//Early that m in the Abandoned Factory//

  "First time I've been io the nes. It better be worth my time." Marcus shrough his mask.

  While taking a stroll topside, Marcus had been approached by a strahe man offered him silver and an invitation to an abandoned factory along the river to discuss a partnership. It was reted to seg the city against criminals and obtaining informatiarding this disaster.

  Marcus's mind drifted to the chaos caused by just a few kids and the orders of the cil. Greyson had refused to let him interrogate Orion, but he was ambitious. He respected her greatly but saw this as an opportunity to establish his own private es.

  After all, Greyson had dohe same! To Marcus, Greyson's es in the uy were shady, to say the least. Creating his own also formed a disgusting pit in his stomach, but he was willing to take risks.

  Why would she care as long as it produced results? The cil only cared about results- and profits. Marcus wao be more as well, he didn't want to remain a mere Enforcer.

  Silco stepped out from a dark entrance covered by eerie purple tendrils. "You're looking for four little children running circles around Piltover's fi."

  "What about it? Who are you?" Marcus gred. The words stung- they felt true.

  "You believe is, don't you Marcus?" Silirked, pag around him, the mention of his name causing Marcus to twitch. "I give you that. Four children. The ones responsible for the explosion. And perhaps... a name your precious Sheriff has kept hidden from you?"

  Marcus's fists ched. "What do you want iurn?"

  "A simple arra." Silco's crimson eye remained fixed on Marcus, uling him. "My busihrives when Piltaze is elsewhere. You, Marcus, will ehat it remains that way."

  "You wao turn a blind eye?" Marcus scoffs.

  "No," Silco replied smoothly, stepping closer. "I want you to do what you already do. Chase shadows. Make your arrests. Report to your cil. But you will ehat none of your men interfere with my operations in the Lanes. Let me hahe Uy."

  "In exge for some kids?" Marcus asked, skepticism tinging his voice.

  "And Vander," Silco adds. "The Hound he was once called- when he led the rebellion years ago. We were friends once..." A brief smirk crossed Silco's face as Marcus's expressiorayed his ambition, his excitement upon hearing this. "Now he trols the uy and undermines your influence, preventing you from achieving the results you so desire."

  "So you want to repce him," Marcus shook his head in disgust. "And if I refuse?"

  Silced, his voice dripping with mockery. "Then you will tio chase shadows as an Enforcer while I build something far greater than anything you could imagine."

  After a pause, Marcus spoke, not b to hide his disgust and hostility.

  "Fine. We'll do it your way." Marcus spat.

  "Oh, there is one more thing," Silco said, trying to be i. "The boy, Orion."

  Silirked as Marcus's expression hardened.

  "He is useless to you, but not to me." Silco tinued with fake benevolence. "Do you want an i boy to rot in prison? Because of the failures of the cil?"

  Marcus removed his mask, a rare move for him, to spit on the ground. He didn't care about the boy but reized this disgusting game being pyed. This versation was revolting but ambition drove him, and the desire for success.

  "He's already in custody and will be on trial ter today. There's no way to get him out without it being noticed."

  "Ah, but we know how easily arras be made." Silco ters smoothly, pag slowly around Marcus again. "A bit of mohe right words, and perhaps a bit of persuasion? You stand as the perfect example, Marcus."

  "Do what you want with him," Marcu spat. "But if this backfires and the cil catches wind of this-"

  "They won't." Silco waves his hand dismissively before extending it to Marcus. "You'll have your results, Marcus. That's all that matters, right?"

  Marcus reached out to shake his hand, Silco's firm grip felt mog in itself as they locked gazes.

  "Right, to good business."

  //Orion's Cell//

  "I warned you, boy. But you never listen, do you?" Silco's voice pierced the silence.

  Silco slowly entered wearing his iic trench coat, his crimson eye glowing through the shadows.

  Orion's breath hitched. He struggled to turn his head, eyes widening as they locked onto Silco. "What...are you doing here?"

  Silco ignored his question, a smirk creeping onto his face as he tio taunt him. "The moment you let the topsiders drag you into their world, you signed your death warrant." His gaze swept dramatically around the cell, his tone mogly curious. "I don't see Vander! Shouldn't he be here by now?"

  His eyes returo Orion, a trace of pity entering his voice. "Did you believe he would e to save you over his kids? All of this is because of him. You're alone because of him."

  Orion's gaze faltered, the weight behind his words stinging more than he expected.

  "Why do you care?" Orion croaked, his voice barely audible. "You wanted me goer the Cultivar."

  "I am aware of a's betrayal and the choices you were forced to make for survival." Silco hissed with disdain. Taking a measured breath, he exhaled slowly. "Orion, power belongs to those who will do whatever it takes. That's the lesson you're learning the hard way."

  Leaning closer, Silco locked his cold gaze onto Orion, his voice l. "Gone? No. You're useful to me. And I 't let the cil destroy another soul that embodies the spirit of Zaun. Survival. Adaptability. The desire for better."

  Before Orion could respond, Silapped his fingers and two bulky figures ehe cell. One carried a rge, empty body bag slung over his shoulder.

  Pain shot through Orion's body as the hen roughly grabbed him.

  "I'm getting you out of here boy," Silco said ftly, gesturing to his men. "Not out of kindness. You owe me. And I always collect."

  "You think I would follow you?" Orion rasped, wing through the pain.

  "You don't have a choice," Silco replied coldly, stepping bato the shadows. "It's just a question of whether you live long enough to make it matter."