Fenix still had his phone in his hand when he returned to Aura's room.
"He's in his office right now, and he's willing to meet us."
She was perched on the bed waiting and hopped to her feet after hearing what he said.
"Then let's hurry!" she replied eagerly.
Aura's excitement made him grin, but the moment Fenix thought about the dangers this mission might bring her, his heart sank.
They headed to Lightning Rod to see Pierce. He had his assistant Coal meet them at the door.
"Hey, Fenix. It's good to see you again. You haven't stopped by since returning to the island," he said cheerfully.
"I've been busy," Fenix replied in a neutral tone.
Coal then glanced at Aura, his expression softened instantly.
"This has to be Aura... wow, you didn't exaggerate in your reports at all, she's beautiful," he muttered.
"That's right," Fenix replied quickly, trying to mask his irritation, "Can you take us to my Father now?"
Coal's gaze lingered on Aura for a little longer before he tore his eyes away and laughed.
"Yeah, of course. Follow me."
He began leading the way, past several guards and other personnel, to an elevator.
They rode it to the top floor.
Coal stepped forward to open the office doors for Fenix and Aura, while giving them a polite bow.
Fenix wrinkled his nose, but Aura returned his gesture with a bow of her own.
Pierce sat hunched over his desk, glaring at a towering stack of papers.
When he noticed his guests entering, he sighed with relief, putting his papers away and whispering,
"Thank God they're here."
The two sat down across from him.
"So when are we leaving?" Fenix asked, getting straight to the point. Pierce sighed and said,
"We need to move while we still have public interest. The plan is to go in five days," Pierce leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "I need you to help recommend people for the support team. I've been looking through files all day, trying to find good candidates."
"I'm going," Aura announced, seeing this as a good opportunity.
Pierce gave a wide, overjoyed grin.
"Yes, you'd be an excellent addition to the mission based on your power set," he commented, while writing something down on his notepad as he carried on, speaking,
"We're moving with a small elite team. We're planning to peacefully announce our existence to the world while making our wishes, for our people, known... I'm having a hard time putting the team together, because some people are too vital to the island to be gone long enough for us to travel everywhere we need."
All the tension in Aura's body disappeared with Pierce's immediate approval, so she didn't hear everything said after that.
"... I met a few people from the academy that I think fit. Their powers work well in a team, and they don't have large roles on the Talitha yet. I'll ask them for help," Fenix suggested.
"That might work... You know the student's abilities better than I, and it'll save me a lot of time. With that, I can focus on packing and planning out the details of the trip." Pierce's response gave Aura an idea.
"Fenix hasn't fought him so he wouldn't know, but there's an amazing student I want to recommend! With enough time, he easily overpowers everyone and he's the best support a team can have as well!" She said energetically. Fenix's eyebrows rose, and Pierce gave her his full attention.
"Who is it? I'll look over his file." Pierce inquired as he opened his desk drawer and pulled out several folders.
"Caster Nova," Aura said, beaming with confidence. Pierce flipped through several folders until he found a stack of papers with Caster's name on it.
"B-level threat with SSS-tier threat potential," he read aloud while skimming through the documents.
"He's very laidback and never enters fighting competitions, but during mandatory displays of abilities, he always outdoes everyone in his class. He can boost his own stats, such as defense, speed, and strength. He can also grant those boosts to his teammates." Aura spoke quickly, raising one finger, "The one downside is that it takes a few minutes before the enhancements are remarkable, but if we all get boosted before going into danger zones, we'll be practically invincible."
Fenix blinked with a surprised expression. He hadn't considered Caster, but he was one of the final people to fall when they were liberating the Academy.
"I can recommend a few others. Flow, of course, for her healing skills and close-range combat skills. Also, the Specter brothers, Veil and Vision." Fenix offered.
As Pierce looked through more paperwork, Aura slowly leaned to Fenix's ear to whisper,
"I thought you hated them."
He chuckled lightly.
"Veil is a person who can demand obedience from anyone within earshot. Vision can make it appear that we have more people with us, and his clones would make the perfect bodyguards. How I feel about them doesn't matter."
