I've never been so lost for words in my life. Not true, actually. The death of my parents. The way my aunt treated me. The bad foster homes. The first realization of how life wasn't so kind, even to kids, had side swiped me in each of those situations. From 9 to 14, in just five years, I've been put through the ringer. And somehow, there are kids worse off than I am.

This is different though. This isn't mortified realization keeping me from speaking. Too scared to draw attention to what I was hoping would be a night terror I'd wake up from. This is the utter disbelief and complete confusion mixed with a generous amount of curiosity, and a wild peppering of rapid thoughts trying to rationalize everything that is happening. Which is leading to a mental malfunction and a failure to communicate all of... this. After opening and closing my mouth like a wish out of water, trying to make any noise other than the vague beginning of a word before stopping and thinking twice on it, I finally came to the most important question.

"Are you God?" The old man closes his eyes and shakes his head.

"Many ask that when they first meet me. I have since learned that most mean the God of Abrahamic religion. Ignorant to the existence of the countless pantheons that have existed all through out Earth's history." His voice is grizzled, but gentle. His hair is grey, long, and curly. He has a thick beard that hangs low below his neck, and his skin is cracked and weathered. His eyes are a pale white, with no irises or pupils. Yet I can tell he is looking directly at me.

"You mean like the Greek gods? Zeus, Hades, and the like? Wait! Does that mean Thor exists? What about Susanoo, or Osiris? Oh, what ab-"

"Calm yourself Billy." I tighten my lip and barely contain the excitement and mild fear of the existence of the gods of old. "Yes, many of them exist."

"That's so cool."

"Indeed. The existence of divine beings is a wonder to many. I did not however bri-"

"So I've always thought the Roman gods and Greek gods were one in the same. Well, mostly. Is that true, or are they separate?" Containment of excited questions is a failure.

The old man sighs at my question and places his face in his hands.

"They are indeed the same. For the most part."

"What does that mean? How did that-"

"Enough!" Thunder rumbled through the cave as the old man's voice was raised, striking fear into my heart. I have the urge to run. Hide. Find a way back. Such terror caused by one simple action.

No. I shouldn't run. I need to see this through. I just found out there is some place called "The Rock of Eternity" and that the gods of old mythologies are real. As a mild history buff, and a major mythology enthusiast, there is no way I can pass up the chance to delve into this further. I will stand my ground.

"Sorry." My meek apology was met with a disgruntled sigh.

"It's fine. You are a child after all."

"I'm 14?"

"I fail to see the distinction." Of course he does. "We do not have time for debate, boy. I have called you here for a reason."

"So you were the one that drew those symbols on the window and mirror." The old man nodded. "How does that work?"

"It's magic, Billy." I roll my eyes.

"Magic? Really?"

"Do you not believe? What of Diana of Themyscira. She is an Amazon and everything about her equipment, the Amazons, and the island they reside, are magical in nature. As is the magical hero known as Dr. Fate." His mildly surprised tone annoys me. The guy thinks he can trick me with real world examples of people that claim to use magic.

"Yeah? Is David Blaine a wizard to?" The old man raises an eyebrow. "Sorry man. I never believed they were magical. Wonder Woman and Dr. Fate for all I know are aliens with alien technology or the very least meta-humans. I mean Superman can shoot lasers from his eyes and Green Lantern uses an alien ring to make light constructs. It's been mentioned before that it's technology. Magic isn't real." I fold my arms over my chest, challenging the old man on this esoteric nonsense. I may only be 14, but I've been alive long enough to know that magic isn't real.

"You think it's simple 'esoteric nonsense', but you've yet to give it a chance." A chill runs through my veins as the guy in the chair very clearly just read my mind. "It's a shame that one so young does not believe in magic. I suppose it's understandable, given the era man is in currently. Doesn't help that you've faced constant cruelty for many years."

"What the hell do you know?" My anger shoots to the surface, always ignited by people that assume too much about me.

"I know many things, Billy. I've been watching you, among others, for a very long time."

