Suddenly the sounds of the restaurant seemed to slow down, and inside her head there was a feeling of floating in space, where she could see thoughts as bright lights. Her attention was drawn to the brightest, most brilliant flash of light. Delia carefully directed her energy at it. The man sat holding onto the table, his gaze darting around the other dinner guests.
"What is this bitch thinking?" was what he was thinking at that moment. "I don't need her to do everything against my plans!"
Delia smiled slightly to herself, feeling the realization dawn on her. Other thoughts were stirring in his head, he was thinking about the plans of the Convention, about how her abilities could be used against her.
"No matter how hard I try, I have to be one step ahead," he thought again. "The last thing I need is for her to start twitching. Taking her out would be a good idea."
The word "taking her out" pierced Delia like a knife. She felt her heart clench, because he wasn't just interested in her abilities, he was plotting to eliminate her. Delia quickly pulled herself out of his thought field, because now she had information that could save her. She came back to reality and her gaze met the man's.
"Something wrong, Delia?" he asked with a teasing expression.
"No, it's fine," she replied, trying to keep her voice even.
She fought the urge to give away her feelings, but fortunately, Joan intervened again.
"Let us discuss the details of your involvement in the Byrnes case," she suggested playfully, changing the subject.
Delia used this moment to collect her thoughts. All this time, she felt a plan forming in her mind. She had to figure out the situation, but now her actions had to be careful and thoughtful. Deep down, Delia knew that in this high-stakes poker game, she had to hide her cards carefully.
As the conversation began to delve into the details of the Byrnes case again, Delia looked away from the men at the table and out the window. The lights of Tokyo flickered in the darkness, beckoning her to freedom, but they also reminded her of how easy it was to get lost in this vast city. But staying here was dangerous; she couldn't risk her safety. While the others were deep in conversation, Delia decided to act. She stood up, trying to appear calm, and said,
"Excuse me, I need to get some fresh air. I'll be right back."
Without waiting for their answers, she headed for the exit. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but she kept walking, trying not to show her panic. As soon as she reached the street, she turned around and saw one of the guards, the one standing next to her, already heading her way. Delia quickened her pace and turned into an alley, hoping the cover would help her hide.
She steeled herself and focused on her abilities, using her telekinesis to open one of the doorways that led to a dark alley where she could hide. Once outside and collected her thoughts, she headed for the nearest subway station. A plan formed in her mind that would get her out of the city and back to the Moon Base, away from the manipulations of the Convention and the plans of this mysterious man.
Delia stopped and looked around. Cars drove past her, and people rushed about their business. She quickly checked her communicator to make sure she had the means she needed. But when the screen lit up, she saw a message from the Convention that made her heart clench: "We know where you are. Don't try to run. We still need you."
Delia realized that she had no choice now and decided right then and there that if she wanted to maintain her freedom, she would have to hide. But her instincts told her that running wasn't the smartest thing to do. She needed to find a way to trick the Convention, to throw off their trail.
She would probably have to turn to her boyfriend to find a way to get out of Tokyo and back to the Moon Base. But how could she explain this whole situation to him? How could she protect him from the people who could use her to get to him?
All this time, Delia felt her power growing inside her. If she wanted to win this dangerous game, she needed to find her way, find allies, and use her abilities to unravel this web of intrigue. She had to become the hunter, not the hunted.
Delia took a deep breath and walked out of the alley. At that moment, she noticed a group of people gathered on the sidewalk. They were tourists, filming and taking pictures in front of neon signs. Delia squinted and focused on the nearest street lamp, whose bulb suddenly cracked and went dim. The people around her began to whisper in surprise and looked away from her path, gathering closer to the lamppost to see what had happened. This moment bought her a few precious seconds.
Delia quickly crossed to the other side of the road and disappeared into the stream of pedestrians, disappearing among them like a drop in the sea. Up ahead, at the intersection, several cars stopped at a red light. Delia looked around and her gaze fell on a group of young people talking and laughing. She focused again. This time, she focused her energy on one of the cars stopped at the traffic light.
Its engine began to hum furiously, and the driver, frightened, abruptly stepped on the gas and drove into the intersection, creating confusion. Drivers of other cars began to honk their horns, and for a few moments, all eyes were directed at the noise and movement. It was the perfect moment to slip past into a quiet street where there were no crowds of people.
Soon Delia came to a small alley decorated with Japanese lanterns, illuminating the path with a soft light. But at that moment, her attention was drawn to two silhouettes standing at the exit of the alley. These were the same men from the Convention. Without waiting for them to notice her, Delia resorted to her power again. This time she found several cans of drinks left on a bench. Concentrating, she threw one of them into the air, causing it to land with a dull sound a few meters away from them.
