The Forest of Death____
The Forest of Death was silent, wrapped in a chilling mist that never lifted. The trees—tall, twisted, and dark as obsidian—loomed over them like silent watchers. Even the leaves shimmered with a dull, metallic sheen under the glowing blue moon overhead.
Chains clinked.
Luna walked with her head low, her Ginger-blue hair sticking to her sweat-damp face. Her legs trembled. They hadn't eaten in days. Her stomach growled, but she barely noticed anymore. Behind her walked Meli, None of them spoke. It hurt to breathe.
Guards marched alongside, silent and cold.
At the front of the group, a tall black-haired man on horseback said nothing. He had watched them all day—never helping, never speaking.
Sole gritted her teeth, whispering to Meli, "He just keeps staring… I swear, I'll—"
"Don't," Crysie cut in. "They'll hurt Luna if you start something."
"She's already suffering," Meli said in a broken voice.
Suddenly, Luna's knees buckled. She collapsed into the dirt with a dull thud.
"Luna!" Meli fell beside her. "No, no, stay awake—please!"
Her hands trembled, her breath ragged. Something inside her pulsed.
From beneath her clothes, a faint golden shimmer flickered—soft but bright.
Out fluttered Lira, a tiny fairy with lavender wings.
"What…?" one of the guards stepped forward, narrowing his eyes. "There's something inside her."
He reached for Luna's hair, trying to see what she was hiding.
But before his fingers could touch her—
"Back off!"
Sira, Luna's fiery fairy, burst from beneath her collar and stabbed the guard's hand with her tiny sword.
"Ah! What the—?!" the guard shouted, stumbling back.
Now, one by one, the other fairies emerge. hovering protectively around Luna.
"What are these creatures?" a second guard growled.
"Touch her again, and we'll cut off more than your glove," Sira hissed.
Luna opened her eyes weakly—and they landed on a tree up ahead.
It stood alone, glowing faintly violet under the blue moon. Hanging from its branches were round, dark-purple fruits. The sight of them made Luna's dry throat ache.
Nyxberries.
She stared at them, wide-eyed and longing, like a puppy waiting for a crumb.
The man on the horse noticed. His gaze narrowed. He raised a hand and said quietly to a nearby guard:
"Bring her something to eat."
"Yes, sir."
But before the guard could move, a soft flutter of wings echoed through the air. A white pigeon swooped down, dropping a plump Nyxberry right into Luna's lap.
"…What the—?"
Another pigeon came. Then more. A whole flock arrived, carrying fruits, herbs, even pieces of dried bread in their beaks. They circled overhead, dropping food gently to the ground before Luna and her companions.
One pigeon pecked at a guard who tried to block them.
"Moon messengers," whispered one guard. "The sacred birds…"
"They're helping her," said another guard. "Because she's pure."
Luna picked up a Nyxberry with trembling fingers and took a slow bite. The moment the juice touched her tongue, she felt… alive again.
The chains around her wrists glowed gold.
The fairies surrounded her, whispering in unison:
"Now, Luna."
A golden light burst from her, and the chains shattered into dust.
"W-What?" a guard gasped. "Those are… Koiyo chains! They're unbreakable!"
The black-haired man's eyes narrowed. He leaned forward in his saddle, watching closely.
The rest of them—Sole, Meli, and Crysie—ate quickly, strength returning to their bodies.
Meli stood up and shouted, "Let us go! Haven't you seen enough?!"
Sira flew up and pointed her sword. "Do you even know who she is?"
Sole glared at the silent rider. "You act like a king, but you're nothing but a coward—hurting the weak."
The man didn't respond. He dismounted slowly and began walking—calmly, confidently—toward Luna.
Sole and Crysie stepped in front of her.
"Move," he said quietly.
"No," Sole growled.
The man's gaze flickered with annoyance but quickly faded. He walked past them like they were air.
He stopped in front of Luna, who had just finished her berry. Her lips were stained purple, her eyes still tired.
"Who are you?" he asked gently.
Luna looked up at him but said nothing.
"I've seen chains break. But not Koiyo chains."
Silence.
"I am Noctarion," he said at last, voice low and calm. "And you… are full of surprises."
Luna lowered her gaze again, refusing to speak.
His jaw tightened slightly. But instead of lashing out, he turned and walked back to his horse.
"No more chains," he ordered his men. "Let them walk."
"Yes, sir."
As he mounted his horse again, the fairies clustered around Luna protectively.
"Why is he watching her like that?" Fole whispered.
"Because he knows," said myra
"He doesn't know anything," Sira muttered. "But he will."
**************†************
The journey through the Forest of Death had been long and grueling. Luna's legs ached with every step, her throat dry, but she pressed on, holding Meli's hand tightly as their seven fairies fluttered anxiously around them. Finally, the dense black trees opened up to reveal a wide, shadowy clearing—a military camp scattered with dark tents, guarded by stone-faced soldiers clad in black and silver.
As soon as Noctarion entered the camp, the soldiers straightened and saluted him sharply.
"Welcome back, Lord Noctarion!" they called in unison, their voices echoing across the camp.
