Yet, Luna giggled. "What are you saying?! I'm Luna!"
"Oh, my bad Lady Luna. I can't help but mistake you with her...! Not gonna lie, you're a splitting image of your mother." Luna laugh. "Well, I get that impression a lot!" And she laughs.
"I haven't seen Lunaria in a flesh. But if Luna does infact a splitting image. Is she and the Champion related by blood?" He wondered.
"Oh shush mister! You're making your customer wait! It's bad for service ya'know?" The barber laughs. "Alright! Alright! I'll stop yapping and get this handsome bhoi to work!" And so, the real work begins. The barber trimmed the affected parts, reducing its length from Knee-long hair to elbow's length. There are some braids that are affected so, the barber unbraided his hair and trimmed them.
As the barber does his thing, Lucas is worried about his kingdom. "What should I do? I really have to go back to the Kingdom. My disappearance may cause confusion and chaos there by now." He wondered. "I'm looking for my chance to leave but— staying in this realm has lots of things to give to keep me preoccupied."
Later....
The barber does the final touches and now, "IT IS DONE!!!" Lucas' all set up. "The other layer of your hair were the most affected part. The bottom ones? Neeehh! They're fine like an aged wine!"
"Thank you so much, Mr. Barber! Here's my payment for your service!" Luna lend 2 silver coins but the barber didn't accept. "NAAH, that's free my dear! No need to pay up!" Luna's surprised. "Eh? Why not?" The barber looked at Lucas. "Saving our village from those Infernals are no joke, especially it's a night raid where humans are vulnerable to darkness. Which is why, it's my way of returning the favor. That's all."
"Anyway, kind sir. If you ever needed someone to groom your hair, don't hesitate to call! I am honored to work with such healthy hair! Grrrr...." Lucas' felt awkward and didn't speak. "What a timid warrior! Love it!"
"Anyway, Mr. Barber. We'll get going now." They're about to leave but— "Wait up, Lady Luna! There's a Grand fest that'll be held to tonight! You two are our greatest guests. Be sure to attend, okay?" Luna smiled. "We will!" So, they made their leave.
"Anyway, now that you're groomed. Let's head to the boutique shop and get you dressed. No offense, each country has their different cultures, I know. But let's get yourself something to wear made by this village. What do you say, Lucas?"
"Fine by me, as long as it won't strike me dead." He replied. "Oh shush you." Surely, the two enjoyed wandering around the village and no matter how Luna tried to pay them, they didn't accept her money and get whatever they want as free.
When they're at the boutique, Luna asked him to take off his clothes but he said that his clothes were Magical so when he activated his power, he's completely naked. Luna's face turned red and shoo him to get inside the dressing room.
Meanwhile....
"Seriously? We got most of your accessories for free? What are they thinking?!" Luna rants as they're facing at the forest entrance. "Anyways, since we're done dressing you. Let's up for another adventure, what do you say, Lucas?" Lucas' thinking. "Well, whatever you see fit is fine by me." Luna made a pouty look. "You're no fun... So, since the grand fest will be held tonight, we'll start searching for our lunch! And— heh... My house is burned down and so is the supplies that'll be enough for 1 month, and that makes us do the traditional way and that's — hunting our food, such as fishing!"
"Fishing?" Lucas is clueless. "Yes! Fish is going to be our main lunch this noon. Let's go!" Luna excitedly entered the forest. "Fish huh? I dunno what type of creature is that but— it's worth learning new stuffs."
"But before that, let's search first inside the forest for food like fruits & and other stuffs." Lucas swiftly stare at her. "Wait, there are foods inside the forest?" Luna flick his head. "Of course you silly goose! Where do we find some of our food from?" She crossed her arms. "I dunno how Lunacy Islanders find their food but I don't care. Let's go get something to eat." Luna headed to borrow some basket and now, they're heading towards the forest.
Inside the forest...
They kept searching and searching and Luna found some wild berries. "Lucas, look at this!" She shown it to him. "This is a wild berry, a fruit!" She gave one. "It's kinda sour so brace yourself!" Luna eat the berry and her face contorted. "Ooohh!!? So sour! Try it Lucas!"
