Malik held Tubio at gunpoint, he wasn't the blonde from last time. The slightest movement and the old man would kill him. Away from the group, no one would come to save him. He raised his hands in the air very gently.
-Calm down, what's the problem?
-What's wrong? I've got nothing on you. Your girl Janissa, I could follow her like she was lighting fireworks behind her. What about you? You come out of nowhere, join the Maelstrom for less than a year and magically the cell you were in gets purged from Night City... You survive the whole thing, disappear again before being recruited as a courier by a fixer named Ferak. Then, you're recruited for this job without any qualifications, missions or even abilities on your CV. See what I mean?
-I've got a CV?
-Don't get smart with me. You're a corpos agent, it's obvious. What do you want, the client's informations so you can blackmail her? Is it because of you that we have to destroy everything and kill everyone? Are you going to kill us once the mission's over? Who are your contacts?
Tubio, who until now had had his hands in his pockets regarding this story, felt a bucket of ice water poured over his head. It's one thing to get shot and run away. Another to be interrogated with a gun to your head and not know what to say. Fortunately or unfortunately for him, Tubio was still wearing his mask. Giving him the ultimate poker face. Gathering his thoughts. He tried to talk very softly...
******
Tubio was sweating profusely as he rejoined the group; he'd put his tough-guy image back on, but he was shaking. Climbing back into the van ahead of everyone else, he climbed into the back, pulled a numbing agent from his bag and stuck it in his leg. As the anaesthetic passed immediately through his body, he felt his pulse decelerate. He waited until the others were in the restaurant opposite, Malik having joined them. He hesitated whether to call Ruby or Ferak. But his intuition told him that Malik had let things run too smoothly. If he was really suspicious, he'd put a sensor in the van to intercept his holo. Or something like that.
His conversation had opened a lot of doors he'd chosen to ignore. Maybe he should have settled for smaller jobs... Giving up now could set off a chain reaction that could have serious consequences. For now, he could only do his job as best he could. As they made their way back, Tubio hoped that the contract would end quickly. The only question now was, was the whole team like him? Or did one of its members have another agenda.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1200388690824933386/Sans_titre.png?ex=660fd416&is=65fd5f16&hm=fd61b7aa16a70669f106adf325aba2fda39c86043efa3bcdc140f81afe04c6bb&=&format=webp&quality=lossless&width=501&height=350]
******
Ruby had let Tubio go. She didn't feel it. She didn't see Tubio as a hardened killer. He had a conscience. The longer she waited, the angrier she got, wanting to be gone with him. She couldn't stay calm with Elisabeth, so she decided to pay a visit to her new friends at the 13th, still wearing her hood over her head and keeping her promise to Tubio not to put her mask back on. Although, seeing some of the freaks, she'd like to. The passage between Elizabeth's house and the elevator was clear and unproblematic, the entire level being a residential one with very few stores and specialized infrastructures. There were "fewer" people present upstairs.
Once on board, she tapped the wall-mounted tablet to get off. Alone on board, she watched N54's rant on recent events. Not another word about the Bozos. Back to the elections with Deputy Mayor Weldon Holt or Alderman Jefferson Peralez for the position of Night City mayor. Following the death of Lucius Rhyne, the previous mayor. Due to the failure of a brain implant in his sleep. Deputy Mayor Weldon Holt becomes acting mayor, and announces that he is running against Councilman Jefferson Peralez to be elected the next mayor. The abrupt nature of Rhyne's death fueled a number of conspiracy theories that Holt either had Rhyne murdered or helped Rhyne fake his death.
