Metahumans

"Metahuman" is a term used to describe any human being with what is commonly described as "superpowers".

The Metagene
The prefix meta-, in this context, simply means "beyond"—as in metastable, which is "beyond regular stability; ready to collapse at the slightest disruption", or metamorphosis, which is "the state of going beyond a single shape". So, "metahuman" simply describes persons and/or abilities beyond normal human limits.

Humans had a "biological variant" he called the meta-gene. This gene often lay dormant until a moment of extraordinary physiological stress activated it, and upon activation, it would use the source of the stress as a catalyst for "genetic change," resulting in metahuman abilities.

There are also people born with superhuman abilities, suggesting the metagene can activate spontaneously and without any prior appearance in the ancestry.

Some metahumans may be born with incredible and incomprehensible powers and abilities. Examples of powers shared by many individuals include telepathy, telekinesis, flight, the ability to project energy, accelerated healing; and enhanced physical strength, agility, or senses—all to variable limits. Other metahumans may also experience a minor to a radical alteration in physical appearance from the human norm—wings, gills, a tail, fur, altered skin-color, etc.