"So you're a pervert freak looking to touch kids. If you've actually been paying attention to my life, you'll know I managed to hospitalize a guy twice my size for trying that on me." I unfold my arms now, clenching my fists and waiting for an excuse.

"I am no such thing. I've been watching people of various ages. People with the potential for pure goodness, and vast kindness. Unfortunately, many have failed my tests. They are not worthy of the word. You were one I was hoping to test later. After you had gained some stability. Learned to trust again."

"Who the hell are you to judge people? To judge me?" My rage is threatening to erupt. My temper and patience for whatever this psycho is babbling about being short. A realization of how easily he dragged me to this cave made me fear what he might do to the other kids should he make it out of this situation alive. Maybe I should deal with him right now so they won't get hurt.

A smile crosses the old mans face as I think this, and I remember he's in my head. That's the final straw. I can't stand here anymore. My body is over heating, my mind is a flurry of negative thoughts and my emotions are flooding my body with adrenaline. It all culminates in me marching up the steps and across the elevated platform to face the man in his seat.

"Explain yourself, or I'll-OOF!" I'm interrupted, supposedly having walked into an invisible wall and falling on my ass. My anger is still there, but my blinding rage is replaced with confusion and frustration.

"You will do." He stands from his seat. "I have been watching over Earth, The Magiclands, and various realms for many millennia. I've fought monsters, demons, gods, and seen equally wonderful and terrifying things. My power is absolute. My purpose just, and necessary. I am The Wizard SHAZAM!" With his final line, he raises his hand into the air, and a lightning bolt comes crashing down through the ceiling connecting to his hand.

I yelp in surprise, covering my eyes and trying to take cover, but calm myself as I realize he's channelling the lightning. It doesn't appear to be hurting him. He's just standing there, the blue lightning bolt connecting and spreading through his fingers, and he's not burning or keeling over. His eyes are no longer pale white, but now are glowing blue and sparking at the edges of his eyelids. I'm left in wonder at what I am witnessing. I'd never seen a super powered person up close before, regardless of where they got their power from. This is something to behold for sure. And for a moment, I believed that this really is magic. That the gods do exist.

But only for a moment.

The lightning stops, and his hand drops to his side as his eyes go pale white again. No smoke or fire was left behind, only the weird smell of ozone. Maybe this guy isn't a perv. I'm hoping he isn't. So many more questions flood my mind, but I find myself unable to speak. Which he seems to appreciate.

"Six Thousand years ago, I chose a new Champion of Magic. A one of the countless slaves in Egypt, taken from Kahndaq. He showed a great capacity for kindness, despite the hand he was dealt in life. When I gave him the power, he used it to free his people, and lead them to a better tomorrow." Finally, I find myself capable of standing, and I watch as Shazam creates an ethereal image of a guy wearing a costume with a lighting bolt on his chest and a cloak with the hood pulled up. He was doing a pose similar to Superman's where his hands were closed and placed against his hips.

"That's swell, and all, but what does that have to do with me?"

"His name was Teth Adam. For a millennium, he protected Earth and it's denizens with compassion, and brought justice to those that would seek to harm and rule the innocent and weak. Eventually, after countless battles, and being faced with a new Pharaoh that wished to go to war with Kahndaq, Teth Adam lost his family in an attempt to weaken the unstoppable champion." The image now shows the man now identified as Teth Adam, holding the remains of his dead wife and children. A son and a daughter. The only portion of his face I can see is his mouth and he's definitely sobbing. I felt sorry for him. Knowing what it was like to lose family.

"His corruption deluded him into believing he was a god, and the rightful ruler of Kahndaq." The family disappears and Adam is flying through buildings, incinerating soldiers and what look to be elites. Eventually, his hand finds the throat of The Pharaoh. He is being electrocuted by Adam, and the Wizard isn't holding back any details. I can see the body wither, the skin and muscle slough off of the bone as one tyrant cooks the other with lightning through his hands.

