Chapter 29: Luna

　　Despite being granted her freedom, Luna was unable to leave. Elena`s intentions kept her feeling uneasy. This can`t be how it ends, can it? She had always imagined her freedom would be earned by fighting tenaciously and killing her sister in a duel of strength. This was not what she had dreamed of.

　　Let me make this clear. . . You are free to go. Elena`s words resonated through her skin and cut to the essence of her being. She`d felt the connection loosen - then fade away. The innate desire, the small place in the back of her mind that forced her to obey, had been eradicated.

　　Yet that did not clear Elena from her list, and she would never stop seeking her death. But, in the tavern, she couldn`t bring herself to do it. Killing a defenseless Elena was not what she wanted. She wanted her sister to fight back with full force - and even then, Luna would never be defeated.

　　And so, Luna waited, perched between atop the ramparts of Belmire`s outer wall. The space was ample enough for a duel and shielded by a low stone enclosure. She had deduced that this secluded spot was ideal because no one was ever up there at this time.

　　She settled between battlements, let her legs dangle over the edge, and glanced over the sprawling terrain in the distance. A vast expanse of flat grassland stretched endlessly. The Belmire river cut through and flowed to the distant ocean behind her. To her left, she could see the silhouette of a massive mountain range that pierced the sky. Part of her wondered if, up there, one could see the Sun.

　　Despite the beauty the land held, Luna`s true intentions lay in Rehysh. Would Freya`s former crew welcome her back? Would they harbor resentment, or would they even remember her at all?

　　A sigh escaped her lips, and she channeled Yelzar. His tranquility flowed through her and offered solace amid her uncertainty. The guise of the Lady of the Stars had been abandoned, and she was left awaiting the elusive sense of freedom.

　　"What path should I follow?" Luna said to nobody.

　　A voice interjected, shattering her solitude. "Jumping might be an option, but I`ll advise against it. The fall would be lethal for most, though, not for the Tigress."

　　Luna gasped and twisted to locate the source of the voice. It was Ferris, and instead of sitting between the battlements as she did, he was seated atop one.

　　"No dagger this time? No threats?" he jested. "Won`t you entertain me with your angry shouts and futile attacks?" He posed, hands propping underneath his chin.

　　His legs dangled across a distant battlement, and Luna had to turn all the way around to see him.

　　"Why must you always intrude when I am up here?"

　　"Why must you always brood upon rooftops?" Ferris retorted, "Repeating the same scene gets quite boring. How do you think they feel?" He gestured toward the sky.

　　"How do I think who feels?"

　　Ferris sighed, a bemused smile curving his lips. "Ah, never mind. It`s beyond your comprehension."

　　Luna narrowed her eyes. "Do you ever make a lick of sense?"

　　"Do you ever stop brooding?" He mused.

　　"I am not brooding," Luna protested, lifting a finger. "I`m thinking."

　　"Thinking about brooding?"

　　She grumbled. "Did you show up here just to annoy me?"

　　He smiled broadly. "Perhaps."

　　Luna rolled her eyes.

　　"Very well," he conceded, glancing away. "Reflecting is quite important, so I can empathize with you there." With a graceful leap, he landed on the wall`s surface. "Do you want to know what I think?"

　　"Not particularly."

　　"I suspect you`re grappling with your newfound freedom," Ferris said, sitting down with his back against the battlement adjacent to her.

　　Luna said nothing; he was obviously right.

　　"I think," he said, "you should stay here."

　　"Why?"

　　"I`ve witnessed this narrative before, and it never ends well. If you leave now, Caden may not survive."

　　"Please, he`s more than capable. Did you see him in the duel? He`s probably stronger than me."

　　Ferris erupted in laughter. "Stronger than you? The Tigress? You don`t know half of the power you hold."

　　"That`s what everyone always seems to tell me."

　　"Allow me to share a tale that might change your mind."

　　"I`d prefer if you didn`t."

　　Ferris feigned a pout.

　　"Fine."

　　"Do you remember the friend I spoke of?" Ferris began. "The world`s most dangerous man?"

　　Amused, Luna managed to smile. "The one who lives past the edge of the world?"

　　"There was a time when this man cherished someone deeply. You and Caden always remind me of them."

