A Few Minutes Later

  Still Inside the City of Tokyo

  After a few kilometers driven, Sork and the young girl, Nabi Yu, finally arrived at the restaurant, entering the underground parking garage.

  Sork presented his and the young girl's reservation to one of the many heavily armed security guards, whose presence conveyed the atmosphere of a refined environment.

  After a few minutes, they found a parking spot and parked the vehicle.

  As they stepped out of the car, they adjusted their clothes, casual, yet still reflecting a certain etiquette consistent with being in such a business-oriented setting.

  They walked side by side toward the elevator that would take them to the ground floor, where the restaurant was located.

  As they walked, they noticed that the parking lot was crowded at that early morning hour.

  This suggested that the restaurant was hosting some kind of event, making it far busier than the last time Sork had been there, months ago, during a solitary visit for business with the leader of the Yakuza.

  The environment could easily deceive those unfamiliar with the place, despite its refined structure and the well-lit parking area, discreetly patrolled by security guards.

  The building adjacent to the restaurant, on the ground floor, served as a fa?ade for the Yakuza's operations that took place on the upper floors.

  After a few steps toward the elevator, they finally reached its doors, which opened as they approached, allowing them to enter and turn toward the parking area.

  Both immediately noticed the elevator's careful cleanliness.

  It was a detail that might go unnoticed by many, but for the two of them, it demonstrated the attention to detail in an environment so close to the Japanese criminal underworld.

  As Sork thought about saying something to the young girl beside him, his ally, he noticed, a few meters away between the cars, a person watching him.

  Sork's perception of this person was instantaneous, captured at the exact moment the elevator doors were closing, allowing him to glimpse her briefly, as if time had slowed down at that precise instant.

  [(Sork - Thought, Deeply Incredulous) This has to be a joke...]

  The presence of that person conveyed something intense and, at the same time, gentle, accentuated by her refined attire.

  [(Sork - Thought, Deeply Apprehensive) ...What is this woman doing here on the same night as us?]

  Although her clothes were not as luxurious as those of most of the guests attending the restaurant upstairs, they still conveyed sophistication.

  [(Sork - Thought, Deeply Intrigued) This is starting to get very interesting...]

  Through the reflection in Sork's eyes, fixed on the enigmatic figure, he saw a beautiful woman with black hair and white streaks at the tips, wearing an elegant black dress.

  [(Sork - Thought, Deeply Fearful) But, just like last time when I was alone and managed not to be killed by her, the situation now is different.]

  Calmly, the woman ran one of her hands through her hair in a graceful manner while looking directly toward the elevator, focusing intensely on Sork's eyes.

  [(Sork - Thought, Deeply Fearful) This time I'm not alone. I'm with Nabi Yu on a mission.]

  It was clear that she had also just arrived at the restaurant, having parked her vehicle and stepped out of it at that very moment.

  Based on her attire and presence, it was evident that the woman had matters to resolve inside the restaurant, probably with someone who was waiting for her.

  In the subtle slowing of time, while the gazes of the woman and Sork intertwined, much seemed to be said without words, recalling their last encounter.

  [(Sork - Thought, Deeply Thoughtful) With Nabi Yu by my side, I'll keep myself on moderate alert regarding you, miss.]

  It was evident that only Sork was staring with such a piercing gaze, transmitting confidence and a lack of mercy should the fight that had been interrupted months ago against that woman be resumed.

  [(Sork - Thought, Deeply Confident) Since you are a member of that group, Sagittarius, and... possibly you, just like your older brother, still hate all of us, the Oculi, without distinguishing any of us from the damned members of the Inanis faction.]

  It was noticeable that the young girl, Nabi Yu, beside Sork inside the elevator, was busy sending messages on her smartphone, continuing several conversations.

  During the few seconds in which the elevator doors were opening and closing, Nabi Yu seemed completely unaware of what was happening around her, in a subtle way.

  The enigmatic woman then showed, before the elevator doors closed completely, still using her piercing gaze to face Sork, who stared back at her.

  A simple smile formed on her lips, but the absence of mercy and empathy toward Sork's existence at that exact moment was evident.

