2024-12-10 18:22:21Arome was nervous, his feet slowly tapped a rhythm into the lobby floor as he waited for his turn to be called in for the interview. Like all men, past a certain age, you have to step up and start looking after yourself, get a job, pay the bills, maybe snag a babe and be all right.
Except, of course, reality was a far different place than what most would imagine. 75% of the jobs are now automated by robotics and artificial intelligence. Any extra work or job that is usually only available is off the world, except, of course, you’re one of the lucky few to get a job in an earth corporation.
That was saying something though, four years of college, studying Human and Powered Management Logistics. He had studied to be a supes manager, a course many people had called him foolish for picking. If he had power of his own, then it would not have been a problem. But therein lies the problem. If he had power of his own, why not join the hero League?
Arome scoffed, the hero league was a joke, he’d spend his life fighting crime and aliens, demons from other dimensions or some other idiot who felt the only way to get meaning out of their lives was to leave chaos in the world. But for him and many others in the world, that was just a dream…he had no power.
“Mr. Arome the C.O.O will see you now.” Arome swallowed, the moment of truth had arrived. And he doubted he was more qualified than any of the people here, but this corporation was trying to start a team of their own and the interviews to find proper managers for their team were intense.
Falcon-Eagle Industrial Corporation has been at the forefront of construction and raw material processing. They were one of the companies that built super resistant houses, cars, made materials and also made suits for the super population. They were looking to expand their operations into the superhero business, and that was tricky waters.
Nevertheless, each individual manager would be assigned to a supe. Before answering to the head manager, who oversaw the entire team, the job was not that hard. You basically are at the beck and call of your supe, handling logistics, arranging trainers, branded deals, sometimes being a legal representative also helps. Basically, the manager runs a team of workers who’s only job is to make sure the super they are attached to look the best that they possibly can
Arome stepped into the office that was being used for the test. There were more than a dozen individuals in there. 7 of them were probably signed members of this new super team, they were in full superhero ensemble wearing a dark blue, white and gold one-piece uniform and-half-face mask that covered their lower jaws and kept their identity a secret.
Of course, in this day and age, not all supers had identities that were secret. In fact, most of them could not be bothered with the hassle of keeping a secret identity. Of course, that puts their families and loved ones in the danger of retribution, but protection for family members was also part of the manager's job. Basically, it was like building a company around the stock of one individual.
“Please have a seat, Mr.… Arome Idu?”
“Yes sir-thank you sir.” He replied as he took a seat before the tribunal that would decide his fate and future.
At this point in time, there was no turning back for him. That was all he could do now. Five years in this country, an immigrant coming to college to work hard and finally make a name for himself, and then maybe one day go home and right all the wrongs he had left behind.
“Your name… any relation to the Idu royal family? The one where the Star-Lion comes from?”
It took a lot of willpower for Arome not to scowl at the mention of his younger cousin’s name. But still, at this point in time, he didn’t have much of a choice. He needed this job, and if he had to rely on old family connections to get it, then he would. He could not completely take himself out of the superhero business, there was just nothing else out there for him. And his family had a name that used to be capable of opening doors, of course not anymore. But lingering sentiments of a bygone era just might be what he needs to get a leg up.
“Yeah… I’m a direct descendant of the Idu Royal Family. Star-Lion… is my younger cousin.” Short, precise, and to the point, and hopefully that was enough for them, and they could move on with the questions.
“Wait! Are you really the Star Lions’ cousin? The Banished Prince? That’s you right? You were supposed to be in line for the throne, but you were never born without powers, especially the Lion-Star power of your family. What are you doing here, man?”
One of the supers that he might end up managing, spoke up. From her voice he could tell she was excited, and her voice was enough to give her away as a female. He gave her a smile and an answer.
“I’m just looking for a job, ma’am.” He said to her, causing a small wave of chuckles to spread across the room.
Arome released a tense breath he had not known he was holding. Sure there was a huge scandal attached to his name, but these days, who do not have a scandal or two of their own attached to their name. Now though, they’d be ready to see if he was qualified, or he was just some spoiled royal brat with no powers to fall back on, but without the sense to back off from the superhero business. Managers were almost always supers too.
