Thoughts Far Away
Midnight in the forest. Threads of fog hang low in the cool night air, wrapping around me like a death shroud. The sadness in my heart is more tangible to me than the chill, though....for all I can think of is a night much like this one, so long ago.
In truth, it wasn't so long ago, not really. But in light of all that's happened since, it feels like an eternity. Perhaps two. The only person here with me now who was there that night is Alex. The other three are somewhere far away. My thoughts are with only one of them, though.
Oh Luna....I can't help but sigh again as I whisper her name to myself. I should be asleep, happily dreaming of fish, but I can't sleep. This night reminds me far too much of the night in the Weird Woods....of Luna. Those were happy times, then....just me, and Alex, and Luna, and Ramus, and our first meeting with the mysterious Laike. This is a very different forest, a very different night, but the memory hangs over me thick as the fog Luna banished with her song regardless.
I miss those times....I miss Luna. All my life, she and Alex and I have been inseparable.... we went everywhere together, did everything. I think I love her just as much as Alex does....though I've only really shown it by teasing her. I can't help it though....she's so cute when she's angry. I wish could tell her how I really feel....but maybe she already knows. And now that she's gone, I feel empty inside....and so does Alex. I worry so much about him....
Right now he isn't sleeping easy either. I see him tossing and turning on the moist floor of the Forest of Illusion. A nightmare? Or just lonely without Luna? Maybe both....we both miss her more than we can bear. Every day we go to bed hoping that the next will be the day he saves Luna. And then the morning comes, and brings with it the heart-wrenching reality that it is not that day, that that day is still a long way off. As far away as Luna is now, out in the merciless Frontier, most likely.
It will come soon, though....we're almost to the Black Dragon Fortress, the final trial for Alex to be Dragonmaster. Who would have thought so long ago that Alex's fondest dream would be fulfilled because the life of the person he loves the most is in danger? It's certainly not what I envisioned the first time he expressed that desire.
Nevertheless, it's true...we are almost there. We've nearly arrived at the day we've been waiting so long for, worked so hard for. Just a little more, just a little further, and Luna will be as good as saved. I can hardly wait.
But, as Laike said (or something like whatever he said), adventurers need their rest. Or was that Alex's father who said that? Maybe they both did. It doesn't really matter, though, since it's true regardless of who said it. That's why I have to go to sleep now. For Luna. The sooner I go to sleep, the sooner I can see her again. Sure, that's what I tell myself every night. But it's true tonight. It is. I have to believe that. Not just for my sake, but for Alex's. And for Luna.