Bring a Miracle to a Hero (3k)

Orpheus,

Mind you, not Oedipus.

He was a poet from Thrace, believed to be the illegitimate son Apollo had in the mortal world. He was also Thaumas's fellow disciple, and the two had studied under Chiron together.

He was a master of the lyre, his playing exquisitely refined. Thaumas had sought his guidance in music as well.

Whenever he played the lyre, not only people and beasts but even trees and rocks would be enthralled by it.

Orpheus's beloved wife, Eurydice, was unfortunately killed by a venomous snake bite.

Since Hades was also one of Orpheus's devoted fans, Orpheus moved him with his music in the Underworld, allowing his wife Eurydice to temporarily regain life.

Thus, Hades made a special exception and agreed to return his deceased wife to him.

However, Hades set one condition for the poet: before leaving the Underworld, he absolutely could not turn back to look at Eurydice. Eager to bring back his wife, Orpheus readily agreed to the King of the Underworld's demand.

Yet after a long and perilous journey, just as he was about to leave the Underworld and return to the mortal world, unease suddenly overwhelmed Orpheus. "What if my wife hadn't followed me?"

Consumed by doubt, Orpheus could not resist looking back.

In that instant, Eurydice was dragged back into the realm of the dead by the power of death, never able to break free again...

Later generations interpreted Orpheus's actions as proof that love for women was actually an illusion, a form of soft control. Through gentle and righteous means, he controlled the beloved to satisfy his own desires.

However, Thaumas did not quite agree with that interpretation now, because this was simply how it had truly happened.

In many myths,

There were countless similar examples of taboos like "do not look," such as The Crane's Gratitude, Bluebeard, Pandora's box, Lot's Wife, and so on.

Why bring this up?

Because Thaumas was currently at the entrance to the Underworld. It was a volcanic crater filled with poisonous fumes.

Thaumas patiently listened as his senior disciple Orpheus recounted what had happened.

Thaumas had not expected this at all. He had not known that Orpheus had also been in the Underworld these past few days.

No wonder that dumb dog Cerberus had dared to claim he would keep it from Hades. So Hades had been held up by this matter.

Heartbroken, Orpheus had wandered around the entrance to the Underworld for a long time, playing again and again the Seven-stringed Lyre Apollo had given him—also known as the Lyre mentioned earlier.

He hoped for a Miracle, hoping Hades would make another exception.

But the gods had already given him a chance. From the moment Orpheus turned back, he had personally killed his wife, who had been about to be reborn.

"Orpheus~," Thaumas called his name faintly.

"Thaumas, don't try to comfort me. Let me have some peace and... Ah—!"

Before Orpheus could finish, Thaumas swung at him.

"What are you doing?!"

"And since when did you get so strong?!"

Orpheus covered his aching cheek, suppressing the urge to strike back as he angrily questioned Thaumas.

"Heh, you still dare to talk back? You need another beating!"

Another punch came flying. This time, Orpheus was prepared and quickly dodged.

After all, they had both learned martial arts under Chiron. Taught by the same master, they could easily anticipate each other's moves, and countering them was not difficult.

"Oh? You dare dodge?" Thaumas slapped at him again, but Orpheus firmly caught his hand this time.

"Thaumas, don't think I won't hit you just because you're younger! If you don't tell me why, I'll really do it!" Orpheus forgot his sorrow, which transformed into anger directed at Thaumas.

"Do you think you're still worthy of being called a hero? Answer me, Orpheus!" Thaumas withdrew his hand, even angrier than Orpheus.

That left Orpheus dumbfounded. He had no idea why Thaumas would say such a thing.

"Orpheus, you were once a great hero. Even the gods praised your music, and even Hades made an exception for you. But..."

Thaumas paused, raised a finger toward the volcanic crater, and roared:

"You actually threw away that opportunity with your own hands! What's even more laughable is that you're still here crying helplessly, waiting for a Miracle to happen!"

"If you want a Miracle, create one yourself! Do you think your wife can come back to life if you keep acting like this?!"

Thaumas wanted to knock sense into this muddled hero, to scold Orpheus until he understood.

Thaumas wanted to change some things, especially things related to him. Orpheus was his friend, and he would help him.

He had failed to stop the tragedy in time, but he could at least do something to prevent an even greater tragedy.

Judging from the legends, Orpheus later boarded the Argo, which meant he would not sink into despair here.

Thaumas could not change things he had not seen, but now that he had seen this, he could not help wanting to do something.

