Chapter 31: Divided Vision

///Six months later after Orion returned from Factorywood///

Inside the dimly lit Last Drop, Vander and Benzo, Vander's long-time friend, shared a drink in an otherwise empty bar.

"He's taken a liking to the young lad," Benzo shrugged, his pint of ale sloshing around as a faint smile tugged at his lips. "The clockwork book from Powder- it came from their Old Hungry adventure."

Benzo chuckled deeply, taking a swig. "I guess stupid sometimes does pay off, aye?"

"Ugh," Vander shook his head, gaze cast down at his drink. "I thought that boy would keep them out of trouble... It hasn't helped in the slightest."

"They're kids," Benzo replied gently. His tone carried a layer of compassion, his gaze steady and understanding. "You can't stop them from getting into trouble. But you made the right call, placing Orion with them. From what I hear, he's bailed them out of a fair few sticky situations."

Taking a drink of his own, Vander sighed, "Aye, that he has." Pausing for the moment, however, Vander hesitated before weighing his words, speaking slowly. "Something's off... with the boy. He's getting help elsewhere- outside of topside."

Creak-Creak

The sound of the bar doors opening interrupted their conversation. Vander and Benzo turned, freezing in disbelief. Vander's mug slipped from his hand, crashing against the counter and spilling out across the counter. Benzo slowly rose from his seat, eyes narrowing.

"Sil-" Vander started but was cut off by Benzo's deep growl.

"Silco! What are you doing here?!" Benzo bellowed. The grip on his pint tightening, poised to hurl it across the room.

"Mm..." Silco's presence cast a long, menacing shadow across the bar, the crimson glow of his corrupted eye slowly shifting between them.

"Can't I visit?" Silco's low voice resonated through the bar, hands wide in an exaggerated gesture, though his hollow gaze betrayed his mockery. "We were once comrades in arms, after all."

Glass shattered beside Silco's head as Benzo hurled his pint across the room. Silco didn't flinch, his expression remaining cold and unfazed.

 "Still have your temper, I see," Silco remarked, his tone dripping with mocking disdain.

"I should gut yo-" Benzo's snarled, stepping forward ready to charge Silco.

"Benzo."

Benzo stopped as he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. It gave him enough of a moment to pause, glancing back with restrained fury at Vander who had stepped out from behind the bar.

"Why are you here?" Vander rumbled, his sharp gaze locked onto Silco. For the briefest moment, something flickered across Vander's face- softness, regret, perhaps even unease. But as quickly as it appeared- it vanished, replaced by hardened resolve.

A momentary pause occurred in the tension, their eyes locked through vile and contempt.

Without a word, Silco's hand drifted into his tailored suit, causing Benzo and Vander to tense further. Smirking, he pulled out a dusty parchment between two fingers.

"Your pup's parents went missing because you were obsessed with finding me," Silco said with measured amusement, his voice cutting through the tension. "So, I decided to search myself- as payment to the boy for assisting with our vision for Zaun,"

He let his words sink in, his satisfied gaze flicking between their faces, drinking in their dawning realization.

Silco's good eye shifted downward to the letter, his gaze softening. He held it softly in both hands as if it were something precious. "That's when I found an old letter."

"The past is between us," Vander said, his voice tinged with remorse yet firm. His eyes still wide with disbelief and shock. "Why did you involve the boy?"

Silco's smirk widened, his narrowing crimson eye returning to Vander. "Orion, now there is an interesting boy." Stepping forward, his voice carried amusement and contempt. "Working topside, taking care of your little orphans, and yet," He paused for a moment. "Lending me his talents for Zaun."

Vander's expression darkened, voice lowering to a growl. "He's not yours, Silco."

A loud mocking chuckle echoed through the bar, Silco's mocking voice following. "Oh, I don't own him. No one does. Orion serves himself like any smart person would down here. The boy learned a lesson that you refused to accept- pragmatism over idealism- for a better future. For Zaun!"

Benzo's angry voice spat out beside Vander, his demeanor barely restrained. "He's just fighting for survival! You're twisting the boy's choices to fulfill your agendas!"

