'No response,' Orion thought, annoyed, as the tram rumbled along toward Stillwater Hold. 'How the hell are you going to ask me all of that, or teach me, if you don't respond or descend?!'
Three days. He had three days to train. Three days, and Janna never responded.
He'd sat there the first night, calling out to her while Isha sat beside him. When nothing came, he tested a theory- had Isha leave the room. Still nothing.
Several churches worshipped the Gray Lady. Orion walked to each of them, offering prayers both openly and in silence, trying to draw her attention.
No response.
Of all things, Orion even went mad with desperation for a response and led a sermon. Had people crying "Praise Janna!"-but still, nothing. Regular prayer, chaotic prayer, public displays of faith, staying up through the nights…
Nothing.
Even while he trained, struggling to summon wind magic on his own, he wondered if she would suddenly appear. Or maybe whisper in his head. Or at the very least, send a gust of wind. Something. Anything.
Still, nothing.
Isha understood. She tried to support him. She passed out little patches with Janna's insignia, waved people over, and even made noises to attract a crowd. She tried to rope in Powder too.
Powder was more reluctant. She helped, but not with the same energy as Isha. Occasionally she'd trail behind, handing out Janna patches or promoting the Gray Lady churches, but never stepping inside, never praying.
Sevika and Silco's men? They just thought he'd gone mad. Though, after seeing his wind magic, some believed. It was a mixed bag. Some were intrigued. Some repulsed. Sevika and Silco, however, were definitely not in the former category.
And now?
Now he was crammed into a tram cart headed for Stillwater Hold, surrounded by several of his so-called "Janna Psychos." They were grinning madly. Some were missing teeth, others with wild tattoos, unwashed hair, augmentations, eyes twitching, or just… not all there. One was poking his gums with a knife and drawing blood, his tongue flopping out like a dead fish.
The man glanced at Orion and noticed him watching. Orion gave him a small, polite smile.
The man grinned, both eyes drifting in opposite directions as he slapped a hand to his chest."Jannnna!"
Orion nodded slowly, maintaining the smile.
'Fuck,' he thought, swallowing down saliva as their battle neared. 'Is any of this even working?'
'Hey, Janna... any sign? Please? I'm not a churchgoer. This is driving me insane. I need something if you want more people convinced! Even if it's a small gust of wind today!'
Their assault and cleanup of the arrival station had been clean. Two tram carts were prepared, and positioned to approach Stillwater Hold. Silco, naturally, stayed behind while Sevika boarded the second cart with her men.
Why had it gone so smoothly? A dozen Enforcer guards, and Orion himself, had handled the farthest two. His enhanced speed allowed him to leap forward and zip through the shadows. Silent and deadly, he struck from behind, leaving them unconscious before they could react.
The rest of the operation was executed with precision. Thugs, posing as drunk workers, moved in and neutralized guards while a brief but controlled firefight broke out. No alarms were triggered. So far, the plan was holding.
But once they landed, everything would change.
The tram jolted violently as it began to slow. Gears groaned under the weight, the tension rising with each mechanical whine. The squad stood up in near unison, and Orion stepped forward, eyes fixed ahead.
A faint hiss echoed through the cart. Outside, the steady clink of Enforcer boots drew closer, unaware and unprepared.
Beside them, the second tram came to a stop with a matching hiss. He caught a glimpse of eyes from within, peering out, confirming readiness.
A nod. A thumbs up from one of the men from his side and theirs.
Orion exhaled slowly. Arcane energy began to hum beneath within. His eyes sharpened. His fists clenched.
'Time to fuck shit up.'