Walking through the streets of Silene Tomentosa, amongst the crowd there was a man that drew attention from a few onlookers. With a mane of long black hair that reached his back. He wore a tailored made black business suit with a vibrant red necktie. Behind the tinted lenses of his sunglasses, a piercing yellow glow was coming from his right eye.
As he strolled through the streets, his attention would be directed to nearby coffee shops, he seemed to be in search of someone. Yet, each time he passed by a cafe, he was hit with nostalgia, drawing him closer to the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Pausing momentarily, he reached into his pockets, a sense of surprise on his face as his fingers brushed against the touch of currency.
"This bastard had money after all, but where's the fun in doing things lawfully?" He smirked as he approached a nearby tree, plucking off a few of its leaves.
After gathering a few leaves, the man entered into the cafe, his sunglasses still in place. "Hello, yes, I'd like a large coffee and one of those things, 'donut'?" he said, gesturing casually at the pile of sugary treats behind the counter.
After being told the price, he handed the cashier the leaves he had plucked earlier. To his surprise, the cashier accepted the leaves as if they were currency, which only widened the man's smirk. "Thank you very much, miss," he said with a charming smile, before making his way to a nearby table to enjoy his coffee and donut.
"As annoying as these humans may be, I'll admit, some of the luxuries they have quite remarkable," the man whispered, taking another sip of his coffee. He leaned back in his chair, letting out a sigh as he savored the rich flavor.
"Hmm, it appears you're in the area, 'halfbreed'," the man whispered, he closed his eyes, his other senses heightened as he honed in on his target's presence.
"A lot closer than I imagined," the man remarked, his eyes snapping open as he spotted Eve and Vulcan entering the cafe together. With a slight smirk, he observed their approach, his presence undetected for the moment.
"You probably don't detect the void energy coming from me, do you? It's the power of Illusion," the man murmured, closing his eyes once more with a self satisfied smirk.
As Eve and Vulcan stood at the counter, telling the barista what kind of coffee they'll order, Eve noticed as the cashier open the register, she saw the unexpected sight of leaves tucked inside. She pointed subtly at the leaves within the register, the cashier was surprised and quickly removed the leaves.
After receiving their order, Eve and Vulcan sat at a table far from the man. "Did you receive the message from Eliza?" she asked.
"Yeah, Eliza mentioned she was heading to that small museum about the White Trial," Vulcan confirmed, "And to add to the mix, Bard's message seems we're not in such a rush anymore," Vulcan sighed, leaning back in his chair.
"I know Eliza said it wasn't necessary for us to go with her, but we should surprise her after we're finished here," Eve suggested, glancing over at Vulcan for his opinion.
Vulcan glanced at Eve's order, which was a large sugary custom coffee and a mountain of glazed donuts. "Uhh, yeah, sounds like a plan."
"Although despite what Bard said, we should still arrive to Legis as soon as possible. The sooner we reach Legis, the better," Eve remarked.
"You know, Eve, it feels like just yesterday we left Alyssum, and yet so much has already happened," Vulcan smiled softly, his gaze lingering on Eve's face.
Eve tilted her head "Well, I guess you're right, first that robot, and then the Forbidden." She began to stuff her face with donuts.
"Eve, once this 'quest' is over with, what are your plans?" Vulcan asked, he watched her intently, waiting for her response, his heart pounding more.
"Hmm, now that you mention it," Eve said, pausing to think about the question. "I don't know, I've always kind of gone with the flow." She glanced at Vulcan.
"Well, you know that after this I'm going to give it another shot at Legis University. I was wondering, why not go with me?" He looked at Eve's reaction, hoping she would consider his invitation.
"Go with you? Wait, wait, wait," Eve's eyes widened with surprise, "like, attend Legis University with you?"
"Exactly," Vulcan replied, a nervous smile on his face. "I mean, we make a good team, right? With us together, maybe I'll finally be admitted to the university" He tried to sound casual, but his heart was pounding.
"So you'll just want to copy all of my work," Eve teased, a playful smirk on her lips. "But fine, I'll think about it, and once this is over I'll give you my answer." Her smile brightened, a warmth in her eyes.
"Y-Yeah, that sounds like a plan," Vulcan stuttered, his cheeks slightly red. "Let's finish up here and head over to the museum. I'm sure Eliza will be surprised to see us." He said trying to change the subject.
"Ahem!" The man who had been sitting in the cafe across from them cleared his throat loudly, getting their attention. He stood up and made his way over to their table, his piercing gaze behind his sunglasses seemed to bore into them, demanding attention. "Excuse me," he said, his tone polite but firm, "I have a few questions if you don't mind." His voice indicated that compliance was not optional.
"I'm sorry," Eve her tone leaving no room for argument, "but we were just about to leave. Let's go, Vulcan." She turned away, signaling an end to the conversation; Vulcan following aside her.
The man's smirk widened, "Makes things easier for me," he muttered to himself, watching as Eve and Vulcan walked away. He waited until they had put a considerable distance between themselves and the cafe before slipping out and discreetly following them from a safe distance.
"You know, Vulcan, I just remembered, does your family still ask about me?" Eve asked, a smirk on her lips.
"After what you told them long ago, my mother always asks about you every day," Vulcan admitted with a sigh. "She wonders how you've been, and what you've been up to."
"Anything else?" she asked, a smug look on her face as she glanced at Vulcan.
"Yeah, but I think I'll let her tell you herself," Vulcan said with a grin.
"Fair enough," Eve said with a nod and as they walked towards the Museum of the White Trial. Eve noticed from the corner of her eye, the man from the cafe. "Vulcan, don't make it obvious, but look behind us. It's that man from the cafe, do you think he's following us?" Eve asked in a hushed tone.
"That weird looking businessman? Hmm, it could be, or maybe just a coincidence," Vulcan said his voice low as he kept his gaze forward, trying not to appear too obvious. Despite his attempt at being nonchalant, a sign of concern crossed his mind as he thought the possibility of being followed.
"Vulcan, let's go into that alleyway," Eve suggested. "If he's following us, we can confront him there where it's less crowded."
"Sounds like a plan," with a nod of agreement, they entered the dimly lit alleyway, the silence seemed to amplify the echo of their footsteps. Slowing their steps, they were ready for whatever might happen.
"Now, this is quite foolish of you, isn't it?" A voice, dripping with sarcasm, teasingly mocking Eve and Vulcan. Despite wherever they looked, they couldn't find the man.
"You really thought skulking into this alley would've helped? Well, it helps me. You see, I'm not like Power, Wrath, or Lust. I prefer to keep things quiet," the voice taunted.
"You must be a Forbidden then," Eve said.
"Look at you, using two of your brain cells. Give this anomaly a medal!" They began to hear clapping from behind them, revealing the man.
"Damn it, I don't have my sword with me..." Vulcan grunted, frustration in his voice.
"Vulcan, stand back... You're here to kill us, aren't you? Good luck with that, you don't look any stronger than the other three we already saw," Eve retorted.
"Is there a rule somewhere that says every human gotta be annoying as hell?" The man smirked. "However, you should accept the fact you're nothing more than an anomaly," he taunted.
As tension mounted the very fabric of their surroundings began to warp and twist, the solid walls, floor, and sky gradually fading into an abyss of darkness. As the shifting darkness surrounded them, the once familiar surroundings dissolved into an unsettling plain of darkness, "I'd watch out if I were you. This place isn't exactly as empty as you think." His voice echoed in the shadowy abyss.
"Before I kill you, I want to know something," Eve's voice echoed through the darkness, glaring on the man before her. "What's your attribute?"
"I'm Forbidden Illusion..."