Born From a Forbidden Union, Humanity hates me.

There was an element of mystique in that voice.

Like a spell, it wrapped everyone in a sense of tranquility no one ever felt before.

Orion closed his eyes, and let the voice intrude into his mind.

During that moment, the room fell into complete silence.

Dramia and Drania kept their gazes on Orion, as they understood the reason this happened.

'She's way too exhausted to have a proper conversation. These two might be our best chance in saving her.'

Drania looked at her sister, which seemed to be in deeper thoughts.

Waiting for Orion to open his eyes, she looked at the tree.

'Don't mess it up, Tiohr.'

~

'So nostalgic. It's been a while since I've been able to enter my own thoughts like this.'

Orion opened his eyes, finding himself in a place that didn't look like the inside of his mind.

'Where am I?'

Surrounding him was greenery as far as the eye could see.

In the middle of the plain, a gigantic tree stood tall and alone. It looked frail, ready to wither at any moment.

He felt a call from the tree, which made him move closer to it.

'...'

Once in front of it, he felt the need to touch the trunk, which he did by placing his palm gently on it.

After waiting a couple of seconds, he realized.

"I see, you are the one who spoke earlier."

"Indeed, I took the liberty of contacting you this way, since I am unable to do it for long presently."

The tree's trunk opened gradually, and the body of a woman began to emerge from inside.

This woman's body was merged with the tree, with everything below her navel inside it. Her arms up to her shoulders were swallowed by the trunk.

"I am the fairy Tree of Life, Tiohr-nam, the first and last entity able to create a faction as of far as I am aware."

In immense shock, which seemed to happen frequently since the beginning of the day, Orion began to process what he had heard.

"Is this your true form? Or is it something else?"

He stared at the aged woman, who looked forty in Orion's eyes.

Her hair was a leafy green, similar to the Queens he met previously, though hers was clearly bleached, as a fair majority of it past the tip was white.

She wore a dress similar to the Queens, making him unable to see many details on her body. Yet, he still noticed black spots on her shoulders and her neck.

Tiohr-nam answered his question.

"It is but only a medium of my true self. What easier way to converse equally than this?"

He nodded, as he could understand. Talking to a tree, even one with an ego, could make anyone take a step back.

What is unusual will always be disturbing for the common people.

"You said something about being able to create a faction, what did you mean by that? I have a guess, but I'm still somewhat unsure."

"I could answer you, but first I have a few hints for you instead. I, or my first incarnation, gave the fairies the ability 'Intuitive Reading'."

"They can read a person's characteristics, the faction they belong to, their titles, their history, and many fascinating details."

"I already know who you are, and I already know why you came here."

With a frown, Orion tensed up.

"You know why I came seeking the fairy faction? I was sure I never spoke about my goal to anyone, even to Amelia."

Orion made a serious face, he wasn't keen on having his objectives being displayed for everyone to see.

"Fret not, I am the only one able to see this many specifics. What you are looking for is in my possession, but as you can see, I became much too weak to do anything."

Tiohr-nam, The fairy Tree of Life, closed her eyes and slumped in exhaustion.

"I am the only one knowing about this, and it is not too difficult to understand why you would come looking for such an item."

When she opened her eyes, she shared personal information that made Orion relax.

"He was indeed the strongest at that time. Managing to retrieve such an important item was close to impossible, but I still retrieved it."

"So you're the one who protected it?"

"Indeed, as you stated. This, in return, caused me many grievances. It is part of why I am in this state."

Many pieces of the puzzle moved in places inside his mind. The whole picture began to form, as he came closer to the truth.

"You are a Remnant, aren't you? This was unexpected..."

Tiohr-nam opened her eyes wide in astonishment.

"You are one terrifying person. Easily finding my true nature over a few bits of knowledge."

With all the remaining strength she had in her, she proudly lifted herself from her tired posture, and stared at Orion proudly.

"I am the Remnant of Protection, the one that shoulder the life of my creations, and protect what is important to others."

Orion smiled in satisfaction.

"Seeing you here, I understand that even though you never received your parents' affection, you still cherish them, and for that, you came to this realm."

He touched the bracelet on his wrist, with a sorrowful smile.

"I will give you what you want, but for that, I would implore for your help."

"I had anticipated it the moment you saw through me. Tell me what you expect me to do."

"It is no simple task, so let me explain everything."

~

After a few minutes, Orion opened his eyes.

