Rise of the Crusader

Orson and the two beasts echoed in unison, "A favor."

Raphael nodded, a subtle smile gracing his lips as his eyes remained fixed on the trio before him. Though the request might have seemed trivial coming from anyone else, the fact that it was Raphael who asked sent a shiver down their spines.

He was a force to be reckoned with, capable of demanding anything from them.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy, the tension palpable, causing the beasts' hearts to race. Raphael stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his mere presence enough to instill fear in the bravest of souls.

Finally, Orson spoke up, shattering the silence. "Alright, Raphael. If we ever need a custom-made gadget, we'll come here." He wasted no time in turning towards the elevator, his companions following closely behind.

As the elevator doors closed, sealing them off from Raphael's unnerving presence, the three-eyed monkey turned to Orson and asked, "Is he always like that?"

The alligator also swiveled its gaze towards Orson, who, despite having left the building, was still shaking uncontrollably.

Some time later, Orson and the beasts emerged from the building, their hearts pounding in their chests. As soon as they stepped outside, they mustered every ounce of strength in their bodies and sprinted away as if their lives depended on it.

Both humans and beasts fought to enter the building, while others lurked outside, waiting to prey on those who managed to secure one of Raphael's prized gadgets.

The moment Orson and the beasts exited the building, they were pursued by a horde of would-be thieves, eager to snatch their valuable acquisitions. Chaos erupted, and the scene outside devolved into a bloody melee.

Bystanders watched from a safe distance, their expressions a mix of awe and horror. They understood the immense value of Raphael's creations, but they couldn't help but wonder if the bloodshed was truly worth it.

As the death count of both humans and beasts dwindled, it became increasingly easier for the most cunning and powerful among them to enter the building. However, with the growing number of entrants, the struggle grew fiercer as they knew there was a limit; once fifty individuals had entered, there would be no more gadgets.

Both humans and beasts had witnessed the elation on the faces of those who had obtained a gadget from the building. Their beaming smiles left no doubt that these devices were life-changing.

"Please... let me go inside," a young man pleaded, tears streaming down his face as a beast dragged him away from the entrance.

His dream of acquiring Raphael's gadget was brutally shattered just as he was within reach. The beast's grip on his leg tightened, crushing his bones as it pulled him from the doorway. Once it had dragged him far enough, the creature tossed him into the air, opening its massive jaws to swallow him whole.

The sound of flesh and bone being crushed filled the air, and within seconds, the young man was in the beast's belly. The creature licked its lips, seemingly satisfied with its meal, and belched loudly. As it scanned the remaining humans fighting with every ounce of strength to enter the building, a hungry look crept into its eyes.

The beast was about to hunt for its next victim when a woman appeared before it. Clad in a billowing black cloak, her deep brown eyes conveyed a sense of mystery and allure. Her long white hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, framing her face in a captivating manner.

A long tail swayed behind her, and while her beauty was undeniable with sharp features and a commanding presence, the power she possessed was immeasurable.

"Enough, Rio" she said firmly, her gaze locked on the seven-foot-tall beast before her.

Upon hearing her command, the creature immediately bowed its head in submission. Those who had witnessed the horrors the beast had wrought on humans and other beasts alike were stunned.

It had displayed unbridled ruthlessness, yet it still bent to the will of the woman before it. Curiosity piqued, they wondered who she was and how she managed to exert such control over the fearsome creature.

The woman turned her attention to Gus, whose expression was unreadable. A smile graced her lips as her tail swayed gently. She approached him with graceful strides, her cloak billowing softly behind her.

"How are you doing, Gus?" she asked, bending down slightly. Her smile was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the eerie atmosphere surrounding them.

Gus couldn't find the right words to respond. There was something peculiar about this woman, but it couldn't quite put his finger on it. It wasn't her curvaceous figure, which was evident even beneath the concealing cloak, nor was it her shapely derriere.

As Gus studied her, the woman's unwavering smile held firm. After a few moments, she straightened up and glanced at the menacing creatures behind her. "Keep Gus and the others company while I go see Raphael," she instructed.

Gus frowned, realizing the underlying message: the beast was to keep everyone, including him, out of the building until she returned. it studied the creatures, whose sinister grins seemed to whisper threats of pain and death. Gus wasn't afraid to engage in battle, but it also wasn't sure if it would be worth it or if Raphael would approve.

It had seen these beast tear through powerful metahumans and mystical creatures with ease, as though they were mere insects. If he were to challenge them, he would have to unleash his full might.

But was it worth the risk? Gus pondered this for a moment before coming to a decision. He shook his head and held his ground, his gaze locked with that of the beast.

The moment the elevator doors slid open, the woman stepped gracefully into the gadget room, her heels clicking on the polished floor. As her gaze met Raphael's, a light smile played at the corners of her lips, adding an enigmatic allure to her presence. 𝒷ℯ𝓭𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓮𝓵.𝒸ℴ𝓶

Raphael, however, couldn't shake the same inexplicable feeling that had seized Gus upon encountering the woman. His intuition told him that something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint the source of his unease. Her eyes seemed to hold a secret, one that both intrigued and unsettled him.

The woman's melodious voice broke through his thoughts. "If you continue to stare at me like that, Raphael, I might assume you're smitten," she teased, her smile taking on a seductive edge. "Or should I address you by your full name, Raphael Mikaelson Queen?"