Cries of anguish

Simultaneously, beyond the ancient facility, a colossal flock of crows materialized in the sky. Black feathers obscured the heavens, their arrival a macabre manifestation akin to the gathering of a dark storm.

They encircled the sky just above the old structure. Their raucous cries reverberated through the air, resonating through the desolate chasms of towering mountains. Their crowing screeches rang aloud as if carrying an ominous proclamation of impending death.

The cacophony reached the depths of the battleground within the facility, a testament to the intruder's disruptive path. But caring not for such cries, Orion continued to stare at the severed head, adorned with twisted horns – a macabre sight of pure death.

In the next instant, Lisa emerged from the billowing smoke, her figure a testament to the fierce fight she had been through. She leaned on her cracked sword, her left hand severed from the elbow, a big chunk of her left torso missing, as if gnawed away by some wild beast. The same side of her face bore the scars of a fiery encounter, completely charred, still burning with dark flames.

Despite the grievous wounds she bore, Lisa pressed onward, her willpower propelling her forward as she dragged her injured leg.

Drawing near the ethereal barrier, Lisa gently pressed her palm against it, her gaze now locked onto Orion with tenderness that transcended the horrors surrounding them. Even as the specter of her impending demise loomed, a soft smile graced her face as soon as her eyes beheld Orion.

In that fleeting moment, a flood of memories surged through Lisa's mind – the vivid image of Orion as a helpless baby, the sheer joy that radiated from his face upon mastering new magic, the bemused expressions he wore when she playfully treated him as a child, time when she forcefully taught him, how to play flute and the endearing irritation he displayed when she tousled his hair.

At the reminiscent of countless cherished moments passed through her mind, Lisa couldn't help but smile even more.

Orion, on the other side, was broken from inside as he beheld Lisa's grievous condition. A transformation swept over Orion. The roiling storm of anger that had enveloped him moments ago dissipated like smoke on the wind.

He longed to avert his gaze, to spare himself the agony of witnessing his sister's suffering and impending demise, but he remained resolute. Turning away was the act of a weakling, a feeble attempt to evade the stark reality that only cowards do.

Orion wore a broken expression. His eyes were wet with unshed tears, his jaw shaking, but he still looked at her, even if it felt like his soul was tearing apart. He refused to look away. He would stay strong to assure his sister, so she could finally rest.

Rest, without worrying about him.

Putting up a strong front made him look even more miserable to Lisa, but despite such miserable expressions, yet, at the sight of him not averting his gaze from her, the smile on Lisa's face only became more assured. She looked at him with even more caring eyes, capturing his face to mark it in her memory for one last time.

Orion knew he couldn't do anything. From the day he had held the sword in his hand, he had always found a way to his challenges, to any problem that came his way. But right now, when it matters the most, he could only watch... he had never felt like this, never so helpless.

He saw his sister's lips moving, "I'm sorry," she said, her strengthless words only came out as a whisper, but he heard them clearly.

With those haunting words, she leaned heavily against the barrier, allowing her sword to slip away from her grasp, clattering to the ground before she slowly descended herself.

A stark trail of blood stained the barrier, marking her path as she slid down. Her final moments were spent gazing intently at Orion, a gentle smile adorning her face, even after her body became completely lifeless.

The moment she fell, Orion started to shout, but no one was there to hear him. "Sorry... what are you sorry for? You are doing this again, giving all your burdens to me. Why did you have to die for me, this is not fair." His shouting became mumbling midway, finally turning into silent sobbing.

Now that he had no one to reassure, he didn't have to put up a strong front anymore. He was alone... completely and utterly alone. So he cried, as loudly as he could.

But soon, the cry of anguish had taken a form of rage, and he began to rain punches on the barrier again, punching the ground, letting all his rage out by storming around in violence.

"Boom! boom! boom!" Once again, The thunderous echoing of his wild strikes reverberated throughout the desolate surroundings, a stark reflection of Orion's relentless mind itself.

But rampage can only help so far. After over an hour of unbridled and violent fury, when every ounce of strength had been depleted, his rage subsided. His body bore the visible marks of his relentless assault – injuries marred his arms, and his entire form ached with every slight movement. Yet, the physical pain was a welcomed distraction from the searing emotional torment that consumed him.

Completely drained and spent, Orion found a spot near the barrier, and collapsed to the ground. His knees drawn tightly to his chest, his hands wrapped around his legs as he rested his chin upon them, his gaze now fixed on the lifeless figure of Lisa.

A poignant moment of anguish and contemplation, where the world had crumbled around him, leaving him to grapple with the enormity of what had just transpired.