The morning sun, filtered through the polarized windows, cast a cool, sterile light across Samael's room.
He sat at the desk idly fiddling with a small, metallic sphere with his fingers. It was a habit he'd developed after his father gave it to him, a way to channel the restless energy that simmered beneath the surface.
The door hissed open, and Lex Luthor entered, his presence immediately commanding the space.
Behind him, as always, was Mercy Graves.
"Good morning, Samael," Lex stated, his gaze sweeping over the room, assessing everything with practiced precision. "I trust you're finding your accommodations… satisfactory?"
Samael tossed the sphere in the air and caught it with a casual flick of his wrist. "Yeah, Dad, it's great. Though I'm starting to feel like a lab rat. When do I get to see the outside world?"
Lex's expression didn't change. "Patience. There are… preparations to be made. You've been absent for a long time. The world has changed."
Samael leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms. "So I've gathered," he said, gesturing to the overflowing bookshelves. "Thanks for the reading material. It's like drinking from a firehose, though. I didn't know there was so much to learn."
Lex approached the desk, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You possess a unique gift, son. Your capacity for learning is… exceptional. The… spell… appears to have been more effective than anticipated."
Samael suppressed a smile. If only he knew the real source of his knowledge.
"I guess I'm a good student," he said, feigning modesty.
"Good is insufficient," Lex countered, his voice firm. "You have the potential to be extraordinary. To surpass even my own achievements."
He paused, his gaze intensifying. "I've reviewed the initial assessments. Your retention rate is… remarkable. You absorb information with almost supernatural efficiency. It's more than just intelligence, Samael. You possess an eidetic memory."
Lex circled the desk, his mind clearly working through the implications. "This changes things," he said, more to himself than to Samael. "It eliminates the need for… remedial education. We can accelerate your development, focus on more advanced pursuits."
He stopped, his gaze piercing. "However, raw knowledge is useless without context, without understanding. You need more than just facts, Samael. You need to learn how to think, how to analyze, how to strategize. To learn when to trust people, and when to betray them."
Samael raised an eyebrow. "And how do you propose I do that? Lock me in here with more books?"
Lex's lips quirked in a rare, almost-smile. "Hardly. You need experience, Samael. You need exposure. You need… a challenge."
He gestured to the books on the desk. "Continue your studies. Focus on history, economics, and political science.
Understand the forces that shape the world, the motivations that drive human behavior. But also," he grabbed a pamphlet from the table, "Start looking into colleges. Find something that suits your needs."
"College?" Samael asked, frowning.
"You need to present a public image," Lex said with a shrug, "You can't just stay here all day, people will start to ask questions.
And if you want to be seen as a normal, smart, young man, you need to get a degree. Especially with your 'condition', it would be a great way to show how resilient you are, and how you are able to achieve all that despite it.
As well, you need to start networking, making friends, and allies, or whatever the case may be."
"So you want me to go to college, huh?" Samael asked, more stating it out loud for himself than asking as he tilted his head.
"It's not a matter of want, but need," Lex said, his voice cold, "You need to do all that I say, or face the consequences of making mistakes."
"And then what?" Samael asked, leaning forward. "What's the endgame here, Dad? What do you want me to do with all this knowledge?"
Lex's expression became unreadable. He turned away, walking towards the window, his gaze fixed on the city below. "The world needs leadership, Samael," he said, his voice low. "It needs vision, it needs strength, it needs… control. I intend to provide it."
He paused, turning back to face Samael. "And you, my son, will play a key role in my plans. But first, you need to be prepared. You need to be educated, you need to be experienced, and you need to be… protected."
He gestured to the door, where Mercy Graves stood silently. "Which brings me to my next point."
He paused, his gaze softening. "I understand that you're eager to see the outside world, to experience the freedom that has been denied to you for so long.
I intend to grant you that freedom, Samael. But I cannot allow you to do so without adequate protection."
He looked over to the door, signaling for the figure that was there to come forward.
