Prompts: Moonlight
Characters/Pairings: Eve, Chung, Ara
Timeline: Shortly after Chapter 2
Genre: Friendship, Drama, a little bit of Action
*Just to let everyone know that here, Eve is going to speak in mostly third person. More on this on the footnote.
"Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody."
- Mark Twain
This was one of the rarest occurrence ever happened to her, but she had calculated wrong.
Originally, Eve had thought that three hours of flying would take her to Sander directly, or at the very least, Hamel. Yet no thanks to some unexpected disturbance in her way (read: monsters), she had wrecked her own agenda. Granted, her time was wasted, but for Eve, the more important thing was that she wasted unnecessary energies by activating her combat mode and thus, preventing her to cross the continent since she lacked her source of power to do so.
In the end, the Nasod queen ended up riding a boat from Velder to Hamel. Sure, the ship was fast for its level, but it was nothing compared to her own enhanced booster.
Hence why, when she landed her feet on the land of Hamel, it was already night. Someone normal would at least curse things when their plans had gone absurdly astray, but Eve was not a human. She was a Nasod. She was not capable of showing such unneeded expression.
"Moby, Reby, we will hold off our journey for the night."
Her calm order quickly reached her drones' listening function and they gave a simultaneous nod at her.
There was no reason for her to continue her travel to meet her friends at this time of hour, indeed. Eve knew very well how nasty demons could be at night. It was like their natural instincts to get more ferocious at the time the sun was set, and some type of demons even multiplied their powers at the night. Eve was not going to take the risk, since she had long understood 'waiting' was always a plausible option and it was way safer than that.
Elegantly, the silver haired Nasod walked through the silent pavement of the Capital of Hamel. Even if she felt nothing from it, it still felt unique. Considering how late she had arrived, every time she formed a step, her feet would make an echo, which when she did repetitively, they would combine into an unnamed rhyme. Frankly, she liked it.
However, it soon passed the border of 'unique' when she sensed something unnatural. From the corner of her eyes, it was soon, but she spotted something inhuman flashing through one of the small alley of Hamel, both its speed and its shape.
Her warrior instinct, of course, would never play with her. She knew very well what it could be. A monster.
"Moby, Reby," she stretched her arm at the direction of the alley. "Scatter."
In what could be called as milliseconds, the Nasod drones were already moving to do what they were ordered. They launched themselves like rockets to outspeed the monsters, soon blocking the monster from advancing even further to the smaller alley.
Before the monster could even move to make an escape from the drones, Eve had already stood behind it. As she raised a finger against it, a single line of laser quickly ended it of its demise.
Eve made but slow movement to revert her arm to her side again as she stepped closer to the dead creature. She solemnly eyed it. It was, without a doubt, a Glitter Spearman. Certainly, what confused her was that how could a demon, albeit low-leveled, made its way inside the city.
Soon, though, she had calculated and put the pieces into one.
"Code Yellow. Postponing recovery mode," she turned around as her arm swayed to the side, calling her drones to come back to her side. "Entering combat mode."
She could still sense it as well, there was still more of them. Questioning about the cause of the demon's arrival would be fruitless, they took no reasoning. The only thing that she could do to solve this kind of problem was to fight and overpower them.
With her two drones accompanying by her sides, Eve started to float and made her way on every alley that she categorized as unsafe. Every time she passed through a dark alley, she would obliterate at least one demon. Beating them was just a walk in the park for the empress, but she still couldn't help but be a little cautious, for her energy was not exactly endless. In fact, she knew very well that her energy was still not fully recuperated. Keeping on with this action of hers would work in her favor.
After she made yet another short work for another monster, Eve stopped momentarily.
"The number far surpassed Eve's calculation," she mumbled to no one in particular. "Subdued threat numbers are twenty two, and this would probably still counting."
Silently, she let out a huff from her mouth. It was not like her usual satisfied huff, she was clearly a little exhausted. Even Moby and Reby could see that, and they soon showed their worries by floating around their queen.
"Worry not, Eve is still doing okay," she assured her companions, although her face still stayed stern. "Eve still can take care of them."
