Children of Titans

Prologue

Peter walked round 'his' new room on the spaceship, curious. It had only been a few days since he'd met his dad, and gotten away from the scary blue guy and his crew. His dad (who had told Peter to call him Eros, if he wanted) seemed ok so far, so Peter guessed things could be worse. Living in outer space did seem kinda cool. He just wished his mom and grandpa could be here to see it all with him. But Mom wouldn't ever be with him again. The thought made his eyes burn, and the eight-year old rubbed them furiously. He would not cry again. Crying was for babies. Nonetheless, he sniffled- just as Eros came back in.

His dad's smile (which he always seemed to wear) faltered when he saw Peter crying. "Everything ok?" He sounded uncomfortable, as if he didn't know what to say, patting Peter's shoulder awkwardly.

Peter scrubbed at his face again, scowling. "S'ok. I was just thinking about Mom... and Grandpa, back hom- back on Earth." He knew he had to be grown up now, this was his new home. "Where're we goin', anyway?"

Eros grinned again. "Wherever we want, kid. I can show you anything you like. I don't have a permanent home, too boring. So I- er, we- can move around whenever we want! Keeps life from getting too dull."

Peter was interested despite his loneliness. "Have you always lived like that? Don't you have no other family?"

Eros' face darkened for a second. "I have a father, but I haven't spoken to him for quite a long time. He doesn't agree with my lifestyle. I have a brother too-"

"What's he like?"

"Don't ask, Peter. I don't want to give you nightmares. Anyway, you're part of my family now. What do you want to see first? Any ideas?"

"Chewbacca?" Peter asked hopefully, remembering the hairy guy from the Star Wars movie.

Eros burst out laughing. It was some time before he calmed down enough to explain that Star Wars wasn't real.

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Gamora sat bolt upright, automatically clamping her hands to her mouth to stifle her scream. She glanced around the room. All her siblings were still huddled on their sleeping mats. She pulled her knees to her chest for warmth. Her dream came back to her. She'd dreamt of her parents again, the day that He had come. It was one of her most vivid memories. The burning buildings, the screams of her people, her parents' blood soaking the ground as she was dragged away, sobbing... She pressed her face to her knees. That had been... three years ago? Four? She wasn't even certain anymore. And it didn't matter anyway. She knew by now she wasn't to speak of her former life. This was the only one that mattered. Learning to fight, to be the best, to please Thanos.

There was some movement beside her. Gamora strained to see in the darkness. The sister closest to her in age, the newest arrival on Sanctuary, was waking up. Gamora stood and edged over to her, quietly.

"Nebula?" She whispered.

The Luphomoid girl opened her eyes, scowling at her. "That's not my name!" She hissed.

Gamora sighed, walking away, calling back softly over her shoulder. "I told you, you have to get used to it. It is your name now. Nothing that came before matters. Thanos knows best." Gamora knew that, she really did, all the adults told her that. Her silly dreams about her past would have to be forgotten. She knew from past experience that mentioning any other life only got you a beating. It didn't matter if training here got you hurt, or if you were cold, hungry or lonely. All such things were weaknesses that had to be overcome. She sat back down on her sleeping mat, trying to empty her foolish mind, that wanted to remember a nicer time, on a tropical planet, where there were parents and people to play with. The girl who'd lived there had been called something else, not Gamora...

But that was not real anymore. She had to grow up. She was six now (or seven, she couldn't remember.) It was time to get ready for the day. Their guards would be in to take them to breakfast shortly, then, as always, they would spend the day in the training hall. She thought they might be practicing unarmed combat today... It was better than practicing with blades. She still wasn't used to the sight of blood. But she'd get there. Eventually. All warriors did.

To be continued...