Everyone turned to face the newcomer, a tall, large man in his forties with salt-and-pepper hair and dark brown eyes. He was accompanied by two men in suits and sunglasses, both of whom Cyrus could easily tell had a decent amount of magical power at their command.

"Friend of yours?" Cyrus asked.

"No," Lyda responded, fear radiating out of her as she looked at the approaching man. "Sebastian."

"I heard you went on a little trip," the newcomer, Sebastian, grabbed her arm and began to squeeze. "Did I say you could leave the city?"

"Considering you don't own her," Cyrus said without taking his eyes off of his tablet. "She isn't a criminal, and you aren't of the proper authority, you don't have the ability to make such a statement."

"Listen here, boy," the man glanced at him. "I own this town. I say she doesn't leave, she doesn't leave. And until she does what I want, she does exactly what I want."

"That's not how it works," Cyrus said. "You don't own her. Now, take your hand off of her, before you find yourself in deep trouble."

"Oh, really?" Sebastian asked. "Even the cops in this town are too afraid of me to arrest me. What do you think you could do? Who are you? Some little punk who wants to knock her up?"

"Cyrus Nosarvi," Cyrus calmly answered, and both Lyda and the bartender watched as Sebastian's eyes widened in slight fear, releasing Lyda's arm and stumbling back. "And it sounds to me like I need to bring in a higher authority, if you have intimidated the police into not reporting such a criminal activity as what you do."

Cyrus finally looked away from his tablet.

"Already done, by the way," he said. "I shot off an emergency message stating you've corrupted the police and are attempting to control people like they're slaves. Considering Rynovar has forbidden such things, I thought it prudent to inform the Divine Enforcers directly."

The Divine Enforcers were the highest tier of enforcement in the world, and everyone knew they were incorruptible. If any member of it began to corrupt, they were immediately terminated, creating a force that would absolutely and always obey and enforce the god's laws.

Being hired by them was considered to be the highest honor for any law enforcement, as they were extremely selective about who they allowed into their ranks, everyone within it was powerful and talented, possessing at least two Tier Six or higher affinities, and their authority was nigh absolute.

If Cyrus had actually contacted them, then it meant Sebastian's reign of terror was over.

"I'm assuming," Cyrus said. "You're the man who wanted Lyda to sleep with him whom she refused to, then ended up getting blacklisted from nearly every place of employment in the city."

"Is that the lie she fed you?" Sebastian laughed. "Boy, let me tell you the truth, especially since you seem to think I'd believe your own lie about who you are and that you managed to contact the Divine Enforcers so quickly. You may have startled me by throwing out that name, but the second claim? That told me you were lying."

"Lying?" Cyrus tilted his head to the side, just a little. "I wasn't lying, Sebastian. I really did contact the Divine Enforcers. Time works differently for you and me. And Cyrus Nosarvi is my actual name. And considering I'm a god, it's relatively easy for me to discern truth from lie. Lyda was truthful when she told me about you."

"I heard you were delusional," Sebastian chuckled. "But this is something else entirely."

Cyrus checked his watch, then looked at Sebastian.

"Thankfully, they weren't too far away," Cyrus said as the door to the restaurant opened once more. "Enforcers are here. And all it took was talking just a little bit more than I wanted to."

"What?" Sebastian asked, then glanced behind him.

Entering the restaurant were men and women of various ages and ethnicities, all dressed in black, brown, and blue outfits with a silver dragon crest, the emblem of the Divine Enforcers. A total of twenty-one entered the restaurant, led by a man of nineteen with golden-brown hair and bright green eyes.

"Hello, Cody," Cyrus dipped his head to the man.

"Hello, Cyrus," Cody responded. "I take it these three men are the ones you informed me of?"

"Yes," Cyrus answered. "I sent you the full list of every company he owns and every person I was able to find that he had screwed over the lives of, much like Lyda."

"I got it," Cody responded, turning his gaze to Sebastian. "As you have no doubt noticed, we are the Divine Enforcers. Surrender peacefully, or we will use force to restrain you. Lethal force is not forbidden for us."

"Can I have another drink?" Cyrus turned his attention to the bartender, handing him a few notes.

"Sure," the bartender responded.

