Volume Two: Chapter One – The Abyss of Shadows
In the depths of a formless void, there existed nothing but an all-consuming darkness. No land to tread upon, no sky to gaze into, only an endless expanse of black that stretched infinitely in all directions. It was a realm devoid of light, where shadows clung to the air like a thick, suffocating fog, pressing against her from every angle. The silence was profound, broken only by the distant echo of her own heartbeat, reverberating in the emptiness like a desperate cry for existence.
In this boundless nothingness, time lost its meaning. Each moment felt eternal, as if the darkness itself was a living entity, ensnaring her mind in a web of despair. There were no landmarks to guide her, no signs of life to offer reassurance. The absence of anything solid or tangible wrapped around her like chains, a reminder of her isolation. It was as if she had been cast adrift into a sea of shadows, with no hope of return.
As she floated in this surreal space, the oppressive weight of the void pressed down on her. It gnawed at her sanity, whispering insidious thoughts that threatened to drown her spirit. Here, even her own thoughts felt muted, drowned in the pervasive gloom. She could sense the darkness seeping into her, attempting to consume her very essence, but she clung to the faintest flicker of resolve within her—a stubborn ember that refused to be snuffed out.
In this realm of eternal night, she began to confront the shadows within herself. Memories flickered like distant stars, momentarily illuminating the darkness around her. Each recollection, each fleeting image, brought forth a wave of emotions that clashed against the overwhelming despair. The darkness was not merely a physical absence; it was a mirror reflecting her fears, regrets, and the weight of her past choices.
Volume Two: Chapter One – The Abyss of Shadows
There was nothing but darkness—no land, no sky, only an endless void stretching in every direction. Lior drifted through this nothingness, caught in a state of half-consciousness. Each moment felt heavy, time itself seeming to dissolve around him. But then, from a corner of the abyss, a flicker of light appeared—a small spark that pierced the overwhelming blackness. Hope surged within him as he moved toward it, desperate to escape this dismal emptiness.
As Lior approached, the spark grew brighter and took shape, revealing the figure of himself, standing tall and regal. In that moment, he felt the echoes of royalty that had defined his first life. "Orpheus!" he called out, his voice filled with longing as he rushed forward and embraced the version of himself from that past. It felt like home, even if only for a fleeting moment.
Orpheus did not deny the embrace, a soft smile playing on his lips. "It's good to see you again, Lior," he replied, warmth emanating from him. Just then, another spark flickered to life, and a more relaxed version of Orpheus emerged, leaning casually against nothing with an easy grin. "Hey, brat! Missed me?" he drawled, exuding a laid-back confidence.
Lior stepped back, his heart racing with confusion. "How many of you are there? This is getting ridiculous!" He turned to the more laid-back Orpheus, feeling a mix of amusement and bewilderment.
Before he could respond, yet another spark ignited, unveiling Orpheus from his third life—elegant and composed, with an air of kindness about him. "Hello," he greeted, offering a gentle nod.
Lior's mind swirled as he took in the sight of all three versions of Orpheus before him, feeling overwhelmed yet comforted. Just then, another spark brightened the void, revealing Orpheus from his fourth life—a moment that changed everything.
As Lior felt an unfamiliar sensation wash over him, he transformed into Aelin. She stepped forward, her heart racing as she gazed at Orpheus, tears shimmering in her eyes. "I'm so sorry!" she whispered, rushing to embrace him tightly.
Orpheus blinked in surprise, caught off guard but not pulling away. "Aelin," he said softly, his expression shifting as he processed her presence.
"I thought I lost you forever," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion as she held him close.
In that moment, the darkness surrounding them seemed to fade slightly, the connection between them illuminating the void as they embraced, a fragile yet powerful bond woven through time and life.
"Okay, I'll call you all by number: first, second, and third," Lior declared, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "But the fourth one is 'Orphie.'"
"Why does he get a nickname?" the second Orpheus asked, crossing his arms in mock annoyance.
"Because he was the most good among you, for me," Lior replied, a teasing sparkle in his eyes.
"But I also let you come out," the second Orpheus protested, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, only when you have a meeting or a situation you can't handle! You always leave the heavy lifting to me," Lior shot back, rolling his eyes.
