Elias's armor was nothing but a charred and shredded hunk of metal that bit it's way into his vey body from the heat generated by Orion's flames while he himself was actually cut physically by them. As it turns out, Orion had manipulated his flames to both cut and burn his target, in this case Elias. The flames practically eviscerated any and all exposed pieces of flesh, leaving nothing but a bloody mess of flesh, sinews and barely attached strands of skin that all had been burned to such degrees that they were blistering, and scathing in pain for Elias.
Orion himself had thought of the idea for such a technique ever since his first meeting with Chaos. Having received new flames that couldn't burn, he began to ponder what would happen if he was able to change the vary nature of his flames. After his duel with Raven, while they waited out a snowstorm she had offered to help him achieve his goal and within a week he was able to change and add basic properties such as being able to cut and physically blunt damage. With that, he wanted to be able to burn and shred anything that got in his way. So he took some advice from Raven and was able to create a technique that he could feel was his crowning achievement.
He had taken to calling the technique the Dragon's Rage, having thought of an old story he used to read while training with Cinder.
Now, having actually put it all together, he learned that he still needed to refine the technique's kickback as breaking your left arm to simply use it wasn't exactly a brilliant strategy. Yet in the end, it actually worked, and together alongside Sun and Jaune, the three of them managed to defeat Elias.
Orion was struggling to even breath, and the pain he was in was being overshadowed by the intense wave of pain he was experiencing in his left him, Sun and Jaune were laid out on the ground in exhaustion.
Around the ruined battlefield, Orion finally took notice of everything that was truly happening. Medics from what appeared to be every kingdom had allied and had sent assistance, only the fighting was already done. All that was left was to treat everyone who was injured and alive, which only happened to be the people that had survived Elias's previous onslaught.
Amidst the hurrying and the sounds of orders being barked, everything just seemed to stop, literally. Everything around Orion had suddenly frozen itself in place, even the snow that was falling from the sky had just ceased their movement. He weakly turned his head, to see that Sun, and Jaune had noticed it too, and that they weren't affected like him.
It took several seconds before Orion realized that Sun was pointing to the Book of Oblivion, and that the pages were cycling through themselves incredibly fast as.
" Oh you got to be shitting me," Orion said weakly as he and the others watched a massive clawed hands rip its way through the book and soon began to grow massive in size. It soon extended itself and took hold of Elias' leg, and slowly began to drag him across snow and suddenly down a dark, mist.
" Finally, my long awaited vengeance ! "
Orion and the others already knew who that voice belonged to. Soon Chaos itself began to slowly but quickly force itself out of its prison while the trio could only watch in shock and fear.
" Not just on you Elias, but this pitiful excuse of a world ! "
Orion could see that Chaos had turned it's now forming head and looked at him.
" You've served me well Flamesong, but I no longer have need of you. You served me well, so I shall reward you. You and your compatriots may serve as my new generals. It will make conquering this world far more simple,"
Jaune could try and force himself up before collapsing into the snow. Sun and Orion both followed suit but got the same results before giving up. Most of Chaos was still bound to his prison but it released a black mist from the makeshift mouth it created.
Orion could only let a single tear trail down his face in complete and utter defeat. As shadows began to overtake them, the darkness suddenly began to wither away as they were baptized in white flames.
The trio looked around them to see several figures wearing white cloaks, shrouding their faces. Chaos suddenly roared in pain and anguish as a several cloaked figure raised their arms and released beams of light, pillars of flames, and bolts of lightning began to bombard an enraged and weakened Chaos.
Above it, a massive white glyph appeared, letting loose a beam of celestial light that began to burn Chaos, forcing it back into the Book of Oblivion. Chaos released heavy dark fog but it was soon trapped back with Chaos, who nearly was fully imprisoned.
" Celestial light, divine in origin that burns shadows and all impurities of this world. Know that this was the last feeling you shall feel for a long time."
Chaos attempted to claw through the beams of light but failed and was forced back within the Book of Oblivion. Soon the snow began to fall like it had already, and it seemed that no one but Orion, Sun and Jaune saw what had happened. The figure in the white cloak soon appeared alongside Orion, Sun and Jaune at the same time somehow.
The person in the white cloak crouched down and placed a palm on Orion's forehead, letting a small wave of relief wash over him.
" You three are more pivotal than you know. The Fallen Flame , the Divine Light and the Celestial Wielder shall join together and traverse the dark to fight its source. Then one shall stay behind to save the remnant of life. Chaos has spread its influence, and soon the seals shall be broken. Become the vanguard of humanity."
Orion couldn't see the hooded figure's face, let alone understand what it meant. Before he knew it, the figure was gone and with it the Book of Oblivion. Sun, Jaune and Orion all weakly traded glances with each before passing out at once.
