The Push of Fate....(Tag Orion, Noon to past MId Day)

[Librarian Echo]

She watched as Orion attempted to battle his enemies and it was to no avail. She had been given her instructions but she always chose how to obey the instructions as the choosing was important for the merchant of mercy. As the enemy closed with Orion he would hear her whisper what she always whispered prior to ensuring he survived.

"Today is not your day to meet my Father or Mother for a matter, no death mortal, off you get!"

A small hand would then graps his wrist and pull him away. The surroundings would blur and Orion would wake it. It would seem like a matter of moments but this time when Orion came to he would be laying in the middle of a dirt road. The sun would be high overhead and the heat would be punishing if they stayed out in it without fluids.

Orion would see her again. This time as dust kicked up from a small wind on the road. She was pointing the direction that Orion would be facing when he came to on the road.

"IF you want to live, that is the way you go."

THe wind picked up and kicked up some more dust and when it died down the girl would be gone but it seemed her voice carried and lingered for a bit longer.

[Orion Kou]

It had happened again.

Orion wasn’t sure what *it* was, exactly, but he had gone from fighting for his life to laying face-down…somewhere else. He opened his eyes, squinting against the bright sun overhead. A small breeze was blowing, filling the air with dust and foreign smells. It was when he sat up that he saw her again. It was an apparition that should probably have frightened him, would likely have frightened many who saw her. For a guardian angel, she had a fierce, wild appearance.

Again her voice filled his head. “Who are you?” He asked, though he knew he wouldn’t get an answer. He never did. Instead, the wind picked up, kicking dust into the air. He shielded his face from the fine particles and when the wind died down and he lowered his arm, she was gone. Once again, he was alone in a foreign place filled with foreign sights, sounds, and smells.

His angel had pointed him in the direction of life, and so he followed the path. The sun was brutally hot and each step felt weighted down with lead. His injuries from the last fight had already begun to heal, nothing more than faint pinkish lines and faded bruises. His stomach was hollow; he couldn’t remember the last time he had eaten, and had surpassed the point of hunger pains but he was becoming slow, sluggish. His head pounded.

He didn’t know how long he had been walking before his legs began to fail him and he found himself once again laying down in the dirt. Get up, he told himself, but he couldn’t find the strength to push himself back up.

How embarrassing. Spared from battle only to die of starvation in the middle of nowhere.

The last image he had of Star Healer came unbidden into his mind, her eyes filled with wild desperation as she sent him away. You must live!

His angel’s voice echoed in his head. It’s not your time.

He clenched his teeth and balled his fists. He couldn’t face Star Healer in the afterlife, knowing he’d just chosen to lay down and die in the dirt like a dog. He pushed himself slowly up, first to his knees, then to his feet. He had the blood of a soldier in his veins, he would not let this be his end.

As if by a miracle, it was within a short walk that he came across the most beautiful thing he had ever seen: a fruit-bearing tree. Not knowing, or caring, whether the it was ripe, edible, or poisonous, he grabbed one of the purplish-reddish fruits and sank his teeth into it with a groan of relief. The flesh was soft and the taste was sweet. He wiped the juice from his chin as he devoured the first fruit and moved onto another. Now that it had been given food, his stomach ached for more. He looked around him, noticing not just trees but bushes, all orderly and all filled with life-saving sustenance.

Fairly sure he had already died - because who finds paradise at the end of a dirt road? - he plucked himself an armful of fruits and sat in the shade of one of the trees. Once his now aching, growling stomach was satisfied, he decided, he would search for a water source. Surely the afterlife had water, too?

[Max]

The started early for Max and he was out in the back several hundred acres. The farm land had been obtained slowly due to his hard work and the fruit, vegetables, and grains that he could work the land he acquired effectively and call it a good workout. He was making his rounds of the back road that lead to front of the property and to some of his bushes having been pilfered. He frowned heavily at it but understood animals had a right to it as he didn’t put up fences but did show they had entered private lands. It was exactly one of these signs that hung above Orion’s head, which he had missed as he lounged against the tree. Orion would also know of Lanix Adoth and Araxia.

Max walked along easily enough and stopped when he noticed the stripped fruit was slightly trailed. The game was afoot, it was an animal he hoped and not just a few of the smaller town kids. Either way it was a hunt. This excited him.

He quickly picked up the trail as it led toward the well he had dug five to six summers ago so he could irrigate these fields and trees. This region of the planet was arid but held hidden water below the surface. He loved farming and the challenges it present. He loped along at an even pace as he came to the well and stopped. It wasn’t animals or kids. It was a stranger, male, and Max had not seen him before and stopped.

[Orion Kou]

Intuition prickled the back of Orion's neck and he stopped mid-chew, swallowing slowly. Someone, or something, was watching him. He slowly stood up and wondered just how hard he would have to throw one of the apple-like fruits in his hand for it to disorient whoever was getting ready to disturb his peace. He turned, fruit held aloft and ready to let it fly, but the sight of a man a full foot taller than he was killed any hope that the fruit would be enough of a hinderance to allow him a quick escape.

It was with a surprised start that he realized, as he was lowering his sad excuse for a weapon, he knew this giant.

Well, had briefly met him once at a diplomatic gathering of sorts on Kinmoku some time ago. He didn't expect to run into him here. "Ah shit, you're not dead too, are you?"

[Max]

Max squinted at the shorter person before him. Ah it was a stranger and by the looks of them they were very far from their last meal. He squinted more and then stood upright. He believed he knew this person. He quickly searched his memory. The trade deal with Kinmoku. This was the son of one of its protectors.

