Orion clung to the crooked satellite dish like his life depended on it, his knuckles white and his heart still hammering from the insanity he had just witnessed. Two monsters - no, not demons, but men - had clashed with power and skill so far beyond human it felt like something ripped straight out of a webnovel.
The Warlock, with his whispering shadows and creatures crawling from darkness, and the Silver Blade, whose every slash carved silver arcs that split steel and stone alike. Both had felt untouchable. Both had been terrifying. And both had left Orion reeling.
He wasn't sure who was the "good guy." One had saved him. The other had exterminated the hideous demons. But appearances mattered, and the Warlock, disappearing into the shadows with mocking laughter, didn't exactly scream trustworthy saviour - not that he had any way to confirm.
The only thing Orion was absolutely sure of?
Both of them were cool as fuck.
'It's like they're both constantly aura farming,' he snorted internally, though the laugh died in his throat when something tickled his shoulder.
Orion froze. Slowly, he turned his head...
'Ah!' It startled him, and he nearly lost grip and fell off the roof.
Perched on him was a small bird, a miniature version of the massive crows that had yanked him into the sky earlier. Its feathers shimmered with a dark energy, its beady eyes unblinking.
Then it spoke.
The same gravelly, bone-deep voice of the Warlock rasped in his ear: "The order isn't all good. So watch your back until we meet again, boy."
And like smoke in the wind, the bird dissolved into wisps of shadow. Gone.
Orion blinked at the empty spot. "…The hell just happened?"
There wasn't time to process. Because below, the Silver Blade lifted his gaze, his silver hair catching the light as he sheathed his gleaming sword. His eyes, sharp and unrelenting, locked onto Orion.
The swordsman stepped forward. Each measured stride was silent yet carried weight, and Orion felt like prey caught in the crosshairs of a predator.
'Oh, great. Now what?'
"Who are you?" the Silver Blade called, his tone flat, clipped, and suspicious. His hand rested casually by his side, but Orion had seen enough to know he could unsheathe and strike faster than his eyes could blink.
"Um… Orion?" he stammered.
"What's your connection to the Warlock?" The swordsman's gaze narrowed. "And what are you doing here? This is my territory. I don't tolerate unknowns wandering in, especially not when demon waves are spiking. So, either you're meddling, or worse..." His hand shifted slightly, tightening on his hilt. "You're a rogue."
"…Um, I'm Orion," he repeated, forcing a clueless shrug. 'Best play dumb. No answer is better than the wrong one.'
It wasn't like he had any answers to give him anyway.
The swordsman's silence was heavy and made Orion start to doubt his decision not to answer. But it seemed as though it didn't matter what he had to say.
"Either way, I'll get to the bottom of this, and you're coming with me," Kalen stated decisively.
Orion exhaled. Honestly, there was no escaping this guy, even if he tried. And truthfully? Some part of him wanted to go with him. His life had been ripped apart in an instant, and here, right here, was his best chance at answers.
The existence of demons was one thing. But then there was the floating eyeball that had embedded itself in his head and brought with it the Exorcist System. If anyone could shed some light on everything, it had to be someone like him.
And who wouldn't be interested in the supernatural?
Besides, it wasn't like he had an intact home to go back to.
But there was one problem with going with the swordsman...
"Can I get a little help getting down, please?" Orion called, voice cracking just a bit.
Kalen froze mid-step, head tilting ever so slightly. He wasn't sure if the kid was joking. But seeing Orion clinging to the satellite dish, his legs trembling, the swordsman realised he was serious.
The faintest sound escaped his throat, a half sigh, half scoff. Then, in one effortless leap, the Silver Blade was beside him on the rooftop. Before Orion could react, a firm grip caught the back of his hood, and with a single bound, the man descended, landing with grace that mocked gravity itself.
Orion yelped as he was unceremoniously dropped onto the pavement. He scrambled to his feet, brushing himself off with whatever dignity he could muster.
"How the hell are you that strong?" he blurted, his amazement overpowering his fear.
Kalen didn't answer. His expression remained unreadable, his gaze sharp enough to cut.
"I'll be the one doing the questioning," he said simply, his voice leaving no room for argument.
And with that, Orion quickly realised just how sticky his situation truly was...