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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Before i knew. I was screaming mentally to myself. To my incompetence. I can't believe this. How the hell did I manage to get lost?

I was flying around in circles, trying to figure out where I had taken a wrong turn. The streets of Astralium stretched out below me, and while I knew them like the back of my hand, something had gone wrong. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or maybe I was just too worked up about seeing Lyra again.

Lyra. That moonlight bitch. Just thinking about her made my blood boil. I had to prove I was better than her, and getting lost on the way to SOTW was not helping my case.

"How am I supposed to show her up if I can't even find the damn school?" I muttered to myself.

I looked around, trying to get my bearings. The familiar landmark of Astralium passed by here was the Celestial Market but that didn't help me figure out where I was supposed to go. I was starting to panic.

Shit! Shit! Shit! I'm a goddamn idiot!

Then. While I was busy being a pansy. Something actually came.

"The library!" I yell before I decided to head to the Lumina Library for help. It was the closest landmark I recognized, and surely someone there could point me in the right direction.

When I arrived, I pushed open the grand doors and stepped inside. The place was as impressive as ever, filled with towering shelves and an atmosphere that seemed to demand silence and reverence. As I approached the front desk, I saw Athena, the goddess of wisdom, busy with some books.

"Uh, excuse me," I began, trying to sound polite. "I need some directions to SOTW."

Athena looked up from her work and gave me a knowing smile. "Lost, are we, boy? You should pay more attention to your surroundings."

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled. "Just point me in the right direction."

She chuckled softly. "You're in luck. Two girls were just heading there: a girl named Selene and my daughter, Sophia. Perhaps you've heard of them?"

"I know Sophia," I said, nodding. The super famous nerd girl? Yeah. I know that one. "But never heard of Selene."

"Well, now you have," Athena said with a gentle smile. She then proceeded to give me clear directions to SOTW. "If you hurry, you might catch up to them."

"Thanks," I said, turning to leave.

"Good luck, boy. And remember, it's not just about proving you're better. It's about becoming better."

I rolled my eyes at the wisdom nugget but nodded anyway. With the directions fresh in my mind, I headed out of the library.

As I left the library, I couldn't help but think about how I'd explain this to Lyria if she ever found out. I'd have to come up with some lie, something convincing enough so she'd never suspect a thing. If she knew I got lost and had to ask for directions, I'd never hear the end of it. She'd probably tell everyone, and my reputation would take a hit.

"Yeah, I'll just say I was checking out the library for some advanced reading material," I muttered to myself, trying to sound convincing even in my own head. "No one needs to know I had no clue where I was going."

But then. Something else happened. While i was figuring things out. I saw...

"...What?" My eyes widen in shock. "What the hell is this!?"

At the other side of the road. I saw her. A girl dressed in white who i recognized from far away. It was Elysia, the dream goddess who was always outside going to a bunch of different places.

Even a guy like me coulda noticed. Anyway. She standing there with a look of horror on her face. Beside her, a god lay on the ground, blue blood oozing from a wound. They were surrounded by a group of three menacing gods, one of whom I recognized as the God of Torture.

This guy's been causing trouble for a while now. I've never seen him in person but I've gotten into fights with several of his henchmen. Once I even threatened to burn alive one of them who had attacked my sister. But, now being able to meet with this asshole in person. I wonder if things will fall down if i beat some sense on him.

I knew I had somewhere to be, but I couldn't just stand there and let an innocent girl get attacked. Elysia and the injured god had clearly been ambushed.

I moved quietly, sneaking closer to the group, listening intently. One of them was planning something, his voice low and sinister.

Just as he began to move, I stepped out of the shadows and said firmly, "That's enough."

As Orion approached the scene, his thoughts raced. He had seen Elysia around Astralium before, always helping others, and now she was in danger. The God of Torture had been a thorn in his side for a while, causing chaos and endangering innocent lives. Orion had already dealt with some of his henchmen and had made it clear he wouldn't tolerate their actions, especially after they targeted his little sister.

Orion crept closer, keeping his eyes on the group. He could hear one of them planning their next move. That's when he decided to make his presence known. "That's enough," he said, stepping into view.

