True Mystical Power
Without saying, The Show made possible by Esmeralda was quite the experience for all attending. Ricky saw that his best pal was in a better mood thanks to his endeavors. Which in turn, pleased him that he achieved his goal for the day. Though, the Filipino soon began to notice that Ty was a bit on edge. He believed that they were being followed by something or someone as the two headed over to Esmeralda's temporary residents located at the Radisson Hotel. Oddly, Esmeralda was quite fond of Ty and his dorky demeanor. After all, most girls see a dorky demeanor as attractive... Or Ricky so far believed that to be the case. "So, think Esmeralda is gonna give you her number, lucky man?" Ricky announced smugly as he elbowed Tyrik.
"Dude... I doubt she had that much of an interest in me..." Tyrik announced as he rearranged his jacket a bit, which was a nervous tick of his. "Though, I think it would be nice if that did happen." He added on before reflecting back on his experience being Ms. Ravenna's assistant on stage. Most of her performances seem to feel like true living magic than smoke and mirrors. Hell, Tyrik indeed knew that the opening act was real. He truly was transformed into an actual tiger. There was no other explanation for this to have been pulled off. Other tricks she performed, upon closer observation, lack any of the common items magicians have while being too realistic. 'Is Esmeralda an ACTUAL Magic User or Witch?' The Asian Young Adult thought to himself. 'Plus... What are those snake people I have been seeing lately? With the weaponry that they have, especially that Cobra Shredder Gal, has seemed to be suited for a battle against some kind of powerhouse...' He thought to himself in great detail. He also went over sources like Marvel, Sonic the Hedgehog, Lord of The Rings, and other related media to draw some kind of understanding of what is happening... Though, it may be another case of proving the statement 'If you don't go looking for Trouble. Trouble won't go looking for you.' entirely wrong.
"So, what is your idea of why Esmeralda wanted to see us in person? It isn't every day that a celebrity asks for a specific fan for a meet and greet you know..." Ricky added on with a raised eyebrow to express the current confusion that was in the air between the two. It was indeed true for most cases for this to be out of place. Yet, Tyrik didn't want to think about this as much as Ricky desired to. Personally, he wanted to make the best of the situation as he could before waking up from a potentially very pleasant dream. Soon, the duo entered the Radisson and promptly approached the customer service desk with bated breath, mostly on Tyrik's behalf.
"Excuse me, Sir. I am here to see Ms. Esmeralda Ravenna. Name is Tyrik Kage and Ricky Santos..." The Timid young adult explained to the clerk as he rolled over to the desk's monitor to double-check the given information. Oddly, though, Tyrik's sense of smell began to detect an odd aroma. Tyrik looked around to search for the scent, hoping to locate the two snake humanoids before their plan could be carried out.
"Ay!" Shouted a feminine and thick Irish Accent from a newcomer, "Guessin you were de ahnes Mess Esmeralda 'ad invited over.[Guessing you were the ones Miss Esmeralda had invited over.]" The woman announced as she placed a hand on her hip with a small smile. As Ricky and Tyrik turned over to her, they came to see a very intimidating woman with a build that seemed like she could break you in half without any effort. Her hair dropped to her mid-neck and adorn a classy three-piece suit accompanied by a knee-length skirt. It was surprising to see that the woman's muscular build hasn't torn through the tight set of professionals that she wore. Her coloring had a mix of dark blue with traces of purple. Her hair seemed to be tied with the color of a dark shade of magenta. Though, she surprisingly needed to wear a set of rectangle glasses, which suggested she was just as smart as strong. "Me name is Kathleen Carney. Shahrt explanation, I serve as Esmeralda's show manager. Ahccasionally 'er caretaker too when she isn't bein respahnseble...[My name is Kathleen Carney. Short explanation, I serve as Esmeralda's show manager. Occasionally, her caretaker, too, when she isn't being responsible...] Whech is very annahyin to deal wit... [Which is very annoying to deal with...]" Ms. Carney exclaimed while rubbing the bridge of her nose. Though, after calming herself quickly, a soft mutter was heard by the young Asian American. "'Ahpefoehlly, she knows what she's doin wit you two...[Hopefully, she knows what she's doing with you two...]" The Irish bodybuilder announced as Tyrik wondered what Kathleen meant by this. "Now, please fahllow me. I'll be takin you bot to ooehr room at dis doehmp.[Now, please follow me. I'll be taking you both to our room at this dump.]" She ordered with a small hand gesture. Neither Tyrik nor Ricky dared to attempt to disobey her, which is mainly for the obvious physical disadvantages they had against this woman. Though, as soon they had departed for the floor and room number. Tyrik once again saw the two snake humans close behind, yet Kathleen stopped in her tracks while taking off her glasses in pure annoyance. With a small glance behind her, a flash of dark pink energy within her eyes shined. Tyrik felt his eyes briefly hurt from this glare. Heck, both Ricky and himself felt a major migraine before Kathleen placed her glasses back on. Looking behind himself one more time, Tyrik saw that the two seemed to be frozen in place as if the two were trapped within their own minds as they entered the elevator. Tyrik's sense of what was real and fantasy seemed to be turning on its head as he listened to the hum of the elevator through between the various floors of the hotel building. Though, Kathleen looked back at him with a sense of concern visible on her face. "You doin ahk, yooehng man? Need anythin befahre we meet wit Mess Ravenna?[You doing ok, young man? Need anything before we meet with Miss Ravenna?]" Miss Carney asked as she went into her suit's pockets for some kind of medication.
