There is Power in Death

Chapter 32

"Just make sure no one finds out where you live."

"Sure thing."

"I'm going to go get my new key, I'll pick up Oliver's too."

I look over to Oliver and he's staring at the TV, which someone has turned back on. My money's on Al.

"Oliver? You okay?"

"I-is that really you? A-aren't you g-going to get a lot of b-backlash f-for it?"

"What do you mean?"

"W-well since y-you were on a d-date with B-Benji who the m-media thinks i-is male. W-won't you g-get attacked b-by homophobes o-online?"

"It's amazing that you care, but hate is just something that comes with being famous. I've been out as asexual to the media for quite some time now, and only got a lot of hate for it when I came out. If people hate on me now, then it won't make a difference. I don't want to please the whole world, only myself and my friends."

"Th-that's amazing!"

"Not really. I'm just used to it. That reminds me, I should talk to the reporters and tell them that I can have an interview."

"I agree, it would be good to sort out the chaos in the media," Benji agrees.

"And to correct your pronouns."

"Thanks."

We leave the news on, but only because Oliver likes it. It's all about me, which is annoying. There are more important things in the world than my reappearance. I call the news office and tell them to set up an interview. Talan comes back with his keys and Oliver's. Maddy comes back a few minutes later.

"Okay, so that took longer than anticipated. Mr. Silvia gave the okay and I had to sign some paperwork for him. Alegra is officially Oliver's new mentor."

Oliver's face lights up. We're going to make sure he is well taken care of. Al looks pretty happy about it too.

"Th-thank you. I-I didn't ask for y-you guys to do th-this, but thanks."

"It's no problem. You were in a bad place. Also, Al might tease you, but she does that to everyone and never means it. Just a warning."

"Okay."

"Well, I will take care of Oliver when he's at Head Quarters."

"Guess this means our group is bigger now. We should take a group photo sometime," I suggest.

"That's a great idea! We should do it while we're at work in a cool spot," Benji says.

We all nod in agreement and Talan opens a portal that leads us a block away from HQ.

"Hey, do you think we should tell him about the vision?" Al asks me.

"Actually, I'm not sure. We should ask him if he wants to know."

"Okay. I'll do that then. When we get to HQ."

I can tell that Al really wants to take care of Oliver. She probably went through something similar, which is why I won't ask about it. When I see the new building I freeze. It's massive. I can't tell how many floors it has, but I know that it's a lot. We enter and it looks even bigger. There's even a secretary and desk when we walk in. We have to show him our Phanter IDs and he lets us continue on, though he was about to let us pass anyways because he was scared of Talan. Talan leads us through the halls to an elevator, which we take to the fourteenth floor. There are fifteen floors, and Mr. Silvia's office is on the fourteenth.

"Why are we going to Mr. Silvia's?" Al asks.

Talan never said why, we just followed him here.

"He wanted to talk to us again. I don't know why."

There are several security guards in front of his office, and one of them doesn't seem to be doing a very good job.

"Oh my gosh! Are you Alex Seles? I've been a fan for so long! I didn't know you had a job! At your father's company no less! This is a dream come true. Can I have your autograph?"

"I'm kind of busy right now. Can you let us in?"

"I'm sorry for his behavior. You may come in after showing us your IDs." the other security guard apologizes.

"It's no problem."

My fathers company? Why am I not surprised.

"Oh, and are you the guy that he was on a date with?"

"I'm sorry, but my partner's pronouns are they/them. Please leave them alone."

"Right, sorry."

We show them our IDs and they open the door. Both of them are still alive, and would definitely lose in a fight against any Phanter.

When they open the door I see a horrific sight. My father is standing with Mr. Silvia in the office.

"Hello, Alex. It's been a while."

"Father."

Why does he have to be here? Especially now. 

"I would like to speak with you in private."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said no."

I'm done with his shit. I won't put up with it.

"How dare you speak to me like that! I can get you fired."

"Just try that, father. You should be afraid of me, shouldn't you? After all, that's the reason I haven't seen you since then."

"H-how do you remember that?"

"Does that matter? No, I don't think it does. You may think you have power over me, but you don't. Go ahead, try to fire me."

I glare at him with cold eyes.

"No, I'm sorry. I will be taking my leave now."

As soon as he leaves the room, Benji asks what that was about. I decide to tell them later.

"So, why did you call us in here, and why was Mr. Seles here?"

"Well, he kind of found out that I wanted to talk to you, and decided to wait. I don't think he was expecting you to lash out at him like that."

"Well, I hate his guts. He should know that by now."

"So, I called you six here because I have another job for you. It has something to do with Hectie. I need you to contact him."

"And why is that?"

"The demons are getting out of hand. I figured the best way to vanquish them would be to try to convince the source to take them back."

"I mean, I would, but I don't know how."

"You do now!" Hectie appears in front of us.

"Jeez! What the hell?"

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