OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 153: Welcoming Jake And Emma

Under the cover of the night, while remaining hand in hand, Emir and Lyra stood before a three-story building, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon.

Its minimalist architecture easily conveyed what its owners wished for in a house.

A fortified gate, a guardian that most hunters wouldn't sleep without, stood before them.

And as if recognizing their presence, it swung open effortlessly, inviting them in.

Shrugging his shoulders, Emir walked forward, leaving her hand as he prepared himself to be struck by a train of two celestials rushing at him.

And sure enough, a fit blonde woman wearing pajamas rushed forward while a black-haired, tanned half-cyborg followed after her.

"Emir!"

Emir switched his stance from relaxed to fully tensed as he dug his feet into the ground while he eyed them as he would his enemies.

Slowing down time to the millisecond, he subtly adjusted his body to welcome theirs without throwing him off balance.

Time resumed its normal pace, and Crash!

They squeezed him from both sides, as Emir planned, using their own forces against each other to cancel them out while keeping him balanced.

He could easily overpower them with his strength, but that would be announcing that he was a celestial just like them.

'That has to wait until they sign the contract.' He thought.

Thinking that they were crushing him, they immediately stepped back in alarm, both asking in unison:

"O-oh, are you alright/okay?"

Emir eyed them with a smile.

"I'm fine, I wouldn't have gotten this far if I couldn't take a hug from you two. Never think of me as weak, not even now with both of you being high rankers, but trust that if you do, only surprises will await."

And as all other hunters would, Emma took that as a challenge, but before she could do something reckless, Jake interfered and cut in on their fun.

"Alright, alright, enough of that, let's get in first."

Emma looked at him with annoyance, but her face slowly turned to surprise as she finally noticed who was behind Emir.

"So... Is that the plus one you mentioned? You didn't say that she would be such a beauty."

Emir let out a chuckle and gestured for Lyra to introduce herself, as she seemed to be out of it for the past while.

'Probably still thinking about the kiss.'

"Ah-nice to meet you both, you may call me Lyra, I'm Emir's only companion." She finally spoke, the meaning behind her words obvious to everyone listening.

Emma raised a brow as she asked:

"Companion? In what way? Are you both partners like Jake and I or something more?"

But before Lyra answered her question, they all noticed a great shift in Emir's demeanor, the once-warm personality turned cold, colder than what Earth was many millennia ago.

This caused both Jake and Emma to let out an audibly loud gulp, as they had never in their lives, not even after surviving the frontlines, seen someone who resembled the current Emir.

Quickly comprehending the situation, Jake said with urgency:

"Sorry if she touched a soft spot for you, Emir; she didn't mean anything by it. Don't take it out on her, she was just curious since she didn't see you for so long."

Emir silently stared at Jake for a few seconds, and Jake matched him as they locked eyes, neither one looking away.

After a few tense moments, Emir said:

"No worries, I was just reminded of something. My bad, Em, didn't mean to scare you like that..."

Emma shook her head.

"I-it's fine, Emir, just don't do me like that again, okay?"

She followed her words with an awkward laugh, and sensing her unease, Emir swiftly closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting embrace.

The warmth of his hug seemed to melt away some of her worries, and she returned a silent smile, reassured that the Emir she knew was still there, somewhere...

"Really sorry about that, Em..."

Letting go after a nod, she stepped back and made her way into the house, her voice trailing behind her as she spoke:

"I told you it's fine, alright? Let's forget this ever happened and go talk about what happened to you, to us, and maybe how you met Miss Lyra over there..."

Both Emir and Lyra looked at each other as they let out a chuckle.

"Alright, thanks for the warm welcome, by the way."

Jake nodded and followed behind Emir and Lyra as they stepped past the entryway with the

fortified gate closing behind them, announcing a soft click.

After entering the house, a sense of serenity embraced them.

The interior was minimalist yet cozy.

The furniture spoke of function over flamboyance, hinting at a recent acquisition of wealth or a purposeful disregard for ostentation.

Simple yet tasteful decorations adorned the walls, lending a touch of personality to the space.

Emir walked after Emma as they headed up the stairs, which were elegantly positioned along one side of the entrance.

'Judging by her reaction, she really was worried about me, I don't even need to ask Lyra to confirm it, anyone can tell that she wasn't acting.'

Even though he acted like that to someone who was so worried about him, he didn't feel bad about it... After all, it was to make sure of her and Jake's intentions while indicating that

personal questions about Lyra were taboo...

For now at least.

'Magnus is a crafty fucker, so no matter who it is, I can't trust them, I need to confirm their intentions, have them sign a contract, have them under my control, even if subtly, it doesn't matter, I just need an advantage over them.'

Looking up at her wide back he inwardly added:

'We can be friends though, as long as I gain something from it...'

"Welcome to our humble abode." Emma said as she reached the top of the stairs.

After they had all joined her in the room, she gestured for them to sit.

"We've never had a housewarming party, so I'll think of this as one. Please enjoy the sweets

on the table. I love eating those, they don't contain that many calories, you know? I can stuff

myself while keeping up with this physique!"

Chuckling at her antics, Emir thanked her with a nod and approached one of the three couches opposite the holoscreen.

Lyra joined him, sitting next to him while saying:

"Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Emma."

Jake sat next to them and spoke before Emma could:

"Just call her Emma, she doesn't deserve to have Miss before her name."

Emir looked at Jake, and they both joined each other in loud laughter.

Emma sulked in a corner, her expression a mix of annoyance and resignation.

Meanwhile, Lyra's presence was marked by soft giggles that added a lightness to the

atmosphere.

Emma soon brought out a selection of drinks from the cupboards, her movements a bit more

forceful than necessary.

Walking with hurried steps, she approached the table that separated the three couches and

slammed the drinks down, creating a resounding bang that echoed through the room.

With a scoff, Emir asked:

"You guys love cutting each other off, don't you?"

"No, we don't!" They replied in unison.

"Hah, alright, alright, stop bickering like an old married couple, and let's get down to

business, shall we?" He said, his face turning serious.

Sitting on a couch all by herself, Emma asked:

"You want us to sign a contract, right?"