"I would actually need some Ibuprofen if you have it..." Ricky announced while he rubbed his forehead, "Got a killer headache all of a sudden..." He added on as Kathleen quickly pulled out a bottle of said medication and handed the Filipino a pair of pills.
As Ricky gladly took the pair of pills from her, it was quickly followed by quite upsetting news. "Oehnfahrtunately, I dahn't 'ave a bahttle o' water ahn 'and. You're gahnna need to take it wethooeht anythin to wash it down.[Unfortunately, I don't have a bottle of water on hand. You're gonna need to take it without anything to wash it down.]" The Irish woman announced coldly as she placed the bottle of meds within her suit once more. Ricky made a very audible grumble as he chucked the pills down his throat, hoping that they wouldn't get stuck in his throat. Though, there wasn't much success as he began to comedically choke while trying to force the meds down his gullet. Rising concern from Tyrik while Kathleen couldn't help but snicker at this. Though, this was quick to come to a close as the elevator came to the desired floor as Ricky cleared his throat from the painful experience. "I'm ok... I'm ok..." The Filipino announced with a flustered smile and a wave of his hand.
"Sure, Ricky... We believe that..." Tyrik drying declared while patting his shoulder to help ease the pain. Shortly afterward, they reached room number 117 as Kathleen used the room's key to allow them to enter inside.
With a loud knock upon a nearby wall, Kathleen shouted aloud; "Mess Ravenna! Yooehr guests are 'ere! Make sure whatever you wanted frahm dese two quick...[Miss Ravenna! Your guests are here! Make sure whatever you wanted from these two quick...]" Kathleen announced before heading over to a drawer and pulling out a small whisky container to take a swig of the alcohol within.
"Coming!!!" Shouted the famed Magician as she tripped over a few things after coming out of the shower. "Meant to do that..." Esmeralda announced as she readjusted her hair from the recent crash. Though, she was still in her magician attire, oddly enough, as Tyrik couldn't help but check her out a bit. "Nice seeing you again, Tyrik. Thank you for coming." Ravenna announced with a warm smile as Tyrik couldn't help but rubbed the back of his neck in a flustered manner.
"It's no big deal, honestly..." He began with a small chuckle before turning a bit serious, "Though... Why did you want to see me? After all, you're quite popular and I'm just some random nobody to you..." He bitterly admitted as Esmeralda clearly began to show uncertainty regarding how to address the upcoming details. "So... I hope you keep an open mind about what is to be announced..." The Vietnamese woman announced before growing quite serious with her words. "But have you heard of Arcane Energy before?" She asked aloud with narrowed eyes as Tyrik thought over the question carefully.
"Isn't that the newfound energy that corporations like White Star and Gibbs Industries have recently discovered across the world lately?" Ricky questioned, unsure where this was heading. Tyrik was also confused by this had to do with him and Ricky. After all, Tyrik wasn't a believer in this new energy. After all, the name alone suggested it was some kind of magic. Which wasn't at all real... 'On second thought... It doesn't sound that unrealistic anymore, considering Esmeralda...' Tyrik came to realize within his thoughts. "What about it exactly?" Questioned Tyrik as he pondered where this was heading. Beginning to fiddle with a necklace he had worn, it was an amulet given to him by his mother.
With a frustrated sigh, Kathleen spoke up; "De cahmpany, White Star Cahrporation, 'as been 'oehntin down anyone wit an Arcane Gem ahn 'and. Anyone captured by dem 'aven't been seen again.[The company, White Star Corporation, has been hunting down anyone with an Arcane Gem on hand. Anyone captured by them havent been seen again.]" Kathleen then glanced over to Ricky with a cold smile as she rested her head against her hand, "We believe dat might send to grab you bot." The Irish Bodybuilder finished off as she gestured with her eyes towards Tyrik messing with the odd gemstone that was attached to the necklace, adoring a set of runes engraved into the gem. However, Kathleen did not have the opportunity to ask more about the gem as the sound of metal doors being thrown off their hinges crashed through the hallways outside the hotel room.
"Crap! De Cahbrivite brahke free o' me illusion faster dan I Dooehght! We need to get ooeht o' 'ere Now![Crap! The Cobrivite brake freed of my Illusion faster than I thought! We need to get out of here Now!]" Declared Kathleen in pure shock as Esmeralda was stunted by what the Irish Woman stated aloud.
"Cobrivite!? And you didn't think to tell me!?" Scolded Esmeralda as Tyrik and Ricky were left confused by what the hell a Cobrivite was in the first place. Before the question could be made, the arm of a Cobrivite smashed through the door. Adorning razor-sharp blades upon the gauntlets that barely came through Ricky's back as he shouted in fright from the sudden attack. With another yank of the arm, the door was ripped off the hinges as the cobra woman walked in. The expression clearly showed that she was enraged by the stunt from earlier. "Time to finish the job, Princess..." The Cobra woman declared with a venomous hiss as the blades extended further as the Snake took on a battle stance. Readying herself for a fight ahead.