　　Heat rushed to Luna`s cheeks, and she glanced away. "I don`t love him," she protested, her words faltering. "He`s just. . ."

　　"He tutored her in combat," Ferris continued, disregarding her rebuttal. "He built her up into a formidable warrior through the art of the blade. Love blossomed during this period, yet circumstances gave him a choice to teach elsewhere."

　　"A romance between a student and a teacher? How scandalous."

　　"Isn`t that the interesting bit?" Ferris asked. "But he took that opportunity for a new job, having to leave her behind. Their paths diverged, and while they eventually did meet again. . . it was never the same. Even now, those two. . ." his voice disappeared, "They`ve still not quite figured things out."

　　A haunting silence descended upon them.

　　"I told you this because I don`t want that happening to you. If you leave now, you may suffer the same fate as he. And I want to tell you something more. Remember what I told you when you meet the most dangerous man in the world. Every human being is capable of love, even him - although you might find that impossible to believe."

　　"You`re warning me again," said Luna, "Like you did before, you warned me not to have him replace me."

　　"I did."

　　"Now you`re warning me not to leave."

　　"I am."

　　"Why?"

　　"He`s. . . in danger."

　　"Danger, how?"

　　Ferris squirmed. He clasped his hands behind his back. "I`m unable to say."

　　"Unable?"

　　He nodded.

　　"What does that mean? Do you not want to? Or are you literally incapable?"

　　"Just help him. . . he needs you." Ferris stood up, glanced back to look her in the eye one last time, then wavered, falling into a puddle of water and melding with the stone.

　　Luna struggled with her own uncertainty. Yet, if Caden was in danger, she couldn`t leave. . . not yet. For now, she`d await Elena`s arrival, duel her, and force her to talk about what happened to him. If she held no answers, she`d kill her and go find him herself.

　　* * *

　　Three hours elapsed before a figure finally emerged on the ramparts of the southern wall. A vibrant burst of orange flames manifested, unveiling a man adorned with an Aberrant mask and a faded maroon cloak. He strode forward, sword sheathed at his side and hands tucked into his pockets. He paused when he was close enough to speak.

　　"I am here on behalf of Elena," he declared. It was Caden. That much was obvious, yet he looked so different for some reason.

　　"Is she coming?" Luna asked.

　　"No. It`s just me. I will fight in her place."

　　Luna chuckled. "I am not fighting you. Are you mad?"

　　He shook his head. "I was told that if you desire a duel, that I shall fight you. Otherwise, I must see you out of the city."

　　She narrowed her eyes. "Caden, really? You`re listening to her? To Elena?"

　　Something`s definitely off, Luna thought. Ferris was right. What is wrong with him?

　　"I am bound to obey," he spoke softly.

　　He`s being compelled. . . Shock registered on her face, and her jaw dropped. She took a step forward. "You don`t have to listen to -"

　　Caden unsheathed his sword, dawning a combat stance. "Restrain yourself, Tigress. I know your tricks, your mind games. Don`t. . ." he hesitated, "I knew you, didn`t I?"

　　"You don`t remember me?"

　　Luna had never thought words could cause her physical pain, yet, at that moment, her chest ached - and all the Moonlight in the world could not heal it.

　　"No." He took out a journal from his pocket and removed his mask. He flipped through the pages. "I have no notes mentioning the Tigress. What`s your name?"

　　"Luna."

　　"I never wrote about you."

　　Her heart shattered.

　　She took another step forward, and he backed away. "I can help you," she said. "I can restore the memories you`ve lost."

　　"Elena warned me of your false promises," he said. "I was told you would say exactly that."

　　"I am not deceiving you," she said.

　　"She said you`d say that too."

　　Why, sister, why must you still torment me? She thought.

　　She channeled Renna, preparing for any potential combat, yet she desperately hoped it would not come to that.

　　"There`s a carriage leaving shortly. Take it," he said. "Go far away so that we may never need to fight."

　　His face was so different. The light reflected in his eyes perfectly. He looked happier, bearing no traces of stress. His eyes no longer had bags under them. He was just a loyal soldier for Elena, content in his role.

　　"Are you that much happier?" She asked. The pain in her chest had not subsided. It was torture. "Without memories of me? Does it make you that much happier?"

