《Moonborn: The Lost Legacy》
The Return of the Moon Child
A full moon shone in the night sky, its silver light struggling to pierce through the thick black clouds. Below, the world was swallowed in darkness, with only the wind whispering through the silence.
Deep within an uncharted land, six towering mountains stood in a perfect circle. At their heart lay a small island, and at its center, a statue of a kneeling woman, her stone hands pressed together as if guarding an ancient secret.
At the edge of one mountain, a lone figure stood, shrouded in shadows. His face remained hidden, but his presence exuded power. With deliberate slowness, he lifted his right hand toward the moon.
A small golden light flickered in his palm, then surged into the sky, forming a towering pillar of yellow radiance.
Suddenly, five more golden pillars erupted from the remaining mountains, casting an eerie glow over the land.
The island responded.
The statue began to glow, cracks forming along its surface. The golden pillars shifted, their light transforming into a deep, celestial blue. The once-hidden moon now bathed the scene in an ethereal sapphire glow, revealing something concealed within the statue''s arms.
A newborn.
Wrapped in delicate cloth, the infant''s tiny fists were curled tightly. Upon his small hand, a mark shimmered¡ªa crescent moon, pulsating with the same blue light as the pillars.
The man moved.
In an instant, he vanished from the mountain''s edge and reappeared before the statue. With careful hands, he lifted the child from the stone embrace, cradling him under the moon''s watchful gaze.
His voice, rich with emotion, broke the silence.
"You have finally returned."
16 Years Later ¨C 2025
A teenage boy sprinted through the crowded streets, his school bag bouncing against his back.
"Damn it! Why didn''t my alarm ring? I''m gonna be late again!" he groaned, pushing his legs harder.
As he neared the school gates, his worst nightmare unfolded¡ªthe security guard was just about to shut them.
"Wait! Wait! I''m almost there!" he yelled, waving frantically.
The guard smirked, unimpressed. "Not happening, kid. Rules are rules."
Grinding his teeth, the boy made a split-second decision. With a burst of energy, he leaped. His body soared over the gate, landing smoothly on the other side.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"In your dreams, old man!" he called back, dashing toward the school building.
The guard shook his head, sighing. "Damn kids these days¡"
Racing through the empty halls, breathless, he finally reached his classroom. Peeking inside, he saw the teacher standing at the front, arms crossed.
Plan B.
Moving with exaggerated care, he cracked the door open just enough to slip through. Keeping low, he crawled toward his seat¡ªthe last one by the window. Almost there¡
WHAP!
A piece of chalk struck his forehead with precision.
"Nice try," the teacher said dryly. "Take your seat."
Groaning, he rubbed his forehead and stood up as the class erupted into laughter. Face burning, he trudged to his chair, burying himself in his books.
As the lesson dragged on, his mind wandered. His gaze drifted to the window, locking onto the distant mountains on the horizon. Something about them felt¡ familiar, though he couldn''t place why.
His eyelids grew heavy. The teacher''s voice became a dull hum. Sleep pulled him under.
In the silence of his dreams, a voice echoed.
"Keld¡"
His brow furrowed. The voice was soft yet commanding, calling his name.
"Keld¡ wake up, idiot."
He mumbled, shifting slightly.
"Hey, loser! Wake up already!"
A sharp jab to his shoulder startled him awake.
Blinking, he turned and groaned. "Oh¡ it''s you two. Elowen and Cassian."
Elowen crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Do you always take naps in class, or is today special?"
Cassian chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "One of these days, you''re gonna get caught drooling, and I''ll be the first to take a picture."
Keld stretched and yawned. "Not my fault the class is so boring."
Elowen smirked. "Right, because paying attention is such a crime."
Cassian laughed. "More like a death sentence for his brain."
Elowen rolled her eyes. "Anyway, how were you late again? Let me guess¡ªanother ''broken alarm clock''?"
Keld groaned. "It didn''t ring! I swear!"
Cassian smirked. "Maybe because you forgot to set it?"
Keld hesitated before muttering, "¡Possibly."
Elowen shook her head. "You''re hopeless."
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Students eagerly packed their bags, ready to leave.
Cassian stretched. "Finally! I thought that last period would never end."
Elowen grabbed her bag. "Let''s go grab something to eat. I''m starving."
Cassian grinned. "Best idea I''ve heard all day."
Keld slung his bag over his shoulder. "Yeah, before Elowen starts chewing on her textbooks."
Elowen smirked. "Keep talking, and you''re buying my food."
After eating, Elowen and Cassian walked off together, leaving Keld alone. As he walked home, he noticed something strange¡ªthe streets were empty, an eerie silence filling the air.
His steps slowed. Why is no one around?
Suddenly, a cat appeared. Its fur was pure white, and its eyes gleamed a deep purple. A crescent moon symbol adorned its forehead.
Keld frowned. "What a weird cat¡"
The cat stared at him, then turned and started walking, occasionally glancing back as if urging him to follow.
He hesitated, then, driven by curiosity, followed.
Ten minutes passed. The silence deepened, the absence of people unsettling.
Where is this cat taking me? And why is no one here?
The cat suddenly stopped.
Keld looked up¡ªand found himself in front of an old candy shop. A worn-out sign above the entrance read:
Celestia''s Vault.
The cat slipped inside. Keld swallowed hard, an unexplainable dread creeping into his chest.
A whisper curled through the air, barely audible.
"Welcome back, Moon Child."
Keld''s breath caught. His heart pounded as the door creaked open on its own.
He stepped inside.
Chapter 2- Secrets of the Moonlit Pages
Keld stepped into the bookstore. The air smelled like old paper and dust. The place was dimly lit, with tall wooden shelves full of ancient books. It looked untouched, as if no one had been here in years.
"What a strange place... I''ve never seen a shop like this before," Keld mumbled.
His footsteps echoed as he walked inside. He looked at the books, reaching out to pick one up. Suddenly, a soft, raspy voice broke the silence.
"Welcome... Are you here to return the book?"
Keld jumped, his heart racing. He turned and saw an old woman sitting on a wooden chair. Her eyes were white and cloudy¡ªshe was blind.
He swallowed his nerves. "Uh... no. I just followed a white cat with purple eyes. Is that your pet?"
The old woman stayed silent. Keld frowned and stepped closer. That¡¯s when he noticed¡ªshe was asleep.
Keld sighed. "Seriously?" He waved a hand in front of her face. "Hello? Are you awake?"
No response.
She fell asleep mid-conversation? Must be nice...
Keld scratched his head. "Guess she¡¯s in deep sleep..."
He looked around the bookstore. It felt mysterious, like it was hiding secrets. Picking up books, he flipped through them, but nothing caught his interest.
Then, he checked his phone.
8:30 PM.
Crap, I need to go home.
Just as he turned to leave, a whisper echoed in his ear.
"Pick me... Son of the Moon."
Keld froze. He spun around, scanning the shop. Who said that?
His eyes darted to the old woman¡¯s chair¡ªbut she was gone.
A chill ran down his spine. Okay, this is getting creepy.
He followed his instincts, walking between shelves. Then, he found an empty shelf with just one book sitting in the middle.
It was covered in dust.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Hesitating, he picked it up. The cover was torn, and the title was too faded to read.
"Why is it so dirty?" he muttered, wiping the dust off. He flipped through the pages¡ªbut they were all blank.
A blank book? What kind of weird prank is this?
Before he could put it back, a voice whispered behind him.
"So... you came here to read the book?"
Keld yelped, nearly dropping it. He turned to see the old woman standing right behind him, smiling.
"Sorry, but the store is closing. If you want the book, take it with you."
His heart pounded. "Wait, you were awake?! Then why didn¡¯t you answer me earlier?! And where did you go?!"
The woman chuckled and held out an apple. "Calm down, child. Don¡¯t ask so many questions¡ªI can¡¯t answer everything."
Keld sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine, whatever. I should go." He held out the book. "Here, I don¡¯t need this."
As he turned to leave, something flew past his face. Reflexively, he caught it.
The book.
The old woman smirked. "That book found you for a reason. Take it and return when you''re ready."
Keld looked at the book in confusion. What is with this lady?
Before he could argue, she added, "It¡¯s been a long time since someone came here to read. That book is special. Try it."
His phone rang.
He checked the screen¡ªhis sister was calling.
"Shit! I¡¯m late! She¡¯s gonna kill me!"
Without another word, he bolted out of the store, still holding the book.
As the door shut, the old woman sighed, sitting back in her chair. Her cloudy eyes stared into nothing as she whispered,
"Why did you bring that child here?"
A white cat with purple eyes stepped out of the shadows, its tail curling around its feet.
It said nothing.
As Keld reached outside his house, he hesitated. It''s already 9:30... I''m so dead.
He took a deep breath. Inhale... Exhale... Okay, now or never.
Summoning all his confidence, he marched toward the door. But just as he reached for the handle, his confidence crumbled. He could feel it¡ªhis sister¡¯s angry aura radiating from inside.
The second I open this door, I¡¯m doomed.
One more deep breath.
He opened the door.
His older sister stood there, arms crossed, glaring at him.
Before she could say anything, Keld threw himself to the floor. "I¡¯m sorry! I know I¡¯m late! I know I didn¡¯t pick up my phone! Please, have mercy!"
His sister narrowed her eyes. "You will be punished."
Keld''s mind raced. Oh no. Not another weird punishment. He shuddered, remembering childhood punishments¡ªbeing tied to a tree, having insects thrown at him, and worst of all... being forced to eat broccoli.
"Your punishment..." she said dramatically. "Is to buy your dear sister an ice cream."
Keld blinked. "Huh?"
His sister burst out laughing. "You should have seen your face! I swear, you¡¯re too easy to mess with."
Keld groaned. "You¡¯re the worst."
She grinned. "I know."
They both sat on the couch. His sister leaned back, still smirking. "So? Did you meet a girlfriend or something? Is that why you were out so late?"
Keld shot her a look. "Shut up. Don¡¯t tease me."
She nudged his shoulder. "Come on, tell me. What kind of girl would even like an airhead like you?"
"One that doesn¡¯t exist, obviously."
She snickered. "That makes sense."
After some more playful teasing, Keld escaped to his room and flopped onto his bed.
"What a weird day..."
Then, he remembered the book.
Sitting on the floor, he opened it, flipping through the blank pages. "What¡¯s so special about this thing?"
Just then, moonlight streamed through his window, landing on the book.
And the pages... started to glow.
Chapter 3: Lunara, the Forgotten Moon Kingdom
His breath hitched. The once-empty pages now shimmered with silver markings, appearing as if the words were being written by an unseen hand.
"What the hell¡ª?!" Keld''s mind froze. "Is this a prank? Did someone put LED ink on this or something?!"
His fingers trembled as he reached out to touch the glowing letters, but just as suddenly as they had appeared, they vanished.
The moon had disappeared behind a thick blanket of clouds.
Keld blinked. "Wait, what? Where''d they go?! They were just there!" He frantically flipped through the pages, but they remained blank. His heartbeat quickened as he tried to make sense of what just happened.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down. "Okay¡ okay, let¡¯s think. This isn¡¯t a horror movie. No ghosts. No demons. Just an old book doing weird¡ª"
The clouds moved.
