Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Destiny Capsule and Eryndor
The room was silent, and everyone present seemed to absorb the weight of Orion's offer.
The auctioneer, who quickly regained his composure, looked at Orion with an expression that mixed respect and disbelief. "One billion gold coins! An extraordinary amount! Does anyone dare to match or surpass that offer?"
Murmurs began to echo among those present. Some looked at Orion with a mixture of admiration and skepticism, while others considered the idea of rivaling a man who seemed so confident and self-assured.
A young master, known for his skill in acquiring rare items, stood up and looked at Orion with a disdainful smile. "One billion and three hundred," he shouted, his voice loud and provocative, trying to intimidate Orion.
Orion just smiled, a glint in his eyes. He wasn't just competing for an item; He was making a statement about his power and presence.
"Three billion!" He snapped with a gesture that sent a shockwave through the room.
Heads turned to look at him, the astonishment palpable.
Three billion gold coins was not only a breathtaking amount; it was an amount that many would not dare even consider.
The auctioneer, now clearly impressed, tried to maintain his composure. "Three billion! Can anyone outbid me?"
A silence fell over the room, and was soon broken by a rising murmur.
The young master who had made the previous bid was pale, his confidence evaporated, and he sat down, unable to continue the fight.
"Sold!" The auctioneer declared, banging the gavel three times. "The Destiny Capsule belongs to you, sir!"
Orion felt a surge of satisfaction as he received the confirmation.
He stood, keeping his gaze fixed on the magical sphere as the crowd broke into murmurs of admiration and jealousy.
"You really did it!" Lyra exclaimed, looking at Orion in awe. "I knew you were special, but this is… it's incredible!"
"Sometimes you have to show who you really are," Orion replied, his gaze shifting to the Capsule of Destiny.
As soon as the sphere was handed to him, a wave of energy coursed through his body. He could feel the essence of the universe flowing through him, as if the capsule was connecting to his very soul. With a satisfied smile, he turned to Lyra.
"Let's find out what we can do with it."
--
"So, what do you think this capsule does?" Orion asked, with a mischievous smile. He knew exactly what it did, but he wanted to see the curiosity spark in Lyra's eyes.
Lyra, with a glint of excitement, approached the capsule. "Well, it must be something incredible, right? Something that could change our destiny!" His voice was full of hope and expectation.
Orion nodded, keeping a serious expression but barely able to contain a smile. "Yes, it could be. But how about we play with it a little before we find out?" He gestured dramatically, as if he were about to make a big announcement.
"I am the wise oracle who foresees the future! Let's imagine what this capsule can do."
Lyra's eyes lit up with excitement. "Great idea! What do you think it does?"
"Come on," Orion began, pausing dramatically. "The Capsule of Destiny could... transform one of us into a magnificent dragon! Imagine me, majestic, flying through the sky!" He stretched out his arms, imitating the movement of a dragon, and made a roaring sound that made Lyra laugh. "And you would be my faithful companion, riding on my back as we conquer the world!"
"I'd love that!" Lyra exclaimed, laughing. "But you'd have to promise not to let me fall!"
Orion winked at her. "I promise! I'll use my already rusty Daos that I don't use to ensure your safety. Besides, who wouldn't want to be seen as the most amazing dragon that ever lived?"
"Then you could really do that!" Lyra said, her eyes shining with a mix of amusement and admiration.
"But I'd prefer you to turn into a beautiful unicorn instead of a dragon."
"Oh, so you want to see me with a horn and a shiny mane?" Orion made a funny face, pressing his fingers against his head as if he were trying to imagine a horn. "That's a little humiliating for an omnipotent being like the Majestic and Shiny... Me!"
"But you'd look so adorable!" Lyra insisted, laughing even harder. "And I could ride you in a glittering dress as we parade through the forest!"
"That's tempting," Orion replied, amused by the idea. "Who could resist such glamour? But I still think a dragon is a more dignified choice."
With a playful gesture, he held out his hand for the Destiny Capsule. "So, what are we actually going to do? I can see many futures, but choosing the most fun one is the real question!"
Lyra looked at him, her eyes lighting up with a mischievous glint. "How about we use the capsule to create a random adventure? It could be a journey to find the rarest artifact in the universe or even a feast of delights with every dessert you can imagine!"
Orion smiled, loving the idea. "Perfect! Let's create our own adventure!"
He focused on the capsule, his mind filled with possibilities. With his powers, he began to imagine thousands of scenarios in parallel times, all filled with laughter and magical moments.
"I see... an epic banquet, where all the delights materialize out of thin air! And you, Lyra, are at the center, being worshipped like a queen by all the magical beings in the world!" Orion gestured dramatically, his voice resonating like a fairy tale narrator.
"That would be amazing!" Lyra exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "And what will you do at this banquet?"