　　"I don`t know if I remember you. I don`t know if Elena took this from me, but I feel no different."Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

　　She took another step forward.

　　He swiped his blade through the air, offering caution.

　　She stopped.

　　"I understand," she turned to go, only to freeze. Ferris`s story filled her thoughts. "I am sorry. . . but I will not abandon you."

　　She would not forsake him as Ferris`s friend had done.

　　With a surge of determination, she lunged, evading a horizontal sword arc and slamming him in the chest. He fell off balance, dropping his sword. She grabbed both his arms and held him there - dangling for a moment - before pulling him up and grabbing his cheeks.

　　No help from her predecessors, she didn`t channel anybody. She could do this. . . alone.

　　He shouted at her.

　　She didn`t care.

　　He pulled out a small knife and drove it through her side.

　　She didn`t care.

　　She pulled him close, standing on her tippy toes so their noses touched.

　　Agony surged through her abdomen.

　　She kissed him.

　　Their lips met, and it was like fire. She pulled on her magic, pooling her Moonlight through her body and channeling it into Caden. She flooded him with a torrent of memories. Their shared experiences, their first encounter, stealing the registry, and the conversation in her room all laid bare - the speech, the play, the riots, the festival, the party, everything.

　　He pulled the knife from her side, and Moonlight rushed to heal it. His hands traveled to her waist, pulling her closer. She kept kissing him; she would kiss him forever until he remembered everything. Every moment needed to be re-experienced. Everything needed to be felt.

　　The kiss burned her as if she was the Sun itself. Her hands traveled from his cheeks to his neck. She pushed him up against one of the battlements and unclasped his cloak. She untucked his shirt and put her hands underneath, exploring his bare skin.

　　His hands traveled up her body, from her hips to her shoulders to her neck. He was touching her, and she fed him all their memories. One moment, she`d be reliving an event with him. The next, she`d be conscious again and still kissing him. He would pull away, breathe in sharply, and then continue to kiss her.

　　After an eternity, after every memory, she pulled away. She had been straddling him on the floor, and they had just exited the last memory of them together - right before the duel. Part of her worried that more clothes would have been taken off if she hadn`t pulled away. Her cheeks grew hot, and she gasped as his hands gripped her waist.

　　"Hi," she said.

　　Caden was a babbling fool. He tried to form ten sentences before stumbling into the word: "Hello."

　　"You remember?"

　　"Yes." He averted his gaze, seemingly looking everywhere but at her.

　　"Good," she said. "Now look at me."

　　He did.

　　She leaned down and kissed him again.

　　"We could. . ." she said after she pulled away, "go to Rehysh together."

　　"Uh, can you get off me before we talk about this?" He asked.

　　She smirked, "Why? What`s wrong with this?" She placed her hands on his chest and lowered her hips so that she brushed up against him. He breathed in sharply and wouldn`t look at her. That reaction was priceless.

　　"Well, now isn`t really the time for. . ." he trailed off and blushed, "you to be on top of me."

　　Despite the entertainment of her teasing, he was right. She got off him and then helped him to her feet.

　　He composed himself quickly, "That was. . . amazing."

　　She rolled her eyes. "Well, I had to be sure you remembered."

　　"I`m sorry -"

　　"It`s not your fault." She stuck a finger in his face. "It`s Elena`s."

　　"She`s volatile," he said. "She`s suffering from horrid burnout. She told me about what really happened to Isabel, she was there, in the palace. . . the night she died. She ended up Kindling right then and there, and her magic forced her to kill Isabel. She was the Pyromancer we searched for all along."

　　No wonder she kept pestering me about Isabel`s memories in the palace. She didn`t want me to know she was guilty. . . Luna thought. But why blame that on her magic? Of all things?

　　The shock of this revelation was short-lived, as Luna only desired to escape from Belmire, and she never really knew Isabel. Perhaps she understood her predecessor`s unbridled rage now more than ever.

　　"If we leave," said Caden, "She`d seek us to the ends of Elutia. She can compel us both now, and worse, take my memories. . ."

　　He looked as if he was going to say more but didn`t.

　　"I`m not leaving without you."

　　"Why would Elena send me here," he asked, "if you could just give me my memories back?"