The God of Torture turned, surprised to see him. "Oh! Orion? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Orion replied, his voice cold and steady. "But I think it's pretty clear what's going on. You're done here."

Elysia looked at him with wide eyes, clearly recognizing him. Orion glanced at her briefly, nodding in reassurance. His attention then returned to the God of Torture, his expression hardening.

"This ends now," Orion declared. "You're not going to hurt anyone else."

The God of Torture sneered. "And what makes you think you can stop me?"

Orion's fists ignited with fiery energy. "Try me."

The God of Torture seemed pleased with how things were turning out. Ever since he'd heard rumors of me from his beaten-up comrades, he'd been itching for a fight. He grinned, clearly eager to test his strength against mine. I saw this as an opportunity to put an end to the ambushes once and for all. These bastards had seriously messed with me the moment they tried to kill my sister, Lyria.

"You think you can stop me, sun boy?" he taunted. "If your sister feels lonely, I'll make sure your whole family keeps her company."

My blood boiled at his words. "Don't mess with me!" I snapped back, fire igniting in my hands.

I stood facing the God of Torture and his lackeys, feeling the heat of my own power simmering just beneath my skin. The audacity of these guys, thinking they could ambush an innocent girl and get away with it.

"Hey! Ever seen a supernova?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.

"Huh?" The God of Torture smirked, but his expression faltered as I clapped my fists together. A massive fire shockwave erupted from my hands, engulfing everything in its path. The intense heat and force knocked the God of Torture and his subordinates off their feet, leaving them scorched and defeated on the ground.

Elysia's eyes widened in awe, her mouth slightly open. I could see the admiration in her gaze, but before I could bask in it, I noticed the devastation around me. Several houses lay in ruins, charred and smoking.

Damn it, not again.

My heart sank as I realized the extent of the destruction. I turned to Elysia, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Sorry about that," I said, scratching the back of my head. "Sometimes, I get a little carried away."

Elysia smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "It's... impressive, to say the least," she said, her voice gentle.

I glanced around at the wreckage, trying to think of a way to fix it. But for now, I had to focus on the task at hand. I stepped over the fallen bodies of the God of Torture and his minions, making sure they were out cold. I'd deal with them later.

"Let's get you to safety," I said, extending my hand to Elysia. "You shouldn't have to deal with scum like them."

I glanced back at the fallen figures of the God of Torture and his henchmen, feeling a mix of triumph and resignation. "This probably won't stop Acheron from continuing," I muttered to myself, more to process the situation than anything else.

Elysia, walking beside me, heard my words and stopped in her tracks. "What do you mean, 'leave it at that'?" Her voice held a mixture of surprise and disapproval.

I turned to face her, meeting her gaze head-on. "Look, I know Acheron," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady. "He's an idiot, and above all else is not going to give up that easily. But right now, you're safe, and that's what matters."

Elysia frowned, her expression softening into something more contemplative. "That doesn't mean we should just ignore the problem," she said firmly. "If Acheron and his followers are causing harm, we have to do something about it."

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I get it, okay? But this isn't something that can be solved in one day," I replied, frustration creeping into my voice. "I have to plan my moves carefully."

Elysia folded her arms, her demeanor unwavering. "And what if someone else gets hurt while you're 'planning'?" she challenged, her eyes narrowing slightly.

I felt a pang of guilt. She was right, of course. My impulsiveness had caused enough damage already. "I'll... think of something," I said finally, knowing I couldn't argue with her logic.

"Good," Elysia said, her tone softening a bit. "Because as gods, we have a responsibility to protect those who can't protect themselves."

I nodded, silently acknowledging her point. Despite our differences, Elysia's dedication to her ideals was something I couldn't help but respect.

"Elysia, I appreciate your intentions, but this isn't your fight," I said firmly, shaking my head. "Acheron and I have history. It's personal."

Elysia looked at me with concern, her brow furrowed. "Orion, you don't have to face him alone," she insisted, her voice gentle but determined. "Together, we can find a way to stop him without resorting to violence."