"Though I have no qualms about killing if it's absolutely necessary, Adam's actions were beyond reason. He lead an army against Egypt, for the sheer purpose of proving that he could command other less powerful mortals, and named himself Pharaoh of both Countries. He ruled with an iron fist, and made slaves of the people he once considered his brothers and sisters. From there, he started to invade neighbouring countries, some he'd attack himself, and others he'd watch burn from a distance at the hands of his armies."

"Why didn't you take his power from him? Couldn't you just fire the guy?" Shazam shook his head.

"No I can not. Once I've bestowed the power onto a champion, only the champion can choose to relinquish it."

"Jeez Louise. That's a dangerous gamble. What did you do?" Despite my recent hostile stance towards the guy, I was completely enthralled by this story. I still didn't really trust him that much, but given that he had powers, it is within reason that everything he's told me so far actually happened.

"After spending many years trying to convince Teth Adam to stop his madness, to cease taking his heartache out on others, I came to the regretful conclusion that I had made a mistake. Lost to his grief and rage, I renamed him Black Adam, and had only two options to end his madness. Choose another champion, and risk repeating the same mistake in my haste to correct the last, or banish him to the farthest star." That second option clearly is what he went with.

"So he's alive! What the hell dude?! Isn't that dangerous?" Shazam's projection of the Palace Adam was sitting in is replaced with what looks like an image of space. There's what looks like a shooting star flying across the void and I have a bad feeling that what I'm watching isn't a comet or meteor.

"Indeed. I am old, and even then I could not face him. After picking my replacement, my power began to wane. Adam was too strong for me to kill, so I did what I had to. I hoped that it would give him time to reflect, and change. From what I feel form him, now that he draws near, he is only angrier than he was before. He has been making his way back to Earth at a deliberate pace. He's had some interference, unrelated to me, but he will be here soon. And I can no longer delay in naming a new Champion."

"Who?" The Wizard just stares at me unblinking, and I feel very uncomfortable.

"Why do you think I brought you here, Billy?" Oh no. "I have been looking for one pure of heart. Strong of Spirit. Who can resist The Seven Deadly Enemies of Man of which Black Adam has succumbed to. One, with the will and the heart, to protect those that need it. As I have. As Teth Adam once did." I shake my head and immediately start backing away from Shazam.

"Hell no. You are so full of shit. You had me for a second there bud, but there is no way. It's too good to be true. Giving me ultimate power? An orphan boy? Also, I'm not pure of heart. There is no way this is real. You are scamming me some how. Even if the scam is just to risk my life cleaning up your mess."

"You may not be pure of heart now Billy Batson, but there always has been this potential for unending goodness in you. You fight it, because you fear it weakens you and leaves you vulnerable to those that wish to hurt you. Like your Aunt, or some of your more despicable foster parents. In truth, I have weighed the hearts and minds of others older and more experienced than you. They've all come up short. Just a moment ago, I felt your empathy for Adam when watching him cradle his deceased family." I'm not sure if that really qualifies for being good. It's just understandable. I mean, did the guy ever feel safe after that happened? Even if he was unstoppable to a normal person, the people he loved most were killed by a guy that wanted to enslave his people once again. He probably felt hopeless. Alone.

"Even now, I can feel your compassion swelling. You are the first person I've told this story to that didn't immediately think about ending Adam's life. Make no mistake, Billy. Black Adam is to not be taken lightly. He will destroy everything that gets in his way. I wish there was another way, but he is the previous Champion of Magic. He will be one of your most dangerous, and cunning foes."

"Oh, so you're voluntelling me to do this then." The Wizard sighs.

"We are left with no other options Billy. Think of you're family."

"My families dead." The Wizard snorts as he projects an image of the kids at the orphanage, Monica, and Mary.

"Blood of the brotherhood is thicker than the water of the womb. Think of them how you wish, but don't pretend that you don't care for them. They, like many others, will suffer if Black Adam is left unchecked. Besides..." The projection changes now. A fiery hellscape is shown, and the projection goes from a faint blue to a swirl of red, pink, and purple as the energy circles around me.