The first Orpheus watched their banter with a curious expression. "So you're the voice in my head," he mused, scratching his chin. "You've been there all along, and yet I never really knew you."
"Yep, that's me," Lior said, nodding. "Just popping in and out, making things interesting."
The third Orpheus stepped forward, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "You know, I could feel your presence but never understood what it meant until now. It's strange to finally see you."
"Welcome to the club, I guess," Lior replied, shrugging. "I'm just glad to finally meet you guys face to face, even if this isn't exactly the most ideal setting."
"But still, why 'Orphie'?" the second Orpheus pressed, unable to let it go.
"Because he was the best among you, and he has a certain charm that makes me want to hug him," Lior said, glancing fondly at the fourth Orpheus, who stood quietly.
"Seems biased," the first Orpheus remarked, crossing his arms.
"Hey, it's my story, my rules!" Lior laughed. "Now, let's embrace this weird reunion before we figure out how to escape this dark abyss together."
"Escape? We can't do that," Orphie said, his voice heavy with resignation.
"What do you mean?" Lior asked, his heart pounding in his chest, a wave of anxiety washing over him.
"Lior, or Aelin, listen to me. We're all dead," Orphie said, his words like a dagger piercing through the dim light. The others nodded somberly, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the moment.
"What?" Lior's voice trembled, disbelief threatening to unravel him. "That can't be true!"
"Yes, we are just the essence of souls that were left in you," the second Orpheus said, his tone softening, yet it felt like a cold reality settling in Lior's heart.
"Wait, what?!" Lior gasped, his mind racing to comprehend the weight of their words. A swirl of memories flooded his thoughts—glimpses of laughter, of battles fought, of lives lived.
"Yes, I have lived as I promised you, Lior/Aelin," Orphie continued, his eyes filled with an unspoken longing, a bond that transcended their existence.
"Thanks, but what is this all?" Lior asked, his voice wavering, desperation creeping in. "I can't accept this! I don't want it to end like this!"
"This is the last time you are meeting us," the third Orpheus said, his voice carrying an air of finality that sent a chill down Lior's spine.
"But worry not; one Orpheus may also exist in your world," the second Orpheus reassured him, a flicker of hope in his eyes, though it felt like a fragile thread in the midst of a storm.
"But it won't be you," Lior said, his voice breaking, each word tinged with despair. The gravity of the moment weighed heavily on him, threatening to crush his spirit.
"Yes, he won't be us," the third Orpheus said, his voice low and mournful, "and you won't be able to remember us." The words hung in the air like a haunting melody, each syllable echoing the finality of their existence.
"What? Why my memories?" Lior's heart raced, panic clawing at his insides. The thought of losing the fragments of their shared lives, the bonds they had forged, felt like a deep betrayal of the soul. "You can't just vanish like this! I need to remember! I need to hold onto you!"
The second Orpheus stepped forward, his expression pained. "It's not that simple. This existence is just a fleeting moment, a farewell before you embark on your new journey. You'll have to start anew, without the weight of our past—"
"No! I don't want to forget you!" Lior cried, desperation flooding his voice. He felt the darkness around him closing in, threatening to swallow him whole. "You've been a part of me, a part of my strength. How can I face this world without you?"
Tears filled his eyes, blurring the shadows around him. The first Orpheus stepped closer, his gaze steady yet filled with sorrow. "Lior, remember that our essence lives on within you. Though our paths diverge, the impact of our lives will always be with you, shaping who you become."
Lior shook his head vehemently, anguish clawing at his heart. "But I need you! You can't leave me like this!"
"Sometimes, letting go is the only way to move forward," the third Orpheus said softly, his voice a gentle whisper amidst the darkness. "We'll always be a part of you, even if you cannot recall us. Trust in the strength we shared."
Lior felt the tears stream down his face, hot and unyielding. "I'm scared," he admitted, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. "What if I forget who I am? What if I forget all of you?"
"Yeah, you will forget us, but you can still use our powers," the second Orpheus said with a faint smirk, trying to inject some lightness into the heavy atmosphere.