image [https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/wIvu51VMHUB0F-bd-yvY770xItg59bZeXFZil-VNuw0/%3Fcb%3D20201201103050%26path-prefix%3Dfr/https/static.wikia.nocookie.net/cyberpunk/images/f/f4/Image_de_campagne_de_Lucius_Rhyn.jpg/revision/latest?format=webp&width=256&height=597]
Although Ruby was more than interested in Rhyne's death, she was more interested in the malfunction of his implant than in the politics behind it and the candidates. Lucius had been the figurehead of Night City for years. Holt had been a silent leech following the bureaucratic checkpoints. He'd only been elected deputy by affiliation. Ruby knew who she was voting for. Between Holt, an obese man under many suspicions, who now that she was taking a closer look was using the face of his deceased predecessor for his advertising campaign.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1200389399544860752/latest.png?ex=660fd4bf&is=65fd5fbf&hm=cdffeeb28155dd0bb5ff30b8e94c58d0737272024bc830f26a0b0f33aa7da252&=&format=webp&quality=lossless]
Or another politician, but this time a youngster with a gun.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1200389449868124185/latest.png?ex=660fd4cb&is=65fd5fcb&hm=ee0527f3a551d67377084b8023d705ff222ce77026a769830b59cc4219b7a27e&=&format=webp&quality=lossless&width=550&height=167]
Nah, Ruby knew both were rotten, but at least Peralez had a different agenda than Holt, who in Ruby's eyes was just a straw man, more manipulable than the late Ryne. Caliopea had more to say. Whether it was the policy of withdrawing funds from the police or the latest dubious projects. She didn't know why, but she suspected she must have had something to do with it. Ruby liked to know things, but not to the extent of invading the privacy of a girl he'd met one afternoon.
She arrived at the Crimson Spear unannounced; it was Milour at the door. He let her in. This time there was no Irene or Caliopea, who had gone to sort out a situation and was on sick leave for obvious reasons. She found herself with Rosie and Melissa. Ruby hadn't seen Melissa since the evening at the club, and together the discussion was diverse. She was one of the drivers for the group. Taking care of deliveries along with other stuff. There was another guy too, Floflo? The two hadn't interacted much and after a brief greeting asked Melissa for a hand. Leaving Rosie and Ruby to themselves.
Rosie was looking at Ruby, but Ruby was looking at the bottom of her cup.
-What's going on?
-Nothing.
Rosie knew THAT nothing.
-It's about Tubio, isn't it?
-No, it's not!
-Oh please. You show up unannounced and look into your glass like it's the end of the world.
They were in a small, quiet room, a warm room, surrounded by boxes full of objects for repairing shelves, Ruby and Rosie were sitting on a sofa.
-Your face tells me everything. What happened?
-Nothing, he left for a job. And... I just don't feel it, you know?
-Oh, you're worried.
-No, it's... Yes. Tubio's not cut out for it. He thinks he has to be strong and protect me.
-And you don't want to?
-Not this way. He doesn't have to act tough for me to like him.
-No, but he is a man.
Ruby looked at Rosie, not sure she understood.
-I've had lots of lovers, you know. All types, from normal to very dangerous, passive and active. It took one too many for me to stop running.
-What happened?
-Nothing.
Ruby looked at her sideways and Rosie smiled, but her eyes betrayed a certain sadness.
-Frustrating, isn't it? No, I'm going to tell you a bit about my life. I think it'll fit in with what's happening to you right now. Stop me if I'm wrong.
-Ok...
-You and Tubio are in your first serious relationship.
Ruby thought about it and nodded.
-Yes, we are. I think there was another girl, but it was complicated.
-Okay, forget it. Has Tubio moved on?
-Yes, he's moved on. But it had a huge impact...
-Stop, you're Forgetting her. How much time she spent with him in the last few days.
-She hasn't.
-Weeks? Months? If it's just an accidental meeting once, it doesn't count. My point is, who cares about this other chick? You don't have anybody else but him?
-No.
-Does he know that?
-Yeah, I told him.
-I see. In that case, as I said. First serious relationship. Are you both in love?
-... Yes, I suppose so...
-You don't know... It's normal not to know if it's your first time. OK. In a couple, to make it work you have to have the same goal, or at least two that align. What do you want from your relationship with him?
