He looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The messy hair was gone, replaced by a neat, modern cut that suited the sharp lines of his face. The simple black t-shirt and pants felt natural, a comfortable disguise.The man in the mirror looked exactly as he remembered, in the prime of his life, but his eyes held the weight of a century and a half.
He walked out of the suite, the quiet hum of the 34th floor a distant sound. Aarav and the maid followed him, a silent procession to the elevators. They stepped inside, and the lift descended with a smooth, soundless grace, a rapid drop from the secluded heights to the bustling first floor.
The elevator doors slid open. The man walked out, but after a few steps, he realized his silent escort was no longer behind him. He looked back over his shoulder. Aarav was still in the elevator, his posture as rigid as ever.
"Are you not coming?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"I was only tasked to protect you till here," Aarav replied, his voice a flat monotone. "Others will take it from here."
"Someone else other than you?" he asked, the sarcasm evident in his tone.
"I have a task that has been on hold. I need to finish it. I wish you a happy journey."
Aarav gave a single, respectful nod. The elevator doors began to close, and he was gone.
He looked forward and started to walk, turning his back on the elevator and on the First Knight. The maid, a silent and professional shadow, moved to his side and started to guide him. They walked down a hushed hallway, its polished marble reflecting the glow of the overhead lights.
They stopped in front of a set of unassuming double doors, flanked by two men in dark, tailored suits. The guards stood motionless, their posture a silent statement of authority. The maid stepped in front of the man and spoke to them in a low, respectful tone. The guards listened, their eyes flicking over to him.
After a short conversation, the guards nodded, and one of them reached out and opened the door. He stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. The man walked in front, a new-found purpose in his stride, with the maid following close behind. He was about to enter a new world.