Moonlight spilled into his room once more, and just like that, the letters returned, glowing softly across the pages.
Keld¡¯s jaw dropped. "No way¡ Is it reacting to moonlight?!"
He quickly experimented, pulling the book away from the light. The words vanished again. Moving it back¡ªthey reappeared. He repeated the action a few more times before grinning.
"This is some next-level magic trick. I love it."
But excitement quickly turned into curiosity. If this was some secret message, then he needed to read it.
He positioned the book under the moonlight and began.
"A thousand years ago, there was a kingdom...
...where the moon¡¯s divine light bathed the earth in eternal silver, giving birth to Lunara, the Eternal Dominion of Selunara. It was a land of unparalleled beauty and wealth, ruled by the wise and just King Aelion the Radiant, a mortal chosen by the Moon God himself. Under his reign, Lunara flourished. Its cities were built of shimmering moonstone, its rivers flowed with liquid starlight, and its people, the Selunarians, wielded the power of light and shadow, gifted by their celestial patron.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
At the heart of Lunara stood the Lunar Citadel, a towering palace that housed the sacred Moon God¡¯s Blood, a divine artifact said to hold the essence of the Moon God¡¯s power. It was the source of Lunara¡¯s prosperity and the kingdom¡¯s greatest secret, protected by ancient wards and the unwavering loyalty of its people.
But peace is fragile, and even the moon¡¯s light casts shadows.
From the depths of the void emerged M¨¢nagarmr, the Devourer of Moons, an ancient and malevolent god from Norse mythology. M¨¢nagarmr, a monstrous wolf born of chaos, sought to consume the moon¡¯s power and plunge the world into eternal darkness. He had long coveted the Moon God¡¯s Blood, knowing it would make him unstoppable.
One fateful night, during a celestial alignment when the Veil of Selunara was at its weakest, M¨¢nagarmr descended upon Lunara with his army of shadow-wrought beasts. The kingdom, unprepared for such an onslaught, fought valiantly under King Aelion¡¯s leadership. But M¨¢nagarmr¡¯s power was too great. The skies turned black, the rivers of starlight ran dry, and the moon¡¯s light faded.
In a final act of defiance, King Aelion invoked the Moon God¡¯s Blood to protect his people. But M¨¢nagarmr, cunning and ruthless, twisted the artifact¡¯s power. With a roar that shook the heavens, he unleashed a curse that turned every Selunarian into stone, sealing the kingdom in an eternal slumber. The Lunar Citadel, once a beacon of hope, became a tomb of moonstone statues, frozen in time.
M¨¢nagarmr, however, could not claim the Moon God¡¯s Blood. The artifact, sensing his corruption, vanished into the depths of the citadel, hidden behind layers of celestial magic. Enraged, M¨¢nagarmr bound Lunara in a shroud of darkness, ensuring no one could enter or leave until he found a way to break the seal and claim his prize.
For a thousand years, Lunara has slept, its people trapped in stone, its glory forgotten by the world. But legends whisper that the Moon God¡¯s Blood still lies within the citadel, waiting for a hero brave enough to awaken the kingdom and challenge the Devourer of Moons.**
Keld let out a slow exhale, his mind racing.
"Okay... So either this book is enchanted... or I just read the plot of the most epic fantasy novel ever."
He glanced at the glowing words again. "But this seems way too detailed to be a simple story¡"
A shiver ran down his spine. What if¡ª
"Keld! Come down for dinner!"
Keld nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice of his sister calling him from downstairs.
"Oh, come on, give me a break! I just discovered a freaking cursed kingdom or something!"
Sighing, he closed the book. "I¡¯ll deal with this later. Hopefully, no ancient moon gods try to haunt me in my sleep."
Little did he know, this was only the beginning.
Chapter 4: Relics of the Moon
While Keld was enjoying the simple joys of life with his family, thousands of kilometers away, in the vast deserts of Egypt, something inexplicable was unfolding.
A team of archaeologists, braving the scorching heat, had been excavating an ancient ruin buried beneath the shifting sands. Days of relentless digging had finally yielded something astonishing¡ª a pendant unlike anything they had ever seen. Embedded at its center was a dark blue gemstone, its surface shimmering as if holding a fragment of the night sky itself.
One of the archaeologists, Dr. Omar Khalil, reached for the pendant, but the sheer intensity of its glow forced him to shield his eyes. Even with protective goggles, the pendant radiated an unnatural brilliance. "This... this isn''t normal," he murmured, his voice laced with both awe and caution.
Understanding the significance of their discovery, the team secured the pendant inside a reinforced containment box, ensuring it remained hidden from the world. Under strict orders, it was to be transported to the country¡¯s most secure vault, away from prying eyes. No public announcements. No media leaks. This was to be a secret of the highest order.
But secrets have a way of unraveling.
As the armored truck carrying the pendant made its way through a remote tunnel, something inexplicable happened.
It never came out.
Authorities were baffled. An immediate investigation was launched, but the tunnel was empty¡ªno wreckage, no signs of a struggle. It was as if the truck had vanished into thin air. The only clue left behind was a cryptic message scrawled across the tunnel wall in what appeared to be an ancient script: "RODM?"
No one knew what it meant.
However, this was just the beginning.
In different corners of the world, similar occurrences sent shockwaves through secret scientific circles. In India, an ancient cup was unearthed, its metallic surface glowing eerily under the moonlight. In South Korea, a bracelet with intricate lunar engravings was discovered, pulsing with an unearthly energy. And in China, buried beneath the ruins of an ancient temple, a sword was retrieved¡ªits blade gleaming like liquid moonlight, untouched by time.
The world was unaware of these discoveries, but those who knew were growing restless. The relics weren¡¯t just appearing; they were disappearing just as mysteriously. And in each location where one vanished, the same strange inscription appeared¡ª"RODM?"
Governments, scholars, and secret societies alike were left scrambling for answers.
What were these artifacts? Why were they connected? And most importantly¡ªwho or what was taking them?
Far away, hidden deep within the mist-covered peaks of an uncharted island, a man stood at the edge of a mountain, his silver hair glistening under the starlit sky. A deep scar ran across his left eye, and his golden irises reflected the night like molten fire.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Behind him, a figure cloaked in darkness emerged, the emblem of a crescent moon stitched into his hat. He knelt on one knee and spoke in a hushed yet urgent tone. "Master, they are returning."
The silver-haired man remained still, gazing at the heavens. "I suppose it''s time, then," he murmured, his voice laced with an eerie calm. "The world will once again witness the disaster it forgot a thousand years ago."
The cloaked figure hesitated before continuing. "We have yet to locate the Moon God¡¯s Blood."
The man sighed. "Then we must move faster. Leave at once. Find it before they do."
With a nod, the subordinate vanished into the shadows.
The silver-haired man inhaled deeply, feeling the crisp night air against his skin. Then, without warning, he stepped off the mountain¡¯s edge. Instead of falling, he soared effortlessly through the sky, gliding downward like a phantom. As he approached a narrow ravine, he altered his course and landed before the entrance of a small, secluded cave.
Standing at the cave¡¯s mouth, he spoke in a low voice. "Did you summon me, my queen?"
A soft, melodious voice echoed from within. "I have found the Son of the Moon. Travel to Kyoto, Japan, and awaken his slumbering memories."
The silver-haired man smirked, his golden eyes glinting. "So, it has begun."
Meanwhile, in a far less dramatic setting, Keld was experiencing what could only be described as a historic event¡ªhe woke up early.
Still groggy but victorious, he trudged downstairs. As he entered the kitchen, he mumbled, "Morning."
His sister, who was casually flipping through the newspaper, lazily replied, "Morning."
Silence.
Then, as if hit by lightning, she jerked her head up, eyes wide. "WAIT. HOLD ON."
Keld barely had time to react before she pointed at him like he had just confessed to a crime. "YOU woke up... early? Is this an illusion? Am I still dreaming? WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY BROTHER?!"
Keld sighed. "Oh wow, thanks for the overwhelming support."
His sister gasped dramatically. "Mom! Dad! We need a doctor! Or maybe an exorcist! He¡¯s acting suspiciously human!"
Rolling his eyes, Keld grabbed a drink from the fridge. "Glad to know my suffering is entertaining."
As Keld made his way to school, he greeted the security guard at the gate. "Morning, sir."
The guard, who had just taken a sip of water, turned to respond¡ªonly to choke and spit it out in pure shock. "Keld?! EARLY?! Is the world ending?!"
Keld stared blankly. "Okay, seriously, is it that big of a deal?"
Nearby students had started whispering, casting glances at him like he had grown a second head. His best friends, Elowen and Cassian, appeared moments later.
Elowen squinted at him. "Are you a clone? Blink twice if you¡¯re in danger."
Cassian crossed his arms. "Wait, maybe we entered an alternate reality where Keld is responsible. That... actually terrifies me."
Keld groaned. "I swear, all of you suck."
As they walked into the classroom, the teacher glanced up from her attendance sheet. "Ah, Keld, nice of you to¡ª"
He froze.
Then, in an equally frozen moment, the entire class turned to stare at him like he was a cryptid sighting.
Someone whispered, "Is he sick? Should we call an ambulance?"
Another muttered, "This is unsettling..."
Keld plopped into his chair, sighing deeply. He leaned back and smirked. "What¡¯s wrong? Never seen a legend before?"
The room erupted into groans.
Cassian clapped slowly. "Wow. That level of ego must be exhausting."
Keld shrugged. "Not as exhausting as watching you all struggle with basic math."
The teacher pinched the bridge of his nose. "Keld, sit down before I rethink my life choices."
Keld smirked. "Too late for that, sir."
And so, his long day of being an anomaly began.
Chapter 5- Eclipsed Awakening
The classroom was filled with the droning voice of the teacher, but Keld had already mentally checked out. His gaze drifted toward the window, watching the clouds lazily float by. School was boring. The outside world, however? Much more interesting.
Beside him, Elowen was jotting down notes at lightning speed, her brain absorbing every word like a sponge. Meanwhile, Cassian, ever the dependable guy, leaned back with an air of confidence that only the rich could afford.
Keld sighed and nudged Cassian. "Hey, got any plans after school? Thinking about hitting the arcade."
Cassian smirked. "Why? So you can lose again? I''d rather not watch you cry over digital losses."
Elowen didn''t even look up from her notes. "Keld, if you focused half as much on class as you do on gaming, you might actually pass a test for once."
Keld gasped, placing a hand over his chest. "Elowen, how dare you! That was uncalled for!"
Cassian chuckled. "No, that was just facts."
Keld pouted and leaned back, crossing his arms. "Whatever. Nerds."
Just then, something outside caught his eye. A man stood at the school gate¡ªdressed in a black coat and hat, holding a sleek, polished cane. His presence alone sent a chill down Keld''s spine. His body seemed oddly still, like a statue, yet Keld could feel something from him. Something unnatural.
Keld kept staring. The moment their eyes met, an eerie sensation washed over him. It was like being swallowed by an abyss. His heart pounded against his ribs.
And then¡ª
The man disappeared.
Keld blinked. He was there. He was just there!
