Destiny's Echo

Chapter 4: Fight and Flight

The next day, Orion and Lily were out in a café, taking a moment to rest and enjoy time together. They sat at a small table, sipping coffee and chatting quietly.

"I can't believe you're a superhero, Orion!" Lily exclaimed.

Orion chuckled at her reaction, a slight flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "I wouldn't exactly call myself a superhero," he said, trying to downplay her remark. "I'm just doing what I can."

"Tell me how it happened. How did you get those amazing powers?" Lily inched closer, her interest piqued.

Orion took a sip of his coffee before beginning his story. "Well, it all started one day when I was approached on the brink of death by a mysterious entity... The Maker."

"The Maker? That sounds ominous..." Lily's skin shivered at the name.

Orion chuckled at her description, nodding slightly. "You could say that," he agreed. "It's a voice that speaks to me, guides me. It told me I was chosen, destined for something greater."

"Why did it choose you?" Lily wondered.

Orion contemplated this question, his gaze turning introspective. "I honestly don't know," he admitted, his tone thoughtful. "I guess I possess some quality or potential that The Maker believes is necessary for its plans."

"How long has this been going on?" She asked.

"For a while now," Orion replied, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness. "It started shortly after I tried to stop this huge monster thing back then. The Maker revealed itself to me then."

Lily listened intently, her eyes fixated on Orion. "A monster...?" she echoed, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "You fought something like that?"

Orion nodded, his expression reflecting the memory. "Yeah, not my most pleasant experience," he admitted. "It was a massive creature that was causing havoc at school. That's when The Maker first spoke to me, guiding me on how to defeat it."

Lily's eyes widened in surprise. "At school? You mean you fought a monster... at school?" she repeated, shock evident in her voice.

"Yeah. You hadn't moved in when it happened. Lucky you. Many were traumatized that day."

Lily shuddered at the thought. "That must have been horrific," she exclaimed. "And you managed to defeat that monster?"

"Yes. I managed to defeat it until many more monsters came along..."

Lily's eyes widened even further, her face mixed with surprise, disbelief, and concern. "Wait, there's more?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with trepidation.

"Yes. Yesterday wasn't the only one."

Lily took a moment to absorb this information, her mind racing with worry. "So... you've been fighting monsters frequently?" she inquired, her voice softer now.

"Yup. It's a summer job..." Orion sighed jokingly.

Concern etched on her face, Lily leaned closer, her eyes searching Orion's face. "Are you... okay?" she asked gently.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Orion smiled at Lily, reaching for her hand on the coffee table across from him.

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Later that evening, Orion spoke with The Maker in his mind.

"How was your get-together with the girl, Orion?" The Maker asked with a hint of amusement.

"It was nice. I told her about Hunter." Orion replied, which caused a change in tone from The Maker's voice.

"Be careful, Orion. Remember what I warned you about going around and spreading your alter ego." The Maker spoke in a worried and alarmed tone, reminding Orion of their pact.