Orion stepped into the dark, abandoned mansion. The air was cold, and the place smelled of damp wood and age as if it had been untouched for centuries.
It was far better than what it was compared to what it was previously. Orion worked hard to clean the place up as much as he could with his magic, however, that did not bother him that much, he hardly came here and when he did, he directly just went to the man he came here to talk with usually.
"Eric," Orion called, stepping closer to the portrait.
The painted man blinked, his expression weary but alert. "Orion. It's been a while," Eric asked like wondering what suddenly brought this barbaric kid here again?
"What brings you back here?"
Orion didn't waste time. "I need answers. About the Rebirth of Magic. You said something big was coming, something that would change everything, right. Tell me more about it, anything you know."
Eric's eyes narrowed. "Hmm...I told you, the Rebirth is inevitable. The old magic, the deep magic, will awaken soon. It's important to refill the magic in the world so that magic doesn't run out from the world. It's a natural process. I don't why this happens but it's an important and very significant thing which must happen for the continuation of magic in the world." Eric explain.
Orion, just hmph internally he already knew all this, Merlin hammered all this inside him before. What he wanted to know was what exactly gonna happened in the process of the Rebirth of magic, where it gonna happen and how he could protect that magic refinement from being stolen by death.
"Why you are asking, did something happen?" Asked
Orion crossed his arms, his frustration growing. "Well, something has already happened. Morgana Le Fay… she came back to life like some pharaoh out of the coffin. Somehow she is not dead yet, survived all this long. She attacked me, and she's been manipulating things for years. Apparently, she was also after the rebirth of magic."
Eric's painted face showed a flicker of surprise. "Morgana" He rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "That is… troubling. Morgana was tied to the old magic, one of its fiercest wielders. If she's returned, it means the Rebirth is closer than I thought."
"So you knew that she is also after the rebirth of magic ?" Suddenly Orion asked narrowing his eyes to which Eric only ignored masterfully.
Orion leaned in, his voice hard. "I don't have time for cryptic answers. I need to know what's coming. What is this Rebirth? Is it dangerous?" Orion said not explaining that he already have killed that old woman.
Orion frowned. "Forget it, that ain't helping. Rather explain how once can get the power of the guardian and learn this Harmony you were talking about?"
Eric's eyes widened, clearly taken aback by the question. "Harmony?" he repeated, almost in disbelief. "Orion, you're thinking of becoming a Guardian? Do you even know what you're asking for?" Eric asked like the boy has lost it by now.
Orion didn't flinch. "Do you really think that I have so much time to play Knight cosplay, I'm asking about Harmony, that's the only way to stop death right ? or you have some better option ?. If I'm going to be involved in this Rebirth of Magic, I need to learn everything I can. Including Harmony."
Eric shook his head, a mix of surprise and helplessness on his face. "Orion, Harmony isn't something you just learn. Its a power given to the guadians, a special power to suppress even the most powerful magicians. The power of Harmony was lost with me and my master. The only way someone can become a Guardian is if the previous one chooses them, passes on the role. And there are no Guardians left to do that."
Orion remained silent, his gaze steady. He wasn't about to give up so easily.
Eric sighed, clearly seeing that Orion wasn't going to back down. "Fine," he said after a long pause. "If you really want to know what Harmony is… Harmony is the essence of balance in the magical world. It's not just about raw power. It's the ability to bring a state of natural order in the chaos. It's what keeps the magical world in equilibrium. The Guardians were chosen for this very purpose: to maintain that balance, to make sure no force—dark or light—tilted the scales too much."
Orion listened carefully, but his expression remained unreadable. "Okay, now explain using English?"
"Sigh..."
"You can't learn it..."
"Leave that to me, just tell me how it works." Orion replied with clear agitation on his face.
Eric sigh but ultimately nodded slowly. "To inherit Harmony, one must learn at least know how to use one of the major laws. That the first condition and second being that the last Guardian should make you a guardian himself. Technically passing the power to you willingly." Eric said with reluctance.
Orion clenched his fists, clearly unsatisfied with the answer. "There has to be a way," he muttered.
Eric's painted face softened. "Orion, I get it. You want to protect this world, but Harmony isn't something you chase. It's given to those who are chosen for a reason. Guardians weren't just powerful—they were wise. They understood the cost of balance."
"I once knew a bald mad man who wanted balance, didn't work that well for him...
I'm not seeking balance, I right now don't know anyone who can stop that crazy ancient woman. I gotta have to do something right."
Eric sighed, watching him with a mix of respect and worry.
"I understand, but I am afraid that there is no other way... that power has been long lost," Eric said with a little hint of disappointment and self-loathing on him.
Orion didn't reply at this, he couldn't help but clench his hands, helpless.
But then suddenly something came to his mind.
"Hey, tell me when did you died exactly. At which year you were alived ?" Orion suddely asked, something coming to his mind all of the sudden.
xxx
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