Chapter 610 461 What's the Matter?

Orion first noticed the sound, and then something else, hundreds of voices calling his name.

These sounds intertwined together, as if they came from distant time and space, traveling through countless years and dust, and finally converged in his ears. They sang glorious ballads and long and passionate epics, and their voices came like a torrent, delicate and full of emotion, and every note seemed to tell a dusty past.

These ballads and epics describe Orion's glorious and majestic past in detail, and every detail is so vivid that it seems to be reappearing before your eyes. He saw himself standing in the center of the battlefield, wielding the shining spear of Kunos, leading countless loyal warriors to charge into the battle heroically. He saw himself at a grand banquet, toasting and drinking with the Aslay nobles from all over the world, and the laughter filled the place under the oak tree of the era.

Orion felt the glory and splendor of the past, and every moment rekindled the forgotten passion and pride deep in his heart. These voices brought endless nostalgia and admiration, pulling him back to those glorious times and awakening the long-silent memories deep in his heart.

Orion smiled in the darkness.

As the syllables of worship caressed the disembodied limbs, Orion felt them begin to solidify and grow. Those syllables seemed to have life force, penetrating the void and giving him a new form. Broad muscles spread across his chest and back, and power poured into his body like a torrent, and every inch of his skin was awakened.

He sighed happily, feeling the regained strength. The tendons wrapped around his body like ivy, gradually becoming tougher and stronger. His spine stretched and grew, making a crunching sound like old tree bark. But it seemed extremely harmonious and sweet to his ears.

He felt a crackling force on his scalp, and then hard, shooting horns slid out from under his skin, growing into broad, tangled antlers. The antlers spiral above his head like ancient tree roots, giving him an air of primal majesty. The antlers symbolize his deep connection with nature. He is the king of this forest and this land!

For a long time, which seemed like centuries, he was immersed in the joy of this new sense, which was so intoxicating that he could not extricate himself. He stretched and flexed his limbs, feeling every joint and every muscle. His new life brought an unprecedented sense of satisfaction, and every move he made was full of power and wildness.

For Orion, this is not only the reshaping of the body, but also the rebirth of the soul.

Orion suddenly remembered another name: Sefian. The name penetrated his consciousness like a bolt of lightning, bringing with it a trace of long-lost memory and indescribable shame. Orion's happiness disappeared in this moment, replaced by a kind of confusion and anger. The name hinted at his weakness and suggested that he might not be suitable to rule.

As his face gradually became fixed, Orion opened his mouth and let out a challenging roar. The sound echoed through the forest like thunder, shaking everything around it. The trees trembled in this roar, and the bark continued to crack, as if nature was responding to his anger. The chorus hesitated under this sudden roar, and the music stopped abruptly, but his roar became more intense.

"I will show you my power! I will prove me! I will prove that your choice is right! I! I am the king! The master of the will! All existence must surrender under my feet!"

Orion roared, his voice filled with unbridled rage and determination, angrily protesting and declaring war on his unknown accusers. His newly formed body trembled with anger, every new muscle was tense in this anger, and every nerve burned like fire. His eyes sparkled with a beastly light, demonstrating his unyielding will and thirst for power.

At this moment, Orion is no longer the glorified king, but a warrior filled with rage and strength, ready to demonstrate his true power to anyone who dares question him. His roar was not only a response to the outside world, but also a strong resistance to the weakness deep in his heart. He wanted to prove himself and show the world his unrivaled power and unshakable dominance.

"I will teach you to kneel down! Surrender!"

Orion's roar echoed like thunder through the forest, his rage escalating. The sound of trees cracking merged with another sound. At first, he thought it was his own roar, but soon he realized it was the sound of hounds, dozens of which had joined the wild din. It was a ferocious, hungry sound that made his heart beat faster.

"Orion."

A voice came to his ears, soft and powerful, like the breeze blowing, and like the whisper of the deep sea, managing to drown out the noise he made in the darkness. He turned his head, and when he saw those eyes, his snarl paused, then stopped entirely. Those are a pair of gentle eyes, deep and full of power, able to understand everything. There was endless wisdom and ancient majesty in his eyes, making him feel his anger receding like a tide.

