Awakening (Part 1)

The chopper touched down on the helipad, its lights guiding its descent. As the rotors slowed, the estate came into view.

On its outer edges, residential units lined up in neat rows. Their sleek designs, reflective windows, and surveying drones giving them a modern and minimalist look. The roads were smooth, and vehicles-both hover and grounded- moved between the buildings.

Deeper into the estate, more traditional buildings took over. These structures had sloped roofs with detailed engravings and were surrounded by gardens and cobblestone paths. The sudden change in architecture gave off a bizarre but prestigious feeling to viewers.

At the center of the estate stood a series of mansions, with the central one being the most conspicuous. Its base was built from dark stone, while the upper levels used sleek silver panels. Several banners were rolled from huge windows with the motif of a roaring lion emblazoned in red and gold colors- the insignia of the Dare clan.

Most looked towards the building with awe and reverence, knowing it as a symbol of authority. But to Damian, it was simply… home. He walked in slow strides towards the towering building with Harris in tow. As they walked past, numerous individuals paused their activities to greet the young master and curry favour, making Damian sigh in dejection.

'There's pros and cons to everything'

After a few minutes of walking, he entered the building silently before going to get his injured arm treated. After a few hours of rest, he walked out of the in-home med bay and was on his way to his room before the sound of footsteps made him pause.

His father and brother had returned...

Joshua was a spitting image of his father, with a cold and calculating gaze in his brown eyes erasing any of the delicate features a child his age should have had. He also differed a lot from his brother in more ways than one.

For one, he was dressed formally in a white shirt and black trousers, giving off a serious air that contrasted with Damian's casual dress routine. His curly hair was also not tied in a bun, and much lower than his brother's, barely reaching his forehead with the sides being cut in a clean fade.

Michael studied Damian's neck in silent approval, appreciating the care with which he used when creating the pendant. 

"Well done, did you struggle?"

Damian pondered the meaning of the question for a few seconds before answering hesitantly.

"Yes father."

Michael nodded with a rare trace of a smile on his face. "Good, you're allowed to struggle, as long as you overcome the hurdle. Are you ready for what's next?"

Damian didn't hesitate in his reply this time, his answer being almost instantaneous, a resolute glint in his gaze.

"Yes Father!!"

Michael didn't respond as he scanned Damian's face for any trace of hesitation and finding none. Smiling to himself inwardly, he silently walked past him and further into the building. Joshua watched the interaction between his father and brother in relative silence, his thoughts unknown as he watched the exchange curiously.

After a while, he also walked away while Damian stood at one spot, his mind wandering towards the new chapter of his life which was about to begin.

.....

It was three days later and the whole Ayodeji family had assembled and were currently in a dimly lit elevator that was taking them to the lower floors beneath their residence.

Michael and Joshua were dressed formally, as usual, while Damian was oddly dressed in a sleek black bodysuit of all things.

He repeatedly took deep breaths to calm his nerves, his anxiety being almost palpable to all in the enclosed space.

After almost two minutes of going through almost twenty floors, the elevator comes to a stop and opens with a ding.

The trio walk into what could only be described as a facility.

The facilitiy was a single, vast, monolithic room. The walls, ceiling and floor were all painted a bare white that stung at the eyes when stared at for too long. The room was illuminated uniformly, leaving now shadows.

It was entirely empty except for a few sparsely spaced machines that hummed softly, some with glowing surfaces and others with a holographic interface on display.

Already in the room were a group of scientists and lab technicians who had been waiting on the trio for a while.

The lead scientist, Hannah, came forward to welcome them.

"Welcome, Mr. Michael. Everything has been prepped, we are ready to begin."

Nodding in silence, Damian came forward and stood in front of Hannah.

She stared at him for a few seconds before gesturing towards him to follow after her.

They walked in akward silence till Hannah, who must have seen his fidgeting, finally asked;

"Would it put you at ease if you knew the awakening process."

Damian who was startled by the sudden inquiry took a second to process the question, before replying with a mirthless chuckle.

"Yes ma'am, I'd like that."

"Just call me Hannah, I work for your father, after all."

She took a deep breath before beginning her explanation.

"Most people are led to believe that 'Gene X' is a mutation, which is true, perse.

But rather than being caused by an external factor, this genetic alteration occurs solely within the confines of the body without modification from an external source. The human body has limiters placed on it as a protective mechanism.

There's an unproved theory that these limiters came into being as a result of 'devolution'."

"Devolution?" Damian asked, confused at the term.

"Yes. The idea that a species can reverse it's evolution, losing traits that were once advantageous. With man becoming somewhat the 'apex predator', these limiters began to limit the abilities of man to adapt to their new environment."

A light of realisation shone in Damian's pupils as he gasped lightly.

"So rather than saying it creates a change, it's more accurate to say it's more of an unsealing of what already was!"

Hannah exclaimed in happiness.

"Exactly!! You're a bright bulb, most people don't ever understand when I explain it to them."

Damian stared at her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at the fact that he was being praised for understanding a basic concept.