"What was that?" one of the men became wary and turned around.
"Maybe someone just tripped," the second waved him off, but his voice betrayed that he was also wary.
Using the moment, Delia crept past them to the end of the alley, where she immediately noticed a small phone booth. It was the perfect place to try to contact someone who could help her. She looked out to make sure no one was following her and quickly went inside.
After closing the door, she immediately pulled out her communicator. She knew she needed to contact someone she could trust. Her thoughts went back to her boyfriend, who might know how to help her. But she didn't want to let him down, so, gathering her thoughts, Delia decided to dial the number of one of the teachers at the Academy of Arts and Perfection, who was always on the students' side.
But suddenly, the sound of footsteps was heard outside the door. Delia quickly finished entering the number and, leaning against the wall, waited with bated breath for the moment. If she was caught, she would play ahead. And her telekinesis would be her last hope.
Making a decision, she focused and pulled her powers towards her. If they tried to enter, she would need to create an illusion to confuse them. With this thought, Delia prepared herself for the fact that she would have to fight for her freedom ahead.
The door of the booth suddenly opened, and Delia felt the adrenaline rush through her veins. She quickly pressed the button, but the voice on the phone didn't have time to say a word - her attention was focused again on the approaching men.
Gathering all her strength, she threw all the disturbing thoughts out of her head and, opening the door, jumped out into the street. Voices were heard from the street - her pursuers were approaching. Delia immediately realized that she needed to get away from there before it was too late.
Around her were tall buildings that created a labyrinth of narrow alleys. She headed towards the underpass, which she saw a little ahead. It was the perfect cover - many ways, and perhaps even the opportunity to lose their trail.
When she reached the entrance to the underpass, Delia slipped into the darkness, trying to remain unnoticed. It was quite cold inside, but the warmth enveloped her, allowing her to focus on the next step.
Here, in the underpass, there was almost no light. She heard sounds - rustling, a distant hum - and realized that this was a place to hide. After walking a few meters, Delia pressed herself against the wall and began to use telekinesis briefly, lifting trash containers and old billboards, creating a curtain to hide from view. Outside, she heard the voices of Convention agents:
"She's here! She must have passed us by," one of them said.
"Check all the exits! She can't have gone far," another answered, and Delia felt her heart beat faster again.
She began to move further into the passage, concentrating and creating an illusion that made a nearby lantern flicker and go out. This deception attracted the attention of the agents.
"Over there!" one of them shouted, pointing in the direction of the flickering light.
While they ran to check another part of the passage, Delia took the chance to quietly move into another tunnel that led towards the exit. As she walked further, she noticed wall panels that had city plans on them. It was local art that reflected the neon lights of Tokyo. Delia looked closer and noticed that some of the walls were loosely attached - this could be her temporary cover.
She quickly began to lift one of the panels, creating cover behind it. When the panel slid back, she saw that there was a small niche behind the wall, large enough for her to hide. Delia climbed inside and pressed herself against the wall, trying not to make a sound.
She knew that her pursuers would be back soon. The anticipation was weighing on her, and she tried to calm herself, breathing slowly and deeply. As she waited, the voices of the agents reached her ears again:
"She could have made her way towards the market," one of the agents suggested. "We need to check all the exits."
"Too long," the other answered. "Maybe she left a long time ago?"
Soon the conversations began to fade and the footsteps faded into the distance. Delia exhaled and carefully stepped out of her hiding place. Listening again to make sure the danger had passed, she returned to the exit of the underpass.
The moonlight was bright on the surface of Tokyo, and the sounds of the city were in full force. She tried to remain unnoticed, but looking over her shoulder, she suddenly noticed a group of men in formal suits heading quickly in her direction. They were agents of the Convention.
"Delia!" one of them shouted, and her heart sank.
She broke into a run, but her pursuers were faster. They deftly circled around her and, having surrounded her, grabbed her arms, not giving her a chance to escape. Delia felt her strength begin to fade from fear and despair.
"We have orders to take you to Portugal," one of the agents said, pointing to the waiting transport. "We need you."
Unable to resist, Delia was forced to accept what had happened. She was trapped in a car, and despite all her abilities, she knew that her powers were useless now.
During the entire drive to the airport, Delia tried to gather her thoughts and think of a way to escape this situation. She knew that the Convention was using her, but this time she had to be more cunning. A plan formed in her head. Her abilities could be her salvation, but she could not use them now.
