In Epic City, there are two kinds of civilians. Those who possess power, and those who don't. It was a simple distinction, but it made all the difference in the world. Because in this city run by Epics, for Epics, to have no power was to be a second-class citizen. Whether it came to work, money, respect... you would always lag behind. Any job a normal could do an Epic could do better, so nobody hired Normals unless they needed grunt work. Garbage disposal, common police officers, secretaries. Jobs the Epics weren't interested in. Even without any laws that made a distinction, this difference in potential bled into every aspect of society. The fancier neighbourhoods were almost exclusively populated by Epics, and even some Freaks with minor mutations. That left the slums to normals, and some outcast Freaks. Even those Freaks who couldn't function in normal society found a place to go in the sewers, the underground realm of the High Venom. It didn't help that most Epics could kill a normal with barely a thought.
Daniel was just another normal guy, living his life paycheck to paycheck. He'd come to Epic City together with his little brother, looking for a place where they would be safe. From the mutated monsters, from the roving gangs, from the hyper-militant miniature governments that fought over defensible locations. At first, it had seemed like Epic City was everything they had hoped for. A shining bastion in a world consumed by darkness, a remnant of the world that had been swept away by the Starburst event. It wasn't perfect, of course. They lived in a small but cosy house in a 'normie' neighbourhood, and he worked multiple jobs at nearby restaurants and shops. It wasn't much, but with the money he made, he was able to send his little brother to school. In a place like this, without the constant threat of monsters and madmen, he could give his brother a good life. A safe life.
Of course, that only worked as long as he kept his head down. Make sure not to piss 'them' off. The Freaks. The Epics. Whatever they chose to call themselves. The first-class citizens. The ones with power. Don't look them in the eye when you meet them on the street. Never talk back to them. And whatever you do, never give them an excuse to fight you. Because you can never, ever, win.
About a year ago, his little brother had gotten into a fight with a Freak kid. A lizard-looking one, with green scales and freaky yellow eyes. The argument had started over something stupid, but tensions mounted until his brother had thrown a punch. It wasn't much of a fight, it never was. Daniel was called by the school when the incident occurred, and next he knew he was visiting his little brother in the hospital. Two broken ribs, severe internal bruising, fractured wrist, minor concussion. They called it an 'unfortunate scuffle', but what could be done? Kids would be kids. And the normie had started it. Shoulda known better. Shoulda known better... Even now Daniel remembered staring down at his little brother, covered in bandages, barely breathing. He remembered the anger, the sadness, the guilt. But most of all, the crushing despair of helplessness. In this world, all men were not born equal. And incidents like this were a reminder that no matter what happened, normies can never face those with power.
Nothing was permanent, luckily. The advanced medical devices the hospital had access to, in addition the the healing powers of some Epics, made it so that few injuries were permanent in Epic City. But the hospital bills were more than he could pay. Normie jobs didn't pay much, and he had never gotten the education to accept anything more complicated than grunt work. Recently, one of his jobs had been closed down permanently. Something about a giant fighting a monster. The building itself had simply reformed, as all buildings do here, courtesy of the High Island. However, the loss of ingredients and tools had dealt the final blow to a restaurant teetering on the edge. To Daniel, it was like a death blow. Losing his job right when he needed it the most. Everyone was afraid, with the sudden new slew of violent Epics and the massive destruction they had caused no more than a day or two ago. How was he supposed to find a job when everything around him was closing down, when nobody was willing to invest?
Sighing, Daniel snapped back to the present. He was sitting in a bright white waiting room, like that of a hospital. On his right sat a large man wearing khaki shorts and a black leather jacket. To his left sat a young woman with freckles. Normies, he was sure. After all, this was the Jack's Hospital. That urban myth, that strange place where the impossible became possible. Following the rumours he had come here, unsure whether he really believed or was just completely out of options. Looking around the room, he couldn't help but feel like coming here had been a mistake. What had he even hoped to gain? He was being promised the impossible. Was he really so desperate that he would chase a rainbow, hoping for gold? Maybe it would be best if he just left.
But before he could do any such thing, his name was called over the announcer. With a pang of regret he got up, heading towards the double white doors that would lead to the area beyond. The operating theatre. As he walked in he was struck by an acrid smell. The room itself was much like the waiting room. The floor was covered in linoleum, and the walls were obscured by plastic curtains. Certainly the most notable feature of the room was the operating table, placed right in the middle. With a number of scary-looking implements on a rack placed next to the table, it looked anything but comfortable. Regret began to turn to fear, as Daniel wondered exactly what was going to happen here. Had he walked into some kind of black market organ harvesting scheme? What had possessed him to make him come here, knowing full well what he did. What was he going to do now?