Just as she said that, she sensed yet another one demon from the side. But this time, it was different. Eve could tell that this one would definitely on a different level than the previous one that she had finished. She had gone through a lot of battles to be able to calculate the outcome. Such as this one, where the one who strike first would be the victor.
"Oberon."
Simply by calling its name, out of the ethereal wind came out a human-sized nasod with a pair of sharp tonfa by its arms. It was Oberon, Eve's personal guardian that had proven himself to be able to protect his queen magnificently. Just like always, he wasted no time to rush at the demon before him. One hit from Oberon was probably everything that he needed to finish this demon.
But the outcome was what not Eve, Oberon, nor any other living being had ever guessed.
Indeed, one hit was all it takes to see the result of the clash. But instead, it was Oberon who was blatantly blasted away back to Eve's side. Honestly, with this kind of twist, Eve was almost surprised and prompted to call Ophelia to aid Oberon. Almost.
"….O…beron…?"
Because she recognized who the 'demon' was. Except it was not really a demon and it was a human. Someone she had been very familiar with, even. It was hard for Eve to not to notice him from his unique appearance: The steel armor that seemed to reflect the moonbeams directly to the celestial sphere itself, the enigmatic helm that could easily overwhelm his enemies' mentality, and the most obvious one, his weapons, which could raise even a catastrophe should he chose to do so.
"M-Miss Eve?"
"Chung."
"S-Sorry, I should've not shot Oberon like that."
"Chung should stop apologizing. It was not in the level that Oberon couldn't withstand."
After the two had encountered each other, they quickly made a direct beeline to find another decent spot to talk, rather than doing a heartwarming reunion gesture like average people. They both had known each other long enough to understand the other's preference. Eve wasn't really able to do this thing called as 'emotion' greatly and Chung was always the gentle (and to some extent, bashful) boy that wouldn't push his desire for his own satisfaction.
Thus why they had chose to find a temporary nest to hold their casual reunion alternatively: Rooftop of one of the unused building in the town.
What sat beside Eve now was no more helmed man, and in place of that, there was the radiant golden mane of Chung. The guy scratched his cheek with his index finger nervously. "Sorry-" Whoops "I mean, I didn't expect Eve to be here, especially at this time of night. You have something you need to do in Hamel?"
"Nothing in particular, if Eve might be blunt," she replied. "Eve plans to meet with Aisha in Sander to ask for something. Eve simply holds her journey for the night in Hamel."
Chung mentally chuckled. Somewhat imperious and commanding, Eve didn't change any bit. "Oh? Then should I reserve a room in the inn for you? Supposedly, they should still open by now."
"That is not necessary," the silver haired queen quickly responded before the armored youth could stand to move. "This rooftop should suffice for Eve to finish her recharge. Eve merely needs time to finish it."
Once again, Chung Seiker chuckled. This time not mentally, but out loud. "Is that so?"
Without any other topic to converse around, soon the atmosphere around them became noiseless. The two of them, however, seemed to enjoy the silent situation so well. Especially when they were bathing against the moonlight directly, which made the spot even more comfortable to take a brief rest.
It was not until Eve flicked her fingers together to call for Ophelia's service for a tea that she decided to shatter the silence. "If it wouldn't disturb Chung's rest, Eve have a question for Chung."
Chung, who had already had his arms crossed behind his head and closed his eyes to doze off for a bit, quickly opened his eyes and glanced back at the lady beside him with a soft smile. "It wouldn't. What is it?"
"Demons," Eve stated with a matter-in-fact tone, sipping her tea unhurriedly. "Eve is adamantly curious, if not surprised, about how they could break inside of Hamel."
The guardian, in return, stared back without luster for a moment at Eve, before he reverted back into a sitting position, his arms both rested on his bent knees. From his gallant lips, a sigh managed to slip out.
"You know, Eve…" Chung's azure eyes adventured back at the moon. His eyes seemed to be lost in its radiance as he continued. "Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time."
That long phrase of him deserved at least applause from anyone who listened. Not from Eve, however, for she was the living definition of stoic. Still, she still gave him her full attention by pausing her drinking for a while.
"It isn't enough to talk about peace," Chung explained further. "One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it."
