As the filming neared its end, the atmosphere on set had become suffocating for Aris. Through The Sight, he was no longer just sensing Marcus's past; he was perceiving how every movement Marcus made in the industry was a calculated chess move. However, collecting so much "dark data" was clouding Aris's own mind; at times, he struggled to distinguish his own fears from Marcus's deep-seated resentment.
That evening, Julian visited Aris in his trailer, looking panicked. "Aris, what have you done? Marcus's PR team has started spreading rumors to all the major agencies and casting directors that you're 'difficult and unstable' to work with. The movie isn't even out yet, but your name is already being put into the 'risky' category."
Before Aris could respond, there was a knock on the door. Marcus's private assistant entered and invited Aris to the VIP screening room on the top floor of the studio.
Marcus was alone in the room, watching the raw dailies of the day's shoot on a massive screen. He didn't even turn around when Aris walked in.
"Look at this frame, Aris," Marcus said, his voice calm but ice-cold. On the screen was Aris's haunting reflection in the mirror. "You did a brilliant job. But you're forgetting one thing. I am the one who decides who gets to see these scenes, which frames end up in the trash during editing, and how big your name is written at the premiere of this film."
Marcus turned slowly. There was no hatred on his face, only unshakable authority. "You think you've cornered me on set because you're talented. But this industry doesn't run on talent; it runs on loyalty and hierarchy. You might have impressed the director today, but tomorrow, when no producer calls you, that talent will be nothing but a burden."
Marcus slid a folder across the table toward Aris. "This is a press release that could be the end of your career. A few frames of you on set, taken out of context, where you look 'aggressive'... If you don't learn your place, tomorrow all of Lumina will know you not as a gifted actor, but as a liability on set."
Aris felt the intense aura of "power" surrounding Marcus. This wasn't a character's pain; it was the weight of a system built over decades. Marcus wasn't threatening him with physical violence, but with professional erasure.
"Learn to stay in the shadows, Aris," Marcus said, turning back to the screen. "Because I control the light. If you continue to feed my performance, I'll allow you to build a career out of the crumbs. But if you try to hit me with your 'real' weapon one more time, I will bury you inside that mirror."
As Aris left the room, he felt that slight trickle of blood from his nose again. Marcus had shown him what real power was: no matter how "real" the scene was, the hand that closed the curtain was always the strongest.