“It says here you graduated from Oxford with honors in human and super-powered management logistics. You want to take our jobs or something?” one of the examiners asked. That was good for Arome though. An examiner willing to joke at least meant he had a shot, or he could be wrong, and this person is just that jovial.
“On the contrary sir, I don’t think I have enough qualifications to fill any of your shoes. You’ve had years of study and experience in this business, I’m just a small fish in an ocean looking to the big sharks for guidance.” Arome replied with that well-practiced public smile.
“Well you certainly got the flattery aspect down, well moving on, outside of being extensively trained from a young age in public speaking, economy, business, and diplomacy. You have actually seen combat as part of your country’s military. You were a part of your kingdom’s air force and had an honorable discharge with the rank of Major.
And just for reference to the rest of my colleagues… I’ve taken the liberty of looking up your information in the UNCH database. Yes you don’t have to be so surprised, we have clout like that.” Arome raised an eyebrow at the person speaking, a stout woman with glasses, scrolling through a tablet.
She had not even raised her head up from what she was reading to know that Arome had gotten a little confused by the idea of them having access to classified files. There were things there he’d rather leave buried in the past, for both his sake and that of his family.
“36 combat missions in 3 years, no powers, yet every mission completed, every target either eliminated, extracted, inserted, or organization dismantled. We also have to take into consideration that you were 16 when you joined the Air Force.
Trained and cited as exemplary by the UN in espionage, drone piloting, in depth understanding and experience with a variety of military aircraft, strategic planning, infiltration and my personal favorite; Assassination. And all of this with not a single power to your name. In fact, the head of the UN wrote a report on you and I quote.
One of the most exemplary soldiers on earth, with a significant amount of untapped raw potential, but his lack of any feasible abilities is a detriment and would limit him for the rest of his life. The best soldier is nothing against the weakest hero… powers are everything, and he has none.”
Arome tried to keep the smile on his face. Years of practice bore fruit at that moment. The atmosphere had changed suddenly as the woman finally raised her head up to look at him. Arome met her gaze without fail, it was rude to look away after all.
This was a sore spot for him. The lack of powers has been his greatest weakness and limitation. For all of his life, and laying it bare like that, along with everything else he has done that he may or may not be proud of, Arome just felt like his dirty underwear was being shown to the world.
“I am aware of my… shortcomings. But powers or not, I believe my resume speaks for itself. I am probably the most qualified for the job and, depending on the situation, I am capable of incapacitating a super, and if the need calls for it, eliminate them.
As such, even if my client were to find themselves in a situation where a cool head and advanced combat experience is needed, then I’m the best person for the job. The reports in your hands can attest to my diligence and my abilities. I assure you, I am not an investment you will regret making.”
The older woman leaned back in her seat and leveled her gaze at Arome. But he held her gaze with a cool and calm manner. She was obviously trying to intimidate him, but Arome would not be shaken, not by her at least.
“I like you, Your highness. You’ve got the kind of spunk I’ve not seen in a royal in a very long time. Even without powers, I am sure your people must be very proud of the man you have become-”
Arome gave her a pained smile and turned out the rest of her words. His past was a sore topic, and usually when an interviewer starts with, I like you, then it means they’re probably about to reject you.
“-but without powers I’m afraid we can’t really-“
Before she could finish, there was a loud screech and the building's intercom came alive. Over the intercom, a couple of people could be heard arguing about who wanted to talk, but eventually the more feminine voice won and got to speak.
“Well HELLO! FALCON-EAGLE INDUSTRIES! Wow! That was so loud, sorry about that everyone.”
Arome looked at the interviewers, who were also looking among themselves in confusion. Guess even they had no idea what was going on and who was playing a prank on the intercom. Arome was a little bit worried, every instinct in his body was telling him that something was very wrong or was about to go very wrong.
“Yeah where was I? Un-huh! I said HELLO! Falcon industries, hehehe. This is your invader speaking! I go by the name Cult Mistress Blight-Soul. Co-Leader of the Dusk-Blood Cult, and we are hereeeee!”
“Call the Police!”
The moment the woman introduced herself, the executives interviewing Arome all started to panic. It didn’t matter that their chosen hero team was there, the first instinct was to call the police, who would in turn get in touch with more powerful hero teams.
