Steam rose from the skillet as the aroma filled the kitchen. It smelled of spiced lamb, garlic, and oregano. I flipped the last batch of pita rounds and adjusted the temp on the stovetop, glancing down at the sleek new black watch on my wrist. It gleamed faintly with red circuitry, my new nanite-built costume, courtesy of Art, with some touches from Cyborg, and Static. I owe those three drinks someday, well at least when I'm old enough to drink.
They said the suit was ready. But I hadn't worn it yet outside of making sure it fits and is functional.
Now wasn't the time. I had to make sure the reveal of my costume and codename are amazing. A heroes debut can make or break their career. Batman went for fear and it worked. Superman went for hopeful and was inspiring. Wonder Woman was a mixture of beauty and power at the same time.
From the living room, I could hear laughter.
"So she really told off an multi million dollar company to screw off, and she wouldn't market they're product?" Eve chuckled.
"With one raised eyebrow," Diana replied smoothly. "Aster never liked fake products, especially if they hurt the consumer. She told them to take their products off shelves and issue full refunds and apologize."
"And they said no right?" Eve asked.
"Of course they did. Then Aster revealed what the product really did. Then the company tried to sue for defamation, and lost. Then Aster creates the same product, but better. It does what it says it's supposed to do without the side effects. She reinvested the money into the company and it's employee's. Then she went after the whole make up industry. She exposed so many products, getting them recalled and helping the woman who purchased them. Then she made better and more affordable products."
Eve's eyes widen in surprise. "That's amazing. I didn't know she did that?"
Diana nodded. "Of course after that she focused more on her Architectural firm, along with you and her family. This was before your time. But your using her products even now." Diana pointed to the lip balm Eve had sticking out of her purse.
The logo said 'Goddess's Beauty'.
"Some products are named after certain female gods of beauty. She did that knowing the gods are vain enough that they see it as praise. One day they may even help her or Cain out should they call. Just out of respect for the indirect praise."
"Wow. That's a nice idea, I should start doing that. Especially if it means the gods might do me a solid in the future." Eve said chuckling.
The two were bonding. That was good I hoped in the future I could bring more to our Sunday dinners. The first being mom and dad.
I stirred the tomato-cucumber salad and tossed on the finishing sprinkle of feta cheese and olive oil.
"Dinner's ready," I called.
Diana and Eve rose from the couch and entered the dining space, the open layout giving them a perfect view of the table laid out with dishes.
"What do we have this week, chef Cain?" Diana asked, her tone warm and joyful.
"Greek tacos," I replied, pulling off my apron. "With roasted lamb, cucumber dill sauce, feta, and pickled red onions. And for the traditionalists, ground beef tacos, shredded cheese, guac, and homemade salsa."
Eve leaned over the table, eyes wide. "Okay, chef! This smells and looks amazing."
"We can take it out back. Patio by the pool. The weather is perfect. A Good view, for good food."
"You have a pool?" Eve blinked.
I raised a brow. "You sound surprised. But yes I do. I don't really use it much since I don't have many guest, plus I'm always busy."
They followed me through the sliding glass door, Diana closed it behind us. The backyard patio opened into a spacious deck of deep mahogany brown, with sleek black railings, string lights above, and an in-ground pool that glowed soft cyan under the twilight sky. There was even a small waterfall feature, trickling peacefully over polished stones into the water.
"Wow, this place is gorgeous," Eve said.
"This was my dads idea" I said. "He like to come down here and meditate sometimes under water for a while sometime even hours."
"Hours?"
I nodded. "Yeah Viltrumites can hold there breath for a long time. They mostly travel through space with no ships just their bodies. Holding their breath for weeks."
"Wait your telling me they travel through space for weeks with no ships and hold their breath the entire time. What about sleeping and eating and how do they not explode or freeze?"
I smiled with a knowing look on my face. " It's a few things. They are trained and conditions to years to hold their breath in space so it's like instinct. And Viltrumites can go a long time without food, and won't lose muscle mass or strength for a long time, but stamina will diminish. Now the whole not exploding in space there are two answers. Smart atoms, and the simple answer Eugenics and they are built different."
Eve looked confused. "I understood most of that, but what are smart atoms."
"I will tell you about them later."
We then sat on the deck chairs, setting the food down on the table. The pool's surface reflected the ambient glow, and for once, the world was quiet.
