To love with a love that was more than love...To die, to sleep... That was the noble fate of an average individual. Fingers reached to the stars above. She wore a frown
and gazed at the blanket of night. Yes, it was the typical fate of an average person, but not at this point in time. Between the kingdoms of Novem Flos and its rival
Octo Equus, war licked its lips and enuglfed both civilizations' priorities. Lives died in the name of glory on the hellish land that was called a battlefield. Only the
Principality of Excubiarum remained steadfast in its neutrality. A sigh escaped as she lowered her hand; her cerise eyes scanned the surrounding trees as she sat up.
Another rustle broke the night silence. When she turned her head, the beast left the cover of vegetation. Moonlight danced off its ivory scales. Its size towered over
the girl by several feet, and she stood up. Grass fell from her tan boots and khaki pants.
She outstretched her hand in its direction. "Come."
The beast let out a growl and approached the maiden. When it neared her hand, the girl closed the distance between them. Her hand caressed the scales beneath its
cerulean eyes as she rested her head against the beast's forehead. A few seconds passed before she pulled away.
"Let's go meet up with him now."
A breeze swirled around them and pulled her hood down. Long, chocolate-colored hair fanned out. The individual grunted in irritation as she put the hood back and
adjusted her worn, sable cloak. She walked to the beast's side and checked the saddle on its back; the girl mounted the creature and grabbed the reins. Before Yuuki
could give an encouraging nudge with her legs, the beast spread it wings and took to the skies.
"Haha, you were that eager?"
Another breeze danced around the girl amongst the flapping of wings; a grin spread across her face. She looked at the glowing moon, closed her eyes, and basked in
its brilliancy. Several deep breaths escaped her, and she opened her eyes. While not as wondrous as sunlight, moonlight had its charm. Her companion then swooped
down. It landed in a forest clearing, and Yuuki dismounted. Someone cleared his throat as the girl patted the beast. He and his white horse approached the pair.
Lavender-hued eyes focused on the hooded girl.
"Just in time. Did you find anything?" the person greeted.
She sighed. "No. I got caught up in some...skirmishes between some patrols...What? Don't give me that look. We made it out, and you were right about getting to this
part of the kingdom overnight."
His horse let out a snort, and he frowned. "Even White Lily knows you have a high chance of being marked as a potential threat."
"Zero, stop it. Both of us are wearing the same thing. If anything, the locals will think we're travelers or bounty hunters passing by. Besides, tell White Lily that unlike
many criminals, I won't swing my weapon at them unless necessary," Yuuki retorted as she strolled toward him. She stepped on her tip toes and readjusted his hood.
"But we don't wear anything fancy. You have silver designs on the edges."
"Custom. Made. Courtesy of Kaien Cross himself. Yeah, yeah, don't use his name so nonchalantly. Did you manage to get the jobs done with Bloody Rose?" She
returned to the beast's side.
His hand instinctively touched the crossbow hooked onto his waist. "Of course. I just have to report them to the hunters in this area."
She nodded as she looked out into the distance. Little lights as if they were fireflies dotted the landscape. Roofs of various, purple shapes shielded the sleeping from
the moonlight.
"All right. Well, let's get going...The Orchidaceae District..." Yuuki muttered.