"I don't need your powers!" Lior snapped, the words bursting out before he could stop himself.
Without missing a beat, all the Orpheuses smacked him on the head, their movements synchronized in a way that made Lior stumble slightly.
"Hey! I just told the truth! Why are you guys hitting me?" Lior rubbed the back of his head, his face scrunched up in irritation, though his heart wasn't in it.
"You're missing the point," the third Orpheus said with a hint of amusement, but there was still that lingering sadness in his eyes.
The brief moment of humor faded as Lior's face crumpled, his emotions overwhelming him again. His voice trembled as he spoke, pleading, "Please… everything else I can handle, but don't take my memories from me. Don't make me forget who you were to me…"
His words hung heavy in the stillness. The desperation in his voice was raw, vulnerable. His heart ached with the thought of losing not just the powers or the strength, but the essence of what they had shared — the laughter, the struggles, the moments that defined him.
Tears welled up in his eyes again, threatening to spill over. He looked at each Orpheus, one by one, his chest tightening. "I don't care about power… I just don't want to lose you."
All the Orpheuses exchanged glances, as if weighing their options in a silent conversation. The third Orpheus, more composed and thoughtful than the others, finally stepped forward. His eyes held a mixture of caution and understanding.
"There is a way," Orpheus.3 said slowly, "a way you might remember us… but you know, our memories will cause you more pain than you can imagine."
Lior's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't hesitate. "I don't care," he said, his voice raw with emotion. His knees buckled under the weight of it all, and he collapsed to the ground, sitting there in frustration. His hands dug into the darkness beneath him, fingers curling into fists. "Just tell me."
The heaviness of the situation was crashing down on him, and his voice cracked. "I don't care about the pain. I don't care about anything anymore… Just don't take you all from me."
There was a long silence. Lior could feel their gazes on him, but the weight of their stares didn't compare to the growing ache in his chest. He was at his limit, the frustration and the helplessness of the situation pushing him to the edge. He wasn't even sure if he could stand up again. He didn't want to. What would be the point if he had to move forward alone, without them?
Orpheus.3 sighed softly, his calm voice cutting through the silence. "It's not a decision to be taken lightly, Lior. The memories of our lives... they're not easy. You'll carry more than just us — you'll carry the weight of our failures, our regrets, every single burden we've ever borne."
Lior's hands trembled as they dug into the dark ground. "I don't care," he muttered again, his head hanging low. "Pain, regret, guilt — it's all better than forgetting."
Orphie knelt down beside Lior, his presence quiet yet filled with the weight of all they'd been through together. His voice, though soft, carried the kind of pain that came from years of holding back.
"You know," Orphie began, "when you disappeared, I was devastated." He paused, swallowing as if the memory still stung. "I couldn't eat for days. Couldn't sleep. I tried everything, searched every single way I could think of to bring you back. But no matter what I did… nothing worked."
Lior looked up, his eyes widening. He hadn't known how deeply his absence had affected Orphie.
"The pain of having your memories," Orphie continued, his voice shaking slightly, "it gave me happiness, knowing you were still there with me, in some way. But at the same time, it was like a knife in my chest, over and over again."
The honesty in Orphie's words hit Lior hard. The rawness of his emotions, the depth of his struggle… Lior hadn't realized how much his presence, even as a distant memory, had meant to Orphie. The pain Orphie had carried for so long, the weight of it, was now spilling out into the darkness between them.
Lior's tears fell, his voice breaking as he whispered, "I'm sorry I left you alone for those 25 years... I didn't know how much it hurt you." His heart ached, not just from his own regret but because he could finally feel the depth of Orphie's pain, the loneliness he had endured.
Orphie's gaze softened, and he reached out to wipe away Lior's tears. "You don't have to apologize, Lior." His voice was gentle, but his own emotions were barely held back. "I didn't want you to go through what I did. That's why I don't want you to keep these memories... I don't want you to feel that same pain."
Lior shook his head, his hands gripping Orphie's tightly. "But it's not fair. You shouldn't have carried that weight alone. I should've been there... I wish I could have been there."