When he came to, Orion quickly tried to gather his bearings only to feel heavily disorientated. However he managed to take notice that he was submerged in water, that seemed to soothe all of his injuries and began to assist his fatigue.
The Fallen Flame, the Divine Light and the Celestial Wielder ? What does that mean ?
He tried his best to remember what had happened, and began to fit all the pieces together. Having had enough of the water, he began to raise himself above the water line, removing all the wires and machinery connected to his arm. Next was the mask around his face that enabled him to breath underwater.
He took a great breath of air, but feel that even breathing was a strenuous task. He finally took note of his environment and that he was in his own room, possibly in another kingdom inside another hospital. Focusing his senses, he picked up the faintest of conversation outside his room.
Not wanting to take any chances, he quickly dried himself off of any remaining water and looked around to find his clothes. Instead of his usual attire, he instead he found a hooded, long sleeve black jacket that zipped up to cover his lower face. Along with those, he found pair of dark jeans and black boots which he perfectly for movement. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his side that forced him fall down but he caught himself on one knee, just as the door to his room opened.
Yang entered his room with a gift wrapped it, and simply sighed at him as she set the gift aside and helped Orion up.
" You idiot, you opened one of your wounds," She chastised Orion as she sat him in a chair across from him and sat crouched down next to him. From a pouch at her side she retrieved a small medical sewing kit.
" Jaune and Sun are still in the Snowy Spring, so I doubt they'll see you. Although Sun was actually up a while ago with Blake and he told us what happened to you, Jaune and him. Blake went to go research what Sun had told her," She said as set her kit down and sifted through the tools.
" One thing at a time her Blondy, so-
" I have a name jerk, try using it. Listen, long story short we're in Atlas so while we were here, Blake look up what Sun meant and it turns out it was a story from a book of myths," Yang said abruptly as she doused a ball of cotton with alcohol and then applied it to the opened cut on Orion's side.
" Exactly why are you helping me ? I thought we had a thing were you wanted me dead for trying to kill you and vice versa, so are we just-"
" No," Yang said abruptly as Orion winced as Yang stitched his side, " I still hate you completely, but...I spoke to my mother and she told and showed me bits of your life. Why you did what you did and for who. Look, I'm doing to repay the favor. You saved my life, so I'm in return Blake and I fixed these for you."
" Whoa whoa ! Hold up, you spoke to your mother, or am I supposed to just shadow that fact completely ? I don't remember giving-"
" Shocking how you don't remember but then again I suppose not. You're the one who gave me what remaining aura she had left. It was moments after the cavalry arrived, you woke up for a few seconds and called out to me. I was already rested up mostly so when I met with you, you simply held out your hand while a red aura sat in your palm. Long story short, she told me everything she could before she started to fade away, but she told try and...understand you," Yang said as she finished patching Orion up, and wrapped a roll of medical tape around the recently sewed stiches. She pulled up a chair and sat across from Orion and simply sighed, "So meet me half way here, and lets just...talk."
" Talk ? Fine but first you said Blake figured out what Sun had told her ? I wanna know about that first," Orion as he cracked his knuckles thoughtlessly.
" Right, so it's like this. It's an old story, but Blake actually managed to find it again with A LOT of research. In short, three warriors fight against a demon and one stayed behind to make sure that a demon with the power to capture the world couldn't rise again. It's weird so I don't think about what it means. I held up my end, so now you answer me. What was your...childhood like ? "
Orion could only tighten his fist and breath angrily before coming back to his senses. " I was born in a little place in Vacuo, just another nomad village that people could give two fucks about. I'm sure Raven told you everything but if you must know, I torched the place one day...I just got fed up with being the freak of the village so I cut loose for the first time and you know what, despite all tears I shed that day...I enjoyed it. I had no family left, and no one cared so why should I care about what happened to them ? "
" Does it...ever get easier ? Taking someone's life ? Don't you ever stop to think about what you actually cause people ? " Yang questioned Orion who honestly shrugged at the thought.
" I stopped caring a long time ago. I just...stopped. I don't remember if I ever felt anything after the village thing...No, that was a lie, let me be honest since Raven would have told you everything she could. I'll be honest, taking a person's life when you're actually focused and conscious...I didn't sleep or eat but I drank myself too a stupor for a week; anything to forget. Yet after that first time, I felt different"
" What was the it ? " Yang asked calmly as Orion put a hand over his heart and sighed.
" My turn to ask questions,' Orion said suddenly, " Why are you even helping me ? "
" Because," Yang began slowly, " It's...complicated."