Cyrus ignored the Divine Enforcers as they took Sebastian and his two goons into custody, choosing instead to focus on his food, using magic to warm it back up.

"Some of the stuff you've been doing on your tablet," Lyda told Cyrus after about a minute. "It was looking him up and looking up others he had destroyed the lives of, wasn't it?"

"It was," Cyrus answered. "What you said was that he performed an illegal act. So I sought to investigate him. Then when he showed up here, I sent the list to Cody with a message stating that he was currently in Madam Mara's Restaurant."

"Madam Mara's Crimson Restaurant," Cody approached and sat beside Cyrus. "We would have been here about ten seconds sooner if you hadn't left that part out."

"I forgot about it," Cyrus crammed a mozzarella stick into his mouth.

"You seem a bit young," Lyda looked at Cody as the rest of his unit left the restaurant. "To be someone who'd do the talking for the Divine Enforcers. Everyone seemed to defer to you."

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"He's a squad captain," Cyrus told her. "The youngest in their record. He's an Immortal Specialist."

Immortal was the common term for anyone ranked at Tier Eleven in an affinity, the second-highest affinity Tier a mortal could have. For that to be the Tier of his affinity for high magics meant that all six of his affinities for elements were either there or Tier Twelve, known as Divine.

"He awakened when he was fifteen, too," Cyrus crammed another mozzarella stick in his mouth.

"I was hired as soon as I turned eighteen," Cody told Lyda once it became clear Cyrus was done explaining things. "And promoted about six months later when my own squad captain retired. Having gotten some training by Cyrus and his brothers when it came to magic, I was ahead of the others, magically speaking. It didn't hurt to be an Immortal and Divine in every affinity, since higher affinities make it easier to learn magic, not just a mark of having a lot of power in that type."

"From Cyrus and his brothers?" Lyda asked, her eyes widening. "Wait, are you the ex-boyfriend of his that his brothers stole from him?"

"Yeah," Cody's face flushed slightly. "Which is why I was surprised when Cyrus messaged me a few minutes ago, informing me of a situation that he felt should use Divine Enforcers rather than regional. He hasn't spoken to me since in over a year."

"I don't blame him," Lyda snorted. "I'd probably be pissed that someone I was dating for half a year just abandoned me for my brothers, if I were him."

"And Cyrus can hold a grudge," Cody said as the man in question obtained another drink from the bartender. "Do you mind if I ask your relation to him? I know he doesn't want a relationship again after what happened with me and the triplets, but he seems to have some interest in protecting you."

"He's taking me on Rynovar's quest," Lyda answered.

"He is?" Cody looked at Cyrus in surprise. "What brought that on?"

"Aunt Lena told me to."

"She suggested you do," Lyda corrected, then shook her head. "Stop saying she told you to."

"Suggested, told, same thing when it comes to her."

"If he's helping you," Cody told Lyda. "It's possible you might actually complete it. I wish you luck on that. I should get going, I have a report to file."

"Good luck," Lyda told him, then Cody left. "Cyrus, why did Sebastian react so strongly to your name? I've never seen him look panicked for a moment."

"Nosarvi," a woman approached them. "Or more accurately, Nosarvi Corporation, is the company which produces some of the magitech used by the Divine Enforcers, including three different things which, until the appearance of the company four years ago, was only allowed to be created by Lord Kylnar."

Cyrus and Lyda turned their attention to the woman, who looked to be in her early thirties and possessed an hourglass figure. She wore a silver and gold dress that showed off her curves, her auburn hair falling against her shoulders in waves. Her green eyes gazed at Lyda with a gentle warmth as she spoke.

"It is owned," she continued. "By one Cyrus Nosarvi, its nineteen-year-old founder and magitech genius, in addition to his triplet brothers, Owen, Max, and Luke Nosarvi, who create most of the more advanced and limited goods. All four brothers are ranked at Divine Specialist, making them the highest quality of Jewels in the world."

"Madam Mara," Lyda said, her voice full of respect. "You did research into Cyrus?"

"No, dear," Madam Mara smiled warmly as she took the seat beside Lyda. "I already knew who Cyrus was. Two years ago, we updated our security system to one produced by his company. I always do a full research into the background of any company we perform dealings with or use items of. When I saw his name on the register for those who had come here, I was quite surprised. His face matched with the picture I had managed to find of him."