Orphie's hand rested on Lior's cheek, his touch warm and steady despite his own shaking. "You were there, in every moment I struggled through. Every time I felt lost, I remembered you. It hurt, but it kept me going. You were my strength, even when you weren't by my side."
Lior's chest tightened at Orphie's words. He wanted to argue, to take the pain away, but Orphie's smile—soft and understanding—silenced him.
"Maybe it was meant to be this way," Orphie whispered. "So that you could live without the burden. So that you could move forward, even if it means forgetting me." His voice cracked, but he held himself together, wanting to be strong for Lior, even now.
Lior stared at them, his heart still heavy but now filled with determination. "Orphie, I promise to remember you. I swear, I will," he said, his voice unwavering.
Orpheus.2 smirked, leaning back. "Good. We should tell him the way then, right? I mean, who wouldn't want to remember someone as great as me?"
Orpheus.1 sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. "Alright, but listen, Lior. Even if you promise to remember us, you'll still have to forget for a while." His tone was serious, though there was warmth in his eyes. "But don't worry, you'll get your memories back when your transformation is complete."
Lior frowned, confusion washing over him. "Which transformation?"
Orpheus.1 shook his head. "That, I can't tell you."
Orpheus.3, always the most collected, stepped forward. "But before you go, we have a favor to ask."
Lior raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"
Orpheus.1's expression turned thoughtful. "Do you know about memory balls?"
"Yeah, I've heard of them. They contain the memories of a person, and if you insert one into someone else, they can see that person's whole life," Lior replied.
"Exactly," Orphie said, his tone soft but serious.
"We'll give you the memory balls of all four of us," Orpheus.2 added, his grin fading as he grew more serious. "When you meet the real Orpheus in your world, give them to him. He'll be able to use them, not just for our memories, but for his power too. And maybe... he'll remember you, even when you can't."
"Thanks," Lior said, his voice quiet but filled with sincerity. "I'll get my friend back this way."
Orpheus.2 smirked, waving off the gratitude. "No need to thank us. We're just helping out our other self. It's all part of the same messed-up journey, isn't it?"
"I think it's time for us to go" orphie said
Lior felt his chest tighten, knowing the inevitable was upon them. His heart raced, the urge to hold on to them, to every fleeting moment they had left, was almost unbearable. He had known this would happen, had felt it coming—but how could anyone truly be ready for it? He blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over, his lips trembling. "So... this is it, huh?" His voice was barely above a whisper, heavy with sorrow.
Orpheus.1, ever steady and composed, gave him a small, bittersweet smile. "We've done what we can for you. You've got a long road ahead, and it's one you'll have to walk on your own."
Orpheus.2, always brimming with life, crossed his arms with a faint smirk, though even that couldn't mask the sadness in his eyes. "Don't make it sound like we're gone for good, idiot. You still carry us with you, just not in the way you're used to."
Lior shook his head, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "It won't be the same. I don't want just memories of you… I want you here, now."
Orphie, who had always understood Lior's heart better than anyone, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. His touch was warm, but it was fading, as though even his essence was slipping through Lior's grasp. "I know," Orphie whispered, his eyes softening with emotion. "But you have to keep going. We've been a part of your journey, but this next step… it's yours alone."
Lior's tears finally fell, streaking down his face. "I don't want this pain. I don't want to wake up one day and not remember you."
" You will remember us one day so don't be that sad" orpheus.3 said
And then, silence fell once more. The void seemed to tighten around them, the weight of the final farewell pressing down.
Orphie's voice, now quieter than ever, broke through. "It's time, Lior. We have to go."
Lior's heart clenched, and he nodded, his voice breaking as he spoke. "I'll miss you all. So much."
Orpheus.1 gave a small nod. "We'll miss you too. But don't worry, this isn't the end."
Lior watched helplessly as each of them began to fade, their forms dissolving into light, until all that was left was the faintest glow.
Orphie was the last to go, his hand brushing against Lior's one last time. "Goodbye, Lior," he whispered, his voice full of warmth and sorrow.
And then, he was gone.
Lior stood alone, the darkness closing in around him. His soul, now heavy with grief, flickered one last time before disappearing into the void.