"I understand," Orion said, his voice level. "The Commander and the Deputy Commander have always aided me greatly. In that moment of despair… yes, the resentment was strong. But I've had time to think. If I had fallen then, it would only have meant that I was not yet strong enough."
He spoke with an unflinching honesty. When dealing with old wolves like Alexander and Leonidas, truth was the only currency that mattered. Deception was a fool's game.
"Yes," Alexander said softly. "The only one you can truly rely on… is yourself."
Orion's head snapped toward him, surprised. The very same thought had just crossed his own mind.
"What, are you shocked?" Alexander asked, a rare, faint smile touching his lips. "Did you think you were the only one to have such a revelation? Heh. The desperate situations that I, Leonidas, and Arthas have faced are beyond counting. We did not reach the peak of the Archlord rank by finding a quiet corner of the universe and meditating for a few centuries."
