MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

In a flash, Anthony reappeared within the control room of the aircraft, his current place of residence. Donna and Vivian stood beside him, their presence calm, silent, yet commanding.

Anthony turned his head to the side, where Vega could be seen seated comfortably, her gaze focused on the phone in her hands.

"Vee, I thought you were playing card games with Seraphim," Anthony remarked casually as he shifted his attention to her.

"She lost so many times the game became boring," Vega replied bluntly. Her eyes moved away from the screen, landing briefly on Anthony before gliding across to the two beautiful women standing on either side of him.

Rising gracefully from her seat, Vega approached the duo. With a soft, confident smile, she extended her hand for a handshake. "You must be Vivian and Donna. I've heard quite a bit about you."

Donna and Vivian were momentarily stunned as they gazed at Vega. To women who were widely acknowledged as paragons of beauty, it had always seemed implausible to encounter someone who surpassed them in that regard. And yet, standing before them was a woman whose beauty clearly eclipsed their own.

"Nice to meet you… What may I call you?" Vivian responded, masking her surprise behind a composed expression.

Vega's eyes flicked briefly from the two women back to Anthony, narrowing slightly as she spoke. "You didn't mention me to them?"

Anthony's lips twitched faintly, and then, with a small, slightly amused smile, he responded, "Vivian, Donna, meet Vega. She's part of the team… and my girlfriend. Soon to be wife, actually."

Vivian and Donna nodded in polite acknowledgment, about to offer a greeting, until the latter part of Anthony's statement registered in their minds.

Their faces froze in genuine surprise.

'Anthony has a girlfriend... and we don't?' they thought simultaneously.

Of course, there were no hidden feelings or unresolved romantic tension between them and Anthony. Neither Vivian nor Donna had ever seen him in that light.

Although Anthony was tall, dangerously handsome, powerful, wealthy, and essentially the embodiment of every girl's fantasy, neither of them had developed romantic inclinations toward him.

Their reaction wasn't fueled by jealousy or disappointment, just honest, startled amusement.

Vega, for her part, didn't harbor any insecurity. She wasn't the type to grow suspicious simply because her partner had competent, attractive female subordinates. Instead, she found herself genuinely liking both women already.

"I didn't think you'd move this fast," Donna said with a teasing smile.

"Indeed. I thought I'd be in a relationship before Anthony. At least I could have done something before him," Vivian added with a playful laugh.

All three women chuckled together, the earlier tension melting away into light-hearted camaraderie.

"Well, it's lovely to meet you, Vega. I look forward to the wedding," Donna said warmly. "And I also look forward to being an aunt."

"Same here. I'm going to be a rich aunt," Vivian chimed in. "Don't blame me when I spoil your child rotten."

Vega chuckled, responding with ease, "That's still a long way off."

Before Anthony could say anything else, the door to the control room hissed open, and the rest of the team filed in.

They had already sensed the arrival of two new presences. Initially, they hadn't deemed it necessary to investigate, given the presence had appeared simultaneously with Anthony's, but Clement and Spectre had informed them that the newcomers were also Anthony's subordinates.

As usual, Dale couldn't help but whistle at the sight of Donna and Vivian's striking beauty. But before he could take a step forward or utter another word, he suddenly froze, literally.

He frowned in pain and surprise. The equipment between his legs had been encased in a thick layer of ice.

It was a passive defensive ability that Vivian had developed by herself a few months ago, one designed specifically to freeze the private parts of anyone who looked at her with lustful intent.

No warning, no negotiation.

"I must say, I keep encountering more and more beautiful, and handsome, humans every single day," Reynold said with a grin. "First Spectre and Clement, then Vega, and now these two."

"It's definitely connected to Anthony," Seraphim added as she walked forward, her curiosity piqued. "How is it that everyone associated with him is so...?"

Assuming Donna and Vivian were indeed part of Anthony's team, Seraphim introduced herself courteously. Vega, now assuming the role of informal liaison, introduced the two women to the rest of the squad.

Only Dale had momentarily stepped out, presumably to recover from his frosty predicament.

Anthony then proceeded to inform his team that Donna and Vivian would be joining them for this mission only. Afterward, they would return to their original duties.

Of course, he made no mention of their personal histories, such as the fact that they were orphans or that Vivian's parents had been slain by demons. That wasn't his story to tell. And understandably, Vivian wouldn't share such details merely because these individuals were Anthony's teammates.

As part of their pre-battle preparation, everyone began introducing their weapons, elemental affinities, and the talents they had awakened, along with any noteworthy abilities they possessed. Right around this time, Dale returned to rejoin the team, his expression slightly sheepish.

Anthony waved his hand, and in an instant, a large assortment of high-grade potions materialized before them, each bearing rare and valuable properties.

"Take as many as you need," Anthony said. "I might not be fighting beside you during the battle, I have my own opponent to face. So don't expect me to babysit anyone if things get rough."

Vega, Vivian, Donna, Spectre, Clement, and Kingsley didn't even glance at the potions. Their composure made it evident that they saw themselves as standing above such provisions.

"As we prepare to depart, I have only one order," Anthony said, his tone sharp and commanding. "Do not die."

Everyone nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity behind his words. Every battle, regardless of preparation, carried with it the risk of death.

"Now, let's go," Anthony continued. "I'm sure Aaaninja has been watching through the River of Time ever since he sent the shard. He's probably bored out of his mind by now, just waiting for us to get to the action."

Some of them frowned, confused by the name 'Aaaninja,' but Anthony didn't have the time, or inclination, to explain. With a swift command, he instructed the aircraft's AI to head toward the Abandoned Desert of Ruins at maximum speed.

They had already wasted enough time.