The man could hear the thumping of Xurien's heart, rattling in his ears like a small drum. Sensing her terror, he paused and looked down at her. A gentle smile touched his face before he spoke.
"I am Martheuw Ceréun," he introduced himself. "I heard your tireless pleas, but the cries of Thallerion have grown as loud as wild beasts in the forest." His resonant voice thundered—firm as thunder, yet laced with the mournful beauty of a cathedral hymn. "You are blessed above all, Xurien Wrez. For through you shall spring the peace that Thallerion seeks."
"What?" Her mouth fell open, her chest heaving. "But... I'm a Cyprioxian." Xurien's voice barely carried. Overwhelmed with awe and fear at the sound of his living voice, she pressed her face slowly against the polished floor of the altar once more. "I was merely sent here to Thallerion. We are missionaries from Cypriox, here to discover why Thallerion's celestial gene is fading. But they say your disappearance might be the cause."
Martheuw Ceréun released a quiet sigh, pondering her question deeply. Me? No entity can destroy what I bestowed upon the bloodline of Thallerion—not even I. It is a pact that only a god can sever. Yet what is this sensation? I can see the light fading in their blood. Has Triangulum already begun to move?
"I understand Thallerion's resentment, but I have no time to explain these matters. Listen to me, Xurien: it was through your fervent prayers that the Crux entity aided me in reconnecting with the mortal realm."
Xurien froze, staring at him in disbelief. "Wait... Is it truly you? The great Orion?"
"I am the entity known for forging the weapons bound to Thallerion's blood," Martheuw Ceréun replied. As he spoke, his consciousness reached out into the minds of the Hunters, witnessing how Thallerion was preparing for the commission. Hmm. I see the plight of the Thallerions now. So many are non-awakened... A strange curse hangs over them. The Corona Entity likely knows something of this.
Xurien slowly lifted her head, her gaze landing on his boots of gleaming crystal. "It really is you... the great Orion," she breathed, a sudden surge of hope washing over her.
This girl... Will she be frightened if I tell her...? he thought to himself. Martheuw stepped directly in front of her.
"Stand up. Do not kneel before me. I am no god. I am not worthy of being called great," Orion commanded, extending a hand down toward her.
Her eyes traced upward from his boots to the sleek armor plating at his knees. Her fingers trembled as she reached out to touch his broad hand, but her breath hitched as Orion vanished like a phantom, reappearing behind her with lightning speed.
"I am merely an entity who failed his promise," he said softly behind her.
"Were you not the one who taught Thallerion to forge weapons untouched by flame? To capture wild beasts without hiding in fear? The nation of Thallerion owes its very name to you!"
"Enough," Martheuw cut her off. A heavy silence settled between them. He gazed down at Xurien, who looked like a weeping child before him. He released a low breath and whispered to himself, I am unfit to be called a great guardian. I was negligent. It is only right that they despise me and seek to erase me from their hearts.
"I am here to deliver a vital message from the great Crux—to reveal to you... the prophecy for Thallerion."
"A... prophecy?" Xurien's heart hammered against her ribs. "Why are you doing this?" Her mind raced, struggling to grasp his meaning as she remained on the floor. She searched his face for answers, but met only an elusive, distant gaze. "Tell me."
"Your destined child shall forge the path for heaven and earth... to wed as one," Orion declared.
Xurien went rigid, feeling as though the world had collapsed before her eyes.
As her mind reeled in the heavy silence, Orion turned toward the cathedral wall, where the massive black cross seemed to stand as a silent witness to his words.
Orion raised his hand, steadily gathering energy in his palm. A rectangular blue light materialized before him—an ethereal, astral blue screen hovering in midair.
It displayed Xurien's face, projecting what appeared to be her celestial blueprint. He tapped her affinity seal first, triggering a burst of white celestial fire across the astral geometry, though its smoke drifted like pure silver.
In an instant, a glowing white halo shaped like a crown materialized above Xurien's head. At its center, a small cross of light flared on her forehead—a divine blessing from the Crux entity. Xurien felt an overwhelming weight lift from her heart, as if a mountain of thorns had vanished.
"I can feel the power of the Crux entity," Xurien whispered, her eyes wide. "This message truly comes from the holy Crux."
Orion offered a serene smile and lowered his hand, causing the blue magical screen to dissipate like cosmic dust. "You are a Cyprioxian, yet Thallerion blood flows through you as well." Xurien gave a subtle nod. "Listen closely: the hands of your child shall link the stars into a constellation."