"So," Eve asked as she chewed through her first Greek taco, "have you tried on your new suit yet?"
I shook my head. "Not yet."
"Why not?"
"I want the first debut reveal to matter," I said simply. "When I show up in that suit and say my name, I want the world to remember it."
Eve laughed. "So dramatic. It's cute I swear"
Diana smirked as she finished her taco. "But effective. Just like his father."
"I should head back to the Watchtower," Diana added, standing. "We're coordinating defense operations with the Green Lantern, and the Coalition liaison ."
I stood as well. "Should I gear up?"
"No," she said with a gentle smile. "Enjoy your evening with Eve. She's… a good person. I can tell. And she likes you, Cain." She whispered.
That made Eve's cheeks glow slightly. I bowed my head. "Thank you and be safe."
Diana touched my shoulder briefly, then launched upward in and vanished into the upper skyline.
I turned back toward the pool. Eve used her powers and shifted her clothes into a black and pink bikini.
"Mind if I hop in? I smiled go ahead.
She jump in splashing water. She started floating on her back, hair spread out around her like a halo.
"You coming in?" she asked, tilting her head back.
I grinned. "Let me change first."
I jogged back inside, heading toward my room. As I opened the drawer with my trunks, I heard music begin to play outside, something hip hop and upbeat. Good choice Eve.
Suddenly, a call came to my phone. it was Diana.
I picked up the phone, expecting something urgent.
"Cain?" Diana's voice said.
"I just wanted to say you deserve a moment of peace. just be safe an use protection. I put some around your home. Remember to treat her like a lady and equal."
I sighed in embarrassment. My cheeks were becoming red. "Thanks Diana."
I didn't know what to say at that point. I just wanted to get off the phone, this conversation was so awkward. I wonder if this is why she really left.
"No problem Cain."
Then she hung up the phone.
I stood for a moment, her words lingering.
When I came back outside, Eve was floating lazily in the water, legs kicking beneath her, her new bikini glinting under the patio lights.
"Took you long enough," she said.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." I jumped in, the cool water wrapping around me like silk. We swam lazily for a bit, side by side, talking, unwinding.
"It's almost weird," Eve said, "having peace. I mean, between the School, Titan missions, now this Viltrumites stuff, this feels like a dream."
"I know," I admitted. "I keep waiting for the dream to end. I should just take things one at a time."
Eve stared at me softly. "So… what's your plan after school?" she asked.
I looked up at the sky for a moment. The question hit differently now.
"I might not finish college."
Eve frowned. "Why not?"
"Because I'm going to outlive… all of this. School, degrees, the systems that govern our lives? They won't matter in a century. Hell, maybe not even in ten years. I feel I'm just killing time."
Eve swam closer, her brow furrowed. "That's not true. Just because you'll live longer doesn't mean this stuff loses value. It shapes you. The lessons still matter, even if the paper doesn't."
Before I could respond, we both froze.
A voice, clear and firm, rolled across the patio like thunder wrapped in silk.
"You're not wrong, Cain. But that doesn't mean Earth's education has nothing to offer."
We turned sharply.
There, standing on the deck, arms folded behind her back, stood a woman unlike any I'd ever seen.
She was tall. Her body was muscular, every curve defined by a tight black Viltrumite uniform, its shoulders flared with crimson trim. Her skin was a deep was sun kissed, with a slight orange glow, glowing slightly in the low light.
Her short black hair framed a face carved from dominance. Her emerald eyes burned like twin stars, piercing me down to my soul. Sharp cheekbones. Full lips. An a sharp jawline of nobility.
I knew her face. But not like this.
This wasn't the Anissa I remembered.
This was the Anissa of this universe.
"Who are you?" Eve asked, stepping forward, defensive.
Anissa didn't flinch. She just stared coldly and stoically. She had a poise of regal femineity that only a matriarch can have. But she looked like looked so young, like a supermodel with a gymnast build.
"I am Anissa Zodd, of House Zodd, A commander of the Intergalactic Empire of Viltrum," she said, voice regal and steady. " Viltrumite Cain of Earth, your time is up, and we will have words."
My blood ran cold. This woman was just talking but her presence gave off a intimidating pressure. Everything slowed for a moment. The power rolling off her… was undeniable. And terrifying.
She wasn't here to play.
She wasn't here for peace.
She was here… for me. And something told me this wasn't going to end well.