Although she knew that Loren and his group were conspiring to deceive her, she still felt a warm feeling in her heart.
This was the first time in so many years that she had felt kindness from others—and she liked this feeling very much.
At first, she'd been worried she might have joined the wrong organization again, only to end up under someone like Baron Strucker. But now, that fear seemed unnecessary.
"Alright," Loren said, "now that things are settled, it's time to go back and treat your brother."
As he spoke, the Faceless One immediately hoisted Quicksilver over his shoulder, and then—without warning—the entire group floated into the air as if weightless.
Wanda's eyes widened in disbelief. She wasn't shocked that people could fly; Iron Man did it all the time. What stunned her was the how. There were no visible thrusters, no repulsors, no jetpacks—nothing. Not even the faintest hum of machinery. Their bodies drifted upward like feathers caught in a silent breeze: effortless, eerie, and utterly inexplicable.
And they all flew at once. That alone was staggering.
Before she could process it further, Loren landed lightly back on the ground and offered her a gentle smile.
"I almost forgot—you can't fly yet. You won't mind if I carry you, right?"
His words sounded like a question, but he didn't wait for an answer. In one smooth motion, he swept her into his arms.
Wanda tensed instinctively. His touch was warm, careful—and undeniably intimate. She couldn't help but notice how fair and smooth her own skin looked against his hands, or how the wind tugged at the hem of her outfit, revealing more than she'd intended. When her body tilted in his arms, the neckline gaped slightly, exposing even more.
Any man would've looked. But Loren only stole a single, fleeting glance before quickly turning his eyes away—his hands never straying, never pressing, never making her uncomfortable.
That restraint… impressed her.
She'd expected arrogance or entitlement. Instead, he was respectful—almost reverent. It softened her wariness, just a little.
A faint, unfamiliar floral scent clung to her, and Loren found himself briefly lightheaded. She really is stunning, he thought. This was worth every risk.
But he pushed the thought aside. He didn't want Wanda out of obligation or desperation. He'd heard her say she'd do anything to save Pietro—and yes, that meant she might comply with far worse than a shared flight. But coercion would backfire with someone like her. Wanda wasn't Viper; she wouldn't submit and forget. If he pushed too hard, he wouldn't just lose her trust—he'd gain a multiversal-level enemy.
No. He wanted her willing. Her heart, not just her body. And that meant patience.
So he held her gently, stepped lightly into the air, and soared toward Morgan Manor.
The wind rushed past, but Wanda barely noticed the cold. Her mind buzzed with questions.
"How… how are you flying?" she finally asked. "I don't see any power source. No sound, no exhaust—nothing."
Before Loren could answer, 2B chimed in with a mischievous grin. "That's because we're not human."
Wanda froze. "Not… human?"
"Yep!" 2B winked. "We're ghosts! No weight, no worries—whoosh!" She let out a playful "Awoo!" and puffed out her cheeks.
A2 flicked her forehead. "You little trickster," she chided, then turned to Wanda with a reassuring smile. "Ignore her. The truth is, the boss invented an anti-gravity flight system. It manipulates gravitational fields directly—no propulsion, no noise. That's why it looks like we're just… floating."
"Anti-gravity?" Wanda breathed, eyes wide with awe. "That's… incredible."
She'd known Tony Stark's tech was advanced—but this? It felt like magic wrapped in science. And the man carrying her had built it?
Loren caught her expression and smiled. "You don't need to envy it. You're one of us now. Once we're back, you'll get your own gear. You'll fly whenever you want."
"Really?" A spark of hope lit her face. "Thank you… boss."
In that moment, the idea of belonging to Loren's group felt less like a gamble—and more like a promise.
Then, a quiet chime echoed in Loren's mind.
[System Notification]
Congratulations, Host! For your role in the rescue of Scarlet Witch and the elimination of Baron Strucker, you are awarded:
• Human Ability Awakening Technology
• 5 System Points
Note: Human Ability Awakening Technology utilizes the unique energy of the Mind Stone to trigger latent mutations in genetically compatible subjects, granting superhuman abilities. Success depend
s on both Infinity Stone energy and the subject's genetic profile.
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