Instead, he was regarded as just another ordinary warrior, albeit with a high standing within the Village, enabling him to forge a good life for his family and partners. Unlike before, Orion didn't embark on an expedition this time, leaving that opportunity to Tala.
Apart from his persistent warrior training, he indulged in debauchery even within the strongholds, where life was good and beautiful.
Then, one day, they learnt that Village Chieftess was unable to use her gift to foresee the Village's future, which sparked an argument to burn down the entire dead forest, given the rampant growth of the Four-star Vylkr vines. With only two warriors—the stronghold leaders—able to fight against them, the decision was made to burn the dead forest.
This action led to the emergence of the Vylkr veil phenomenon. Before they could halt its progress, it was too late. The Village and everyone within it were ravaged to their deaths by the Vylkr vine variants. There were no survivors.
The scene shifted once more, reverting to the evaluation awakening ceremony where Orion stepped forward, placing his hand on the Crystal orb.
Two bright stars shimmered within it.
"Two-star potential!" announced the man holding the crystal orb.
Although Aerialia was stunned by the unexpected turn of events, a sudden revelation emerged in her mind. She had just witnessed scenes of events that had never transpired emerging within Orion's consciousness. Each time he died, not only did his star potential decrease, but his influence within the Village also diminished. Everything he had participated in was handed over to another individual while he continued living the rest of his life until a calamity struck or something led to his death.
"That bastard!" Aerialia gritted her teeth in anger as everything became more apparent and made sense.
Without giving Orion time to take another step forward, Aerialia lunged forward, her fist connecting with his face.
The punch flung Orion backwards and landed on the ground with a resonating "Bam!" The scene around them immediately shattered and reconstructed itself.
Although they were still within the Village Chief's compound this time, the others had vanished.
As Orion attempted to get back on his feet, his face filled with confusion, Aerialia appeared beside him and sent another punch toward his face.
Orion shot backwards, his consciousness trembling as he broke through one of the Village Chief's huts, collapsing the entire structure.
As she was about to soar toward him again, she begrudgingly held herself back, remembering why she had come here in the first place. If she mistakenly caused the collapse of his consciousness, there would be no way to get Orion back.
"STAND UP!" Aerialia screamed at the top of her lungs.
Orion gradually stood up from the broken pile of the collapsed hut and looked at her, his expression still filled with confusion.
"It's good that you finally have your eyes on me so you can tell me yourself, what is this?" Aerialia asked, her expression stern.
Orion attempted to speak but quickly sealed his mouth and shifted his attention to the other side.
"Oh, you don't want to talk? Okay, I'll tell you my assumptions, and you can correct me if I'm wrong," Aerialia snapped, her voice laced with disdain.
"Your deepest desire is to rectify everything that has led to your miserable encounters. You think you've hidden it well, but I've seen everything. Every moment of pain, every instance where your freedom was stripped away, buried among fleeting memories. But that's not the whole story, is it? To chase this illusion of happiness, you abandon your responsibilities, forsaking your partners and leaving them to their fates, all in the name of a stress-free, debauched life. You're willing to sacrifice anyone and anything for your so-called perfect life."
"Have you not learned anything from Aegis of the Arctic Deity?!" Aerialia's voice thundered through Orion's consciousness, her eyes fixed on him. "His sacrifices and struggles were all for the sake of cherishing what he values the most. And yet, here you are, forsaking those who depended on you, ready to cast aside everything and everyone for the illusion of a perfect life. Do you truly believe you can find happiness in selfishness and cowardice?! ANSWER ME!"
If she were an ordinary mortal, it would have taken her more time to fully understand what she witnessed, but she wasn't. She was a goddess who had seen the highs and lows of life, making it easy for her to grasp the meaning behind Orion's consciousness quickly.
Orion's eyes cleared as he looked at Aerialia and heard her speak. He wanted to respond yet found himself unable to counter her words effectively.
"Right now, I can't help but hate you more than you know,"Aerialia said, her voice tinged with emotion. "I thought you were the perfect one for Aurora, but I was wrong because even she wasn't spared. In your search to avoid pain and stress and enjoy a life of freedom and debauchery, you've been teetering on the edge of your consciousness, wondering which fabricated event of the past would bring you the most fulfilment before your own life extinguishes."
As she spoke, Aerialia's eyes grew red, a wave of sadness hitting her like when she discovered her children's extinction. She spread her wings wide, gradually levitating off the ground, and suddenly appeared before him.
Orion flinched, stepping back before he halted as Aerialia pulled him into her arms.
Aerialia enveloped Orion in her arms, his body pressed against her tall figure. "Please, Orion... I beg you to reconsider,"she whispered, her voice softening with tenderness, pleading, and affection.
"I've witnessed your life, and I promise you it's not as bad as you think. The struggles and pain have shaped you and made you stronger. Your partners, children, key leaders, and the Orion's Cities are all there because of you. Everyone is waiting for your arrival. Do you want to let them down and show them that all this time, your feelings and words towards them were fake?"