Rigel was a young man from a wealthy family, born to Ryan and Mona Orion of the prestigious Orion clan, known for their distinctive white hair and exceptional magical prowess.
Like all boys of his age, Rigel enrolled at the Academy of Magic when he turned twelve. The Academy, located in the capital city Capella, in his homeland of Auriga, was renowned for training the continent's best magic users. It was there that he met Algol.
The two quickly became inseparable, their bond forged through mutual curiosity and shared experiences. But as time went on, Algol's carefree nature clashed with Rigel's relentless dedication to his studies. By the end of their first year, the friendship had cooled, and they barely spoke anymore.
After graduating at fifteen, Rigel wasted no time. He took on quests that seasoned warriors and adventurers wouldn't dare, making a name for himself. By the time he was sixteen, he had earned the title "Capella's Hero." His fame even brought him into the presence of King Alderamin and Queen Shedir, rulers of Auriga.
Now, at nineteen, his renown spread across the entire continent of Auriga. Rumors swirled that a cult of personality was forming around him, though whether this was true remained uncertain. In Auriga, where worship of any deity other than "The Great One" was outlawed, Rigel distanced himself from such talks.
The weight of his fame grew too much for him, and by the time he was seventeen, he had abandoned questing altogether. He adopted the alias "Bellatrix" and pursued the quiet life of a hunter. To remain anonymous, Rigel wore a helmet when taking jobs and used a magical crystal to alter his voice—a crystal he had discovered in a cave years earlier.
He settled in the northern mountainous region of Auriga, living in solitude on the outskirts of the city of Ganymede, in a small cabin nestled among the towering peaks.
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Rigel sat in his cabin, boredom gnawing at him. With nothing to occupy his time, he decided to take a walk in the nearby forest.
His footsteps carried him toward a large, ancient temple built into the side of a mountain. The stone stairs, though worn, still led him upward. At the top, he peered into the temple and called out, "Terra!"
His voice echoed through the empty halls. No answer.
He sighed and stepped inside. The temple was as old as the mountain itself, with moss and weeds creeping along the cracked stone walls. His footsteps echoed as he made his way toward the abandoned shrine at the center of the room.
Suddenly, a blinding light filled the chamber. Rigel threw his arms over his eyes, wincing as the searing brightness overwhelmed his senses. As the light dimmed, he cautiously lowered his hands to see a petite woman before him. She wore a robe, her long hair a shimmering blend of blue and green.
"Do you always have to make such a grand entrance?" Rigel muttered, still blinking away the remnants of the light.
The woman giggled softly.
"What brings you here today?" she asked, her voice light and childlike.
"No real reason," Rigel shrugged. "I was just bored."
"Ah, and lonely too, I assume?"
Rigel didn't respond.
"Well, I wouldn't know what that's like," she said with a teasing smile. "I have my animals to keep me company—though, I hear you've been killing them."
Rigel took a step back, raising his hands defensively. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Animal flesh is vital for a healthy diet, after all."
Rigel stuffed his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "I didn't come for anything in particular. Just wanted to say hello."
"Hello to you too, Rigel," Terra said with a smile.
"Guess I'll be heading back now."
"Take care," she said softly. "I'll always be here."
With a nod, Rigel turned and descended the temple stairs, heading back toward his cabin.
As he made his way through the forest, he spotted a deer grazing nearby. He cursed under his breath for not bringing his bow. Before he could dwell on it, an arrow shot through the air and struck the deer cleanly in the head, bringing it down instantly.
Startled, Rigel looked up to see a woman dropping from a tree. Her long auburn hair spilled over her shoulders, and her slender frame hinted at lean muscle. Dressed in camouflage, she carried a bow in her hand and a quiver of arrows on her back.
"Yo!" she greeted, raising a hand in casual acknowledgment.
Rigel blinked, taken aback by her confidence. He watched as she pulled the arrow from the deer's head, lifted the animal onto her shoulder, and began to walk away.
"Wait!" Rigel called out, surprising even himself.
She turned, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
Rigel hesitated. "Uh… well…"
She squinted, studying him carefully before her eyes lit up. "You're Rigel, aren't you?"
Rigel rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, I guess I can't hide it."
She dropped the deer and rushed over to him, her excitement palpable. "I'm a huge fan! I had no idea you lived out here."
Rigel sighed inwardly. This was exactly the kind of attention he had hoped to avoid. "Yeah, it's me. I just like to keep a low profile."
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," she said earnestly, placing a fist over her heart.
"So, what do you do out here?" she asked.
Rigel paused before answering. "I hunt."
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "No way! Me too! Hey, how about we team up sometime?"
"I prefer to work alone," Rigel replied flatly.
She pouted for a moment, then shrugged. "Oh well, can't blame me for trying."
With that, she hoisted the deer onto her shoulder again and looked up at the sky. A blue ring of magic formed around her feet.
"Flying magic," Rigel thought to himself, watching as she lifted off into the air.
Once she was gone, he let out a long sigh and continued his walk home, feeling the weight of solitude once more.