chapter 6

Chapter 6

Date: March 20, 1990

Location: St. Augustine's Orphanage, London

The early morning light filtered through the thin, worn curtains of David's small dormitory, casting a soft glow on the room. David sat cross-legged on his bed, his breathing calm and steady, his heart rate low. The winter chill had given way to the damp chill of early spring, but he barely noticed anymore. His body, once small and frail, was beginning to adapt to the training. Even at six years old, he could feel the effects of the last two months — his endurance, his focus, his ability to handle New Order had improved tremendously.

It hadn't been easy. The physical training had worn him down, day after day, but it was nothing compared to the mental strain of repeatedly using his power. He'd tested order after order on himself, gradually increasing the duration and complexity, each one pushing his limits a bit further.

Finally, this morning, he felt ready to place the one order he'd been preparing for all this time. He took a deep breath, centering himself, and placed a hand over his heart.

"I… am protected from telepaths."

A wave of energy radiated through him, his skin tingling as if electricity pulsed just beneath the surface. He held his breath, focusing, willing the order to root itself into his very being, to shield him from anyone who would try to pry into his mind. Seconds passed, then minutes, and the sensation gradually faded, settling like an invisible barrier around him. David exhaled, a profound sense of relief washing over him.

It had worked. He could feel the order humming quietly within him, a mental wall he could rely on. The MCU was full of powerful minds that could reach into his thoughts — Charles Xavier, Jean Grey, Loki, and even Wanda Maximoff — but now, with this order, he was shielded. He could walk among them without fear of his mind being invaded or manipulated.

David's lips curved into a small, triumphant smile. He'd accomplished his first real goal in this world, and he felt stronger and more in control than he had since he'd arrived. For the first time, he wasn't just reacting to his circumstances; he was shaping them.

He rose from his bed, stretching out, feeling the strength that had begun to grow in his young body. There was still so much to do, so much to plan and prepare for, but now he had a foundation — a way to protect his mind and a power he was learning to control.

One step at a time, he reminded himself. The MCU was vast and dangerous, but he was beginning to feel ready for whatever came next.

End of chap.