Arriving at the airport, Delia got out of the car and felt people looking at her. The excitement was growing, but Delia tried to remain calm. The Convention agents led her to the terminal, surrounding her like guards.
"How can you treat a person who can help you like this?" she asked defiantly, trying to strengthen her moral strength.
One of the agents, the same one who called her at the beginning, chuckled.
"We have our own methods," he said, ignoring her words. "You must understand that we act for the good of humanity."
Delia snorted. "For the good of humanity," she thought, cursing herself for agreeing to come here in the first place. She knew her powers could be key to this game, but she couldn't predict how they would be used.
As they entered the terminal, Delia noticed that people were bustling around her, taking their seats at the gates and waiting for their flights. She tried to look into their eyes, hoping to find support among them, but everyone was absorbed in their own affairs.
As they waited to board the flight, Delia decided that she would not give up. She considered how she could use her powers, and as she approached the security area, she gathered her strength and with a sheer force of will caused a sudden surge in the security system.
"Attack!" one of the agents shouted as the security systems began to signal an alarm.
While the agents were distracted by the false alarm, Delia used her telekinesis to throw several objects into the air, creating chaos around them.
"Quick! Get her!" the agent yelled and ran after her.
Gathering all her strength, Delia slipped past them to the side, lost in the crowd of people who were looking for safety. She knew she had to act fast and headed for the other exit, the door that led to the street. Outside the terminal, she could feel freedom in the air, but only if she could get out of this airport.
She gathered her strength and ran for the exit, ready to fight any difficulties that came her way. Her heart pounded in her chest as she ran out into the street, leaving the bustle of the airport behind her. She didn't have time to think; she needed to find shelter as quickly as possible.
She ran towards the nearest taxi, looking for a way to break free from the grip of the Convention. But fate turned against her again. She had barely managed to get into the car and give the driver the address when she noticed several familiar faces hurrying towards her in the rearview mirror. They were agents of the Convention. They already knew where she was going.
"Stop!" one of them shouted, and Delia, realizing that there was no chance of salvation, felt an icy coldness envelop her body.
She tried to jump out of the car, but she was grabbed and pulled out into the street. One of the agents squeezed her hand, forcing her to follow him.
"Stop! I don't want to go anywhere!" she screamed, but her words made no impression.
She felt like a trapped bird that couldn't get out of its cage. And so, against her will, Delia found herself on board a plane heading to Portugal. She sat down in her seat, and the agents sat next to her, fastening their belts. Fear and anger warred within her, but she knew she must not give in.
During the flight, Delia tried to distract herself by listening to her companions' conversation, hoping to find a way to deceive them or learn their true intentions. Her attention was drawn to a tall man with short hair and sharp features. There was something familiar in his voice, and this made her suspicious.
He noticed her gaze and smirked. At that moment, Delia decided that she would not sit idly by. If he really worked for the Convention, then perhaps he had information that would help her. Having collected her thoughts, she decided to take a risk and try to impress him.
"I heard that you work for the Convention. You must be very influential," she began, trying to sound confident.
The man, not expecting such a turn of events, raised an eyebrow.
"I do my job," he answered, and a note of interest was heard in his voice. "And you, Always Visible Asia, are not very smart, if you try to escape from the Convention."
She felt a prick in her stomach. He knew her nickname, bestowed upon her by grateful fans, which made Delia quite wary.
"I just don't like being manipulated," Delia said, trying not to show her excitement.
"I see that you have special abilities. It may be to your detriment if you try to continue your game," he said with a cold smile.
At that moment, she realized that he was not just an agent of the Convention. She could have sworn that there were other motives in his words, and she decided to find out more.
"Do you know who I am? Why do they need me?" she asked, trying to find a weak spot in his defense.
"You have talents that can be useful, but not for everyone," he said, grinning again. "For example, for Makoto Shugarami".
Delia froze at the name of the magnate who wielded enormous power in Portugal. If he was truly interested in her abilities, it could mean that her life was now in great danger.
"What the hell would he need me for?" she asked, trying to hide her excitement with rudeness.
"Makoto sees you as more than just an actress," he said. "He wants to use your powers to advance his interests, and he won't stop until he achieves his goal."
Anger and fear bubbled up inside her. Delia clenched her fists, determination appearing on her face. If Makoto Shugarami was truly plotting against her, she had to wait until she could use her powers to free herself from his control. Delia took a deep breath, knowing that in this game of survival, she had to play by her own rules.