His brain short-circuited, and before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "WHAT THE HELL?!"
The entire classroom turned to look at him.
Silence.
Then came the laughter.
Even the teacher sighed, rubbing his temples. "Ah, Keld. My favorite source of classroom entertainment."
Keld quickly tried to explain. "No, really, I just saw¡ª"
The teacher held up a hand. "No, really, I just saw a reason to send you outside. Go. Stand in the hallway and think about your life choices."
Keld groaned and dragged himself out of the classroom, grumbling under his breath. "I hate this school."
While standing outside, Keld leaned against the wall, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I know I saw something¡ What the hell is going on with me lately?"
As he was lost in thought, a familiar soft meow caught his attention. Looking to the side, he spotted the same cat¡ªthe one that had led him to the strange bookstore.
Keld blinked. "You again?"
The cat simply stared at him with its gleaming blue eyes, then jumped up onto the window ledge in front of him.
Keld smirked and opened the window. "Alright, come on in, you little troublemaker."
The cat effortlessly leaped into his arms, and Keld absentmindedly ran his fingers through its silky fur. "Damn, you''re soft. And you smell nice. What are you, some kind of luxury brand cat?"
The cat purred in response.
Keld chuckled. "What are you doing here anyway? Following me? Or do you just like making my life weirder?"
The cat tilted its head, as if understanding, but offered no response.
Keld sighed. "First a weird book, then a creepy dude staring at me, and now you again. My life''s turning into a bad mystery novel."
His mind drifted back to the book. He hadn''t finished reading it¡ªsome parts were still blank. Could it really change in the moonlight? He needed answers, and only one person could give them. That old blind woman.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
The school bell rang, snapping Keld out of his thoughts. He placed the cat back on the ledge. "Alright, I gotta go. You stay outta trouble, got it?"
The cat meowed and watched him disappear into the classroom.
Once Keld was gone, the cat leapt off the window and silently padded through the empty streets. It eventually stopped at an abandoned park, where a tall figure in dark robes was waiting.
The cat sat next to him and spoke in a low voice. "So, it''s him, isn''t it?"
Ryulune let out a slow breath, his sharp gaze narrowing. "Yeah. He is the Son of the Moon. The same Silver-White with Icy Blue hair and those pure blue eyes¡ just like the night I saw him sixteen years ago."
The cat''s tail flicked. "Then it''s time. We have to act soon."
Ryulune crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "What''s the plan?"
The cat turned its gaze toward the sky. "We break the seal on his mind. Slowly. Carefully. He needs to remember who he is."
Ryulune smirked. "And if he doesn''t?"
The cat''s purple eyes glowed softly. "He will. Because he''s already looking for us."
After school ended, Keld wasted no time. He sprinted through the streets, determined to find the old bookstore. "Alright, creepy bookstore lady, I need answers!"
Five minutes later¡ª
Keld slowed down. "Wait a minute¡ where the hell was that place again?"
His brain worked overtime, trying to recall the exact location. A minute passed. Then another. His brain metaphorically exploded. "GAAAH! WHY AM I SO BAD AT REMEMBERING THINGS?!"
Frustrated, he sighed. "Guess I''ll never find it again¡ Great. I''ll just go home."
As he trudged down the road, a strange sensation washed over him. Like someone was watching him. He glanced around, but saw nothing. "Weird¡ Whatever, I''m probably just tired."
Just as he was about to shake it off, he spotted something odd¡ªa small child standing alone, crying.
Keld frowned. "Hey, kid, you okay? What are you doing here all alone?"
The child didn''t respond, only sobbed softly.
Keld took a cautious step closer. "Hey, come on, don''t just stand there crying. If something''s wrong, I can¡ª"
His instincts screamed. A presence¡ªbehind him.
Before he could react, something swung at him from behind. A glint of steel¡ªan metal pipe.
Keld barely dodged in time. "WHAT THE FU¡ªWHO THE HELL ARE YOU?! WHY ARE YOU SWINGING A METAL PIPE AT ME?!"
He turned sharply¡ªonly to sense another presence. This time, he wasn''t fast enough.
A heavy blow struck his neck.
Everything went dark
"We got him. Mission complete."
Keld woke up with his entire body aching. A strange, unknown pressure weighed him down, making it impossible to move. He was sitting in a chair¡ªno ropes, no chains¡ªyet he felt as if he were bound by something unseen. His breath came in short, ragged bursts. Panic clawed at his mind.
"What¡ happened? Where am I?" His thoughts spun wildly as he tried to make sense of the situation. "I was just¡ walking home. Then¡ª"
Memories rushed back. The child. The attack. The pain. His heart pounded. "Why did they kidnap me? Who are they? What do they want?"
Footsteps echoed.
Keld shut his eyes and forced his breathing to slow, feigning unconsciousness.
Two voices entered the room.
"How hard did you hit him? He still hasn''t woken up."
"I hit him gently! Not that hard. I think he''s just weak."
The other man laughed. "What a weakling! And they say he''s the Son of the Moon? What a joke."
Keld''s mind reeled. "Son of the Moon? Are they talking about me? What the hell does that even mean?" His heart pounded harder. "I don''t understand. Who are these people? Why are they saying this?"
The men continued mocking him, laughing at the idea of him being some destined figure. Keld, despite the fear gripping his chest, clenched his jaw. "I need to figure out what''s going on¡ and fast."
Suddenly, a sharp presence cut through the air. Before Keld could react, one of the men teleported in front of him.
"How long are you going to pretend to sleep?"
A hand clamped around Keld''s throat, yanking him up before he was hurled into a pillar. The impact sent shockwaves through his body. He barely had time to gasp before a brutal kick rammed into his stomach.
Pain exploded through him. Keld choked, his body convulsing as blood spewed from his mouth. "Guh¡ª!"
The attacker laughed, landing another vicious kick. Then another. And another.
Keld screamed, agony ripping through every nerve. "Stop¡ª!" But his words were drowned by the laughter.
Finally, the second man grabbed his partner''s shoulder. "Enough. If he dies, we don''t get paid."
the man teleport on a nearby sofa, his legs crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Boring... This is so boring. I want to fight someone¡ªno, I want to kill someone. What''s the point without it?"
Keld''s body trembled. He felt as if his very soul was being crushed. His vision blurred, and his consciousness wavered at the edges.
Then¡ª
A suffocating wave of killing intent filled the room.
Ryulune appeared out of nowhere. Unlike the first, his presence was suffocating, his power overwhelming. The sheer weight of it paralyzed everyone in the room.
He stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Keld. He reached out, placing a hand on Keld''s forehead. A strange, unknown power flowed through him, soothing the pain, healing his wounds. Keld''s body went limp, unconscious once more.
Ryulune slowly turned to face the man on the sofa. "You wanted a fight, didn''t you?"
The man smirked. "Oh? And who might you be?"
Before he could react, his arm was severed. A scream tore from his throat, but the pain had no time to settle¡ªhis other arm was cut. Then his legs.
He fell, blood pooling around him. Fear flickered in his eyes. "W-Wait!"
Ryulune ignored him. His hand shot forward, gripping his throat¡ª
And crushed it.
The lifeless body collapsed.
The remaining man trembled. "W-Who the hell are you?!"
Ryulune stepped forward, his hand piercing through his chest, blood splattering across the floor. A choked gasp escaped the dying man''s lips as his body was set ablaze, reduced to nothingness.
He then turned to Keld, gently picking him up. "I''m sorry I come late to save you"
With a final glance at the destruction, he vanished into the void.
Chapter 6- The Queen in Cats Clothing
Keld slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurred as he blinked a few times. A dull ache pulsed through his body, and as he adjusted to the dim light, he noticed a white cat sitting nearby, its tail curled neatly around its paws. Confused, he pushed himself up into a sitting position, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Where... am I?" he muttered, trying to piece together the events that led him here.
Then, like a floodgate opening, memories rushed back into his mind¡ªthe strange people, the battle, the mysterious "Son of Moon." His head throbbed with questions. Who were those people? Who saved me? And what in the world is this ''Son of Moon'' thing? His thoughts swirled in confusion, each one leading to another unanswered question.
He attempted to move but winced as sharp pain shot through his body. Looking down, he noticed bandages wrapped around his torso and arms. Someone had treated his wounds. Who did this? And why?
Just as he was about to push himself up again, a calm voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You''re hurt. Don''t move and rest."
Keld froze, eyes darting around the room. "Who said that?" he asked, heart pounding.
"I''m in front of you."
Keld looked ahead, his gaze landing on the white cat. His brow furrowed. "Are you joking? There''s only a cat in front of me."
The cat flicked its tail and sighed. "Yes, I am the one talking."
Keld stared, blinked, then stared some more. ...You''re messing with me, right? Did I hit my head too hard? This must be a hallucination. Yep, definitely a dream.
The cat tilted its head. "Oh, sure. A dream where you feel real pain? Makes perfect sense."
Keld scowled. "Okay, smart cat, if you''re really talking, prove it."
The cat rolled its eyes. "Prove it? What do you want me to do? Recite poetry? Perform a dance? Or maybe reveal the meaning of life?"
Keld huffed. "How about explaining why a cat is talking?"
"How about you explain why a human is so slow to believe in the extraordinary?" the cat shot back.
Keld opened his mouth, then shut it. He had no comeback for that. "Okay, fine. Let''s assume you''re real. Who are you? And why are you here?"
The cat stretched lazily before answering, "I could tell you¡ but where''s the fun in that?"This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Keld groaned. "Great. I''m stuck with a cryptic cat. Just my luck."
The cat smirked¡ªyes, it actually smirked. "You should be grateful, kid. I saved your life."
Keld''s eyes widened. "Wait, you saved me? How? You''re a cat! What did you do¡ªscratch my enemies to death?"
The cat let out a chuckle. "Oh, you have no idea. But let''s not rush things. First, you need to heal. Then, we''ll talk."
Keld leaned back, exhaling sharply. He still didn''t know where he was, what was happening, or why a cat was talking to him, but one thing was clear¡ªhis life had just gotten a lot weirder.
Just then, the door creaked open, and a man stepped in. He walked over and sat near Keld, studying him with a calm expression.
Keld, still deep in thought, wondered, Is he the one who saved me from those weird guys?
Before Keld could ask anything, the man spoke. "How are you feeling? Sorry, I could only heal your cuts to stop the bleeding, but I couldn''t do anything about your broken bone."
Keld blinked, then muttered, "Thank you¡ wait, broken bone? Can someone explain?" He looked between the man and the cat, confused.
The cat flicked its tail. "I will explain."
Keld turned to the man, his patience wearing thin. "Okay, enough of this prank. Just tell me what''s going on! Who were those guys, and what actually happened?"
The man raised an eyebrow. "Prank? What prank?"
Keld scoffed. "Are you joking? I''m talking about this talking cat! You''re making it talk, right?"
The man shook his head. "No, it''s not a prank. This cat really is talking."
The cat smirked again. "Now you believe me, idiot?"
Keld looked back and forth between the man and the cat. "Really?" he asked, still in disbelief.
The man nodded.
And that''s when Keld screamed. "WTF?! A TALKING CAT?!"
