*Scene: Quiet backstreet near Modeus' inn — early evening*
Modeus walked calmly, hands behind his back, eyes half-lidded as if bored by the world itself. The cobblestone street stretched ahead of him, but he knew—without turning—that someone had been tailing him since he left the museum.
Lyon, ducking behind stalls, crates, and at one point a very startled elderly woman with a goose, was doing his best imitation of stealth.
*Lyon (muttering to himself):*
"Come on, Lyon... silent like the wind... deadly like grandma's soup on a bad day..."
He paused at the corner, peeked around... and saw Modeus vanish down a narrow alley. Grinning, he crept up and rounded the same corner confidently—only to stop dead.
A wall. Just a flat wall. No doors, no turns. Empty.
*Lyon (confused):*
"What the hell? Did he walk into the wall? Is he a ghost? Did I follow a hallucination?"
Suddenly, a cold hand touched the side of his neck. Lyon stiffened immediately, all blood draining from his face.
*Modeus (calmly, from behind):*
"You're not very good at this."
Lyon didn't move.
*Modeus:*
"If you reach for a weapon, I'll pull your ribs out and play them like a harp."
*Lyon (stammering):*
"Whoa, whoa—relax, dark prince. I'm just... curious. You know, curious like a harmless squirrel."
*Modeus:*
"A squirrel with a dagger under his belt, three poisons hidden in his coat, and a backup knife in his boot."
*Lyon (gulping):*
"...Okay maybe a slightly well-armed squirrel."
Modeus sighed and pulled his hand away, stepping in front of him, staring blankly.
*Modeus:*
"Go home. You're lucky I'm not in the mood."
He turned and walked away. Lyon blinked, heart pounding, completely frozen.
A few moments passed.
He reached slowly for a blade, considered throwing it, held it up—and then sighed and dropped it.
*Lyon (sitting on the floor, exhausted):*
"Yeah... let's not die today."
He took out a dry biscuit from his pouch and bit into it sadly.
*Lyon (mumbling):*
"Next time I'm tailing a scary guy, someone tie me to a chair."
*Scene: Constantine Manor — The War Room*
The thick wooden doors slammed open as *Mia* was summoned in, her steps heavy, eyes red from fatigue. Inside, *Johan Constantine* stood behind his grand desk, surrounded by relics and battle maps. His gaze was cold.
*Johan (voice raised):*
"So the rumors are true. You've completely lost sight of your task!"
*Mia:*
"I haven't! I'm still on it, I just—"
*Johan (cutting her off):*
"Don't! I don't want to hear about your 'mysterious walks' or why you've been sobbing into pillows and skipping your briefings!"
He paced.
*Johan:*
"You haven't even confirmed if this entity is a threat. Or was that your excuse to frolic with a stranger like a foolish peasant girl in heat?"
*Mia (clenching her fists):*
"I *am* close. I just need—"
*Johan:*
"Enough!"
He turned to the guard.
*Johan:*
"Send in *Cassian*."
Moments later, *Cassian Constantine*, tall, sharp-jawed, and smugly armored in custom-forged black steel, stepped in with a sarcastic smirk plastered on his face. His eyes rolled immediately at the sight of Mia.
*Cassian (mocking bow):*
"Father. Sister."
*Johan:*
"Cassian, you'll be leading the investigation from now. Choose two of your brothers, or cousins—whoever you trust. Get it done."
*Cassian (with a sly grin):*
"Gladly. Someone has to clean up the emotional mess left behind."
*Mia (desperate):*
"Father, no! You don't understand—he's not what you think. I *need* to be the one—"
*Johan (interrupting):*
"You had your chance. You failed. This isn't about pride. It's about the safety of our bloodline."
*Mia (tearing up):*
"I haven't failed! I know what I'm doing—he listens to me. He—"
*Johan (stone cold):*
"You are dismissed."
Mia's breath caught. Her eyes welled. For a moment, she looked ready to argue again—but then turned and stormed out, tears falling, the doors slamming behind her.
Johan stood in silence.
*Johan (to Cassian):*
"I want results. Make me proud."
*Cassian (smirking):*
"Don't worry. Unlike some people, I don't get distracted by a pretty face."
He bowed and exited.
*Scene: Aisha's Quarters — Abaddon Ha'Sheol*
Aisha lay draped upside-down across her floating chaise, dramatically bored, tossing a tiny enchanted orb into the air.
Suddenly, her comm crystal glowed. She jumped upright as *Dani's* voice came through, slightly static.
*Dani (via transmission):*
"Aisha, listen — I triple-checked with every realm gatekeeper. Modeus isn't in any of the underworld planes. Not a trace."
*Aisha (eyes wide):*
"Then where could he—?"
(she pauses, then realizes)
"…Earth. It has to be."
*Dani:*
"It's the only place left unchecked. But why he'd sneak there without telling anyone? No clue. Just be careful."
*Aisha (thoughtfully):*
"If he didn't want anyone to know... what is he hiding?"
(she sighs)
"Thanks, Dani. I owe you."
*Transmission ends.*
From the shadows, *Varron*, her loyal but ever-worried guardian, emerged behind a pillar — having overheard everything. His expression tightened.
*Varron (to himself):*
"She's going to Earth... just like him. If both vanish from the grid—"
He turned, walked swiftly to his own secured chamber, and activated a high-tier communication rune.
*Scene: Somewhere on Earth — A busy market square*
*Modeus*, dressed casually but still radiating untouchable confidence, walked beside *Mira*, who was animatedly showing him rare herbs and artifacts from a merchant's stand.
Suddenly, his enchanted ring flickered — Varron's transmission trying to break through.
*Modeus glanced at it, sighed, and ignored it.*
*Mira (noticing):*
"Is everything alright?"
*Modeus (calmly):*
"Just a call I don't feel like answering."
*Back in Ha'Sheol...*
*Varron*, still holding the failed link, looked tense.
*Varron (muttering):*
"If he's ignoring me… either he's distracted, or something's gone terribly wrong."