One Step Closer - Is It a Trap?

The computer monitor flashed brilliantly. The room was packed with vibrant lights. Others were watching Sparrow's every move with bated breath. His eyes were still closed, but the movement of his pupil was obvious; they twitched side to side, anxiously hunting for something.

As per sparrow, he was able to manipulate approximately every CCTV camera in that city. It seemed as though he had a thousand eyeballs all over his body... His gaze was drawn to every nook and corner of the city... bustling metro, busy highways, malls, dark alleys, cooperatives, vehicles, and even people's personal phones

"Sparrow? Are you getting something?"... Leo asked

Sparrow's expression remained distraught, but a grin emerged in the corner of his lips. He opened his eyes quickly, sweating and terrified, and collapsed in complete terror, shaking.

"Sparrow? What happened? What is it?" ... others were surprised and wondered

Sparrow's trembling continued... His expression was as if he had fled from a terrifying creature... "It knows… Esse-Diz is aware that we are looking for it... It saw me"... Sparrow spoke in fragments.

"What! How? What did you see?" Leo inquired.

Others were extremely worried... They paused for a moment and waited for Sparrow's replay.

"I saw something weird in Blue City's B-alley; it was brimming with dark energy, and the image of the girl you showed me resembled her, so I got a closer look through the CCTV nearby. Then that creature unexpectedly faced me; I'm not sure how he discovered my existence through my protective charms. Normally, neither Yfels nor Lehts can perform it. It gave me a creepy smile before saying"... Sparrow gulps and slurps down a bottle of water.

"What did he say?" Leo seemed solemn.

"Meet us here, Prince." "That's what it said... I'm telling you, Prince Bro, this thing almost made me wet my pants just by staring at it; please reconsider"... Sparrow expressed his fear.

Others cast glances toward Leo... But he was grinning...

"Leo, Please don't take this as a joke; I believe sparrow has a valid point... It is harmful if it can detect Sparrow birds through their protective barrier... You are aware that Divine Sparrows guard Amure, the domain in which Allai dwells... How can the thing even detect Divine Sparrows? Even if it was created by Divine Luminance and was once a Divine Spirit, it is now just a dark entity"... Bella shared her concerns.

"Bella, you didn't get it, right?" Eesah smirked as Lexus said that

"What?"... she was puzzled

"Esse-Diz knows we were looking for it, or should I say it was guiding us to it all along, he revealed himself to us pretty fast... So it and its mistress want something from us or something to do with us... Finally, Esse-Diz and its hostess have now sought an audience with us... Let's put our best face forward"... Leonard laughs.

"That's exactly… what I originally described...in just a single word... Dangerous"… Bella responded

"Beneath Foc, you pledged to be my knight... If all you care about is your own life, you may go back home and pretend you're a designer, Bella"... Leo's words hardened.

"Dear Allai, you can be too harsh and cruel at times... I was only reminding you of the danger... Of course, I'm terrified, but I'm not concerned about my life... I apologize for displaying a vulnerable state... I'll follow you, Prince"... Bella softly lowers her head.

"That's the spirit, Kid"... Lexus pats Bella on the head.

"Stop messing my hair"… she pouts

"But, Leo, Bella has a valid point. Esse-Diz is deadly, and we don't know what it's up to... What if it's a ruse?" Eesah inquired.

"I know, but something tells me that this is different, and we need to meet them... I am embracing my instinct here, will you trust me?" ... Leo enquired.

"Prince, you have my complete trust... Lead the way"… Eesah chuckled.

"So then It's decided, pleasure doing biz with you comrades… See you later"... Sparrow waved his hand at them, smiling.

"Lexus, Eesah, take him with everything he needs"... Leo grinned back... "We need him"... he went out with Bella.

"Ehh?... but Prince Bro?... I'm not a knight… wait… wait Lexus Bro… Uncle Bro"… Sparrow threw a tantrum like a baby

"That's reasonable, but I'm still your Prince, therefore it's an order, Sparrow"... Leo yelled as he walked out of the apartment.

"Huh! Oh! Allai, please save my life... Let me get my things, at least"... Sparrow carries a backpack holding all of his vital devices.

"We don't have all day here, Sparrow"... Lexus shouted

"Yeah, come on, man, let me say goodbye to my Mama"... Sparrow grabbed a woman's hand and kissed them passionately... "We might not see each other again, Mama; I'm going on an extremely dangerous assignment; don't go thinking I'm dead... I shall return"... He then kisses her fiercely...