Lucas is staring at it. "This weird thing. It reminds me of that infernal's poop." He wondered. "But nevermind." He eats the berries and— his eyes starts glimmering. "I've never tasted this type of food before!" He looked at Luna and the girl noticed. "Oh? You liked it? I didn't know you like sour fruits— a lot! Here, have some more!" Lucas enjoyed eating them. "Anyway, I'll be saving these for later. Now, let's look for more food! Nature is a blessing after all!"
They starts looking and later, Lucas found an edible mushroom. Since he doesn't know them, he takes a closer look. "This plant looks a lot like my—" he wondered but then Luna pop behind him. "Oh my?! You found a an edible mushroom! Good job Lucas!" She patted his head and start plucking them one by one. Lucas, who doesn't know much about mortal realm, has a sulky look. "Wait, do mortals eat—!? No, no... Definitely NO! There's NO WAY that's true!" He wondered.
"Lucas, me and my sister likes to look for these in this forest since they're usually common. But mind you though, some are edible and some aren't safe to eat." She kept plucking. "There are varieties of mushrooms that comes with different shapes and colors! They're amazing, yaknow? But sadly, this is the only mushroom I'm confident it's to be eaten."
"My lil sis left me a book that contains lots of mushrooms types since— I'm not really a type of person that's knowledgeable at it. But since the mansion burned down. I have nothing to reference anymore." She stood up. "I'm not really a smart type, ya see. I'm more of a brute and I like fighting." Lucas is listening. "Anyway, now that we got ourselves some delicious food, it's time for protein! FISH!!!" Luna grabbed Lucas' arm and headed towards the river.
At the River....
"We're finally here!" Luna looks really excited and placed the basket at the ground. "I can't wait to take a bath too!" She starts undressing herself, leaving her underwear, that covers her chest & bottoms. "Why are you taking your clothes?" Lucas is full of curiousity. "Well, I like catching fish with my hands since I have minimal patience and I forgot to bring the fishing gear. In that way, my clothes is prone of soaking, so no need elaborating for it's already common sense."
"Hey Lucas! Come and join me! I promise it's so fun!!" Lucas paused and later he starts undressing, leaving his underwear also. "Well, you're the boss." And the two enjoyed. Lucas observes how she does the fishing and later, Lucas caught 6 and Luna only got 2 fish. "Woah! What a haul Lucas! Well done!" Luna draws near him and pa his shoulder. "Now, we have a total of 8 fish! That's plenty of food for the 2 of us!"
"Food?" Lucas stares at the fish. He attempts to eat it but Luna stopped him. "Hey! Hey! Don't eat it just yet! We have to grill it!" Luna gave her catch first, stood up, and going to get off from the waters but— she stepped on a slippery stone and is about to fall. "Luna!!" Lucas released the catch and catched her.
"You okay?" Luna looked at him in the face. "Your face is reddening." It turns out that Lucas is blushing. "Why are you asking me?" He ask panickingly. "I should've been the one asking you that!" Lucas helped her stood up. Luna looked around. "Where are— the fish? Don't tell me you—?" Lucas scratched his scalp. "I'm sorry, I released them. Don't worry, I'll catch more." Lucas about to catch some fish but— "Wait! Let's do it toge—!!?"
Lucas let his guard down and by the time Luna grabbed and dragged him thru his left arm, he fell towards her. Now, both of them fell to the ground. Lucas is at top, while Luna is in bottom. Both stares for a minute, blushing, and later, Lucas quickly stood up. "I— I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that!" Luna shakes her head. "No, it's not your fault but mine. But— I just want you to know that we must do it together." She stood. "I understand why, and it's my fault. So let's do it together, okay? Even though I'm no catcher, I could somehow contribute a little."
"Well, you had a will and I'm no Deity to control you the least. So do what fits you." Luna smiled and both start catching fish for lunch. This time, they secured it with the basket.
An hour later....
Lucas is mesmerized how the water flows and how clear it is. But then, Luna splashed him water. Lucas looks annoyed but the time he saw Luna's face, his face softened. Luna throw another splash but Lucas dodged it. "Hey! No fair! No dodging!" As she rants, Lucas already does his revenge by splashing her as well. There, the two enjoyed and take their bath.
Noon time....
