forgot how to form words.
The woman sitting next to him was beautiful in a way that seemed almost otherworldly—long dark hair that caught the fluorescent light like it was made of silk, warm brown skin, and features that were both delicate and strong. But it wasn't just her physical appearance that made him stare. There was something about the way she carried herself, a confidence that seemed to run deeper than mere self-assurance, as if she was someone who had faced impossible things and emerged stronger for it.
She looked exactly like Isabella Merced.
*Oh, come on,* Karan thought, his cosmic sense of humor finally catching up with his surprise. *The universe really can't help itself, can it? First Grant Gustin as Barry, now Isabella Merced as...*
"I'm Kendra," she said, extending a hand with a smile that was both friendly and slightly amused, as if she'd caught him staring and found it more entertaining than offensive. "Kendra Saunders. You look like someone who's either seen a ghost or is trying to solve a particularly complicated math problem in your head."
"Karan," he managed, shaking her hand and noting that her grip was stronger than most people's. "Karan Matthews. And sorry, I was just... you look familiar. Have we met before?"
"I don't think so. I'd remember." Her smile widened, and there was something playful in her expression. "Though maybe we have one of those faces. I get told I look like people all the time."
*I bet you do,* Karan thought, but what he said was, "Are you a mythology major too?"
"Art history with a focus on ancient civilizations, but I take mythology classes for the overlap. Plus, Dr. Chen's courses are supposed to be amazing." Kendra pulled out a tablet and stylus, setting them on her desk with the practiced efficiency of someone who'd been doing this for a while. "What about you? You have the look of someone who spends a lot of time thinking about dead civilizations and their stories."
"Archaeology and comparative mythology. Though I'm just getting back into classes after..." He paused, unsure how much to reveal. "After some medical issues."
Kendra's expression immediately softened with genuine concern. "Nothing serious, I hope? Well, I mean, serious enough to keep you out of school, but not serious in a ongoing way?"
"Coma, actually. Nine months. I was caught in the particle accelerator explosion."
Her eyes widened, and Karan caught something that might have been recognition flicker across her features before settling back into sympathy. "God, that must have been terrifying to wake up to. Nine months... that's like losing a whole chunk of your life."
"In some ways. In other ways, it's like getting a completely new one." Karan studied her face, noting the way she'd reacted to the mention of the explosion. "Were you in the city when it happened?"
"I was... around," she said carefully. "I remember the sky turning that weird blue color, and then there were all those stories afterward about people who'd been affected. Enhanced abilities, strange incidents." She paused, seeming to choose her words carefully. "Did you have any... unusual side effects from your exposure?"
The question was casual enough, but there was something in her tone that suggested she was fishing for specific information. Karan found himself wondering exactly what Kendra Saunders' story was, and why she seemed so interested in metahuman experiences.
*If this universe follows the casting pattern I'm noticing,* he thought, *then Kendra Saunders is probably Hawkgirl. Which means she's either already manifested her abilities or is about to. Either way, she's asking about side effects because she's dealing with her own.*
"Some enhanced healing, faster reflexes," he said, sticking to the cover story he and Barry had established. "Nothing too dramatic. What about you? You seem awfully informed about the post-explosion effects."
Kendra shrugged, but her smile was a little too practiced. "I did a research project on the social impact of the S.T.A.R. Labs incident last semester. Amazing how many people reported experiencing changes after the explosion, even people who weren't directly in the blast radius."
"Changes?"
"Physical improvements, mostly. Enhanced strength, better coordination, improved senses. The CDC tried to downplay it, but if you know how to look at the data..." She gestured vaguely. "There are a lot of people in Central City who aren't quite the same as they were before that night."
Before Karan could respond, Dr. Chen entered the classroom carrying a stack of books and what looked like several ancient artifacts. The conversation around them died down as students shifted their attention to the professor, but Karan found himself still thinking about Kendra's comments.
She was right, of course. The particle accelerator explosion had created dozens, maybe hundreds, of metahumans. Most of them were probably still trying to figure out what had happened to them, still learning to control abilities they didn't understand. Some of them were undoubtedly using their powers for less than noble purposes, which explained the increased criminal activity Joe had mentioned.
