Relics of Deception

Scene: Dark Alleyway, Neon City

Lyra Kuroi walks through the narrow, rain-soaked streets of Neon City. The dim lights from flickering signs cast a cold glow on the puddles beneath her feet. She flips her coat’s collar up and steps into a crime scene, where her partner, Kai, is waiting next to a body covered with a tarp. Police officers and forensic teams are scattered around, but all eyes are on Lyra as she approaches.

Kai (with a grin):

“You’re late. Miss me, Kuroi?”

Lyra (smirking):

“I missed the part where you solved the case already. Or are you waiting for me to do your job again?”

Lyra crouches down, lifting the tarp slightly to examine the victim—a middle-aged man with strange markings on his arm.

Kai (mock offended):

“I was just about to figure it out, but then I thought, why not let the genius detective have her moment?”

Lyra (dryly):

“Yeah, right. The day you crack a case without my help is the day I become a ballerina.”

She examines the markings more closely, her eyes narrowing.

Lyra (seriously):

“These aren’t just random tattoos. They’re sigils. Old tech symbols. This guy was mixed up in some deep stuff.”

Kai (whistling):

“You sure? Looks more like a bad night at the tattoo parlor to me.”

Lyra:

“Well, if the tattoo parlor specializes in illegal relic tech smuggling, then yeah.”

Before Kai can reply, a shadow moves at the end of the alley. Lyra is already on alert, her hand subtly reaching for her weapon.

Kai (oblivious):

“You think it’s related to the other cases? Maybe that relic tech syndicate we—”

Lyra cuts him off with a sharp whisper.

Lyra:

“Shut up and get behind me.”

Kai blinks but follows her lead, as the shadowy figure bolts down the alley. Lyra springs into action, dashing after them, her trench coat billowing behind her.

Kai (shouting after her):

“Lyra, wait—! Ugh, why do I always get stuck with the action hero?”

Lyra weaves through the narrow alleyways with the agility of a cat, effortlessly dodging trash cans and leaping over obstacles. The figure ahead vaults up onto a rooftop, but Lyra is right behind them. The chase leads her across buildings, each jump closing the gap.

Lyra (grinning to herself):

“Gotcha now.”

The figure attempts a desperate leap to the next rooftop, but Lyra’s faster. She lunges forward, grabbing their ankle mid-air, and both of them crash onto the roof. Lyra rolls to her feet, pinning the suspect down with ease.

Suspect (panting):

“You… you don’t know what you’re getting into…”

Lyra (leaning in, voice dripping with sarcasm):

“Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea. Now, talk. Or I’ll get really creative.”

The suspect glares but remains silent. Kai finally arrives, panting heavily.

Kai (out of breath):

“You…you couldn’t… wait a second?”

Lyra (laughing):

“Where’s the fun in that?”

She pulls the suspect to their feet, her tone shifting back to business.

Lyra:

“Alright, pal, start talking. Who sent you, and why does the corpse back there have relic tech symbols all over him?”