Page 30 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
“Yes, although that is not unusual, as you know from our own bond. What was remarkable was how completely their abilities merged and enhanced one another. The texts describe them working as a single consciousness when facing the most damaged or dangerous knowledge repositories.”
“How long did they work together?” Sephen asked.
“Nearly seven centuries. They created the foundation of what would become the Grand Archives in Zolemni, though the original structure was lost in the Great Fire millennia ago.”
“That’s impressive, even for a bonded human,” Sephen noted. “What happened to them in the end?”
Kisano grew somber. “From the fragments that survived, we know they discovered a sealed vault beneath what is now Laylan. Inside was information on the origins of Talwyn. It contained notions so profound and dangerous that they defied comprehension.”
“What kind of knowledge?”
“The texts don’t specify,” Kisano replied, his face taking on a pensive expression. “They only mention it concerned the fundamental nature of reality and the barriers between realms. Despite Palimirno’s protective magic and Zenathir’s guidance, Orinth insisted on being the one to catalog and understand the knowledge.”
“And it was too much for him,” Sephen guessed.
Kisano nodded. “The human mind, even enhanced by a trinity bond, has limits. The texts say Orinth perceived too many layers of reality simultaneously. He could see the past, present, and multiple futures overlapping. His consciousness fragmented across different realms until it shattered into nothing.”
“That sounds horrifying,” Sephen said, a chill running through him despite their physical warmth.
“Palimirno tried to shield him, to pull his mind back to a single reality, but the damage was already done,” Kisano continued.
“And Zenathir couldn’t help?” Sephen asked.
“It was beyond the limits of the Knowledge Power. Unable to carry on without Orinth, Palimirno and Zenathir searched for him in the Beyond Realm, where the barriers between possibilities are thinner. The last entry in their journal stated, ‘What was scattered in knowledge shall be gathered in love. We go to find our third.’”
Sephen was quiet for a moment, processing the story. “Did they succeed? Did they find him?”
“The historical record ends there. But there’s a beautiful poem that many scholars believe references them. It describes threestars that vanished from the night sky only to reappear as a single, brighter light in a different constellation.”
“I’d like to believe they found each other,” Sephen said, snuggling against his mate.
“As would I,” Kisano agreed, tightening his arms around his mate. “Despite the tragedy, their story proves that trinity bonds between humans, shifters, and Powers are possible. They achieved remarkable things together before their end.”
“But it’s also a cautionary tale about the dangers of reaching for knowledge beyond mortal comprehension.”
“Yes, although I suspect what they encountered was uniquely dangerous,” Kisano replied. Not all advanced understanding carries such risks.”
“I wonder if Liros is old enough to have known them,” Sephen mused. “As the current Knowledge Power, he must have access to records beyond our imagination.”
“Almost certainly,” Kisano said. “And perhaps that knowledge influences his interactions with mortals even now.”
Sephen nestled closer, his mind filled with possibilities. “So we’re not without precedent. That’s encouraging, although their ending was sad.”
“It is,” Kisano agreed, pressing a kiss to Sephen’s temple. “And we would be wise to learn from both their achievements and their tragedy.”
“Perhaps Liros has been waiting for the right partners to try again, but with better safeguards this time.”
Kisano hummed with interest. “An intriguing theory. I suspect he might appreciate your optimism if he were here to discuss it.”
Hope colored Sephen’s voice. “Maybe someday he will be. I’d love to ask him about Orinth, Palimirno, and Zenathir.”
“I would enjoy that scholarly discussion,” Kisano said, his fingers combing through Sephen’s hair. “Your enthusiasm combined with his ancient wisdom would be quite something to behold.”
Sephen grinned, already imagining it. “We’d talk for days without stopping.”
“And I would happily listen to every word,” Kisano assured him, his voice warm with affection.
“We won’t know until we try.” Sephen pressed a kiss to Kisano’s chest above his heart. “And trying this was certainly enjoyable.”
