The grand hall of Elysium's auction buzzed with anticipation, shimmering lights dancing across the eager faces of the guests. Orion and Lyra occupied a private chamber in the SSSVIP section, reserved for the most powerful and wealthy attendees.
As the auctioneer—a stern-faced man with a commanding voice—prepared to begin the event, the air grew charged with palpable electricity.
"Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the Elysium Auction!" the auctioneer declared, his voice echoing through the hall. "Tonight, we have a magnificent selection of rare and precious items, and I can't wait to see your highest bids!"
Lyra was elated, her eyes sparkling with every new item displayed. Leaning forward, she examined every detail as the auctioneer raised a gemstone-encrusted necklace.
"Look at that, Orion! It's beautiful! I think it would look amazing on you!" she exclaimed, fingers clasped in excitement atop the table.
Orion eyed the necklace with evident boredom.
"Pretty, yes, but it looks like what we're used to seeing. A bit of originality wouldn't hurt" he said, shaking his head.
The first bid rang out—a sum that made Orion roll his eyes.
"A thousand gold coins? Is that all they earn?" he muttered.
"Shhh! Pay attention, Orion!" Lyra whispered, squeezing his hand. "You might not care, but for many of them, this is everything! And I just love seeing their excitement!"
Orion glanced around, noting the dreamy expressions in the crowd, each person waiting for the item that might change their life. He smiled at Lyra, warmed by her passion.
"Alright, alright. I get it. But still, these items are... well, ordinary."
As the auctioneer continued presenting enchanted weapons and rare elixirs, Orion found himself drifting, observing the atmosphere.
"Maybe I'm just waiting for something truly impressive. Something worth my attention" he said, a touch of irony in his voice.
Lyra, meanwhile, was completely absorbed.
"Look! A jade statue! That's a rare piece, Orion! You can't deny that's special!" she clapped with enthusiasm.
Orion nodded, though the statue, while elegant, failed to stir him.
"If you want something truly special, we'll have to wait for the final lot. That's where the real treasures are" he said, attempting to stay engaged.
"You're such a cynic, but that's part of why I love you" Lyra teased, winking. "Who knows? Maybe you'll find something that changes your mind!"
The auction went on, bids rising for items Orion deemed mediocre. He watched the room while Lyra gave in to her excitement. He couldn't help but wonder—was it her joy that truly mattered?
Deep down, he longed to see how this simple world would unfold before his immense power. Lyra smiled at him, her energy nearly contagious enough to make him laugh.
"I promise, if we find something truly amazing, I'll make you reconsider your opinion of this auction!"
"So, is that a challenge?" Orion said, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
"Absolutely! Prepare to be surprised!" Lyra laughed, her love for him growing with each moment, as the hopes and dreams of everyone in the room filled the air.
Bathed in soft light, Orion realized: even if the items held no value to him, the real treasure was right there beside him. The bond between them, nurtured in the simplicity of an auction, was something no coin or relic could measure. An eternal love, pulsing quietly in their hearts.
"We're still far from the final item" Orion muttered, boredom laced in his voice.
"Still bored?" Lyra asked, turning toward him with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Mmm... maybe we should find a way to entertain you."
She leaned in slightly, her lips curving into a wicked smile, her gaze gliding over Orion's form as if measuring just the right way to ignite his interest.
Orion lounged back in his chair, confidence flowing through every movement. He lifted his head to meet her eyes—blue and unblinking, fixed on that dreamy yet seductive smile that made his heart beat faster.
"You always know how to keep me entertained, don't you?" he said, his voice low, edged with desire.
Lyra bit her lower lip—an innocent gesture with dangerous implications.
"Who said I only wanted to entertain you here?" she whispered, her voice soft and suggestive.
The tension between them shimmered like a veil of heat.
Orion chuckled, intrigued and amused. "Then tell me... what do you have in mind?"
She leaned in closer, her breath brushing his ear as she whispered something that made his brow lift and a devilish smirk appear. Whatever she said, it was enough to make the auction fade momentarily into the background.
Their eyes locked, the unspoken promises dancing between them louder than any bid echoing through the chamber.
She stood and brushed a hand down her robe, straightening her posture as if nothing had happened, though the fire in her eyes still burned.
Orion gave her one last smoldering look before shifting his gaze back to the stage.
The murmur of the crowd swelled as more dazzling items were unveiled, but Orion—now recharged after his moment with Lyra—watched with a renewed gleam in his eye. His gaze swept across the ornate hall as Lyra basked in the satisfaction of having brought a spark back into him.
At last, the auctioneer stepped forward, his voice echoing with reverence.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the final item of the evening! Without question, the rarest and most valuable piece ever offered here! I present to you... the Capsule of Destiny!"
The hall fell silent as a pulsing sphere cloaked in a mystical aura was brought on stage. Its surface shimmered with ethereal colors, catching the light in hypnotic patterns. The crowd held its breath, their excitement a tangible force.
"This is no mere relic!" the auctioneer cried, gesturing dramatically. "It contains the essence of entire worlds, forged in an era where gods walked among mortals! Only those who have reached the peak can grasp its true power!"
Orion finally straightened in his seat, eyes narrowing on the orb.
"How can an item from higher realms be here?" he murmured, curiosity awakened.
Lyra, sensing the shift in him, turned wide-eyed.
"It's incredible, isn't it? Have you ever seen anything like that?"
"No" Orion replied. "Artifacts like this are beyond mortal comprehension. I never imagined such an object would be auctioned here."
The room erupted in fevered bidding.
"Five hundred million gold coins!" shouted a young master.
"Six hundred million!" countered a rival, staring at the orb as if his fate hinged on it.
Orion watched as the numbers soared. Slowly, he rose, a confident smile playing on his lips.
"In higher worlds, this would be worth trillions of divine crystals. Well then... looks like it's time I placed my bid."
Lyra stared at him, a mix of surprise and curiosity lighting her face.
"You're going to bid?"
"Of course" he said, his voice quiet but resolute. "This item belongs to someone who knows how to use it."
Raising his hand, Orion dispersed the Dao of Illusion. A golden radiance gleamed from his fingertips.
"One billion gold coins" he declared, his tone steady and unshakable.
All eyes turned to him—including the auctioneer's, who looked back with a mixture of awe and terror.
"Are you sure about this?" Lyra asked, her voice caught between concern and excitement.
"Absolutely" Orion replied, confidence enveloping him like a crown of light.
The hall plunged into reverent silence, every soul holding their breath—waiting to see who would dare answer his bid.