"But—" Xurien gasped, her pupils dilating until her eyes turned almost pure white at his words. She pushed herself up, clutching the cross necklace against her chest as her astral halo burned brighter. "I have no intention of marrying! The nation of Cypriox is my only family!"
Orion stepped toward her with regal composure, the ambient armor around him clinking softly. "Listen to me, Xurien: in the eyes of a god, the fate of a mortal is a story already written."
Hearing his cold certainty, a wave of terror washed over Xurien—a dread deeper than anything she had ever imagined.
Tears spilled down her cheeks once more, and the light of the cross on her forehead began to dim. "Why must such a burden be laid upon the shoulders of a mortal?" She looked into Orion's deep, somber eyes, searching his expression. "Is it not the guardian's duty to face the fangs of Cerberus? To sever the tentacles of the colossal Cetus, and to tame the seven heads of the Hydra?"
Xurien stepped forward, only to collapse at Orion's feet, her hands clasped tightly in prayer. Her tear-filled eyes traced the sharp line of his strong jaw and soft beard. "What can a mere mortal do against such ferocious monsters? Even heaven and earth tremble before them!"
"Tell me, where did we go wrong? Are you angry at the arrogance of our ancestors?"
Orion bowed his head, enveloped in silence. He stepped toward the frozen candlelight, the metallic clatter of his armor ringing softly through the nave. He reached out, scooping up a flicker of candle flame and letting it dance around his fingers like a firefly.
He listened quietly to her agonizing questions. "You know our suffering. You heard our prayers. How much longer must we wait?" Xurien sobbed, her tears flowing like a dam breaking after years of restraint. "I beg of you... do not leave Thallerion to drown in fear. Help us... Bless our spirits with your grace!"
Orion vanished from where he stood, reappearing in the air just above her. A heavy, remorseful sigh escaped his chest. His cape billowed rhythmically as the glowing daggers hovered and spun around him in silent orbit.
"I am deeply sorry," he said, his voice heavy as storm clouds gathering moisture from the earth. "Even the greatest guardian of this world faces trial and ruin."
He raised his hand. With a quick flick of his fingers, the five elemental spheres around his waist detached, floating into his palm and fusing together. They coalesced into a masterwork dagger—its hilt encrusted with precious gems, its blade razor-sharp and burning like a living star.
"Listen well, Xurien: when the time is right, my weapon shall fall from the heavens like a massive sword, and it will claim its chosen wielder." As he finished speaking, the dagger dissolved into mist, dispersing like a deep breath drawn from his broad chest. The astral smoke billowed outward, filling the sanctuary with the rich fragrance of ancient cedar.
"However... the true essence of my soul is currently trapped in a realm where endless destruction reigns supreme." He stated the grim truth plainly, searing it into Xurien's mind.
"Our guardian... is imprisoned?" she whispered, a bitter realization settling over her. Tears streamed down her face as she finally learned why Orion had never returned to his people. "How could that happen?"
Orion could sense her despair, but he maintained a calm facade, keeping his remorse buried within. "What you see before you now... is merely a projection of my consciousness." The radiant light of his presence dimmed, like storm clouds veiling the constellation of Orion. "Nor could you comprehend the silent war currently waging among the celestial entities."
"A silent war?" she echoed softly. "Is that why the power of mortals is fading across the world?" She forced her head up, a flicker of desperate courage in her eyes. "If so, how can Thallerion survive the wrath of this celestial war? If you aren't here, who will protect them? You are the only star in the night sky that can lift them from their misery." Her voice cracked, her hope wavering like a compass with no north. She paused, taking a ragged breath. "If this prophecy must come to pass... for the sake of Thallerion, please... watch over my future child."
"Do not worry... I will never abandon the people of Thallerion. When the first stage of the prophecy unfolds, I, Orion, shall send a signal through the stars—sigh!" Orion cut himself off. "My time is up, Xurien. Remember this: whenever you look upon the Constellation of Orion, remember our meeting today. But tell no one of this prophecy."
Orion began to fade. Before vanishing completely, he left her with a final promise: "I shall return when the time is right. Farewell."
His physical form disintegrated into a shower of golden dust, carried away by a soft breeze through the crevices of the altar.
"I will hold you to your word," Xurien whispered to the empty air.
In an instant, ambient sound rushed back into the cathedral. The scent of burning incense filled her senses once more as the cross on her forehead faded entirely. The second hand on her watch resumed its tick.
Their entire encounter had transpired in the span of a single second.