-I'm not sure. For it to last?
-Yes, it's a start. The biggest problem with first relationships is that you don't know what you're looking for. So everyone tries to compensate or overthink. Now ask yourself, what do I have to do to make it last with your partner?
Ruby looked at Rosie.
-How can you tell?
-Because I had a first relationship. Because all the men I was with, I didn't align myself with their desire. My relationships with them were doomed to failure, because I wasn't with them for the same reason. Look, my first relationship was with a young man at a party. I was young and admittedly very innocent. We slept together once before he cheated on me the next day.
Rosie spoke calmly without being rude or condescending. Ruby didn't understand the connection.
-If I'd understood back then what he wanted. I would never have slept with him. I wanted a relationship, he wanted a booty call. Not compatible.
-How do I know what he wants then?
-Ask him. And if you're not sure, ask him again. Think about it. Before it's too late.
-What do you mean?
-A long time ago, years now. I'd found love, real love. But he didn't like the life we had. He always wanted more for us. For a better future. He started making arrangements, deals with shady people, bringing a lot of money into the house. So much so that I felt uncomfortable. I talked to him about it, but it was too late. Arrogant and self-assured, he dismissed all my concerns. He couldn't understand that I was worried about him and wanted him to ease off... A few months later, he was shot dead in front of our apartment.
-Rosie...
-No, I've mourned. But to do that, I had to sink very low. I lost my job, my friends, I drank, a lot. I took drugs. I tried to find a replacement for him. First handsome Valentinos, then my standards slipped. I ended up with a toxic guy who tried to steal all my money by trying to gaslight me. Too bad for him I was crazy. We fought and I killed him. All because I failed to understand and convince the love of my life that eddies would come later.
-What was his name?
-Xavier... He had this something that made me smile all the time. He was gentle and strong... Anyway. Let's get back to you. You're afraid Tubio's going to get hurt on a mission.
-Yes.
-In that case, there are two solutions: either you tell him to stop. Or you can join him on jobs, fight with him and make his job safer.
-Pff, that sounds so simple.
-Maybe, but it would solve all the problems. You'll still have time to have eddies. Tell him to change jobs, why did he want this mission.
-He wanted to pay for my implants, the car, the reputation. It's complicated... I just don't want to fight with him.
-Oh, that. Don't worry, it'll happen for reasons stupider than his ego. And that's exactly what's happening. In a nutshell. He takes on dangerous missions alone for eddies, right?
-Yes, he is.
-Then tell him. Tell him to wait, that the two of you can work together more safely. Right now he wants to prove himself and prove to you that he can provide for you.
Ruby looked at Rosie, who seemed surprisingly accommodating with her. Telling her about her life, giving advice. Then she realized she knew Ruby wasn't so innocent.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
-How do you know about me...?
-Ruby. I saw your reaction when we got shot at the restaurant. Not to mention the clowns. At no point did you break a sweat or even think. If I hadn't kept you in the restaurant, you'd have gone out and solved the problem with your bare hands.
Ruby remained silent. She didn't know what to say. Rosie took another sip of her tea. She drank calmly, not rushing Ruby. Ruby thought about how to phrase her thought.
-I don't know what I'm going to do. I've been doing this so long, I'm afraid he'll hate me if I do it again.
-What was your job?
-Killer.
Rosie paused. Few people would call themselves a killer. Rosie kept her composure, killer. Ruby so sweet and innocent? If Ruby really was a killer, that would explain her attitude. She's afraid she'll start killing people again, and Tubio will disapprove of her? Meanwhile, Ruby began to speak, lost in thought.
-I was... someone else. That's all I knew. All I cared about, I was strong and invincible.
-You're not anymore?
-... Tubio doesn't want me to go back to...that.
-Okay. And that bothers you?
-Yes and no. I... Even I don't know if it's right for me. It was so exhilarating. I'm afraid of it, but I know I could do so much more... For a very long time I thought it was the only option for me. But since I've been with Tubio. I just don't know anymore.