  She was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing inside her bag, making her stop staring at Sork and turn her face to retrieve the vibrating smartphone.

  Time returned to its normal flow, and finally that moment, which had seemed to last several seconds of exchanged gazes, came to an end. The elevator doors closed.

  But before that, Sork caught a final glimpse of the woman taking the smartphone and bringing it to her ear to answer the call.

  She subtly lowered her head, like a gentle gesture, as if affirming to Sork something like a "See you shortly."

  Both of them knew, unconsciously, that they would inevitably have a conversation inside the restaurant that same early morning, which for both would become a long night.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  After a few seconds had passed since Sork and Nabi Yu left the parking garage, the woman was revealed to be none other than Karl's younger sister, a member of the group Sagittarius.

  Sagittarius is a special force led by humans to combat the two Oculi factions that have been infiltrated within human society for decades in total secrecy.

  The Oculi faction known as Inanis is the most hated by the majority of Sagittarius agents, while the Reginae faction is considered an "ally" in the fight against Inanis.

  However, Reginae is also guilty of causing the deaths of many innocent humans in the crossfire against Inanis, which uses humans as test subjects.

  Karl's sister, Karla, now an older woman with stable health after the events at the Clikerson farm three years earlier.

  Where she had nearly lost her life in the fight against Miss Lax, the Oculi who served as the right hand of the Begeneri twins, leaders of the Inanis faction.

  After speaking on the phone with a serious voice and a bored expression, Karla hung up and took a deep breath. Her superiors were seeking information.

  Karla, placing the smartphone back into her small handbag, began walking toward the elevator where Sork and Nabi Yu had been moments earlier.

  Simultaneously, walking with a surreal elegance in her high heels, Karla discreetly pressed a small communicator in her ear.

  [Karla - Calm & Serious Voice] ...Brother, we are not the only ones coming to the restaurant tonight on "business." -

  [Karl - Communicator Voice] What do you mean by that? -

  [Karla - Calm & Serious Voice] It seems that two Oculi, members of the Reginae faction, are also here for some reason that we still don't know. -

  [Karl - Communicator Voice] ...Interesting. Use this chance to talk to them. No unnecessary human deaths. -

  Karla was communicating directly with her brother Karl, who was on the rooftop of the restaurant, watching the silent city of the early morning.

  [Karl - Communicator Voice] Do not forget, there are many humans inside this place tonight because it is an event celebrating the birthday of the current Yakuza boss. -

  Karl was on the rooftop with several members of the restaurant's security, all of them human, unconscious.

  He had disabled them to maintain the higher position and to intervene, if necessary, with greater efficiency during Karla's mission that night.

  [Karl - Communicator Voice] We have direct orders from our superior that no human here must learn of the existence of the Oculi among us, in case any combat occurs. -

  [Karla - Calm & Serious Voice] Understood, brother. But... do not forget that many members of Reginae present today hate us deeply for what we did to some of them a year ago in Greece. -

  [Karl - Communicator Voice] ...Yes. You are right, sister, but... -

  Karla's words revealed a complete absence of empathy, even after the help given by the Oculi of Reginae against Inanis over the last three years.

  [Karla - Calm & Serious Voice] But... "they" may protect us from the shadows of those damned ones, yet they are still Oculi, and not human like us in their essence. -

  Karla entered the elevator, pressed the button to go up to the restaurant, and deactivated the communicator in her ear.

  [(Karla - Deeply Empty Thought) Even with "them" helping us against the Inanis faction, it does not change the fact that...]

  A subtle smile, devoid of any empathy, appeared on her face as she looked forward, toward the many cars in the parking lot, until the elevator doors finally closed.

  [(Karla - Deeply Empty Thought) ...the presence of those damned Oculi causes harm to our world every year, simply because "they" exist in this reality that is ours, and not theirs!)]

  At the Same Time

  On the Restaurant Terrace

  Karl watches the city from above, its luminous buildings lending an even more impressive beauty to Tokyo. His eyes travel across the horizon, absorbing the view.

  Meanwhile, his black garments sway gently to the rhythm of the breeze, which makes his cigarette burn more intensely.

