Chapter 1 - Morning

It was another dreary morning in the city. The grey sky hung heavy overhead, casting a pall over the crowded streets below. People bustled about their business, rushing to work or school, their faces set in grim determination.

Among them was a young man named Marcus. He walked with his head down, trying to avoid the glares and snickers of those around him. Marcus was an outcast, an anomaly in a world where everyone had a unique power or ability. He had no special talents, no unique gifts to set him apart from the crowd.

It wasn't always like this, of course. When he was a child, Marcus had hoped that he would develop a power like everyone else. He had eagerly waited for his tenth birthday, the day when most children first discovered their abilities.

But when that day came and went, and he still had no powers to speak of, Marcus became an object of ridicule among his peers. They called him names like "mundane" and "powerless," and made sure he knew how much he didn't belong.

So Marcus learned to keep his head down and blend into the background. He went to school, did his homework, and tried not to draw attention to himself. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant for something more.

As he walked to his job at the local grocery store, Marcus noticed a strange object lying on the sidewalk. It was a small, silver box, about the size of his hand. He picked it up and examined it, but couldn't figure out what it was.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness swept over him, and he felt himself falling. The next thing he knew, he was lying on the ground, the silver box still clutched in his hand.

When Marcus tried to stand up, he realized that something was different. His senses were heightened, and he felt a strange energy coursing through his body. He looked around, and to his surprise, he saw that the people on the street were looking at him with a mix of fear and awe.

For the first time in his life, Marcus felt powerful. And he knew that he would do whatever it took to keep that feeling.