Deadly purple light shot sharply from the fingertips of the black-robed figure. Their target was clear: Rian's chest as he continued walking in a half-conscious state.
Damn it! This human could die before he has a chance to give me fish crackers tomorrow morning! Zephyrus thought anxiously.
With every muscle in his powerful hind legs, Zephyrus leaped from the sofa.
“Protectio!” Zephyrus screamed in his mind. BZZZZTTTT!
Just as the purple beam pierced the window glass, Zephyrus landed neatly on Rian's shoulder, then reflexively sneezed straight into the air above the man's head.
“HAAATCHOO!”
Instead of creating a crystal shield, Zephyrus's stray magic sneeze exploded into a curtain of enormous soap bubbles mixed with a thick scent of telon oil!
CRASH!
The purple light slammed into the wave of soap bubbles. The collision between the two magical energies triggered a soundless explosion, jolting the window glass until it cracked in a thousand places.
Rian, who had just picked up a glass of water from the kitchen table, flinched in surprise. The glass nearly slipped from his hand.
“Ow! Mochi! Why'd you suddenly jump onto my shoulder?!” Rian complained, rubbing his ear. “And... why does it suddenly smell like telon oil in here?!”
Rian turned toward the window. His eyes went wide when he saw that the front window of Rian's rental apartment was badly cracked.
“Huh? What happened to my window?! Did someone throw a rock?!” Rian cried in a panic.
Meanwhile, outside the window, the black-robed figure floated backward several yards. Its shadowed face appeared to curl into a cold grin.
“Your power may have faded, Zephyrus... but your divine soul cannot deceive this Soul Mirror,” the dark whisper echoed directly inside Zephyrus's head. “Fat cat or not, tonight we will carry your soul to the Dark Dimension.”
Zephyrus narrowed his gaze from atop Rian's shoulder. His whiskers trembled violently. Just try it, you Accursed Emissary! I'll turn that black robe of yours into my new bed!
“Mochi, get down for a minute! It's dangerous if some bad person throws another rock!” Rian tried to lower Zephyrus from his shoulder.
But at the exact moment Rian's fingers touched Zephyrus's fur, the thick wooden front door of the rental apartment suddenly burst into greenish-black flames.
BOOM!
The door hinges tore loose and slammed inward. Cold night air shot inside, carrying fragments of green fire that did not burn the wood but instead spread an icy chill that froze the floor.
Rian stumbled backward several steps until his back hit the dining table. “W-what kind of demon is this now... Oh God, I haven't even paid off the house yet...”
The black-robed figure floated through the doorway. Its two blood-red eyes stared straight at the pair of them.
Its skeletal hand raised a pitch-black kris radiating a dense aura of murderous intent.
“Step aside, Mortal Human,” the figure growled in a booming voice that made every plate on the kitchen shelf tremble. “Or you will be destroyed along with him.”
Rian trembled violently. His knees went weak. But instead of running in terror, Rian reflexively placed Zephyrus behind his back, trying to protect the orange cat with his own body.
“W-who are you?! Don't mess with me! I'll call everyone in the neighborhood!” Rian shouted in a frightened squeak, gripping a palm-fiber broom he found near the kitchen table.
Behind Rian, Zephyrus froze. His green eyes blinked slowly.
“This foolish human... is trying to protect me? Even though all he has is that pathetic dust-cleaning stick?”
A strange warmth swept through Zephyrus's chest. The Grand Mage's hunger and pride were suddenly replaced by a little... respect.
Very well, Scratchy Human. Since you have demonstrated your loyalty, I shall lend you a portion of my greatness.