"Samael, meet your bodyguard," Lex said. "She will be responsible for your safety, your security, and your well-being."
The figure stepped forward, emerging from the shadows. Samael's eyes widened in surprise.
It was a woman, barely older than himself, with short, dark hair and piercing blue eyes and some asian features. She was dressed in a simple, black suit, but Samael could sense the strength and agility that lay beneath.
There was also something else, something familiar, something he's seen in his - Lucifer's - reflection in the waters from when he recently received the Mark. Something… broken in her eyes.
"This is… Wren," Lex said, his voice carefully neutral. "She is highly skilled, exceptionally discreet, and completely loyal. She will be your constant companion, your shadow, your guardian angel."
Samael looked at the woman, studying her intently. He could sense the years of training, the dedication, the unwavering commitment to her duty.
"Wren," Samael said, testing the name. "Nice to meet you. I'm Samael."
The woman nodded curtly, her expression impassive. "It is my honor to serve you, Mr. Luthor," she said, her voice low and controlled.
"I trust you'll obey her orders without question," Lex interjected, his gaze hardening. "Her priority is your safety. Disobeying her could have… consequences."
Samael met his father's gaze, his expression defiant. "I'm not a child, Dad," he said. "I can take care of myself."
"You're new," Lex said with a shrug, "You have no experience in the world, so it is something you need to understand."
He paused, his gaze shifting to the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to. Wren will brief you on the security protocols. I expect you to cooperate fully."
With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Samael alone with his new bodyguard.
Samael watched him go, then turned his attention to Wren. He circled her, studying her like a predator sizing up its prey. She stood perfectly still, her eyes following his every move.
"So," he said, breaking the silence. "Wren, huh? What kind of name is that?"
The woman's expression didn't change. "It's an alias," she said, her voice flat. "For security purposes."
"Right," Samael said, nodding slowly. "So, what's the real name?"
The woman hesitated, her eyes flickering towards the door. "That information is not relevant," she said.
"Maybe not," Samael said, grinning. "But I'm curious. And I have a feeling we're going to be spending a lot of time together. I like to know who I'm working with."
The woman remained silent, her gaze unwavering. Samael stared back, challenging her, testing her.
"You know my name, but I don't know yours," Samael added, his expression more serious. "Seems a little unfair."
"Life isn't fair," she responded, her voice dry.
"Is that some sort of motto you guys have?" Samael teased, "You know, the whole 'silent bodyguard' shtick? Or is that just you?"
The woman's lips twitched slightly, but she didn't smile. "I follow orders, Mr. Luthor. That's all you need to know."
"I don't like not knowing things," Samael said, his voice dangerous now. "And I definitely don't like people who won't talk to me."
The woman took a step closer, her eyes narrowing. "Are you threatening me, Mr. Luthor?"
Samael laughed, a cold, humorless sound. "Threatening you? No. Just stating a fact. I'm curious, and I'm persistent. Eventually, I'll find out what I want to know. It's just a matter of time."
The woman stared at him for a long moment, her gaze searching his face. Then, she sighed, relenting slightly.
"My orders are to protect you, Mr. Luthor, not to share my life story," she said, her voice still guarded. "Please don't make this more difficult than it needs to be."
"Difficult?" Samael chuckled. "Life is unfair like you said, meaning difficult. So what's one more challenge?"
He turned away, walking towards the window, his gaze fixed on the city below.
He glanced back at Wren, studying her intently. She stood silently by the door, her eyes scanning the room, ever vigilant.
"So, Wren," Samael stated, "College. What are your thoughts?"
"It's a waste of time," Wren stated.
"What makes you say that?" Samael shot back, "You think I don't need more knowledge?"
"You do, but college is not the way to get it," Wren said, shrugging, "It's better to have practical skill than to know of something. To do, not to learn about it."
"And what practical skill do you suppose I get?" Samael asked, looking at her with a smirk.
"You need to learn to fight," Wren stated, "While I can protect you, you being able to defend yourself is a must.