"Ah, you must be Daniel Norik. Welcome to the Jack's Hospital. I am Dr. Northwald, and I will be working with you today." A tall fellow wearing a labcoat and glasses smiled at him, offering a hand. Not knowing what else to do, Daniel took it. Could he really back out now? He was having a hard time speaking, and the doctor wasted no time in leading him to the table. "Now, I know you must be worried. However, as you have been told earlier, no payment will be required for the trial. Consider this a service. After the operation there will be a ten day period, after which you will be asked whether you wish to keep the enhancements or whether you wish to return to your previous style of living. Do you understand these terms?" Stupified, Daniel could do nothing but nod. So was this really going to happen? Could a place like this really exist? Fear and excitement battled in the back of his mind as he obediently lay down on the table.
Leather straps were tightened around his arms and legs, holding him in place. Another pang of fear shot through him as he realised it would now be impossible to escape. A bright light moved over him, shining in his eyes. Even when he averted his head, he wasn't able to see anything anymore. The doctor's voice emerged from above him. "Now, the operation will be simple. I assure you, there is no real chance of failure, so there is no need to worry." The doctor certainly didn't seem worried. Somehow, the lightness of his tone calmed Daniel down a bit. The light above him was adjusted, and now he could see the doctor's face. "So, Daniel. We're about to start the operation that will change your life? Are you ready to become a hero?"
For a moment, Daniel couldn't answer. He remembered that moment, looking down at his little brother. He could feel the emotions he had felt in that moment. But now, looking back, he was feeling something new. Anger. Gritting his teeth, he stared the doctor in the face. There was no time for fear any more. He had to make a decision. "Yes."
With a smile, the doctor disappeared. Once more the lamp blocked his entire field of view. A needle was inserted into his arm. Even as he realised this, his senses were already dimming. Darkness swallowed the edges of his vision, and the doctor's voice sounded distant, muffled even. "Prepare to be reborn." Then, blackness.
"Are you awake?"
Blurry images, distant sounds. A dull ache in the back of his head.
"Hello, Daniel. Hello. Welcome back."
Slowly, Daniel pulled himself loose from the fog over his consciousness. He blinked one.... twice.... the images sharpened. The first thing he saw was Dr. Northwald's face. Was he still in the operating theatre? No, this was somewhere else. An elegant wooden room, and natural light streaming in through large windows. Looking around, Daniel got a better idea of his surroundings. He was sitting in a large chair in what looked like an office. The doctor sat across from him, behind a fancily carved mahogany desk. A lush, dark red carpet covered the floor. Clearly he had been moved while he was unconscious.
"Ah, it seems you're up. Welcome to the world of the living, Achilles."
"Achilles?" Daniel still felt sleepy, and felt like he was missing something obvious.
"Of course." The doctor stated, still smiling softly. "You're a hero now, aren't you? You can't go around as just 'Daniel' any more."
A hero? Of course. He'd gone the the Jack's Hospital in order to become a 'hero', to be given a power. Had it succeeded? He didn't feel any different, but he had no idea what being a hero felt like. If he did have a power, how was he supposed to activate it? Should he even try right now? What if he accidentally blew up the office? Thoughts raced through his head faster than he could keep up. In truth, he was still trying to wrap his mind around the concept. Some part of his brain was calmly telling him that all this was impossible. That there was no way to simply gain superpowers. That he was being duped somehow, for some reason. As he looked up to the doctor, another question on his lips, he noticed the gun placed to his forehead.
BANG!
Shocked, Daniel fell out of the chair. He scrambled backwards from the doctor until he hit a wall, breathing rapidly. Had he just been shot? What was going on? Quickly he glanced into the corners of the room, looking for a door. There was one, behind the chair, a fancy wooden one. It looked strong, though. He quickly moved towards it, praying that it wasn't locked. Rattle rattle.... damnit! What was he going to do now? There was no way he could break this thing down... should he-
"You're fine, Achilles." The doctor said it with such confidence, Daniel couldn't help but pause for a moment. Involuntarily, his hand moved up to touch his forehead. Nothing. He looked back, confused. The doctor had placed the gun on the desk, and was leaning down to pick something up. Despite himself, Daniel couldn't help but stare as the doctor picked up something small and metal. Smiling, the doctor held out what Daniel now recognised as a crushed bullet.
"Achilles, the hero whom's skin could not be penetrated. Every weapon bounced off of him like it was nothing. This is the power that I have given you, Daniel. Congratulations. You are now an Epic."
For the umpteenth time, Daniel found himself unable to speak. But somehow, deep inside, he knew that what the doctor said was true. That bullet had hit him right in the forehead, but it hadn't even pierced the skin. This was his power. His own power. And as he realised this, he smiled. "Achilles.... I like it."
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