2 - Ashes of Dawn

The dead of the night was split open by a cacophony that dragged Orion from his sleep. His eyes snapped open, a confused frown creasing his forehead as he tried to discern the distant sounds echoing through the corridors of Seraphim Manor. He sat up, his dark brown hair standing on end in a wild, sleep-mussed mess, his heart pounding an erratic tattoo against his ribs. Something was wrong.

He swung his legs over the edge of his bed, bare feet hitting the cold stone floor as he shot up. The pajamas he wore felt inappropriate for the sense of dread growing in his stomach. Hastily, he tugged on a pair of trousers and threw a shirt over his head. His fingers shook as he buttoned it, the adrenaline that had jerked him awake now coursing through his veins in a hot rush.

"Keep it together, Orion," he muttered to himself, grabbing a jacket from the back of a chair.

His room was a sanctuary of silence amidst the growing disturbance outside. The soft light from the dying fire in the hearth cast long, dancing shadows around the room, making the familiar feel alien and dangerous. As he moved towards the door, the clamor outside grew louder, punctuated by shouts and the distinct clang of metal against metal.

Something was very wrong. Orion could feel it in his bones. His hand hovered over the doorknob, a cold bead of sweat trickling down his spine. He swallowed, his throat dry. Whatever was happening outside, he was about to throw himself right into it. His grip tightened on the doorknob, determination settling in his chest.

He pulled the door open, and stepped into the chaos.

Orion's eyes went wide as he took in the scene before him. Men dressed in dark clothing bearing the emblem of the Aurelian Thanar flooded the halls of the Manor, their faces hidden behind masks of shadow and malevolence. Each of them held weapons that gleamed under the manor's lights, and as Orion watched, one of them brutally brought the hilt of a sword down on a servant who had tried to resist.

His heart thundered in his chest, a primal fear coiling in his gut as he realized these men were here to kill them.

"Look at these spoilt Nobilis," sneered one of the intruders, his eyes darting around the grandeur of the Manor with open disdain. "Bet they whip their Infernus workers for fun, don't they?"

"That's not true!" The voice cut through the commotion, fierce and resonant. Diana. His sister stood tall, her beautiful face etched with defiance. "We treat everyone with respect and kindness."

In response, the intruder laughed, a cold, cruel sound. Then, quick as a viper, he lashed out, backhanding Diana brutally across her face. The force of the hit sent her sprawling to the floor.

"Diana!" Orion cried out, rushing towards his sister.

His defiance was rewarded with a harsh kick to his gut. He crumpled to the floor, his breath whooshing out of him as pain exploded through his abdomen. As he gasped for breath, his vision blurring, the last thing he saw was the intruder looming over him, a smirk etched on his face.

"This is just the beginning, boy," he sneered.

Orion, young and vulnerable yet brimming with defiance, refused to bow down to the intruder's vile demands.

“I know there’s another young girl here, tell me where she is, boy!" The man's harsh whisper echoed in the grand hallway, but Orion stayed silent. He remembered his father's words: "Our silence can be louder than words. Use it wisely, Orion."

The man's impatience was palpable. The intruder grabbed the out of the scabbard on his side and moved to swing it at Orion. Orion knew this may be the end of his life, but didn't waver. He would die to protect his family, if need be. His determination remained unbroken, even in the face of such peril.

Suddenly, a strange sensation swept over him. Orion heard a strange voice booming inside his mind, official in its tonality. The words imprinted in his consciousness: “Bravery Check: Passed. Phoenix Flame System Compatibility Confirmed. Orion, do you accept the destiny of the Sage of the Eternal Phoenix, and all the burdens that come with it?”

Confused by the flat tone of the voice, Orion yelled out, “What? Who is this? What about the Eternal Phoenix?” Even at his tender age, Orion was an learned scholar, and had heard the old legend of the Sage of the Eternal Phoenix. But this seemed like something out of a dark fairy tale.

The intruder, equally confused, yelled back at him, “What the hell are you talking about, boy? Don’t start spouting religious crap. Tell me where the young girl is, my men are hungry!”

The voice in Orion’s head continued, “Orion, you have entered a Death Route. System Defense Mode Pending. Do you accept the Curse of the Sage, or would you rather your life end now? Chance of death without the System’s protection is 100%. But many prefer death to the life of the Sage.”

Orion cried out, “I… I don’t want to die!”

The voice in his head became even more grave and officious, “The response was in the affirmative. Consent for Phoenix Annihilation will activate in 5 seconds if Orion does not refuse. 5… 4…”

Orion’s mind was nearly blank. He faced so many emotions at once, but he knew one thing: he wanted to live.

The intruder became even more impatient, “Don’t act like you’re going crazy on me now, kid. Look, just tell me where your sister is. My scouts already know she’s around your age. I promise I won’t kill you, just tell me!”

The voice completed the count down with gravity, “2… 1…”

He didn't understand what it meant. Yet the sensation was followed by a searing pain on the palm of his right hand, like a branding iron had been pressed against his skin. He winced, but could not make a sound. Looking down, a symbol glowed in stark contrast against his fair skin--a phoenix, rising from the ashes.

Orion's heart pounded against his ribcage. He didn't understand what was happening, but he was certain of one thing: his life was about to change irrevocably.

In the blink of an eye, Orion's life was consumed by flames. The message in his mind echoed ominously, “Death Route present. Phoenix Annihilation Activated." He could neither comprehend it nor act against it, as he was just a spectator to the terrifying spectacle.

An agonizing heat wrapped around him, his body involuntarily tensing in anticipation of the pain. But instead of the expected torment, he felt a wave of calm wash over him, like a phoenix basking in the warmth of its own fiery rebirth.

Around him, chaos reigned. The intruders, once threatening, were now scrambling, their screams piercing the night as they tried in vain to escape the conflagration. The mighty Seraphim Manor, once a beacon of nobility and grandeur, was now being devoured by an ethereal blaze, its glorious architecture reduced to ashes.

His heart constricted at the screams of his family, their cries of distress echoing in his ears, a chilling symphony of despair. The flames reflected in his wide, horrified eyes, the beautiful and terrifying display of fire illuminating the unfathomable depth of sorrow in his gaze.

The night was ablaze, the once tranquil estate now a roaring inferno. As the flames danced higher and brighter, Orion was left on a note of chaos and despair. His former home had become a horrifying image of flames consuming everything that Orion held dear.