And from what Mr. Luthor said, it also helps you to get used to controlling your powers. Something that I think would be a far better way than to go to college."
'Huh, so she knows about my abilities, interesting. Quite the trust from the old man,'
Samael chuckled, "So what do you plan to do? Take me out to the woods and start beating me up until I get it?"
"If that is what it takes, then yes," Wren stated, "But that is not the only way. There are many ways to train, and I'm sure Mr. Luthor can provide us with the best resources available. The question is, do you want to?"
"I don't even know if I want to go to college, but I guess learning to fight is something I can do," Samael stated with a shrug.
Like he needed to learn, with his archangel instincts, he was perhaps one of the greatest warriors the universe has ever seen simply through talent alone.
"Then that is good," Wren said, nodding her head, "I will prepare the schedule for you, and we will begin tomorrow."
"What about the whole college thing? I doubt my dad would let it go," Samael said, "What do you think he will do?"
Wren paused, her gaze flickering towards the door, before looking back, "Then we will do it, as well. We can do both, study and train. Mr. Luthor wants you to study, then study you shall."
Samael smirked, "But what about the whole protect thing? You can't be with me all the time."
"I will," Wren stated, "If I can't, I will have people I trust take my place. You will never be alone."
"And what happens if I want to be alone?" Samael asked, "What if I want to go somewhere without you?"
"Then I will follow you without you knowing," Wren said, "It is my job to protect you, and if that means invading your personal space, then so be it."
"So there's nothing I can do?" Samael asked.
'As if,' He thought to himself but feigned relenting as he sighed, "Welp, at least I can get to do something. So what do you have in mind for me?"
"I will prepare the documents for you to enroll into college," Wren stated, "As well as the training schedule and the diet you should follow. Is there anything you would like to say?"
"So you'll just decide everything for me?" Samael asked with a frown.
"No, you can voice your opinion, and I will take it into consideration, as long as it doesn't affect your safety," Wren said, "What college do you want to go to?"
Samael paused, thinking, "I don't know, what colleges are there?"
"There is Metropolis University, Gotham University, and so on," Wren stated, "Mr. Luthor would prefer you to go to Metropolis University. It is the best, as well as closest to home."
"I'd rather not," Samael stated, "I want to go somewhere else. Somewhere where people won't know me, and I can be myself. Or at least, try to."
Not really, since no one will know him anyway, he's simply bored and interested in what she'll do if he makes her angry.
Wren paused, "And where would you like to go?"
"I want to go to Gotham University," Samael stated.
Nope, he has half a mind to wipe that cesspit from the face of the planet, body burning be damned.
"Gotham is dangerous, Mr. Luthor," Wren said, "I cannot allow it."
"But you just said you'd listen to my opinion," Samael protested.
"And I will, but I cannot allow you to go to Gotham. It is too dangerous," Wren said, "I will not put you in danger."
"And what makes you think I can't handle it?" Samael asked, frowning.
"I know what you can do, and what you can't," Wren said, "You are not ready for Gotham. It is a city that will chew you up and spit you out."
"So what now?" Samael asked, "Are we just gonna go in circles?"
"If you want to go to Gotham, then I will allow it, but you need to prove to me that you can handle it," Wren stated.
"And how do I do that?" Samael asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You will train with me, and if I deem you ready, then I will allow you to go," Wren said, "Is that acceptable?"
Samael pondered, before nodding, "Deal."
Wren nodded, "Then I will prepare the documents for Gotham University, as well as your training schedule. Is there anything else?"
Samael paused, "Yeah, what's your real name?"
Wren looked at him, before shaking her head, "That is all, Mr. Luthor."
Samael sighed, "I'll get it out of you eventually."
With that, the two left it at that, with Samael wondering what kind of future awaited him in this new world.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter!
Do tell me how you found it. So who is Wren? She isn't an OC I'll tell you that much.
Samael simply isn't recognizing her.
Do tell me if I should reveal it now or you want to find out with Samael.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)