Eve gazed momentarily to make sure that the person in front of her was the same Chung that she had bonded with. The Chung that she had known was, to say it out loud, a generally timid and withdrawn boy. Granted that after he had managed to create his two guns that he seemed to grow as a mature young man, but he still had always seemed to be a reserved youth at best. He had always stayed in the back to just agree with everything, and he seemed to be pretty content with leaving the leader role to Elsword even though he was officially a leader of a country. In Eve's observation, Chung was just someone who would always be in the supportive rear.
At least until tonight, where he had proved her wrong with his speech. He had grown drastically into an idealist, even though it was only months that she hadn't seen him.
The young Seiker, however, seemed to be too absorbed in his own speech to realize Eve's judgement on him. He clenched his fist into a ball in determination before he casted his arm at the direction of the moon.
"I wonder… When will we have our peace…?"
His final words seemed to be a murmur to no one in particular but Chung himself. Looking at his lonely and longing azure eyes, even Eve couldn't help but be empathic toward the guardian of Hamel. Well, as far as her empathetic meter could go.
That silence lasted for a split five seconds before Chung realized that he had made the atmosphere awkward. With a barely audible gasp, he pulled his arm back to rub his hair in alarm and let out a coarse laugh. "My apologize, just mumbling to myself."
"…Hmm."
While she was partially interested to know what was in Chung's mind, Eve knew pretty well that he would not like it if she pursued the topic deeper. Dropping the subject, according to her calculation, was a decent move that would not hurt both of them.
On the other hand, Chung himself seemed to realize that Eve had already read him like an open book. The gunner didn't really want to talk about it though, so he tried to sidetrack the topic into something lighthearted. "But would you look at it, Eve?"
Eve was about to resume her drink, but the small hint of excitement in Chung's sentence prompted her to give her attention at him. Or more specifically, his hand, which was pointing at the moon.
"Watching the moon like this with a friend feels nice, isn't it?"
There he was, now presenting her with a naïve and docile smile at her instead of the previously lonely expression. Chung was a human, but he seemed to be able to mask his thoughts inside as perfect as her when it was necessary. Eve had to admit, it was admirable.
Her golden irises locked at the enveloped bright moon, enjoying every single inch of beauty it revoked. "Eve cannot disagree with Chung."
The soothing situation returned. Chung's lips twitched into a small smile as he now put his full attention to enjoy the moon's beauty while Eve calmly finished her cup of tea.
Until they both noticed something weird from the corner of their eyes. A platoon of Elite Glitter Pounders was marching from one of the alley below them.
More of them, huh? Eve sipped her tea for one last time to prepare herself-
-Only to have Chung blocked her effort to stand.
"I thank you for your intention to help me, Eve," he simply smiled at her. "But please do not trouble yourself with them. This is my problem."
Eve had already half-standing, and she didn't really appreciate Chung's action. "But-"
"We're both leader of a country, Eve," his smile went unaltered. "You understand what I am implying, right?"
…Chung got the point across correctly, indeed. Should things like this happen in Altera and they were both there, Eve would definitely stop Chung from helping as well. It was never another country's business to meddle with their own country's. This was something that they, as a leader of a respective nation, should finish alone.
"…Very well, Eve will back down," as she said that, she returned to her sitting position and called Ophelia for a tea again. "But should Eve consider that Chung needs a hand, Eve will help without Chung's consent."
"A fair deal." He laughed faintly as he rotated on his heels, arming himself with his twin guns in an instant.
Before he made his leapt, however, Chung stopped his step to gaze back over his shoulder at Eve. "Eve, do you like the moon?"
Now what? A trick question for her? Eve gave a direct answer. "Eve doesn't necessarily hate it."
"Why?"
As Chung asked that, part of his head seemed to be covered with brilliant blue lights. He was materializing his combat helmet.
"Eve considers it beautiful. Furthermore, Eve doesn't find any reason hate it." Eve calmly sipped her delicious tea. "And in turn, Eve has to ask, why is Chung asking Eve this question?"
Just before his lips could be covered by the materialized helmet, Eve could swear that she saw him smile for the last time. That smile of his, however, seemed to be dry than to be a normal and gentle one that he had always showered to everyone.
