# Chapter 1: The Weight of Responsibility
Lisette stood at the edge of the pier, the cold wind biting through her coat. The ocean stretched out endlessly before her, a dark, turbulent expanse reflecting her inner turmoil. It had been a month since Kevin Norton relinquished his responsibility as Scion's handler, passing the burden to her—a burden she hadn't sought, but one she couldn't refuse.
She glanced at her watch. Almost time. She felt the tension coiling in her stomach, a knot of anxiety she'd come to associate with these weekly meetings. She had rehearsed a hundred things to say, a thousand commands to give, but standing here, she always found herself at a loss.
The air shimmered, and Scion appeared. He hovered a few feet above the ground, his golden form glowing softly against the darkening sky. He looked the same as always—an enigmatic figure of immense power and inscrutable purpose. Yet, for all his might, there was an eerie passivity about him, a blankness that made Lisette's skin crawl.
"Hello, Scion," she said, her voice steady despite the nerves roiling within her.
Scion didn't respond, didn't even acknowledge her greeting. He simply floated there, waiting. Lisette took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. What could she say to him? What should she command him to do? The responsibility weighed heavily on her shoulders. One wrong move, one careless command, and the consequences could be catastrophic.
"Have you… have you been well?" she asked, immediately feeling foolish. Scion didn't get sick, didn't have human needs or emotions. But what else was she supposed to say? The silence stretched, oppressive and thick.
She remembered the stories of Scion's past actions—both his miraculous rescues and his devastating failures. The world's strongest parahuman, the being of ultimate power, yet utterly unpredictable. Handling him was like holding a live grenade, and Lisette was terrified of pulling the pin.
"I don't know what you need from me," she admitted softly. "Or what I'm supposed to do."
Scion's golden eyes seemed to pierce through her, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something—recognition, perhaps, or understanding. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, leaving her more uncertain than ever.
Kevin had left her with little guidance, only cryptic warnings and vague reassurances. "Scion listens, but he doesn't always understand," he had said. "Be careful with your words, Lisette. They have more power than you realize."
She thought about the world beyond the pier, the countless lives unknowingly depending on her decisions. The pressure was immense, almost paralyzing. But she couldn't afford to be paralyzed. She had to act, had to find a way to communicate with Scion, to guide him without causing harm.
She recalled the third meeting they had. Jokingly, she had said she needed 10,000 pounds to buy her mother the expensive vase she always wanted. Scion had disappeared and reappeared two minutes later, carrying exactly 10,000 pounds. It wasn't until the next day that Lisette realized that, in those two minutes, Scion had robbed a bank, flying through the front door and blasting the vault open with a golden beam.
Since that day, Lisette had grown wary of what she said to Scion.
"Scion, can you… can you help people in need?" she asked, choosing her words carefully. "Protect them?"
Scion remained silent, his expression unreadable. Lisette's heart sank. She had hoped for some sign, some indication that he understood. But there was nothing.
"I'll see you next week," she said finally, defeated. She turned to leave, the weight of her responsibility pressing down on her with every step. Behind her, Scion vanished, leaving only the cold wind and the dark sea.
As she walked away from the pier, Lisette vowed to keep trying. She couldn't give up, not when so much was at stake. She would find a way to reach Scion, to harness his power for good. She had to. The world was counting on her.
Lisette returned to her apartment, the city lights flickering below her window. She sank into her chair, exhaustion washing over her. The enormity of her task loomed over her, but she couldn't afford to falter. She opened her laptop, reviewing Kevin's sparse notes once more. Every detail, no matter how small, could be crucial.
She remembered the stories of Scion's origin, the myths and speculations that surrounded him. Some said he was an alien, others a god. Kevin had believed that Scion was a construct, a being created for a purpose even he didn't fully understand. Lisette wondered if she would ever unravel the truth, if she could ever connect with Scion in a way that would make a difference.
With renewed determination, Lisette prepared for the day ahead. She had a mission, and she wouldn't rest until she found a way to make Scion understand. For her sake, and for the world's.