The cat sighed. "I swear, humans are so dramatic."
The man chuckled. "Sit down and calm yourself. We''ll explain everything."
The man folded his arms. "Listen carefully. I will explain everything from the beginning."
Keld nodded, finally serious.
"I am Ryulune, and this is our queen, Seluna."
Keld stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. "This cat? A queen? That''s a good joke! How can a cat be a queen?"
Seluna sighed. "I am not a cat. I am a woman. I just transformed into a cat using magic."
Keld squinted at her. "Magic? Is this some kind of prank?"
Seluna sighed dramatically. "Why do humans always doubt what they see? Fine. Let me show you."
In a swift motion, her body began to glow, a soft silver light surrounding her. The air shimmered, and in an instant, the cat was gone. In its place stood a breathtaking woman. Her skin radiated like moonlight, her lips soft and delicate, her body elegant yet strong. Her long, flowing hair was raven black with silver streaks, cascading down her back. And her eyes¡ they were mesmerizing, as if holding an entire galaxy within them.
Keld''s jaw dropped. He swallowed hard, a faint blush creeping onto his face.
Seluna smirked, tilting her head. "How do I look?"
Keld quickly averted his gaze, his face growing redder. "U-Uh¡ you look¡ normal? I mean¡ªuh, just a regular person! Yeah, totally not stunning or anything!"
Seluna chuckled, stepping closer. "Oh? Are you blushing? How cute."
Keld flinched. "W-What?! No! It''s just¡ warm in here!"
Seluna leaned in slightly, her teasing smile widening. "Are you sure? You''re looking quite red, Keld."
Keld groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Can we please move on?!"
Ryulune sighed. "Alright, enough teasing. Let''s start again. There''s a lot you need to know."
Chapter 7-Shattered Identity
Ryulune sat down, his expression serious. "As I said, I am Ryulune, and she is our queen, Seluna. We are from a place called Lunara II, and we are Selunarians¡ªworshippers of the Moon God."
Keld furrowed his brows. "Lunara II? I''ve read about this in a book I got from an old woman in a bookstore. But didn''t all Selunarians turn to stone and get sealed away with their kingdom? And where the heck is this kingdom?"
Ryulune nodded, a slight smile forming on his lips. "Oh, you''ve read about it? That makes things easier. But what you know is only half the truth. Yes, the Selunarians were sealed, but not all of them. Some managed to escape. Those who did wanted to save their people and find a way to break the seal. That''s why they created Lunara II¡ªto research and uncover a solution."
Keld listened intently as Ryulune continued. "However, despite all our efforts, we failed. No matter what we tried, we couldn''t undo the seal. In desperation, we prayed to the Moon God for guidance. And then¡ a prophecy was revealed."
"A prophecy?" Keld repeated, narrowing his eyes.
Ryulune nodded. "Yes. The prophecy foretold that a boy would be born¡ªone called the ''Son of Moon.'' He alone would have the power to destroy the seal. But to summon him, a ritual had to be performed when the moon was blue and a certain statue appeared. The Moon God warned that this statue could manifest anywhere in the world, and that we had to find it in order to call forth the Son of Moon."
Keld swallowed, feeling an unsettling chill creep down his spine. "And then what?" he asked cautiously.
Ryulune took a deep breath. "Once summoned, the Son of Moon''s hidden memories must be awakened using the Blood of Moon¡ªa sacred substance hidden within Lunara."
Keld''s heartbeat quickened. "Hidden memory? What hidden memory?"
Seluna spoke this time, her voice soft yet firm. "We don''t know. Even after centuries of research, we couldn''t uncover that part of the prophecy. But now that you are here, we can finally make progress." She looked directly at him. "Son of Moon."The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Keld''s breath hitched, his mind spiraling. His thoughts raced in a frantic whirlwind. "What are you saying? How can I be the Son of Moon? I''m just a normal person! I have normal thoughts! I wasn''t ''summoned''¡ªI was born from my mother''s womb!" His voice rose with panic.
Ryulune sighed, his expression filled with both sympathy and certainty. "I know this is hard to believe, Keld. But it''s the truth. You are not their real son."
The words hit Keld like a hammer to the chest. A heavy silence filled the room. His breathing became uneven as his mind struggled to grasp the reality that was being forced upon him.
Not their real son?
His thoughts twisted, memories flashing in his mind. The warmth of his mother''s touch, the sound of his father''s laughter, the home he had always known¡ªwas it all a lie?
Tears welled up in his eyes. He clenched his fists, his body trembling as an overwhelming mix of emotions crashed over him like a tidal wave. "No¡ this can''t be¡" he whispered, his voice breaking. "They''re my parents¡ They raised me¡ I have memories with them¡ I¡ I''m just Keld¡ nothing more¡"
His vision blurred, hot tears spilling onto his cheeks. His breath came out in shaky gasps as his mind spiraled deeper into chaos. Who am I? If I''m not their son¡ then who am I really?
Seluna''s expression softened as she stepped forward. "Keld¡"
"Leave me alone!" he snapped, his emotions raw and uncontrolled. "Just¡ give me a moment¡"
Seluna and Ryulune exchanged a glance but said nothing, giving him the space he needed. Keld buried his face in his hands, his whole world shattering around him.
For the first time in his life¡ he felt truly lost.
After some time, Keld''s sobs quieted, and he fell into silence. His mind still reeled, but a new thought took root. He took a deep breath, wiping his face, and looked up at Ryulune. His eyes, once filled with panic, were now cold and serious.
"Tell me everything you know about me," he said in a deep, firm voice. "And who were those people that kidnapped me?"
For the first time, Keld''s usual demeanor was gone. He wasn''t confused or overwhelmed¡ªhe was serious. Determined.
Ryulune studied him for a moment before speaking. "I know it''s hard, but before I tell you everything, I must ask¡ªare you prepared? Because after this, everything will change. Your whole life will turn upside down."
Keld held his gaze. "Yes. Tell me everything."
Ryulune sighed deeply, his expression grim. "Then let''s start from the beginning¡ Seventeen years ago, on December 31, 2008¡ªthe day you were born."
Chapter 8-Echoes in the Himalayas
Location: Lurana 2 | Date: December 28
Seluna stood at the grand hall of the celestial palace, her piercing gaze scanning the six figures before her. The Six Stars of Justice¡ªthe strongest warriors of Lurana¡ªhad gathered at her command. The air was tense, yet filled with an unshakable determination.
"The time has come. We have found the location." Seluna''s voice rang with authority.
Murmurs broke out among the six warriors, excitement and apprehension dancing in their eyes.
"Silence and listen! We do not have time to waste." Lurana, the second-in-command, spoke sharply, restoring order.
Seluna took a deep breath before revealing the sacred information. "The location is Himachal Pradesh, India¡ªatop the Himalayas, a place hidden in the clouds."
A heavy silence followed. The weight of this revelation was not lost on them.
"I want all of you to keep this to yourselves. This is top-secret information."
As one, the Six Stars bowed and spoke in unison. "Yes, our queen!"
Scene Shift: The Himalayas | December 30 | Time: 11:50 PM
The bitter cold bit at their skin as the Six Stars took their positions atop the mountain. Snow-covered peaks stretched endlessly beneath the shimmering sky, the blue moon casting an eerie glow upon the frozen expanse.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.
Ryulune, the leader of the Six Stars, glanced at the sky before addressing the others.
"It''s only ten minutes left. Everyone, get ready!"
Each warrior nodded, steadying themselves. The ancient summoning rings given by the Moon God glowed faintly on their fingers. The energy in the air grew thicker, vibrating with unseen power.
At exactly midnight, Ryulune closed his eyes, sending a telepathic message to the others.
"Everyone is in position."
Without hesitation, they activated the rings, pouring their Vitra¡ªthe essence of their magical power¡ªinto the ritual. The blue moon responded, its ethereal light intensifying as it bathed the statue of the Moonborn in its divine radiance.
A sudden burst of energy erupted. Six magical pillars appeared, spiraling around the statue, and in that sacred moment, a beam of blue light shot upward.
When the light subsided, a newborn child lay before them, wrapped in a cocoon of warmth despite the frigid winds.
A hush fell over the mountains. A feeling of peace and tranquility spread through the air as if the universe itself had paused to witness this moment.
Ryulune stepped forward, gently lifting the infant into his arms. His voice trembled slightly as he whispered, "You are here¡"
A chorus of soft smiles and sighs of relief followed. The Moonborn had finally arrived.
But before they could savor the moment, an ominous voice echoed through the valley.
"What a happy moment¡ I think I might cry!"
A cold chill ran through them as a shadow emerged from the darkness. A tall figure, clad entirely in deep red robes, stood before them, his face obscured by a hood.
Instantly, the Six Stars moved into a defensive stance, their hands gripping their weapons tightly.
Ryulune''s eyes narrowed. "Who are you? And how did you find this place?"
The stranger chuckled darkly, his voice dripping with amusement. "Oh ho, suddenly so serious? Relax, I only came to see that cute little baby. Nothing more¡"
His laughter, laced with malice, echoed across the mountaintop, sending shivers down their spines.
Chapter 9-The Awakening Cry
Location: The Himalayas | December 31 | Time: 12:05 AM
A sudden burst of Vitra energy crackled through the air as the Fifth Star appeared behind the mysterious man in red. With a fierce glare, he channeled his energy, forging a brilliant electric sword from pure magic. In one swift motion, he slashed toward the enemy.
But the man¡ merely smiled.
A long, sinister grin stretched across his face as he lifted a single finger¡ªstopping the sword in its tracks.
"W-What?!" The Fifth Star gasped in disbelief.
Before he could react, Ryulune''s voice thundered through the battlefield.
"Get away from him!"
Without hesitation, the Fifth Star jumped back, using his Vitra to retreat to his original position. The red-cloaked man chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery.
"What a pity. You''re so weak¡ how did someone like you become the Fifth Star?"
Rage burned in the Fifth Star''s eyes. Gritting his teeth, he prepared for a second attack. But just as he was about to strike, Ryulune held up a hand.
"Stop! If you go all out, you could harm the child. The Moonborn is our first priority!"
The Fifth Star clenched his fists but relented.
Ryulune¡¯s voice echoed in their minds, his telepathic command reaching every warrior.
"Stars Two, Five, and Three¡ªcreate a distraction! Stars Four and Six¡ªform an unbreakable shield around the child! I will cover this place in mist. Once that happens, everyone will create multiple clones and head for the bottom of the mountain!"
The Third Star hesitated. "But he''s alone! We can take him down!"
"Do you really think so?" Ryulune shot back. "If he found this location, it means he already knew we were here. Which means¡ he didn¡¯t come alone. Reinforcements are on the way. If we fight him now, we put the child in danger. Follow the plan!"
The Six Stars nodded, preparing to execute the strategy¡ª
But the man in red merely laughed. "You''re all so slow."
Suddenly, a tower of red light erupted into the sky. The entire mountain was sealed.
The man smirked. "Now, what will you do?"
Before they could react, the air shifted. A sea of figures in red robes emerged from the shadows. Over 50,000 warriors surrounded them.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"Too bad." The man grinned as the Six Stars tensed, their minds racing.