"The moon's really beautiful, but on the contrary, I can't seem to be able to like it perfectly," Chung explained as he focused his view on his target. "Because every time the moon falls..."
"...The wolf needs to go out and hunt."
With that, Chung made a big jump to the monsters. It was past time the White Wolf let out its howl.
Eve, who was left to sit by herself, was forced to let out a sigh.
"That is an acceptable response," she grabbed her cup to finish it again. "Now then, Ara can come out of her hiding spot without further ado."
Eve seemed to be mumbling to herself, but it was loud enough to be heard by a figure that was hiding behind one of the rooftop not far from Eve's spot.
"U-um…" Peeking from the other rooftop was a raven haired lady dressed in white. "H-How could Eve tell that I am hiding here?"
As the said lady, Ara, emerged from her so-called-hiding spot to approach Eve, the nasod queen made a double take at the situation again. Ah, right… Last time before the group went with their own paths, Ara was staying in Hamel as well.
"Eve believes the question should be 'Since when Eve could tell that Ara is hiding there'," she responded stoically as she enjoyed her tea once again. "Because Eve was already able to tell from the first time Ara sneaked on Eve and Chung."
The Sakra Devanam let out a yelp, panic painted on her face. "D-did Chung know that I sneaked on you two as well?"
The empress gave the other female a small shrug, as if to answer Ara's question with a 'who knows'. "Eve can't understand why Ara didn't just show herself back there."
"W-well…" Ara replied nervously. "I don't think it's really polite of me to just barge in like that…"
"Worry not, we were not speaking of anything really important."
"What did you talk about with him?"
"Literally nothing useful for any of us."
"O-Oh…"
Post that, Eve simply continued to sip on her drink, while Ara crouched down to sit just near the silver haired nasod. Cue more silence, because Ara was not really a conversationalist type as well.
Until once again, Eve decided to speak.
"Ara."
Ara was twirling her black hair idly when she noticed her name was being called. "Yes?"
It was one of those rare occurrences, but Eve made an authentic smile to herself as she said her next word.
"Watching the moon like this with a friend feels nice, isn't it?"
Now this is where I should point out some (read: a lot of) things. I plays the Japanese version of Elsword (Yes, plays, not merely changing the voice files or such), thus there's something that I need to have you guys about how I interpreted the character personalities and others.
-First is honorifics. Chung calls everyone with 兄さん or 姉さん(nii-san or nee-san, e.g: Aisha-nee-san), which is a familial honorific. Chung basically treats everyone as his senior. This doesn't apply to Elsword (Probably Add as well, but we haven't got him here in Japanese server), since Chung treats him as an equal and instead, Chung calls him with くん(-kun), which is basically a BRO CODE between the two. Ara does honorific as well, but she uses さん(-san) instead.
-Second is Eve's way of speech. Yes, in the Japanese dub, Eve always speaks in third person. I have to admit, I don't know anything about Koreans but from some of official (or at least the decently) translated side materials, Eve has always shown to speak in third person as well.
-Third is the job paths. So far, you've seen that everyone take the most positive job paths of all. Everyone except Chung. If you ask me why, because DC, in retrospect, is the equivalent of Els' LK. Chung's three paths apparently aren't really conflicted with each other compared to the rest of the gang, just like Ara's and Elesis', so far. He's not all that chaotic and edgy per se, he's still a gentle person all along.
-Fourth is the genre. You guys might consider this one as a Chung/Eve, but I don't really put their relationship like that (Although I have to admit that they're shippable together, at the very least). Chung and Eve bond are strong, but in a partnership way. And sometimes, such character relationship can actually be better than romantic relationship. This, however, doesn't mean that I'm sinking the Chung/Eve. Who knows, I might even put romance between them later (But if so, they'll probably need longer time than Raven/Rena).
-Fifth is the incoming chapters. For some reasons, I'll hold off on introducing Elesis and Add formally to this story for at least two or three chapters. Hold your breath and expect a surprise from me :D
-There's no number sixth.
Al…right, guess that's all the explanation? If I missed any, or any of you wishes to question something, feel free to review (WHICH YOU TOTALLY SHOULD DO AFTER THIS, HEY!) or shoot me a PM. Oh, happy Chinese New Year, everyone!