The shape next to Orion is brilliant, a beautiful elf girl. Every step she takes brings about vibrant changes. Wherever she passes, flowers, plants and trees bloom one after another, and everything revives. The divine aura is as gentle as the spring breeze, revitalizing all creatures she passes by and making the entire forest glow with new life.

She displays a solemn and majestic form, almost twice as tall as an ordinary elf, and her huge body is like a huge guardian. The huge wings on the back shimmered like a giant moth, and every time the wings flapped gently, it brought a burst of mysterious air. Tentacles sprouted from her head, like antennas between elves and nature, sensing every change in the forest. She is clad in shimmering green scales that sparkle like gems in the light, reflecting a mysterious light.

"Elsa."

Orion winced and closed his eyes, blinded by the light. He growled in a low voice, his voice full of awe and pain. He could not look directly at the light, which was a combination of pure energy and divine power that was beyond mortal understanding.

"The forest is us, we are the forest, you have nothing to prove."

A soft voice appeared in Orion's ears again, with infinite wisdom and tranquility in the voice. As if coming from the depths of the earth, with the eternal truth, his heart gradually calmed down. He felt a deep sense of belonging, as if he was so connected to everything in the forest that he didn't need to prove himself through strength or rage.

"Ariel."

Orion took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and faced the brilliant light. Meeting the eyes even briefly was enough to send his mind back to the past, to Ariel, his queen. In an instant, he saw the centuries they had spent together, he saw a passion born of innocent youth. Their love so intoxicates them that they embark on an adventure that neither understands what it will mean. As he took Ariel's familiar, warm hand, he remembered the true weight of the crown.

Ariel's immortality is tied to the forest, and if he cannot protect Ariel, if he is unable to enforce Ariel's rule, Ariel will die.

Orion's anger returned as he felt his heart begin to race. When he opened his mouth to roar, Ariel silenced him with a soft, lingering kiss. The kiss was warm and powerful, bringing him back from the brink of rage, and his rage dissipated in Ariel's tenderness, turning into a deep calm and determination.

For a moment Orion struggled, torn between the desire to love and the call for the hound, and then he held Ariel in his arms and lost himself in a new kind of ecstasy. Ariel's breath and touch were like the warm spring breeze, soothing the scars in his heart. He felt a deep connection between them, a love that transcended time and space, which made him feel extremely fulfilled and happy.

Orion forgot everything beyond the darkness and Ariel, but eventually, as their passion faded, he realized that the sounds outside had returned, multiplied. Now hundreds of people are singing in unison, their voices as wild as spring. Those voices are full of the power of life and infinite hope, and nature is reborn in their songs.

He knew what waited beyond the darkness, and his new flesh trembled with anticipation. He is old and new, like a crying puppy and a wrinkled old woman. He had lived for thousands of years, and he was about to be born for the first time. This feeling was both strange and familiar, filling him with fear and anticipation. He took a deep breath and felt the breath of life in the air. He knew that a new challenge was waiting for him.

Under Ariel's gaze, Orion felt more powerful than ever, and a new determination ignited in his heart. As the chorus rose to a crescendo, he felt Ariel take his hand, guiding him forward.

At first, Orion and Ariel walked on the sky.

Orion looked down and saw his hooves, treading softly through the universe, comets and planets folding behind them, the light of the stars twinkling around them as he danced with Ariel in the sky, cheering their steps. Then he felt the ground beneath his hooves, a soft, pungent-smelling carpet of rotten leaves, weighed down by his weight and dripping with mud. This familiar scent of the earth made him feel a strange comfort.

As the walk began, Orion saw light pouring in through a hole in the void, a vast portal, allowing the morning sun to wash over him, bathing his body with warmth and light. This feeling was completely new, and he sighed contentedly, turning his head to look at his lover beside him. As the darkness faded, he saw his queen unfolding an uncanny beauty, a warm, flesh-and-blood body and shimmering nothingness.

Ariel is naked, but her hair surrounds her in a confusing mesh of gold and silver, making it impossible to see her true form. The hair was like a flowing river of stars, surrounding her and protecting her sanctity.

Orion noticed the two tall shapes rising from Ariel's shoulder blades and realized they were a pair of flying tawny hawkmoth wings. The wings trembled slightly, emitting a mysterious brilliance that perfectly blended with Ariel's image. Feeling his gaze, Ariel gave him a shy smile and nodded toward the archway in front of them.

