The air in Lork's shop shifted suddenly, causing both men to tense. A spinning blue portal bloomed in the void, its edges crackling with energy. Powerful winds began storming the area, whipping papers and small objects into a frenzy. The chairs sent crashing backward, their legs scraping against the floor with an ear-piercing screech.
Lork acted swiftly, his eyes widening as he assessed the situation. Without warning, he turned and spat directly on Cyrus, covering him in a thick, sticky substance.
"Disgusting! What's with all this mess?" Cyrus glared, feeling his body drenched in the viscous fluid. He wiped at his face, trying to clear his vision, but the substance clung stubbornly to his skin.
Lork stood before him, his body tense and ready for action. His eyes never left the swirling portal, his stance protective as he shielded Cyrus from view.
Instantly, a series of figures stepped out of the portal. One after the other, they emerged from the swirling vortex. First, their leather black boots came into view, polished to a mirror shine. Then their long black mantles unfurled, billowing slightly in the residual wind from the portal. Each figure had a bulging waist marked with an array of intimidating weapons.
Cyrus lifted his head, his heart pounding in his chest. A series of figures, all wearing black glasses that obscured their eyes, stood before them. On their backs, gleaming swords were strapped, their hilts just visible over their shoulders.
The leader stepped forward, his every movement exuding authority and power. Each step he took seemed to make the very air tremble. Cyrus's eyes were drawn to a familiar insignia on the leader's mantle - an axe with a dragon circling around it. There was no mistaking it. This was the Bureau.
"Have you seen this person?" the leader asked, his voice deep and commanding. With a wave of his hand, Cyrus's image flashed in the void, hovering in the air like a holographic wanted poster.
Cyrus, hidden behind Lork, held his breath. He could feel sweat beading on his forehead, mixing with Lork's spit. The figures stepped out, their heads swiveling as they gave the shop a quick glance. After a moment, they shook their heads at their leader, indicating they hadn't found their quarry.
"Bunch of scum," Lork spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Have you finished abusing your power?" The broom in his hand cracked from the pressure he was exerting on it, his knuckles white with tension.
Cyrus was shocked by Lork's outburst. It was rare for his friend to use such vulgar language, especially in the face of such dangerous adversaries. He held his breath, worried that Lork's defiance might provoke the Bureau agents.
The leader, however, merely gave Lork a dismissive look, his face an impassive mask behind his dark glasses. "Should you happen to encounter him, remember where our allegiance lies," he said, his tone carrying a clear threat despite its evenness.
With those ominous words hanging in the air, the portal flashed back into existence. The Bureau agents stepped back through it, disappearing as quickly as they had arrived. In a matter of seconds, the shop was quiet once more, with only the scattered debris as evidence of their visit.
Once they were out of view, Cyrus let out a long, shaky sigh of relief. "That was close, man. Thanks," he said, standing up and tapping his best friend on the shoulder. His legs felt weak, the adrenaline slowly draining from his system.
Lork's demeanor changed abruptly. He let the broom fall to the floor with a clatter and turned towards the back of the shop. "Stay here and don't leave this place," he said, his voice tight with an emotion Cyrus couldn't quite place. Without another word, Lork disappeared into the depths of the shop, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Cyrus stood rooted to the spot, observing his friend's lonely back as it vanished into the shadows. A wave of guilt washed over him. He wanted to follow after Lork, to explain, to apologize for bringing this danger to his doorstep. But he gave up on the idea, realizing it probably wasn't the best moment to push the issue.
Instead, he pulled up a chair, its legs scraping against the floor in the now-quiet shop. He placed the familiar card he'd been carrying in front of him on the table, staring at it intently.
"She was right," he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Bureau is definitely after me. I'm doomed." He held his head in his hands, feeling the weight of his situation pressing down on him.
His mind raced with possibilities. Maybe if he fled to another town? But no, that was useless. They would certainly find him in no time. Should he call her? She had said if he joined, they would protect him from the Bureau. But was that even possible? He thought about her, clearly a non-human but able to move freely, unlike Lork who needed to carefully hide his nature. Maybe if...
His thoughts were interrupted by Lork's return. His friend's demeanor had changed completely, a broad smile now plastered across his face. "What's with the long face?" Lork asked cheerily. "Doesn't it sound great? We're both non-human, part of the same quirky family now. Brothers from another species, how cool is that?"
Cyrus lifted his head, unsure of what to think of Lork's sudden mood swing. "Are you out of your mind? Happy to be executed?" he asked incredulously.