"I will be the magician who brings the most fantastic dishes to life!" Orion said, doing an imaginary magic trick with his hands. "And I will make a cake so big that we will need an army of fairies to transport it!"
"I would love to see that!" Lyra laughed, her joy contagious. "So, are we going to make it happen? Let's open the capsule and create our banquet!"
Orion nodded, his expression full of love and excitement. "Yes, let's go! And if it doesn't work, at least we'll have had a great time!"
The two approached the Destiny Capsule, their hands clasped together over its shimmering surface. In a magical moment, the capsule began to glow brightly, enveloped in vibrant energy.
A wave of power enveloped them, and before they knew it, they were in a new world, filled with incredible colors.
As they explored, Lyra's laughter and Orion's jokes echoed through the air, reflecting the love and joy that had grown between them.
---
Year 15, Day 3 of the Third Month - Eryndor Imperial Calendar
The morning sun shone softly over the Eryndor Empire, where peaceful routine flourished.
The fields were alive with the efforts of farmers, as young cultivators practiced advanced techniques at the Eryndor Academy.
On the streets, residents wandered towards the grand library, seeking knowledge. Everything seemed in perfect harmony since Orion's departure.
The spell of the Dao of Time that Orion had cast upon the empire had caused only a few months to pass in the outside world, while within the empire, years had passed. This had allowed development and prosperity to flourish in Eryndor at an accelerated rate.
Inside the majestic Cultivation Academy, the Temple of the Dao of Death, children of varying ages were gathered in one of the many classrooms.
Their eyes were fixed on Jhon, the teacher of the Dao of Death, whom Orion had summoned with his divine abilities. He stood out among the instructors of the academy, not only for the depth of his wisdom, but for the imposing aura he emanated, characteristic of his connection to the dark power of the Dao of Death.
With a deep but serene voice, Jhon taught the children the fundamental principles of immortal cultivation. "Death," he began, "is not an end, but a transformation. Those who understand the Dao of Death can manipulate forces beyond the cycle of life, achieving a level of power that transcends what most cultivators can imagine."
The children listened intently, some with looks of fascination, others with more restrained curiosity.
The air around John seemed to shift subtly, as if the room itself respected the presence of the master of the Dao of Death.
He paced slowly around the room, gesturing with his long, pale hands as orbs of black and silver energy floated around him. "The Dao of Death is not just about the end," he continued, "but about rebirth and balance. Each time one cycle ends, another begins, and it is in this balance that the greatest cultivators find their true strength."
The students' attention was undivided. With each word, the mystique surrounding John seemed to grow. His presence, brought by Orion's will, was a reminder of the depth of the powers that resided within the empire.
Professor Jhon moved gracefully through the center of the room, his imposing presence capturing the attention of the children around him. The sunlight streamed in, contrasting with the dark, mystical aura he carried. His eyes narrowed as he spoke, his words heavy as the very death he studied.
"The Dao of Death," Jhon continued, his voice deep and lilting, "is not for the faint of heart. Cultivating the Dao of Death means facing the final cycle of existence and learning to manipulate it, rather than being a mere victim of it."
He looked at each student seriously, as if assessing whether any of them had the potential to follow that dark path.
"You must understand that cultivating the Dao of Death is not simply dealing with death itself, but with the essence of change and rebirth. Every life that ends is a doorway to something new, but to manipulate that door, you need to understand three fundamental things."
He held up three fingers and began to explain, a faint dark glow emanating from his hand, illustrating his words.
"The first step to cultivating the Dao of Death is to accept that death is not an enemy. Many cultivators fail at this point because they fear the end. You must realize that death is part of the natural cycle. Only when you fully accept that everything must die and be reborn can you begin to master the Dao."
"The Dao of Death is closely linked to the cycle of Samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth. A cultivator of the Dao of Death must learn to feel the energy of this cycle. Meditate deeply, listen to the beating of your heart, and feel the lives that came before you and those that will come after you. It is not about manipulating life and death alone, but understanding how the energy flows between them."
"The practice of the Dao of Death is dangerous. Just like the cycle of life itself, there are risks. Every advancement requires sacrifice. You cannot cultivate the Dao of Death without giving something in return—be it your life energy or the loss of something precious. Many cultivators have been consumed by their own power because they did not understand this truth."
The children's eyes were fixed on him, fascinated and terrified at the same time.
With each word he spoke, the room seemed to grow quieter, as if the air around them had stilled in respect for the somber content of the lesson.
John paused, observing their reactions before continuing. "Now, I will speak of the precautions you must take as you follow this path. The most common mistake among those who attempt to master the Dao of Death is haste. The temptation to advance quickly is dangerous. If you do not consolidate your foundations well, the energy of death can devour your very souls, transforming you into something that cannot return to life."
He paused dramatically, allowing his words to sink into the minds of the young students.