Rise of the Crusader

Time seemed to slip away in a blur, the swift passage of moments blurring into one another until dawn gracefully cast its golden hues upon the horizon. With the first rays of light, Aliyah sprang lithely from the perch of a sturdy tree, her senses keenly attuned to the figure before her—Raphael.

There was an enigmatic air about him, his countenance devoid of any discernible emotion. After a fleeting pause that seemed to stretch into eternity, Aliyah's voice broke the silence.

"Are you ready?" she inquired, her words hanging in the air, laden with anticipation.

The lack of response from Raphael only deepened the intrigue. His gaze remained fixed upon her, an impenetrable mask concealing his thoughts. Yet, despite his silence, he took a deliberate step forward, his movements imbued with purpose.

A flicker of satisfaction danced across Aliyah's features as she observed Raphael's measured advance. "That's the Raphael I need," she murmured, the corners of her lips curling into a subtle smile.

With a graceful motion, she reached for a bead adorning her wrist, plucking it free and casting it nonchalantly to the ground.

Curiosity tinged with perplexity etched itself upon Raphael's visage as he watched the bead fall, landing with a soft thud upon the ground. Confusion and bewilderment intermingled within his mind, yet before he could voice his questions, a transformation unfolded before his eyes.

In a matter of mere seconds, a radiant red portal materialized, its spiraling energies swirling and pulsating from the discarded bead.

A sense of awe and intrigue seized Raphael as he beheld the mystical spectacle. His brow arched inquisitively, seeking answers that eluded him. Aliyah, however, exhibited a knowing smile, her eyes glinting with an almost mischievous glimmer.

With measured steps, Aliyah approached the portal, her presence radiating confidence. Standing at its very nexus, she turned her gaze back to Raphael, her voice laced with a playful edge.

"What are you still waiting for? Come on over," she urged, her words laced with playful persuasion. "I promise I won't devour you."

Her words hung in the air, coaxing Raphael to action. Though his countenance remained neutral, a spark of curiosity ignited within him. He approached the portal with measured steps, his eyes locked onto Aliyah's unwavering gaze. With each movement, he crossed the boundary, standing right beside Aliyah.

As both Aliyah and Raphael stepped into the portal, their surroundings were abruptly swallowed up, the gateway sealing shut behind them. Little did Raphael know that, outside the confines of the vanished portal, two figures stood, their presence shrouded in intrigue.

A man of middle age, his hair cascading down to his waist in a rich brown hue, emerged, adorned in a sleek all-black attire. His face concealed behind an obsidian mask, he exuded an air of mystery.

At his side stood a woman, her flowing locks a striking shade of blue. Raphael, had he been present, would have recognized her as Indira, other than as Gus.

Indira's gaze lingered in the direction where Raphael had disappeared, her eyes filled with concern. After a brief silence, she ventured to speak. "Are you certain that not seeing him and explaining ourselves is the right course of action?" Her voice held a hint of uncertainty, her eyes gradually shifting towards the imposing figure beside her.

The man in the obsidian mask nodded in response, his movements deliberate. "Given his current state of anger, knowing him as well as I do, do you truly believe that anything I say would hold any significance to him?" his voice resonated from behind the mask, the words measured.

Indira's head shook in a rapid motion, her worry etched on her features. "But still, I—" she began, but was swiftly interrupted by the man.

"Fear not, Indira," he interjected, his tone calm yet commanding. "Once I have attended to the matters that require my attention, I shall personally approach him and provide an explanation. Hopefully, then he will be willing to lend an ear."

"Hopefully." Indira muttered.

In another corner of the city, a mesmerizing red portal materialized, spiraling into existence. As Raphael and Aliyah emerged, their eyes locked onto the unfamiliar surroundings, taking in the new landscape before them.

With cautious steps, they ventured forward, their instincts guiding them through the unknown.

Raphael's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but voice his surprise. "I had no idea you possessed a teleportation device," he remarked, a tinge of skepticism coloring his tone.

A smile played at the corners of Aliyah's lips, a hint of mystery dancing in her eyes. "There are countless abilities of mine that remain concealed from your knowledge, Raphael," she replied, her voice laced with intrigue. "Consider this gadget as just one of many secrets I hold."

Raphael's sneer betrayed his indifference. "To be frank, I couldn't care less," he quipped, his words dripping with disdain. "What I meant was, had I known its quality beforehand, I would have hesitated before stepping into it."

His dismissive words left Aliyah stunned, her mouth agape as if an egg could fit within its confines. Stuttering, she struggled to find her voice. "Y-You..." she managed to utter, her shock palpable.

Raphael simply nodded, his resolve unyielding. His actions spoke louder than any words could convey.

Aliyah's shock transformed into a mixture of disbelief and defiance. "Oh, do you now? So you possess superior teleportation gadgets at your disposal?"

Her words dripped with sarcasm, her voice tinged with a touch of resentment. "These gadgets," she continued, her tone dripping with disdain, "are nothing compared to the seven teleportation devices I possess. Each one surpasses the triviality of what you have just witnessed."

Sneering at her retort, Raphael nonchalantly waved his hand, conjuring a cluster of small gadgets on his palm. "These," he proclaimed, his voice laced with confidence, "are seven teleportation gadgets, each surpassing the capabilities of the one you so proudly displayed."

He paused, relishing the moment before delivering the final blow. "In fact, I could have taken a leisurely stroll to this very spot and arrived here before you."

Although it was evident that Raphael's words were nothing more than an attempt to belittle the gadget Aliyah had used, she couldn't help but feel a sting of irritation. Biting her lower lip, she fought to contain her frustration.

But, after a few moments, an unexpected wave of amusement washed over Aliyah, and she burst into laughter. Shaking her head at Raphael, she couldn't help but find his exaggerated claims amusing.

"Fuck you," she blurted out, her words carrying a mix of playfulness and defiance.

Raphael smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You wish," he retorted, his tone teasing.

Their shared laughter filled the air, a temporary respite from the tension that had lingered between them. However, the mirth was abruptly interrupted as a voice sliced through the air with an edge of curiosity.

"And who is fucking who over there?" the voice challenged.

Both Aliyah and Raphael's laughter died on their lips, replaced by a sudden seriousness. They turned toward the source of the voice, and Raphael's expression turned cold in an instant.

Before him stood Jeremy McCall, a prominent figure from the murderer division.

Raphael's gaze swept over the three women who accompanied Jeremy, until it settled on the girl with long black hair cascading down to the middle of her back. A single word escaped Raphael's lips, almost as a whisper.

"Elisa."