Later, inside the "Kroeg van Liefde," Leah and Alko sat at a table, sharing laughter and conversation. A couple of empty beer bottles stood as evidence of their time together.
Leah leaned forward, sharing an amusing anecdote that had her in stitches. "...and then she said 'Wait, this doesn't taste like water.' It was bleach the whole time." She chuckled, clearly amused by the memory.
Alko raised an eyebrow in mock disbelief. "You poisoned her to death just because she didn't give you your trainers back. You haven't changed one bit, have you?" He spoke with an air of jest, knowing Leah's quirky ways all too well.
Leah simply shrugged, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "What can I say? You gotta keep your word."
Their banter continued, revealing the comfortable camaraderie that had endured over the years. Alko leaned back in his chair, his interest piqued. "But what've you been up to, though? We haven't seen each other since that night we got caught."
Leah hesitated for a moment, her eyes momentarily averting his gaze before she regained her composure. "Nothing much, really. Just been, uh, running a few errands, nothing crazy."
Alko wasn't easily convinced, and he arched an eyebrow suspiciously. "Oh, come on. Do you really expect me to believe that?"
Leah struggled to hide a smile, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Alko grinned knowingly, his gaze unwavering as he met her eyes. "I know it's been a while since we've seen each other, but I know you well enough to say there are two things that'll never change about you: Your insanity and that beautiful smile."
Leah's blush deepened, and she cleared her throat, changing the subject. "Um... enough about me. What've you been up to?"
Alko's smirk widened as he glanced at his palm, closing it with an enigmatic expression. "Oh, trust me, I've been busy alright."
Their moment was interrupted when the bar's doors swung open, revealing five boisterous men stumbling into the establishment. They were clearly intoxicated.
The first man, clearly the ringleader, announced, "Ninth pub of the day!"
His companion chimed in, "Come on lads! We got this!"
Alko couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he turned his attention to the rowdy newcomers.
The raucous group of inebriated men staggered further into the dimly lit bar, their drunken laughter reverberating through the air. Their boisterous entrance drew the attention of the patrons, casting a momentary spotlight on them.
Man #1, his words slurred and his demeanour unsteady, pointed a clumsy finger at Alko and Leah. His voice carried across the bar, laced with alcohol-induced confidence. "Hey, look at this lot! Got themselves a private party, they have!"
Man #3 chimed in with a lewd remark, his tone suggestive and crass. "Ooh, isn't that cute? A romantic rendezvous!"
Alko, sensing trouble brewing, let out a resigned sigh. He rose from his seat, his movements deliberate, "Gimme a sec, Leah."
Man #1, still oblivious to Alko's growing irritation, turned his attention to the table. With a drunken swagger, he bellowed his order to the presumed barkeeper. "Oi, barkeep! Five pints for us!"
Alko's response was swift and firm, his patience waning. "We're closed for the night, bro." His words hung in the air, a subtle warning to the intoxicated intruders.
The men at the back of the dimly lit bar expressed their frustration with grumbles and drunken laughter as they continued their noisy intrusion. Man #1, their apparent leader, swayed his way over to Alko, his face contorted into a scowl fueled by alcohol.
"Did I make it sound like a choice?" he slurred, his words dripping with insolence. In an audacious move, he pulled out a pistol and aimed it unwaveringly at Alko's face.
"Five pints for us!" he demanded, his voice a drunken bellow that filled the room.
Leah, always quick to defend her friend, began to rise from her seat, her eyes filled with concern. However, Alko gently extended his hand, pushing her back to discourage any hasty actions. In that tense moment, Alko stared unflinchingly down the barrel of the gun, a sly and challenging smirk playing on his lips.
Then, in a shocking display of audacity, he spat directly in the man's face. The man, momentarily frozen in disbelief, slowly wiped Alko's spittle from his cheek as his rage began to brew.
"You're a goner," he seethed, his voice heavy with anger.
Leah jumped up in alarm, fearing the worst. The gunshot rang out at point-blank range, causing everyone in the bar to gasp in shock. Alko's head snapped backwards, but instead of a cry of pain, laughter bubbled from his lips.
With his head tilted upward, Alko revealed the bullet lodged firmly between his teeth, and a devilish grin danced on his lips. The patrons of the bar watched in sheer disbelief, their eyes glued to the improbable sight.
In a swift motion, Alko spat the bullet back at the man, sending it hurtling toward its target with the force of a gunshot. The bullet pierced the man's shin, causing him to collapse in agony, clutching his wounded leg.
Alko remained seemingly unfazed, addressing Leah with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Leah, remember when I said I've been busy?"
The other four inebriated men retrieved menacing weapons from their pockets—a collection of machetes, knives, and a shattered glass bottle. Alko's smirk, however, remained unshaken as the situation escalated.
"This is what I meant," Alko remarked, his voice cool and confident.
With a surge of resolve, Alko sprung into action, moving swiftly towards the menacing men. The man wielding the machete swung his weapon at Alko with a reckless flourish, but Alko effortlessly executed a knee-slide manoeuvre beneath the deadly arc. In a seamless motion, he sprang to his feet, delivering a devastating spinning kick that shattered the man's jaw, sending him tumbling to the ground.
The man with the knife lunged at Alko, his blade gleaming menacingly. Unfazed, Alko shattered the knife with a backhand strike, rendering it harmless. He followed this up with a rapid one-two punch combo and a heavy haymaker, which propelled the knife-wielding assailant through the exit door in a dizzying trajectory.
Suddenly, the third man launched a surprise attack from behind, brandishing a broken glass bottle. He smashed it forcefully against the back of Alko's head. Alko paused for a brief moment, his laughter bubbling up in response to the unexpected assault. He swiftly pivoted, a shimmering golden aura enveloping him, and delivered a fierce headbutt that left the bottle-wielding man unconscious.
The last of the intruders watched in stunned silence, witnessing the swift and brutal defeat of his friends at the hands of Alko. With fear overpowering any remaining bravado, he made a rapid decision and bolted out of the pub, fleeing from the scene.
"Ha. Puss," Alko remarked casually, his confidence unwavering.
Leah observed the entire scene in shock, her gaze locked onto Alko, a mixture of awe and concern in her eyes. She finally found her voice, laden with disbelief and worry.
"Alko..."
Turning to face Leah's worried expression, Alko responded with pride.
"Pretty cool, right?"
Leah hesitated, struggling to come to terms with the revelation.
"Are you..."
Her voice trailed off as she contemplated the implications of Alko's newfound abilities.
"A Dove host? You're damn right," Alko confirmed, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement.
Leah's concern deepened.
"But...but I thought we agreed we would never align ourselves with them...? Especially after what they did to us?" she questioned, her disappointment evident.
Alko acknowledged her reservations but also alluded to a change in circumstances.
"Things change, Leah. A lot has happened since we last met."
Shaking her head in disappointment, Leah made a decision and moved past Alko, her determination clear and her footsteps resolute.
"Yeah, I see that," she replied tersely.
Alko watched helplessly as Leah continued her exit, her resolve unyielding, and his voice called out in vain.
"Wait, Leah! Where are you going? Leah!"