Xurien's heart pounded as the man stopped before her, and she felt the crushing weight of his aura. He looked down at her like a god contemplating a decision. "I am Martheuw Ceréun," he introduced. "I have heard your tireless pleas, but the cries of Thallerion have become as deafening as the beasts of the forest." His voice resonated with stability—like thunder, yet steeped in the melancholy of a sad melody. "You are blessed above all, Xurien Wrez, for from your womb shall come the peace that Thallerion desires."
"Me?" Her mouth hung open, her chest heaving. "Why must it come from me?" Xurien's voice was barely a whisper. Consumed by fear, she bowed her head until it touched the polished floor of the sanctuary. "Wait... are you truly him? The great Orion?"
"Your sincere prayer was answered by the high Crux, and you became the bridge to open my consciousness to the mortal world. I am the entity known for bestowing weapons upon the blood of Thallerion," Martheuw Ceréun replied, his voice still heavy with burden.
"You really are Orion," Xurien breathed, a flicker of joy in her mind. Thank you, holy Crux, for granting my wish.
Xurien slowly lifted her face, catching sight of his feet clad in shimmering crystal boots. "Stand up. Do not kneel before me—I am no god, and I am not worthy to be called 'great,'" Orion commanded, his hand descending toward her face.
Her eyes traced up from his boots to the sleek plating on his knees. Xurien's fingers trembled as she reached out to touch his strong hand, but she stopped breathing when she saw Orion vanish like a ghost, reappearing behind her with the speed of lightning. "I am merely an entity who failed his promise."
"What do you mean?" Xurien asked. "Did you not teach Thallerion how to forge weapons without fire? How to capture elusive beasts without hiding? The nation of Thallerion became renowned because of your name."
"Enough—I do not deserve to be called a great guardian. I was negligent; I allowed the gates of Thallerion to be opened to enemies bearing curses." A deep silence hung in the air as Orion sighed heavily. "But I am here to deliver a vital message that the great Crux wishes to convey—I am here to tell you... the prophecy for Thallerion."
"Prophecy?" Xurien's heart raced. "What are you talking about?" She searched his face for answers, but found only an elusive, sorrowful gaze. "Answer me."
"Your destined child will pave the way for heaven and earth to become one." As Orion declared this, Xurien felt weak, as if the world had collapsed before her.
In the ensuing silence, Orion turned his face toward the cathedral wall, where a large cross seemed to listen to his every word. He raised his hand, slowly gathering energy in his palm until an ethereal blue rectangle materialized—an astral screen glowing in the air.
It displayed Xurien's face, as if it held her very celestial blueprint. He touched her affinity seal, triggering a surge of white celestial fire in the astral geometry, though its smoke shimmered like silver.
In an instant, a halo of white light crowned Xurien's head, and in its center, a small glowing cross appeared on her forehead—a blessing from the Crux entity. Xurien felt her heart lighten, as if a thousand thorns had been pulled away.
"I can feel the power of the Crux entity," Xurien whispered. "Is the Crux listening to us now?"
Orion smiled gently, his hand descending and causing the blue screen to vanish like cosmic vapor. "You are Cyprioxian, yet you possess the blood of Thallerion," he said as Xurien nodded. "But listen—the hand of your future child will bridge the stars in the sky like a constellation."
"But," Xurien paused, her pupils turning a milky white as she heard Orion's words. She stood up, her hand pressed to her chest, her astral halo glowing brighter. "I have no plans to marry. I consider the nation of Thallerion my only family."
Orion stepped forward slowly, the weapons around him chiming like a king's retinue. "Listen, Xurien. The destiny of a mortal in the eyes of a god is a story already written." Upon hearing this, Xurien's muscles trembled—a fear she could not even comprehend.
She wept again, the light of the cross on her forehead dimming. "Why must this responsibility be placed on the shoulders of a mortal?" She stared into Orion's deep eyes, judging every flicker of his expression. "Is it not the guardian who faces the fangs of Cerberus? Who severs the limbs of the titanic Cetus and makes the seven heads of the Hydra dance?" Xurien collapsed at Orion's feet, her hands clasped in the air. She followed the curve of the soft beard on his muscular jaw with her eyes. "What can a mortal do against such fierce monsters? Even heaven and earth... fear them!"
"Tell me, where did we go wrong? Are you angry at the arrogance of our ancestors?" Orion bowed his head in silence. He stepped toward the flickering candles, picking one up and twirling the flame on his finger like a firefly.
Orion listened to Xurien's soul-deep questions. "You know our suffering, you hear our prayers, but how long must we wait?" Xurien's tears flowed like rain long held back by a storm. "I beg you. Do not endure the fear that is drowning Thallerion. Help us... bless our spirits with your greatness."
Orion vanished and reappeared in the air close to Xurien. A sigh escaped his chest, heavy with regret. His cape fluttered incessantly while the chiming of his floating daggers echoed.
"I am sorry to tell you," he said, his spirit as heavy as clouds absorbing mist from wet soil. "Even the greatest guardian of this world faces great trials." He raised his hand, and with a flick of his fingers, the crystal spheres from his belt merged into his hand. They formed a magnificent dagger, adorned with precious gems, sharp and glowing like a living star.
"Listen, Xurien. In due time, my weapon will descend from the heavens like a giant sword and recognize its chosen wielder." After he spoke, the dagger turned to smoke, a heavy sigh escaping Orion's muscular chest. The astral smoke spread, carrying the fragrance of ancient wood.
"But the essence of my soul is currently imprisoned in a world where everything is ruled by eternal decay." He spoke this truth clearly, etching it into Xurien's heart.
"Our guardian is imprisoned?" she whispered, bitter realization dawning on her. Tears fell as she understood why Orion could not return to the Thallerion race. "How did that happen?"
Orion felt her thoughts but forced himself to remain calm and harbor his regrets. "What you see now... is merely a message from my mind." His presence dimmed, as if clouds were covering the constellation of Orion. "You cannot understand the silent war of the celestial entities currently taking place."
"A Silent War?" she murmured. "Is that why the people's power in this world is waning?" She lifted her face, possessed by a new sense of courage.
"If so, how can Thallerion survive the wrath of the entities' war? If you are gone, who will defend them? You are the only star they expect to rise in the night to end their suffering." Xurien's voice broke, her hope like a compass without direction. She paused and gasped. "If the prophecy must become history... for Thallerion's sake, please do not abandon my child."
"Do not worry... I will never forget the people of Thallerion. When the first part of the prophecy comes to pass, I, Orion, will send a signal through the stars—sigh!" Orion stopped. "I have no more time, Xurien. Always remember: look to the Constellation of Orion. Remember our meeting." Orion began to fade, but before he vanished completely, he left final words. "I will come at the right time. Farewell." His body turned to golden dust, swept away by the wind through the crevices of the sanctuary.
"I will hold you to your word," Xurien whispered to the air. The sounds of the world rushed back, the scent of incense returned, and the glow of the cross on her forehead faded. Her watch began to tick once more. Their entire encounter had lasted but a single second.