But if Kendra was researching the social impact of the explosion, if she was tracking people who had been enhanced... why? Was she trying to help them? Study them? Find others like herself?
"Good morning, class," Dr. Chen called, setting her materials on the lectern. "I hope everyone's prepared for what I promise will be either the most fascinating or most disturbing discussion you'll have today. We're going to talk about the modern manifestation of ancient mythological patterns, specifically as they relate to individuals with extraordinary abilities."
She turned to write something on the whiteboard, and Karan saw her write: "THE HERO'S BURDEN: POWER, RESPONSIBILITY, AND SACRIFICE IN MYTHOLOGICAL CONTEXT."
"Now," Dr. Chen continued, turning back to face the class, "who can tell me what the most common characteristic is among mythological heroes across different cultures?"
Several hands went up around the room, and Dr. Chen pointed to a student in the front row.
"They're usually chosen by gods or destiny?" the student offered.
"Good. What else?"
"They have abilities beyond normal humans," another student called out.
"Excellent. And?"
Kendra raised her hand, and Dr. Chen nodded to her. "They usually pay a personal price for their power," she said. "Loss of family, friends, normal life. The greater their abilities, the greater their sacrifice."
"Exactly," Dr. Chen said, her expression growing more intense. "The mythological hero is fundamentally tragic figure—given great power, but isolated by that power from the very people they're meant to protect."
Karan felt an uncomfortable chill run down his spine. The description hit a little too close to home, especially given his current living situation and the growing distance between himself and any semblance of normal life.
"Which brings us to our modern context," Dr. Chen continued. "We're living in an unprecedented time—an era where mythological patterns are playing out in real time, with real people who have genuine extraordinary abilities. Superman, Wonder Woman, the reports of enhanced individuals operating in various cities... these aren't just comic book fantasies anymore. They're contemporary expressions of ancient archetypes."
She clicked a remote, and a projector screen descended from the ceiling, displaying what looked like a collage of images—newspaper headlines about Superman, grainy photos of what might have been Wonder Woman, and several pieces of security camera footage that were too blurry to make out clearly.
"The question we need to ask ourselves," Dr. Chen said, "is whether these modern heroes will follow the mythological pattern. Will they find ways to maintain their humanity while wielding inhuman power? Or will they become the same tragic figures that populate our oldest stories—isolated, burdened, ultimately destroyed by the very abilities that make them extraordinary?"
The classroom was completely silent now, everyone absorbed in the implications of what she was saying.
Karan glanced at Kendra and was surprised to see that she was watching him rather than the professor, her dark eyes studying his face with undisguised curiosity.
"What do you think?" she whispered, leaning slightly toward him. "Can someone have extraordinary abilities and still have a normal life? Or does power always come with sacrifice?"
The question felt loaded, as if she was asking about more than just theoretical mythological patterns. Karan found himself wondering if Kendra Saunders was dealing with her own version of the hero's burden—whatever abilities she might have, whatever destiny was calling to her.
"I think," he whispered back, "that the heroes who survive are the ones who remember that their power isn't what makes them human. Their connections to other people are what make them human."
Kendra's expression softened, and for a moment, her careful mask slipped enough to show something vulnerable underneath. "That's a nice thought. I hope you're right."
"Me too," Karan replied, and realized he meant it more than he'd expected.
As Dr. Chen continued her lecture, moving into specific examples of mythological heroes and their modern counterparts, Karan found himself thinking about the strange coincidence of meeting someone who seemed to understand his situation without him having to explain it.
If Kendra Saunders was Hawkgirl, then she was someone else trying to figure out how to balance extraordinary abilities with ordinary human needs. Someone else who understood that power came with prices that weren't always obvious until you'd already paid them.
Someone else who might be willing to help him prove that mythology didn't have to be tragedy—that modern heroes could find ways to protect others without sacrificing themselves in the process.
*This,* he thought, watching Kendra take notes on her tablet while occasionally glancing his way, *is going to be very interesting indeed.*
---
Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!
If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord (HHHwRsB6wd) server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!
Can't wait to see you there!