  [Karl - Deeply Tedious and Assertive Voice] ...Returning to our not-so-trivial conversation, Mr. "Mighty Oculi." -

  Karl takes a drag from his cigarette, releasing the smoke that is carried away by the early morning breeze. His empty, distant gaze shifts slightly backward.

  [Karl - Deeply Tedious and Assertive Voice] I would like to know what you, a pathetic Oculi agent, are doing here, where powerful and filthy humans gather after nightfall. [Subtle, Curious Sigh] -

  Behind him, an Oculi member of the Inanis faction is pinned in place, with several iron rods driven through his body.

  He is forced to remain with his back against the wall, in extreme pain and unable to speak.

  [Karl - Deeply Tedious and Assertive Voice] Just to spread even more of your fragrance of hypocrisy under the spotlight. [Subtle, Empty Sigh] -

  Around the Oculi's throat, which expresses extreme hatred and a thirst for revenge, black blood drips from his mouth and nose.

  [Karl - Deeply Tedious Voice] Being in this human restaurant, you are nothing less than an Oculi infiltrator of the Inanis faction. [Subtle, Assertive Sigh] -

  The iron around his neck, which is choking him, seems to be manipulated by an invisible force, tightening even more and making him scream in pain, unable to utter a single sound.

  [Agonizing and Extremely Anguishing Cry of Pain]

  As Karl turns to look directly at the Oculi man trapped in pain and agony, it becomes evident that the sleeping humans had been knocked unconscious by him.

  The Oculi was about to feed on their flesh after finishing his infiltrated duties.

  [Karl - Deeply Tedious Voice] There are many questions and many answers you could offer with your filthy, lying mouth, even after torturing you to the extreme, beyond what I have already done in the last few minutes. [Subtle, Assertive Sigh] -

  Karl then prepares to head to the headquarters of the Inanis faction, with the report of his mission at that location finally concluded successfully.

  He looks deeply into the man's black eyes, which spill tears of black blood.

  [Agonizing And Extremely Desperate Cry of Pain]

  Karl takes another drag from his cigarette, throws it to the ground, and steps on it to extinguish it.

  Then he begins to walk toward the man, who is being kept immobile against his will by Karl using only one hand and his abilities.

  [Karl - Deeply Empty Voice] However, I have limited time to devote to people like you, so... I will make you speak what you know.

  By applying an invisible force to the irons embedded in the man's body and to those that hold his arms and legs, Karl keeps him stretched against the wall.

  Karl's gaze reveals, for a few instants after a blink, his determination.

  [Karl - Deeply Empty Voice] Even if your Oculi essence and your mind shatter in the process. So... [Deep Sigh] -

  [Extremely Frightened And Desperate Scream]

  Karl reveals his eyes completely white, without irises, showing that he is using his abilities without limitation, just as he did three years ago.

  Now, Karl controls his powers with even more lethal precision.

  [Karl - Deeply Empty Voice] I warn you that if you try to resist telling me what I want to know, you will make this beautiful night in Tokyo... [Deep Sigh] -

  Karl, walking calmly and feeling the breeze against his body, approaches to within almost two meters of the man pinned to the wall by the irons.

  The muffled and unrecognizable screams in human language, which were once of pure agony and pain, transform into screams of despair and fear upon seeing Karl's human essence.

  His completely white eyes stare deeply into the man's black eyes, which cry black tears-his Oculi blood.

  [Karl - Deeply Merciless Voice] A long and entertaining night for me, and I will love making you remember that you should fear humans. [Subtle, Pleasure-Filled Sigh] -

  The man, in the face of the pain, sees the world around him gradually turn negative in its colors, while Karl, once bearing an expression of total indifference, seems to begin forming a subtle, sadistic smile.

  [(Man - Frightened and Incredulous Thought) He may be human, but... (Slight Tremor in the Voice) the essence behind his human existence is terrifying!]

  The smile on Karl's lips makes the man feel his entire body bristle and instinctively go numb before Karl's brutal presence on the terrace where they stand.

  [(Man - Frightened and Incredulous Thought) I feel my essence being "crushed" by his presence. Who is this guy? (Trembling Breath) Is he really human? (Trembling Breath)]