Chapter 54: Broken Harmony

"That wasn't-"

"You are meddling in affairs that you don't understand, outsider." Mayyam reproached him "I care for Akali far more than you know, even if you can't see it."

"You're creating one of your 'imbalances'," Orion shot back at her, trying to use their own teachings against her. "At the very least, explaining it might ease her upset. She thinks you care for Faey more than her."

Mayyam glared at him with growing impatience, her expression tightening as her hand rested on her weapon's hilt. "Explaining it would make it worse. You don't understand our ways."

"Nope, I don't." Orion stated flatly, contempt starting to surface. "Everything you are responsible for in this order, I don't understand, honestly."

Sighing and shaking his head, Orion met her cold gaze with his own.

"You tread on thin ground, mocking our ways as we feed and teach you." Mayyam warned, her voice low.

"I'm not mocking anything. I'm questioning it- you. If questioning alone feels like disrespect, then maybe there's a problem?" Orion scowled as he challenged her.

Silence lingered. Mayyam's wrathful gaze breaking her composure as her hands trembled. Slowly, her weapon was being drawn, a bright glint of the scythe reflecting the light.

Orion's fists clenched, teeth gritting as he tucked in his chin. Silent tension crackled between them, and he magic Orion had been struggling to control tempted his mind- begging to be released.

Zzzt!

An orb of electricity crackled and flew between them as Kennen appeared mid-air.

His playful demeanor was gone, replaced by a calm authority suitable for the Heart of the Tempest.

"Enough!" Kennen said, his words firm but not harsh, his blue eyes narrowing on both of them. "We are here to keep balance, not tear it apart."

His arms outstretched between Mayyam and Orion, signaling for them to stop.

Mayyam's nostrils flared, her face contorting with anger as she forcibly restrained herself. A sharp movement shoved her partially drawn weapon back into its place as she took a deep breath.

Kennen turned toward Mayyam first. "Mayyam, I know your intentions are honorable- when are they not? Refusing to explain the storm only makes it rage longer. Akali seeks answers that you should provide."

Flinching, she let out a little 'tsk' sound as she crossed her arms but her body clearly relaxed.

When Kennen's head turned to Orion, his voice still firm but some of the tension was lost. "You speak of imbalance, yet you provoke it. Words have weight here, Orion. You're a guest, not a judge."

Orion felt his anger simmering, not reduced. But he kept his mouth shut, casting his gaze down and silently nodding in false agreement. He liked Kennen- enough to avoid escalating things further. At least, for now.

He had his own way of escalating this.

Sucking in air, Kennen exhaled slowly as he straightend his posture. Snapping his hands together with a sharp crackle of static electricity, his tone shifts to a more upbeat tone breaking the silence.

"Now!" Kennen said with a smirk, gesturing at their hands. "Who's gonna be the bigger person here?"

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//Months later, one full year after Orion's disappearance from Piltover//

Rays of moonlight danced through the foliage where Faey and Orion approached. It was an eerie sight at night- definitely lifeless. A wide circular Dead Zone where no plants or trees grew, just barren, dry soil. Yet, around it, the vibrant bioluminescent flora thrived, casting a surreal glow.

Orion's gaze drifted out to the distant lagoon, where shimmering purple light reflected off the water from the florae lanterns. He'd grown fond of this place, despite the conflicts with Mayyam and a few others who disliked his presence.

Faey hobbled her way into the Dead Zone of spirits and nature, glancing back hesitantly at Orion.

"Are you sure you're ready?"

"Of course!" Orion nodded while smiling gently. "I did say I would help."

Despite her rocky relationship with Akali, Orion couldn't bring himself to hate Faey. Their shared pain made him want to at least try to mend her wound- and Akali's fractured bond with her mother wasn't really her fault.

As Faey unwrapped the cloth around her severed leg, just below the knee, Orion knelt beside her and asked softly, "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"Mayyam hasn't found a way... nor has Kennen and the others," Faey whispered dejectedly. "I've spent my whole life trying keep the balance, but... I want to be selfish for once. I want to walk and run freely again, without being a burden anymore!"

Her gaze held fierce determination as she locked eyes with Orion. It was the look of a girl who wanted her life back- no matter the cost.

Orion nodded grimly, well aware of what may happen and the limited time he had to finish the process before one of the three Kinkou masters arrived.

Placing a hand on her knee, he raised the other above where her missing leg would be when Faey suddenly grabbed his arm.

She was breathing heavily, eyes wide with fear. "Please... Don't fail!"

A single nod. That was all Orion could offer for comfort. He had no words for this because he too was scared to fail.

Orion chuckled softly, voice trembling. "Ah... I suppose I should say goodbye."

"What?"

A brilliant green light erupted from his hands, blinding Faey and forcing her to shield her eyes. Tendrils of green energy spiraled out from his arms, stretching out to the forest beyond.

Her horror mounted as she watched the tendrils make contact with the nearby trees and plants, their vibrant colors draining into lifeless grey.

Bark blackened, leaves withered, and flowers wilted in an instant.

Faey's breathing turned frantic. She tried desperately to free herself, eyes squeezed tight as she struggled to push Orion off and shake loose.

"Orion- stop! This wasn't what was supposed to happen! You're killing- STOP!" Faey screamed, punching at his shoulder but to no avail.

When it was over, Faey was left in tears. She sobbed uncontrollably as the weight of his actions- her request- settled on her.

Slowly, her eyes opened, wide with shock- and dismay. Her breath hitched as she looked down, seeing her leg restored, whole and unblemished.

Her fingers brushed against it, the once missing limb starting to twitch and return to life again.

Yet the sight and feeling brought no joy, only heartache.

"Why..." Faey choked out, tears streaming freely down her face as she stared into Orion's cold, distant gaze. "You knew... You knew what this would do...WHY?! This goes against everything we stand for!"