"Kaino."
Atticus' mind sharpened the mont the na reached him. He had heard it before.
'One of the council mbers.'
Anorah had ntioned the man before. Though she hadn't spoken about him in detail, Atticus was perceptive enough to tell that she didn't hold him in high regard.
Atticus leveled his eyes on the man.
The man, Kaino, was an aged and portly man. His ashen white hair was combed back neatly, framing his chubby face.
It was a sight Atticus found utterly baffling. At their level and stage, it was very odd to see any god whose appearance was anything but perfect.
'He's angry.'
The man moved with the disposition of a god. One who thought he was above all and had no equals.
"Saint!" Kaino bellowed as he reached them. Atticus didn't miss the lack of greeting or regard.
'He doesn't respect her,' he noted silently.
The Saint, Anorah, remained silent. But the coldness radiating off from her confird Atticus' earlier assumption. Their relationship was far from being platonic.
As the Saint didn't bother responding, Kaino's face flushed red. He clenched his fists, eyes fuming.
"What is the aning of this nonsense, Saint? We require your permission to bring anyone into the world now!?" he bellowed, sweeping his arms to the side.
"Need I remind you, Asterra does not belong to you alone! It's the world of the resistan—"
A heavy weight slamd against Kaino before he could finish speaking, forcing his knees into the ground.
The aged man's eyes opened wide, as though struggling to believe the current circumstances.
He was on his knees?
He raised his gaze, only to see the Saint staring down at him. As the realization ca crashing down, his eyes blazed an intense golden light.
"How dare yo—"
Another force crashed down on him, slamming him against the paved floor. He tried to rise, but to no avail.
"Ahhhh!"
Kaino's will flared, its light suddenly flooding the area. He was about to fight against the force when Anorah's will burst to life in response. It converged around Kaino like a wave, suppressing his will in an instant.
Kaino slamd against the paved floor, cracks webbing outwards from the force. He trembled, tried to muster every bit of his will, but it was to no avail. He couldn't move an inch.
His bloodshot eyes flickered up to the Saint. She was still staring down at him. Eyes impassive. She hadn't moved even a single inch from her position.
Kaino felt his blood boil as the whispers suddenly reached him. It was at that mont it dawned on him, they were outside. In public.
He was laying flat against the ground, beneath Anorah's feet, in front of mbers of the resistance.
The surge of anger and embarrassnt hit him like a punch.
"High Synod Kaino," she suddenly spoke, cold.
"You stand before the Saint, leader of the resistance. You will speak with respect… or you will not speak at all."
'Damn.'
Atticus raised an eyebrow. Though he had no idea why, he felt a surge of pride.
'I would've probably killed him, but this works too I guess.'
An insolence like this occurring in his world would have resulted in an instant execution. It would serve as a deterrent to others, and more importantly, he would get rid of the fool who was obviously a ticking ti bomb.
Atticus glanced at Anorah. He had to admit, it felt good seeing another play the no-nonsense ga.
Turning back towards Kaino, Atticus wasn't shocked to see the man still fuming. Still straining against Anorah's overwhelming will.
As though his struggles didn't matter, Anorah continued speaking.
"As for your words…" she said, voice hard. "The last I recall, Asterra is my world. I am god here, not you, not your fellow councilors. Whatever rules exist in this land are mine to decree, and mine alone."
She took a step towards him. Her feet were inches away from his face. Kaino felt another surge of embarrassnt hit him.
"Do not overstep your bounds again, Councilman," she added, before turning away from him like he didn't matter.
She glanced at Atticus, and he was surprised to see her face suddenly soften.
"Shall we continue our tour?"
Atticus could only smile.
"Of course."
The two wandered off, leaving the sprawled Kaino on the ground.
"You won't release him?" Atticus asked after they left the area. He could still feel Kaino pressed hard on the ground.
Anorah didn't spare the struggling man a glance.
"Let him reflect on his actions. He deserves it."
When Atticus didn't say anything, Anorah turned towards him. She narrowed her eyes as she saw him smiling.
"Why are you smiling?"
Atticus shrugged. "Not going to lie. You looked really cool right now. I'm impressed."
"You're impressed by dominance?"
"Is that weird? It thrills ."
Anorah gave him a long stare. "You're… unique."
"Well unique people rule the world."
"Sounds like sothing you say to make yourself feel better."
Atticus coughed at the jab.
"an." He shook his head, deciding to change the topic. "Anyways, you restricted the others from entering the world?"
"Yes." Her tone suddenly turned serious. "There's a traitor in the Synod Council. With the bounty on our head, we have to be cautious."
Caution. Now that was a word Atticus knew all too well. Still, he couldn't help but wonder if caution was necessary at all.
This would all end if she simply decided to dominate the council, dead or alive.
'I have to watch my back.'
For Atticus, the stakes had just been raised. Since Anorah didn't want to take the direct route and handle the situation, there were chances of an attack occurring.
It ant he wasn't safe here. Anything could happen, and he had to be ready.
'I have to learn Logoth fast and leave.'
Uncertainties had always had the unfortunate habit of becoming certainties. Though Atticus had truly co to like and enjoy Anorah's presence, he had never once forgotten his goal.
The resistance was Anorah's to lead. Asterra too. If she was intent on wandering on thin ice, then it was her cross to carry. He would help however he could, since she had helped him. But ultimately, he wouldn't let the actions of another lead him to ruin.
Even if said person was a friend.
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