I see hordes of monsters and demonic entities, marching to some kind of unholy war. A level of dread I didn't know was possible grips my entire being as I feel something behind them. I can't see it, but I know it's there, and it's pure evil. I can see a faint silhouette as it moves. When it does so, everything turns towards it, and bows. Two glowing red eyes open, and stare at me. Then another two. And another. Totalling six eyes. Even though it is just a projection, I have that feeling of being watched. I would have pissed myself if it wasn't for the fact that my bladder was already empty.

The image fades and changes to another fiery hellscape. This time, there are ships flying around, along with weird monsters with giant bug wings. They have Omega symbols on their armour and through my terror I connect the Omega symbol to the Greek Alphabet and their respective gods. However, I'm pretty sure there isn't a place with creatures like this depicted in any of the writings on the subject.

Some shadowy figure is seen standing next to a throne, with more of those creatures bowing to him. I can't make out any details, except that he too has glowing red eyes. I can tell that he's a threat that shouldn't be taken lightly, but the last thing I saw. The Evil with six eyes... I'll probably have nightmares about that thing for the rest of my life.

"Black Adam won't be the only challenge you face as the Magic's Champion, Billy. He may not even be the first. I've decided to give you enough time to get accustomed to your powers before he gets here. Should you accept the responsibility." I'm still finding it hard to believe. Those images he showed me left an impression for sure, but I'm still doubting that any of this is actually magic.

"Sir, I'm an angry person. I don't trust people, and I'm still having a hard time believing everything you're telling me. At face value, it sounds like I'm more likely to turn out like him than be this hero you're hoping for." The Wizards shoulders slump a bit as he looks to the floor. I feel a slight guilt for making him feel bad, but I'm not an idiot. I'm not that good of a person. I'm just trying to survive and keep those around me alive. Shazam looks up from his spot on the floor, and gives me a weak smile.

"You're all I have Billy. You're all the world has."

"What are you talking about? Superman? Wonder Woman? What about the supposed Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Fate himself? There's also Martian Manhunter? Green Lantern? although he supposedly goes off world a lot. Heck, Batman would pr-"

"All good people Billy. Heroes with great responsibilities they've already taken on. Foes that already plot their demise every chance they get. If I choose them as my champion, they will buckle under the added weight." Of course they would be. This seemed all to conveniently set up to be pushed on to me.

"Pure of heart and strong of spirit. Able to resist the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. Let's pretend I'm ignoring the very real possibility that you've lazily ripped off the Seven Deadly Sins from the Bible for this tale. You're asking an angry teenage orphan with childhood trauma, anger issues, hormones, among other problems, to resist wrath, and lust? Really? Really, really?" The Wizard actually chuckles at this as he steps up to me.

"I do not expect you to be perfect Billy. You have shown great fortitude already in the past five years. Despite all the tragedies and injustices you've faced, you some how managed to maintain a sense of nobility and compassion, that has driven you to protect those in need. You open your arms to children in need of a hug, and you step in front of those that are small and helpless, making yourself the wall that evil has to get through in order to harm them. You show an understanding for some of those that are bad, and do bad things as well. Despite your rage, your frustration, you do not hate. You may think you do, but I know you feel sorrow for those that hurt so badly, that they hurt others. Maybe with you in the world, being good to those that do evil, good will follow, and change them for the better." I barely hear the rest of his words. Why would he say that? I find my mind pulled towards a memory of when I was eight, and my mother was putting ice to my lips.

"Billy. Why did you fight that Johnson boy?" The sting of the ice against my busted lip caused me to groan, but I didn't flinch.

"Daniel always picks on the special kids Mom! I had to do something!" My mother pauses and locks eyes with me.

"What do you mean special Billy?"

"Special, you know? Like Mikey Long, or Taylor McClaren?" I was speaking of the kids that had special needs. Mikey was in a wheelchair, and Taylor was on the spectrum. Daniel Johnson took great joy in trying to push Mikey's chair over or trick Taylor into embarrassing herself.

My mother's look of disapproval turns to a mixture of something I didn't really understand. She smiled, but her eyes were tearing up, and I couldn't tell if she was happy or sad. At the time I wasn't sure that you could feel both at the same time.