"What's wrong with survival?" Silco shot back, his voice sharp and cutting. "He plays all sides because he understands the way the world works. Dancing with the topsiders for scraps, babysitting your kids- helping build the nation of Zaun! That isn't loyalty, Benzo. But it is admirable."

"You're just using him," Vander growled, his words laced with fury as he clenched his fists.

"I'm giving him the tools to survive." Silco retorted coolly. "Orion sees Zaun for what it could be, not for what you wish it was. And don't worry, old friend. He knows better than to trust anyone. Not me, not topside..." Silco's crimson eye gleamed, leaning in slightly. "...and certainly not you."

Vander flinched, his eyes softening as he hesitated for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "I've never forgiven myself for what I did to you. You were like a brother to me. When Felicia died, I lost my head."

"But your path," Vander's voice gained strength, his gaze sharpening as he stood taller. "It's not the way. Was her death not enough for you? You were willing to sacrifice half of the Undercity for this nation of yours."

Vander stepped forward with his own conviction rising. "What about their lives, Silco? Felicia's kids? Are you willing to risk everything- everyone's lives- for this dream of yours?"

Crunch

"It was a dream we all shared!" Silco roared with rage, crumpling the paper in his fury. "Your weakness spat in the faces of everyone who died, making their sacrifices meaningless! Including Felecia's!"

Hurling the letter to the ground in a crumpled heap, Silco stepped forward, now inside Vander's personal space as he seethed. Their faces were inches apart. Vander's beastlike fury was on full display after Felicia's name was mentioned.

"You act as if I didn't care for her! We shared drinks together- we had the same vision." Silco spat. He glared up at Vander, his voice hoarse with emotion as spittle continued to fly out.

"And now you sit here, playing lapdog with her killers- meeting with the sheriff in secret. Letting Orion walk topside- I wonder how Vi and Powder would feel if they found out?"

Vander took a steadying breath to calm himself, refusing to take the bait. His gaze lowered to the crumpled paper, his tone calm and measured.

"I'm doing what is necessary to keep the people of the Undercity- of Zaun- safe."

His gaze returns to Silco with a disgusted scowl, "I'm not proud of every decision I've made, but we both know Zaun wouldn't survive another war."

Leaning over without a care for Silco, he picked up his crumpled letter. "I want a future for Vi and Powder where they don't need to pick up weapons just to survive. The same goes for Orion, and if that means working with Greyson then that's what I will do."

Vander shoved the letter back into Silco's chest, whose fury was yet to subside, and continued, "Felicia wouldn't have wanted us like this. Nor would she approve of you tearing everything apart and calling it progress."

Silco's expression darkened at Vander's words, grabbing the crumpled paper from his chest with restrained fury. For a long moment, they both said nothing, with Silco's hands shakily holding the paper before sighing. He closed his eyes briefly before opening them, his gaze landing coldly on Vander and with fresh resolve.

"You were always good at pretending to be the better man." Silco said, his voice low and brimming with disdain. "Let me tell you what Felicia would think. She wouldn't want her daughters groveling under Piltover's boots- or their father groveling to keep them safe and fed."

"Safe?" Silco mocked, turning around toward the exit, both Vander and Benzo's gazes following him. "You think any of this is safe? It's cowardice, Vander. Nothing more."

Taking slow, deliberate steps toward the door, he added, "Don't worry. When the world comes crashing down around you- and it will- I'll be there to pick up the pieces. Just like always."

Reaching the exit, Silco paused, his hand rested on the frame. Without looking back, he spoke in a soft, but cold voice. "And as for Orion? You're lucky he follows you now. But mark my words- when he sees you for what you've become, chasing hollow ideals, he'll leave you. Just like I did."

"We'll see," Vander's reply was firm, resolute. The two held each other's gazes, sharing a moment of disdain for each other. Neither spoke again, with Silco slipping out of the Last Drop and leaving it with a heavy tension.

"What are we going to do," Benzo asked, his voice low but urgent as he looked to Vander.

Vander's fists were clenched tightly, his gaze downcast in deep thought. After a heavy pause, he exhaled and turned to Benzo. "We need to talk with Orion. Set things straight."