Asher had managed to make it to where Orion was. Several code locked doors were conveniently left open, inviting Asher into the deepest parts of the building.

The area seemed a lot more “high-tech” than anywhere else in the building. Things Asher could only surmise as being Lucidian technology surrounded him. The laboratory was clearly being hidden here, but as to why it was being hidden in this way Asher had no way of knowing.

‘So, this is where Orion works… I wouldn’t have been able to find it on my own.’ Asher thought.

Aside from the trail left behind by Phalaris he couldn’t see that tripwire aura anywhere, but he made sure not to recklessly approach. Asher couldn't decide whether it was really a good idea to confront him.

He could hear Phalaris talking, he looked like he was deliberating something but suddenly had an epiphany.

“It's strange, you're so oblivious to such things. All it has to do is be blonde and tell you ‘You matter' and you're completely fooled. I guess silver hair counts too, but it’s not like you’ll ever see one like that again.” Phalaris laughed, by blonde hair it was obvious he was referring to Asher but as for silver hair.

‘Silver hair.’ Asher thought grimacing, ‘He must be referring to that head in his office.’

“It's none of your business what I do in my spare time.” Orion retorted.

“Mouthy today, aren’t we? Usually, I don't give a damn, but I do have concerns since you're so gullible. You realize your Asher is a succubus, yes?” Phalaris taunted; his aura flared with a hint of something akin to jealousy.

Asher’s eyes widened.

“Of course. Better than whatever you are.” Orion mumbled.

“It's a demon so I can't read its mind. So, I can't say for certain, but do you really think it loves you? You already know it's using you.” Phalaris questioned, he tried to jab a syringe into Orion, but his shadows blocked it.

“I don't care about that.” Orion said.

“Oh, but you do care. You can't stop thinking about it. You just don't want to care.” Phalaris continued to taunt him.

“No and I don't need your opinions.” Orion growled.

“I'm just looking out for you. I can't have you wandering about again.” Phalaris explained, “And needless to say you’ve been a lot better at returning since you have a pet to look after.”

“What the hell is so important that you have to involve yourself in my love life?” Orion asked.

“You're the only one that can do it. If there were other options, I'd just keep you locked up for food.” Phalaris grabbed Orion by the hair, trying once more with the syringe to no avail.

“In your dreams, you dumb bug.” Orion's eyes filled with shadows, “You know damn well which one of us would be food if it came down to it.”

It suddenly occurred to Asher that when Orion said he tried to eat a bug the last time he went feral, he might have meant Phalaris.

“Why are you being so difficult? Do you really think I actually care about any of this?” Phalaris scowled with a hint of frustration then smiled looking in Ashers direction, “Besides, what am I to do if it keeps following you to work?”

“What!?” Orion turned to where Phalaris was looking.

Phalaris tightened his grip on Orion's blue tresses and jabbed him with the syringe finally making contact with his skin. His body went limp almost instantly. 

“Now was that really so bad Orion? Of all things, I don’t understand why you have to fight me over your medication.” Phalaris said catching Orion in his arm.

“Don’t act like… I’m doing it… on purpose.” He said as he tapered off to sleep.

“Tch. I’m starting to wonder about that.” Phalaris dropped him to the floor and looked back in Asher's direction. “Come out already, you’re not hiding very well.”

“How did you know I was here?” Asher asked. Phalaris’s intimidating aura shook him, but he maintained a stoic expression.

“Just because I can’t read your mind, doesn’t mean I can’t track you.” Phalaris smiled. “Remember that and quit sneaking around.”

“So, what’s your deal anyway? Why are you doing all this? Why are you here?” Asher asked briskly, he wasn’t sure how much information he would be able to get out of him, but it was clear he didn’t intend to kill him, or he would have already done so. Asher figured this was going to be his only chance.

“Why?” He asked. “Well, why are you playing as a human? It’s easier to find food where it’s abundant after all.”

“But why go through all this trouble? A syndicate? A human body? Interacting with humans? Unlike me you don't seem the type to enjoy the company of others.” Asher eyed him, his aura was hard to read, mostly encompassed with a sinister sensation masking any sort of emotions he might have been feeling.

“This body I possess already had this position, I merely made use of it. Surely you have a favorite flavor, no? We both stumbled on the same prey after all, did we not?” He laughed again. “This place is a breeding ground of souls filled with all sorts of wonderful memories to eat.”

“It still seems excessive. Why be human at all?” Asher continued.

“Money and power are useful and it’s not like Nullity would work with me otherwise. It’s thanks to them we have this for instance.” He laughed gripping the syringe in his hand. “It didn't take much to find a method to keep a shadow from going feral. We’d probably all be dead without it.”

“Why Orion?” Asher pried.

“Dimensional energy, celestial energy, a shadows core… He's the only one with access to these things. He’s the only one that can complete the project.” He brooded, “I happen to benefit from this project too, there's not a single person who doesn't, so of course I’m sparing no efforts to see it to completion.”

“If you need him that badly then why do you keep tormenting him?” Asher argued.

“Well, that is the problem. He's the only one who can utilize the celestial energy and he's the only one that can produce it… At least the only one I can get my hands on.” Phalaris continued. “Thanks to that, he can barely remember that we're on the same side. I would have taken a different approach otherwise. Needless to say, this entire process has been infuriating.”

“Why are you telling me all this anyway?” Asher asked hesitantly.

“I am at a bit of a loss now and that's where you come in. Your presence has allowed for the project to progress relatively quick.” Phalaris smiled. “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. Aura or whatever.”

“Aren't you the one putting that parasitic aura on him in the first place?” Asher narrowed his eyes.

