Arcane Anew

"What do you mean he's dead?" Greyson angrily slammed the desk.

She had just returned from the Council. She was overwhelmed with the Council's demands and the fallout. On top of that, she received regular updates from the undercity that delayed her movements.

"It was sudden," The sergeant began nervously. He stood at the position of attention, flanked by two enforcers, with more stationed at the exit. Sweat dripped down from his forehead. "The guards reported it immediately. We sent two runners to inform you... but they never reached you?"

Sighing in frustration, Greyson rubbed her forehead. It was somewhat understandable given her constant movement, but the situation felt strange.

"Order those runners to be brought in for questioning," Greyson growled, glaring at the sergeant who nodded sharply. "And show me the body."

The sergeant stiffened, visibly panicking. He realized he had messed up badly and dreaded his next words. "The coroner already signed off on the paperwork. The body is being transported to the undercity for burial."

Slamming the desk again, Greyson bellowed, "What?! This is a high-profile case! Get the coroner in here, now! He will stand behind bars within the hour!" One of the Enforcers immediately ran out.

"And you- such incompetence!" Greyson jabbed a finger in his face. "Turn in your badge immediately. You're off the force!"

Greyson understood that this was normal for undercity practitioners and death cases, but this was unacceptable given the circumstances.

The sergeant paled. Realizing he was about to lose his main source of income, he broke from the position of attention and raised his hands in protest. "But Sheriff, this is my first offense! I've served diligently for over five years without a single mistake!"

"Yes, and now that spotless record is gone because of this 'mistake'. Mistake? You don't seem to realize the severity of this fuck up." Greyson scowled. She called past him, "Enforcers, take him away."

"Wait- wait, please! Let me make amends!" The ex-sergeant cried out as he was dragged from the office.

After he was removed and the sounds of struggle faded, Greyson let out another frustrated sigh. She sat back down. "Send a runner, order them to return the body. At the very least, the boy should be buried somewhere decent."

"Sheriff!" An Enforcer sprinted into the office, panting heavily. "Riots have broken out across the undercity!"

Greyson stood up abruptly, alarmed. "What caused it?"

"Marcus entered the Last Drop with some Enforcers and started a fight," the enforcer reported. Greyson's eyes widened in horror as he continued. "Undercity residents were injured- kids too. They are holding him hostage."

Leaving her desk, Greyson strode past the reporting Enforcer, shouting orders as she moved. "Have every lieutenant and sergeant report to me immediately. Put every enforcer on high alert and send reinforcements to the bridges now!"

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"What a strange body..." A curious voice rang in Orion's ears as he started to regain consciousness. "These scars are highly unusual."

Orion felt a needle pierce his arm, followed by a knife cutting into one of his scars to peel away samples. His body spasmed in pain, a shout escaping him before he faded away again.

"Remarkable!" An astonished voice cried out as he briefly regained consciousness. "These wounds-"

He faded out once more.

Silco's low voice slithered into his ears. "Will he survive?"

"Yes, given time," An older, raspy voice replied.

Orion's head rolled around as he slowly opened his eyes. He was in the observatory, the eerie depths of the sea visible through a nearby window.

With a smirk, Silco taunted him from a velvet chair, "Back from the dead?"

Coughing, Orion's body ached as he laid on a metal table, new pains added to the old.

"The time for secrets is over, Orion." Silco said with a cold gaze.

Orion blinked at Silco, then at the unfamiliar man stepping into view. He blinked again- it was Singed, or Corin Reveck, before his injuries from the explosion.

Singed frowned as Orion's expression betrayed his recognition. Silco hummed in amusement, "Oh? Unexpected."

Sighing, Singed closing his eyes as though disinterested in Orion's apparent familiarity. His interest was elsewhere.

"Your previous wounds- I took a sample out of curiosity," Singed said. "I hope you don't mind."

"What?" Orion croaked, glancing down to see fresh patches on his shoulder, side, leg, and two other spots that were never injured previously.

Coughing through gritted teeth, Orion glared at Singed, "Why the fuck wouldn't you ask first? Of course, I mind!"

"Consider it payment, then," Singed chuckled softly with a lack of empathy. "I'll be overseeing your recovery." His voice trailed off as he turned his attention to a lit up dish plate before looking back at Orion.

Silco remained silent, his crimson gaze fixed on Orion with growing intrigue as he leaned forward.

"You were receiving special treatment. Elixirs, correct?" Singed asked. Orion stiffened uneasily at the question, his mind flickering to the fresh patches on his old scars that had been previously healed with magic.

Orion nodded slowly.

"As I thought," Singe grunted in satisfaction. "Unfortunately for you, however, I discovered your secret. You're capable of using magic, aren't you?"

Orion didn't answer, at a loss for words. Singe eyed him and grunted, taking his silence as acknowledgement before turning away.

Silco's eyes widened with shock, his posture straightening at he stared at Orion. Apparently, Singed decided to wait to reveal it.

"A mage in the undercity..." Silco said in disbelief, running a hand through his hair. He paused, his gaze hardening as it fixed on Singed. "How do you know?"

Singed, who had walked back to the dish, spoke with a mixture of fascination and envy in his tone. "I theorized mages have unique body compositions, altered through the use of magic. Their bodies are more resilient, their tissues more regenerative. Its an extraordinary alchemical quality- one I've dreamed of replicating."

He turned back to Orion, "Your existence proves my theory true. The manipulation of magic leaves an imprint."

"So what?" Orion groaned, disliking where this conversation was headed. "You want to cut me up and use me for your experiments?"

"Not precisely." Singed replied, his gaze studying Orion intently. It felt unnerving, as if he was a live experiment being observed.

"A mage in Zaun," Silco mused, running a finger over his corrupted skin. "What the council wouldn't give to see you banished or destroyed. Congratulations, Orion. You're moving up in the world." He chuckled mockingly toward the end.

Orion sighed, his gaze drifting to the ceiling.

"What type of magic are you capable of?" Singed asked with curiosity. 

A moment of silence followed.

'Wait,' Orion thought, 'He has a daughter...'

When he turned his head back to Singed and Silco, it was quite a sight. Singed's eager, expectant expression and Silco's wide eyed intrigue bore into him. There was no coming back from what he would say.

"Many types," Orion said reluctantly, his voice low. "Including healing magic."