Age of Heroes: A Superhero Adventure (The Pantheon Saga Book 1)

by C. C. Ekeke

  Everyone exchanged shocked looks. Hugo didn’t miss the pointed gape between Presley and Vargas. “It’s okay,” the Chinese teen said. “Come out.”

  “Gabrielle,” a disembodied voice said. She appeared out of thin air, very flabby. Gabrielle looked Pacific Islander like Hugo. He smelled a recent dye job on her long black hair. “Call me Gabby.”

  “And me.” Presley pointed to herself with a self-importance Hugo found adorable.

  “What can you do?”

  “Since you asked…” Presley pulled out a switchblade from her pocket, popping out the knife. Then she slashed a deep line across her palm.

  “NO!” Hugo cut the ten feet between them in a second. He slapped the knife away, seizing the crazy girl by her waist. “What the hell!”

  Presley guffawed, cradling her hand as it gushed blood. Vargas, Paul, Nikilesh, Thin Shady and Gabby laughed hysterically. Even worse they didn’t help. “Why are you all laughing?”

  Ignoring them, Hugo held Presley’s injured hand, trying to calm his own panic and figure out how to help. “Where’s your first-aid…kit…?” Hugo rubbed his eyes and looked again at her hand. The angry red gash shrank into a thin pinkish line before his eyes. Seconds later, her palm healed completely.

  “Healing factor,” Hugo whispered, his faces mere inches from Presley’s. His hands remained around Presley's slender waist.

  Hugo let go and stepped back a few feet.

  “Like I said, Hugo.” Presley grinned impishly. “We’re all friends here.” Her buddies gathered closer.

  “Don’t you dare say ‘super’ friends,” Hugo warned, studying this group before him.

  Presley cackled and hugged herself. “Tempting.” By their youthful faces, Hugo guessed that they were teenagers like him. But since Presley was either Chinese or Taiwanese, the Asian rule of aging made her real age a mystery.

  “Now that everyone’s bonded and shit…” Presley stepped into Hugo’s personal space, craning her neck back to meet his gaze. “Wanna hang here for a while?”

  A group of unsupervised teen supers living together appealed to Hugo more than he expected. The Samoan shrugged and smiled. “Sure.”

  EPILOGUE

  “Fucking Tom,” Greyson fumed at the TV. He sat shirtless on the couch, Lauren wrapping fresh bandages around his bruised midsection. The news ran another segment on the dramatic community center rescue in East St. Louis, interviewing Lennox and Randall. Greyson wasn’t angry at the boys, their enthusiastic charm shining during their interviews.

  But thanks to Tom’s offhand answer; the news now labeled their team “Heroes Anonymous.” Connie, Izzy and Kathy had also expressed expletive-laden displeasure via WhatsApp.

  “Tom had to name our group,” Greyson ranted. “Which no one agreed to!”

  Three days had passed since Greyson and his therapy group had taken down Excessive Menace. The press’s lavish praise had felt great, along with their identities remaining secret. What hadn’t felt great, aside from their stupid group name, was Greyson once the adrenaline worn off. No amount of hero versus villain battles he’d watched on TV could prepare him for a super-on-super battle. The day after defeating Excessive Menace, Greyson couldn’t get out of bed. The massive bruises on his face and body had been dark maroon. Sore ribs, severe muscle spasms, a mild concussion courtesy of Mr. Silk and electrocution by ShocKing (God, what a stupid name).

  Only tonight had Greyson been able to move around without limping too much.

  Lauren chuckled while wrapping his bandages with gentle, dexterous fingers. “I like Heroes Anonymous.” She tossed her loose dirty-blonde waves over the shoulder. “It’s…different.”

  Greyson snorted in contempt. “Makes us sound like a support group addicted to superheroing.” He shook his head. “For someone so into superheroes, Tom forgot a cardinal rule.”

  Lauren arched an amused eyebrow. “Which is?”

  “Once you put a name to the media,” Greyson twisted around to face his girlfriend. “it sticks forever—OWWW.” He recoiled as pain jolted up his right side. “Easy!”

  Lauren winced. “Sorry,” she apologized while tightening his bandages. “Stay still so I can finish.”

