Amanda let the conservative estimate sink into her mind. It was a clear game changer because she could use a Healer that she didn't have to babysit. A Healer that could join her in the battle? That was the icing on the cake.
Jorge had left to do his day job, so she looked back toward Ermis and his mother. The Director of Medicine seemingly vanished, but she knew he had machinations brewing. Everyone would.
-------------------------------------------------
Sandy hugged her son another time, "My big baby boy! You are so strong!" He chuckled as her affection never ceased, "Haha, I am just a Trainee mom, or, hopefully, I'll be a Trainee."
He felt a little bit anxious about the way things had gone down. Bobby had nearly died, and he didn't feel anything. It was almost like it wasn't 'real' to him yet.
Sandy let go and went behind him, "Come on baby boy, let's head home."
Ermis wanted to protest at being pushed, but he didn't know if he could get there by himself. Wheelchairs were intuitive tools, but traveling across town was a different beast.
They exited the building quickly, with Ermis taking a short nap as they walked. He felt at ease, allowing his mother to take charge.
Upon returning to consciousness, he found himself ascending toward the penthouse of Bower's Tower. The day was long and arduous for him, the nearly decade of stress finally relieved by the fact that he was one of the majority, a Powered. He smiled at his luck, even with the odds being in his favor, he was utterly racked with anxiety in his final days. He dreaded being a member of the 1% Unpowereds while coming from such a prestigious family.
Ermis zoned back into reality and noticed that he and his mother were not alone on the elevator. "Amanda?" He asked with surprise on his tongue, "What are you doing here?"
She turned toward him and greeted, "Welcome back to the realm of the waking. I'll be by your side for the next few days until a protection detail is available."
He was about to question her when his mother interjected, "Sweetie. You are important to many powerful people." She let out a sigh, her voice tinged with a touch of weariness, "I know you're aware of the attempts on your father's and my life."
Ermis stilled, he wasn't technically privy to that information, but he had snooped around their tablets when his father came home with multiple broken bones.
Amanda pressed on, finding her resolution, "You are going to be on my team, eventually, but for now, our priority is keeping you safe and far from harm's reach."
Ermis heard what they were saying, he thought it made sense, 'I have the ability to shift from different hues of light, drawing power with each one. I can directly counter most monsters and Villains I would face. If I could use multiple colors at the same time...' He stopped, feeling something in his bones. His Powers were awake. They were listening.
'I WILL use multiple colors. Wow.' He could feel the sheer euphoria that his 'Power' was emitting. It was so happy to be released from its biological shackles.
Ermis took a moment and then asked someone he could trust, "Mom, can you FEEL your Powers? I have read so many Awakening Testimonies, but I have never heard someone describe their Powers as being conscious."
Sandy looked down at him with a thoughtful expression on her face as she answered, "I think so. Every Power is different. Some stronger Capes have sentient Powers that speak to them. But mine is a series of instincts. Almost like a reflex, something that can "jump out of you" when the time is right."
Amanda picked up the conversation, saying, "My abilities are akin to a newfound sense. I'm certain I can endure an attack. I know that my strike can obliterate an adversary. It's as though I've already experienced it firsthand. How does your Power manifest?"
Ermis nodded in agreement before sharing with them, "Similar to that. It is like a child within me, dreaming to wear multiple colors. It is so happy to be free. I am not sure how to explain it, but it is eternally my friend, and extremely excited to grow alongside me."
Sandy and Amanda shared a look before they reached the top of the building, then she added, "Baby, you need to be aware of your future strength. People like Amanda will come. And they will treat you differently."
Ermis eyed Amanda, weary of his mother's warning, before she added, "Now, your father has vetted Amanda. She has no other motives than to see Humanity prosper. But. There will be others, and they will desire your Power for themselves."
They opened the door and walked into the penthouse, "Some higher-ups will even argue that you are special enough to warrant permanent isolation, only allowing you out to heal and restore a Titan's P-particulate."
Amanda squinted and interjected, "How do you know about that? You aren't cleared for that material." Then she stopped as she realized Jorge wasn't always going to play by the rules.
Sandy smiled mischievously, "I read it in the Power Report that I received, tomorrow..."
Amanda nodded and openly appreciated, "Well. Jorge seems to have a soft spot for his family. Excellent."
Sandy heard the threat, but it didn't seem genuine, almost like the Titan didn't realize her implication. Whatever the case, it was already something Jorge had already planned for, she was sure of it because her husband was nothing if not obsessive.
The Titan sat her bag down near the door, waiting for instructions. Sandy got Ermis set up in bed, leaving his TV on like always.
Returning to see a Titan of Humanity fiddling with her thumbs was a sight she'd never expected, so she offered, "Would you like some coffee? It's going to be a long night. When he wakes up, we have plans that need to be laid, Mrs. Titan."