Orion splashed cold water onto his face, rinsing away the blood and exhaustion. He exhaled slowly, gripping the edge of the sink as his reflection stared back at him—pale, but steady. The weight of his awakening still pressed on his mind, the dual marks burning like brands upon his skin.
He stepped out of the bathroom, his movements slow but deliberate. The enigmatic figure with red eyes was waiting for him. For the first time, Orion could take in the man's full presence without the haze of pain clouding his thoughts.
Tall, imposing, and utterly composed, the stranger exuded an effortless dominance. His long silver hair caught the dim light, a stark contrast against the crimson eyes that watched Orion with unreadable intensity. He was young—nineteen, maybe twenty—but there was an agelessness to the way he carried himself.
Orion's breath hitched for half a second before he mastered himself. The man was, quite simply, beautiful.
But danger often came wrapped in allure.
He held his gaze, stepping forward with careful confidence. They stood in the center of the room, locked in an unspoken battle of wills.
"They told me you were recovering well. I would have visited sooner, but I was... occupied," the man finally said, breaking the silence.
Orion arched an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to visit at all. You seem like a busy man."
"Nova."
"What?"
"You can call me Nova."
Orion hesitated before nodding. "Orion. You can call me Orion."
Nova's lips curved slightly. "How fitting." His voice dipped into something almost teasing, but the weight behind it remained unreadable.
Orion exhaled, cutting straight to the point. "I never got a chance to thank you for saving me. And for whatever healer you hired—my body should have been beyond repair. That must have cost you a fortune."
Nova shrugged, dismissive. "It wasn't much."
"Don't lie to me." Orion's voice was quiet but firm. "I know the state I was in—torn tendons, shattered bones. This kind of recovery isn't cheap, and we both know it wasn't for my face. So tell me, Nova—what do you want from me?"
A slow smile ghosted across Nova's lips. "I like talking to smart people."
His gaze sharpened, a quiet satisfaction gleaming beneath the surface. He stepped forward, closing the distance just slightly—enough to make Orion tense, but not enough to retreat.
"I did this because I need a chess piece," Nova continued, his voice smooth, deliberate. "And you happen to be the perfect one. Shunned by your people. Complicated past. No affiliations. Determined. And easy on the eyes."
Orion swallowed, expression unreadable.
Nova's tone remained casual, but the weight of his next words settled over the room like an iron shackle.
"This place is the selection ground for the Nexus—the next heir to the Temple of Wrath. I need you to win."
Silence stretched between them.
"Once you hold the title of Nexus, you'll be my eyes and ears."
Orion exhaled slowly. The air between them felt thinner now, charged with an unspoken challenge. His mind raced through the implications.
"I don't understand. Why me?"
Nova's red eyes gleamed with amusement. "Because you're easy to control. You have nowhere to go, no one to turn to. You can only rely on me." His fingers trailed along Orion's face, the touch deceptively gentle.
Orion remained still, deep in thought. Nova was right—he was at a disadvantage. He had nothing but his abilities to rely on. This was unfamiliar territory, an opportunity to rewrite his fate. And the man before him? He was dangerous. Beneath the charm and elegance, Orion could sense the barely restrained savagery lurking beneath. If he failed to fulfill his role, Nova wouldn't hesitate to dispose of him.
Something inside him shifted. His virtue mark—Endless Stillness—reacted instinctively, releasing a calming aura. The storm in his mind stilled, his thoughts sharpening.
"How much help am I getting?" Orion asked at last.
Nova arched a brow, intrigued by the shift in demeanor. "The selection begins tomorrow. I cannot interfere with the process. The best I can offer is some material support."
His gaze darkened slightly, as though something about Orion had unsettled him. Was it his scent? His presence? There was a strange, inexplicable tranquility in the boy's aura that tugged at something in Nova's chest.
Orion met his gaze evenly. "I want an enchanted weapon. A pair of swords, preferably—but I'll take whatever you provide."
Nova smirked. "I already saved your life. That's a debt large enough to cover. What are you offering in return?" His hand slid down, tracing the line of Orion's collarbone before resting lightly against his neck.
Orion exhaled slowly. "I have nothing else to offer besides my body and my mark's weakness." With measured deliberation, he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing the scars littering his skin. His voice was unwavering. "If this body isn't too filthy for your tastes, then by all means—take it. But if you want my weakness, then I'll require something just as valuable in exchange… your heart."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, Nova inhaled deeply, as if savoring Orion's presence. That aura again—tranquil, soothing. The storm within him quieted against his will.
He exhaled. "The weapons will be delivered by the end of the day. We'll discuss your payment at another time."
With that, he turned and left.
The door clicked shut. Orion barely made it to the bed before collapsing, his composure unraveling in the solitude of the room. He had won this round, gambling on Nova's refined tastes. But what if the man had truly been that way inclined? What would have been left of his dignity? The thought sent a shiver down his spine before exhaustion finally pulled him into unconsciousness.
Outside, Nova stepped into the corridor, where his subordinate, Geraldth, was already waiting.
"Find out what brand of shampoo they use in the candidate quarters and bring me a bottle."
Geraldth blinked, caught off guard. "My lord?"
"You heard me."
"Yes, my lord." The man bowed, though confusion flickered across his face. Why would his lord be interested in something as trivial as a bottle of cheap soap?
Nova said nothing more, his expression unreadable as he strode away.