  Greyson didn't move until she was done. He pulled on a black polo shirt and turned to look this wondrous woman over. “Thanks. That yelp wasn't very heroic of me.”

  “After you and your friends saved those kids.” Lauren draped an arm around his neck. “you’re always my hero.” She nuzzled her nose on his.

  Greyson grinned. “I can live with that.” He felt a stirring in his loins.

  Lauren pulled back and took his face in both hands. Her expression became serious. “Are we worried about anyone discovering your real identities?”

  “We’re safe,” Greyson confirmed with a nod. That had worried him too. “Letty covered our tracks. Aside from Kathy losing her mask and Big Izzy not having a mask, nobody recognized me with my voice modulator.” Still, Greyson kept digesting any media covering that night to ensure that everyone's identities were safe.

  “Good.” Lauren remained concerned. “So that was a one-time outing?”

  Greyson grinned stupidly whenever he recalled defeating Excessive Menace. He especially relished crushing those three lowlifes' bones as they cried for their mommies. But feeling like he’d survived a car wreck wasn’t a sensation Greyson wanted to revisit. “No more running around in spandex.”

  Lauren wrinkled her nose. “Running around in hockey masks and jerseys, ya mean?”

  Greyson scowled. “Woman, can you hush, woman?”

  “Can ya kiss me?” Lauren purred with a sexy smile. She drew in her legs, wrapping them gently around Greyson’s waist.

  He grinned, the blood flow leaving his brain. “C’mere!” Greyson dove in and kissed her. Lauren slumped back on the couch with Greyson on top, responding with equal passion, their tongues tangled and caressing.

  There’s time for a quickie before dinner. Greyson was peeling off her shirt, searching a path along her flat belly with his mouth. Lauren moaned, her hips bucking—

  A cellphone ring interrupted them.

  “Really?” Lauren complained.

  Greyson hesitantly pulled away and scanned the room. “Yours or mine?”

  Lauren pointed to the hockey jersey piled beside the TV. “It’s your Batphone, babe.”

  Greyson scowled at her. “HI-larious.” Stepping off the couch with a wince, he approached and fished the cell out of the clothing. “Hey, Letty,” he greeted her upon accepting the call.

  The person who answered wasn’t Letty. “Evening, Greyson.”

  Greyson straightened. “Dr. St. Pierre. How are you?” He exchanged surprised looks with Lauren.

  “Wanted to ask you that.” The therapist sounded stronger than when Greyson last saw him.

  “Sore. Okay, very sore. But saving the kids was worth it.” Though he loved speaking with Dr. St. Pierre, Greyson doubted this was a social call. “Everything okay?”

  “Absolutely,” the therapist assured him. “Just wanted to discuss some things.”

  “Hold on.” Greyson turned to Lauren. Seeing her lying so seductively on the couch made it hard to mouth, “Gotta take this.”

  He headed into the bedroom and shut the door. “Go ahead.”

  “First,” St. Pierre’s voice deepened. “Thank you so much for three nights ago.”

  “It was the right thing to do.” Greyson waved off the compliment, which felt great coming from The Hurricane. “Those center kids mean the world to me.”

  St. Pierre wasn’t done. “You five defeated a dangerous faction with minimal property damage and no casualties. That's a victory.”

  Greyson nodded. No casualties had been gratifying. Breaking ShocKing’s bones and blasting Brickhouse into orbit? Even more gratifying. “Thank you,” he said.

  “Secondly,” St. Pierre continued. “I checked with my OSA and FBI contacts again. No one suspects your secret IDs.”

  Greyson ex
haled in relief. “Good.”

  “One more thing.” St. Pierre let out a regretful sigh. “I got discharged from the hospital, but I’m still two months from being field-ready.”

  Greyson’s skin prickled in anticipation. Somehow, he knew where this was heading. Especially with the news media hammering the Hurricane over his absence.

  “St. Louis could use you guys…for a limited time of course,” St. Pierre continued. “Low profile patrols.”

  Greyson sucked in a gasp. Injuries or not, the rush of wielding his powers to fight rogue supers had been pure euphoria. But he'd promised Lauren no more superheroing. His head spun. “I…” Greyson stammered. “I can’t do this without the others.” There was his out. And aside from Tom, Greyson doubted they'd sign on.