“That has nothing to do with me.” He twirled the empty syringe between his fingers. “I can’t see auras so I couldn’t possibly give you an explanation for that.”

“That aura belongs to you though, doesn't it?” Asher questioned.

“Does it now?” Phalaris asked. Asher could read that his confusion was genuine.

“The aura in the syringe and on Orion belong to you.” Asher explained.

“Then it's probably a side effect of this stuff. Well, you just keep doing your job and it shouldn't be too much trouble.” Phalaris threw the syringe just past Asher’s face. “Hah... You really don’t react much, do you?”

“It's not like you planned to hit me.” Asher stated.

“The Lambda serum worked a little too well now, didn’t it?” Phalaris laughed.

“What do you mean?” Asher asked.

“That drug Orion injected you with.” Phalaris smirked.

“Oh, no I hadn't really noticed.” Asher replied dryly.

“I know it has a different effect on humans, but your entire personality seems to have changed overnight. Or is that just because you're a succubus? Or maybe something else entirely?” He smiled as if he knew something he shouldn’t. “I’ve looked into you, you know. It wasn’t difficult.”

“Huh?” Asher glared at him.

“Did you really think no one would be able to tell… that you're not really the little demon known as ‘Asher’” He stared at Asher intently. “That body doesn't belong to you, now does it?”

“What do you mean?” Asher’s stern expression turned puzzled.

“I can't quite figure out if you are asking because you don’t know or because you don’t want him to know.” Phalaris grinned moving closer to Asher. “Either way I have no intention of turning you over to the Lucidians, there's nothing in it for me.”

Asher stayed silent.

“It would be more useful to me if you don’t fuck this up, though I’m sure that sort of betrayal will be delicious too.” Phalaris said now hovering over Asher.

“What are you getting at?” Asher glowered.

“I hope you understand this is hardly the time for another crisis.” Phalaris grabbed him by the shoulder, digging his nails in tightly, he glared at him for a moment before letting him go. “Well, I have other business to attend to.”

Phalaris walked out, immediately beginning discussions with someone waiting in the hallway. Asher only managed to hear something about Vacuous knowing they lost ‘The Core’.

“Orion? Are you okay?” Asher whispered as he knelt down next to Orion. He made quick work of the dark aura and tried to get him to wake up. Asher shook him gently. “Orion?”

“Don't put too much weight into what he said, he obviously just wanted to unnerve you.” Orion sighed.

“Yeah, I can tell.” Asher shook his head.

“Based on how he was acting, he probably thinks you're a spy.” Orion explained.

“A spy? For what?” Asher asked.

“One of the Lucidian Factions I'm assume. Given the taunting and general aggressiveness, he probably thinks you're working for Nullity.” Orion suggested, “Especially after the small invasion earlier, he must have found out something from the memories of those Lucidians.” 

"Nullity? That doesn't make sense, I thought the Syndicate worked with Nullity." Asher asked.

"If anything, it makes more sense that they would." Orion explained, “The progress on the project has been slow for a while, theoretically they’d want to find out why.”

“So, you don't think I’m a spy?” Asher asked warily.

“While escaping the Lucidians as a secondhand body would be a perfect cover for a spy, it’s too obvious even if they did manage to adapt a demon to Lucidian technology.” Orion stated, “Regardless, there's no reason they would have chosen a succubus as a vessel.”

“So… You do know I’m a succubus.” Asher asked.

“Uh, yeah?” Orion tried to move but gave up quickly. “That’s why I’m still confused why you chose to be with me of all people, you could have easily found someone else, no?”

“I’ve just always felt drawn to you somehow.” Asher pursed his lips, “But that’s not the point, how did you even know that?”

“Is it not… Obvious?” Orion stared at him.

“Obvious how?” Asher asked.

“Only succubi can manipulate auras.” Orion said a bit condescendingly.

“I- I didn’t know that.” Asher said scratching his head.

“Di-Did you even know you were a succubus?” Orion narrowed his eyes.

“I’m not going to dignify that with a response.” Asher quipped.

“But why did you come here?” Orion asked.

“I… I wanted answers.” Asher lifted Orion to a seated position, “And I was worried about you.”

“How many times do I have to tell you not to put yourself in danger?” Orion grumbled.

“He has a contract and I’m a demon. He won't kill me.” Asher explained.

“Not to echo Freyaa or anything but… There are things worse than death, Ash.” Orion squeezed his eyes shut as he rubbed his shoulder where he'd been injected.

“I don’t like that it sounds like you know from experience.” Asher replied.

“Is that really surprising? Celestial energy doesn't grow on trees.” Orion said softly, “Besides, I’m more worried about what will happen if the medication stops working. BioPort was taken down before they could even dream of determining any long-term effects of this.”

“Can you, tell me more about that? About BioPort?” Asher asked.

“BioPort? Bio… No. I don’t think I can.” Orion said perplexed.

“Is there a reason? Or is it just too overwhelming for you?” Asher tilted his head.

“I feel like my brain just partially shut off.” His eyes darted around as if looking for the information. “Unauthorized access...?”

“What does that mean? Are you alright?” Asher ran his hand along Orion's head to check to see if he had bumped it when he fell earlier.

“I’m really tired. I think I’ll take a nap.” Orion curled up on the ground and closed his eyes.

“Excuse me?” Asher tried to gently shake him awake again but he was already deeply asleep, “More questions than answers as usual I guess.”

Asher scooped him up off of the floor and onto a small cot in the corner of the room.

The blood stains and medical supplies on this side of the room seemed to tell a story about how things have been going up until now. It gave Asher a deep sense of discomfort.