Chapter 37: Threads Unraveling

Whack.

Orion stood stunned for a second as Vander's hand clipped him across the head. Emotionally, he was deadlocked between anger and frustration, trying his hardest not to lash out.

He knew he'd gone too far, crossed a line. Vander had held back, but the instinctual rage to respond swelled within him. Orion knew how this would end if he let loose with his magic, his body locking up as he struggled for self-control, his hands twitching at his side.

For a split second, a dark thought flickered- caving in Vander's chest with a single magic-infused punch, but Orion snapped out of it to meet Vander's glare.

"Why do you think I stopped him? Why do you think I gave it up?" Vander growled, standing inside Orion's space as if daring him to try something.

'Clearly, he underestimates me.' The dark thoughts swelled, a burning desire to retaliate resonating in his chest.

Grabbing Orion's shoulders, Vander's voice softened, tinged with sympathy.

"That rage you feel now- and when you were forced to kill- it'll eat you alive. It will cost you everything. It happened to me, and Silco's still drowning in it." Vander gave him a rough shake, his tone a mix of aggression and pleading. "It's not worth it! You'll lose everything!"

"Vi and Powder! The ones you've fought for!" Vander barked. Benzo chimed in, his voice lighter but pointed, "And little man, too. You want me to tell him his friend snapped and went feral?"

Magic flared in Orion's arms, shoving Vander's grip away with surprising force. The sheer force of it forced Vander back a step, his expression startled as Orion seethed, fists trembling as he glared up at Vander.

"Get the fuck off me." Orion spat, frustration clear in his voice. "I get it. Do you think I'd throw it all away now?" He exhaled sharply, his gaze dropping as his shoulders slumped. "I'm just- Agh, I don't know! Bitter! I've tried so hard to hold it together… but now it's over."

Vander nodded, speaking slowly and carefully as he studied Orion, "Good. It's better this way. Nothing good comes from Silco."

Orion's thoughts churned as memories of the Arcane show flooded his mind. His gaze shifted back and forth across before he let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. Silco winning would mean more chaos, Shimmer, and further degeneracy and decay.

Silence settled over the room as Orion's heated adrenaline ebbed. He muttered gloomily, "I'm going for a walk," before striding past them and slamming the door.

Neither spoke at first, only exchanging glances. Finally, Benzo frowned and broke the silence.

"Why did you let him go?"

"I didn't..." Vander said quietly, his gaze dropping to his hands, bewildered. "He forced me off."

"He overpowered you?" Benzo asked, disbelief plain in his voice. Vander nodded silently.

The two exchanged another glance before Vander muttered, "He's still hiding something... but that's enough for now."

Benzo furrowed his brows in thought before nodding, "Aye, best not anger the boy further today." His gaze shifted to the water, chuckling softly. "Must be the water."

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//Evening at the Kiramman Manor//

Cassandra sighed, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "I reported what I could. They struck us unconscious repeatedly, so most of it is a blur- except for his voice. I'm certain it was Orion."

"Orion is no longer welcome here," Cassandra's voice sharpened as continued firmly. "The unusual cause of death for their leader- and his disappearance- suggests he may have helped us. But his presence alone makes him complicit. If word gets out, it could ruin our reputation. That's why he's not on the wanted list."

Cassandra and Tobias were marked with bandages and stitches, the room clear of servants. The mood, to say the least, was heavy. Even Caitlyn struggled to argue as she shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, though her desire to settle what she had witnessed previously burned intensely.

"What if I talked to him? Just one meeting!" Caitlyn protested, trying to inject reason into her voice. "We had such a good relationship-"

"No, Caitlyn." Tobias interrupted with a firm tone, his unyielding gaze meeting hers. "Even if he was forced into the situation, it's far too dangerous now. Despite any good he's done, the fact remains- he was with such monsters."

Caitlyn recoiled slightly as he finished with a disapproving shake of his head, "No. We cannot allow it."

"As much as I hate to admit it," Cassandra added reluctantly, "I do feel pity for the boy. "

"You're assuming too much! You only heard his voice!" Caitlyn shot back defiantly.

Tobias countered sharply, rejecting her argument. "And what other reason could he have had to be there? Talking with them? He had to have known them."

Cassandra stood and sat next to Caitlyn, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "I know he meant something to you..." Cassandra began softly. "He was your age, and one of the few who encouraged your hobby..."

"It's not a hobby!" Caitlyn snapped, brushing her mother's hand off her shoulder as she stood up abruptly. "This whole incident proves why I want to become an Enforcer, and you still won't listen to me! I will become an Enforcer!"

"Caitlyn, it's safer to follow in my footsteps," Cassandra urged, standing as well as she gestured sympathetically. "You can influence so much more from a seat on the Council. You could grow the Enforcers' numbers, give them purpose. It would be helping so many more instead of becoming a grunt."

"Grunt," Caitlyn scoffed bitterly, crossing her arms in disgust. "I'm sure Greyson would love to hear that."

"Greyson is different. Cassandra replied firmly. "You wouldn't be Greyson, Caitlyn. Not at first. The Enforcer's roles are limited- they need something and someone to believe in. Caitlyn, you can shape those beliefs. You can be that person!"

Cassandra tried reaching out for Caitlyn's hand but Caitlyn stepped back, shaking her head with resolution. "You disgust me sometimes, Mother." Her voice was sharp with bitterness before she turned to stride out of the room, Cassandra calling after her fruitlessly before sighing in defeat.

Tobias stood and hugged Cassandra from behind, comforting her with gentle words. "She is young. We were just as rebellious... Give it time."

Cassandra placed a hand on his and leaned back into him for support. Her voice was laced with worry as she whispered faintly, "That's what I'm afraid of. She's too much like us."