Syrus Zyniii Journal 1

Syrus and Saib had been seasick and very eager to get off their ship, after the long travel to the central city of Zyniii.
 
"You are a bird of the sky, and I am an elf of the desert." Saib comments impatiently in his heavy accent. "We are not meant for the sea."
 
Finally, after a few more times of emptying their stomachs overboard, they sight Zyniii, the World City, the busy polis where the two mercs had been sent to investigate.
 
It would be unlike anything either of them had ever seen. The buildings were immensely tall and complex, even compared to the high cities of the Solen. Truly representative of its multicultural reputation, the architecture reflected no specific culture, but rather instead an array of impressive crystal technology, with each section of the city powered by gems of a different colour.
“I have never been this far from home before… are all the cities this stunning?” He mused to his friend. “I’ll be glad once we are back on dry land and I can roost. What about you Saib, what are you planning to do first?”
 
Before his friend could respond, Syrus’ eyes, ears and nostrils were already taking in the aura of the city. It was an exhausting aroma, difficult to discern all the varying details amongst the different cultures of the city. It would make tracking people difficult. A smirk crossed his face. A **challenge**.
 
Saib grinned, proud of his remarkable travel experience already at such a young age. "I've been to many cities, Green Bird (his childhood nickname for him), just follow my lead."
 
However, he had never been to a city like this.
 
Even the busiest Grey Elf bazaars were not as chaotic and alive as the streets of Zyniii, and never had even the revered traveler seen as many different kinds of people and races as they did here.
 
Here, everyone was active, and larger than life.
 
"Gods... they weren't kidding when they said World Capital... this is insane. How are we going to make our mark here, letalone the world at all?
 
“The same way we made our mark in the An-Xiheel, Grey Fox. We start with the biggest target.” Syrus mused back.
 
Him and Grey Fox, his nickname for Saib ever since he tried to grow his prepubescent whiskers, quickly moved up the ranks after they worked together to take out the biggest targets on the An-Xiheel shit list. Syrus believed it was the easiest way out of the organisation, and told Saib as such one night when they were deep in their cups. “So, since you know cities so well, where should we start? And don’t say the tavern.” He quipped.
 
Saib smiled his trademark toothy grin, knowing he was about to suggest exactly that. “What about the Crystalline Fortress, that looks right up our alley! Plus, doesn’t a fancy emerald bird like yourself deserve to set foot in a place matching your stature?”
 
“Fancy, huh?” Syrus questioned. “What gives you that idea?”
 
“Syrus, I’ve been alongside you for a while now, and even longer in the underbellies of the world. You think I wouldn’t notice? Your stride, your confidence, your word choice. I may not know much about Solen culture, but even the shininess of your beak gives it away, friend. You didn’t grow up in this life like I did. I’m sure you’ll tell me all about over a couple of drinks though!”
 
‘How in the hells’, Syrus thought. ‘Why would he keep this quiet for so long?’
“Very well, we’ll stop by the tavern then. Just in case, I’ll head in first, and if we notice any strange people there, we’ll perform the savior technique, understood?”
 
Saib nodded happily. He loved the savior technique, where the one who stopped by first would cause a commotion near their target, and the second would come in to “save” them. Very good at establishing a first impression on a target.
 
And so, the two would enter the tavern after a hooded green elf, unaware of how both their lives would change by this chance encounter.