Rosie took Ruby's hands in hers and looked at her, the poor girl was completely confused. It was obvious that she wanted to help Tubio as best she could, but she was honestly afraid, terrified even, of falling back into the ways she'd become accustomed to. She didn't push Ruby, who knows how many people you can confide in about this sort of thing.
But Rosie wanted to help. After Ulrik had come to her aid, she had discovered a new vocation for the souls Night City had crushed in its bowels. Ulrik had passed off his false identities as commerce. But he was always happy when one of his customers left for a new life. Rosie was sure of it. She was going to help Ruby. She'd already found some stability. Now, one step at a time.
Like her, Ruby had been through a very dark period, and she would need time, patience, encouragement and someone at her side to get better. Tubio will meet these criteria perfectly.
-Ruby, everything you're experiencing right now is new, I'm sure, but there's no need to go to the extreme. Your talents can be used for something other than what you were doing. It all depends on how you use them. Talk to Tubio, maybe he'll play rough, but he'll immediately accept your help.
-We talked about it... I think he'd agree... It's just that...
-Think about it calmly, you don't need to decide or think about it in a day. Like I said, it'll be fine.
*******
Ruby stayed with Rosie to talk. Talking with her was relaxing, she seemed to want to help but not like Elizabeth who was more of a motherly helper, Rosie was closer to a confidante. She had eventually confessed to have studied psychology before the death of her first love. She helped Ulrik with the psychological problems of his rather... passionate group. But both were interrupted by Melissa, who came back into the room ranting against the Bozos.
Floflo had left to meet a client, but the latter was not at the meeting point. Instead, he found a shard of info, followed the info to find another shard of data for a new address explaining that he was being followed. The shard had been encrypted and did indeed belong to the customer, who apparently had a Bozos on his back.
Melissa and Floflo had gone to retrieve him together after she had decrypted the shard. Making a quick trip. They found the guy hiding in a pile of garbage. After a long discussion, Floflo took the guy to the extraction point. Not without a complete change of clothes and a request to go through a reaperdoc for any sign of a tracker.
During the trip, Melissa and Floflo heard a chilling account of the man's experiences. He'd had the misfortune to meet the gaze of a clown a week ago. Within 7 days, he'd received balloons with a blank greetings card. His girlfriend was followed and flipped out on him. Someone broke into his apartment and decorated it as if it had been a birthday. He woke up the next morning in clown make-up and left to sleep at work. When he came home the next day, a present had arrived containing his girlfriend's head. Terrified, he left for a friend's house to spend the night, but in the morning. He found him dead in a chair beside his bed, in bloody clown make-up.
What a surprise that he was paranoid. The bugger will be on a Boston-bound transport in an hour. He's closed all his accounts and will never set foot in Night City again. The trio could only agree, and wondered if they wouldn't have done the same.
******
Ruby left the Crimson Spear with a lot to think about. Bozos and their twisted minds. What to do about Cyclops? Could she use her talents without him. She thought back to Rosie's words. It was true that Tubio had said her netrunner talents were good. Maybe she could become a pure netrunner. With a little training, it could work, and if the Crimson recruited Tubio, he'd told her that Ulrik was interested. Maybe she could get a job with him too. Just enough time to leave Night City.
Deep in thought, Ruby headed for the Pulse. She thought about her actions, what would Cyclops do or what would Tubio think? With Rosie, they had discussed what Ruby wanted.
She wanted to be happy, with Tubio. Working wasn't a problem for her, she didn't want to disappoint Tubio, on the contrary she wanted... She stopped in front of one of the Pulse. The blue rose illuminated the crowd passing in front of the building. She looked through the glass. And as she reflected, she saw the eye of Cyclops staring back at her on the surface of the glass. A cold sensation ran down her back. Ignoring it, she went inside.