Working together?! I just met you! I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I've tried reasoning with him before," I admitted reluctantly. "He's not the type to listen."

"But maybe he'll listen to reason if we approach him differently," Elysia countered, her eyes pleading. "We can't just ignore the problem and hope it goes away."

I hesitated, torn between my desire to protect Elysia and my need to settle the score with Acheron. "It's risky," I warned her, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation. "He's not just going to stop because we ask nicely."

Elysia placed a hand on my arm, her touch gentle yet firm. "Then we'll find another way," she said softly. "But we have to try."

I looked into her eyes, seeing the determination and compassion shining through. Maybe she was right. Maybe there was a way to handle this without resorting to my usual methods.

"Okay," I relented, nodding slightly. "But we do this my way. No unnecessary risks."

Elysia smiled, a glimmer of relief crossing her features. "Deal," she agreed, her voice filled with quiet resolve.

Orion shifted the conversation away from Acheron, turning to Elysia with a question. "So, you're heading to SOTW too?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Elysia nodded with a small smile. "Yes, I am. It's my first day," she replied, her voice soft yet filled with anticipation.

"I've seen you around Astralium," Orion admitted casually. "You're pretty hard to miss."

Elysia chuckled softly. "I tend to wander," she admitted, her eyes curious as she looked at Orion. "What about you? Are you starting today as well?"

"Yeah," Orion replied with a nod. "I've been meaning to enroll for a while now. Thought it was about time."

"It'll be nice to have another familiar face there," Elysia remarked warmly.

Orion smirked. "Familiar, huh? You haven't seen anything yet."

Elysia raised an eyebrow playfully. "Is that a challenge?"

Orion shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe. You'll have to find out. Oh! Right. Name's-"

{Elysia's PoV)

I barely had time to register the sun god's presence before I turned my attention back to the injured god lying on the ground. "Orion, help me with him," I urged, my voice steady despite the urgency in my heart.

Orion hesitated for a moment, then nodded, his fiery aura dimming as he knelt beside me. Together, we assessed the wounds. Acheron's henchmen had done quite a number on him. His breathing was shallow, and his eyes were fluttering open and closed.

"We need to stabilize him," I said, my hands already moving to channel soothing energy into the injured god. "Can you handle the burns?"

Orion nodded again, more determined this time. He placed his hands over the worst of the burns, his touch surprisingly gentle. I felt the heat radiate from his hands, but it wasn't burning. it was healing. The flames danced over the wounds, knitting the flesh together with precision.

"He should be able to walk soon," Orion muttered, concentrating.

"Good," I replied, focusing my power to ease the god's pain and restore some of his strength. "We need to get him to the god hospital. They can take it from there."

Minutes passed, feeling like hours, but finally, the god's breathing steadied, and his eyes opened fully. He looked between us, confused but grateful.

"Can you stand?" I asked gently.

With our support, he managed to sit up, then shakily get to his feet. "I... I think so," he whispered.

"Lean on us," Orion said, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it. "We'll get you to safety."

As we guided him toward the god hospital, I glanced at Orion. "If i could i would say this a thousand times in repeat. Thank you, so much" I said softly. "For coming to help."

Orion shrugged, his usual bravado returning. "Couldn't let Acheron and his goons have all the fun, could I?"

I smiled, appreciating his attempt at lightening the mood. But deep down, I knew there was more to Orion than his tough exterior. And in that moment, I was glad to have him by my side.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally reached the god hospital. The injured god was leaning heavily on Orion, his steps slow and unsteady. We had spent a significant amount of time just getting him stable enough to move, and every minute felt like an hour.

Inside the hospital, a team of div

ine healers immediately took over, guiding the god to a recovery room. Orion and I stood back, watching as they expertly began to treat his wounds. I let out a sigh of relief, feeling the tension slowly leave my body.

"Glad that's over," Orion muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah," I agreed, glancing at him. "We did well. It's just frustrating that it took so long. Gods can heal each other with their principles, but when it comes to humans, only specific principles can help."

Orion nodded. "Yeah, it's a pain. But at least he's going to be okay."

