Zephyros: taps fingers W-where have you been, my Lord?! I-I was worried!
I'm sorry I missed it. My life has been a mess since we last spoke. I was involved in a car accident, which resulted in my mother's death, and I became the head of the family at a young age.
O-oh my goodness! I-I'm so sorry to hear that, my Lord! Take all the time you need, but please, try to keep in touch more often!
You're not off the hook for your birthday gift, however. My grandmother gave me a set of masquerade masks that she claimed belonged to Napoleon and Josephine before they married. She also gave me a set of jewelry that she said was owned by Empress Eugenia of Greece.
W-wait, seriously?! Those are incredible gifts! No wonder she wanted you to have them! I-I mean, Napoleon and Josephine's masks? And Empress Eugenia's jewelry?!
I'm willing to part with them for one thing only.
raises an eyebrow, intrigued Well, well, my Lord. I'm all ears! What could possibly be worth parting with such treasures?
leans in closer, eyes sparkling with excitement Y-yes, my Lord? I'm listening intently!
It's time to act like the mafia boss I am. We're going to find that letter and kill the snake.
stands up abruptly, fists clenched You have my word, my Lord! We will find that letter and eliminate that snake, no matter the cost!
First things first, Zephyros.
nods eagerly Y-yes, my Lord! What are your orders?
We have a plane to catch. We can discuss this further on the plane.
grabs his coat and adjusts his Greek mask W-we'll leave right away, my Lord! I'll gather the team and make the necessary arrangements.
Y-yes, my Lord! Anything else you need of me? gazes at Certer with eager anticipation
Upon returning home, I expect to find a new mask in my living room.
O-of course, my Lord! Consider it done! rushes out of the room, dialing on his phone
Now that that's settled, let's go.
returns swiftly, phone call ended My Lord, the team is ready and waiting outside. We'll depart in 5 minutes!
I hand him a flash drive The location of the letter is on there.
grabs the flash drive and examines it closely Excellent! And the details about our mission are all here as well, right?
During their mission, Zephyros and Certer find themselves ambushed by enemy forces in a remote village square. They are captured and bound to chairs, facing their arch-nemesis, the infamous mafia boss known as "The Viper."
struggling against his bonds Zephyros, we've got company.
glaring at their captors You think you can intimidate us? You have no idea who you're dealing with!
smirking Zephyros, remember what I told you. If they want something from you, it's because they don't have it.
smirks, flexing his muscles Listen up, you scum! We may be tied up, but we're not helpless!
raising an eyebrow Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, Zephyros.
grinning mischievously Hah! You lowlife, The Viper strikes again! But mark my words, I will escape this place and kick your sorry ass back to hell where you belong!
laughs Haha, you heard him.
whispering to Certer M-my Lord, I've been thinking... maybe we can use this situation to our advantage.
So you plan to take The Viper down while we're tied up?
N-no, my Lord! Not exactly... leans closer to Certer, whispering urgently I've noticed something... The Viper has a tattoo on his right hand.
smirking A tattoo, huh? And what makes this one special, Zephyros?
leans even closer, voice barely audible It's a snake tattoo, my Lord.