Orion followed Ariel's gaze and saw the figure passing through the bright light and framed by the arch. He felt a rush of urgency and hurried forward. Ariel smiled softly, holding his hand, and as they stumbled out of the light, it felt like they were waking up from a dream and entering a whole new world.

The music stopped and silence fell, but soon Ariel's laughter broke the silence. The laughter was crisp and warm, like spring water flowing, with infinite hope and joy.

Orion blinked and was dazzled by a crimson sunrise. He snorted in confusion and raised his hands in front of his face, trying to block the dazzling light. As his eyes adjusted to the light, his vision became clearer.

He saw that he was standing on a wide lawn, in the center of a circular clearing, surrounded by huge era oak trees. The dawn light shines on the lawn through the gaps between the branches, and the warm light pours in like flowing water, covering the hundreds of nobles standing on the lawn. The nobles of the forest were scattered around the clearing, standing around rows of fragrant firewood. The flames were unattended, but they burned quietly as the noble ones looked up to the summoned beings.

Orion understood Ariel's laughter.

These Asrai nobles were afraid, and every face turned pale and bloodless due to fear. They were dressed in their most beautiful spring clothes, lemon-colored gowns and skirts that swayed like new leaves. Their long hair is braided with bluebells, swaying gently in the breeze, and they wear wooden crowns on their heads. These crowns sparkle at sunrise, as if to welcome the arrival of dawn.

Although the Asrai nobles were well-dressed and neatly dressed, their expressions showed the fear and uneasiness in their hearts. They looked like trembling vermin forced into a corner by hounds, with no way to escape.

Orion began to laugh, glad that his voice was a deep and powerful growl, which made the Asrais cringe even more. Some Aslay even fell to their knees, while others avoided his gaze. His laughter was like thunder in the forest, shocking every Aslay present.

He looked down at himself as his body trembled with the pleasure of being alive, and as he saw the change in himself, he forgot the memory of being torn apart as Sefian. His body seemed to be carved from the tallest and oldest oak tree in the forest. His body is broad and powerful, ending in large, wrinkled hooves. His chest was covered in thick, angular muscle, and his entire body was covered in a beautiful lichen green color.

When he turned his head, he saw him and Ariel walking out of an oak tree that was much taller than the others. The shape of the tree was difficult to define and seemed to disappear from his eyes, as if Oak trees don't exactly like the physical world. He knew what he was looking at, and suddenly he felt the glory and power brought by new life. He let go of Ariel's hand, raised his fist and roared into the fading winter light.

Orion's laughter was full of strength and confidence, as if it was the call of the entire forest, announcing his return, and his new power of life made him feel fearless. As his roar echoed through the forest, the firewood swayed and danced, and a sudden strong breeze sent several Asrai staggering to their knees. The roar grew louder and louder, and he realized that he didn't want it to stop, that he wanted to bring the world to its knees with an endless howl. He felt his heart beat with a nameless, delicious rage as the forest filled with his noise.

"The first flower of spring...ah...primrose, where is the spring, where is the spring..." Darkus, who was riding on the back of the big guy, sighed as he looked at the flowers on the roadside, and followed him Going crazy, the big guy stopped. While restless, his nostrils began to sniff the surrounding air. Just when he wanted to ask the big guy what happened, he heard a noise coming from far away. He frowned and cursed, "What's going on? Who's talking?"

"Oline is reborn." Liv, who was following Darkus, said cautiously.

"Did he make this sound? His throat needs treatment. I know an expert in this field, and I will recommend it to him when the time comes."

Facing Darkus's nonsensical words, Liv said nothing more, but shook her head slightly.

——

"listen."

Voices came one after another in his mind. The voices were no more than whispers, but they penetrated Orion's roar and made him stop. Recognizing the gentle tone, he stopped shouting and turned to see Ariel still smiling at him.

"They're welcoming us."

After Orion nodded, he looked at Aslay who was still dancing there. The name of Aslay suddenly appeared in his mind, and the memories belonging to Sefian flooded into his mind. He saw Sefian The blood stains on Fian's face. He felt that this Aslay was someone he didn't like, some kind of artist, and his exaggerated, fancy movements were beginning to annoy him.

