Walking through the dense forest, clutching his side, Nyx groaned in pain as he escaped 'safely' from the ruins.
His condition was dire, but manageable, only a few ribs broken.
Passing between the trees, he reached the path.
A dirt path parted the forest and meadows, stretching across the vast land, where, near the carriage, dozens of horses fed quietly. Far ahead, the academy loomed in the distance, lit only by a faint, faraway light.
Looking to his right, he saw the simple black carriage with one door, windows covered by red curtains, surrounded by knights. With a sigh of relief, he painfully limped toward them.
Mitch, who stood among the knights, briefing them on the situation, spotted Nyx limping and clutching his side.
"Young Master Nyx!" called Mitch, his voice echoing through his armor with concern.
Rushing over to him, Mitch said hurriedly, "Please stop moving! The healer is on the way."
"Ey! Call the healer!" he shouted back toward the knights.
Theo, sitting by the carriage door, exhausted, slowly lifted his gaze toward the commotion. Seeing Nyx sitting on the ground, clutching his side, he murmured, "He'll be fine…"
Then, without another word, he fixed his eyes back on the forest ahead.
At that moment, the carriage door opened. Hearing the call, the doctor stepped out, leaving the doors wide open as he rushed toward Nyx.
Inside the frame of the doorway, Luna lay curled up on the red leathered right-side seat, covered by a blanket. The cold night air drifted in.
Noticing her discomfort even in sleep, Theo while sitting reached towards the door closing it with a soft click.
"Sleep well, Young Lady," he whispered, a gentle tone in his voice.
…
The carriage rode rather smoothly along the dirt path as the knights rode fast on horseback, protecting it on all sides.
Theo stood on the roof of the carriage, observing for potential danger.
"Mitch, move the horses away from the carriage. You're all too close," Theo ordered.
At his command, the horses shifted a meter to the side, leaving behind only a trail of compacted dirt and drifting dust.
…
Inside the carriage, Luna slept quietly. The ride barely shook, and the sound of galloping hooves was faint.
Only Mr. Vinn and the doctor sat inside, across from where Luna lay.
Silently, the doctor watched over her condition. Mr. Vinn, due to his age and exhaustion, had fallen asleep, his head resting against the carriage's dark red walls, engraved with deep blue shield motifs. It was one of the standard carriages he and the doctor used during their trips to the ruins.
Luna groaned in discomfort, as if caught in a nightmare. The doctor leaned in slightly, observing her more closely. Her forehead was exposed, yet the mark was missing.
Her groans deepened as she turned her whole body away from him.
…
A blizzard swept the land. A massive castle stretched far across the horizon, its walls towering from the ground, well above a hundred meters. Its towers, half again as tall as the walls, loomed above, built from greyish stone, coated in frost as the snowstorm howled with growing fury.
Luna extended her hands forward, staring at them.
Where am I? Is this a dream?
She pondered, glancing around.
Before her eyes stretched a mountain range so vast it spanned the full arc of her vision, sweeping across the entire 180 degrees her neck could turn.
Looking up, Luna saw a girl.
She stood, barefoot, on the edge of the wall, half her stood grounded on the wall. A white nightgown clung to her frame, and her long white hair thrashed violently in the freezing wind. That was all Luna could make out. Everything else, even her face, was a blur.
It puzzled her. She knew it was a dream. Despite the blizzard raging around her, her arms felt warm. Not a hint of cold touched her skin.
The girl above watched over the land, and then, she looked directly at Luna.
Her blurred face locked onto her like a presence. Luna felt a strange tingling at the top of her head. She slowly looked up, heart hitching.
Their eyes met, if one could call them eyes.
A chill shot down Luna's spine.
Then, suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the ground behind her began to crumble.
She fell.
Into the void beyond.
Her speed surged as she plummeted, unable to grasp what was happening. The ground of the void rushed up toward her,
, and with a jolt, she woke up in bed.
Sunlight filtered gently across her face, warm and steady. The sheets beneath her were soft. The air smelled faintly of old books and fresh linen.
She sat up.
It was a normal room. The academy dormitory. A few paintings of renowned magicians hung on the walls. Drawers, a carpet laid across the floor, and her familiar bed, crimson duvet trimmed in white fur, dark red curtains left slightly open. Her head rested on a fluffy white pillow.
Drenched in sweat, she cupped her cheeks with both hands. Her face was burning, her palms slick with the heat from her skin.
Was this a dream… or a nightmare?
She rubbed her tired eyes.
This was the second time it happened.
Who is she…?
"Niva, come out."
Hearing Luna's call, Niva emerged from her forehead leaving a snowflake mark on her forehead and landed on the duvet in front of her. He knelt, bowing deeply.
"I am so sorry, Luna. I cannot fathom how I managed to mess this up badly."
He lowered his head, voice trembling.
"Please, if you need to harm me, I am in agreement with you."
"What is up with you?" Luna asked, confused.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
Drenched in sweat, she wiped her forehead with the sleeve of her white nightgown.
"I ordered you to do it, and you did it perfectly, up to your abilities. As you said, you're as strong as I am."
"I don't fault you for that."
She shook the sweat from her hand and began straightening her messy hair.
"You know well you are mine. From the moment you made the contract with me, your life was in my hands."
"So why would I harm someone I dearly care about?"
Perplexed, Niva looked up at her as she fixed her hair, her nose starting to bleed.
"I… I don't know," he answered softly.
"I care about you. I wouldn't hurt you in any way."
She opened her arms. "Come here. I'm freezing."
Though confused, given the temperature was well above normal, Niva went to her. As she hugged him, he murmured,
"You're bleeding from your nose, Luna."
"Oh. Right."
She wiped the blood away, hugged him tighter, and pulled the duvet around them.
"Now we're going to sleep," she said, voice low. "So stay here until I wake up. Or until someone comes. Okay?"
Niva nodded. "Alright."
Oh… I forgot to ask Niva something…
With that lingering thought, Luna drifted off, exhaustion still haunting her.