Fighting Fate (Sylus x Mephisto)

5. Long-Awaited Revelry

Previously

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"What one's thinking comes into one's dreams." He says nonchalantly. Those aren't empty words, huh. Thinking back to the dream I had while I was unconscious. I didn't always think of the Heroine of this game as the Heroine or a game character. I thought of her as a sister at one point, someone who I could trust...

His arms reach over my shoulders, lifting each dress in front of me he meticulously compares them.

"If there are more happy moments in your life, will you have more pleasant dreams?" He asks suddenly and I think about today. I meet Sylus' gaze in the mirror and slightly smile

"I can try." I say and he puts the dresses on a hanging rack. In the reflection of the mirror I see him grab his wallet from his front pocket and holds up a copy of the pictures we took today.

"Why don't we start today?" He asks and I grab the photos from him seeing the amusement flash in his eyes. I stare at the photos and I can feel my heart begin to race. Although my hair is long in the photos and I HATE taking photos, I can't help but to think they came out well.

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The heavy oak door of the bar creaked open as I stepped inside The Nest, my high heels clicking softly against the polished wooden floor. The warm glow of amber light spilled over the marble counter, highlighting the freshly reupholstered leather seats and intimate booths that surrounded the dimly lit room. I scanned the crowd, taking in the huddled groups lost in laughter and hushed conversations, while the faint sound of a jazz band in the corner created an atmosphere both inviting and deceptive. Many deals were being made here. 

Wearing a fitted black dress that hugged my curves, an ushanka on my head, all black glasses, and a sly smile, I sauntered to the bar and ordered a whiskey neat, subtly keeping my gaze on the entrance. My heart raced with a cocktail of adrenaline and anticipation; tonight's mission was clear. I hand the bartender a black quill made from one of my feathers. They took it and placed it behind the counter and I took a sip of my drink. 

I glanced at my reflection in the mirrored back of the bar, adjusting a loose strand of hair before leaning casually against the counter when I saw her walk in. I walk away from the bar and walk to the center of the floor where a few are dancing. I sway my body back and forth to the sound of the music as I watched a Siren that was waiting for my fish approach and block off a pest from bothering her.

They walk to the bar and I can see the quill being used as the one I had just dropped off a few minutes before. She's about to offer herself as bait. Always the "self-sacrificing" Heroine, aren't we? The bartender takes the paper and heads to the VIP area. The Heroine thinks she's baiting only Onychinus but she's baiting Ever group leader and the other group as well, she doesn't realize how risky this actually is.

I watch as she is handed a black shot glass. A black glass means you'll pay a high price, one she thinks she'll be able to pay but she'll be the payment instead. I watch as the male lead next to her, Rafayel the Siren, speaks to her before watching her throw back the shot in one gulp. I roll my eyes at her confidence.

A drunken man stumbles into me wearing a Hawaiian style shirt with palm trees on it, the foul scent of alcohol on his breath overwhelming my senses. I felt a rush of anger wash over me, but before I could react, the Siren emerged from the shadows. With effortless charm and an assertive presence, he placed himself between us.

"Hey, buddy, why don't you find your way back to your friends?" The Siren's voice was smooth but resolute, and the man, sensing the challenge, muttered an apology and walked away. The Siren turned to me, flashing me a grin and I rolled my eyes.