"Nah, why do you sound so black?" Lork replied, waving off Cyrus's concerns. "As long as I spit on you twice a day, they would never find you. But you can't leave this place."
Cyrus couldn't believe his ears. "Wait, you mean not only do I have to stay in this shabby area, but also get you spitting on me every day?"
Before he could react, Cyrus's head tilted to the side as Lork's fist connected with his jaw. He tasted blood in his mouth, spitting it out onto the floor.
"Careful with your words," Lork glared, shaking his hand in frustration. "This shop is the only thing I have left." He flexed his fingers, wincing slightly. "Seriously, what is your head made of, rock or something?"
"Good for you," Cyrus laughed, massaging his jaw. He had to admit, his body had incredible vitality. Maybe it's related to my non-human nature, he thought to himself.
"So, what's the game plan now?" Lork asked, pulling up a chair and observing Cyrus with interest. His huge ears flapped slightly, a mischievous smile playing on his face. "If you don't have any, I've got a safe ball."
"I don't want to infiltrate the Bureau with you," Cyrus hastily shook his head. There was no way he would do something so stupid. "I might be making a huge mistake, but I need your help to contact someone."
As night fell, the duo prepared to put their plan into action. After another round of Lork's "protective" spitting, they were ready. They traversed the city carefully, with Lork not missing any opportunity to mock Cyrus about his slimy predicament. Thanks to Lork's precautions, no one followed them until they reached the familiar black car, stationed in the middle of a deserted street. It seemed to be waiting for something - or someone.
The duo boarded the vehicle, and Cyrus immediately felt as if the world had morphed around him. He couldn't help but smile as his body sank into the plushy seat. Even the air seemed different, filled with a refreshing perfume that he unwarily sniffed out loud.
Seated in the front chair, she frowned, gazing at him through the rearview mirror. Her golden eyes were as piercing as ever, seeming to look right through him.
"Have you taken a decision?" she asked, her voice cool and controlled.
"First, I need to hear a few things," Lork interjected, but a glacial silence followed. She simply locked eyes with Cyrus, completely ignoring anything else.
"We play on the same screen. His questions are mine," Cyrus declared, feeling a surge of loyalty towards his friend. This girl was so annoying; how he wished he never had to meet her again.
"Proceed as you see fit," she said, her tone neutral.
"In all honesty, are you with or against the Bureau?" Lork asked, his large ears twitching slightly.
Cyrus wasn't surprised by the question, although it might have sounded out of place to an outsider. He knew Lork had to be certain of where they were stepping. Who knew if this was another plan of the Bureau to effortlessly capture him?
She didn't move her gaze, still not leaving Cyrus. He was already used to her aggressive stare and didn't chicken out. He stared back, going as far as awkwardly leaning forward as if to say, "I'm not afraid of you."
What she didn't know was that Lork had the ability to listen to people's hearts. If they lied, he would know, thanks to his abnormally big ears. No one could escape his god-like detection.
"I will never associate with those beneath me," she said, the bestial traits of her face flashing out for a brief moment.
"Ah, finally, clarity," Lork leaned back, seemingly satisfied. "In that case, consider my buddy here on loan. Take good care of him."
She tilted her head to the side, her gaze shifting to Lork for the first time. Lork winked at Cyrus, a mischievous glint in his eye. "This is your chance, buddy. She's young but hot as hell. This time, smooth," he said with a grin.
She frowned at Lork's words, but he carefully evaded her aggressive stare. With a speed that belied his size, Lork vanished out of the car as fast as he could, like a spell disappearing into the void of the night.
Cyrus was speechless, his mind reeling from Lork's parting words. Me and this arrogant beauty? No way. I would rather rot alone in my corner, he thought to himself.
"Do you understand that after this, there is no turning back?" she asked, her voice cutting through his thoughts. The vehicle came back to life, roaring like a bestial animal. Its circuits bloomed with energy, pulsing with an otherworldly power.
Cyrus took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "Yeah, it's no big deal as long as I'm kicking it," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
A ghost of a smile flickered across her face, there and gone in an instant. "Then welcome to the Bites," she said, her hands gripping the steering wheel. "Let's go."
As the car pulled away from the curb, Cyrus couldn't help but feel that he was leaving behind more than just Lork's shop. He was leaving behind his old life, stepping into a world of unknowns and dangers. But as the city lights blurred past the windows, he felt a strange sense of excitement building within him. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it head-on.