Chapter 10: True Rebirth - The City of Freedom
The moment Orion chose the third option—to erase himself, to spare Lumine any more pain__the world dissolved into silence.
For a moment, Orion floated in the void—a space outside time, beyond reality. Then, warmth. A familiar weight against his back, soft fingers brushing through his hair.
"Did you pass the test?"
Zero's voice, playful and bright, just as he remembered her before the reset.
Orion blinked, tilting his head back—only to be met with the impossible sight of Zero's face hovering above him, her silver eyes gleaming with mischief. More importantly, his head was resting on her lap.
And then—
"Congratulations."
The Unknown God materialized before them, her golden gaze piercing. "You've passed."
Orion sat up abruptly—or tried to, before Zero's hands pressed him back down with a chuckle.
"Wha—what test?!" he demanded.
The Unknown God crossed her arms. "Your past life was steeped in blood. I needed to see if you truly deserved freedom—or if you'd repeat your sins." A flicker of approval crossed her face. "You chose selflessness over power. That's rare."
Orion's mind raced. "So all of that—Lumine, the Abyss, the System—was just a test?"
"A very elaborate one," Zero added, grinning.
The Unknown God snapped her fingers.
[「Predator」skill revoked.]
[New skill granted: 「Deity」.]
- Mastery over all elements.
- Replicate any skill witnessed.
- No Abyssal corruption.
"As for memories," the goddess continued, "do you want to keep the ones from the trial?"
Orion's eyes lingered on Zero. "I'd rather not."
Zero gasped, mock-offended. "Master! Not even a little?"
The Unknown God sighed. "You can take her with you. But control yourself." Her gaze dropped pointedly to where Orion had been very obviously staring at Zero's chest. "Her assets are your problem now."
Zero winked. "Lucky you~"
Light swallowed them.
---
Reborn in Freedom
Orion opened his eyes to two realizations:
1. He was, once again, lying on Zero's lap.
2. Something very large was blocking his view of the sky.
"I wonder if Zero ever gets tired of carrying these things around," he mused, staring blankly at the twin obstacles to his aerial view.
"Do you enjoy the view from my lap, Master?" Zero purred, leaning down until her silver hair curtained around them.
Orion, still dazed, answered honestly. "Oh yes. I can only see half the sky."
Zero's laughter rang like bells as he finally sat up—and froze.
Mondstadt's gates stood before him, bathed in golden sunlight. And there, at the entrance, were Amber and Lumine, chatting animatedly.
No recognition in their eyes. No weight of fate.
Just… freedom.
A grin spread across Orion's face.
"So this time… I can really live?"
Zero draped herself over his shoulders, her breath warm against his ear. "Oh, Master~ You have no idea what's coming."
---
Welcome to Teyvat (Again)
With Zero intermittently whispering (and teasing) in his mind, Orion strode toward the city—no System, no looming doom, just the open sky and a world of possibilities.
Amber spotted him first, waving enthusiastically. "Hey there, new face! Welcome to Mondstadt!"
Lumine offered a small smile. "Traveling alone?"
Orion chuckled. "Not quite."
Somewhere in the depths of the Abyss, a throne sat empty.
Somewhere in the stars, the Unknown God watched.
And somewhere between Orion's thoughts, Zero whispered:
[Let's make this life fun, shall we?]
---
The sun hung high over Mondstadt as Lumine and Amber led Orion through the city's winding streets, its lively plazas, and its hidden corners. They showed him everything—from the bustling market stalls to the quiet, flower-lined paths of the cathedral gardens.
By the time they finally collapsed into chairs at Good Hunter, Orion's legs ached, but his spirits were higher than ever. The scent of sizzling Sticky Honey Roast filled the air as Sara took their orders with a knowing smirk at Amber.
"So," Amber said, stretching her arms behind her head, "what do you think of Mondstadt so far?"
"It's… free," Orion admitted, watching the windmills turn lazily in the distance. "I like that."
Lumine chuckled, sipping her drink. "That's Barbatos' influence for you."
Then, Amber tilted her head. "Hey, Lumine, where's Aether now? Still off gallivanting somewhere?"
Lumine sighed dramatically. "That foolish brother of mine is just lounging in Natlan's Hot Springs, surrounded by beautiful girls." She rolled her eyes. "Typical."
Amber giggled. "That sounds just like him! He even asked me out once, you know?"
"Wait, what?" Orion nearly choked on his drink. "You have a brother?"
Lumine nodded. "Yep. Spent years traveling every nation looking for him, only to find out he was just… relaxing in a hot spring the whole time." She shrugged. "A lot's happened in five years. Now I'm here in Mondstadt, taking it easy." She glanced at Orion. "What about you? If you've got nowhere else to go, you can stay at my place for a while."
[♡~ There she goes again. ♡] Zero's voice dripped with jealousy. [That's why my Master is such a playboy~ First Amber, now Lumine? Tsk tsk.]
Orion coughed, trying to ignore the mental image of Zero materializing right then and there, hands on her hips, glaring at both girls while declaring, "Back off, he's MINE!"
Thank the Archons she can't actually do that.
"Uh, thanks," Orion said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I might take you up on that."
Amber grinned. "Oho? Looks like someone's popular~"
Lumine smirked. "Just don't get any funny ideas."
[♡~ Too late. ♡] Zero sang.
Orion groaned internally.
"This is going to be a long stay in Mondstadt."
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