They didn't look at Maxruell the same anymore.
Before, the refugees watched him with hope.
Now, they watched him like prey watches fire.
Whispers spread through the camp.
"He killed soldiers…"
"He'll bring war here…"
"He's not human…"
A man stood up near the food crates.
"We should turn him in," he shouted. "Before they wipe us all out!"
Others joined.
"He's the reason they came!"
"We were fine before him!"
"He's a curse!"
Juvy stepped in front of Maxruell.
"Stop it! He saved you!"
A woman screamed, "He killed them without mercy!"
Maxruell felt the crimson stone burn hotter.
They fear you,
the voice whispered.
So rule them.
His shadow twitched.
Varkos slammed his rifle into the ground.
"Enough! Without them, you'd all be dead!"
A rock flew.
It hit Juvy's shoulder.
She gasped.
That was it.
Maxruell raised his hand.
The ground cracked.
Shadows burst up and wrapped around the rioters' legs, lifting them into the air.
They screamed.
"I won't be betrayed," he said calmly.
"Ever."
Juvy grabbed his wrist.
"Put them down!"
"They want me gone."
"They're scared, Max! Not evil!"
His jaw tightened.
Slowly, the shadows lowered the people back down.
They ran.
No one thanked him.
That night, the camp split.
Some stayed with the twins.
Most left.
Juvy sat by the fire.
"You're becoming what Cain wants."
Maxruell stared into darkness.
"She's right about one thing," he said.
"The world doesn't listen to weak voices."
Juvy whispered, "Then talk to me."
He didn't answer.
Later, Varkos met a man in the ruins.
A masked cult messenger.
"You should've delivered them," the man hissed.
Varkos aimed his gun.
"And you should've stayed dead."
The cultist smirked.
"She's watching."
Varkos killed him anyway.
He wiped blood from his face.
"I promised your parents," he muttered.
"I won't fail twice."
That same night, Juvy dreamed.
A throne of crystal.
Maxruell sitting on it.
Covered in blood.
She woke up screaming.
And far away, Mother Cain whispered to her followers:
"Let them break each other."