“We beseech you, our most sacred Kunos and Aisha, that you see our fidelity, you see the longing in our souls, you see the joy of our welcome, you see the blessing in our gifts. We beseech you, whatever Mortal or divine, you must think that we are worthy..."

Vetier's dance ceremony is still going on. He holds the blooming flowers and the burning incense burner in his hands, dedicating his heart and blessings to Kunos and Elsa. His dance steps are flying like a strong wind, every time Every action is full of piety and sacred power, and also contains awe of nature and love of life. His singing voice is loud and passionate, resounding through the sky, full of vitality and movement of life, conveying respect for the gods and hoping to receive divine blessings.

The elegant and wild movements seemed ridiculous and exaggerated to Orion. He was now certain that the exaggerated performer in front of him was none other than Vetier, who had once refused him to join the neighboring war dancers. His thoughts went back to the beginning, when there were no complicated rituals, no disgusting war dancers with messy hair, and everything was so simple.

"How did we get here?" Orion suddenly turned around and asked, with a confused expression on his face.

"You always say that." Ariel chuckled softly.

Orion frowned and looked at the other nobles. Except for the war dancers, many Asrai had retreated to the far end of the open space, but more of them were frightened by his howling and collapsed on the ground. Under his gaze, those Aslay who had fallen on the ground stood up tremblingly and slowly moved towards the king. He realized that many faces were familiar to him, looking back at him from the past and present, loyal subjects from countless years, loyal subjects under his endless rule.

Orion saw an old Spellweaver. Although his eyes were blinded by time, Spellweaver was one of the few who did not leave the fire. He realized that it was because Spellweaver's vision had disappeared.

"Night Owl" Zoya, Orion was shocked because he remembered that in his memory, Zoya used to be a clear and bright beauty. He walked toward Zoya, the early morning light passing through him as if he were an image on a canvas rather than an entity made of flesh and bone. He has a vague and unrealistic feeling about Zoya? Admiration? Nostalgic? He looked at Zhuo Ya in front of him, feeling so miserable and haggard. The vague sadness forced him to look elsewhere. He remembered that this familiar and unfamiliar memory came from the past, not the present.

On the other side of the clearing, Orion saw another familiar face, a strong warrior with a broad and red chest, and a thick bronze necklace coiled around the warrior's biceps. The necklace is cleverly made in the shape of an eagle's wing, sweeping up from the warrior's arm, but most striking is the ceremonial tattoo on the warrior's face: deep, circular grooves surrounding the warrior's eyes, adding to the The fierce appearance of a warrior.

"Araloth!" roared Orion, recalling the memory of last year's battle on the battlefield.

After Araloth bowed his head in greeting, Orion moved again. There was a familiar face not far away. He remembered Athel Loren's oldest warrior, "Hookblade" Seonlan. Seonlan was wearing a light yellow robe, the edges of which were outlined with complex copper wires, and he had a strange expression on his face. While others were either staring at the ground in horror or staring at him anxiously, Seonlan looked at him with a complicated look.

Orion took a step forward, causing several Asrai nobles to gasp and retreat hurriedly. He planned to summon Theon Lan to his side, but another familiar face caught his attention, and he smiled when he realized it was Artomis. It seemed ridiculous that he'd been so scared of the horned knight lately?

Arthomis looked at his master with awe and pride in his eyes.

"Where's Dais?" Orion glanced at the Aslay nobles in the open space again, and he found that some familiar presences were missing.

"Lord Dais is forging a weapon for the future king that can affect the entire world!" A Val priest with an eyepatch and a haggard face that could be blown down by the wind at any time stood up and said loudly. His voice echoed in the open space, like a thunder, shaking all the elves present.

Priest Vaal's words shocked all the elves present. A whisper quickly spread among the crowd, and every face was filled with doubts. Some stared wide-eyed, unable to believe their ears, while others exchanged glances nervously, as if looking for some kind of confirmation.

"What nonsense are you talking about? The entire forest is the embodiment of my will! I don't need any weapons!" An angry expression quickly appeared on Orion's face, his eyes were burning with anger, and his body was shaking with anger. He took a step forward and strode towards Priest Val, his voice roaring like thunder.

The Vaal priest showed no fear in the face of Orion's wrath. He did not flinch or kneel down. The blind eyes behind the mask met Orion's gaze firmly.

