Teleport the Devil

Noah and Asher quickly left the building, the heavy steel door clanging shut behind them with a sense of finality. The cool outside air felt like a relief after the warehouse's tense atmosphere.

"He knows," Asher blurted out the moment they were a few steps away, his voice tight with panic. He wiped sweat from his forehead. "He knows about our lie that you're my cousin, right?"

Noah smiled, a genuine flicker of amusement this time. He kept walking. "Obviously," he said. "That 'cousin' had a little too much emphasis."

"Then am I doomed?" Asher said, his shoulders slumping, looking utterly hopeless.

"Not necessarily," Noah said, his tone casual as he scanned the rundown street.

"What do you mean, not necessarily?" Asher asked, a spark of desperate hope flaring despite himself. He hurried to catch up to Noah's stride.

"First," Noah said, stopping and turning to face Asher, "take me to the nearest restaurant or something." He patted his stomach. "I'm hungry. Thinking is harder on an empty stomach."

Asher opened his mouth, clearly wanting to yell, "This is not the time for that!" His face flushed with frustration. But seeing Noah's expectant look, he swallowed the words like bitter medicine. All he could do was sigh in resignation and nod. "Fine. This way."

---

Restaurant, Afternoon.

Noah and Asher sat near a large window overlooking the busy street. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the motes of dust dancing in the air. The table between them was laden with burgers, fries, onion rings, and sodas – a small feast Noah had ordered without hesitation.

"Uh, it might be too late to say this," Asher said, eyeing the mountain of food nervously. He hadn't touched his plate. "But I don't really have much money right now. I used most of it on the slot machine earlier." He shifted uncomfortably in the booth.

"Relax," Noah said, taking a big bite of his burger. He chewed and swallowed. "I will pay for it myself."

"Re-really?" Asher said, disbelief warring with relief on his face. He'd fully expected Noah to force him to pay, or worse, suggest they simply teleport away without settling the bill. But he was actually going to pay?

"Well," Noah said, picking up a perfectly crisp French fry and popping it into his mouth, "if you don't want to eat, I won't force you. More for me." He gestured at Asher's untouched burger.

The food smelled amazing – greasy, salty, comforting. But Asher's stomach was knotted with anxiety. The aroma couldn't compete with the fear churning inside him. He pushed his plate slightly away.

"So," Asher leaned forward, lowering his voice even though the restaurant chatter provided cover, "what did you mean back there? About me not necessarily being doomed? I was *sure* the boss was suspicious of me. That look..."

"Yes," Noah acknowledged, wiping his hands on a napkin. "He is suspicious. Anyone would be. But," he took a sip of his soda, "that suspicion alone isn't enough for him to just ditch you, is it? Especially not right now." He met Asher's eyes. "I believe you guys – Joker Roulette – were in a lot of trouble because of a group called Arcane Keepers. Am I right?"

Asher blinked, surprised Noah knew that. "Yes," he admitted cautiously. "What's about it?"

"I don't know the exact situation," Noah said, leaning back casually, "but at least I know this: you guys were losing in numbers. Numbers matter in a fight, especially against organized enemies like Arcane Keepers. So, ditching a useful member like you," he gestured at Asher, "and rejecting someone with a power like mine," he gestured to himself, " that would be a huge, stupid loss for the group. Liam doesn't strike me as stupid."

"That's... true," Asher said slowly, the logic sinking in. A little color returned to his face, and some of the tension eased from his shoulders. He finally picked up a fry. "I guess the boss can't afford to be too picky in this situation, even if I'm a little bit suspicious."

"Exactly," Noah said. 

He finished his burger and pushed the plate away. He folded his arms on the table and looked directly at Asher, his expression shifting slightly. "But let me ask you a question now." His tone was still calm, but it held a new edge.

Asher immediately stiffened. His earlier relief vanished, replaced by fresh apprehension. "Wh-what do you want to ask?" he said. 

"In case," Noah said, holding Asher's gaze steadily, "I end up becoming an enemy to Joker Roulette..." He paused, letting the implication hang heavy in the air between them. The sounds of the restaurant seemed to fade. "Whose side will you be on?"

Asher gulped. His throat felt dry. The group *was* strong; that was one of the main reasons he'd joined in the first place. Taking sides between the group and this terrifyingly powerful, unpredictable guy felt like choosing between a rock and a hard place.

"I will be on your side, of course," Asher said, the words tumbling out in a rush. Cold sweat broke out all over his body again. It felt like treason even saying it aloud.

Despite the fear, despite the logic pointing to the group's strength, his gut feeling screamed a different truth. Something deeper, more primal, told him that this guy, Noah, wouldn't lose. Not even against the whole group. That certainty outweighed everything else.

"I see," Noah said, a thoughtful look crossing his face. He didn't look surprised. "That's an interesting decision." He leaned forward slightly. "But if you really mean it, Asher, you better talk about it with your friend. The one who recommended you. Or else, when things go down, you'll find yourself an enemy to him too." He paused. "I believe he wasn't one of the members I met before, right?"

Asher nodded. "That's right! His name is Milo." He pulled out his phone, checking it. Still no reply. "I've tried messaging him. He didn't answer. I guess he's busy doing something for the group right now. But I'll try to convince him to take our side later."

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