Noctarion didn't spare them a glance. Without a word, he dismounted his horse and disappeared into the largest tent at the center of the camp, the heavy flap falling behind him.
Luna's heart pounded as soldiers approached her group.
One soldier barked an order, "Separate the girl. The others will wait in a different tent."
Immediately, two guards stepped forward and pulled Luna away from the others.
"Luna!" Lira shrieked, buzzing angrily around the guard's head. "Let her go!"
"Put her down! Don't touch her like that!" Sira snapped, swinging her tiny sword at the soldier's hand.
Another fairy, myra, scowled, "We stay with her! She's not going anywhere without us!"
"Be quiet, pests!" one of the soldiers snarled, swatting at the air as the fairies zipped around his head.
The guards started pushing Luna forward.
"Luna… say something…" Meli whispered, her voice trembling.
But Luna remained silent, her expression calm, her lips sealed. She didn't resist. She just let them take her.
Meli clenched her fists but said nothing either. She followed the guards' orders, trusting Luna's choice to stay quiet.
The fairies, however, continued to flutter around in protest.
"You can't split us!" Lira shouted.
"She's not your prisoner!" Sira added furiously.
But Luna gave a small shake of her head, silently telling them to stop.
"Go with Meli," she said softly, her first words since the separation. "Stay with her. I'll be fine."
"But Luna—" Floe started.
"I'll be fine," Luna repeated, her calm voice like a gentle command.
Reluctantly, the fairies obeyed, gathering around Meli as the guards led Luna to her own small tent at the edge of the camp. They pushed her inside and dropped the heavy flap, two guards standing firmly outside to block the entrance.
"You're not allowed to leave this tent without Lord Noctarion's orders," one of the guards said stiffly.
Luna simply nodded, sitting on the small wooden bench inside the empty tent. The silence pressed in on her like a heavy fog, but still, she said nothing. She just stared at the dark fabric of the tent walls, wondering why Noctarion had chosen to separate her from the others.
Noctarion's Tent_____
Noctarion sat quietly in his study, carefully reading the letter he had just received from the palace. The royal seal was still fresh, the king's signature pressed firmly into the parchment.
The letter read:
To the Commander of the Shadow Masters, Noctarion,
It has come to my attention that the Princess of Lunaria has escaped from the palace.
You are hereby ordered to capture her and bring her to the designated location in the Forest of Death if she is found within its borders.
Her capture is of utmost importance. Do not fail me.
A portrait of the princess is enclosed for your reference.
By Royal Command,
King nyxhart of Duskvaria
Noctarion's eyes scanned the letter slowly, then drifted to the small portrait of the princess resting on his table. He picked it up, studying her delicate features. His expression was unreadable—calm, cold, but something else flickered in his dark eyes.
With one hand, he lowered the letter into a nearby flame, watching it burn to ash. His other hand gripped the picture of Luna firmly as though planning something.
Just then, the tent's flap opened and two men entered, both dressed in black, wearing the insignia of the Shadow Masters just like Noctarion.
"Heyyy, Nocta! How many beasts did you catch today?" one of them called out, dropping casually into a seat.
Before Noctarion could answer, the man continued, laughing, "You know this fool here didn't catch a single one!"
"Mirzand, mind your words," the other man snapped, clearly irritated, as he poured himself a glass of wine.
"Ohhh, someone's got anger issues," Mirzand teased, flashing a wicked grin.
Noctarion finally rose from his chair and walked over to them.
"What happened, Lolan?" he asked calmly, sitting with them.
"Mirzand's right. I didn't catch any beasts today," Lolan admitted with a sigh. "I got a letter from the palace saying the Princess of Lunaria has escaped. They think she might pass through the Forest of Death, so I spent my time searching for her."
"Oh, I got the same letter—with her picture. She's damn beautiful," Mirzand smirked.
"I received it too," Noctarion said, his tone cool. "But we already have too much work on our hands. How dare they order us to chase after a mistress? The king is nothing but a lust-driven fool."
"Hey, we shouldn't curse the king like that. Besides, she really is beautiful, don't you think?" Mirzand grinned, raising an eyebrow.
Lolan shook his head, leaning back in his seat. "That's not the point. Do you really think the king is foolish enough to search the entire world just for a mistress? He's after her for another reason, I'm sure of it. And remember, she's not just any girl—she's the Princess of Lunaria."
Mirzand scoffed. "I heard she's useless. No magic. And ugly. That's what people say."
As he spoke, he reached out, touching a maid inappropriately as she came to serve them. She gasped and quickly fled the tent. Both Noctarion and Lolan rolled their eyes at Mirzand's disgusting behavior.
"Useless? I don't believe that for a second," Lolan said firmly. "She's the daughter of the godness celesthera. I've also heard whispers… they say she carries the power of the ancient god who lived over a thousand years ago. I think your information is fake, Mirzand."
"Fake? No way." Mirzand leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "But if she really is that special, we should take this mission seriously. Either way, I'll find out soon enough whether she's a beauty or not."
Noctarion remained silent, his eyes returning to the portrait of Luna.
Princess of Lunaria… useless or powerful, you've caught the attention of kings and soldiers alike. But who are you, really?