  “Everyone’s onboard,” St. Pierre replied briskly. “Only if you're team leader.”

  Greyson sat heavily on his bed, causing a loud creak. “OH.”

  “Of course, I’d train you guys in proper team formation,” the therapist cautioned. “Letty would provide field support…and better costumes.”

  Greyson struggled to find words. “Wow. That’s…wow.” The five of them, whatever they called themselves, would be trained with real costumes. Greyson would be a legitimate superhero.

  And breaking my word to Laurie. His insides knotted into pretzels.

  St. Pierre clearly sensed the conflict. “I know it’s a big decision. Take a few days first and—”

  “Yes,” Greyson stated, flat and final. He wanted this. Needed this.

  “You sure?” Dr. St. Pierre asked warily.

  “Absolutely.” Aside from Lauren and possible injuries, Greyson saw no downside.

  “Great!” The therapist sounded elated. “We’ll meet at the usual place tomorrow night to begin ‘Heroes Anonymous’ training.”

  Greyson stopped smiling. “Seriously?”

  “It’s catchy, man.” St. Pierre laughed. “Goodnight, Greyson.”

  Lauren was waiting on the couch after he reentered the living room. “What was that about?”

  “Richard wanted to congratulate me,” Greyson replied. “And confirm our identities are safe.”

  Lauren smiled, looking like she had another question. Greyson’s heart was in his throat, wondering how she would handle his decision.

  The doorbell startled them both. “Ooh!” Lauren popped off the couch and scurried to the door. “Our guests are here!”

  Greyson watched her go, shoulders sagging. Saved by the bell… He’d figure out how to tell her…or not. Greyson hated lying. But St. Louis needed the group—he refused to call it Heroes Anonymous.

  “Until Hurricane’s recovered,” he whispered to himself.

  “Hello!” Lauren’s chirp drew him out of his head.

  “Hi, Laurie!” the sound of Greyson’s mom carried from the foyer.

  He heard Sara next. “We brought the food! Grey! Come help me with this shit!”

  Greyson smiled as his parents chided her language. He strolled into the foyer as Lauren embraced Mom and Sara. The overhead light seemed to glare too intensely. Or were those his nerves?

  “Hey, Mom, Sara.” Greyson hugged both women separately.

  “What happened to your face!” Mom gasped, running concerned fingers across his bruised cheek.

  “Basketball game,” he lied with a genuine wince. “Got kinda rough.”

  Greyson’s stare landed on the fifth person in the foyer, standing removed from the group. Dad leaned on his cane, watching his son thoughtfully. “Hello.”

  Greyson steeled himself and held out a hand. The room quieted, all eyes on them. Geez, no pressure, ladies.

  Dad nodded, accepting the handshake.

  Greyson smiled genuinely as the tension deflated. He grabbed the bags of cooked food Sara and Mom brought. “Let’s devour all this.” Greyson exchanged a loving look with Lauren as everyone headed to the kitchen.

  Hugo, Quinn, and Greyson will return in MONSTERS AMONG MEN,

  coming late April 2019

  Author Notes

  Thus, concludes Book 1 in The Pantheon Saga! Hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as I loved writing it.

  This series was fourteen years in the making when the original idea came to me in 2005. The inspiration for The Pantheon Saga was four-fold; my love for superhero comics, a movie idea I had for Superman, the comic series Astro City and the TV show Heroes.

  I’ve been a comic book fan since the early 90s. My first comic book was a beat-up X-Men #15 I found in my middle school auditorium. I was hooked ever since. After that, one my friends took me to Legacy Comic books, when I would visit weekly during my teenage years to get my weekly dose of comic books. Stories of the X-Men, Avengers, Wild CATS, Cyberforce, Avengers and others were big inspirations to my writing. But as I began my writing journey, my sole focus was on the Star Brigade series. And I initially didn’t know if I had another book series idea in me.

