Chereads / Arcane Anew / Chapter 35 - Chapter 30: The Future of Zaun

Chapter 35 - Chapter 30: The Future of Zaun

The world seemed to slow, the weight of the moment bearing down on Orion before sharply speeding up under Silco's intense gaze. 

"My parents were there years ago, on the bridge," Orion said, his voice heightened with stress. He felt a cold sweat trickling down his back, his body hunching defensively as his hand instinctively entered his jacket.

Silco's expression turned into a dismissive, mocking smirk. He took slow, deliberate steps toward Orion with the bodyguards shifting behind him. "You'll have to try better than that, boy." Silco taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.

"The river," Orion raised his voice through the growing tension. Silco halted, eyes narrowing as Orion pressed on, "Vander tried to drown you. You cut his arm and escaped!"

For a moment, Silco's face contorted with disgust, his eyes flickering with distant, painful memories. He hissed through clenched teeth, "And here I thought there were no rats skulking about."

C shifted slightly, her arms unfolding as she leaned forward. Her mouth parted as if to speak, but she hesitated, glancing at some nearby flowers before returning her gaze.

"What did you think, boy?" Silco asked, his hands returning behind his back. Orion exhaled shakily, noting the change in atmosphere as a chance to speak.

Orion didn't have much to think- he was never there- but he weaved lies based on his knowledge of Arcane. 

"I didn't know what to think." Orion's gaze shifted down. "All I know is later, Vander went searching for you." Orion blinked and paused, realization striking him as he connected the story to Vander's about his parents. "My parents...they were helping- in the mines. And they went missing."

"Ah yes," Silco mused, tilting his head, his gaze cold and detached. "An all-too-common story. The mines are filled with far worse than people."

His words hung in the air like a poisonous mist, dismissive of Orion's pain, and once more carrying a threatening undertone.

"Orion plays with the Kiramman's daughter," C interjected, drawing a tilt of Silco's head, his eyes flicking back toward her. "A seed in the topsider's sanctuary."

Silco gave a low, ominous chuckle, "Is that so?" Before his crimson eye returned to Orion, pinning him in place. "All I see is a boy fighting for his survival. Not a seed of vengeance. Not a passion for Zaun, hatred for topsiders, or even a spark of rebellion. Just... survival." 

"You're right. Survival is all I know." Orion responded carefully, his gaze finally meeting Silco's. "And every survivor knows it takes knowing the right people."

He paused, his words slow and deliberate. "If I didn't care for the Undercity, for Zaun, I wouldn't be standing here."

"Indeed," Silco replied with a faint nod. He raised an open palm in front, staring at it thoughtfully before his gaze returned to Orion. "Clawing for any means of survival... it's a good instinct."

Silco's hand suddenly clenched into a fist, his voice taking on a colder edge. "But that also means your loyalty is thin. A dog that would bite its owner at a moment's notice. Do you think I would make the same mistake twice?"

Orion gripped his jacket tightly, his jaw tightening, "Vander regrets what he did to you, that much is clear. My parents also went missing searching for you. If that means anything to you, it should. But we can't live in the past."

Silco raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixated on Orion, waiting silently and motionlessly.

"If I can befriend the Kirammans," Orion pressed on, slowly removing his hand from his jacket, his voice steady but tense. "Zaun will have someone topside who can open doors to negotiations. It's not just about survival- it's about creating something better."

"Naive, "Silco snorted, taking a step closer. "Topsiders have taken from us for decades. Words, no matter how sweet, will never sway their council."

Orion held Silco's piercing gaze, unwavering under the pressure and his looming presence. "Not alone, no. But you have something planned. Together, it could shift the balance. Or do you plan to make Vander right?" He paused before adding the provocation at the end.

Silco's crimson eye seemed to flare, a flicker of rage crossing his scarred face, "I'll give you credit, boy- you have guts. But cross the line again, and I will spill what remains."

Silence gripped the room, broken only by the faint echoes of despair outside and the screeching hum of metallic ventilation. The tension was sharp and palpable, keeping everyone on edge.

After what felt like an eternity, Silco exhaled slowly. His voice, though lower and with the edge removed, still carried a dangerous undertone. "You have my respect- Orion. I'll consider your worth."

Orion's shoulders relaxed, catching C's similar reaction as she sighed softly with relief. She purred, "Escort the sprout outside Factorywood."

"Entresol's Chemtech Seams, if you care." Orion blurted out before the two men next to him could act.

Silco, who'd already turned to leave and without looking back, returned only a slight tilt of his head and a low, dismissive, "Hmph." before continuing toward the exit, disappearing into the shadows.

The last thing Orion saw was C smiling widely, her expression mischievous as her fingers danced upon her lips. She giggled softly, a sound that echoed in his mind before the sack was pulled over his head.

Sometime later, the sack was removed, and Orion stood at the entrance of Factorywood. He had no words, no expression, or coherent thoughts to describe the experience. He could only look down at the tainted dirt, his mind in turmoil, before slowly ascending to Entresol.