"Oh Billy... I'm proud of you. Standing up for those in need is admirable. Just don't let your anger blind you to the troubles of people like Daniel Johnson. He may not be a very nice boy, but there may be an understandable reason for that. It's no excuse, but Daniel's dad isn't a very nice person to him." I didn't consider at the time that bullies were anything but big meanies.

"What? Why does that make him mean to us?" My mom shook her head.

"He isn't trying to be, I don't think. He just doesn't know what to do with his anger and fear. I wish there was more I could do for the boy, but his mother is too scared to do anything."

"Oh. Like in that movie where the guy was hurting his wife, so she took self-defence classes to kick his ass?" My mother stifled a chuckle as she gave me a semi-stern look with a hint of a smile.

"Language Billy." I give her a grin as I apologize. "And sort of. Movies aren't always as dramatic as that. I don't know that Daniel's father would ever go that far, but you can't always know for sure."

"Oh." I was saddened, thinking that Daniel was mean only because he was scared and hurt. "What can we do mom? I want to help?" My mom at this point puts the ice pack down and bends over enough so that she is eye level with me. I can see the moisture in her eyes as she smiles at me. A smile I miss.

"Don't label him as your enemy. You don't have any enemies. Sticking your hand out to help others, even if it's risky, is one of the most noble things a person can do. Don't go throwing yourself in the line of fire and throw your life away, but offer your hand in friendship. You'll see, that if you're good to people, good will follow. Not always, some will take advantage, but you shouldn't let that change you."

The memory brings me pain, despite the fond memory of my mother teaching me to be a good person. I feel tears forming in my eyes, threatening to burst open the damn of emotions I've been holding onto. I shake my head and wipe away any that threaten to fall and pull myself together before looking the wizard dead in the eyes.

"I don't know how I'm supposed to be Magic's Champion without even knowing how to perform magic. If that is what we are actually going with as an explanation for your powers." The Wizard's face goes from grim hope to plastering a wide smile on his face. A desperation is in his eyes, and I can tell the hope he was looking for in me seemed to be latching on to him. I didn't agree to anything, but I suppose I'm humouring him for now to see if this actually goes anywhere.

"You will learn in time. With the power of the gods at your beck and call, you will be able to handle many threats, but learning magic will still be your responsibility. Since you are the Champion of Magic, you will have an edge in it's use, should you expand your knowledge. You only need to accept this responsibility, for it to be done." I think of my mom and dad, the way they raised me to be a person who didn't step on anybody else. To look out for those in need. Maybe this is real. Maybe this is them from the afterlife telling me they are still watching me. Maybe they aren't involved in this at all... Maybe this is the best way to honour them and what they gave me for the short nine years I knew them.

"I'll do it."

"Than it is done!" Shazam raises his staff and his free hand as lightning forms around him and spreads out, hitting every corner of the cave. The Rock of Eternity shakes as thunder rumbles and lighting strikes, causing me to lose balance.

"With the Wisdom of Solomon! The Strength of Hercules! The Stamina of Atlas! The Power of Zeus! The Courage of Achilles! And The Speed of Mercury! Use the power of the word to transform into your true potential! William Batson! You have become Magic's Champion! Captain Marvel!" As he says this stalactites begin to fall from the roof, narrowly hitting us. He stops his light show, and I'm go to grab his arm.

"We need to leave!" He shakes me off, and returns to his seat. "What the heck are you doing!"

"My time has come. I will face it with dignity. But Remember Billy! I will always be with you! All you have to do in times of need is say my name."

"I'm not leaving you here! Didn't you just say I was to be a protector?!" The Wizard smiles and nods as he closes his eyes.

"I must face my destiny, Billy. Now go live yours!" Opening his eyes again and with a flick of his wrist, I'm sent flying through the air. As I'm soaring through the cave, I watch as a particularly large amount of rubble collapses on top of the Wizard as I get further and further away from the room he was in. I'm left in disbelief as I'm sent flying through the cave, unable to control my trajectory.

"So much for power!" I start to recognize some of the rock formations as I realize I'm being sent back through the door I came in.