　　"I . . . didn`t think I could. It was kind of lucky. I could show you one memory at a time, just like I can view my own memories or my predecessors. But we`d have to spend like three months sitting here while you remember. It`s why I always look at glimpses. . . but, I guess in this instance, I channeled myself. And uh, I was able to show you everything."

　　"Thank you," he said. His voice was so genuine that Luna couldn`t help but find it adorable.

　　He was blushing again.

　　"You`ve never kissed anyone before, have you?" Luna teased.

　　"What? Well, I, uh," he turned away and crossed his arms. "Have you?"

　　"Well. . ."

　　"You`re a recluse! How could you have -"

　　"Shut up! My beauty knows no bounds. Obviously, I`ve kissed someone before."

　　He grumbled. "And who was that?"

　　Luna adopted a mischievous expression, "Oh my." She took a few steps closer. "Are you jealous?"

　　"No. . ."

　　She laughed. "My friend Freya. We were. . . close at the time."

　　"I see."

　　"Does that bother you?"

　　"What?" he asked. "No, why would it?"

　　She refrained from admitting Elena`s notion that kissing other people tainted their purity.

　　"So, uh," Caden stammered, then closed his mouth, opting not to speak.

　　"Spit it out, Dimling."

　　He hardened his resolve. "Was I better?"

　　She held back a laugh.

　　"It`s an honest question!"

　　"Hm. . . I don`t know," she lingered on each word.

　　He uncrossed his arms. "Well, what if I kiss you again?"

　　She raised an eyebrow, "To test if you`re better?"

　　He nodded.

　　"Do it then."

　　He leaned in, and the world exploded once more.

　　A light drizzle of rain descended upon them. Caden withdrew and outstretched his hand, catching the drops as they fell. "I know a place we can go," he said. "To get out of the rain."

　　Luna gasped, and her thoughts betrayed her, conjuring a scenario she had not planned to share. Go where? For what reason?

　　Renna popped in out of nowhere. Well, he`s a stupid boy, so probably to f-

　　Do not finish that sentence, said Yelzar.

　　Luna erased them all and shook her head vigorously.

　　"The job is tomorrow," he said. "We could get out of the rain. . . and relax for tonight. If you`d like. We can figure out everything else in the morning."

　　Luna smirked, "As much as I appreciate the offer. . . if you`re trying to sleep with me, perhaps we can wait until after this all blows over?" she said coyly, nearly laughing as a flustered Caden smiled awkwardly and waved his hands up in the air to deny the accusation.

　　"Wait! That is not what I meant. I wasn`t trying to share a bed with you. I was just saying we could spend some time together in a place I know of because it started raining and . . ." He went on and on, defending himself and gesturing awkwardly.

　　"So, you don`t want to sleep with me?" She pursed her lips and giggled.

　　"I didn`t say that! I, well, that wasn`t what I meant, I wasn`t trying to say that -"

　　Luna burst out laughing at his incessant backpedaling. She held her stomach and pointed at him. "Oh my god, you are so easy to mess with!" She reached out her hand, and he took it. "I`m only teasing. If you have a place we can talk at - or at least get out of the rain, then let`s go."

　　She still wanted her freedom, and she would get it eventually. For now, she`ll retreat for the night with him. . . and in the morning - they would leave for Rehysh. Finally, after all this time, she would be free.

　　* * *

　　Caden led her to a small trapdoor in an alleyway of quadrant three. He opened it to reveal a secret unmarked hovel below. As he pulled her down the stone steps, he could not hold eye contact for more than a fleeting moment.

　　He`s so cute, she thought.

　　At the bottom, the room opened to a cavern that was adorned to look like a cozy living space. A small sofa was placed in the room, and a large rug covered the floor. Two doors beckoned to other chambers, and in the back was a kitchen cluttered with various items strewn about.

　　For a moment, she thought pinning Caden against that wall over there would be a hot idea, but when Solaris poked his head up from behind the kitchen counter, she flushed and killed that thought.

　　"Solaris?" Caden asked, taking a step forward.

　　"Caden! What a delightful surprise! Uh, why are you here? How did you even discover this place?" Solaris asked, an air of curiosity surrounding him.

