The next ones to wake up were Fred’s parents, Zach’s woke up next, and Blair’s were the last to wake up.
Each of them looked around and saw surprise on some faces, and fear on others.
Zach spoke to them and waved his hand.
“These items are yours; they serve as proof that you are one of us.
They can take any form, so just think about them.” He took back the guest tokens and stored them away.
He then lifted his hand and created the enslve marking.
He used his energy to strengthen and modify it.
He heard notifications go off, but ignored them for now.
The marking was silvery, flickering as if it would disappear.
He crafted the marking into a tree with chains wrapping around it.
He poured every element into the chains, leaving them the only place with color other than silver.
The lively atmosphere turned serious.
“I apologize for ruining the mood, but I figured once business is taken care of, then we can all talk about how we will move forward.” He paused before speaking again, “Who wants to go first?”
Nyla was the first to move.
She didn’t ask questions about what and how the mark would ensure they kept quiet.
She had faith and trust that Zach wouldn’t hurt her.
Zach smiled.
“Mom, turn around and raise the back of your shirt, or I can put it on your leg.”
Nyla raised her pant leg.
“Put it on my foot.” Zach nodded and pushed the mark on top of her foot.
She flinched, expecting pain, but felt nothing.
Zach heard another notification.
Phobe and David breathed a sigh of relief.
They knew Piper would have to get the mark as well, honestly she was the one who needed it the most.
She was eight years old.
What eight-year-old wouldn’t brag about having powers?
Jared was the next one.
He took off his shirt and turned his back to Zach.
Zach saw his name, his baby’s footprints, and the date tattooed on his left shoulder.
“You put it on the right side or underneath it.” Zach smiled softly and put the mark on his right shoulder.
The women chose places like Nyla, their feet, calves, or behind their ears.
Zach controlled the size.
The men chose their backs or their chests.
Each person marked caused a notification to ring out.
Once Zach was finished, he brought everyone to the big meeting hall.
He took the head seat, Fred sat on his right, and Blair on his left.
The rest filled in and sat down.
“The first thing I want to make clear is that I am the leader.
I am not stupid enough to ignore the wisdom from my elders, so if you think of an idea or believe I am making a blunder somewhere, then speak up.”
Jared nodded slightly in approval.
“With that being said, all decisions will be discussed.
That doesn’t mean voted on.
You all will bring up topics, and I will listen and make the final decision.
All members may recommend up to 3 people to join us.
This will be done every two years.”
Everyone nodded.
Piper was asleep in Phobe’s arms; even if she was awake, it wouldn’t really matter.
Lily raised her hand, “I notice you keep saying us but not a name.
Do you have one in mind?” Zach grinned.
“In fact, I do.
The name I have in mind is pretty simple and may sound unoriginal, but it makes the most sense.
Fred groaned.
“Dude, really?” Zach pretended to be offended and put his hand on his chest.
“Oh!
Well, by all means, creative one, come up with a better name.” Fred raised his hands up.
“All I’m saying is that there are already a bunch of groups and even terrorist who use that as their slogans.”
Zach sighed.
“It’s the best I could come up with.
I am not going to call us Nature’s Guardians, Protectors, or worst yet Nature’s Pruners.” With each name, everyone winced.
“So I am open to all suggestions.
For the record, Nature’s Friends is off the board, too.”
Everyone was silent, thinking of names.
Blair snapped her fingers.
“I got it!
What about Bloody Thorns?” All the men at the table grimaced.
Zach turned her down.
Fred spoke next.
“How about Root?” Zach arched his eyebrow.
“Seriously?
Copywriting much?
No, something else.”
Everyone said a name except Nyla.
Zach turned to his mom with hope.
“Mom, please tell me you have a name.” Nyla rubbed her chin and then smiled.
“How about the name Felkara?
Fel comes from Old English; it was associated with fierce, cruel, or wild.
Kara is associated with words like strength, leadership, and stone.”
Zach grinned widely.
The more he thought about the name, the more he liked it.
He looked around, and it seemed like everyone agreed.
He nodded his head.
“It seems we are all in agreement then.
From this day forward, we shall be called Felkara.”
Zach sighed.
“Now that’s out of the way, I want to discuss two things, and then we can all go home.” Everyone focused on him.
“First, in how we present ourselves to the world, and second, everyone’s powers.
My idea is to start a food company.
I’m sure you all have tried the water and the fruits grown here.”
“They are simply delicious,” said Phobe.
“You can also make puree for newborn infants.” Zach nodded.
“I agree with you.
That’s why I am thinking of a food company.
Not only can we ship our products to third-world countries and really do some good, but we can also build a good reputation.”
Jared raised his hand.
“Sorry to dampen the mood, but where will the start-up capital come from?
Where would the fields to ‘grow’ our products be located?
Which or who would be the face of the business?”
Zach smiled.
Jared caught a chill and looked at Nyla.
“The capital will come from criminals and enemy countries.
I am sure you and Mom have connections or, at the very least, know of these types of individuals and places.” He leaned on the table with his fingers intersecting.
“Mrs.
Adams is a reporter, so I am sure she has contacts as well.
As far as the land goes, if I remember correctly, we have over 100 acres in Texas. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
As far as faces for the business go who better than you Dad?
You have a stellar reputation in politics, and your experience, connections, and knowledge of other countries will make getting our products approved faster.”
Jared stared at Zach speechlessly.
“But, I am still an ambassador for the country.
I can’t just up and quit my job now.” “Who said you have to quit now?
This will take time to achieve.
In five years, you will be 44.
You can use the excuse that I am tired of dealing with people and want to take it easy.”
“Ask grandpa to pitch in for looks and start the company.
Mom will need to retire or quit, too.
Her job requires her to be too active, and she can say I don’t think I can continue to protect another first lady.
She will be in charge of security since she has experience in the CIA.”
Nyla gave Zach a look, but he pretended not to notice and continued speaking.
“Mr.
Adams will be in charge of HR, Mrs.
Adams will be in charge of PR, Mr.
Dezmond can handle the accounts, and Mrs.
Dezmond will be our lawyer.”
“Lastly, Blair can work in the Marketing department, and Fred can be our spokesperson.” Zach sat back and let what he said sink in.
The first one to speak was Jared.
“I am honestly impressed and kind of scared.
Did you just think about that on the spot?” Zach smirked.
“The company thing no, the positions no.
Does anyone have any problems or concerns about the job titles I gave you?” David chuckled.
“I have one question for you: how much are we going to get paid?” Everyone laughed.
“Everyone will get paid what they should, don’t worry.
I am not going to short-change or low-ball you.
Each of you brings something to the table and the experience to back it up.”
Nyla smiled.
“This is great and all, Zach, but how are you going to convince your grandpa to give your dad money?” Zach narrowed his eyes.
“That’s the hard part.
I doubt he will join us, and he doesn’t regard power or status highly.
If you have any suggestions, I am all ears.”
Nyla laughed, and so did Jared.
Everyone was confused.
Jared wiped his tears.
“Zach, your grandpa is incredibly stingy with money, but he also loves you.
You just gotta bring him the fruits, water, and maybe an actual plan that he can see, and he will provide all the funding you need.”
Zach smiled.
Fred interrupted by asking Zach a question.
“You gave everyone else a position or job, but I didn’t hear about you.
What will you be doing?” Zach blinked and then smiled.
“I will have three jobs technically.
I will be the heir to the company, meaning I will be training to take over, I will become a school counselor, and I will be a hero.”
Fred eyed him incredulously.
“Dude, you gotta be joking.
You’re not invinc…
Apologies for the late chapter today.
I was researching and brainstorming for the group’s name.
What do you all think?