Arome didn’t blame them, even all the way on the other side of the world. He had heard of the husband and wife villainous duo; Mistress Blight-Soul and Master Blight-Heart. Two of the most heinous butchers in modern history. They were known as A-rank supers with very powerful mystic abilities.
They only show up when they’ve decided to sacrifice innocents to power their mystic powers. Sometimes it’s a school, a police station, a church, a hospital, a cinema, the subway, and today a corporate building, and it just so happens to be one that had Arome in it.
“If you look out your window, you will see that the 7th tier spell Dimension Lock is active. There would be no escaping, no communication, no hope, only death. Even as I speak, my minions fill every nook and cranny of this building. So sit tight and wait your turn, they’ll get to you soon enough. And to start things off with a bang, those of you on the first floor…disclaimer warning, this is not my catchphrase, but it serves this situation perfectly hehehe, and that is; art is an explosion!!”
BOOM!!
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Arome crashed to the ground in a pool of his own blood. Severance burst into a wild and raucous laughter as he spread his arms wide. He turned hoping to find the look of despair he was so overly fond of, etched in the faces of Arome’s comrades. Instead, he watched wide eyes as they systematically dismantled the force he came with, his eyes drawn to the way Luna literally turned the bodies of his allies inside out. It was a scene that spoke to him and shook him to his very core. He took a step back, watching as the last of his allies were either subdued or killed. Leaving him alone against the rest of them.“I would advise you to run, your leader, Mr. prince has already fallen to me. He’s dead, cut into pieces like the animal that he is. But I welcome you all to try and face me, it would bring me so much pleasure to sever you from your bonds on this earth. And you!” he turned to Look at Luna who had taken a seat and was looking at him with one leg crossed over the other. Her pitch-blac
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Arome took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlpool of emotions that Luna had stirred within him. He could still feel the phantom touch of her lips, the fiery imprint of her slap, and the tantalizing promise in her words. It was maddening, this dance of desire and duty. He knew he had to focus, to clear his mind and prepare for the dinner. There were important matters to discuss, yet his thoughts kept circling back to the twins.He stood up, his body tense with unresolved need, and made his way to his quarters. The room was sparse, almost utilitarian, a stark contrast to the opulence he had been accustomed to as a prince. He began to strip off his gear, his movements automatic and efficient, honed by years of military discipline. The familiar routine helped to ground him, to bring some semblance of order to his chaotic thoughts.As he changed into more casual attire, his mind wandered again to Astra. Sweet, gentle Astra who had endured so much. The thought of her suffering stirre
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When Demetrius showed up with an unconscious Arome, Astra and the temple guard siblings felt their hearts jump into their throats.“What happened to him?” Astra asked, almost immediately a tendril of dark energy seemed to waft of her body, clinging to her form like the haze of a mirage. Almost instantly everyone around her felt a little bit sick, even Demetrius could not withstand the force of Astra’s power.“Calm down, the fool gave himself a concussion when he decided to use his head to stop a punch form a super that can turn her entire body to metal. He passed out on the way here. His power should have him back up and causing trouble as usual in a few hours. In the main time he needs rest, while the rest of us must prepare for the scenario of retaliation from the police captain and the mayor f the city.” Rowan said as he moved past everyone not even flinching from the feel of Astra’s dark matter power.“How can you be, okay?” Amina could not help but ask, a sheen of sweat covering
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Arome chuckled. The plot thicken I guess, seems the big boss heard I paid her brother a visit. Arome smiled underneath his helm, as it stands, he no longer needed any proof that the police captain, and his wife the mayor of San-Franmikyo had significant connections with Severance. But still Arome doubted Akiko Zhang was here to confess her sins. In fact, considering the way she was glaring at him, she wanted nothing more than to put a bullet through his head.“Where is my brother? What have you done with him?” she asked, her tone showing that she wanted nothing more than the answers she required.“The old man got away? Good for him. It doesn’t matter how good it looked or was furnished; a prison is still a prison. And I don’t think it’s fair you would lock the old man up when all he did was raise your psychotic sword wielding illegitimate child!” the atmosphere in the room went cold as Akiko’s eyes widened in shock. If they widened any wider, Arome was sure her eyes would pop out of