I smiled softly. "Thanks to you. You were a big help."

Orion scoffed, though I could see a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Don't go soft on me now, Moonlight."

"Huh?" I rolled my eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Let's get out of here. We could both use a break."

{Orion's PoV)

I watched as Elysia fell silent, clearly pondering my comment. It was better this way. No need to drag her into my old rivalry with Lyra.

Elysia Seemed like a good kid, always looking out for others, even if it meant putting herself in danger. I had to admit, she had guts. But I couldn't let her know too much about my past. Some things were better left buried.

As we walked, I kept an eye on her. She seemed lost in thought, probably worrying about the attack. "Hey," I said, breaking the silence. "Don't beat yourself up about today. You did great."

She looked up at me, surprise flickering in her eyes before she smiled. "Thanks, Orion. I couldn't have done it without you."

'She knows me? Well... i guess i Shouldn't be surprised.' I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it. I'm not always gonna be around to save the day."

Elysia laughed, the sound lightening the mood. "I'll keep that in mind."

We continued walking, the weight of the day slowly lifting. As much as I didn't want to admit it, working with Elysia wasn't so bad. Maybe, just maybe, we could make a good team.

As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that Elysia was still pondering something. I glanced over at her, trying to read her expression. "How did you know my name?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Elysia looked up, a slight smile on her lips. "I've heard of you through rumors," she admitted. "All kinds of rumors, actually. Most of them bad."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And what do these rumors say about me?"

She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "They say you're violent, foul-mouthed, and always looking for a fight. But I felt it was unfair to judge you based on rumors. I kind of wanted to meet you in the SOTW to draw my own conclusion." Figures. If anything meaningful actually came from the mouth of the guys that want me dead, I'll just be shocked. I can't even blame Lyra for this. I did this to myself.

I couldn't help but be surprised by her honesty. "And what conclusion did you come to?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.

Elysia smiled, her eyes meeting mine. "I think you're a nice boy, Orion."

Her words caught me off guard, and I felt a warmth spread through me thanks to my fire principle. It happens a lot of times for some reason. Still not really sure why... "Thanks," I said, my voice softer than I intended. "That's not something i hear a lot. I appreciate that."

She nodded, her smile widening. "You're welcome."

As we continued walking, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude toward Elysia. Despite everything she'd heard, she had taken the time to get to know me, to see me for who I really was. Yup. My impression about her was correct.

As we walked, Elysia turned to me, a thoughtful look on her face. "You know, I wouldn't mind going with you to school today," she said softly. "I don't have many friends, and... well, I trust you."

Her words took me by surprise, and I felt a strange mix of pride and concern. "Thanks, Elysia. I'd like that, but..." I glanced at the sky, realizing how much time we had lost. "We're probably late already. Shit."

"MOVEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

Before I could say more, a sudden commotion caught our attention. A girl was yelling and running past us, her frantic pace catching Elysia's cape.

"Huh?- A-?! AHHHHHHH!"

In an instant, Elysia was pulled off balance and fell to the ground.

"Hey!" I shouted, reaching out to help her up. The girl didn't seem to notice, her focus elsewhere as she continued running.

"Elysia!"

Elysia looked up at me, a bit dazed but otherwise okay. "I'm fine," she said, brushing off her clothes. "I wonder What was that about?"

As the girl disappeared into the distance, anger flared up inside me. "Hey, watch where you're going dipshit!" I yelled, my voice echoing down the street.

To my surprise, the girl skidded to a halt and turned back, her face flushed with embarrassment. She quickly approached us, her hands clasped together in a gesture of apology. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

Elysia, now back on her feet, brushed off her cape and gave the girl a reassuring smile. "It's okay. What's your name?"

The girl took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "My name is Selene. I was just... I got distracted at the celestial market and now I'm running late for SOTW." Wait, she got distracted at a marked? The most uninteresting place here is not counting the library. How stupid could you possibly...Be!?

I narrowed my eyes, still irritated but trying to calm down. "You should be more careful next time. You almost hurt someone."

