February 14th, 1996,Brockton Bay
I fucking hate Brockton bay. Is all I could think of as my fist connected with one of the wannabe empire 88 goons currently surrounding me. Turns out walking home from teaching at Winslow high is a great way to get mugged by your students. Apparently they had not taken kindly to the fact that I pointed out that the swastika they all had was an Indian symbol originally in my classics course and thought they could now teach me something.
Originally there were 5 of the goons now down to 3 as the first fell to a cheap shot in his crotch and the second fell when I cracked his jaw just now. I’m now thankful that I had been taking MMA since I was in kindergarten and used to getting the shit kicked out of me when one of them cracked me in the back of the head with a terribly thrown punch.
“Take that Fuckin Marsh.” The lead gangbanger declared even though it really didn't Do that much other than make me stumble.
I then taught him something new when I turned to his still outstretched hand and twisted his wrist quick enough that the snapping of several small bones was audible and he crumpled to the floor without much more than a squeak.
Of course that is when one of them pulled a gun. It looked like a browning 38 but with zero upkeep with run forming on the receiver so much that I would be astounded if it fired.
“Watcha gonna do now bitch” exclaimed who I now recognized as Brad meadows one of my more troublesome students since he decided it was his goal in life to kick the shit out of everyone else in the school including most teachers.
“Well Brad, seeing as you're holding a gun up to my face probably give you my wallet and run away.” I was always good at fighting but I wasn't stupid enough to piss off an angsty teenager with a gun to my head.
“That shipped sailed when you decided to shatter Stormy’s wrist fucker” he replied with a snarl not unlike a honey badger if i had to make a comparison. “Now your gonna die like the race traitor you are in a dirty fuckin alley.” A bit of sweat rolled down my back as I remembered that I was not in fact bullet proof and reading about gods and parahumans all day for lesson plans didn't really tell me how to become bullet proof unless I had a potion of immortality hidden somewhere.
I heard him pull the trigger and there was enough delay between the pull and the receiver pulling back to move slightly but not enough. I felt the bullet enter my aorta and my chest was oddly warm as my blood decided to leave my body. I could make out Brad and his buddies scurrying away in panic realizing what they just did, leaving me to die in some random alleyway in Brockton bay. Not exactly the end I had been hoping for in life.
It was when I was sure I had run out of blood that my vision turned black for a moment before revealing a dark room with a throne occupied by someone in pitch black armor designed like a Greek hoplite.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“You fought valiantly for your life Jackson Marsh, I have decided you are worthy to inherit my legacy”. The figure spoke with a voice like cold steel hurting my ears as they registered what he said,
“What am I inheriting exactly?”
“My kind have lost influence in the modern world with new gods at play we must even the playing field. So my kin and I have decided to bestow our powers on mortals in order to reassure our influence against the threat of the invaders.”
“New gods have come to the world? But that implies that you and your family are old gods which to be honest is slightly insane and now I'm thinking I'm having a post bleeding out from hallucination to pass the time.”
“You are a scholar of the gods Jackson Marsh so you should be one of few who know that in all myth there is truth.” He spoke in a decisive tone leaving no room for argument whether he was real or not.
“I suppose there are myths correlating facts in archaeology but if what you're saying is true then who are these new gods and what influence could they have on a world based in science?” I asked not really wanting to know the answer but getting it anyway.
“The people known as “Parahumans” are bestowed powers by the new gods and influence the world based on their whims creating war and chaos everywhere they go.”
Well that was a terrifying thought that all parahumans are mind controlled people with powers given to them by mysterious gods. But he had mentioned his family giving powers away too. What of them?
“My kin are choosing champions of their own now as we speak you shall meet their new champions soon.” He said in a clearly amused tone as my shock of his definite mind reading played out on my face.
“So there's going to be more people like me out there? Do we have a goal or plan or anything to actually work together for or is it more improvising and trying not to kill each other?”
“Ha! You humans always assume the worst. I find it amusing that you think we haven't planned. To answer your question one aspect of your new powers shall be to designate champions of other gods that cannot choose on their own. This decision must be a group act with a majority vote.” Looking into my eyes as he said this I noticed his were tinged a blood red color and I could feel them boring into my skull.
“Okay so immediate betrayal is off the table which is nice but does that mean that we can make people parahumans? Or a new god I guess?” I’d never heard of a power granting parahuman but I'm sure that they would be popular.
“They must already be parahuman to give them the power of the gods, however each one of you gods may grant minor versions of you powers to your followers in order to help your cause.”
“Alright that sounds absolutely insane and a good way to start a civil war over who gets powers but what other powers do you mean?” Curious as to how much power a new good could get.
“Each god has their own unique abilities of course but common ones between all gods are the ability to grow to great height to show your godlike nature, Power granting, Designation of a god and as you use your powers they shall grow to match your experience.”
This was a lot to take in, I was gonna be a god and have to make change in the world since I wasn't going to be alone. It was both an exhilarating and terrifying amount of power to wield but at least I would have others to keep me in check so I did not become power hungry nutcase. I could definitely see that happening.
“Alright I suppose I accept the offer of your power god man.” I said in the stoutest tone I could to get my point across.
“Then upon thee Jackson marsh i give you my Power to help you in your goals on this earth no matter what they may be.” He said his voice thrummed with power as the oath took hold. I question occurred to me than that I couldn't believe I didn't think to ask.
“ By the way mr god man what god are you?” I asked in a definitely not scared tone.
“ Mr Marsh you are bestowed the power of Ares, God of war.” He said as my vision began to swim back to reality a sense of dread permeated my body as I returned to it.