“I remember that sport you took myself and the high priestess’ heir to after the party that day. Orion…..right?”

He hadn’t relaxed but he seemed to believe this person if he confirmed the sport they had watched together.

[Orion Kou]

Orion was relieved that Max remembered him. At least that improved his chances of leavinf alive, if he wasn't already dead. He nodded. "Kakuboru," he confirmed, a sport in which two teams of five were pitted against each other, the goal of which was to kick a ball, which was lit on fire, through one of three hoops suspended in mid-air just barely larger than the ball.

Yaten had not been a fan of sports, but Orion really enjoyed this one. The memories made his chest ache and he subconsciously rubbed it, as if that would soothe the pain.

"Where, exactly, am I?" He asked.

[Max]

Max knew this warrior not to be an agent or imposter. He spoke of something so obscure from his past that you’d have to have his memories.

“Jallelus, ass end of Death Phantom's rule. You also happen to be on our farm. You must have the Golden Goddess’ favor to have found your way here.”

He looked at him and his memory flashed of him leading them down the streets to the stadium.

“Get some water and fruit. We will head to the house.”

[Orion Kou]

"Something like that," he said as Max remarked on his good fortune. He wasn't sure of any golden goddesses, but his angel had saved his ass on more than one occasion.

He was relieved to here that he was at the far reaches of Death Phantom's rule. For the first time in what felt like forever, he wondered if he might be able to relax and stop looking over his shoulder.

He didn't have anything with which to bottle up any water from the well, but he did dip his hands into the cool water and gulp down a few handfuls. Most people claimed that water had no taste, and maybe it was because of the dehydration, but the water was sweet. He then gathered up an armful of fruit. "Lead the way, big guy."

[Max]

Max gave a chuckle as he drank and was told to lead the way. He knew Orion and he was from all memory a good person. He had come to know several others on this Goddess forsaken rock and while he may not show it he did respect their goals. He had other concerns and while he would consider his reluctance to join a way to stay out of the way he also knew that could also become why he was found with his charge.

"Things have changed since we last met, I am no longer the man you knew. I go by Max. I work for a man named Galax. He is Zowie's uncle. We have lodgers on the farm. I will introduce you as my cousin. It will be a lot easier if we do that. I won't make people stare as much."

He laughed and then continued to walk toward the house. It was a good hike.

"If you need rest let me know."

[Orion Kou]

He was not surprised to hear that things had changed for Max. Things had changed for so many. He followed along just behind the other man, soaking up the information he had been told. He eyed Max dubiously when he suggested introducing him as Max's cousin, as the two could look more unrelated, but Max had a point. It would be easier that way. He didn't have the mental energy to go into everything about himself. He wondered how Max and Zowie had found themselves here, though he was sure he could guess.

"I'll be fine," Orion lied when Max told him to let him know if he needed to rest. Though he'd been able to get a bit of food and water in his stomach, he had to concentrate on each step to make sure he appeared steady on his feet. He was determined to make the trek without slowing his newfound host. There would be time to pass out later.

[Max]

Max would infringe on this man’s pride but if he had to carry him he would be injuring his pride. A break would be in order. He stopped and tossed Orion his water. He usually didn’t drink it and Orion could use it more than him.

“Let’s stop here in the shade. You can see more of the farm once we crest this hill. I have to think of a good name to use. Orion isn’t very common. I’ve never been good at this. What do you think?”

He wished Zowie was here because she would think of one.

[Orion Kou]

Orion caught the bottle and was tempted to suck it all down at once, but he held himself back. Taking a seat in the shade he took a reasonable sip of water, mulling over Max's question. "What about Rion?"

[Max]

Max could disagree with that. It was close enough to his name and easy to remember. He liked it and the simplicity of it was good. He nodded as they sat there. That was good they had one.

“Rion it is That’s easy enough. Get more water in you. The bill is a bit of a climb. It’s it is one Zowie’s favorite spots. You can see the barn.”

He stood up and offered his hand to Rion.

[Orion Kou]

Orion took a couple more good pulls of water before capping the bottle. He took the offered hand and allowed the taller man to help him up. He was interested in seeing more of the farm. He had never been to a farm before.

"How is she doing?" He asked as they started up the hill. He'd only known Max and Zowie briefly from their time on Kinmoku, but he remembered that she had been nice. He was glad to hear she was safe, as well. As safe as anyone could be in a universe now full of death and madness.

[Max]

Maxed stopped when he mentioned Zowie and waited a moment before moving along again. He kept the pace even so as not to tire Rion. This was unexpected but Orion had been outgoing and friendly on his home world and being close to the same age and a warrior he could talk about it.

“She is different. She took a blow to the head and doesn’t remember anything except for some reason and I believe Galax had something to do with that he is her uncle.”

He continued on with their walk and their ally crested the hill and he stopped. He waited until Orion was even with him and if he gave a glance he would see what he only could have described as satisfaction. He pointed down and to the south where you would see several fields at least 50 to 100 acres apiece all planted and their purple gold leaves moved in the fields in a near hypnotic manner.

“That is the front few hundred acres of planting field. South and west from those fields look for the plume of smoke and that is the houses direction. Let’s show you my warriors du’(Araxian for concentrate or contemplate) and then the house. You are free to access the du’ it is a place for warriors and priestess.”

He started down the hill with Orion and he took his time.