Azure walked slowly along the marble corridor, his footsteps steady and controlled. The polished floor reflected the soft golden glow of the floating lantern beside him. Its light flickered gently, casting moving shadows along the carved pillars that lined the hallway. Moon emblems were engraved into the stone walls—symbols of protection, authority, and the city's long devotion to lunar faith.
There was no rush in Azure's pace. No visible anger. No agitation. Only calm.
The events of the previous night lingered in the air like faint smoke.
He descended a short staircase that led toward the lower level of the palace—the holding chambers. The air grew cooler as he approached the iron-barred cells. Guards stood at attention but did not speak. They merely stepped aside.
Inside one of the cells sat the man who had attacked them.
His hands were restrained with reinforced bindings. His once-defiant expression had faded into something heavier—fear mixed with uncertainty. The dim torchlight barely reached him, leaving half his face swallowed in shadow. The silence inside the chamber amplified the sound of his breathing. Slow. Uneven.
Azure stopped a few steps away from the bars.
For a moment, he simply observed.
No interrogation. No accusations.
Just silence.
The man avoided his gaze.
Azure finally turned slightly toward the cell door. His voice, when it came, was quiet and level.
"Don't cause any more trouble."
It was not a threat. Not a warning shouted in rage.
It was a simple statement.
The lantern beside him flickered once, its glow pulsing softly against the cold iron bars, as if acknowledging his words.
Without another glance, Azure turned and walked away.
The corridor above was open to the night sky. Tall windows framed the city beyond, and moonlight poured in like silver water. The twin moons of Vynarix hung high and luminous, their light bathing the rooftops and towers below.
Azure slowed near one of the windows.
From the corner of his eye, something shimmered—soft pink, almost playful in its movement.
"Verus?" he uttered unconsciously.
A voice responded from the shadows, light and teasing.
"That's right. I'm Verus Vine."
She stepped forward fully into the moonlight.
Verus Vine was unmistakable—long pink hair cascading past her shoulders, strands catching the pale glow. A delicate chain wrapped loosely around her left leg, glinting faintly as she shifted her weight. Her eyes carried a spark of mischief, and her smile was the kind that suggested she always knew more than she revealed.
"Can't believe you already knew my name," she said, landing lightly on the marble floor as if gravity held little meaning to her.
Azure's expression softened just slightly.
"Let's take a walk," he replied. "This city is beautiful, but there's still much to see."
Verus clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, studying him. "You're calmer than I expected."
He did not answer.
Instead, they began walking.
The streets of Vynarix were alive, though not loud. Crystal lamps hung from arched posts, glowing with steady, gentle radiance. Their light refracted against glass panels and decorative stonework, scattering prismatic colors across the cobblestone paths.
Moon and eclipse motifs adorned nearly every structure—etched into doorframes, embedded in stained-glass windows, carved into balconies. Even the fountains bore crescent shapes along their rims.
"Quite a beautiful city," Azure said quietly, observing the careful symmetry of gardens and the intricate patterns woven into the architecture.
"Wait until you try the food!" Verus exclaimed, suddenly grabbing his sleeve and pulling him toward a smaller side street.
The café they entered glowed warmly from within. The scent of baked bread and simmering herbs filled the air.
They were served local specialties: sparkling sweets coated in crystallized sugar that shimmered under the lantern's light, fragrant warm soup infused with lunar herbs, and soft bread that seemed almost luminous at its edges.
Verus immediately reached for one of the sweets.
"This is the best part of visiting new cities," she declared, licking a trace of sugar from her finger.
Azure watched her with faint amusement.
"So…" Verus tilted her head, studying him carefully. "You're buying a gift for Velmira too?"
"Yes," he answered without hesitation. "Something small. But meaningful."
The lantern floated in a slow circle above the table, as though approving of the intention.
Verus grinned. "Good. I'm an expert at choosing cute gifts."
Azure raised an eyebrow slightly.
"We'll see."
Elsewhere in the palace, Velmira sat quietly on the edge of her bed.
Moonlight streamed through her window, illuminating the soft curtains that swayed in the night breeze. The events of the past few days weighed gently on her mind.
A knock came at the door.
Before she could respond, it opened.
Vinny Vynarix stepped inside.
She was dressed casually—far from her formal attire. A soft lavender blouse, dark trousers, her hair tied loosely behind her. She looked less like a noble figure and more like an older sister.
"Velmira… I have news," Vinny said gently.
Velmira straightened. "Sis?"
Vinny exhaled softly before continuing. "I've received an offer to study at TERAU."
The words lingered in the air.
"I won't be able to spend much time here anymore," she added.
Velmira's smile was small but sincere. There was disappointment, yes—but also understanding.
"I understand," she said quietly. "But I'll miss you."
Vinny stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Take care of yourself," she said softly. "And take care of Azure too. He'll always be by your side."
Velmira lowered her gaze briefly.
She had also received news earlier that day—an invitation to train under the Archbishop. A rare and significant opportunity.
Responsibility was coming faster than she expected.
But she would not run from it.
Back in his quarters, Azure sat at his desk.
The room was lit only by the floating lantern and a small candle at the edge of the table. Shadows stretched across the walls as he dipped his pen into ink.
The letter was addressed to Natch Noctis.
He chose his words carefully—each sentence measured, respectful, sincere. The letter spoke of recent events, of TERAU, and of intentions yet to unfold.
Verus hovered nearby, her legs swinging lazily as she watched him write.
"You're serious about this letter," she observed.
"Yes," Azure replied without looking up. "Natch is important to me."
A knock came shortly after.
A courier delivered a carefully wrapped package.
Azure opened it slowly.
Inside lay the Nocturnal Gun Blade.
The sword's black metal surface absorbed the light rather than reflected it. Subtle veins of faint blue shimmer traced along the blade's length, pulsing softly like a restrained heartbeat.
The lantern flickered once.
Azure stood.
He raised his hand calmly.
"…Nocturnal."
From the air before him, the blade manifested fully into his grasp. Its weight settled naturally in his palm—as if it had always belonged there.
The aura around him changed—calm, yet undeniably lethal.
Moments later, another letter arrived.
This one bore the seal of the ruler of Forelallon.
Azure opened it carefully.
As he read, the faint softness in his expression faded into something more serious.
The lantern dimmed slightly, its light pulsing slower—almost like a silent warning.
In another part of the city, Vahara stood alone near a tall window.
He held a phone to his ear.
"Yes… Blooming Moon," he said calmly.
The voice on the other end responded, though only fragments of speech could be heard.
Vahara's gaze drifted toward the illuminated skyline of Vynarix.
Crystal lights shimmered beneath the twin moons overhead.
He lowered the phone slowly.
Outside, the city remained peaceful.
But beneath that calm surface—
Something was beginning to move.