" Of course it is," Orion said sarcastically as he rose up painfully but was fell onto the ground, " Fuck ! What's wrong with me ?! "
Yang threw Orion's arm over her shoulder and helped him up. " Just cool yourself," Yang chastised Orion as she sat him down in her chair, " My mom said that this might happen. Forcibly cutting and Chaos off might hurt your soul, so it looks like it Chaos left some lingering affect on you. Just rest up and open your gift."
Yang then handed the wrapped gift from before and placed it in Orion's arms. She motioned for him to open it and he reluctantly listened.
First he tore away the wrapping paper to reveal a thick black cloth draped around another object that resembled a sheath. He peeled back the remaining cloth to reveal a familiar handle of a sword. Breathlessly, he pulled the sword from it's sheath to reveal a familiar red blade that gleamed as if it were alive and happy. Along the flat of blade was a different inscription than the one Orion had remembered.
I am Muramasa, the blade that lights the dark.
Orion simply stared wide-eyed at the sight in complete disbelief.
" Murmasa...I thought I lost you in the battle. How did you find it, or even fix it ? " Orion questioned Yang who shrugged at the question.
" I honestly don't know. We found it just lying there so Ruby had decided to give it back to you. It was already fixed up but she is still afraid of you, so it fell to me to bring it you. Now that I did my part, I should be checking up on Sun and Jaune to see how they're doing. So does this...I don't know clear up any bad blood between us ? "
Yang extended a open hand to Orion who looked at her and sighed before extended his as well. What was a surprisingly polite and calm handshake shared between them.
" I don't say this much but...thank you. Muramasa was the first sword I learned to use. Cinder had it custom made for me just months after she found me. Yang, can you do me a favor ? "
Yang looked at Orion in surprise before answering agreeing. " What do you need ? "
" Where exactly am I ? "
" We're in one of bases around Atlas, don't remember which one though. So what favor did you need ? "
Orion sheathed Muramasa and tied the sword to his side. He extended a hand to Yang who helped him up.
" Let's walk and talk, and I'll explain along the way."
Sun was silently basking in the healing waters that Atlas had provided him and Jaune, who was recovering in the pool beside him. Sun let his head rise above the water's line and removed the oxygen mask from his face, taking in a cool breath of fresh air.
" We did it man, we just saved the freaking world." Sun said with pride as Jaune gave a thumbs up in response. Suddenly the area turned several degrees colder as a familiar white cloaked figure stood before the pair.
" Greetings young warrior, I am pleased to see you both alive and well. I had feared you had thrown your lives away in over-exertion but I am glad I am wrong." the person said with a calm feminine voice.
" Exactly who are you ? " Sun asked the person who removed their hood to reveal a woman with short cut black hair, jade green eyes and a complexion white as the falling snow.
" Who I am is not important, only my purpose. I assure you that I am no foe. It was I who rescued you both from Chaos' wrath and sealed the demon back. I've come to show you both this," she said as she removed a familiar book from her side.
In her hands was the Book of Oblivion but it seemed drastically different from when Jaune and Sun had last seen it. Instead of the look a freshly created tome, the book appeared tattered and decrepit. The sigil on the front cover of the book was slowly but surely fading away as weak black mist attempted to escape it.
" As you can, the book is nearing the end of it's time. Since Orion partially released Chaos during the battle, the book was overpowered and now Chaos is attempting to escape and return to this world, with bloodlust and carnage as it's goal. I wager that the book will last for half a decade if I maintain it's condition but I know of a way to extend that time period."
" How do you plan on doing that ? " Jaune asked curiously, having decided to remove his oxygen mask.
" There are beings as old as Chaos, though weaker than it. They hold deep anger and desire vengeance on Chaos for transgressions against them. I know the location of all three of them, so each of you shall free one from bondage."
Sun and Jaune looked at each other before nodding in agreement.
" I would advise you both that while this is a dire matter, I would encourage you both to finish your years at Beacon. As witnessed before, you are not ready to face Chaos, who once ruled this world long ago. Be vigilante but share what I have told you no one else. Young Orion has been given similar instructions as well, so rest easy and train. You three have untapped potential that you've barely scratched the surface of and I would hope to you all learn what you're capable of."
The mysterious woman turned only to stop in her tracks and look back at both Jaune and Sun.
" I should warn you, this will be the last time I can assist or visit any of you now unless you find me. If you do however come to point where you require my guidance, you may find me again. I make my home where the light first reaches this world. I'm sure you're able to discern where that is. With that, farewell young warriors."
" Wait-" Sun said but in vain as the mysterious woman was already gone and with her, the Book of Oblivion.
" You heard her, we should rest up. She helped us last time, so the least we can do is take her advice. Looks like we have a few more years ahead of us." Jaune said calmly, letting the water pull him down as he put back on his oxygen mask.
Sun followed suit with a sigh and dunked his head below the water, listening to nothing but the sound of water itself.