A soft breeze swept through Orion's room. Dust and cobwebs fluttered across the floor toward the caved-in corner. The air smelled clean for now, but it wouldn't last. Undercity fumes would soon make it as toxic as the rest of the city.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Orion had both arms outstretched, carefully pulling a light-green thread of mana from the arcane rivers that coursed through the world. Sweat coated his skin, and his insides vibrated unnaturally, strained as they were forced to adapt to this foreign energy.
Behind him lay a slender woman with white skin, tapered ears, and long, pale blonde hair. Her light teal eyes glowed softly as she reclined lazily across his bed. Her body was translucent, Orion could see the sheets beneath her, and her hand rested gently on his back. Her touch felt like cool air, but had no physical weight.
She was assisting him with mana control, suppressing any wild arcs before they could ripple outward and damage the room. She wore sacred, lightweight white garments, and a crystal crown rested beside her.
As the last of the dust breezed out of his room, Orion let out a shaky exhale and cut the connection to the mana.
"Well done," Janna praised, a small smile forming on her lips. "Most mages take months, if not years, to reach this level. You've reached it in just a few days."
"'This level'?" Orion panted incredulously. "Dusting my floor?"
Janna frowned. "It takes time to attune to magic, to understand the connection. The power inside you is unnaturally strong."
She paused, then added with a hint of encouragement, "And you've done well to suppress it."
Orion rose and walked to the caved-in window, adjusting the tarps before turning back to her. A goddess, lounging on his bed like it was the most natural thing in the world, returned his glance with a teasing smile.
"Do you feel lucky, having a goddess on your bed?" Janna teased. "Figuratively and literally."
"Well, without you, I wouldn't have progressed this far," Orion replied flatly, catching the undertone of her words. "Thank you for your help."
She looked mildly annoyed. "So cold..."
Sitting back down beside her, Orion shifted back into a businesslike tone. "So... it's only healing magic that costs me physically?"
Janna gave him a mildly bored look, but answered like a patient teacher.
"Yes. The wind magic you're drawing from is elemental. It still drains your energy, but it won't burden your body like Celestial magic does. Not all Celestial magic requires sacrifice but with your lack of experience, it does. It's too much of a strain on your body."
"And how do I tell which type is which? Celestial, Elemental, Spiritual? It's all just a mess of threads when I reach out, rivers twisting together seamlessly."
"I don't know," Janna admitted honestly. "I've always been connected to the wind. It came naturally to me when I awoke in this world. I can see and feel it, and move it as easily as I move my hand."
With a blink, a sudden gust swept through the room. All the cobwebs clinging to the ceiling and walls were swept out through the cracks around the tarp.
"Mages are more deeply connected to the arcane," she continued. "Most study for years and are still forced to rely on tools. A rare few are born with the natural connection. You're...an anomaly. I can guide you with wind and minor healing but beyond that, you're charting your own path."
Orion nodded thoughtfully. He placed his diary on the dresser at the foot of the bed. Closing his eyes, he reached out and grasped a light-blue thread of mana, the kind commonly associated with Arcane energy. Cool air brushed his skin where her hand rested against his back.
He gathered just enough and released it in a sharp burst.
A bright flash and blue light flared. Tiny blue stars shimmered and scattered as a small mana burst impacted the diary's spine and sent it skidding across the room.
"This feels easier to control than wind," Orion muttered, cutting off the flow.
"It will," Janna nodded. "The farther you extend mana from your body, and the more of it you try to control, the harder it becomes."
'That makes sense,' Orion thought, watching as the last glimmer of blue stars faded against his palm. 'It felt strange to shape the wind. Harder to contain.'
His thoughts were interrupted as cool air brushed across his back. He looked down to see her translucent arms wrapping around him in a gentle hug.
"Try not to land yourself in too much trouble," Janna whispered near his ear. "You aren't invincible. Piltover still fears magic."
"I'll do what I must to survive. Can I use this magic if I'm in danger?"
"Yes," Janna sighed, her misty form swirling as she sat beside him once more. "The barrier will stay up until I'm sure you can control what's inside you. I believe in you."
They sat in silence for a moment. Orion's gaze drifted downward to the cold metal floor.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
Janna stared at him in silence.
"What happened?"
"Hm? Nothing happened," Orion blinked, confused, turning toward her only to meet her soft, sad teal eyes.
"You're detached from warmth. From returning it when it's offered."
"Huh? I just didn't think it was appropriate… given our relationship."
Janna tilted her head slightly. "Did someone hurt you?"
"…"
-----------------
-The Past-
"Good morning, babe."
"Good morning, hun."
Under the warm blankets, Orion and his girlfriend lay nestled together. Her fingers traced slow, soothing circles on his chest. It was a simple kind of happiness. Quiet and tender before the dawn. They gazed into each other's eyes, love unspoken but understood.
"You can't skip work?" she asked softly.
"I can't. It's the military. I'd be court-martialed if I did."
"We need to have little wolf puppies," she murmured, curling against him.
"…What?" Orion blinked, confused.
"Wolf puppies," she repeated. "I want to have a wolf pack with you. A bunch of little doggies howling around us. Awooo~!"
She wriggled playfully against him, her laughter light. She often spoke about wanting kids but this was a first.
"Thinking of those puppies we saw in the park?" Orion asked with a soft chuckle, stroking her hair.
"Mhm…" she hummed.
Orion smiled. "Kids, huh? Maybe in a year or two. After I rise in rank. I don't make enough to support a family yet."
Her mood shifted instantly. She sat up with a huff, sighing deeply.
"What?"
"Nothing," she replied. "You going to work?"
"Yeah. I'll be back in the evening. Want to go out tonight?"
She paused.
"I'm going to hang out with some friends."
-----------------
Back in the present, Orion grit his teeth for a brief second as a sharp pang stabbed through his heart. He shrugged it off, lifting his gaze to Janna with practiced indifference.
"No one," he said flatly. "I'm just not in the mood to play these games."
"Games, huh?"
He winced at her tone but she didn't look offended. Perhaps she'd lived too long, seen too many. Her expression was sympathetic as her form began to dissolve into mist.
"Take care, Orion," her voice echoed softly as her wispy form slipped away behind the tarp.
"You too…" he muttered, watching the space where she'd disappeared.
After a few seconds, however, his expression twisted into a bitter scowl.
"But my past is none of your damn business."
He stood up abruptly, tossing his diary back onto the dresser with more force than necessary. With a sharp exhale, still sour, he muttered again.
"…I should go check up on the gang."