[hr][hr][hr] [center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5kMTBkYTQuVEdWdVlTQk5ZWEpwWlNCTmIyOXVjMmhoWkc5My4w/junggle.regular.webp[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/joJImSL.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjEwNi4wODhhNzEuUVhWdWIzUm9JRlpsYjIxaGRtVmhJRXBoWTJ0emIyNGdVM1J2Ym1VLjI/sharp-ist-font.regular.webp[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/og8JWf8.png[/img][/center] [right][code] “Tuesday, April 15th 00:13’[/code][/right] [hr][hr][hr] The Benefactor had listened to each with the patience of a spider counting flies in its web. To the crowd, it would become clear that this was all beneath him. The complaints, the accusations, and the silly questions did little to move the needle on that thought. Though he did weather the storm of questions with a straight face, upright chin, and calm demeanor. Now, he finally straightened, his polished shoes clicking against the hardwood as he moved toward the hallway. The flames cast his sharp features in dancing shadows. [color=DAA520]"Enough."[/color] A single word that silenced the room. [color=DAA520]"You seek answers? Very well." [/color] He turned, his eyes gleaming with something darker than arrogance. [color=DAA520]"I know your secrets because I made it my business to know. Just as I know the Witch Hunters are already mobilizing. Of course, you do not know what the Witchhunters are or what we did. That is by design. You see,"[/color] the Benefactor continued, tracing the silver handle of his cane, [color=DAA520]"magic used to exist until it no longer did. My organization, founded by my ancestors two thousand years ago, made it our mission to eridicate all traces of mages and their magic. We ripped it out root and stem until it was just a myth a parent would tell their children as they tucked them into bed."[/color] A collective gasp seemingly filled the room but the sound was entirely Lena. Lena felt Jackson tense beside her. [color=DAA520]“I was born to carry on that mission and I did until I was ousted by [i]their[/i] leader three months ago."[/color] He let that hang in the air, watching if a shock rippled through them. [color=DAA520]"Oh yes. The modern Witch Hunters forced the old guard. Instead of tradition, and tried and tested methods we now deal with accountants with silver bullets, bureaucrats with crosses, and supposed tech geniuses who are drugged out of their minds every single day speaking as if his word is gospel. What they had was money, and they leveraged it to remove me. And when magic returned..."[/color] He tapped his temple. [color=DAA520]"I gained the [i]unfortunate[/i] gift of clairvoyance. Visions of the future, of those who had magic around me, and what role they might play in the coming struggles. I saw [i]you[/i] as you were and what you were doing so that is how I know."[/color] [color=008B8B]"Okay,”[/color] Jackson interrupted, his eyebrows shot up, lips parting slightly as if punched by the revelation. The easygoing creases around his eyes smoothed into something blank and shocked like the face of a man who’d just realized he’d stepped into quicksand. [color=008B8B]“First off, you expect us to believe a self-described [i]witch[/i]hunter wants to help mages? And that you’re family started what sounds like a genocide against people with magic? And that you, of all people, gained magic despite what your family did? And that you want to help,"[/color] Jackson raised his hands into the air and waved them in front of his face. Internally, his thoughts fared no better than his words. He was distraught, dismayed, and disturbed by the idea of working for a monster. The Benefactor's laugh was a dry crack. [color=DAA520]"I want to survive. As do you. Those idiots in charge forgot to remove me from the group chat. They have talked about the return of magic, and are confident they are about to find their first one holed up in a cabin in the woods. Your cabin, Lena. My visions show witch pyres burning in city squares within the year."[/color] He gestured to the window, where distant lightning flickered. [color=DAA520]"The world won't tolerate what it fears. It never has, and it may never will. They'll come for the firestarter first."[/color] His gaze locked on Lena, then flicked to Jackson. [color=DAA520]"Then the tidecaller. Then the rest of you, one by one, until all of magic is returned to the lands of fables."[/color] A muscle in Jackson’s jaw twitched as the Benefactor casually mentioned witch pyres. His nostrils flared, the amber hue of his eyes darkening like water tainted with blood. The tired, familiar weight of prejudice settled over his shoulders though they were heavier now with the knowledge that their so-called "savior" had once orchestrated the same threats he now faced. His top lip curled, just slightly, revealing a flash of teeth. [color=FF00FF]"Magic death cult"[/color] Lena's voice was steel-wrapped in smoke yet hushed as a barely audible whisper. [color=FF00FF]"Did you bring us here to form some magic death cult?"[/color] The Benefactor smiled his thinnest smile yet. [color=DAA520]"I brought you here to give you a choice. Die as scattered, powerless fools... or let me teach you to fight like proper mages."[/color] He opened his palm, revealing a silver hunter's medallion - now cracked down the middle. [color=DAA520]"The only question is: which terrifies you more? Them... or what you'll have to become to stop them?"[/color] Then, all at once, Jackson’s face slackened. His shoulders slumped forward, and he dragged a calloused hand down his face, fingers catching on the stubble along his jaw. The exhale he released wasn’t just breath it was the sound of a man too exhausted to even muster proper anger. [color=008B8B]"Of course,"[/color]that exhale seemed to say. [color=008B8B]"Of course the one person who knows how to fight them is the reason we need to in the first place."[/color] When his hand dropped away, his expression had settled into something dangerously calm—the quiet of a river freezing over. [color=008B8B]"Let me guess,"[/color] he said, voice low and rough. [color=008B8B]"Your ‘lessons’ come with strings."[/color] Jackson didn’t blink. But Lena, watching him closely, saw the way his thumb absently traced the inside of his wrist—where his hydromancy first manifested. The Benefactor tilted his head, the firelight carving shadows under his cheekbones as he considered Jackson. [color=DAA520]"Though it may be an oversimplification,"[/color] he said, tapping his cane once on the floorboards, [color=DAA520]"you’re not incorrect."[/color] He stepped closer, the scent of bergamot and gun oil clinging to him. [color=DAA520]"I teach you to contain magic's dangers—because unchecked, your power is as likely to kill you as the hunters. You may end up killing innocent people trying to protect yourself and others. I train you to hunt monsters and protect people. And yes, you’ll protect me. Not out of loyalty, but because my death would leave you blind to their movements, and make no mistake you will die alone."[/color] His smile was all teeth. [color=DAA520]"Quid pro quo implies you and I benefit, Mr. Stone. This is... mutually assured survival."[/color] Jackson’s fingers twitched, droplets of lake water beading along his wrists like sweat. The air smelled suddenly of ozone and wet stone—his magic prickling under his skin. [color=008B8B]"So we’re just trading one collar for another."[/color] Before the Benefactor could respond, Lena snorted. [color=FF00FF]"Remind me again why we can't just take our magic and run for Canada? I think I might take my chances across the lake."[/color] Lena finished with a thumbs up but, accidentally, flicked a blue ember off her thumb and watched as it fell to the ground below, the polished wood singeing in response. Lena froze. Even the Benefactor’s polished composure cracked for a millisecond with just a twitch at the corner of his mouth that might’ve been irritation or reluctant amusement. [color=FF00FF]“At least we’d have free healthcare.”[/color]