"Oh," Cyrus said. "Mara Kolenna."

"You know me?" Madam Mara asked.

"I know of everyone who researches me," Cyrus answered. "You wouldn't have gotten that picture if I hadn't let you. I didn't think it would hurt, since he told me you were just looking to make sure the company wasn't shady before purchasing our goods. You picked what was the newest security system model at the time, the Nosarvi-7 security program. One hundred and seventeen cameras, plus fifty-two sensors. I assume you have security in the basement levels and probably the warehouse out back."

"I do," Madam Mara confirmed with a slight nod. "It is nice to meet you in person, Mr. Nosarvi."

"I go by my first name," Cyrus crammed some fries into his mouth.

"You and your company," Madam Mara told him. "Work to assist the Divine Enforcers, who deal with corrupt officials and terrorists. As such, Cyrus, I would like to extend an offer to you, should you ever wish to come here again. You may eat here and use our rooms for free. And if you wish to sleep with one of my ladies here, it won't cost you a thing, but also not use up any of their monthly free night allowance."

"Thank you," Cyrus responded. "I likely won't take you up on that. I'm only here because Lyda wanted to speak with you."

"Yes," Lyda nodded. "Madam Mara, Cyrus has offered to take me on the quest, free of charge. He wasn't joking when he said he could take me to the Silver Oracle, and she suggested he take me to the other locations. Guide me, not do everything for me."

"So you are going on a longer journey, then," Madam Mara nodded. "I wish you luck, Lyda. And remember, should you fail at it, you always have a home here, with us. I'll take over the payments for your apartment until your return. If you choose not to return to it once you finish or fail, just let me know."

"Yes, ma'am," Lyda told her. "Thank you."

"You are one of my best girls," Madam Mara smiled. "Despite what happened to you in the past. I know you seek higher things, and I wish you luck on your journey."

"Thank you."

"And Cyrus," Madam Mara looked at the young man, who was ignoring them while finishing off his food. "I trust you will treat her with decency on the journey, regardless of your status or your contacts."

"I will treat her as I have," Cyrus stated. "If you are thinking I would take advantage of her because she is a prostitute, that is false. My brothers are the sort to do that, not me."

"I'll be fine, Madam Mara," Lyda told the other woman after giving Cyrus an amused look. "He's… well, he's Cyrus, and that's the best way of explaining it."

"Alright," Madam Mara smiled. "Well, good luck, Lyda. I hope you succeed, no matter how long it takes you."

"Speaking of how long things are," Cyrus looked at Lyda, draining the last of his beer, his food finished. "We need to head to the airport for our flight in no more than ten minutes. It was the only one within three days where I could book three seats."

"Alright," Lyda chuckled, then finished her food as Madam Mara left them alone.

Once they were done, the pair made their way back to the airport and checked in, boarding their plane soon after. Lyda's seat was behind Cyrus's, and once they were in the air, she looked over his seat and saw him on his tablet.

"Cyrus?"

"Yes?"

"How do you make that stuff disappear and reappear?"

"What stuff?" He looked at her.

"Everything," she answered. "You didn't have your tablet before, and there's not really a spot to hide it."

"Teleportation magics," he answered. "I can't move living things with the spell, but I can teleport inanimate objects. I have a warehouse set up specifically to store all of my things, and just teleport in and out what I need."

"That… sounds like something which took a lot of practice."

"And a lot of wrong teleports," Cyrus confirmed. "I'm using an empty set of shelves to store your things."

"Do your brothers ever mess with the stuff inside of it?" She asked.

"They can't enter it," he answered. "I had it warded against them."

"That's possible?"

"With the help of a certain friend of mine."

Cyrus didn't need to say who for Lyda to know he was referring to Kylnar. She sat back in her seat and napped for the rest of the flight, Cyrus continuing to use his tablet. When they landed, the pair left the airport, catching a private cab which had been waiting for them.

"Where are we?" Lyda asked as she looked at the large mountain they were on.

"The Appalish Mountains," Cyrus answered. "There are some Blessed Ones living here, and a nice little resort for me to stay at while you're doing your thing with them."

"You're not coming with me?" She asked in shock and confusion.