"Are you really asking me this? Do you believe in my skills that much that you wish to send me to the pit of death?"

Everyone looked at Orion as if he had lost his mind. What was he saying now?

But he received an answer, to Dramia and Drania's surprise.

"Yes, I believe in you. You are not alone, either. Two brave souls are waiting for you nearby, one of them being next to you."

"I'm not bringing Amelia into this damned hole! There are matters that I will not consent to."

"The choice is yours... but do not make any mistake... if I draw my last breath, your wish will not be fulfilled. I am exhausted..."

"Good luck, Orion."

"..."

Tiohr-nam fell into a deep slumber.

A long sigh escaped his mouth, as he looked at the tree.

"I guess there's no other way. Rest well..."

He looked at the Queens.

"I have come to grasp why you needed me to come fast, and I understand the situation. You have it rough."

"Yes, it is difficult indeed, as we have our back against the wall. We cannot blame anyone, either, as it was her wish to begin with."

Drania, the energetic queen, shrugged. It all led to Dramia giving the last push to Orion.

"Since you are here for a precious item that is the cause of all our trouble, are you going to help us?"

Another sigh escaped Orion' mouth. He was exhausted, and this situation wasn't helping in the slightest.

"Do I have a choice anymore? Of course, I will help. But don't expect me to give my life for it. There are many things I still have to do before drawing my last breath."

Only now, Amelia realized that he might have been led once again to do a dangerous mission.

"Orion, I'm coming wi-"

She wasn't able to finish her sentence.

"No! I refuse. I need to see if I am ready first. Once I am, I will check your capabilities personally."

He turned away, his back facing her.

"I'll explain later what I was asked to do. You'll understand why I don't want you with me."

She was speechless. This was the first time he obstinately refused to take her with him.

"Don't be too hard on her, she has nothing to do with the task, but she might be more useful than you think she is."

Anger took over Orion when he heard Dramia talk. His difficulty containing his emotions backfired on him, and led to the loss of control over his words.

"Do you think I refused to have her follow me because she is not strong enough?"

"Perhaps you think I treat my allies like meat shields? I refuse to take her with me because I am not sure to even come back alive from that place!"

Orion glared at her with unbridled anger, which made her recoil in fear.

Realizing she might have been inconsiderate towards him, Dramia looked down. Once again, a fairy underestimated Orion.

In a single day, two members of the same faction managed to anger Orion. Quite the achievement.

The other twin, Drania, walked to Orion and poked at his face.

"Don't get angry at Dramia! She wasn't treating her like a tool, alright?"

"There's no reason for us to send you to your death, but having more help could improve your chances of survival, am I wrong?"

He looked at the fairy he shouted at, which was on the edge of crying, doing her best not too.

Before he could say anything else, Amelia moved past Orion, and hugged Dramia.

Seeing this, all his anger left, and only an apologetic look showed on his face.

"I am sorry, I went too far. There have been too many events in a single day, and I am now on edge after listening to your story."

Drania, which was being hugged, nodded, as her sister wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes.

"I heard from Tiohr-nam that she could not withstand the damages much longer, so I would ask for a room to rest and prepare."

Breaking the tense mood, Orion spoke with a soft voice to avoid making the same mistake again.

Dramia, which recovered from the shock of being yelled at, nodded, before answering him.

"We will give you whatever you need. Furthermore, I apologize for my rude remark earlier, I couldn't have anticipated that you treasured this young woman so much."

Orion simply nodded, and thanked her, leaving the matter to rest.

"Thank you, we are in your care."

Orion slightly bowed, and left the room with Amelia, who stopped hugging Drania. Leaded by Motirion to their rooms inside the mansion, they finally were able to rest.

~

"Sis, are you alright?"

"I am, I just saw something when he got angry. Something I wish I never saw again."

"What do you mean..."

Dramia shook her head slowly with her eyes closed.

"B-But he died ages ago! He hasn't shown any signs of knowing us, either!"

The two stared at each other for a few seconds, before Dramia rectified her thoughts.

"The problem seems to be that his power is rising exceptionally fast, and he might lose control of it at some point."

"It might be the same as before, the same as when Noah lost control and perished."

"Sis, we have to prevent this. Another case like his shouldn't be avoided at all cost!"

A serious frown on her face, Drania stared at her sister.

"You know we can't do anything. The day it happens, no one can do anything. Only his fate will decide of his path."

Silence fell in the room, as they recalled their past.