Chapter 52.1: Weight of the Past

"Akali! This is not the Kinkou way!" Kennen scolded her.

Akali's expression shifted to guilt as she glanced at Kennen. Reluctantly, she let go of the plate and took a step back, sucking in air as if trying to show restraint. "My name is Akali Jhomen Tethi... Now, who are you?"

"Jhomen Tethi? Mayyam's daughter?" Orion asked, rubbing his stomach. His eyes dropped to the bowl of delicious food on the serving plate. 'Ramen?'

Her eyebrows furrowed and she bit her bottom lip, clutching a kunai pendant with the look of a little girl recalling something painful. "In name only."

Forgetting about her attitude and responding instinctively, Orion picked up the chopsticks and began digging in. He didn't notice the strange looks from Akali and Kennen until after a few slurps.

Finally, he paused and took notice of the awkward silence.

"What? I'm hungry." Orion said with noodles hanging out of his mouth. "Oh, uh, thanks for the food!"

Kennen sighed, shaking his head with mock exasperation while Akali stifled a giggle. The two exchanged a glance before breaking into quiet laughter together.

'I suppose I shouldn't act like I did with Cassandra... but I'm so damned hungry!' Orion grumbled internally, slurping up the noodles still hanging out of his mouth.

"I'm Orion." Orion said between bites, covering his mouth for a burp. "I'll be helping out for the time being."

"What help can an outsider provide?" Akali's expression shifted from childish joy to hostility in an instant, as if she caught herself doing something she wasn't supposed to. "You should leave! Strangers only cause problems!"

"Take back those giggles then," Orion said, pointing at her with his chopsticks..

"I-I already did! Shut up!" Akali stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment. She shot an irritated glance at Kennen, whose renewed giggles fueled her frustration.

"I don't believe you," Orion teased, unable to help himself as he dug back into the food. Akali scowled and protested, her fists clenched at her sides.

"What can this useless kid help us with?!" Akali snapped at Kennen, starting to grow impatient.

Kennen shrugged indifferently, clearly amused by the spectacle but watching her carefully. "Nothing right now."

"Hah! Useless! Useless! Weak! Worthless!" Akali taunted, her voice loud and exaggerated, each word emphasized as she stepped closer until her face was just inches from Orion's.

Her glare burned a hole through him, expecting a reaction.

Slurp.

Orion continued munching on his food with an indifferent expression, though his thoughts churned. 'What's up with this brat? Is she just being a normal kid or... has someone been telling her this?'

"Akali!" Kennen scolded, his tone sharp but carrying patience.

"Akali!"

An angry voice echoed from the door, far colder and sharper, causing Akali's body to stiffen instantly as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

A teenage girl, possibly closer to Orion's age and dressed similar to Akali, appeared at the entrance. Dark hair in a ponytail, amber eyes, and a determined glint in her expression.

What caught Orion's attention however was her missing right leg. The injury seemed old, yet not old enough to have fully learned how to deal with her new life. Her balance was unsteady, breathing labored, as she clearly struggled to race here.

Orion set the food down, concerned another conflict would break out near him.

"Faey..." Akali squeaked with guilt, her hand returning to clutch her kunai pendant as if trying to find familiarity.

"Mayyam tasked me with delivering the food!"

Faey's sharp glare lingered on her, her expression sharp but her anger restrained. "You stole my task- now you're taunting and disrespecting our guest!"

Akali took a wider stance, raising her voice defensively. "But- he's an outsider! What if he..."

"The Kinkou way teaches compassion and discipline, not hostility. Go, reflect on your actions." Faey scolded. It was clear she held back, her grip tightening on the clutches, causing her knuckles to whiten.

Giving Orion one last defiant look, Akali's gaze dropped, her emotion and conflict clouding her expression as she muttered, "Yes Faey..."

Without lifting her gaze to meet Faey's disapproving glare, Akali sulked past her outside.

Kennen, concerned, called out, "Wait!" and darted after her.

"The things youth can get away with," Faey said with a ruefully smile, slowly making her way in, sweat beading on her forehead. "Even when they ruin your life."

Her gaze, spiteful and tinged with resentment, dropped to her missing leg as she struggled into a sitting position. Orion's eyes widened sympathetically, the pieces starting to fall into place.