Perhaps that was simply his nature.

He did not know whether he was a kind person, because kindness itself was open to definition.

He had always doubted the definition the Monument had given him. "Order · Good," of all things, instead of something like Neutral. It really judged him based on legends, huh?

Still, there was one thing he could be sure of—he could not stand to see things that were too ugly.

Like the current, despondent Orpheus.

"Hahaha—" Orpheus laughed.

"So you really did come to persuade me. Forget it, Thaumas. You wouldn't understand the pain of losing a wife. Go back up the mountain. Master Chiron must be worried about you! Go on. I just want to be alone." Orpheus was steeped in sorrow.

"What if I have a way?" Thaumas suddenly said.

Orpheus's eyes lit up. He said nothing, as though clinging to a sliver of hope while waiting for Thaumas to continue.

The scolding and beating earlier had only been meant to make Orpheus focus enough to listen to what he had to say now.

After all, someone who had given up would not listen no matter what you said. Like pigeons and eunuchs—if you cursed them, would they change?

At first, Orpheus could not take in a single word.

"Orpheus, did you hear me clearly? I said I have a way." Thaumas spoke calmly.

"You mean you have a way to bring my wife back to life? Thaumas, can you really persuade Lord Hades?" Hope filled Orpheus. He knew Thaumas well and knew Thaumas never acted without certainty.

"As a hero, you should know very well that the gods have already given you one chance. Forget me—even the Goddess of Wisdom might not be able to persuade Hades!" Thaumas said.

"Then what do you mean by this? Are you toying with me, Thaumas?" The light in Orpheus's eyes dimmed as he spoke weakly.

"The dead are dead. Even if you charged into the Underworld now, no one would pay attention to you, least of all the gods.

I'm truly disappointed in you, Orpheus. You aren't worthy of being called a hero now. Are you really fit to bear those two weighty words?" Thaumas shook his head.

"What else can I do? I couldn't even protect my wife. Do you know? Every expression Eurydice had before she died is deeply engraved in my mind.

You wouldn't understand, because you never saw that scene. Why should you be able to empathize with me?"

Orpheus stumbled to the ground, but did not get back up. He simply clutched his chest and spoke sorrowfully.

Orpheus was right. Thaumas truly could not empathize. Having never suffered another's pain, how could he advise them to be good? But he truly could not bear to watch his friend sink like this.

"Orpheus, I don't know what happened, but judging by the way you look, it must have been painful.

But she is already gone. I've never understood love; I don't know what love is.

But I understand one thing: your beloved is gone. Rather than grieving, while her soul still has awareness, why not do something for her?" Thaumas sincerely consoled him.

"But what meaning would that have? It would only be a little psychological comfort." Orpheus laughed bitterly.

"You're right. It would indeed be psychological comfort. But what if it could comfort your wife as well? Say farewell to your wife properly!" Thaumas said again.

What he wanted to do was give the couple a proper farewell. That was the only help he could offer.

"You can let me see her again? But Lord Hades is unwilling to see me now. Even Hermes refuses to lead me through the volcanic crater and into the Underworld. I can't do it anymore." Hope rekindled in Orpheus.

Well, wasn't that convenient? If not for the night, he really would have needed to find a way to contact Hermes.

But since he was going to meet Goddess Clotho anyway, it would not hurt to use the betrothal gift, right?

If things did not work out with Goddess Clotho, he could return this Authority in full and try to do something to compensate her. At worst, he could pay Nyx with his life. Maybe he could even obtain a Noble Phantasm similar to Stella.

(Stella, the Noble Phantasm of Arash, the great hero. A Noble Phantasm activated with one's life. The author had max Bond with the great hero, and this thing was really useful. Though he had recently collected five copies of Kama and neglected him.)

"Hey, Orpheus, do you have any money?" Thaumas asked.

"Of course I do. Why are you asking?" Orpheus asked.

"Hurry up and hand it all over. This is the payment I deserve for helping you!" Thaumas closed his eyes, nodded, and smiled.

?

What was this for? As far as Orpheus knew, Thaumas was not particularly interested in money.

But Orpheus could ponder that question slowly. There were more important matters at hand.

Thaumas,

He was a contradictory person,

And also a hero of miracles,

Just as Thaumas had said, Miracles were created by oneself.

Those who did nothing and waited for Miracles to arrive were destined to be abandoned by them.

Then,

Let him bring a Miracle to the lost Orpheus!

A Miracle the two of them would create together!