Chapter 85: Orion (2)

Janna's form began to shimmer as an exhausted expression settled over her. "I'm sorry, but I cannot stay in this mortal plane any longer."

Her physical form dissipated into a gray mist, not even reforming into the bird. Words drifted into Orion's ears through the gentle breeze. "It requires much for me to descend as I have, but I felt this was necessary for all that you have done."

"Thank you," Orion said gratefully.

She had saved him from losing himself to Tahm Kench, he knew that much. But perhaps she had also prevented the Void from taking over in that moment. There was no guarantee that Tahm could have contained it.

"Can you help me with this Void magic inside of me?" Orion asked. "As you said, I've contained it, but it feels like a Pandora's Box."

"I do not know of this 'Pandora's Box' you speak of, but I understand the meaning behind it," Janna replied, her voice carried by the wind, tinged with remorse. "Unfortunately, you have several misconceptions about the Void."

"It is not magic. It simply unmakes everything it touches, including the Arcane magic of Runeterra," she explained. "Destroying that which destroys and unmakes is like trying to dry spilled water by adding more water."

"Ah," Orion mused, realization settling in. "And that's why my ability to suppress it for so long is so strange. But you're saying there's nothing I can do besides contain it?"

"For now." Janna's voice carried a note of resignation. "I do not possess the power to remove it anymore. And you have seen a future- somehow- that shows Piltover's destruction in more ways than one."

"There is only one other mortal I know of who has used Arcane energy to contradict reality and warp in and out of this universe, but I have been unable to confront him or seek his guidance."

Orion frowned, processing her words. Only two people came to mind when it came to moving across universes—well, three.

Jayce, Viktor, and Ekko.

But of them, Jayce knew little, and Ekko was simply a time traveler across dimensions. That left Viktor, with his desire to save everyone after Piltover's destruction in his universe.

Exhaling, Orion breathed a small sigh of relief. 'At the very least, this reality isn't the one Viktor travels out of to save other realities... I think?'

'Does Viktor's alternate self even know I exist? Am I a constant in all universes or just this one?' he thought before refocusing on Janna, who interrupted his train of thought.

"Without enough worshippers, I can only help you with the necklace now resting upon your neck."

His gaze lowered to the chain he had only just realized was there, feeling the strange energy radiating from it. The design was feminine yet distinctively unique. Two bright blue feathers crossed over a symbol of swirling wind engraved into a circular metal trinket.

"What does it do?"

"It will help suppress the Void's influence when you fight and when negative emotions flare. But in return, I must ask you to refrain from seeking revenge on Greyson."

"What?!" Orion's gaze snapped up, and Isha groaned in protest. "She imprisoned me for six years!"

"I understand the pain you carry, Orion," Janna spoke softly yet firmly. "But you must not let your emotions control you. She did what she believed was best. If you let anger dictate your actions now, you will only prove her right and put many others at risk."

"If you go through with it, not even my wards can protect you. And I will be forced to let the Ascended intervene."

"Great. Just great!" Orion snapped, his voice rising despite Janna's whispering echo of, "Please control your anger."

He listed his issues off like he was actually reading a list.

"Can't take revenge. Got a time bomb inside me. And there's an apocalypse looming- maybe even a second if I lose-" He cut himself off, forcing a deep breath as his own words sank in. "Alright. I get it."

The gentle breeze lingered in the room, but Janna remained silent as Orion fought his inner battle. Eventually, he exhaled again, regaining control.

"If you, a Spirit Goddess, can't do anything, then there are few who can. All of them are risky, and none of them likely have good intentions for me. And removing the Void would be just as dangerous as keeping it, right?"

"Yes," Janna answered. "The Ascended would either destroy you or try to mold you into a weapon."

"Right, but I can't do nothing. This Void energy is eating away at me," Orion muttered, his mind racing. "But you can suppress the Gray toxins poisoning the Undercity, you've hidden my presence from the Celestials, and you scared Tahm Kench off."

"The malevolent spirit fled only because he did not know my powers were stretched thin."

Orion turned his head, expecting to meet her eyes- only to see nothing but mist.

"Not everyone in Piltover believes you exist. Some think you're just folklore. But if I somehow increased your number of believers, would you be able to overpower the Ascended and rip the Void out of me?"

"It is possible," Janna admitted. "It has been ages, but few Ascended could rival me at my peak. However, the population here would not be enough to restore me to such a level."

"But," she hesitated, "it may be enough for me to extract the Void energy from your body. I do not know if I would succeed. And to attempt it, I would need to remove the barriers shielding you."

"The moment you do that, the Ascended and others will come after me," Orion finished for her. "And fighting them would be..."

"A poor choice given your current abilities," Janna confirmed. "I can help you attune to your latent spiritual energy, which may strengthen your control over elemental Arcane magic, but Celestial magic..."

She sighed, her voice a soft whisper in the air. "I do not possess the knowledge to guide you in that path."

"That's fine," Orion said, feeling more at ease as their conversation progressed. "Does this mean you're willing to help me?"

"Yes," Janna replied. "And in return, I ask only two things."

"Don't antagonize the Void energy, and increase your number of worshippers."

"If you do this, I will guide you in mastering your magic and together, we will find a way to free you from the Void's grasp."

Orion sighed, leaning back against the bedframe as Janna's voice faded and the gray mist dissipated. Their conversation had come to an end.

For a moment, he closed his eyes, trying to absorb everything until he was suddenly shaken violently.

His eyes shot open, meeting Isha's wide, excited gaze. She made numerous sounds, somewhere between amazement and disbelief.

"You little sneak! You were awake this whole time?!"

Isha grinned and shook him even more violently, nodding like an overly excited bunny.

"NN!"