　　"This was Isabel`s old hovel," he said. He led Luna deeper into the room, and they both sat on the sofa. "I came here to unwind. How did you get here?"

　　"Isabel and I -" He paused, "Am I interrupting a date?"

　　An awkward silence ensued.

　　"Ah, I can get out of your hair. I was just. . . um, you know, I usually come here to, uh. . ." Solaris stammered while grabbing items from behind the counter and stuffing them into his bag. Luna couldn`t quite see, but she heard a clatter of metal against the floor.

　　"I`ll leave you two alone, good luck and . . . all that. Yeah. . ." He dashed past them.

　　"Wait," Caden called. He momentarily released Luna`s hand, and she nearly lashed out at him for it.

　　The man turned, his bloodshot eyes exposed in the lantern light.

　　"I need to apologize. You were right. . . about the book. What you did was honorable, and you helped me the best way you could. I was foolish, selfish, and made a mess of things. You fixed it for me, thank you. You`re a good man."

　　That was the most mature thing Luna had ever heard him say.

　　Solaris visibly relaxed as if a great burden was lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you. . ."

　　"You can stay with us," Luna said quickly. "If you`d like."

　　His signature grin reappeared. "You want me to third-wheel your date? Please, I`ve got so many better things to do."

　　"Then just be there tomorrow so we can break the curse and bring back the Sun."

　　Luna went to interject but thought better of it. Was he seriously going to still help Elena despite everything? After all that torment?

　　"Will do," he said. "Mind if I fetch a few belongings before I go?"

　　"Sure," said Caden. "Thought you might not find much. These doors would never open for me. I used to come here when the academy became overwhelming."

　　Solaris leaped back into the room and immediately unlocked one of the doors. "You`ve not been trained as I have, young master!"

　　"How in the hell -"

　　Luna tugged Caden`s shirt for attention, yet he ignored her to explore the newly opened passageway. After all this. . . he still planned to help Elena? Why?

　　She stood in the doorway as they surfed through things in what looked like Isabel`s old bedroom. Luna ignored them and kept to herself. She opted to blow up at Caden after Solaris`s departure.

　　"Are these all her notes about the Sun?" Caden asked, gesturing to a large wooden board set up in the back of the room. With a snap of his fingers, he ignited a few lanterns. "By the Crown, her knowledge about the Sun and the curse was so extensive. Look at this map."

　　Luna found herself looking, too. The map consisted of the entirety of Elutia - yet also a whole other continent past the edge of the world. She gasped. Was Ferris`s story true? Were there actually other people beyond the storm?

　　"This here. . ." Caden pointed. "It says, The Shard of Sin. That`s the Crown."

　　It is why we fight, Isabel said. We must destroy the Crown. Luna channeled her anger, allowing it to fuel her resolve.

　　The two boys engrossed themselves in Isabel`s notes, discussing the curse and how exactly they would break it. Luna`s patience slowly wore thin. Finally, consumed by her frustration, she lashed out. "Do we even need to break the curse?"

　　Caden pivoted on his heel and met her eyes.

　　Solaris gave an awkward look and said nothing.

　　"Well, yeah, that`s what we`ve been -"

　　"No. That`s what you have been doing. I`ve been struggling to get my freedom from Elena and how to get away from Belmire," she interrupted, her tone sharp. "All I wanted was for us to leave together tomorrow. That`s what I came here to discuss."

　　"Are you two eloping? How scandalous!" Solaris interjected.

　　"Shut up, Solaris!" Luna snapped, her patience fraying.

　　"Luna, please calm down," Caden implored.

　　Those two words made her want to lunge across the room, smack Caden bloody, and then kiss him - specifically in that order.

　　"I`m serious," she snapped, arms crossed defiantly. "Do we truly need to break the curse? If it has been unbroken for centuries, must we change that just because Isabel wanted to?"

　　You should want to, said Isabel.

　　Solaris looked guilty, which confirmed Luna`s suspicions.

　　"No," Caden said firmly. "We should do it because it is right."

　　"It is not right to help someone like Elena in breaching the top room of the palace and potentially destroying life as we know it. We both know she`s up to something, and we both know what she`s capable of."

