Arionus

**Arionus** is the main antagonist of the Tides Rise to Everlasting Flames Double UR Event.

## History

Hephaes and Arionus crafted their Holy Instruments together. They went to the Magma Mines together to retrieve them. These Instruments can magnify their power by a thousand-fold but the smallest error can have horrible results. Passing this trial is what allows an elf to become a guardian of the Tree of Life.
When Hephaes opened the box with their Holy instruments in it, Arionus saw the Grail and immediately asked why Hephaes didn't craft a "more powerful weapon" since they have flames that can burn anything in the world.
As Hephaes transferred his power to the Grail, Arionus got worried for them. If Hephaes failed, they could be destroyed by their own power. Arionus sighed in relief when Hephaes passed the trial successfully.
Arionus opened their box next, which had the New Moon Scepter in it. With it, Arionus would be able to control the world's tides. As they tried to transfer their power to it, a blue crystal orb appeared at the tip of the trident. Arionus tried to stay concentrated, but the Abyss tried to attack him. Hephaes blocked the attack before it reached the water elf. Initially shocked, Arionus used the time Hephaes gave to complete the transfer. The staff surged with power and Arionus swung it, smiting a hill in the distance with lightning, followed by a deluge of rain. He stood in the thunderstorm, triumphant... At least until he was aggressively bear hugged by Hephaes. The fire elf congratulated him, but Arionus was preoccupied by how he would've been destroyed by the Abyss if Hephaes hadn't blocked that attack for him.
They walk until after the sun set, Hephaes chatting happily until they come to a cliff where a caravan of war refugees are walking under them. Hephaes explained to Arionus that he doesn't like when people use fire to make weapons. Arionus then asked if Hephaes was scared of him since he got the most powerful weapon in the world. Hephaes briefly froze in shock, but started laughing. They promised that they would never hurt each other.
The next day, they went to the Tree of Life to do the ritual to take them to the Source Spring. The other seven elves stopped them and told Arionus that he couldn't enter the Source Spring because of the Abyss in him, therefore he was the only elf who couldn't receive the blessing.

Arionus now has a water elf servant/disciple named Flo. He and Hephaes are now a bit older and more mature. He often dives to the bottom of Lake Bovaly, where he is sometimes attacked by the Abyss. He drives the Abyss away and suppresses it in order to prevent storms.
He heard the prayers of a  distant kingdom, so he blessed their  Holy Maiden with tears that became jewels and blessed gemstones. More people were praising him, so the Water Elves began to prosper, but the other elves, except Hephaes, rejected him even more.
Arionus shows Hephaes the bottom of Lake Bovaly and its connection to the Abyss and the Tree of Life. He explains that the Abyss will slowly erode the tree and eventually hollow it out where all life is doomed on this continent.
Arionus told Hephaes about his plan to use his own Seed to destroy the connection between the Tree of Life and the Abyss. Hephaes reluctantly agreed since it would mean that Arionus will lose his immortality and die someday. Arionus justifies it by saying that he will still be the water of the world
Hephaes cries and Arionus rubs his hair and he reassures him that they will be together until the very end.

Arionus was able to successfully use his seed to seal the crack between the Abyss and the Tree of Life. He leaves the Tree, but he can't find Hephaes. He sees the other elves and he goes over to them to tell them the good news. The other elves tell Arionus that the Tree was attacked by the Abyss and that Hephaes should not have opened the Source Spring for him. The other elves circle him and told him to stand down.
Arionus suddenly experienced a sharp pain from the Abyss and fell to his knees. The other elves tried to restrain him, but he swung his staff to push them back. He let out a sneer and the Abyss attacked his mind. A black shadow from the Abyss came out of his body and attacked the Wind Elf. He lost his vision and could only see lightning in a black void.
A golden butterfly came into view and flew over to Arionus. It landed on his finger, where he heard Hephaes calling him. Hephaes's calls helped clear his vision and he found himself in the middle of the ocean, where thunderstorms and tsunamis were happening behind him.
He saw a crying Water Elf trying to follow him, but Arionus was still disoriented and he had a headache, so he followed the fire butterfly.
Arionus found Hephaes at the Fire Elf alter and they were relieved to see each other. Arionus goes to hug Hephaes, but the other elves showed up from behind the alter with their Holy Instruments ready.
Arionus became furious and used his staff to attack the elves without discrimination. Arionus heard Hephaes call him and turned around. Hephaes had the Holy Grail and was flanked by the other elves. Arionus recalls the promise that they had made, to never hurt each other, as the Grail's light hurts his eyes. Suddenly, from behind him, Flo screams that Hephaes betrayed Arionus. As the golden flames come towards Arionus, he roars and his fury shows the full extent of his powers as they summon a massive tsunami. All of the other elves run away, screaming, but Hephaes is unfazed as he walks towards him.
The two are obscured by the white vapor from the clashing elements until Arionus finds himself in a silent, white space, filled with a holy aurora, and has a floating Grail in the middle. He fades into unconsciousness.

## Relationships

### Hephaes

Hephaes and Arionus cared for each other very much. They literally promised to never hurt each other. When Arionus was preparing to die while breaking his seed, he says that he will be happy because Hephaes will be there in his final moments. While the story only strictly said they were best friends, it is heavily implied that they had a deeper relationship on a romantic level. However, this is neither confirmed nor denied, so many people interpret them to be gay lovers.

### Mercury

Manipulated Arionus to appear so that he could steal their staff.