Who knew that each side had a secret? Secrets that could change the tides of war in an instant. They played against the balance--the push and pull of power--invisible to all as the Kinsmen continued to push forward.
Two years had passed since that f...
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It took Byteron a time to regain his composure, longer than he cared to admit. He had never been on the receiving end of Meixong's specialty, but he had heard the tales of those who have. Something simple yet so versatile. It only took a single touch of their hand before whatever they wanted you to see appeared before your eyes. No one knew what to call it, only that it fell within the illusions affinity. However, some were adamant about calling it Fear.
He risked a glance at Meixong, but luckily, they paid no mind to him. Instead, they had picked up one of the numerous documents—he couldn't see which one they were reading—and appeared to be perusing it. They reclined back in the chair with their head tilted to the side, one arm along the armrest, and their legs crossed. Their foot bounced at an odd tempo. It was almost as if nothing had happened. Or, more specifically, they were no longer interested in proving their point further. With Meixong no longer an immediate threat, Byteron unsteadily got to his feet and lumbered over to his chair, sitting upon the cushion heavily.
"I've always wondered why you seemed to have such a grudge against him," Meixong began, their eyes not yet leaving the document. "Granted, you're nasty to all of those you call 'halfspawn,' but it always seemed to be him in particular. Did something happen between you?"
Byteron knew they were referring to Fai, and he didn't know why Meixong asked, but he had no desire to oppose them.
"You know my feeling towards halfspawns," he said tentatively, saying halfspawns as reverently as he could muster. "I don't think I treated him any differently from the rest. He did, however, have the annoying habit of being everywhere, just like his mentor."
Meixong's eyebrow twitched. "Then what about your relationship with Nageth Elvar? It turns out, you have a lot in common. Even, perhaps...the same research interests?"
"Stop being coy."
"You didn't appreciate my bluntness before."
"I don't appreciate you speaking, either."
Meixong only had to lift a finger for Byteron to flinch back, but instead of threatening him like he thought they would, they only began tapping the armrest idly.
"Alright then, I'll take the direct route," Meixong continued, setting the document down to give Byteron their full attention. "I found something interesting the other day, something about Nageth Elvar turning in research to be approved, only for it to be the exact thing you had been researching for years. You accused Nageth of plagiarism. The only problem was, while you had kept your research secret, he made his public, and ultimately, Nageth was ruled as the pioneer while your work became supplemental. And this wasn't the only time you butted heads. You'd be surprised how far a grudge can extend, and I don't think it's unreasonable that your displeasure for Nageth Elvar spread to his apprentice, and even further than that."
"Grudges can't be proved, nor should they be a reliable source for this investigation you're conducting," Byteron said carefully.
Grudges are the perfect cause for a motive. And Meixong didn't miss the way Byteron's jaw clenched when they mentioned the incident with Nageth. They then mulled over his words and actions, methodically tucking them into their memories. This was quite the meandering path they were taking to uncover the truth, but these questions had festered in their mind since Fai's death. If they could kill two birds with one stone, they were a fool to only aim at one.
