When Orion was surrounded, suddenly, a loud shout interrupted the tense silence of the battlefield. Everyone turned to see a figure standing at the edge of the clearing, his voice ringing out with authority.
It was Elder Winston, one of the most respected members of the Celestial Harmony Sect. He was a man with a commanding presence, and even the members of the Panthera Clan hesitated in his presence.
"How dare you to do this kind of thing in Celestial Harmony Sect," he bellowed, his eyes fixed on Orion. "This is a place of peace and enlightenment, not of violence and bloodshed."
Orion felt a wave of relief wash over him at the elder's words. He had always respected the Celestial Harmony Sect and its teachings, and he knew that the elders held great sway over the other clans.
But the other members of the Panthera Clan were not so easily deterred. They raised their weapons once again, their eyes fixed on Orion.
"You have no right to interfere in our affairs," one of them spat, his voice filled with anger. "This is a matter of honor and pride, and we will not be stopped by some old man's words."
Elder Winston's eyes blazed with anger at the insult. He took a step forward, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"You are in the presence of an elder of the Celestial Harmony Sect," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You will show respect, or face the consequences."
The members of the Panthera Clan hesitated for a moment, their eyes flickering between Orion and the elder. For a moment, it seemed as if they might back down.
But then, the elder of the Panthera Clan stepped forward, his expression twisted in rage.
"Elder Winston, please excuse us to kill this man," he said, gesturing towards Orion. "He dares to kill one of our members, and he must pay the price for his actions."
Elder Winston's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "What are you talking about?" he demanded. "Both of them agreed to be in a death match, and one of them is surely dead. What more do you want?"
The elder of the Panthera Clan sneered at Elder Winston's words. "You are too naive, old man," he said, his voice mocking. "You think that just because they agreed to fight, that makes it right? This man has shown no respect for our clan or our traditions. He deserves to die."
Orion felt a surge of anger at the elder's words. He had always been proud of his independence and his refusal to bow down to anyone, but now he saw the danger in his actions.
Elder Winston's face darkened with anger at the elder's words. "Do you think I care?" he shot back, his voice cold and mocking. "This is the territory of the Celestial Harmony Sect. This is not your territory. Do you really want your clan to be at war with us?"
The members of the Panthera Clan exchanged uneasy glances at Elder Winston's words. They knew that the Celestial Harmony Sect was one of the most powerful clans in the region, and they did not want to provoke their wrath.
As the tension between the two sides escalated, Elder Winston's anger grew more palpable. He could not believe the arrogance and disrespect of the Panthera Clan members, who seemed to think they could do whatever they wanted within the Celestial Harmony Sect's territory.
"Also, do you think that is all?" he continued, his voice rising in fury. "Marcus, the member of your clan that had died had caused many problems within the sect. Don't say that only your clan can do anything they want."
The elder of the Panthera Clan snarled in response. "We have done nothing wrong," he spat. "And even if we did, it is not your place to judge us."
Elder Winston's eyes narrowed, and his fists clenched even tighter. "I will judge whoever I please," he said, his voice cold and menacing. "And I will not allow your clan to disrupt the peace and harmony of our sect."
The elder of the Panthera Clan seemed to realize the gravity of the situation, and he took a step back. "We apologize for any offense we may have caused," he said, his voice now conciliatory. "We will leave now and never return."
Elder Winston nodded, his expression still filled with anger. "See that you do," he said, his voice carrying the weight of his authority. "And know that any further transgressions will not be tolerated."
As the members of the Panthera Clan gathered their weapons and began to retreat, Orion breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that he had been lucky to escape with his life, and he felt grateful to Elder Winston for intervening on his behalf.
But as the Panthera Clan members turned to leave, Orion could see the glaring eyes from the elder of the Panthera Clan. It was clear that they were not happy with the outcome of the confrontation. Orion could feel their animosity and resentment towards him, and he knew that he had made a powerful enemy.
The elder of the Panthera Clan paused for a moment before leaving, turning back to face Orion with a look of contempt. "Don't be happy," he spat, his voice filled with venom. "You may have won this battle, but you will regret it for making us your enemy."
Orion felt a chill run down his spine at the elder's words. He knew that the Panthera Clan was not one to be trifled with, and their anger could lead to dangerous consequences. He tried to remain calm, but he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach.
Elder Winston noticed Orion's discomfort and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry," he said, his voice steady and calm. "You did nothing wrong, and I will make sure that the Panthera Clan understands that."
Orion nodded, grateful for Elder Winston's support. But he couldn't shake the feeling that the elder of the Panthera Clan's warning was not an idle one. He knew that he needed to be cautious and prepared for any retaliation from the Panthera Clan.
As the Panthera Clan members disappeared from view, Orion took a deep breath and tried to calm his racing thoughts. He knew that he had narrowly escaped a deadly confrontation, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down now.
He turned to Elder Winston, a look of gratitude on his face. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I owe you my life."
Elder Winston smiled kindly at Orion, his eyes filled with warmth. "Don't mention it," he said, his voice gentle. "It's what we do here at the Celestial Harmony Sect. We protect and uphold the values of peace and enlightenment, even in the face of danger."
Orion nodded, feeling a sense of awe and respect for Elder Winston and the Celestial Harmony Sect. He knew that he had witnessed something truly remarkable, and he would never forget the lessons he had learned that day.