The same old scene, with just 4 customers and the bartender spending his day serving or watching TV. Ruby didn't feel like thinking. She had decided to take the bull by the horns and not wait any longer, as luck favors the bold. Short-circuiting the TV. It went off with a blip. Ruby was pacing the room, watching the entrance like a caged lioness.
A customer watching TV with the bartender swore and the bartender climbed onto the counter to look behind. After several minutes, the bartender gave up and went to the back to check what was wrong after the complains of the clients.
Ruby wasted no time, grabbing a large stool and balancing herself on it, she pulled a connecting cable from her wrist, nimbly and precisely planting the cable in the device she'd spotted since the last time. For several long seconds, the other customers were either blind or busy sipping their drinks while waiting for the TV. Ruby balanced herself in the middle of the room in the greatest silence she could muster. Once the backdoor had been installed, she no longer needed to log in personally, as it had been implanted deep into the system. Like a cat, she jumped off the back of the stool and landed on the floor. Making a noise, one of the customers turned from the counter to look at her, but Ruby pretended to get angry at the stool, pushing it while holding her foot as if she'd kicked it.
The customer raised an eyebrow before losing interest. Ruby waited only a second to go to the other terminal and connect. Once again, the connection was short-lived, but unlike the first, it didn't attract the attention of any of the customers. The bartender would have seen her.
He returned just as Ruby was finishing. For Ruby. Full remote access. Mission accomplished. No one had entered Pulse and the 4 customers had seen nothing except a clumsy girl insulting a stool.
Ruby breathed. The situation hadn't changed. She had to think now about what she was going to do… She left the Pulse with a smile on her face, ready to leave when she saw it, His instinct. He was right.
Ruby wasted no time, She was in a hurry now. Moving back inside, she rushed across the room to find the closed emergency door. Which irritated her. Returning to the main room, she was stuck in the Pulse. Ruby was pacing the room, watching the entrance like a caged lioness. But she had seen it. And she saw it again. She saw the figure through the glass at the entrance, and back away. She knew she was going to have to break part of her promise to Tubio.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1200388619161059400/final.jpg?ex=660fd404&is=65fd5f04&hm=5af7cab5947b7baf195eb32ff152526851a13e9f33e2be4758a4d22feabe7772&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
Ruby only saw him for a moment before he disappeared. But that was all she needed. No negotiation would be possible, so she passed a holo.
*******
Witty the ringmaster was in a good mood, ever since he'd arrived in Night City he'd never stopped having fun. From their great start in Night City, to the brief obstacles they'd encountered. It hadn't taken long for some kind-hearted soul to leave them a piece of the city to settle down in comfort. Then came the arrangements, the champagne, the undesirables...
Witty adjusted his hat as he entered the H2 megabuilding. He stopped in front of a glass pane to look in the mirror, covering his head with one of his finest top hats. A black leather jacket he reserved for rare occasions and, of course, a red flower - fake, of course, but a perfect complement to his style.
He had hesitated whether to wear tails or a tuxedo. But he had decided to remain sober as far as the situation was concerned. After all, he had a date.
Reaching the elevator, he looked again at the tracer's location. It wasn't on the 13th floor, but well above. Choosing a nearby floor, he kept smiling as the doors of the elevator that had just stopped in front of him opened, and the people inside hurriedly passed around him, leaving him to his own devices. The fact that one of the klaousse men had found his partner was wonderful. All it took was for him to say he was interested in her, and Klaousse set one of his dogs on her trail. Of course, it was to kill her and show off the remains. But poor Shaggy didn't know he'd been hacked and traced. It was for a good cause, you only make a good impression once... even if it's a second meeting... pff, details. Witty wanted it to be perfect, big, beautiful, dramatic... a show, a spectacle.
What better way to fuel a second date, than a romantic rescue. He'd been detained for a long time by mundane business, but... The lady wouldn't wait much longer.
