Chapter 24: Set in Stone

"You could never hurt me," he said in a calm voice, 'Let's see what this accursed skill is' he thought, and he activated the omniscience of Sothis.

'Now it all makes sense' he thought.

"Name: Iwamaki Miu, height: 5'6 ft, age: 14, Class: mage, skill: Unique," the voice said, 'Wow, she has a unique skill, how is that possible?' he asked shocked.

"Users possess the ability to petrify any that they gaze upon, but it only works on living things" the voice replied.

'Amazing, that is one crazy skill!' he thought, amazed by her skill, 'Umm, hey, those her skill have any effect on me?' he asked the voice.

"Negative, user ability those not have any effect on you" the voice replied, 'but how is that possible? I thought you said she can petrify all living things' he asked.

"You are being protected by the grace of the Gods" the voice replied, 'I guess that explains a lot' he thought.

"Mui" he called her name, surprising her, "Look at me," he said, and hesitantly, she did, looking at his eyes, her big ruby red eyes meeting his sky blue.

"You have beautiful eyes, don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise," he said as he comforted her.

"Do you mean that?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied, "Now tell me about yourself, but first" he paused, picking her up, which surprised her.

"Food and rest, you need both," he said, and he took off.

She was already exhausted from her day, so she wasn't really paying any attention to where they were heading.

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Once they arrived at Shiro's new mansion (it was Freyr who insisted on it, calling his old place a rat pit), Thyra was waiting for him inside.

"Good evening, my lord" she greeted her husband, the two of them had really started to hit things off, and it was going very well.

"Thyra, get ready a bath to clean her up and some food too" Orion instructed, kissing her on her cheek as he handed her over. For those of you wondering how this love affection is happening, Shiro was more confident as Orion than himself, as he still stuttered and acted shy around her, she had come to love both sides of him.

"Oh, Shiro dear, your home" his mother greeted as she entered from the kitchen, "Dinner is almost ready" She was looking happier than usual, plus, slightly thinner.

"Thanks, Mom," he changed back and hugged her tight, "Did something happen" Himari asked, worried for her son.

"I'm just tired" Shiro pulled away from her, sounding as so.

"Well, why don't we make you something to eat and you can go to sleep" Himari caressed his hair.

"Can't, not yet, I need to help that girl first" Shiro replied, transforming back into Orion, which towered over her, as he was about to leave, she held his hand, "Shiro, I worry for you, you go out there every day, you barely eat or sleep, I know you said you don't have to, but" she said, looking worried.

*Sigh* "Please, take care of yourself" she added.

Taking off his hood, he held her and kissed her forehead "Mother, don't you worry, I have you, Thyra, and the other deities supporting me, even Sentinel, if there's even something I can't handle, I'll back away, I know I can be reckless and suicidal in my actions, but I am careful, ok" he hugged her and she melted into it.

In the last two months of him being Orion, he had turned into a great hero, and he could make anyone feel better.

"Thank you" Himari replied, not wanting to pull away, but knew it would be weird otherwise.

"Well, you better get to work hero, and save that girl" his mother teased.

"I will Mom, that is my job, after all, to save everyone" he responded as he went into his study room.

"Now, power of Seshat, grant me access to the house of wisdom," he said, and immediately he found different knowledge and information around him.

"Tell me everything there is to know about Iwamaki Miu" he stated, it brought out several bearing that name, and Shiro pointed at her, "This one," he said, it was a girl with light pink long hair, slight fang teeth and an average figure.

"Name: Iwamaki Miu, age: 14, birthday: April 14th, height: 5'6, class: mage, skill: ultimate. Family: Isie Iwamaki (father), Asuna Iwamaki (mother), Miwa Iwamaki (sister), hobbies: fashion" the voice said.

"Back story: Miu was a girl who lived in a simple suburban household, her father was a computer engineer, and her mother was a teacher, one night at the age of eight, her skill manifested early, she looked at her little sister and she turned to stone, in fear, she screamed for her parent" the voice added.

Orion was watching the whole ordeal like a movie and was taken by grief and sadness.

"Her parent showed up and she looked at them, also turning them to stone, her mother was petrified mid-sprint, which caused her statue to fall and smash, overwhelmed by the trauma, she cried, when the neighbors arrived, all they saw was the statue remains of her family, as she had fled in fear of petrifying them as well, she spent the last 6 years roaming about, only at night, to avoid people, in search of food, she came across a bunch of thugs, who hoped to abuse her, in fear, she activated her skill, turning them into stone, and smash their hands to escape their grip, two heroes arrived at the scene and decided that she was the villain, and went after her. Once they caught up to her, they began to beat her up, and before they could drag her off, you showed up and saved her" the voice explained.

Orion had seen enough; he had been brought to grief by the whole ordeal.

"This girl has been through so much" he whispered to himself.

"Indeed" a female voice said behind him, he turned to see "Guanyin" he said softly.