Jean's POV
"Hey girl, wake up. It's already late."
I opened my eyes, looked at the clock—6:00 AM. Have you ever experienced being awakened by a goddess every morning? I did.
It has been a week since I met Goddess Hela. Anyway, I acknowledge her as Hela. Still, sometimes, she is just like a kid throwing a tantrum, but with greater power.
Seriously, I don't even have school or anything, but I have to be awakened by her this early for a full seven days now.
Still, today is very special, so, well, let's forgive her. I sat up and stretched, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
Today is very special because the 'school' is about to be officially opened by Charles. In the past week, although no X-Men have been recruited, Charles has managed to recruit many mutants rejected by the outside world as students.
So now, I not only have a ghost friend—at least I treat her as a friend—but also would no longer be so lonely with many people in the mansion, though it would be annoying hearing their thoughts.
I looked at Hela, who was hovering above me murmuring, "I don't even know why you need to waste so much time sleeping. You don't even need it in the first place."
I could swear that I feel like she is envious, although I don't have any proof. But this isn't the first time I've had this feeling.
I see this side of her most of the time when we are eating food, though I'm not sure if it's my illusion. I chuckled at her. "You know, sleep is really good. It's just the kind of feeling that makes you satisfied."
She just shrugged. "Yeah, yeah. Now, if you excuse me, let's go watch TV first. They're about to report about the astronauts' group in space. They are the first official superheroes in modern times on your Earth, after all. Let's witness history."
Speaking of this, Hela has been talking about this event for weeks, saying that when those scientists return to Earth, they would already have superpowers, and they would start the age of the supernatural.
Naturally, I'm really curious because it would really determine if Hela is as strong and powerful as she claims. Still, I really can't see how a group of 'nerds' who are like me could become superheroes.
...
After getting ready, I threw on a casual outfit—jeans and a sweater—before heading downstairs. The mansion was already buzzing with activity.
I spotted Charles near the grand staircase, speaking with a young boy who couldn't have been older than twelve. The kid looked nervous, his fingers flickering with tiny sparks of electricity. Charles placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and the boy visibly relaxed.
A melancholic smile couldn't help but slip onto my face. Once upon a time, I was like this boy—rejected by the world and nervous about my power. Now, it's time for those in similar situations like the old me.
"He's good at that," Hela remarked, floating beside me. "Giving hope to the hopeless."
I nodded. "That's why he's doing all this."
Hela scoffed teasingly. "Or he's just collecting pawns for his little game."
I frowned. "You don't really believe that."
She just continued floating indifferently without replying. Anyway, her usual cool style.
I followed Hela down the corridor toward the lounge, where a flat-screen TV had already been set up by Charles a long time ago, displaying news.
Although in the hall there are many students, most of them seem not interested. Of course, this doesn't include those like me who aren't looking for 'friends.'
"Breaking news—NASA has lost contact with the Astra-1 mission crew after an unexpected solar flare disrupted communications."
"The astronauts, led by Dr. Reed Richards, were conducting experiments in Earth's orbit when the incident occurred. Authorities are working to re-establish contact, but concerns are growing for the safety of the crew..."
Hela crossed her arms, a smug smirk playing on her lips. "Right on schedule."
Before I could say something, the screen flickered, cutting to shaky footage of a spacecraft streaking through the atmosphere, smoke trailing behind it. Gasps erupted around the room as the news ticker updated:
"Astra-1 spacecraft has re-entered Earth's atmosphere—crash landing reported in upstate New York. Emergency crews en route."
Hela clapped her hands together, delighted. "And there it is! The dawn of a new era."
I didn't speak but was looking intensely at the spacecraft crashing. I could only hope it wouldn't cause any damage while also looking a little bit towards the future Hela described—one full of superhumans, meaning mutants would no longer be rejected.
...
Meanwhile, in the spaceship in question, things aren't as bad as they seem, because there's no one panicking. After all, they are all unconscious—apart from a certain Ms. Viper.
[Systems failing. Hull breach in T-minus 10…]
"Note to self," Viper hissed, angry. "Next time Richards says 'calculated risk,' shoot him first."
Everything happened exactly like the goddess had told her. First, she joined Reed's team as a special member, specially placed by the government.
She won their trust in only two days, saying she only wanted to see the cosmic storm, invested funds and all, which made everything better.
She had to say that during this week, she remembered why she hated scientists in the first place—thanks to Reed. He was simply the epitome of the kind of people she hates.
The man was casually playing with the lives of people who trusted him in order to discover the 'truth.' He really thought of himself as the most intelligent because he literally didn't listen to suggestions made by anyone.
Now, looking at the spacecraft crashing, normally, she would think there's no way she would survive this sh*t. But then she remembered—she is the chosen one of a death goddess, so why fear death?
Plus, Hela said that they would be alright as long as she survived the cosmic radiation. So it would be enough, right? Among the five, she was the only one awake, probably because of her stronger willpower and the Super Soldier Serum.
Having almost the best control that a human can have over their body, she could literally feel that she was mutating. Just hoping that she don't become a rock monster like Hela said Ben would become.
Just like that, she saw her right hand starting to glow green with some kind of gas escaping. It literally became a gas, which shocked her.
'What if I don't have a physical body? The goddess can probably reshape one for me, right?'
'Ain't lying here, I'm a little panicked. What kind of world domination can there be without a physical body?'
Still, it wasn't the time to worry as she braced herself for impact, instinctively reaching for something to hold—but to her utter disbelief, the steel literally dissolved and melted.
...
🎶🎶 Let's Rave🎶🎶