The Enchanted Realm: At Journey's End

Behind the Eyes

 Orion laid on his back in the grass, staring up at the orange sky. He looked at the book that he and Moonlight had taken from the Dragon Temple half an hour ago. He sat up, opening the book to a random page. "Is this real?" Orion asked the book. It gave no reply. Orion searched his backpack for some sort of writing utensil. And then he found it. His pen from his dimension. Orion wrote down his question in the book. The ink shifted around, forming new words.

Yes. The book answered. Orion took a breath, watching the ink disappear.

Why did I have visions in the Wild Ocean? Orion wrote.

Because Eclipse chose you. The book answered. Orion gasped softly. Eclipse was the reason Orion saw it all. She was the reason he saw all the chaos, all the destruction.

Is Captain Pyrrum III dead? Orion wrote quickly. The book didn't answer for a few seconds.

No. It answered. Orion felt some relief. Not yet. The book's answer changed. Orion felt puzzled. The ink disappeared. One question weighed on his shoulders for years now. A question he wouldn't even ask his parents.

Am I the son of Oliver Darkheart? He wrote.

No. The book answered. Orion dropped the book, scooting back slowly. His breaths became short, somewhat shallow. The book's answer changed again. You are the son of Eclipse.

"No..." Orion argued. "No, no no no! I can't!"

But you are. Accept it, Orion Darkheart. You are the son of Eclipse, the one prophesied to end her once and for all.

"You're lying. I'm not. I'm not her son!" Orion lashed out.

Yes, you are, Orion. You are the son of a goddess. And you are destined to end her. But do you have the courage to do it? The book wrote by itself now. Orion didn't give a reply. Do you, Orion Foxro Darkheart?

"How do you know my name?" Orion asked steadily.

I know everything about you, young Darkheart. I know who you are, what you've been through. I know where you are. But do you know where I am? The book asked.

"If you know me, then you know exactly what I'm saying in my mind." Orion seethed. "If you know where I am," He took his flintlock pistol. "Then come and fight me!" He yelled, shooting the book. "I'll be ready." Orion knew that it was Eclipse.

"Orion, did you just shoot a book?" Moonlight asked.

"It's Eclipse. She knows where we are." Orion got up, getting onto one of the Isaleks.

"Then we let her come to us." Moonlight stood, taking her bow. "You said you were done running." Orion looked down.

"Moonlight..." Orion began, looking back at her. He opened his mouth, preparing to speak. "I..." Orion looked back down, shaking his head. "I can't fight her."

"Why?" Moonlight inquired. Orion gave no response. "Why can't you fight her, Orion?"

"I'm not ready." Orion replied. "I thought I was, I-" Orion felt everything else disappear. It was only him and Moonlight. "That guy was right. I should've never followed the Commander."

"Stop." Moonlight ordered.

"What...?"

"Stop." Moonlight's eyes slowly began to well with tears. "Stop doubting yourself. You are strong. You are smart. You are perfect, Orion." Moonlight seethed. Orion got off the Isalek, Moonlight grabbing him and pulling him close. "I would've never made it this far without you." Orion couldn't find any words to say. "You aren't stupid, you aren't weak, you aren't whatever the hell S. F. said!" Moonlight's claws nearly dug into Orion's skin. "You are capable of everything." Moonlight pulled away. Moving a strand of hair away from Orion's face, she calmly spoke, "I don't care whatever anyone else says about you. You are perfect, Orion." Moonlight kissed Orion lightly on the cheek. "Don't let yourself tell you otherwise."