Ever since they'd met, this woman had found a way to captivate him. Perhaps it was their dance. A moment longer than it had been. He'd sensed something, an alchemy between them... Maybe it was her vivacity, when she introduced herself, or her beauty. Or maybe it was his instinct, or even fate? Who's to say?
Fate, alas, must sometimes be forced. Witty was sure that fate and Lady Luck would be on his side today. The fact is, he arrived at a sinister floor. Vvvery good background. Following the tracer. He continued nonchalantly along the grey, inhospitable corridors. Finally, he arrived at what he assumed was the place where his man was. Shaggy had had an altercation with the beauty.
Problem: a huge pool of blood covered the floor, heading in one direction without a single body. The tracer went further into the floor. So it didn't worry him all that much. Shaggy had a habit of turning his victims into sideshows. Witty had plenty of time to arrive and play his role of savior. But...
That amount of blood... If he'd killed her... Witty would unfortunately have to respond to some of his lowest impulses towards Shaggy... And for her... Well... If she's dead it's because she really wasn't made for him. Ah lala... it's so hard to find a partner these days...
Continuing along the blood trail, Witty soon came to a door. Having no base in the area. Shaggy must have killed the locals to make this his lair.
Well, my bird's probably in trouble. There are worse backgrounds, but his pretty face will make up for it.
Opening the door, a person reacts to the sound. A man with facial recognition protection got up from a chair and shouted intrusion. Witty raised his smart pistol and fired, bullets flying and lodging in the man's body as he fell to the floor. Emerging from an adjacent doorway and having heard the commotion, two new targets for Witty's spitter. The first took the bullets attached to the first target in the sights. The second, double-barreled shotgun in hand, tried to retaliate, but Witty only had to stand at the corner of the wall to prevent both rounds being wasted on the latter. He raised his weapon along the wall, passing the corner of his eye, and Witty fired, piercing the skull of the man trying to reload.
Silence gave way to combat, which had only lasted a minute, yet three dead men lay on the ground. Witty gave them a look. I didn't know since when Shaggy had minions to do his work.
Shaking off his thoughts, he headed for the tracer. Just beyond the door. Approaching where the two men had exited. He entered what was a bathroom. Realizing the situation, he sat down on the toilet.
Facing him was a bathtub filled with ice, and inside it, Shaggy's naked corpse, half-sliced and partly cut from its chrome. Plunging his hand into the cold water, Witty grabbed the severed head and brought it in front of him. Holding the head by the hair, he kept it in front of him.
-Shaggy, I was going to kill you no matter what. But… I must admit, I really didn't expect to find you like this... What's happened to you...
*******
She stepped out of the Rosa Pulse, hood up, and didn't look back. Passing through the crowd, she crossed the mass to one of the elevators, not even turning around as she chose her destination inside.
In the crowd, one person was watching her between the passers-by. Watching her ascend, he made his way to the elevator. Carefully watching the moment it stopped, he recalled it. He even counted in his head the time it had taken the girl to reach her destination. The doors opened and the four screens in front of him glitched. Red eyes cut through the flow of information. Completely unaware of this, he pressed the button for the floor he thought was the right one. Bag in hand, he made his way upstairs, the elevator noises keeping him company.
40th floor. The doors opened and the smell of piss would have assaulted anyone. It was strangely quiet on this floor, far above the ground. Exiting effortlessly, he saw the coat of the girl he'd been following disappear around a corner. Smiling, he went in. The place was deserted, with bullet holes and other signs of fighting. But the density of people was incomparable. The place was more of a ruin than anything else. Walls were gutted, windows shattered. In front of him on the wall was an old tag of a smiling purple cloud.
Cries could be heard in the distance, from children. He'll go and have a look when he's done. Following in the woman's footsteps, she had clearly been waiting for him. But whatever she was up to, it wouldn't stop him from taking care of her. He was a Bozos from the Sapatar circus, not a common gangster. Already, he was anticipating his next trick. He'd make her a doll for his next show...