Ryulune clenched his fists, deep in thought. We can defeat them, but the child is the problem. If he gets hurt¡
His thoughts were interrupted as he swiftly sent a telepathic message.
"How long would it take to wipe them all out using your full power?"
The Second Star responded, "All five of us¡ about two minutes."
"Then do it. I¡¯ll protect the child."
Without hesitation, the Five Stars unleashed their full power, launching an all-out attack.
The battle erupted. Blood painted the snow as swords clashed, spells tore through the air, and bodies fell like leaves in a storm.
Meanwhile, the red-cloaked man stood back, watching with an amused expression.
"What foolish creatures you are¡ If I were in your position, I would have tried to escape."
His voice dripped with mockery as he pulled out a strange, ancient-looking orb. The object was covered in mysterious runes, pulsing with dark energy.
"What do you think this is?" he asked, his eyes locked onto Ryulune.
Ryulune narrowed his gaze. Something was wrong. The man wasn¡¯t just watching¡ªhe was doing something to the child.
And then, the words left the man¡¯s lips like a curse:
"This¡ is the M¨¢nagarmr Fourth Core."
Ryulune¡¯s eyes widened in horror. "Impossible! That¡¯s a myth! It doesn¡¯t exist!"
The Five Stars froze in place, their expressions shifting from fury to pure shock.
The red-cloaked man laughed. "Oh, it feels good to see the mighty Six Stars tremble. Now¡ hand over the child."
Ryulune smirked. "Fuck you."
In an instant, a magical field surrounded the Moonborn. The protective energy lifted the infant toward the sky.
"No! I won¡¯t let this happen!" The man roared. He gathered all his energy and struck the shield with full force¡ª
But the shield didn¡¯t even crack. Instead, it absorbed his attack, growing stronger.
The Moonborn ascended faster.
Ryulune commanded, "Hold him off for one minute! After that, the child will be safe!"
The Six Stars attacked at once. Weapons clashed, spells erupted, and the battlefield turned into chaos.
But the man in red simply gave an order. "Stop them."
His army surged forward. And as they clashed, the man raised the M¨¢nagarmr Core, gathering energy from his subordinates.
"I will finish this in one move."
Ryulune rushed forward, katana drawn. But before he could reach the enemy¡ª
A new figure appeared. A man in a red robe, with blue hair and piercing green eyes, blocked Ryulune¡¯s blade with ease.
"This is your last chance. Kronos, do it now."
Kronos hesitated for only a second before he leapt into the air, his body consumed by black and red aura.
Ryulune snarled. "Not so fast!" He lunged¡ª
But the blue-haired man kicked him aside, slamming Ryulune into the ground.
"W-What¡ is this strength?!" Ryulune gasped.
Meanwhile, Kronos completed his attack. The Fourth Core of M¨¢nagarmr activated¡ª
And the shield shattered.
But at a cost. Kronos''s arms burst apart, blood spraying into the sky. His screams of agony echoed through the mountains. Some of his blood fell onto the child.
And in that moment¡
The Moonborn opened his eyes.
His face scrunched up¡ª
And he let out his first cry.
The air rippled. A shockwave erupted. The clouds split apart. The red seal on the mountain shattered.
The M¨¢nagarmr Core cracked.
The ground trembled. The warriors fell to their knees, unable to stand.
The world itself seemed to shake beneath the power of the Moonborn.
And then¡
The child cried even louder.
And no one¡ could stop it.
Chapter 10: A Song in the Storm
The child''s cries echoed through the sky, growing louder and louder. Waves of Vitra energy surged from his tiny body, shaking the very foundation of the mountains. The pressure was so intense that 20,000 soldiers collapsed unconscious, their bodies unable to withstand the overwhelming force.
Even the Six Stars, the blue-haired man with green eyes, and their formidable opponent in red were not spared. They were all forced to the ground, blood streaming from their noses, mouths, and ears. One by one, they lost consciousness¡ª
Until only Ryulune remained.
He was on the brink of collapsing, his body trembling as his veins bulged unnaturally, pulsing with raw energy. Blood dripped from his lips and ears, his vision blurred, but still¡ªhe refused to fall.
Using his last reserves of Vitra, Ryulune forced himself to stand.
His entire body screamed in pain, but he ignored it. His breathing was ragged, his strength fading, yet he reached out toward the child.
"I will stop you from crying... please, calm down..."
Just as he spoke, a new sound echoed through the mountains.
A soft, pure voice.
A woman''s voice.
She was singing a lullaby.
The melody was so gentle, so peaceful, that Ryulune''s entire body relaxed. His pain faded, his Vitra stilled, and his legs finally gave out. As he fell, his eyes fluttered shut.
"Thank you..." he whispered before succumbing to sleep.
The woman, cloaked in black, simply smiled and continued singing. The child''s cries softened, his Vitra settled, and he floated down into her arms.
"It''s time to go."
And with those words, the scene shifted.
Location: Lunara II | Time: Unknown
Ryulune''s eyes shot open. His body ached, but he was alive. As he sat up, he noticed the Five Stars and Queen Lunara standing before him. His heart sank.
Lowering his head slightly, he clenched his fists.
"Your Majesty... I am sorry. We failed to retrieve the child. Those unknown bastards took him."
Shame filled his voice. He had sworn to protect the Moonborn, yet he had failed.
Before he could say more, Queen Lunara shook her head.
"Why are you apologizing, Ryulune? That child is safe. Those people do not have him."
Ryulune''s eyes widened. "What?! Then where is he?!"
The Queen sighed. "I don''t know where he is... but I am certain he is safe."
The Third Star tilted her head, a curious expression on her face. "How can you be so sure?"
Queen Lunara''s expression grew serious. **"Because while I was waiting here, I suddenly felt an intense pressure. It sent chills down my spine. I decided to open a portal and go to your location.
"When I arrived... I saw the battlefield covered in blood. All of you¡ªunconscious. I created a healing barrier to protect you. And then... I saw her."**
The room fell silent.
"A woman. Dressed in all black, her face hidden. She stood before me and said, ''You are late. Another group has already taken their people and left.''"
Ryulune''s breath hitched. "Did she... do that to us?"
The Queen shook her head. "No. She saved you from the child."
Queen Lunara continued. **"I asked her about the child''s whereabouts, but she only said: ''He is safe. I have sent him somewhere in the world where he can live in peace.''Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"I told her that we needed the child, but she warned me: ''Do not seek him until he is eighteen. If word leaks out again, there will be no guarantee of his safety.''"**
The Queen''s gaze hardened. "I understood her words. The child is too powerful. If he is found too early, he will be in danger once more."
The Third Star spoke up. "Did she say who she was?"
Queen Lunara sighed. "I asked her, but she refused to answer. She simply said: ''You must find him yourself. But because you seem like good people, I will give you a hint¡ªthe child is in Asia.''"
The Five Stars held their breath. That was still too vague.
But then, the Queen''s voice softened.
"She told me something else¡ ''The child''s power is too dangerous for this world. So, I have sealed it. Until the time comes, he will live as an ordinary boy.''"
A deep silence followed.
Then, the Queen''s lips curled into a small smile. "Before she left, she threw me this."
She held up a keychain.
"She said that when this glows, it means the child is near."
The Stars stared at the keychain, their minds racing. Who was that woman? And why had she helped them?
As she began to vanish into thin air, her final words echoed in the Queen''s mind:
"It was nice seeing you again¡ after so long."
The Queen''s smile remained. "I thanked her before she disappeared."
Present Day | Keld''s Perspective
Keld sat in silence, absorbing everything Queen Lunara and Ryulune had just told him. His mind swirled with confusion and disbelief.
"So... all these years... were nothing?"
A deep pain filled his chest. He clenched his fists. "I thought I was just a normal child. I wanted to live a peaceful life¡ªstudy, get a job, marry a beautiful girl, have two kids, and live happily. But now... I have to¡ª"
Seluna suddenly spoke up, her tone firm. "I know this is hard... but those years were not wasted."
She met his eyes with unwavering determination. "They were the best years of your life. You made friends who treated you as an equal. You had a mother who loved you more than anything, a father who worked tirelessly to give you everything, and a sister who cared for you like no one else."
"Are you saying all of that was meaningless just because they weren''t the ones who gave birth to you?"
Keld took a deep breath, memories of his life flashing through his mind. Finally, he exhaled. "You''re right... So, what do I have to do now?"
Ryulune answered. "For now, you have one year to enjoy your life here. Next year, we will take you to our land."
Keld''s voice wavered. "Will I still be able to see my family and friends?"
Queen Lunara nodded. "Yes. We will give you a portal ring that will allow you to visit them."
Keld picked up his bag. "Thank you for healing me. I''ll see you next time."
Queen Lunara stopped him. "Wait." She threw a ring to him. "Take this. It''s a key that will help you in times of danger. Use it wisely."
Keld nodded. "Okay." Then, realizing the time, he panicked and ran.
Ryulune smirked. "He''s growing well."
The Queen nodded with a smile.
Keld finally reached home, exhausted yet relieved. As he stepped onto the porch and opened the door, a small smile appeared on his face.
However, just as he was about to step inside and say, "I''m back!"¡ª
WHAM!
A flying chappal came out of nowhere and smacked him right in the face with the force of a divine punishment.
"Who the heck threw that?! Are you stupid or blind?!" Keld shouted, rubbing his sore nose.
He opened his eyes¡ªonly to see his sister standing before him, holding another chappal in her hand, her expression dangerously calm.
"I think you''re right. I must be blind... since I can''t seem to see the time correctly."
Keld''s body froze.
A deep, primal fear took over as he saw his sister''s lips curl into an evil smile. She slowly cracked her knuckles and took a step forward.
"Let''s talk for a bit, dear little brother."
A few minutes later...
Keld was now a human chair.
His sister sat comfortably on his back, flipping through a magazine as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Keld groaned in pain, barely holding himself up.
(Author''s: I can feel your pain, Keld.)
His sister sighed dramatically. "Now then, where were you so late? Can''t you see the time?"
Keld, still sore from the sibling torture session, muttered, "Sorry... I was with my friends and lost track of time."
His sister narrowed her eyes. But just as she was about to scold him further, something shiny caught her attention.
A ring on Keld''s finger.
She raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer, her expression suddenly turning mischievous.
"Oh? Really? A ''friend,'' huh? Tell me... was that ''friend'' a beautiful girl?"
Keld''s eyes widened. "N-No! It''s not like that!"
His sister smirked. "Then... what''s with this ring? Hmm? Are you married already? Oh-ho! These days, kids don''t even wait for marriage!"
Keld panicked. "It''s not like that! I¡ª"
And then... he made the biggest mistake of his life.
Without thinking, he muttered, "You''re [sister''s age] and still don''t have a boyfriend..."
At least, he thought he had said it in his head.
But he said it out loud.
The room fell silent.
His sister''s eye twitched.
Slowly, she turned to face him, her expression blank... yet utterly terrifying.
"What did you just say?"
Keld gulped. "N-Nothing! I didn''t mean to¡ª"
"Can you repeat that?"
And that, dear readers, was the last day of Keld''s peaceful life.
