#jake lockley

"Master Y/N, who did this to you? Are you alright? When we find-"

"Alfred stop." You cut him off. Your head ached and you were still reeling from what happened. Did you just dream all of that? You didn't die? Where was the dragon? The dark beach? The lighthouse? The star??

You were going to look into this later but right now you needed rest and maybe a way to cope with the fact that you literally survived a murder attempt.

"I must tell Master Bruce of this. How is she so calm? She needs therapy, I'll get it arranged."

You took in a sharp breath at his words.

"No. Don't do that. Don't tell Bruce." You sat up as your heart rate monitor started beeping erratically.

Alfred rushed closer to you and stared at you with a look of confusion and shock. "Master Y/N I didn't say anything. And What do you mean you don't want me to tell Master Bruce? Do you understand the severity of what happened to you? If someone hadn't found you in time you would've-" His voice cracked.

You found yourself feeling guilty. Out of all your family members --- Alfred was by far the most caring and attentive towards you. Seeing him like this honestly broke your heart. Despite this, for some reason you didn't want the family knowing what happened. You just didn't. In fact, you didn't want to speak to them at all. The whole reason why you became a target was because they always ignored you, and that created the narrative that you were a mutant. Your ostracization is what led to you nearly being killed. The ostracization your family was responsible for.

But what did he mean when he said that he didn't say anything? You had clearly heard him say he was going to tell Bruce about what happened or were you just imagining things? You stared at Alfred inquisitively as he stared at you with poorly concealed worry.

"She's not doing well, I best get the doctor in."

Your eyes widened.

Okay you definitely heard Alfred's voice. Why the hell didn't you see his lips move? Okay so you were losing it. Great. That's wonderful! You're hearing voices now! Great! Great.

You let out a deep sigh before glancing at Alfred, "May I please be left alone right now? And remember, don't tell Bruce. Alfred I'm begging you, I'll tell him in good time, okay?"

Alfred gave you a look before hesitantly leaving the room.

You laid down and closed your eyes. Your head hurt. You felt awful.

--

You were back in the manor after a day or two. The doctors were stunned at your fast recovery. You didn't even scar.

You should've been happy at being back but you weren't. Your family didn't even blink an eye at your absence, would they have even cared if you died?

It was painful to think about. That the people you've done nothing but love continuously try their hardest to avoid you.

You were currently in your room, the sound of laughter echoed around the manor. Movie night. Alfred had asked if you wanted to join them. About three days ago you would've said yes and happily tried to interact with them; brushing aside their empty looks and well hidden disappointed slouches at your presence but you're not going to. Not anymore. You're going to stay in your room, and return the treatment.

Your eyes felt heavy as you nuzzled in your pillow. You were so exhausted, it was 8pm. You never slept this early. Yet there was this slight drowsiness that kept looming over you.

You sighed as you gave in to fatigue.

--

"Hello, we finally meet~"

Oh yeah, you've officially lost it. Is this a dream? You looked around and couldn't see anything. It was pitch black.

"Please do not fret, I am real. I'm as real as the hairs on your head and the limbs on your body." A feminine voice echoed out in the void. There was also a strong light beginning to emerge..you then realised it was the star from the other dream.

"You know if I was bald that probably wouldn't really apply.." You responded with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you bald?" The voice asked with slight amusement.

You can lie and say yes..

"Don't even think about it."

There goes that idea.

"Are you some figment of my imagination? Are you real because of my loneliness." You rubbed your eyes.

"No."

"Then who are you?"

"How good is your knowledge of Greek Mythos?"

"Ooo..decent."

"I am Astraea."

"Wow. So I really am going crazy. Goodness, Y/N you nearly got killed, and decided to make an imaginary friend that just so happens to be a Goddess. Thats just swell."

"Again, I'm real. Stop promoting otherwise."

"If you're real, prove it."

--

You were awoken to this incredibly loud ringing in your ears and something wet on your pillow. You opened your eyes groggily and turned to glance at your hands.

Blood. There was blood on your hands.

You gasped and stood up. Touching your face you were met with more blood.

You were having a nosebleed.

The ringing in your ears persisted.

You groaned as you clutched your head and shoved your head on to the bed. You let out a scream into the sheets as the pain worsened.

As you stayed there, black spots clouded your vision before you went limp.

--

You woke up in bed again.

Just how many times were you going to pass out?

You sat up and noticed that the blood was gone and your head was painless again.

"Okay, let's try this again" the voice vibrated in your skull. "I'm Astraea. The Goddess of Justice, Innocence, Truth and Stars, also called Star Maiden. I lost faith in humanity eons ago, but your soul has drawn me back here again.." She explained, her voice echoing.

Was it weird to say you felt the vibrations in your eyes?

"What do you want from me?" You asked aloud.

"I want nothing from you. I want you. Your essence, your pure soul, and your delicious newly gained senses." She stated with delight

"I'm sorry, what?"

"When you died-"

"Wait died?? I actually died?"

"Yes but I brought you back. I gave you a second chance. Now back to what I was saying --- When you died, your true potential unlocked. Which caught my attention. You sure are one powerful psychic. I have never seen anything like it, besides Athena of course. You need training. We can help each other, naturally, we enhance one another's abilities, isn't it so fascinating? I can use your body to bring justice to this world and you can benefit." The Goddess explained casually, like she didn't just admit to resurrecting you.

"So basically what you're saying is, you've decided to inhabit my body just so you can use my body?"

"Yes."

You stood up and began pacing around your room.

"Why me? Wait does this mean I'm actually a mutant? Why me? There are tons of good psychics out there. Why the hell would you go for me?" You went on as you walked around with a hand on your forehead.

"I'm going to be truthful with you, young one but I have seen your life. I have seen how you have been cast aside. Punished for nothing. Overlooked. Underestimated. Yet despite this you remain kind towards others, even those who do not deserve it. I am here to tell you that's unnecessary. You can direct that love elsewhere, somewhere that will actually appreciate you. Devote yourself, not to your family, but to justice, to the stars. No longer are you Y/N Wayne, you are my warrior and you shall fight alongside me to protect the innocent." The voice gently echoed as you looked at your fingers.

Your silence must've been an invitation to continue because the voice --- or Astraea. Continued on.

"Will you accept my offer, young one? Will you fight to serve and protect the helpless, to be a beacon of hope to those who were like you? To be a shining light?

"How would I-"

"So that's a yes?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't say no either. So it's done! You shall be my host! Oh we will have great enjoyment with one another, young one!" She said with excitedly

Oh brother.

--

That led you to now. It was currently midnight and you were in your room.

"It's time. I am going to let you experience your powers."

"Do you have to? I mean I've lasted about fifteen years without them.."

"These abilities are a part of you now and forever, the longer I keep them away from you, the weaker you get --- until you ultimately perish."

"Really?"

"You're one of the most powerful psychics I've ever come across, young one. Preventing you from feeling that, does you more harm than good. Besides, you need them for our first task tonight." Astraea chastised you.

"Which is..?"

"We're meeting an old friend."

"Okay."

"I'm going to let you feel now." She said with finality.

You took in a deep breath and nodded.

The first thing you felt was immense heat at your chest and head. It was comfortable but odd. You clutched your head as the heat got greater and made you double over.

Then the pain subsided, and you felt enlightened.

As if you had new blood coursing through your veins.

You blinked and looked out the window.

“Let's find your friend.”