Leo's eyes darted across the chamber, studying the faces of the senators as he spoke. The atmosphere was tight, suffocating, like the moment before a storm breaks. He knew that the words he chose would not only reveal his purpose but set the stage for what was to come. The room was charged with tension, and he needed to ensure that those who were in the know would understand his warning without tipping the scales too far.
"I did not come here to be a prophet, nor to claim that I know the fate of this city," Leo said, his voice calm but commanding, weaving through the chamber like the first threads of a loom. "But I know this: Rome's future hangs by a thread, and that thread is bound to a man who walks the line between legend and tyranny."
A few senators leaned forward, the air growing heavier as they listened. Cassius's eyes narrowed, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest of his chair. He looked to Brutus, who met Leo's gaze with an unreadable expression, a flash of realization darting through his eyes.
Leo glanced at Caesar, who was now watching him with an intensity that made the hairs on his arms stand on end. But Leo quickly averted his gaze, shifting his attention to Cassius and then back to Brutus, careful not to linger too long.
"Power is a flame that can either illuminate or consume," Leo continued, his tone shifting, almost conspiratorial. "Those who stand too close may find their hands burned. It is not for me to say who should hold the flame, but I will say this: the shadows that move against the light are often those who bear the sharpest daggers."
A murmur spread through the senators. The implication hung in the air, tantalizing and dangerous. To Leo's relief, he saw Brutus's eyes widen slightly, his lips pressing together as he absorbed the warning. For a heartbeat, Leo swore he saw a flicker of understanding pass between Brutus and Cassius.
Caesar's expression hardened, the momentary amusement replaced by a calculating gleam. He shifted on his throne, fingers tracing the laurel on his brow as if to reassure himself of his own power. The others were beginning to understand that Leo's words were not simply rhetoric but a coded warning.
"You speak in riddles, Leo Carter," Caesar said, the weight of his voice pressing down on Leo. "Are you a friend, or are you a herald of misfortune?"
Leo raised his chin, meeting Caesar's stare. "I am neither, Caesar. I am a witness. And I know that those who wield power must be prepared for the price it demands."
Leo's eyes shifted briefly to Cassius, who caught the subtle motion and responded with a barely perceptible nod. It was enough—a flicker of acknowledgment that he had understood Leo's words. They spoke of a secret plan, a future betrayal only the conspirators would recognize.
"Enough of this charade," Decimus Brutus interrupted, his voice harsh. "If you are here to forewarn us of doom, speak plainly, or leave. We have more important matters to discuss."
The challenge hung in the air, but Leo wasn't finished. He had planted the seed; now he needed to ensure it would take root.
"If Rome is to thrive, it must choose leaders who are more than just strong, but wise," Leo said, leaning forward, eyes locking onto Brutus and Cassius once more. "The future is not set, but those who shape it are marked by their courage—or their cowardice."
The chamber fell into an uneasy silence, the senators exchanging glances, some with newfound wariness, others with the stirrings of ambition rekindled. Caesar's eyes narrowed, and for the briefest moment, Leo caught a glimpse of something dangerous in the conqueror's expression: an acknowledgment that he had been warned.
The system hummed in the back of Leo's mind, and the new skill activated, allowing his words to echo deeper in the minds of those around him. He had stirred the pot, set the stage for the shifts that would follow.
System Notification:
New Skill Effect: Mind Echo – Your words have left a lasting impression, influencing the thoughts of those who hear them.
Leo knew that his time in the Senate was far from over. He had chosen his path and sparked the first whispers of doubt. Now, he could only hope that the conspirators would follow the trail he'd left.
As the chamber erupted in debate once more, Leo felt a flicker of anticipation. The game had begun, and the first move was his. The question now was whether he would be a player or a pawn when the time came.