Chapter 28: A pass time

[This chapter will be just a quick run through of what Darius has been up to.

Remember, mutants, sorcerers and other mambo jumbo supers are a normal daily occurrence in my book. There will be no hate on the empowered(mutants), at least not anymore]

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After the store robbery, life got a bit more interesting. Wandering through the city with Zuri tucked safely in my shadow, I felt the buzz of curiosity and wonder wherever I went.

My white flowing hair and long white robes accustomed with intricate golden designs certainly made me stand out, but it was the occasional display of my powers that truly captivated the people.

One afternoon, I found myself in a crowded market. A vendor's cart toppled over, sending a cascade of fruits rolling into the street. With a simple wave of my hand, I stopped the chaos in its tracks.

The fruits hovered in mid-air before neatly arranging themselves back on the cart. The crowd gasped, a mixture of awe and disbelief. Whispers of "magic" and "superhero" floated through the air.

Another day, a young child ran into the street, directly in the path of an oncoming car. Time seemed to slow as I reached out, lifting the child to safety with an invisible force.

The mother, tears streaming down her face, thanked me profusely while the surrounding onlookers applauded.

But not all attention was welcome. I soon noticed a few figures who seemed to pop up wherever I went. They weren't as subtle as they thought. I could feel their eyes on me, their whispers in the wind. SHIELD agents, without a doubt.

Their attempts at blending in were laughable, but I let them think they had the upper hand. For now.

One evening, while enjoying a peaceful moment by the waterfront, I saw one of the agents pretending to read a newspaper. Another one was pretending to be a jogger, circling me like a shark. I couldn't help but smile at their efforts.

"Do they really think I don't notice?" I muttered to Zuri, who gave a soft growl from the shadows.

I decided to have a bit of fun. With a flick of my wrist, the newspaper burst into flames, startling the agent. The jogger stumbled as the ground beneath him subtly shifted, causing him to fall into the water.

Laughter erupted from the crowd, who saw only a series of unfortunate accidents.

"Let's give them something to really talk about," I whispered, allowing a small, mischievous smile to play on my lips.

With a grand gesture, I conjured a shimmering aurora that danced across the night sky, casting a mesmerizing glow over the city. People stopped in their tracks, eyes wide with wonder, phones raised to capture the spectacle.

I felt the presence of the agents, now more cautious but still determined. "Enjoy the show," I thought, knowing this would only make them more curious.

As the aurora faded, I continued my walk, the agents trailing behind at a safer distance. I had no doubt that reports of my powers were already making their way up the SHIELD chain of command.

And pretty sure that one-eyed, paranoid, moody Director of theirs would certainly not like it. For now, I had a city to explore and a curious panther pup to care for.

...

The next morning, the city was abuzz with talk of the mysterious man in white. Social media was flooded with videos and photos of my displays of power. People speculated about who I was and where I came from. Some called me an angel, others a sorcerer.

And yes, I did have a phone. Surprising? Where did I get it? I bought it ofcourse. Where did I get the money? Well, that's a topic for another day.

Walking through the streets, I could feel the eyes of the curious and the cautious upon me. Zuri trotted beside me, her small form hidden in the folds of my robes. She was fascinated by the bustling city, her wide eyes taking in every detail.

At a busy intersection, a street performer was struggling to entertain the crowd. I decided to lend a hand. With a wave, I turned the trickle of water from a nearby fountain into a series of dancing streams, weaving patterns in the air.

The performer's eyes widened, but he quickly adapted, incorporating the water into his act. The crowd erupted in applause, coins and bills showering the performer's hat.

"Thank you, thank you!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply. "I don't know how you did that, but thank you!"

I simply nodded and continued on my way. It was a small gesture, but the joy on the faces of the crowd was worth it.

Later that day, I entered a small café that had a sign on the door stating "No Pets Allowed." Ignoring it, I stepped inside with Zuri hidden in my shadow. The barista, a young woman with brightly coloured hair, eyed me warily but said nothing as I ordered a coffee.

As I waited for my drink, a group of men entered the cafe, their faces masked and their intentions clear. "This is a robbery!" one of them shouted, brandishing a gun. The patrons screamed and ducked for cover.

I sighed, stepping forward. "There's no need for violence," I said calmly. "Just leave, and no one will get hurt."

The gunman turned to me, his eyes narrowing. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

"Someone who doesn't like seeing innocent people in danger," I replied.

The man laughed, but it was cut short as I raised my hand. The gun was ripped from his grasp and crumpled into a ball of metal.

The other robbers looked on in shock as I immobilized them with a simple gesture. The patrons stared in awe, some pulling out their phones to record the scene.

"Leave now," I said, my voice carrying an undeniable authority.

The robbers scrambled to their feet and fled, the door jingling as they exited. The barista let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and gave me a shaky smile. "Thank you," she whispered.

I nodded and picked up my coffee, taking a seat by the window. Outside, the police arrived, and the patrons slowly resumed their activities.

...

As I continued my exploration of the city, I noticed the SHIELD agents becoming bolder. They no longer tried to blend in, instead openly following me at a distance. It was amusing, really. They were clearly intrigued by my abilities and wanted to learn more.

One afternoon, I decided to confront them. Turning down a quiet alley, I waited until they followed. With a wave of my hand, I sealed the entrances, ensuring we wouldn't be disturbed.

"Alright, let's talk," I said, turning to face them.

The lead agent, a stern-looking man with a no-nonsense attitude, stepped forward. "We don't want any trouble. We're just here to observe."

"Observe what, exactly?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "My powers? My activities? Or is it something else?"

The agent hesitated. "We're here to ensure the safety of the public. Your abilities are... unique."

I chuckled. "That's one way to put it. But you can rest assured, I have no intention of causing harm. " I may have used some subtle magic to make him more cooperative.

"Thank you for your cooperation," the lead agent said as I prepared to leave.

"Remember," I reminded him with a smile. "No more following."

He nodded, and I left the alley, Zuri padding quietly beside me.

...

As the days went by, I continued to make my mark on the city. My displays of power became more frequent, each one drawing more attention. The internet was abuzz with speculation, and news outlets picked up the story of the "mysterious white-robed man."

One evening, as I walked through a quiet park, I heard a commotion ahead. A large tree had fallen, trapping a group of picnickers underneath. With a simple gesture, I lifted the tree and set it aside, freeing the terrified people.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" one of them cried, tears streaming down her face.

"It's my pleasure," I replied, helping her to her feet.

The crowd that had gathered began to cheer, some even clapping. It was moments like these that made my journey worthwhile. The joy and gratitude of those I helped were far more rewarding than any recognition or fame.

However, the attention also brought new, how to say this, annoyances. SHIELD agents were no longer the only ones interested in me. I began to notice other figures lurking in the shadows, their intentions unclear. Some seemed curious, others wary.

One night, as I walked through the city, I felt a strange presence. Turning a corner, I found myself face to face with a figure clad in a dark cloak. He was clearly not from SHIELD.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice calm but firm.

The figure tilted his head, studying me. "A friend, perhaps. Or an enemy. It depends on your perspective."

"Cryptic," I remarked. "What do you want?"

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[There, done]