They hanged their underwears and temporarily wear the clothes they set aside. Also, they peacefully wait for their food to be cooked. While doing so, Luna speaks. "Say Lucas, have you ever felt having a sibling?" Lucas snapped from staring at the grilled food and decided to answer. "I'm the only son so I can't say I know the feeling." Luna looks disappointed but tend to kept it herself. "I see... So you're the only son." She then lean on Lucas.
"Lucas, may I share something? You don't have to reply, just listen to my senseless yapping. I... just want to... release this aching feeling." Lucas looked at her. "You want to rant? Sure, I'm all ears." Luna exhaled. "Lura, my lil sis. We've been together for a long time because of that, I've became dependent on her. You see, when it comes to brain-y stuffs, I always count on her." Her eyes became watery.
"Like— everything. But the time our mother died and she left, I feel... Lonely, sad, and hopeless. In broad daylight, people always seen me like my mother but they didn't know, when the night has fallen, I'm just a fragile girl who weeps and wallowed in grief." She grasped both her hands. "Perhaps, that's the reason why I'm having deep sleep recently." Lucas looked at her and she's indeed telling the truth. "Having a sibling sure makes me jealous." He expressed.
"I'm the only son, and I did not experience those stories you tell. I've gotten use to it and I have no problem. But— if you ever needed someone to talk with, I'm right here, willing to listen to everything you'll share! I like hearing stories after all!" Luna looked up and her expression tells joy, it's like she's been waiting for someone to say that. There, she hugged him. Lucas seemed shocked but later hugs back.
"Strange...." He wondered. "The last time I had my fill is last night. My stomach should've been growling right now since I missed 2 meals today but surprisingly, it didn't. Is mortal food this amazing or— being with Luna helps me suppress my hunger...?" He stopped hugging. "It seems our food's all up! Let's now season it with Salt! And there you go! We finally have our hard-earned meal!" Luna eats first and she's flattered because of the food.
Lucas observes how she eats and then follows. When he takes a bite— "This is... Amazing!" His eyes widened in awe. "I know right?!" Luna replies as she kept eating. Just then, Lucas eats like a glutton. "Hey, hey! Slow down or you'll choke!" Luna looks worried. "Anyway, here's tea! I just happen to spot some tea leaves and bamboos when we're heading towards the river." Lucas is savoring each food and Luna enjoys watching him.
"If lil sis is here, I'm sure that feeling will be quadruple! She's a great cook like my mother! Oh wait! I forgot that there'll be grand fest to be held tonight! I'm sure you'll gonna love the foods there!"
Lucas consumed 5 grilled fish, and 8 mushrooms as for Luna, she's left with 1 grilled fish and 2 mushrooms. "Wow? That's the fish we caught at the river?" Lucas is thrilled. "Yes. Isn't it delicious?" He nods. "There's kick-like flavor in it, is it the taste of the salt?"
"Correct again! That's what makes food flavorful. Though, spices makes the dish release an aroma & enhances the taste, still, if none of the spices were available, salt is the primary source!" Luna gives it a thumbs up. "Wait? I explained like a genius! Now, I earned the title of tactician." Luna let out a smirk.
Lucas noticed that Luna only eats little, and he became worried. "Your food, you only eat less. I— I'm so sorry for taking most of the food. I... I was—" suddenly, Luna touched his cheeks. "It's okay, you don't have to worry. The moment I saw you, you looked like you've been starving for too long. So, it's no biggie." Lucas still feel regretful. "Besides, watching you eat makes me full too and I'm quite happy." She smiled.
"It's afternoon now, better be on guard! Infernals usually attack afternoon till dawn. So, we, warriors are in state of alert."
"But hey? It wouldn't postpone the grand fest tonight, so better ready Lucas! You'll gonna taste lots of delicious food later!" She then pats his shoulders and stood up. "Let's head back to the village and help everybody who needed our assistance." Luna starts moving.
"How am I suppose to head back to the Kingdom?" And Lucas is troubled how to get back.
At the Void Realm...
Within the Kingdom, the citizens starts to worry about their King's disappearance. Aleksdair and his team were worried also so the little performer then told this matter to Roquinito.
At the Throne....
"I understand Mr. Aleksdair. Please don't panic. His majesty left whenever he's troubled. So, let's calm ourselves up and wait a little more." Roquinito reassures and Aleksdair calmed down. Lucas' adviser looked at the horizon with worry written on his face.
"Where are you, King Lucas?"