Their footsteps echoed against the polished stone floor, the high ceilings lined with stained glass windows casting fragmented colors across the red carpet. Luna and Theo chatted respectfully as they walked, their words barely louder than the soft rustling of their robes.
Behind them, Nyx walked silently, The more he watched Luna, the more his concern deepened. Her cheerful demeanor didn't match the one he'd seen earlier, he was sure of it.
Clenching his right hand, he frowned, jaw tightening as blood slipped down his palm and dripped onto the red carpet below.
They continued walking as the corridor stretched ahead, the grand exit front gate of the academy drawing closer. Just beyond them, the carriage awaited, prepared for their next day's departure.
…
Walking through the gate, Luna and Theo made their way down the stairs. A white carriage waited near the gravel path, its sides decorated with simple rose patterns, and few servants chatting around it, preparing the Luggage
Luna sighed, as she looked at it thinking, Luna before really did have a good relationship with Theo, based on how we chatted.
I can see why, she thought, a smile spreading across her face.
It's weird to refer to myself as Luna, even though present me and past me feel like different people now, Luna sighed mesmerised by the simple beauty of the carriage
Does a lack of memories make someone a new person, or are they the same, just different?
Frowning, she looked back at Theo. Then, glancing over her shoulder, she called out to Nyx, who was just then closing the door behind him.
"You'll be left behind, brother! Hurry up!"
"You're slow!" she added with a chuckle.
Nyx shut the door and turned to face them.
I really am reluctant to tell Father about her skills, he thought.
Sighing, he continued internally, But I can't stunt her growth just because of my concerns, I'll speak with him later.
Exhaling, he added silently, If father allows my request I'm sure it will be him.
Picking up the pace, Nyx caught up with them and said, in a tone tinged with disappointment,
"Luna, You'll need to leave tomorrow. Sadly, father doesn't trust us to keep you safe."
"I can see why," Luna said with a chuckle.
Nyx sighed, looking at her deeply. "Poor you."
"Hehe," Luna chuckled, then asked, "Will Theo and I go back alone, or are we all going?"
Without hesitation, he answered, "All four of us will go. Aria and I have things to discuss with Father."
"Poor you," Luna echoed with another chuckle.
"You…" Nyx's blood pressure spiked as he held himself back. Why am I even engaging in this? he thought, wiping his face with his right hand.
"Speaking of Aria, where is she, Luna?"
"She fell asleep in bed in my room, after she came to me while I was asleep," Luna replied with a smile, recalling the memory.
"She really has been losing her mind each day you were missing," Nyx said in a regretful tone.
"Is everything really alright?" he asked, frowning as he looked at Luna.
Luna exhaled softly, her gaze meeting his. Her demeanor softened, her tone gentle. "Yes, everything is fine."
To the best of her ability, she tried to comfort him, her gentle smile breaking slightly with a twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Theo was always listening to her and as he looked around.
Seeing it, Nyx sighed. "Alright, I believe you."
Why are you like this, making things harder for us…
She looked at Theo, who stood like a statue, silent and protective, his gaze occasionally scanning their surroundings. It would've been easier if you just spoke your mind…
"Theo, look after Luna. I have things to take care of."
Theo nodded at Nyx's words and gave a respectful bow.
Glancing at Luna, he gently advised, "Luna, I know you don't like this, but please speak your mind, rather than hiding it."
"What?" Luna asked, confused.
Even if I said it, what would it change? Doctor Aux said I'm terminally ill… there's no cure. So what does it matter if I say anything?
Even about the kidnapping… I don't understand. It wasn't even scary.
Luna scratched her cheek as she continued. I don't understand. I should've felt fear… but I didn't.
But it did leave unpleasant memories.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to go underground again…
Nyx smiled gently. In a soothing voice, he said, "I'll be going. If you want to see me, Luna, I'll be in the Headmaster's office." With that, he walked toward the servants standing near the carriage.
Luna waved with a smile as he passed.
I really don't understand you, brother. Now you're acting all gentle and concerned… but just a few weeks ago, you were so irresponsible, doing whatever you wanted without any care in the world.
Why are you acting like this now?
Luna sighed, turning to Theo. "Theo, let's go. I want to go to my room," she said with a smile.
Theo nodded. "Then, please follow me, my lady," he replied with a fulfilling smile on his face.
…
Back in her room, Luna gave Theo a small wave before closing the door behind her.
The space was quiet. A bed sat in the center, with bookshelves along the wall. Two sofas faced each other with a table between them.
She walked over to the sofa in the corner and sat down, letting out a soft sigh.
It's really confusing... Why would anyone go out of their way to kidnap me? What value do I even have?
I miss my lost memories… all eight years of them.
Leaning forward to reach the sheet of paper and pencils on the table, Luna suddenly remembered the note the old woman had given her in that prison cell.
"Ah, I forgot," Luna said, reaching into her pocket where she had kept the note.
Taking it out, her excitement shot through the roof as she murmured quietly, "Please be worth the trouble…"
Grabbing the note by its edges, she pulled it open in one swift motion, revealing a messy message written in dark red liquid:
'What I was, Now is yours'
"What…?" Confusion struck her. She flipped the note over, blank.
Turning it back again, her confusion only deepened. The message made no sense to her.
"That's all?"
"Really?"
She exhaled deeply, murmuring, "Wasn't even worth it."
Just as she did, the note froze solid, then cracked into countless pieces, startling Luna.
She threw it onto the table as the note shattered into thousands of shards and dissolved into the air, vanishing.
Sweat trickled down her face as she exclaimed, "What are you!"