Xurien's heart pounded faster as the man stopped before her. She could feel the crushing weight of his aura. The man looked at her like a god contemplating a decision. "I am Marthew Ceréun," he introduced himself. "I have heard your tireless pleas, but the cries of the Thallerion people have become as noisy as beasts in the forest." His steady voice resonated like lightning, yet it carried a sorrow, like a mournful melody. "You are blessed above all, Xurien Wrez. For from your womb will come the peace that Thallerion longs for."
"Me?" Her mouth hung open, her chest heaving. "Why must it come from me?" Xurien's voice was barely a whisper. Consumed by fear upon hearing his living voice, she slowly bowed her head against the polished floor of the altar. "Wait, is it truly you? The great Orion?"
"Your fervent prayer was fulfilled by the supreme Crux, and you became the bridge to open my consciousness to the human world—I am the entity known for gifting the weapon hidden in the blood of Thallerion," Marthew Ceréun replied, though the weight in his voice remained.
"You are indeed Orion," Xurien said excitedly. Thank you, divine Crux, for fulfilling my final wish, she whispered to herself.
Xurien slowly lifted her face, catching sight of his feet clad in glowing crystal boots. "Stand up. Do not kneel before me—I am no god—and I am not worthy of being called 'great'," Orion commanded, lowering his hand before her face.
Her eyes trailed from his boots to the sleek plating on his knees. Xurien's fingers trembled as she reached to touch his muscular 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 in his promise."
"What do you mean?" Xurien asked. "Weren't you the one who taught Thallerion how to forge weapons without passing through fire? To capture elusive beasts without having to hide?—the nation of Thallerion became known because of your name."
"Enough—I am not worthy of being called a great guardian. I was negligent. I allowed the gates of Thallerion to be left open for enemies wielding curses." A deep silence dominated the moment, and Orion sighed heavily. "But I am here to deliver the vital message that the great Crux wishes to impart—I am here to tell you... the prophecy for Thallerion."
"A prophecy?" Xurien's heart raced. "What do you mean?" Her mind soared with questions as she remained seated on the floor, searching for answers, but she found only an elusive gaze. "Answer me."
"Your destined child will be the one to pave the way for heaven and earth to unite as one," Orion declared. Xurien felt weak, as if the world had collapsed before her.
As Xurien pondered in the silence, Orion turned his face toward the cathedral wall, noticing the large cross that seemed to be listening to his words.
Orion raised his hand, energy slowly pooling in his palm. A rectangular, ethereal blue screen appeared, shining in the air.
It displayed Xurien's face, as if it held her celestial blueprint. He tapped her affinity seal, triggering the release of celestial fire—white in the astral geometry, but its smoke appearing like silver.
In an instant, a white light appeared above Xurien's head, shaped like a halo, and in its center, a small glowing cross emerged on her forehead like a blessing from the entity of Crux. Xurien felt a lightness in her heart, as if a ton of thorns had vanished.
"I can feel the power of the Crux entity," Xurien whispered. "Is the Crux listening to our conversation right now?"
Orion smiled calmly, the blue magic screen vanishing as he lowered his hand like vanishing cosmic smoke. "You are a Cyprioxian, but you also carry the blood of Thallerion," Xurien nodded. "But listen, the hand of your future child will connect the stars like a constellation."
"But—" Xurien stopped, her pupils turning a chalky white as she heard Orion's words. She stood up, her hand over her heart. The astral-halo above her head glowed even brighter. "I have no intention of marrying. This nation of Thallerion is my family."
Orion stepped forward slowly, like a king with the sound of armor clinking around him. "Listen, Xurien, the destiny of a mortal in the eyes of a god is a story already written." Upon hearing this, every muscle in Xurien's body trembled—a fear she could not even put into words.
Where she stood, tears fell from her eyes again, and the glowing cross on her forehead dimmed. "Why must this responsibility be placed on the shoulders of a mortal?" She stared into Orion's soulful eyes, judging every spark on his face. "Is it not the guardian who faces the fangs of Cerberus? Who cuts the tentacles of the giant Cetus, and makes the seven heads of the Hydra dance?" Xurien moved closer but threw herself at Orion's feet, her hands clasped in the air. Her eyes followed every curve of the soft beard on his strong jaw. "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, his armor clanking. He picked up the flame of a candle and twirled it between his fingers like a firefly.
Orion listened to Xurien's deep, pain-filled questions. "You know our suffering, you hear our prayers, but how long must we wait?" Xurien's tears poured like rain collected over a long period. "I beg you. Do not ignore the fear that is drowning Thallerion. Help us... Bless our spirits with your greatness."
Orion vanished from where he stood and suddenly reappeared in the air near Xurien. A sigh escaped his chest, filled with regret. His cape fluttered incessantly as the sound of glowing daggers spinning in the air echoed.
"I regret to tell you..." His heart was as heavy as clouds absorbing mist over damp ground. "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 waist returned to his hand and merged, one by one. They formed the greatest dagger, adorned with precious gems on the hilt, 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 destined wielder." After he spoke, the dagger turned into smoke, like a sigh escaping his strong chest. But the astral smoke spread, carrying the fragrance of ancient wood.
"But the essence of my soul is currently trapped in a World where everything is reigned over by eternal decay." He clearly spoke the truth that etched itself into Xurien's soul.
"Our guardian is trapped?" she whispered, mixed with bitterness. Tears fell when she realized why Orion had not returned for the people of Thallerion. "How did that happen?"
Orion felt her thoughts but forced himself to remain calm and keep his regret to himself. "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 that is taking place right now."
"Silent War?" she whispered. "Is that why the people's power is weakening in this world?" She raised her head, carrying a new strength of heart.
"If so, how can we survive the wrath of the entities' war? If you are gone, who will defend us? You are the only star we hope for in the night to lift us from our misery." Xurien's voice faltered, her hope like a compass without direction. "If the prophecy becomes part of history? For the sake of Thallerion, please, do not forsake my future 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 to the stars—sigh!" Orion paused. "I have no more time, Xurien. Always remember, just look at the stars." Orion began to fade away, but before he vanished completely, he left parting words. "Do not lose hope. I will come at the right time. Farewell." His body turned into golden dust and was swept by the wind through the crevices of the altar.
"I will hold on to your word," Xurien whispered to the wind. That moment was vital for Xurien, like a seed growing in her core. The noise of the surroundings returned immediately, the scent of incense drifted back into her nose, and the light of the cross on her forehead faded away. The watch began to tick again. Their meeting had lasted only a second.