Night arrived slowly, with a deep blue sky full of silent stars. Orion and Liora set up a small camp near the mountain's edge. The air was thin and cold, and every breath felt sharp.
Orion couldn't sleep. The silver star pendant around his neck felt heavy — like it was waiting.
Liora sat beside him, staring at the flames. "Do you think that cloaked man was telling the truth?"
Orion didn't answer immediately. He didn't want to admit how afraid he was.
Finally, he said, "Truth or lie… doesn't matter. I need answers. Even if they hurt."
Liora nodded. "You always carry everything alone. You don't have to."
Her voice was soft, almost pleading. Orion looked at the crack in the star pendant. It reflected the firelight like a broken mirror.
A broken thing can still shine.
He closed his eyes and touched the pendant.
A sudden burning energy spread across his chest. He gasped, falling onto his hands. Blue light leaked from the star, slowly growing brighter.
"Orion! What's happening?!" Liora cried, grabbing his shoulders.
His heartbeat pounded like a drum in his ears. Something in his mind opened — like a locked door breaking.
Images flashed wildly:
• A massive glowing lake under a sky full of falling stars• A city made of crystal towers• A young boy standing alone on a battlefield• A voice whispering: "You did this."
Orion screamed.
The light burst outward like a wave, throwing Liora back and shaking the earth beneath them. Trees bent under the force, and stones lifted into the air.
Then — silence.
Orion collapsed. The pendant cooled instantly. Liora rushed to him and held him.
He opened his eyes slowly. Tears slipped out — not from pain, but from the unimaginable weight of the memory he had seen.
Liora whispered, "What did you see?"
Orion stared into the fire, voice trembling.
"I think… I once destroyed a world."
The words broke something in both of them.
Liora shook her head fiercely. "You are not that person now. Whatever happened before — it doesn't define you."
Orion wanted to believe her. But a small terrified voice inside him whispered:
What if I become that person again?
Liora placed her forehead against his.
"You saved the little girl. You saved her mother. You protect, Orion. You don't destroy."
Her words wrapped around his heart like warmth in a cold storm.
But the blue glow in Orion's eyes was still there — a reminder of what had awakened.
The wind grew stronger, blowing out the fire.
From the mountains came a distant roar — powerful and angry.
Something had felt the burst of energy.
Something had sensed Orion.
Liora gripped her weapon. "Whatever that is… it's coming here."
Orion stood up slowly, the pendant pulsing like a heartbeat.
He no longer felt tired.
He no longer felt afraid.
He looked toward the dark mountains and whispered:
"Then let it come."
Because a storm was approaching.
And Orion was ready to face it.