Chapter 18 The Condition

"So, you want to take me to the upper area?" Orion sat on the steps in front of the orphanage, the cold wind blowing, making his clothes flutter.

A woman named Cocolia was sitting next to him. She calmly tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at Orion with a determined tone. "Of course.

Someone as talented as you shouldn't stay in the underworld. If I had known about you earlier, I would have brought you to the upper area sooner."

Orion played with his hair and said casually, "Let's not talk about whether you can actually do that. If we go to the upper area, what happens to the people in the lower area?"

"You don't need to worry about that. The people in the underworld aren't helpless. Even though things are tough in the upper area, I have no plans to abandon the lower area," Cocolia replied confidently, as if she had everything under control.

"You might be able to fool the people in the underworld, but I've been deep into the Fragmentum," Orion's eyes narrowed.

He didn't like how she acted like she had everything figured out. Earlier, she seemed desperate, like she had found a lifeline.

"The erosion of the rift hasn't slowed down, and things in the underworld are worse than you think."

"I know," Cocolia said, staring at Orion. "But if you don't go to the upper area, the people in the underworld will never get the help they need."

"Why should I go to the upper area first? Do you think the people in the upper and lower areas are different?"

Cocolia paused. "Stop arguing. I've already told you that if the upper area falls, the people in the lower area won't have the resources they need, and Belobog will cease to exist."

"Then let me ask you," Orion said seriously. "If the underworld stops supplying energy, who will power the weapons, equipment, and heating in the upper area?"

"Of course I know that." Cocolia gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. "But this won't solve the rift's erosion. That's why I want you to help. With your abilities..."

Orion shook his head. "My power can only be used for emergencies. It's not permanent. Even if I seal it now, it will break free eventually."

"Then we can't just ignore it!" Cocolia's voice rose, and she slammed her hands on the railing in front of her, leaving a dent, showing how strong she was.

"I don't care!" Orion shot back. He hated being pressured like this. Sure, he wanted to help Belobog, but he wasn't going to let this spoiled lady push him around.

"Let me explain the situation. First," Orion held up one finger. "This was my first attempt to seal the rift. I haven't done this before.

"Second, Belobog is huge. The seal I used before was just for a small town. I can't stop the entire rift in Belobog, let alone this planet! If we let it keep spreading, the rift will take over everything."

"Third, the rift is just a symptom of the planet's bigger problems. To really fix things for good."

Orion stopped talking when he saw a familiar face approaching.

"Natasha?"

Cocolia followed Orion's gaze and saw a gray-haired woman with a tired look quietly walking up the stairs. It seemed she had been listening for a while.

Cocolia's expression sharpened. Orion's ability to seal the rift was a secret to her. If Natasha had heard it, she'd at least need to sign a confidentiality agreement, if not more.

"She's the owner of this orphanage," Orion waved his hand to block Cocolia's view.

He thought Natalie had just arrived. Orion had actually used gravity to keep their conversation private, ensuring no one could eavesdrop. From Natasha's reaction, it seemed that had worked. Instead of focusing on Orion, she noticed the person next to him.

Natasha gathered herself, walked quickly up the stairs, and reached out to Cocolia. "Hi, I'm Natasha. As Orion mentioned, I run this orphanage and have taken in several homeless children."

Cocolia looked Natasha up and down before slowly shaking her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Natasha. I've heard about the good work you do here, and I really admire how you take care of the children. Not many people in the lower areas do that," Cocolia said kindly. Her voice softened when she mentioned the kids.

They shook hands briefly and then stepped back, a quiet tension hanging in the air.

"I'm going to check on the children," Natasha said, sensing that Cocolia and Orion had more to discuss. She gave Orion a quick glance and wisely left.

Orion and Cocolia looked at each other, knowing they both had more to say, but now wasn't the right time.

Cocolia saw Orion as her only hope. She was determined to take him to the upper area, no matter what.

Orion, however, knew that his main priority was finding the stellaron on the planet. He didn't know where it was, but he guessed it was buried somewhere in the lower area. Going to the upper area would only waste time.

He needed to move quickly.

The rift he had sealed earlier had slowed down the threat to Rivet Town for now, but time was still of the essence.

"If we don't fix this, there's no future for this planet," Orion thought. He realized that finding the stellaron as fast as possible was his top priority, but he could only do so much on his own.

Even though he couldn't be sure if more rifts would appear in the lower area while he was gone, he had to take the risk.

He decided to bet that the lower area would stay safe from new rifts until he could solve the stellaron problem.

At least he hoped so.

Orion could still feel the gravitational force he had used earlier. He could use it a few more times if needed.

Orion looked straight at Cocolia. "I'll go to the upper area with you, but I have one condition."

Cocolia, looking pleased, glanced toward the orphanage as Orion spoke.