Following the long corridors, the unkempt lights gave off a dark atmosphere. Here and there, cables had been severed or simply pulled to the floor, cut up and connected to makeshift installations. One of the walls was even missing pieces, the latter covered with tarpaulins secured by planks. Fortunately, it wasn't difficult to follow the girl's trail.
The clown followed the logical path. Arriving at the first intersection, the crossroads was illuminated by a light bulb dangling from the middle of the crossroads with a cone around it. the light designated below it a man covered in the girl's coat. He stopped in front of what was presumably a beggar on a cardboard box. Looking around, he saw nothing but two empty corridors.
He didn't hesitate, kicking the man in the stomach, who let out a cry of pain. Bending down, he grabbed the man and straightened him against the wall.
Slapping him, the beggar, for want of another word to describe him, had virtually nothing on besides the jacket he was wearing, a pair of boxer shorts and a T-shirt. Covering his face.
-Wake up! Where's the girl who gave you that jacket? Which way did she go?
He grabbed one of the man's arms, twisting it so he could see his face, and a scream erupted from his throat. The man was terrified and the clown smiled with all his white teeth, if he didn't have the girl at least he'd have the old man.
The beggar watched in horror as the clown grinned at him like a lunatic, and dropped a red bag he had with him. The bag opened on impact, revealing a number of knives and an injection syringe with various vials.
But something else caught his eye over the clown's shoulder - something in the dark. Hidden in the ceiling were red eyes staring up at the scene, silently a mass above them peered over the bulb into the darkness. Like a predator, a mass growing larger. A girl silently revealed herself in the reflections of light, as the clown continued to bully him. The old man held his tongue as the clown slapped him again.
Holding on to a mantis blade stuck in a crack, Cyclops used the light from the bulb to distract the clown from the fact that the crossing was safe. But the ceiling wasn't as high as the corridors. Climbing to the ceiling after leaving his jacket on the poor man's body. Cyclops was rolled into a ball and balanced on the ceiling, thanks to her blade, which she fixed in the concrete, the robustness of her chrome and the calm that inhabited her.
After that feat of agility. A smile stretched Cyclops' lips as the light finally reflected the chrome of his second blade. Unfolding his body centimeter by centimeter, he could see the clown panting like a starving man over the beggar.
Cyclops now had his feet less than a few centimeters from the ground, a simple flick of the wrist and the grip of his blade released, making him touch the ground.
A movement, and the blade in the ceiling released with a slight screech, attracting the attention of the Bozo who turned around, swinging his left arm like a sledgehammer in an arc as he turned. But the movement was already underway and the blow missed its target completely.
Like fangs, Cyclops' two mantis blades closed in on the clown. The one that had just detached from the ceiling descended directly from above between his collarbone and shoulder blade, effortlessly perforating the flesh. The second came up from below, passing under the ribcage and up into the heart and lungs.
A second passed as the victim tried to understand what was happening. But not letting his victim react, Cyclops pivoted, his blades still in the bozos' flesh serving as a grip, throwing him to the ground on his side. The movement took them out of the clown, but the damage was done. Cyclops didn't know how his victim found the energy to get down on all fours. But he wouldn't do it by halves, getting into position Cyclops stretched out his arm then perpendicular to the wounded man, arm outstretched and mantis blade extended. He made a wide arc as he took a step forward, passing his arm behind his back, before moving forward, skimming the ground to come back up in a swift, graceful uppercut-like movement. Cyclops decapitated the clown.
His head rolled in a brief spurt of gushing blood before ceasing to move.
A frozen smile stretched across Cyclops' face. Contemplating his creation. The euphoric, silent face turned to the beggar...
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1200388512579596298/Rip26.jpg.png?ex=660fd3eb&is=65fd5eeb&hm=32bb31dcd80dfcfd82417ae025463a33341dd3f9356b7503eff4f274a21aa693&=&format=webp&quality=lossless&width=365&height=597]