"The fate of the forest is in my hands, not some forged object. I don't need any weapon of fate to decide the future! I will continue to protect this forest. No matter what challenges there are in the future, I will face them head-on!" Ryan was irritated by the performance of Priest Vaal. He clenched his fists and his eyes were as sharp as blades.

However, Priest Vaal still maintained his original posture in the face of Orion's power. He was only responsible for delivering the message. And he noticed something from Orion's words. Orion didn't seem to realize that he was talking about the future king, not the current king.

"You will become stronger, and by midsummer, by the time of the great rendezvous, you will be a stronger being. You will return here and begin the great, eternal hunt, when not even the forest can stop you. "Ariel's words came to Orion's mind again.

Orion was soothed by Ariel's words. He closed his eyes and let out a long, low sigh of contentment, imagining the glory ahead.

Just as Kerillian was concentrating on eating melon, an owl landed silently beside her. After a moment, she seemed to notice something and turned her head to look at the owl. Her eyes widened the moment she saw the owl, and an expression of disbelief appeared on her face. When she looked at the owl, the owl's eyes were also looking directly at her, which surprised her. As a watcher, she did not catch the existence of the owl. What shocked her even more was that the owl actually found her hiding in the shadows.

"Don't be nervous." The owl did not make an owl cry, but spoke the Elsalin language, and then it changed under Kerillian's gaze. The owl's feathers seemed to melt away, revealing an elf in a white robe. His robe flickered in the light of the morning sun, as if emitting a faint glow. The robe was embroidered with the emblem of Hoeth, symbolizing wisdom and knowledge.

The elf's face showed a friendly expression, and his gentle eyes revealed wisdom and tranquility. His hair was silver, as smooth as silver silk under the moonlight, falling on his shoulders. His long face was delicate, and his noble features were like a carved work of art, with every detail flawless. His eyes were deep and bright, like two stars, and when he looked at Kerillian, he showed endless love and understanding.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Salir. I know who you are, Kerillian from the Gray Hall." Salir said with a smile, his voice was like a gentle breeze blowing through the leaves, with a hint of warmth and comfort.

"You are not Asrai!" Kerillian stared at Salir, frowning slightly, confusion and vigilance intertwined.

"Yes, I am not Asrai. I am Asur? Ainir? Of course, it doesn't matter to me." Salir smiled and nodded, with a hint of mischief in his eyes. He stood there, with an upright figure, his robe fluttering gently in the wind, and his every move revealed elegance and calmness, giving Kerillian a sense of unfathomable depth.

"Why are you here? Wait..." Kerillian remained alert, but she soon realized something. The illusion she saw not long ago kept flashing in her mind. She seemed to see the shadow of Hoss in Salir? Just like the Lord of Des had the shadow of Val. The legend of Des has been circulating in the Asrai. The Asrai said that Des, like Orion and Ariel, was the incarnation of the gods, and there was also the mysterious existence of the Flowing Water Palace.

"Things have changed, which is why I came here. Of course, there is still some time now, so I came here to sit down. Sorry to bother you." Salir's words were full of sincerity and determination. Then he sat down and pointed to the wild fruit between him and Kerillian with an inquiring look.

Kerillian did not ask some relatively presumptuous questions, but suppressed the doubts in her heart and nodded.

Salir smiled slightly and picked up an Avelin fruit with an elegant movement. His manners revealed an innate aristocratic temperament, his fingers were slender and dexterous, and his movements were calm and unhurried. He gently wiped the peel, then took a careful bite, as if tasting a fine work of art.

His eyes swept across the surrounding environment from time to time, his expression peaceful and focused. When he finished eating a wild fruit, he gently put down the core, turned his eyes to the open space not far away, and looked at the outermost Asur delegation. His eyes became deep and thoughtful, as if he was thinking about something important, as if he was making some important decision.

"Here he comes."

Soon after, Salir raised his head and whispered to the distance. His eyes became firm and focused, as if he was watching a fateful moment that was about to come, and he had already made a decision.

Kerillian followed Salir's gaze, but she saw nothing, only the unchanging forest. Just when she was confused and wanted to ask something, Salir stood up, exuding an aura of majesty and power.

"Get ready, Kerillian, we are about to face a turning point in our destiny. The future of the forest and even the world depends on this move." Salir's voice was low and powerful. (End of this chapter)