Selene nodded vigorously, her eyes wide with guilt. "I know, I know. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to. It's just... I'm really late, and I can't afford to miss any more classes."

Elysia glanced at me, then back at Selene. "We understand. We're headed to SOTW too. Let's go together." That was quick. Elysia seems like the type of person who adapts easily to any type of situation. In this she is already better than me.

I sighed, the last remnants of my anger fading. "Fine. Let's get moving. We don't have time to waste. Come on, stupid let's run."

"Don't call me stupid!" The girl retorted angrily at me. Only to suddenly start sobbing to heroself. "*Sob* This sucks... *Sob* Why does this curse keep following me!?"

We started running towards the school, our pace quickening as we realized just how late we were. Selene kept glancing back at us, an anxious look on her face.

"I'm definitely going to get hit with a barrage of lectures from my mom," she groaned. "Which means I'll lose hours of sleep."

I glanced at her, dumbfounded. "Sleep? Why do you even need to sleep? Gods can recover their energy just fine without it."

Selene looked at me as if I had just said the most ridiculous thing in the world. "Cuz it's fun," she replied with a grin. Okay. That earlier was just me being a smartass, but now i'm genuinely starting to think this girl is an idiot.

Elysia burst into laughter beside me, and I couldn't help but chuckle too. "Okay, fair point i guess," I signed shaking my head.

As Elysia, Orion, and Selene hurried towards the school gates, Elysia's ethereal cape fluttered behind her, occasionally catching on the uneven ground. They were making good time, but the urgency in Orion's steps kept her focused.

"Come on, we can't be late!" Orion's voice was stern but carried a hint of concern.

Just as they approached the entrance, Elysia's foot caught on her cape, and she felt herself pitching forward. A small yelp escaped her lips as she braced for impact, but instead of hitting the ground, she felt a strong hand grasp her arm, steadying her.

Orion's grip was firm yet gentle. "Careful," he said, his voice softening. "You don't want to hurt yourself."

Elysia looked up, her heart skipping a beat. There was something comforting about the way he had caught her, a sense of safety she hadn't anticipated. "Thank you, Orion," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Orion simply nodded, releasing her once she was steady on her feet. "Let's keep going. We don't have much time."

As they continued towards the school, Elysia found herself glancing at Orion more often, her thoughts swirling with confusion and curiosity. She couldn't quite understand the fluttering in her chest or why his simple act of kindness had affected her so deeply. For now, she pushed those feelings aside, focusing on the task at hand.

As we sprinted towards the imposing gates of SOTW, a sudden, ephemeral sound echoed through the air. it was the unmistakable chime of the school bell.

"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath. "Great, now we're definitely late."

Selene glanced at me nervously, her expression guilty. "Sorry, guys. I guess I slowed you down."

Elysia smiled reassuringly. "It's okay, Selene. We'll just have to explain what happened."

We reached the gates just as they were closing, but the security guard recognized us and let us in with a knowing smile. "Running late?" he teased.

I grunted in response, my cheeks reddening slightly as my principle activates. Once inside, we hurried through the corridors, ignoring the curious stares from other students.

"We need to get to our classrooms," Elysia said, her voice urgent.

As we rushed through the corridors, the school bell's echo still resonating in my ears, we finally reached the central courtyard. There, waiting for us, was a girl about our age, her eyes behind a pair of round glasses sparkling with intelligence.

"Hey, you guys must be the new arrivals," she said brightly, her voice tinged with curiosity. "I'm Sophia, the goddess of knowledge. Welcome to SOTW."

I exchanged a glance with Elysia and Selene, both equally surprised by Sophia's presence. "Uh...Nice to meet you..." I managed to say, trying to catch my breath.

Sophia smiled warmly, her demeanor friendly yet hinting at a deeper understanding. "You're late for your first day, though," she added with a playful grin.

Before any of us could respond, a loud bell rang, signaling the end of the first period. Sophia glanced at the clock, then back at us. "Looks like you'll have to figure out where to go next. Don't worry, I'll see you around."

With that enigmatic statement, she turned and disappeared into the crowd of students, leaving us standing there, bewildered yet intrigued.