Cyrus returned to the villa, his soul shattered and his mind in turmoil. A single, all-consuming obsession drove him forward: to destroy the person who had transformed his life into a waking nightmare.

In the Bite's armory, Cyrus donned a sleek black attire, his movements mechanical and purposeful. He selected two Mustang pistols and the Myriad cube transformation device, each item a potential key to his desperate plan. Even if it meant sacrificing his own life, he was determined to take action.

The door creaked open behind him, and a figure stepped into the room. Without turning, Cyrus spoke, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "If you're here to dissuade me, don't waste your time."

"As if I cared what you did with your life," Tirag's mocking tone filled the air as he sauntered in. "I'm here to collect my debt. I hope you haven't forgotten, right?"

Cyrus's hand froze mid-air, a bitter smile twisting his lips. How could he forget? He had incurred that debt to save Lork, but now it felt like a hollow victory. He had merely prolonged his friend's life by a few months. In a sudden burst of frustration, his fist slammed into the metallic drawers, the impact reverberating through the room.

"If you're here for Leora," Cyrus said, gathering his belongings, "I'm leaving, so I won't be close to her anymore. You can give it a try, even though I doubt it will amount to anything."

As Cyrus moved to exit, Tirag's nonchalant voice stopped him in his tracks. "Only dogs eat leftovers."

In an instant, Cyrus's canines flashed, and he lifted Tirag off the ground by his collar. Despite the threat, Tirag remained calm, a smile playing on his lips. "A life for a life, do you remember? I want the queen. I want control of the Bite."

Cyrus shoved him aside, his mind racing. "I've seen things between you two. She wouldn't expect anything. Help me seal the queen, and not only will I forget your debt, but I'll also give you the primordial canine."

"Why would you do that?" Tirag's curiosity was piqued.

"The Tiger canine are experts at cloning magic," Cyrus explained. "I can create a clone of the primordial canine for you. Even the Bureau wouldn't be able to see through it. How you save your father will be up to you. Now, do we have a deal?"

Tirag raised his palm, a gesture of agreement. Cyrus didn't hesitate for a second, though he felt as if he were signing another pact with the devil. He had witnessed firsthand how Tirag's magic had deceived the otherworldly vision of the Nightmare Vogel; he had no doubt Tirag could fulfill his part of the contract.

"Wait for the signal," Cyrus instructed before changing once more and making his way towards the queen's apartment.

He paused before the door, his breath caught in his throat. This was truly a point of no return. If he went through with this plan, he was certain Leora would never forgive him. Steeling himself, he pushed the door open.

The queen sat at her vanity, wrapped in a bath towel as she tended to her hair. Cyrus spoke, his voice cold and resolute. "I accept your offer. If you help me save my father, I'll do everything you want."

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"Your voice is so cold, I doubt you're sincere," she replied, turning to face him with crossed legs.

"I'll do anything for my family, for my friends," Cyrus insisted, removing his shirt in a calculated display of acquiescence.

A smile curved the queen's lips as she approached him. "Finally in need of a real woman," she murmured in his ear. Her hands found their way to his waist, allowing her towel to fall to the floor. "Wow, you're in such a hurry?" she teased, gracefully leading him to the bed by his finger.

"You'll experience pleasure like never before. You won't regret it," she promised, kissing him passionately. "The queen always gets what she wants," she whispered, victory gleaming in her eyes.

In that moment, a sharp click echoed through the room. "Huh? What are you doing?" the queen demanded, pushing Cyrus away. But it was too late; her hands were already sealed by a pair of magical bracelets.

"What have you done, you bastard?" she snarled, leaping from the bed with primal fury. Her fist, charged with tremendous power, halted mere inches from Cyrus's face.

"You're wrong this time," Cyrus said coldly, gazing down at the figure now kneeling before him. "The queen will never get what she wants."

Tirag entered the room, applauding softly as he approached. In his hand, he held a small, intricate device. "Don't bother trying to call your guards," he advised the queen. "It won't change anything. This is a mind controller, a little object I spent quite some time developing. Thankfully, the Bite has enormous resources."

He tossed the device to Cyrus, who caught it deftly. "Now the Bite has nothing to do with me," Cyrus declared, turning to leave.

The queen's voice, filled with venom, followed him. "Cyrus... once I free myself, I'll rip off your head and that of that bitch. All of you, one after another, you'll beg for mercy!"

Her curses intensified, but Cyrus was already gone. He knew he couldn't linger; the commotion would certainly attract attention, and chaos would soon engulf the villa.

Without hesitation, Cyrus left the compound, his destination clear in his mind: the Grand Dome, one of the largest buildings in Arkania. It was said to attract millions of visitors from all over the world, its massive structure a testament to human ambition and ingenuity.

As Cyrus settled into one of the cars parked outside the villa, a figure joined him. It was Mariline, dressed in uncharacteristic black attire, a stark contrast to her usual bright and colorful self.

"How did you find me?" Cyrus asked, surprise evident in his voice.

Mariline's response was tinged with newfound determination. "You told me I wasn't obliged to follow the Bureau. Thanks to you, I've been able to make the first real decision of my life without anyone telling me what to do. I've decided to live."

Cyrus felt a warmth bloom in his chest. Just when he thought he was utterly alone, there was always someone emerging to prove him wrong. Perhaps life wasn't as miserable as it seemed.

"Can I kiss you one last time?" Mariline asked softly.

"Okay," Cyrus agreed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Their lips met briefly, a simple, chaste peck rather than a passionate embrace. As they parted, Mariline's face seemed to regain some of its former vibrancy. She gently tapped her jaw, a small smile playing on her lips.

"But first, we need to save your father," she said, her tone becoming more businesslike. "I know a way to get into the dome without being detected. Once inside, we'll find your father and escape as quickly as possible."

"A very simple plan, but I like it," Cyrus nodded approvingly. Sometimes, keeping things uncomplicated was the best approach. A more complex strategy would only slow them down and require time they didn't have.

"Let's go," Cyrus said, a hint of his old determination returning to his voice. "Time for the final boss battle."

As their vehicle pulled away from the villa, heading towards the looming silhouette of the Grand Dome, Cyrus felt a mix of trepidation and resolve. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was no longer facing them alone. With Mariline by his side and a clear objective in mind, he dared to hope that perhaps, just perhaps, they might emerge victorious from this desperate gambit.