(Author''s: You dug your own grave, buddy.)
Chapter 11-Congratulations! You鈥檙e Kidnapped!
Months passed, and June arrived.
"Time''s passing too fast," Elowen sighed. "Next month, we''ll be in our final and last year of school. Have you two decided what you''ll do after graduation?"
"I''ll prepare for the CPA exam," Cassian replied confidently. "What about you, Keld?"
Keld remained silent for a moment, lost in thought. (So, the time is near when I will start my new life...)
Before he could continue, Elowen smacked him on the head.
"What are you thinking, idiot? Are you sleeping with your eyes open?" she scolded.
"Ouch! That hurts! And no, I''m not sleeping!" Keld protested, rubbing his head.
"Whatever. Now tell us, what will you do after school?" Cassian asked, narrowing his eyes.
Keld hesitated, then forced a smile. "I haven''t decided yet."
Elowen and Cassian exchanged glances, noticing his unusual reaction.
"Keld, did something happen to you?" Elowen asked, concern evident in her voice.
"No, nothing happened. Why would you even ask that?" Keld replied, but his voice wavered slightly.
Cassian sighed. "If you don''t want to tell us, that''s fine. But if you ever need to talk, we''re here."
"What are you guys saying? I''m fine," Keld insisted, his fake smile still in place.
Elowen crossed her arms. "Don''t lie. We''ve known each other for so long, and suddenly, you''ve changed. You focus in class now. You always arrive on time. You actually answer questions in class. You''ve stopped arguing about pointless things. It''s like you''re a completely different person."
Cassian nodded. "And it''s not just us. The whole school thinks you''ve changed."
Keld shook his head. "It''s not like that. I just want to enjoy school life more and try everything I never did before. There''s only a little time left, so I want to make the most of it. Nothing more. You two don''t need to stress about it."
Elowen and Cassian exchanged another glance, their faces filled with disappointment.
Keld clapped his hands together. "Anyway, how about we go eat somewhere?"
"I know a good place! Let''s go to the new restaurant that just opened¡ªBlack Lotus Bistro!" Elowen suggested excitedly.
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"Oh, that place? Yeah, I''ve heard it''s good," Cassian agreed.
Keld smirked. "Wait, does that mean Elowen actually made a good choice for once? That''s shocking."
"Shut up, Keld!" Elowen shot back, rolling her eyes.
With that, the trio left school and headed to the bistro. When they entered, they were met with a breathtaking sight¡ªa beautifully designed restaurant with a striking red and black color pattern.
Keld looked around in amazement. "Wow, this place looks amazing."
The three of them took their seats, ready to enjoy their meal together.
A waiter approached them and took their orders. As he walked away, Elowen sighed dreamily.
"Did you see his green eyes? They looked so good on him!"
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Elowen¡ did you just fall in love? He''s way older than you."
"It''s not like that, Baka!" Elowen snapped, blushing slightly. "I just meant I''ve never seen eyes like that before!"
Keld chuckled. "I don''t know¡ sounds like a crush to me."
"Shut up, both of you!" Elowen huffed.
Soon, the waiter returned with their food. As he placed their plates on the table, he briefly glanced at Keld with suspicious eyes.
"Enjoy your meal."
Keld felt a sudden chill run down his spine. (Why did he look at me like that?)
Brushing it off, the trio enjoyed their meal, engaging in friendly banter. After they finished, they stood up to leave when another waiter approached them.
"Congratulations! You three are our 100th customers! As a reward, we''d like to offer you a special gift. Please follow me¡ªit''ll only take five minutes."
The trio exchanged glances before nodding. They followed the waiter through a hallway and into a private room.
"Please, have a seat. I''ll bring your gift right away."
As they settled into their chairs, a strange mist began to fill the room. The three of them looked around in confusion.
"This must be part of the surprise, right?" Cassian murmured.
But within moments, their vision blurred. Their limbs felt heavy.
"Something¡ feels wrong¡" Elowen mumbled before collapsing.
"Elowen!" Cassian gasped before he, too, lost consciousness.
Keld struggled to keep his eyes open. "Damn it¡ what''s¡ happening¡?"
Darkness consumed him.
When Keld regained consciousness, his wrists were bound by chains glowing with a red aura. A familiar figure stood before him.
The waiter.
"It''s been a long time, kid."
Keld''s breath hitched. It didn''t take long for him to realize what was happening. His gaze hardened.
"Where are my friends?" he demanded, a glare in his eyes.
The man tilted his head, surprised. "You don''t even ask who I am? Interesting." He smirked. "I suppose you''ve already met them¡ that bitch."
He laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, that makes things much easier."
As the man turned to leave, Keld''s voice cut through the silence.
"What is your name? Where are my friends?"
The man stopped and glanced over his shoulder. "My name is Vorath." His smirk widened. "And don''t worry about your friends¡ªI left them there. They''re of no use to me."
Keld''s heart pounded. "What do you want with me?"
Vorath chuckled. "Enjoy your time here, kid. No one''s coming to save you. That bitch will never find out that we took you. And you? You have nowhere to run. So don''t even try."
With that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Keld alone with his glowing restraints.
Keld thought about what to do. As he struggled with his thoughts, a sudden explosion shook the room.
"What the hell?!" Keld gasped, eyes wide in shock.
The walls burst apart, revealing two figures stepping through the smoke and rubble.
"So here you are," one of them said. "Let''s go, or else your sister will scold you again."
Keld''s eyes widened in disbelief as he recognized them.
"You¡?!" he exclaimed, stunned.
Chapter 12-Unseen Strength
Keld''s eyes widened as he saw a familiar figure standing before him. A smile spread across his face, his eyes glistening with relief.
"Ryulune!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with joy. "You came to save me!"
Ryulune smirked. "Do you enjoy getting kidnapped or something?"
Keld pouted. "Hey! It''s not like I get kidnapped on purpose!"
Before Ryulune could respond, another voice interrupted them. "Enough chit-chat! We need to move!"
Keld turned to face the unfamiliar man. He blinked, then looked back at Ryulune and asked, "Who is this kid?"
Silence.
A vein popped on the man''s forehead. "Who the hell are you calling a kid?! I''m older than you! You should respect your elders!"
Keld tilted his head. "Wait¡ you''re older than me? But you''re so tiny."
The man clenched his fists. "T-TINY?! You brat¡ª!" He stomped his foot, but it only made him look even more like an angry child. "I swear, I will¡ª!"
Ryulune sighed, rubbing his temples. "Both of you, shut up. They''re coming."
His tone silenced them immediately. Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Ryulune turned to Ankh. "Take him home."
Keld''s eyes widened. "What?! What about you?"
Ankh laughed as he shattered Keld''s chains with a flick of his wrist. "I''ll wait for you, Ryulune. But I''m getting this guy out of here first."
Before Keld could argue, Ankh picked him up and leaped into the air.
"W-Wait! We''re flying?!" Keld screamed.
Ankh rolled his eyes. "No shit, idiot. Look above you."
Keld hesitantly looked up, and his jaw dropped. A massive airship loomed above them, its shadow stretching across the entire city.
"What the fuck?! That thing is HUGE!"
Ankh chuckled. "Huge? That''s the smallest version."
Keld''s eyes twitched. "What do you mean, the smallest?!"
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Just as he was about to process it all, another thought hit him. "Wait¡ how has no one ever noticed that thing before?!"
Ankh smirked. "That''s the power of Vitra. When you understand it, things will get even more interesting."
Keld''s excitement turned into concern. "Wait¡ where is Ryulune?!"
Ankh''s smirk grew wider. "Oh, he''s got business to take care of."
Keld frowned. "No! It''s dangerous! He''s stuck there because of me!"
Ankh suddenly burst into laughter. "Stuck? Who? Ryulune¡ or those poor bastards?"
Keld hesitated. "Is he really that strong?"
Ankh grinned. "Strong? That word is too small to describe him."
Keld fell into deep thought, realizing he had severely underestimated Ryulune''s strength.
Ankh smirked. "You''re wondering if Ryulune is really that powerful, aren''t you?"
Keld blinked. "Wait¡ how did you know?!"
Ankh laughed. "Because I''m a genius."
As they landed, Keld turned to him. "Did you and Ryulune bring my friends back safely?"
Ankh shook his head. "Not us."
Keld''s heart skipped a beat. "What?! Then we have to find them! If you found me, you can find them too!"
He turned to run, but Ankh grabbed his collar. "Oi, oi, why are you always in such a hurry?"
Keld scowled. "Then who took them?"
Ankh crossed his arms. "Our queen."
Keld frowned. "Your¡ queen?"
Ankh sighed. "Yeah, weird, right? I was going to take them myself, but she stopped me and said she would do it. and she said she had some business with them."
Keld couldn''t understand her motives, but something about it felt off.
Ankh stretched. "Anyway, you should rest. I''ve got things to do."
Keld sighed. "Fine."
With that, Ankh disappeared in an instant.
As Keld entered his home, his sister greeted him with surprise.
"Wow, you''re home early today."
She looked him up and down, then frowned. "Wait¡ where''s your bag?"
Keld blinked. "Huh? I think I forgot it."
His sister crossed her arms. "Where?"
Keld scratched his head. "I¡ don''t know?"
She sighed heavily. "How do I have such a stupid brother¡?"
Keld groaned. "Fine! I''ll go get it¡ª"
Just as he opened the door, he froze.
Ankh was standing there, awkwardly placing Keld''s bag on the doorstep, his hand hovering over the doorbell.
Their eyes met. Ankh''s face turned red with embarrassment.
"Uh¡ here''s your bag. I''m going now."
Before he could escape, Keld''s sister shouted, "Wait! Are you Keld''s friend?!"
Ankh looked back nervously. "Uh¡ yes? Nice to meet you!"
Then, he bolted.
"Wait! At least come inside!" she called after him.
Keld watched Ankh disappear in the distance and muttered, "He''s so fast¡"
His sister smirked. "Your friend is interesting."
Keld picked up his bag and sighed, his thoughts drifting back to Ryulune. Is he safe¡?
The scene shifted.
A long, blood-soaked hallway stretched into the distance. Bodies lay scattered, lifeless and broken. The scent of iron filled the air.
Ryulune walked forward, his boots splashing through crimson puddles. His gaze locked onto the figure standing at the end of the corridor.
Vorath.
The two stared at each other in silence.
In a blink, Ryulune lunged, his blade slicing through the air toward Vorath''s neck¡ª
Only for it to pass through nothing.
A hologram.
Ryulune clenched his teeth, his hands stained with blood, his breath ragged.
"Next time we meet¡" he growled, his voice seething with fury. "I''ll show you hell."
Chapter 13-Elowen and cassian
Keld woke up to the sound of his alarm ringing loudly. He groggily got out of bed, stretched, and got ready for school. As he was about to leave, he called out,
"I''m going!"
His sister, still half-asleep, mumbled back,
"Go safely."
Keld stepped outside, the cool morning breeze brushing against his face. He took his usual route to school, but as he turned a corner, he suddenly stopped. His eyes widened in shock.
"Ryulune! You''re safe! Thank god! Are you hurt anywhere?"
Ryulune smiled calmly.
