Chapter 33: The Serpent's Garden

"Where's Silco," Orion demanded, his gaze shifting over what he could only assume were the Kiramman house heads. "There's no way he was ready for this."

"Oh?" C purred, her fingernails tracing the edges of the cloth sack, her eyes dancing mischievously. With a sudden movement, she grabbed the head underneath and a heavy muffled grunt emitted.

Orion grimaced, guessing it to be Tobias. Whether he is conscious or not was another question. "What miraculous gift gives you the foresight to know if- or when- he's ready?" C asked mockingly.

"This reckless act... without thinking of the consequences... it isn't him," Orion trailed off, his brows furrowing in thought. Slowly, his gaze lifted to meet C. "...So what are you doing?"

C laughed playfully, releasing Tobias's head and rotating to Cassandra instead, rolling her head in circles like a doll.

"What a clever little flower," she cooed, her eyes flashing with amusement through her venomous delight. "You're right- he wouldn't do something like this. Silco prefers his quiet games in the shadows. But more recently..." Her smirk widened. "...he's visited an old friend. No thanks to you."

"Vander?"

"Indeed."

"Isn't that a good thing," Orion asked, confused.

"Hardly," C replied with disgust. She rolled her eyes and shoved Cassandra's head forward, eliciting a pained grunt. "You think speaking to the man who threw away so many lives is a good thing? I warned the fool, yet he chose to ignore me."

C's voice shifted to mocking somberness as her gaze cast upward to the cracked glass ceiling above. Her hands betrayed her false calm, clawing violently at the air. "But that's also Silco, isn't it? He will sacrifice everyone and pretend it's all for the future- for Zaun! But in truth, we are tools for the moment."

Her gaze slid back down to Orion, her tone returning to its snake-like quality. "Silco views you as a tool. Piltover will never accept you. And Vander? He is both a traitor and a coward."

Around Orion, he heard grunts of approval as the mood shifted with the thugs stirring. One slammed his weapon into the floor with a snarl. Her words were riling them up, their bodies itching and ready for a fight.

Gritting his teeth, Orion felt an irritation creep into his thoughts. He clenched his fists, his voice low but sharp as he asked, "Your actions don't make sense. Wasn't it Silco who gave you a second chance?"

C's voice continued to curl like a serpent around her words. "Oh, Orion. Silco didn't give me a second chance- he made me a useful pawn. Second chances usually come with...a leash?" She gave a soft chuckle at the end, her fingers back to playing with the sacks.

Her eyes darted up to Orion, starting to lose their patience. "Do you think you're any different? Do you think he will view you as anything but another tool to discard when your usefulness is over?

C's smirk fades with a newly formed cold, hard stare. Her hand outstretches to Orion, her tone no longer purring or twisting her words. "I'm offering you more than that. You've seen how Silco thinks- how he uses people. Join me, Orion. Together, we can ensure Zaun rises and bring Piltover to heel for trampling on our people."

Before Orion could respond, muffled shouts and clattering of boots echoed from outside.

"They're here," one thug said, his voice thick with eager anticipation.

The thugs exchanged knowing smirks and excited glances, their hands moving to unholster the dangling Chemmasks at their waists. Excitement rippled through them, their movements deliberate as they prepared for a fight.

C glanced toward the sound, her voice dropping with a sharp, commanding edge. "Decide quickly, little flower. Because if you're with them..." A malicious smile grew as she raised her own Chemmask to her face, an ominous tone cutting through the muffled mask. "...Then you'll leave with them."

Orion's anger flared as realization hit him. "This was your plan? Corner yourselves to fight Enforcers?!" he snapped, his voice filled with disbelief. Waving his hand furiously, he shouts, "Are you stupid?!"

"Stupid? This is calculated, Orion." C's voice was razor sharp even through the Chemmask as she glared at him. Her voice rose, addressing not just Orion but the thugs around her as well. "This isn't a corner- it's a trap. When Piltover bleeds, they will remember the name Corina Veraza and those who fought for Zaun."

'She's no different,' Orion thought bitterly, his jaw tightening as fury and frustration bubbled beneath the surface. His fists clenched at his side, his gaze briefly flicking to the ground, thoughts racing, before returning to Corina with steeled resolve.

Orion extended a hand, drawing a gleeful look and a smile visible through the Chemmask as she tossed him a spare.

"Good choice, my flower." Corina cooed with satisfaction. Around them, the thugs let out brief cheers before one yanked a lever. The room plunged into darkness, and the thugs faded into the botanical garden. Orion held his breath as a hissing sound filled the air. It became thick with an unknown pollen while making it difficult to see.

Orion exhaled slowly, forcing himself to step back into the shadows.

'I need to escape... or deal with her here,' he thought grimly, his hands trembling as the impeding fight sent adrenaline surging through him. 'Time to dance.'