  Enter Astro City. I’d never got into the series that much, mainly sticking to Marvel, DC or Image. But the covers, rendered by legendary artist Alex Ross, were gorgeous. And I found the concept really intriguing. Detailing the exploits of superheroes villains and citizens in a hyper-realistic world. The initial seed for Pantheon was planted, superheroes existing in our present-day reality. It was a loose concept but I was so excited by the concept I had to put it on the backburner so I could continue my Star Brigade novels at the time. Enter the TV show, Heroes.

  When I saw the idea for Heroes, I was ambivalent. But the more I considered the concept the more I saw potential to integrate into my superhero fiction idea. Why not show a hero’s origin from the ground-level? How would a normal person who gained powers go from normal clothes to a cape and spandex? Yes, comic books have been doing this since their inception but how would it come across in a fiction novel?

  Enter my Superman movie idea. This came from my interest in the character of Superman and the fact that we haven’t seen a really good Superman film since the 1978 version starring Christopher Reeves. I wanted to do a trilogy of Superman films with the first showcasing Superman and Lex Luthor’s origin stories. Lex, born in Metropolis’s Suicide Slums and staging his own parents’ murder in order to get money for his first science patent. leading to their eventual collision course. Kal-El, the last son of Krypton, sent to Earth from a dying world to be raised by a farmer and his wife in rural Kansas. With a little inspiration from the HBO show Carnivale, I thought developing both character’s origins without them having any knowledge of the other would work before the eventual showdown. The idea, shockingly, went nowhere. And Superman Returns bomb at the box office in 2006. So I decided I would add the origins concept to my own superhero fiction, which I decided to call Pantheon. A hero and a villain destined to be each other’s arch-nemesis. How would these two normal people reach that moment? Who were they before they embraced their higher or darker destinies?

  It took a while to finally start writing the series, mainly because I wanted to writing some more Star Brigade books. But once I got out the fourth Star Brigade novel in summer of 2017, I figure then was a good time to get on The Pantheon Saga.

  Its been a wild, eye-opening ride which I’ve enjoyed so much. The characters, the plots, the challenges all came to life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. What I love most about superhero fiction is that I can explore the more fantastical elements of comic books and superheroes while keeping the world grounded in a present day. Which means any modern colloquialisms and pop culture references don’t feel out of place from characters that are relatable despite their abilities.

  We will learn more about the three main characters as they navigate through their new normal while expanding this world of heroes and villains. Even more, we will find out with Quinn who really killed Titan!

  When writing the first few Star Brigade novels, I wasn’t happy with the amount of time between each novel. Therefore, I’m doing a monthly rapid release of four Pantheon novels so you won’t wait long be
tween books. It was a long journey, but totally worth it!

  Big thanks to Kit for line editing this bad boy and whipping it into shape. Also wanted to thank Corine, Wanda and Melanie for the beta reads to give that much needed final look before I release this out into the wild. And of course, thanks to TJ, Jeff, Yolanda and Melissa for the alpha reads after the first draft was ready. Your feedback really helped me fine-tune some of the story’s more personal items. I will always be grateful.

  Thank you, Maggie K! You provided me with amusing stories that became part of a blueprint for Quinn’s journey. Her story flourished and blossomed thanks to your generous contributions.

  Amy! I found the title font which fit this book series thanks to you. I’ll always be grateful for your input and friendship.

  To Nicole and Jason, I know I talked about this idea…A LOT. Thanks for always being patience and attentive as I discussed the character arcs and the story. Your feedback was always helpful and encouraging. And to everyone who’s read my books and/or reading this one, thank you. The support, emails and reviews are all much appreciated. You make all this possible.

  Until next time folks,

  CCE

  PS. If you want to find out when the next Pantheon Saga book will be release, there are several ways you can stay informed.

  Come over to the Facebook Group, CC Ekeke’s Super Cool Readers, and say hi. You get to hang out with other readers and geek out over all things sci-fi and stuff.

  Follow me directly on Amazon. Head over to my Amazon author profile and click Follow beneath my picture. Amazon will now notify you whenever I release a new book. All you need afterward is to check your emails. Easy, right?

  You can join my newsletter list by clicking here. This way I can stay in touch with you directly, and get notified of all my new releases.

  Doing one of all three of these (recommended) will ensure that you hear about each new release in The Pantheon Saga. Go ahead and do one of them. I’ll wait.