"No, I''m fine. By the way, I couldn''t meet you yesterday after that incident because it was late. So, let me ask you¡ªare you feeling okay? Any strange energy or anything unusual?"
Keld shook his head.
"No, I''m safe. But I do have a question... Ankh told me that the queen took my friend because she had some business. Can you tell me what that''s about?" (His voice was filled with concern.)
Ryulune placed a reassuring hand on Keld''s shoulder.
"Don''t worry. It''s nothing serious. The queen will explain everything after your school. Just come to the old bookstore where you got that book."
Keld blinked.
"Okay... but, um... can you tell me where it is again? I kinda... forgot." (He scratched his head awkwardly.)
Ryulune sighed, already expecting this.
"I knew it. Here, take this." (He handed Keld a small paper with the location written on it.) "Now go, or you''ll be late."
Keld quickly took the paper.
"Thanks! Have a good day!" (He waved and rushed off to school.)
As Keld entered the school, he spotted Elowen and Cassian near the gate.
"There you guys are!"
Elowen smirked.
"Oh, Keld, you came early today too? What a miracle!"
Cassian laughed.
"Yeah, usually, you''re the last one running into class."
Keld pouted.
"Hey, I''m not that bad! Just... slightly late sometimes." (He crossed his arms.)
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They all laughed and continued their usual banter as they entered the classroom. The school day passed quickly, and soon, it was the last period. The teacher stood in front of the class, clearing his throat.
"All of you know that you have only five weeks left for your final exams. Study hard and make your future bright!"
As the teacher left, Elowen quickly packed her bag.
"I have some urgent work, so I''m leaving first."
Cassian stood up as well.
"Me too. I have something important to do."
Keld chuckled.
"Oh, what a coincidence! I also have somewhere to be." (He grinned.) "Let''s walk outside together!"
Elowen and Cassian nodded, and the trio started heading out. Just as they reached the door, the teacher called out.
"Keld, come here for a moment. I need to talk to you."
Keld sighed.
"Alright, you guys go ahead. I''ll meet you later."
After a brief talk with the teacher, Keld hurried outside.
"I''m late! I have to meet Ryulune and Seluna!" (He sprinted towards the bookstore.)
Keld finally reached the old bookstore, panting.
"I finally made it!" (He wiped the sweat off his forehead and pushed the door open.)
The store was quiet. The only person inside was the old blind woman he had met before, sitting in her usual chair. Keld hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer.
"Hello... Grandma? Are you listening?" (He waved his hand slightly, feeling a weird sense of deja vu.)
His eyes wandered to the desk. There, lying on top, was a note with his name on it. Frowning, he picked it up and read it.
Keld, if you come here, open the gate to your left. We are inside.
Keld groaned.
"Why did they leave a note? Can''t they just call out when they hear me come in?" (Shaking his head, he walked towards the gate and reached for the handle...)
As Keld opened the door, he was met with a surprising sight¡ªElowen and Cassian sitting inside, eating cookies and drinking water. The moment they saw him, Elowen, who had just taken a big gulp of water, spat it out in shock¡ªright onto Cassian''s face.
"What the¡ª?! Elowen! What are you doing?!" (Cassian wiped his face, looking irritated.)
"S-Sorry! I just got shocked seeing Keld here!" (Elowen stammered.) "Keld, do you also have some connection to the Selunarians?"
Keld''s eyes widened in shock. He turned towards Ryulune and Seluna, his voice filled with confusion.
"How do these two know about this?!"
Ryulune raised a hand.
"Calm down and sit. I''ll explain everything." (Meanwhile, Seluna handed a towel to Cassian, who was still grumbling.)
Keld sat down, his mind racing.
"Alright, I''m listening. Explain everything."
Ryulune sighed, looking at Seluna.
"Where should we start?"
Seluna smiled.
"Leave it to me. I''ll handle it." (She turned to Keld.) "Keld, as you know, I took your friends that day. I sensed a faint trace of Vitra in them¡ªso faint that no one else would have noticed. I needed to find out the truth, so I brought them here to check if they had any connection to us. And I was surprised to find out that they are actually Selunarians."
Keld blinked in confusion.
"Wait, what? How is that possible? Didn''t you say all the Selunarians were sealed away? And the remaining ones built Lunara 2?"
Seluna nodded.
"That''s true. But I have an answer for this. As you know, the old Lunara was a wealthy place, with many merchants traveling across the world for business. Some Selunarians must have been outside when the seal was placed. Unable to return, they decided to hide in this world... and their descendants are Elowen and Cassian."
Keld turned to his friends, still processing the information.
"Wow... You two are really cool." (His voice was filled with amazement.)
Cassian grinned.
"Of course, we are! But wait¡ªwhat do you mean by ''you two''? You''re one of us too, aren''t you?"
Keld panicked.
"N¡ª" (Before he could finish, Ryulune interrupted.)
"Keld, no need to hide it. I already told them that you''re also a Selunarian. And I also explained to them about the evil group and Lunara''s history."
Ryulune turned to Elowen and Cassian.
"It''s already late. You two should go home and study for your finals. We''ll explain more later."
Chapter 14-From Zero to Hero: Keld鈥檚 Unlikely Journey
As Elowen and Cassian stood up, they both smiled warmly.
"Thank you for everything. Let''s meet again soon!" Elowen said.
Cassian nodded. "Yeah, let¡¯s go, Keld."
Before Keld could respond, Ryulune shook his head. "He¡¯ll stay here for a little longer. I need to talk to him about something."
Elowen and Cassian exchanged glances before turning to Keld.
"Are you sure?" Elowen asked.
Keld gave them a reassuring smile. "Yeah, I¡¯m good. You two go ahead. Let''s meet tomorrow."
Both of them nodded. "Alright, see you later!" they said before leaving.
Keld sighed and turned to Ryulune. "Now, tell me. Why don¡¯t you let me tell them? They¡¯re trustworthy."
Ryulune leaned back against his chair. "It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t trust them, Keld. But your true identity¡ it could bring them trouble. Knowing the truth would put them in danger."
Keld was silent for a moment, thinking. "Yeah¡ you¡¯re right. If people found out, their lives would change completely."
Seluna, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. "Keld, I wanted to ask you something important. Do you want to join Nishapith Academy? There, we will train you to control your powers¡ and also help you break the seal that binds you. This is the only way you can protect your family, your friends, and this world."
She paused for a moment before adding, "Of course, we won¡¯t force you. This choice is yours."
Keld clenched his fists, deep in thought. His mind raced through everything that had happened¡ªthe attacks, his friends, the secrets he had learned. Finally, he lifted his head, determination burning in his eyes.
"I¡¯ll do it. For my family and friends, I¡¯ll join Nishapith Academy."
Both Ryulune and Seluna looked relieved. But Keld suddenly frowned.
"Wait¡ what am I supposed to tell my family? Where would I say I¡¯m going?"
Ryulune smirked. "That¡¯s simple. Just score 90% on your exams and tell your family that you got accepted into an elite academy abroad. If they ask which academy, tell them it¡¯s Silver Spire Academy."
Keld froze. "Wait. Hold on. Did you just say... 90%?! And Silver Spire Academy?!"
Seluna sighed as she watched the color drain from Keld¡¯s face. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll teach you."
Keld immediately bowed, his expression dead serious. "All hail Queen Seluna!"
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Seluna made a weird face. "Okay, okay, just stand up. Go home and start studying. I¡¯ll come and help you."
Keld straightened up and grinned. "Thank you, ma¡¯am!"
As he turned to leave, he hesitated. "By the way¡ did you ask Elowen and Cassian about this? What did they say?"
Ryulune answered, "They said they¡¯ll give their answer later."
Keld smiled. "Alright. Let¡¯s meet tomorrow then. Bye!"
With renewed energy, he ran out the door. And thus, his intense study sessions began.
For weeks, Keld, Elowen, and Cassian studied harder than they ever had before. Late nights, early mornings, countless hours buried in books¡ªevery moment was spent preparing for their final exams. Seluna personally tutored Keld, ensuring he stayed on track.
And then, the day of the results arrived.
The three of them stood before the giant results board in their school, surrounded by murmuring students.
Elowen took a deep breath and read the board. "Elowen: 98%!"
Cassian smirked. "Cassian: 94%!"
And then, everyone¡¯s eyes fell on one name.
Keld.
"Keld: 90%!"
For a moment, silence filled the air. Then Keld¡¯s eyes widened in shock. He jumped into the air, fists raised high.
"I DID IT! I SCORED 90%!"
Elowen and Cassian cheered for him, and the entire school erupted in whispers.
"Wait¡ Keld? The guy who always barely passed?"
"No way. He must have cheated."
"Impossible! Keld getting 90%? This has to be a mistake."
Elowen¡¯s eyes flashed with anger. "What are you all saying?! Just because you couldn¡¯t do it, you¡¯re accusing him of cheating?! You have no idea how hard he worked for this!"
Cassian placed a hand on her shoulder. "Elowen, calm down. This is just how the world is. People doubt what they don¡¯t understand."
Just then, their teacher arrived. He cleared his throat and looked at the crowd.
"I know many of you are shocked, but Keld¡¯s results are real. In fact, I even called his house earlier. His sister picked up and told me she already knew. She said he had been studying the whole night, skipping meals, giving up games¡ he worked for this."
The students fell silent, shame creeping onto their faces. One by one, they muttered apologies.
"Sorry, Keld¡ we were wrong."
Soon, the entire school began congratulating him.
After school, Keld rushed home. The moment he stepped inside, his sister tackled him with a hug.
"You did it, you idiot! Or should I say, my smart little brother?!"
Keld laughed. "Hey, careful, I still need to breathe!"
His sister pulled back and grinned. "Come inside. Mom and Dad are here too!"
Keld''s eyes widened. "Really?!"
He ran inside and stopped in his tracks. His parents stood there, smiling at him, holding a cake that read, "We are proud of you, son."
Tears welled up in Keld¡¯s eyes as he ran into their arms. "I missed you two so much¡"
His mother stroked his hair. "We missed you too, Keld."
His father chuckled. "I always knew you had it in you."
For a while, they celebrated together, laughing, talking, and sharing stories.
Then, as the room grew quiet, Keld took a deep breath and spoke.
"Mom, Dad, Sis¡ I need to talk to you about something important."
His voice wavered slightly, but he pushed forward. "I want to study at Silver Spire Academy."
The room fell silent. His parents exchanged glances, his sister''s smile faltered.
Keld''s heart pounded as he waited for their response.
Then, his father stepped forward, eyes slightly misty. "Yes. You can go."
His mother and sister smiled, tears of joy in their eyes.
His sister ruffled his hair. "Look at you. When did my little brother grow up so much?"
Keld grinned. "Guess I had to, huh?"
That night, the family celebrated once more. And the next morning, as Keld stepped outside to meet his friends, his mother called out.
"Come back early!"
Keld turned back with a smile.
"I will!"
Lunorath鈥檚 Secrets
Keld stepped into the old bookstore, but something felt off. The usual warmth was missing. He looked around and noticed that the old woman wasn¡¯t there.
Where did she go? he wondered, scanning the room. The silence felt strange.
