As Migi and Riei stepped out of the building, the underground cavern's dim light enveloped them.
The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and the low hum of distant machinery.
They paused for a moment, allowing their eyes to adjust to the change in lighting.
It was then that they noticed the commotion nearby..
A small crowd had gathered, their excited chatter rising above the usual background noise of the underground city.
At the centre of this throng was a familiar figure – Ryan.
Migi blinked in disbelief. "Is that...?" she began, her voice trailing off as she took in the scene.
Ryan, who had been weak and barely responsive when she left him, was now the life of the party.
He moved with a grace and confidence that seemed entirely surprising, his earlier frailty nowhere to be seen.
A diverse group of admirers surrounded him, hanging on his every word and gesture.
Riei's serpentine eyes narrowed, focusing intently on Ryan.
Her forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air.
"Extraordinary," she murmured, her voice a mix of wonder and curiosity. "Migi, do you see it? The energy around him..."
Migi glanced at Riei, then back at Ryan. To her eyes, he looked the same as always, if unexpectedly animated. "What do you mean?" she asked, her brow furrowing.
Riei's scales shimmered as she shifted her weight. "It's like a living aura," she explained, her voice low and intense. "Red energy, pulsing and swirling around him. I've never seen anything quite like it."
As they watched, Ryan effortlessly tossed a set of luminescent dice, their glow leaving trails in the air.
The crowd cheered as they clattered to a stop, clearly showing a winning roll. Ryan's laughter, rich and carefree, echoed off the cavern walls.
In the next moment, he turned to a nearby nymph, her skin glowing with an inner light.
With a charming smile, he pulled her close and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.
The nymph's glow intensified, and when Ryan released her, she swooned dramatically into the arms of her companions.
Before Migi could fully process this, Ryan was already moving on.
He approached a burly troll who was easily twice his size.
The two exchanged words, grins spreading across their faces.
Then, to the delight of the onlookers, they locked hands in what appeared to be an arm-wrestling match.
Migi's mind whirled.
This wasn't the Ryan she had left outside the Aiel district to wait for her.
"It's as if he's lived a thousand lifetimes in the span of an hour. I'm afraid to admit it, but he might actually be The Sprint King." Riei mused, echoing Migi's thoughts.
There was a note of admiration in her voice that Migi had rarely heard before.
As they continued to observe, Migi couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
Amazement at Ryan's transformation, concern for what it might mean, and a growing unease about their situation.
They were supposed to be lying low, not drawing attention to themselves.
"We should probably intervene," Migi said softly, taking a step forward.
But Riei's hand on her arm stopped her.
"Wait," the snake spirit hissed. "Look over there."
Migi followed Riei's gaze to the edge of the crowd.
A group of rough-looking individuals had appeared, their eyes locked on Ryan.
They moved with purpose, shouldering their way through the throng.
"Who are they?" Migi asked, though she had a sinking feeling she already knew the answer.
Riei's expression darkened. "Trouble," she replied, her scales bristling slightly. "Enforcers for the Obsidian Wraiths. And they don't look happy."
As the newcomers drew closer, the atmosphere began to shift.
The jubilant crowd thinned slightly, sensing the change in the air.
Ryan, however, seemed oblivious to the approaching danger, still revelling in the adoration of his newfound admirers.
Migi and Riei exchanged a glance, both aware that the situation was balancing on a knife's edge.
They needed to act, but rashness could be just as dangerous as inaction. The question was, what move should they make?.
Migi took a deep breath, her mind racing to find a solution.
She turned to Riei, speaking in a low, urgent tone. "We need to get him out of here before those enforcers reach him. Any ideas? Do not involve violence, trust me, my darling does it better than anyone ".
Riei's eyes never left the approaching group as she replied, "I might have one, but it's risky. Follow my lead."
With fluid grace, Riei began to move towards Ryan and the crowd.
Migi followed close behind, trying to match the snake spirit's confident stride.
As they neared, Ryan had just finished his arm-wrestling match with the troll, emerging victorious to the amazement of the onlookers.
His face was flushed with excitement, a broad grin spread across his features.
Riei slithered up to him, her voice pitched to carry. "Well, well, what do we have here? The guest of honour, I presume?" Her eyes flickered briefly to the approaching enforcers before returning to Ryan.
Ryan turned, his gaze locking onto Riei.
For a moment, something like recognition flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by playful interest.
"And who might you be, beautiful?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of otherworldly charm.
Migi watched the exchange, marvelling at how different Ryan seemed.
It was as if he was playing a role, one he seemed born to inhabit.
Riei laughed, a sound like tinkling bells. "I'm the one who's been waiting for you, darling. Your... special appointment, remember?" She emphasize the word 'special', letting it hang in the air suggestively.
The crowd around them murmured with interest.
Even the approaching enforcers slowed their advance, clearly intrigued by this new development.
Ryan's eyebrows rose, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Ah, of course. How could I forget such an important engagement?" He turned to the crowd, spreading his arms wide. "My friends, it seems duty calls. But fear not, The king of spirits shall return!"
The gathered beings cheered and laughed, clearly charmed by Ryan's theatrics.
Migi marvelled at how easily he commanded their attention, how naturally he seemed to fit into this chaotic underground world.
Riei took Ryan's arm, guiding him away from the crowd.
Migi fell into step beside them, keenly aware of the Obsidian Wraith enforcers still watching from a distance.
As they moved, Riei spoke in a low voice, her words meant only for Ryan and Migi. "We need to leave now. There are some rather unsavoury characters who've taken an interest in you."
Ryan glanced back, his eyes finding the enforcers in the crowd.
For a brief moment, Migi saw something flash in his eyes - a depth of understanding that seemed at odds with his carefree demeanor.
But as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced once more by that easygoing smile.
"And you came all the way out here to save me? Quite the bravery," he said, loud enough for those nearby to hear. "I'm all yours."
Riei guided them towards a hidden exit, one known only to her most trusted associates.
As they walked, she spoke quietly to Ryan, her voice a mix of curiosity and caution. "You've caused quite a stir in a very short time. I don't suppose you'd care to explain how you managed that?".
Ryan's response was cryptic, his voice carrying an echo of something ancient and powerful.
"Time is a river, my dear, and I've learned to swim its currents."
Migi and Riei exchanged a glance, both aware that they were in the presence of something far beyond their understanding.
As they neared the secret exit, Migi couldn't help but wonder what other surprises lay in store for them on this journey.
The underground city buzzed behind them, already alive with whispers and rumours of the mysterious stranger who had appeared and vanished like a dream.