Darkness.
Then—light.
A dull ache pulsed in Damian's head as his eyes fluttered open. His vision blurred, senses sluggish, the world around him unfamiliar. The ceiling above shimmered with intricate geometric patterns, glowing with soft blue light.
This wasn't his room.
He pushed himself upright, fingers sinking into silken sheets beneath him. The walls emitted a dim silver-blue hue, and a floating console hovered beside the bed, shifting symbols across its surface.
Then, he saw it.
Beyond the window, a crimson sun dominated the sky.
His breath hitched.
Towering spires stretched toward the heavens, sleek structures with impossible designs—breathtaking. Alien.
Not Earth.
A jolt of panic shot through him as he turned to his reflection in the glass. A stranger stared back—a teenager. Tousled dark hair, striking blue eyes, features younger than he remembered.
His heart pounded.
This isn't my body. This isn't my world.
A sharp beep shattered the silence.
The door slid open with a soft whoosh, and a woman entered. Tall, elegant, with long dark hair and piercing blue eyes. There was something warm yet commanding about her presence.
Something stirred deep in his chest. Recognition.
She was his mother.
"Damian, honey," she said gently. "Dinner is ready. How are you feeling?"
His mind raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I'm… fine."
Relief softened her face as she stepped forward, wrapping him in a gentle embrace.
"Good," she murmured. "You had a bad concussion last week. Doctor Jor-El said you still need rest."
His body tensed.
Jor-El?
Superman's father?
Before he could react, something flickered in his vision. A glowing notification hovered at the edge of his sight.
[Welcome, Host.]
His breath hitched.
His mother didn't react. She couldn't see it.
Exhaling slowly, he steadied himself. Then he noticed something strange—despite the initial shock, his emotions weren't spiraling out of control. His mind remained clear, his breathing even.
That wasn't normal.
Realization struck. It must be my Kryptonian physiology.
Unlike a human body, his nervous system felt… optimized. His emotions, while present, were easy to control, as if his mind naturally filtered out unnecessary panic. It wasn't just mental discipline—it was biological.
He clenched his fists experimentally. No trembling, no erratic heartbeat. Interesting.
"I'm fine," he managed, shaking off the shock.
She cupped his cheek, then stepped back. "Alright. Come down soon."
The door slid shut behind her.
Damian exhaled slowly, hands clenched.
This wasn't just reincarnation. Something else was happening.
His gaze locked onto the floating text. "Open," he whispered.