Arcane Anew

"Agh!"

Ekko was sent flying onto his back as Orion unleashed a soft wave of indigo energy, his body skidding backward several feet across the pavement.

Orion exhaled sharply, his eyes glowing faintly. "I owe Silco for breaking me out," he said flatly, his hand instinctively covering Isha's eyes. "Don't go grabbing at me suddenly."

Ekko coughed and sat up, rage burning in his eyes. "He killed Benzo! Just walk away from him! Or lead us there so we can deal with him!"

Orion tilted his head. "We?" His gaze flicked from Ekko to Powder, his expression unreadable. "I understand your reason, but what's yours?"

Powder's lips parted, but she hesitated. She hadn't expected Ekko to get thrown back, but she didn't entirely blame Orion either.

Finally, she spoke, her voice quieter than before. "He's still producing Shimmer," she admitted. "And... I didn't k-"

"Powder," Orion said, his tone almost amused but laced with something deeper, something dangerous. "You're smart. Smarter than the gang, at least. Which is why I find this all so… interesting."

"It was Silco who saved me. Not Vander. Not Vi. Not you." He let the words hang, then leaned in slightly, voice almost conspiratorial. "Tell me, Powder… did Vander ever tell you he was searching for me?"

Her breath hitched. "No... He- he probably thought you were dead."

Orion chuckled dryly. "How convenient."

Powder shook her head. "That doesn't change anything! Silco still destroyed people! He used Shimmer to turn them into monsters!"

Orion's smirk didn't fade, but his eyes sharpened. "And what do you think the mines do to people, Powder? The Foundry? The Chembarons? You think Shimmer is the only poison in this city? It's just the one that people like to talk about. It's simple, it's easy to hate."

Powder hesitated, just for a moment.

Orion continued, voice smooth as silk but sharp as a blade. "Vander hid things from you." he glanced at Ekko, then back at her "But me? I was locked away for six years, and the first thing I did when I got out was tell you the truth, again."

Powder's hands clenched, the fire in her eyes dimming with uncertainty.

Orion took a step back with Isha still holding onto his leg.

"Now, I don't expect you to forgive Silco. Frankly, I don't care. But tell me, Powder… how many more things do you think Vander has kept from you?"

Silence.

Powder swallowed, the thoughts colliding in her mind. The anger, loyalty, and questions.

She wanted to deny it. She wanted to argue. But a seed of doubt had already been planted.

"You're talking like Silco," Ekko said with disdain, rising back to his feet. "I can see what you're doing!"

"Questions, Ekko," Orion replied dryly. "Greyson knows Vander, and everything happened on Vander's turf. I sincerely doubt that he doesn't know anything. Just ask him, it's that simple."

"We will. And when you're wrong, you'll show us where Silco is."

"No, I won't," Orion replied firmly. Ekko opened his mouth to protest again but was cut off. "Value loyalty above all else. Honor agreements. Even Benzo would agree to that."

This back and forth continued for some time with Ekko demanding he leave Silco and Powder trying to reason with him to come back, but with layers of doubt staining her consciousness.

As the argument finally fizzled out, Orion turned on his heel, leading Isha away without another word. Powder and Ekko stood in tense silence, watching him disappear into the alley.

---------------

The air in Silco's residence was thick with the scent of smoke and whiskey. The dim, flickering light cast a long shadow across the room as he swirled the amber liquid in his glass. His eyes, filled with thought, flickered when Orion abruptly opened the door.

Orion shut the door behind him and leaned against it, arms crossed as Isha waddled in and sat on the couch.

"I don't take in strays, Orion." Silco exhaled, tapping his cigar into an ashtray. "I assume your little reunion went about as well as expected?"

"Better than last time," Orion admitted, ignoring the first remark. "They didn't know a damned thing about what happened."

"It's to be expected with Vander," Silco nodded. "He'd do anything to protect his own. Keeping your location a secret was probably the best thing he could've done for them."

Orion's expression darkened at that, but he said nothing. Isha, meanwhile, sat across from Silco, eyeing his cigar with open curiosity. Silco barely spared her a glance before stating, "It's not for you, child."

"Nn."

She frowned and leaned back with her arms crossed, prompting Silco to arch a brow. "What's wrong with her?"

"She's mute," Orion answered, stepping toward her. "How or why, I don't know.

"I told you, Orion. I don't take in strays."

"I'm taking her in."

"On whose coin?"

"Mine, which is yours. But still mine." Orion jingled the bag of coin. Silco rolled his eyes, taking another drag of his cigar.

Silco was silent for a moment before setting his cigar and glass down with a soft clink. He leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together. "Where do you stand, now that you've had your taste of freedom?"

Orion's lips curled. "That depends. What exactly do you want from me?"

"Loyalty," Silco chuckled, studying the new eerie glow from Orion's eyes. "And someone the Enforcers fear. Someone who walks the line between magic and men."

"You want me to be your monster... against Topside?"

Silco exhaled, irritation seeping into his voice. "They've grown bolder." He took another slow drag, his one good eye gleaming behind the smoke. "Caitlyn Kiramman- who I believe you are well acquainted with- has become a particular thorn in my side."

Orion let out a low chuckle, his tone laced with mockery. "Worse than Vander's gang?"

"Far worse," Silco's expression turned cold. "She has power, money, and influence. Her youthful devotion makes her incorruptible compared to Marcus and when she acts, she is dangerous."

Orion exhaled slowly. He had no illusions about Silco's intentions, nor did he fully trust the man. But after everything- after Stillwater, after his reunion with Powder and Ekko, after the bitter realization about Vander again- 

"Fine," Orion finally said, his voice low. "But I have terms."

Silco raised a brow, intrigued. "I'm listening."

Orion sat next to Isha, curling his fingers like Silco. "I start with Sheriff Greyson. I'll deal with Caitlyn afterwards- my way."