She waves goodbye like a soap opera actress... Sparrow valiantly walks away from her, like a gallant soldier. Lexus and Eesah, who were watching this, were flabbergasted... "I saw something I shouldn't have seen"... They pondered it.

"Let's head to Blue City's B-alley, shall we? Keep an eye on the situation, Sparrow... Today we'll be meeting Esse-Diz and its hostess... so, brace yourself, people"… As he said these words, Leo's heart hammered.

The car drove away for Blue City...

.................

The sun is no longer visible. Like a sparkling dancing girl, the blue city is ablaze. Casinos, pubs, hotels, clubs, restaurants... everything sparkled. Leo, Lexus, and Eesah strolled along the sidewalk to the B-alley. Sparrow and Bella sat in the car, observing them.

"Hey, don't you feel tired after walking? Come on in, I'll give you a massage"... a scarcely clothed girl alluringly murmured from a spa center.

"Sorry, baby, I don't have time right now... Perhaps next time"... Lexus smiles and passes by her with Leo and Eesah...

"Can you concentrate here, I know you love this part of town... But now is not the time"... Eesah chastised Lexus

"Bull, I was rejecting her"... Lexus responded

"Shush! Guys! We are here"… Leo stated

They came to a halt in front of the B-alley arch entry. Some people appeared to be frightening and sinister. They were both Yfels and ordinary people. Drugging, criminal trade, prostitution, enslavement, mafias... B-alley is well-known for them. An area teeming with crooks and scumbags.

"Sparrow? Do you spot her?" ... Leo inquired of Sparrow via Bella's psychic vines.

"No, Not yet, I haven't detected her presence"... Sparrow responded by rustling his eyes around his computer.

"Is it a ploy?" ... Lexus looked around... He put both hands on his hip, and something formed... Vim and Vigor, his daggers... He gripped the hilt of his dagger with both hands.

Suddenly, a young boy approached them, grabbing Leo's shirt...Lexus quickly drew his single blade and pointed at that boy. Fearful, the kid huddled behind Leo.

"Lexus, Relax... It's only a child"... Leo stated. Lexus re-scabbards Vim.

"Hey, kid... Do you know me?" ... Leo inquired of the child.

He gave a nod... then took a piece of paper...

"Is this for me?" ...

He nodded once more...

Leo grabbed the piece of paper from the boy, but the child remained standing there, extending out his hand as if to plead for something. Leo first didn't understand what he meant, so he handed him some money. The boy smiled and bolted. The small boy's ripped clothing and filthy looks reminded Leo of his own background. The days he spends hiding in the dark, hungry and dirty like a sewer rat.

"Leo?"... Lexus called. Leo awoke from his horrible experience. He unfolded the piece of paper.

"Spades Club," it states...

"Spades Club is located in the B-alley; simply enter it and go to the right side, the fifth building"... Sparrow issued directions.

"Thank you, Sparrow"... They proceeded to Spades Club.

The club was not opulent, but rather run-down. They walked in. The aroma of alcohol, perfumes, and cigarette smoke. Old men and ladies sat and spoke. As Leo and others entered, they stared.

"Are you Prince Leonard Augustus?"... a lovely lady inquired with a sweet grin.

"she is a yfel" ... They pondered...

"Yes, I'm Leonard", he responded... "Are you the one?" ...

"I'm a Yfel, but the one you seek is waiting for you inside; please follow me"... She responded cordially.

"Yes"… Leo and the others followed the girl to the first floor. They stopped at the entrance to a private room.

"You may enter; she is waiting for you"... The girl then returned.

Leo inhaled deeply, glanced at Lexus and Eesah, and decided to enter. Lexus opened the door, and the room was dimly lit. There were seven chairs at a circular table. They couldn't detect anyone's presence inside.

"This is a trap, Leo"... Lexus stated

"Stay behind me, Prince"... Leo was shielded by Eesah.

'Was I misreading it? ... No, I don't believe this is a trap... But something is certainly off'... Leo reflected himself.

Suddenly, a static sound penetrated their ears... They realized it was the disruption in Bella's telepathic vines. They've disappeared. The three looked at each other perplexed, trying to grasp the situation.