Sure enough, after a few more seconds, I see the bathroom door to the orphanage, and watch as it flies open as I approach. I hit the bathroom floor and slide against the wall, somehow harmlessly coming to a stop. The room is rumbling and the door slams behind me as I'm left in a daze at what I just experienced. Contemplating for a moment that I am going crazy, that the pressure of my life has finally caused me to snap and I'm going to end up getting myself killed thinking I can fly. I mean in what world does all of that happen to a nobody like me? If it was real, than just what kind of mystical contract did I just sign?

Not to mention that depending on what you take to be a god, he only named three. Two Roman ones and one Greek god. Hercules and Mercury, or in Greek mythology, Herakles and Hermes, and Zeus. The other three weren't gods.

Achilles was a demigod, sure, but mortal and fated to die, which he did. If I remember correctly there were hero cults or a hero cult that formed under his name, venerating and worshipping him as a god. Now, in terms of Herakles, or Hercules or whatever, he was a demigod that ascended to godhood, so maybe Achilles did as well. God of Courage? Suppose that could be true. If they are real.

Than there is the Titan, Atlas. Atlas was punished by the gods for his part in the war between the titans and gods by making him hold up... well depending on the story, the sky, the world, the cosmos. Forever. Suppose his stamina isn't anything to sneeze at, but the last one is what really gets me wondering if Shazam was actually a wizard or just some lunatic that was messing up his lore.

Solomon. The King Solomon from the Bible. Ruler of a united Israel and Judah. Apparently he ruled the region at the height of its power, in large part due to his wisdom. If that's the case then I should be a bloody genius now. Or I guess a sage, considering wisdom and intelligence aren't necessarily the same thing. Yet I don't feel any different. Maybe it takes a little time for my powers to settle in? He did say he decided recruit me early so I can get use to them.

I stand up and flex my arms, rotating my shoulders and stretching my legs. I feel the same. No change what-so-ever. I think about some math problems I had at school that stumped me to see if I would just know the answers, because of magic or whatever... nothing.

"I knew it was too good to be true." Maybe something will happen. Maybe it won't. I think it's safe to say that this Shazam guy was either a mental break or a scary powerful meta-human that just didn't want to die alone. Or maybe some psychic was pranking people. I laugh a little at that thought actually. I terrifying as some of it was, thinking about it in that context actually makes it quite entertaining.

I look between the window and mirror and find that there are no symbols, nor is the window frosted like it was before. I turn on the cold tap for the sink, and sure enough, it's running ice cold as usual this time of year. Everything seems to be back in order, but there's one last thing I have to check.

I step over to the door, reaching for the handle, and hesitate as I close my grip. I'm not sure if I want there to be a cave on the other side of this door, or just the orphanage I've been living in since I was 11. There was no time like the present to find out which it is however, so I yank on the door and...

"Thought so." I'm in the orphanage. The walls are covered in posters and kids drawings. Popping my head out I look both ways down the hall and nothing has changed except the weather. It's still a little cold, but it's not freezing like it was before I came in here.

I sigh, half disappointed, half relieved. I'm pretty sure whatever happened in there is best forgotten, lest I get thrown into a padded room. What should I have expected? Of course I wouldn't be given power just like that. Especially not for some arbitrary reason like "I'm a good person with the potential to be even gooder tee-hee." I know how the world works. It's cruel, and nothing is free.

"Hey, Billy! Did you fall into the toilet or something?!" I hear Mary before I see her pop around the corner at the end of the hall. When she makes eye contact with me, she looks a little confused. "Why are you just standing around?"

"Oh, uh. Just... thinking?" Smooth move Ex-lax. Mary giggles and gently shakes her head.

"Well come on and eat. Everybody is waiting for you." I nod as I slowly let my gaze drift back to the bathroom. The last thoughts of what may or may not have happened running through my head before coming to a stop. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Sorry." I turn back towards her and start heading down the hall.

I have no time to waste on fantasies and fairy tales. I need to get back to reality and get myself ready for the challenges ahead.