　　"I know what she wants," said Caden. "She wants me to put on the Crown - which is an artifact that resides up there, and in turn, I will become the Shard of Sin so that she may compel me to break the curse and destroy Pyromancy forever."

　　Luna`s jaw dropped.

　　"The Sun was only half the battle."

　　"And you were going to tell me this when?" Luna demanded.

　　"After Solaris had left I -"

　　"You can`t just keep this from me. She wants you to become the Crown. How does that even work?"

　　"I don`t know, I did it as a child, I don`t even -"

　　"And you were going to just go through with that?" Luna threw her arms up in the air. "You`re still just a stupid Dimling! You`ve not changed at all!"

　　Caden frowned. "I know."

　　"You forgot me," she snapped. "You forgot me today, and you still want to go back and help her with this insane plan? Do you seriously believe that is right?"

　　"YES!" He shouted, then quelled his anger. "All my life, Darian compelled me to desire revenge that I never even wanted. All that rage about Vance was misguided, and I no longer know who I am. All I know is that I loved my sister, and I want to fulfill her dreams and be the person she needed me to be."

　　Luna found herself swallowing harshly and trying not to cry. "But what about me?" she asked. "What about the person I need you to be for me? Why won`t you come with me? We could put all this behind us. . . I came back for you. . . that should count for something."

　　The fact that she would give up what she desired most for him, yet he remained unwilling, struck her hard. She had to force herself not to cry.

　　"Luna, listen," he said. His eyes were so soft. He wasn`t even getting angry that she was expressing herself. "This is for the good of the world, can`t you see that?"

　　She took a few steps back and shook her head, her eyes welling with unshed tears. "No, you don`t get to say that. . ." Her voice disappeared, then she yelled: "How dare you! How dare you spit those words at me! You sound just like Elena, lecturing me about my responsibilities! What is wrong with you?"

　　Part of her wondered if Caden would compel her, just as Elena had.

　　"That isn`t what I meant."

　　"Then what did you mean?" she asked, her fist clenched.

　　He took a shallow breath.

　　Solaris averted his gaze, and she knew he felt awkward.

　　"This is what I want to do," Caden said. "I want to save the world. I want to be better. I would never force you to stay here with me, but you cannot force me to leave with you. I`ll do this because, for once in my life, I want to make my own choices."

　　She clenched her jaw tightly. What the hell would he know about being compelled? He had no idea what torment she had been through.

　　He`s right, said Kellin. You shouldn`t force him. Don`t become the monster you just escaped.

　　For once, she agreed with her past life. Despite how angry it made her, maybe it just wasn`t their time yet.

　　I`m not leaving him. He`s leaving me. . . she reminded herself. Perhaps it was just like Ferris`s friend. Yet, she wasn`t the one who wanted to go.

　　"Fine," she snapped. "If you want to see me, find me in Rehysh."

　　She turned and briskly sprinted away.

　　"Wait! Luna! Let`s talk! Don`t go -"

　　She discarded his protests, knowing he might convince her to say.

　　She dashed up the steps and burst into the night air. Gathering her Moonlight, she propelled herself upward in a series of graceful arcs. Only now did she let her tears flow, her heart heavy with sorrow.

　　Her landing was graceful. She came to a slow stop atop one of the rooftops Ferris claimed she would brood. She had to think - nothing felt right. She didn`t want to work with Elena, but if Caden was determined. . .

　　Are my feelings for this boy seriously getting in the way of the one thing I`ve always wanted?

　　She gazed at the distant palace. Moonlight pooled into her eyes and lit up the world around her. She lingered on the towering spire that pierced through the blood-red clouds above.

　　Isabel`s presence surged, filling her with a vision. She stood in the top room of the palace and flung open double doors that led to a balcony. The blood-red clouds lay below her, and above her, behind a billowing white mass of clouds, lay an orange orb of burning radiance.

　　The Sun - it was real.

　　She understood now. The purpose of the Tigress dawned upon her. Each of her predecessors had felt the same about the Sun. They had all reached this room and seen the Sun one way or another - yet they had all failed. The Tigress, the primordial force that Luna barely understood, had wanted to break the curse.

　　We should do it because it is right. . . Caden`s words hung loose in her mind.

　　"Go," Isabel said, using Luna`s voice. "Accomplish what we could not."