Just as he was lost in thought, the entrance door creaked open. Keld turned around to see Elowen and Cassian walking in. They spotted him standing near the shelves.
¡°Good morning, you two,¡± Keld greeted with a smile.
¡°Morning,¡± they both replied. Elowen crossed her arms and smirked. ¡°You never reach school first, but somehow you¡¯re here before us.¡±
Keld chuckled. ¡°By the way, did you two decide? Will you join Nishapith Academy?¡±
Before they could answer, a sudden presence made Keld jump. Ryulune and Seluna appeared out of nowhere.
¡°W-What the¡ª?! Where did you two come from?!¡± Keld shouted.
Seluna smiled. ¡°Good morning, you three.¡± She gestured toward a small room at the back. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside and talk.¡±
Everyone took their seats. Ryulune placed a tray of cookies and chocolate milk on the table.
Keld¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Chocolate milk?¡± He grabbed a cup, took a sip, and grinned. ¡°One more!¡±
Ryulune chuckled and poured him another.
Keld quickly finished his second cup and reached for another, but Elowen smacked him on the head. ¡°We¡¯re not here to drink chocolate, idiot.¡±
Keld pouted. ¡°Sorry! But it¡¯s too good!¡±
¡°Are you a baby or what?¡± Elowen sighed.
Ryulune and Seluna exchanged amused glances before Seluna spoke up. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s begin our meeting.¡±
The room fell silent. Ryulune looked at each of them. ¡°What have you three decided?¡±
Keld sat up straight. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± He turned to Elowen and Cassian.
Elowen hesitated for a moment before nodding. ¡°I will¡ also go.¡±
A smile spread across Keld¡¯s face, and he turned to Cassian. ¡°And you?¡±
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Cassian took a deep breath before speaking. ¡°Me too.¡±
Keld¡¯s grin widened, but then he frowned slightly. ¡°But what about your CPA dream?¡±
Cassian exhaled and leaned back in his chair. ¡°I never actually wanted to be a CPA. Both my parents are qualified CPAs, so as a child, I admired them. Everyone around me¡ªrelatives, family friends¡ªkept telling me I had to become one too. So I believed it was my path.¡±
He paused, looking down at his hands. ¡°But I never truly wanted it. I just thought I had to. After everything that happened, I realized I want to know more about Lunara, Vitra, and everything beyond. So I finally told my parents the truth.¡±
Keld leaned forward. ¡°How did they react?¡±
Cassian smiled. ¡°I was scared at first. But they just smiled and said, ¡®If you want to do something, do it. Don¡¯t wait for anyone¡¯s permission. This is your life¡ªenjoy it.¡¯ Then they hugged me.¡±
Keld¡¯s heart warmed at the story. He extended a hand toward Cassian. ¡°Then let¡¯s go, the three of us together.¡±
Cassian clasped his hand. ¡°Yeah.¡±
Seluna nodded in approval. ¡°Now that all of you have agreed, let¡¯s talk about the details.¡±
Ryulune leaned forward. ¡°First, you will take the entrance exam for Silver Spire Academy. Once you pass, you will enroll and travel to the U.K. Once you arrive, one of our people will meet you and take you to a private room. There, you three will be teleported to Lunorath.¡±
Keld, Elowen, and Cassian exchanged confused glances.
¡°Lunorath?¡± Keld asked. ¡°We¡¯ve never heard of that place.¡±
Seluna¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Lunorath is a mysterious, hidden continent shrouded in eternal twilight. The sun, moon, and stars coexist in a surreal celestial dance, making it unlike any place you¡¯ve ever seen. The land is divided into three main regions: the Sunlit Plains, the Starlit Forests, and the Moonlit Desert. But at the heart of Lunorath lies the malevolent nation of Noctis Lunea, a kingdom ruled by Managarmr.¡±
Keld furrowed his brows. ¡°Noctis Lunea? What kind of nation is that?¡±
Elowen and Cassian also leaned in, curious.
Seluna sighed. ¡°Noctis Lunea is a dark, oppressive empire that thrives under the influence of the Black Moon, a cursed celestial body that blots out the light of the sun and stars. The Black Moon is said to be a fragment of an ancient, destroyed world, and its presence corrupts the land and its people. The citizens of Noctis Lunea are bound to the Black Moon¡¯s will, their souls tainted by its dark energy.¡±
Keld frowned. ¡°And Managarmr? How has he lived for so long? Do all people in Lunorath live that long?¡±
Seluna nodded. ¡°The people of Lunorath do live longer than normal humans, but typically only up to 300 years. However, there are exceptions. Those who are strong and understand how to control Vitra can live even longer.¡±
She hesitated before continuing. ¡°But Managarmr¡ he is neither alive nor dead. For some unknown reason, he chose to enter a long slumber. But he couldn¡¯t leave his nation unprotected, so he divided his soul into seven cores and entrusted them to his seven most loyal followers.¡±
Keld¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait¡ so he¡¯s still out there in some form?¡±
Seluna nodded, but before she could say more, Ryulune subtly used telepathy to stop her. ¡°Queen, wait. If you continue, Keld¡¯s identity may be revealed.¡±
Seluna blinked and quickly corrected herself. ¡°Oh, right.¡±
Elowen narrowed her eyes. ¡°Wait, what? Why did you stop? What happened next?¡±
Seluna quickly composed herself and smiled. ¡°Our spies recently confirmed that it¡¯s real¡ and that¡¯s all.¡±
The Journey Beyond
Seluna leaned forward, her expression serious. "Let''s talk about what you three will do once you reach Lunara."
She glanced at each of them before continuing. "After arriving, you will undergo intense training for one month. Once Nishapith Academy opens, you three will live in the dorms, study there, and grow stronger over the next four years." She paused. "For now, Ryulune will explain more details about the academy."
Ryulune nodded. "In Nishapith Academy, nobles and commoners study together without discrimination. However, some arrogant nobles may try to keep their distance. If anyone causes trouble for you, let me know immediately."
Keld, Elowen, and Cassian listened intently as he continued. "In the academy, you will choose three main majors and two sub-majors. I''ll explain the options once we arrive. For now, you should rest and start packing. Any questions?"
Elowen raised a hand. "When we enter the academy, won''t other students ask if we''re nobles or commoners? Can we tell them we''re from outside?"
Ryulune smirked. "Good question. You three will enter as ''special students.'' If anyone asks, just say you are commoners."
Cassian furrowed his brows. "Special students? What does that mean?"
"It''s a title given only to students personally chosen by one of the Six Stars or the Queen herself." Ryulune explained. "It grants certain privileges, but that''s all you need to know for now."
Before they could ask more, Keld suddenly spoke up. "I have an important question."
Seluna tilted her head. "Go ahead."
Keld crossed his arms. "Where is that old woman who always sits outside the bookstore?"
Seluna smiled knowingly. "Oh, her? She''s gone to handle some important business."
Keld frowned. "But¡ she''s blind."
Seluna chuckled, barely holding back her laughter. "Why do you think that?"
Keld leaned forward. "The first time I met her, I noticed her eyes¡ªshe had phthisis bulbi. Her eyes were completely white. And when I walked into the bookstore, she never looked at me directly. Instead, she just asked if I was here to return a book. That''s why I assumed she was blind."
Seluna let out a soft laugh. "Oh, Keld¡ you''ll get your answer someday." She gave him a mysterious smile. "For now, all three of you should head home, prepare for the entrance exam, and pack your bags. We''ll meet again on Seluna 2."
Understanding that the discussion was over, the trio stood up. "Thank you," they said in unison before leaving.
Days later, after clearing the entrance exam, Keld, Elowen, and Cassian found themselves at the airport, standing with their families one last time before departing for the U.K.
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Cassian''s mother pulled him into a tight embrace. "No matter where you go, remember, we are always proud of you."
His father patted his shoulder. "Stay strong, son. Follow your own path."
Cassian swallowed the lump in his throat. "I will. Thank you¡ for believing in me."
Elowen''s younger siblings clung to her arms, their eyes filled with tears. "Will you come back soon?" her little sister asked, sniffling.
Elowen ruffled her sister''s hair gently. "I promise I''ll visit whenever I can. Be good, alright?"
Her parents smiled through their sadness. "Go and make us proud."
Keld stood before his parents, his heart heavy. His mother wiped a tear away but managed to smile. "You''ve always been a handful, but¡ I know you''ll do great things."
His father, usually a man of few words, placed a firm hand on Keld''s shoulder. "Stay safe. And come back stronger."
Keld nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will."
The airport announcement echoed overhead, signaling their flight''s departure.
With one final hug, one last wave, and tear-filled smiles, the trio turned away from their families and stepped forward.
Their journey had begun.
With hearts full of determination and energy surging through their veins, Keld, Elowen, and Cassian boarded the plane, ready to embrace their destiny in the unknown lands of Lunara.
As they arrived in the U.K., they noticed a man standing near the arrival area, holding a board with their names written on it. Noticing them, he walked over with a friendly smile and extended his hand. "I am Kai. I have been appointed by Silver Spire Academy to take you there. Please follow me."
The trio followed Kai and got into the car. As they drove through the bustling streets, Elowen and Keld couldn''t hide their excitement. Their eyes sparkled as they took in the towering buildings, the wide roads, and the modern marvels surrounding them.
Keld turned to Cassian. "You don''t look that excited."
Cassian smirked. "I''ve already been here twice with my parents."
Keld chuckled. "Wow, you''re so cool."
Cassian shook his head, amused. "I know."
After some time, they arrived at Silver Spire Academy, where another person was waiting for them. Kai gestured towards him. "Follow him. He will guide you from here."
"Thank you," the trio said before following their new guide. He led them to a circular platform inside a room and motioned for them to step onto it.
"Stand in the center," he instructed.
As soon as they positioned themselves, the man placed his hand on the circle, concentrating his vitra. Instantly, the platform began to glow, radiating a blinding light. In the next moment, the trio found themselves teleported to a grand palace¡ªthe royal palace of Lunara.
Their eyes widened in awe. The palace was breathtakingly beautiful, its intricate designs and dazzling aura captivating beyond words. They couldn''t look away.
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted their trance.
"Did you have a safe trip?"
The trio turned to see Seluna entering the hall, dressed in her regal attire, looking even more ethereal than before. She was radiant¡ªlike the moon itself. Their faces turned red as they stood frozen, completely mesmerized by her beauty.
Seluna smiled playfully. "Oh dear, how long will you three stare at me?"
Realizing what they were doing, they quickly averted their gazes, embarrassed.
Just then, Ryulune entered the hall. "Welcome to Lunara. Did you three have a safe trip?"
Keld grinned. "Ryulune! It''s been so long. How have you been?"
Ryulune nodded. "I''m good. But let''s get straight to the point."
He looked at them seriously. "Only a few people know about you three. Aside from me and the Queen, two others are aware¡ªNishapith Academy''s principal and Ankh. Do not trust anyone else."
He continued, "To everyone else, you are simply special students chosen by the Queen. If anyone asks, say you come from an unnamed northern village and that you are orphans. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the trio responded in unison.
Ryulune nodded. "Good. Now, follow me to your rooms and get some rest. Tomorrow, I will take you on a tour."