Chapter 413: _I Caused This

After the service was concluded and the body laid to rest... Ambrose and the others stood outside Gabriel’s family house.

The sun was already setting; it was dull in a way that made it seem like the sky itself mourned with them.

Orion had woken up now—silent, just like the way he’s been since that nightmare.

He didn’t make any comments. He didn’t even talk about being hungry, although Ambrose could’ve sworn he heard his stomach rumble shortly after he woke up.

The boy just stared blankly at the old cottage, barely holding on to his father’s shoulder.

[His energy readings are stable.]

[Maybe a little too stable...]

Ambrose’s jaw tightened at that.

Whatever happened in that nightmare had shifted something in his son’s psyche.

It just wasn’t fair.

They’ve been through enough.

Yet more and more problems keep hitting them, each one reminding Ambrose in the most painful way possible that he still wasn’t powerful enough to protect his family or those they cherished.

He’d celebrated how far he’s come... only for just one Archon to ram into their lives and shatter his imaginary bubble.

Thinking about all this, he subconsciously threaded his fingers through Orion’s golden hair.

"We’ll be back home soon, buddy," He whispered. "Okay? I’ll get you all the ice cream you want after dinner."

Orion blinked.

A slow, lazy movement of his eyes that only made Ambrose worry more. Those golden eyes that once lit up at the mention of ice cream were empty.

Then—

"I caused this."

The words made Ambrose’s pulse stutter.

Devon and the others didn’t hear it because they were busy talking to Gabriel and his brother at the side, trying to comfort and reassure them.

"W-What?" Ambrose shook Orion in his arms gently. "What did you say, buddy?"

This time Orion’s voice was clearer.

"I caused this. It’s my fault that Uncle Gabriel can’t see his daddy anymore." He sniffled. "The woman from the stars did this. S-She warned me."

Ambrose’s throat tightened.

Before he could even find the right words to respond, spatial awareness picked up approaching figures that made him turn.

Loki, Kali and the other members of the Pantheon were headed their way, all draped in black.

No one knew who they were—yet every step they took was filled with quiet authority that made many either stare or look away, silently wondering why they were having those reactions to begin with.

Rose’s gaze settled on Thoth.

The bald Guide had barely come within a few metres before his calm eyes shifted away from Ambrose altogether, settling instead on the little boy curled against his shoulder.

His pace slowed almost imperceptibly.

Not because of the immense Aether sleeping inside Orion.

Because of what surrounded it.

Fear.

It clung to the child’s soul like invisible chains, dampening the bright, playful emotions that should’ve been overflowing from someone his age.

It made Thoth’s brows knit together.

By the time the Pantheon reached them, Ambrose was still trying to process Orion’s confession.

"No," he murmured firmly, adjusting the boy higher in his arms. "Listen to me, Orion. None of this is your fault. Do you hear me? Uncle Gabriel’s father was already sick long before all this happened."

Orion slowly shook his head. "But she said people would keep getting hurt." His tiny fingers tightened around Ambrose’s suit. "And... and then they did."

Something inside Ambrose cracked.

He didn’t know whether to curse Ramona or himself.

Maybe both.

Because this... this was exactly what she’d wanted.

She hadn’t appeared inside Orion’s dream merely to frighten him.

She’d planted a seed.

Now that seed was beginning to grow.

Without another word, Ambrose wrapped both arms around his son, pulling him against his chest with enough force that Orion gave a tiny squeak before melting into the embrace.

"No," he repeated, his voice quieter this time. "Look at me."

Orion reluctantly raised his head.

"You are not responsible for every bad thing that happens in this world. Bad people make bad choices. Illness happens. Death happens." His own throat closed up around that final word. "What happened to Mr. Silverstone wasn’t because of you."

"...But—"

"It wasn’t."

The firmness in Ambrose’s tone finally made Orion fall silent.

Unfortunately... Someone else had been listening.

"What happened?" Thoth’s voice wasn’t demanding or suspicious.

It carried nothing except quiet concern.

Ambrose lifted his head.

The other members of the Pantheon had also noticed the unusual atmosphere.

Kali’s gaze drifted between father and son.

Apollo folded his arms.

Even Wukong had abandoned his usual impatience.

For once, no one interrupted.

Thoth took one slow step closer before crouching until he was eye level with Orion.

"So," he said gently, "may I ask who frightened you this much?"

Orion instinctively buried half his face against Ambrose’s shoulder again.

His little body trembled.

Ambrose hesitated.

Part of him wanted to answer instead.

Another part realised Orion deserved to speak if he wished.

Several long seconds passed before a tiny voice emerged.

"The lady from the stars."

Every member of the Pantheon stiffened.

Thoth’s expression remained unchanged. "And who is the lady from the stars?"

"The scary woman..." Orion sniffled. "She came into my dream."

Silence spread through the gathering.

Even the distant chatter from mourners leaving the funeral seemed to fade into the background.

"She looked different this time," Orion continued. "Her skin came off... and there were lots of stars behind her."

Ambrose felt Devon tense beside him.

Gabriel’s grief momentarily gave way to confusion as he looked over.

"She showed me everybody crying and dying," Orion whispered. "Daddy... Papa... Uncle Gabriel..." His lower lip quivered. "She said everyone around me will keep getting hurt. Unless I go with her."

Nobody spoke immediately.

It was Thoth who finally broke the silence.

"I see." He rose to his feet slowly, his thoughtful gaze lingering on Orion before shifting toward Ambrose. "She isn’t trying to take the boy. Not by force, at least."

Several heads turned toward him.

"What?" Wukong frowned.

Thoth folded his hands behind his back.

"Think about it." His eyes remained fixed on Orion. "She invaded his dreams instead of attacking him directly. She allowed him to witness tragedy rather than inflicting it upon him herself. Every loss. Every frightening event. Every coincidence that follows becomes another burden this child believes he caused."

Realisation slowly dawned across Kali’s face.

"Psychological conditioning."

Thoth nodded once. "She is attempting to convince him that his existence brings suffering to everyone he loves."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Then the Guide looked directly at Ambrose.

"If this continues..." His usually composed voice grew quieter than before. "There may come a day when Orion no longer needs to be captured."

Ambrose’s stomach dropped.

Thoth’s next words landed with all the weight of a death sentence.

"If he becomes convinced the world would be safer without him..." His gaze softened as it returned to the trembling child. "...he may willingly surrender himself to the Archons."