"Perfect!" Pierce shouted, startling both of them, "I wasn't expecting you to come up with suggestions so quickly! Should I send someone to recruit, or do you think they'd accept more readily if the invitation comes from you?"
Aura thought over his question quietly.
"I think it would be better to send someone," Fenix answered awkwardly, then he muttered under his breath, "They'd never agree if I asked."
"No..." Aura interjected, "They're my friends, I think it would be best if I asked them."
Her heart raced, and she trembled as she spoke. She'd been oblivious about it before, but after everything, it's clear now...
They've been with her for years, supported her when she was depressed, stuck by her even when she ignored them or lashed out.
They were her friends.
"Alright, then I'll ask Flow and leave the other three to Aura," Pierce said with a nod toward Aura and a light smile before turning toward his son and adding,
"Fenix, I'll need your help to recruit around three more people for a complete team."
"I will have the new member chosen by tomorrow," Fenix replied.
Pierce sighed with relief and then stood from his chair.
"I really appreciate this," he said, while walking over and hugging Aura's shoulders. It didn't last long at all, but Aura tensed on impact, and Fenix's expression fell.
"Sorry, I just wanted to hug someone, and I know that son of mine would just push me away," Pierce grumbled while cutting his eyes at Fenix.
Fenix sneered, but before he could say anything, Aura said,
"I appreciate you allowing me to join this mission."
Her face was flushed, and she avoided eye contact.
"It wouldn't make sense to leave you behind," Pierce commented as he pulled her in for another hug.
Aura reluctantly returned the hug, lightly patting his back.
"You are strong, your power is versatile, and you are my family now. You would in no way be a burden. I welcome you to the team."
Aura's palm rested on his back.
"Thank you," she whispered. Fenix sighed, looking out the window.
After ending the hug, Pierce returned to his seat.
"We'll talk more later," he said while putting the stack of papers back on his desk and frowning deeply.
"Alright," Fenix replied, standing, and Aura rose to her feet and added,
"Thanks again,"
Pierce smirked.
As they walked to the exit, Fenix held her hand. Aura's cheeks warmed, and she shyly looked off to the side, missing Fenix flicking Coal off just before they boarded the elevator.
Coal stood there stunned, and when the doors closed, he laughed so hard that he had to hold his stomach and lean against the wall for support.
"Who knew the young master was so easy to tease?" he noted, wiping a tear from his eye and catching his breath.
With great reluctance, Aura and Fenix separated so she could visit the Specter brothers alone.
"I'm going to miss you," he muttered, nuzzling his cheek on hers and cuddling her close.
"It won't be long," she assured, gently pulling from his embrace.
Fenix's arms hung in the air, and he sighed.
"Fine... call me when you're done," he muttered. Aura nodded, then they took off flying in opposite directions.
She landed at Vision's place first. He answered quickly and froze when he saw her.
"Hey, can I come in?" she asked.
He hadn't heard her.
Vision stood quietly staring at her in disbelief, only snapping out of it when she said,
"Vision, are you okay?"
He blinked hard, and his brain finally registered what she asked.
"Of course, come in," he said, moving aside.
She walked to his living room and sat down,
"The layout of our apartments is so similar," she commented, then she shook her head and put on a serious face, "I wanted to ask you something, you're free to refuse."
It was too nerve-racking to make eye contact, so Vision stared down at the floor as he responded,
"What do you need?"
Aura opened her mouth to speak, then stopped herself and thought.
She took a few more seconds before answering.
"First, I wanted to thank you for making sure I had food while I was going crazy."
His pulse quickened, and he smiled, keeping his gaze down.
"My brother and I took turns bringing your meals," he humbly admitted.
Aura grinned,
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to thank him, too. I'm lucky to have such good friends."
Vision turned to meet her eyes.
"I wasn't expecting such gratitude, but you're welcome," he replied teasingly. Aura smirked.
"I wanted to ask something important of you and your brother," she began.
Vision's eyebrows rose, and then he listened to her explain the mission.
After Aura finished speaking, he looked back down at the carpet, running through the details in his head before answering,
"I'll go if Veil agrees."