Luna was awoken the next day by Shu licking her cheek. He licked her lips a few times in the process and then went back to her face. "Ewww, Shu, cut it out." she said, nudging him back. "That's gross, man." she said, ruffling his short fur. He barked and leapt off of the bed ahead of her. She tied her hair up and got dressed in her school uniform before taking Shu for his morning walk. After arriving back home she made breakfast for Yumi and herself. "Later, Yumi." said Luna, kissing Yumi before heading for school. The day went slow and was rather uneventful. Luna, Fi, and Piper ate lunch together like usual and Luna made her way back home after school had finished.
Luna took a bath and changed before stretching out on her bed and sliding the AmuSphere over her head. When she next opened her eyes she was lying in her bed back in Somerant. She swept her white bangs out of her eyes and sat up in the bed. Luna exited to the main room and grabbed her black leather jacket that Zin had gifted her and threw it on. "Alright. Time to get to work." she said, pulling out the list of names she received from the general. She returned it to her pocket and made her way out the door. The sun shone brightly in her eyes causing her to shield them with her hand. Luna flipped her hood up and continued on towards one of the local taverns. Luna made her way to a back booth and sat for a moment. "The Lightning Dancer in the digital flesh. I can't believe you called me." said a boy around her age who was taking a seat across from her.
"Trust me, you weren't my first choice but you are the best at finding people." The boy across from her was a plump man that stood near a foot taller than her. His hair was a dark blue and he had circular framed glasses resting atop his nose with amber colored eyes behind them. "So, you are finally acknowledging my talents. If I could be so bold, does that mean you accepted my feelings as well?" he asked, leaning over the table. She gave a look of disdain and his face blushed bright red. "Don't look at me like that, I don't know how much I can take." he said, his breathing hastening. "Eww, don't be so gross, man." she said, scanning his body. "I can't help it, Lightning Dancer, your beautiful eyes just take my breath away and when you look at me like food, no, less than that, it makes me want to serve myself up to you on a porcelain plate."
"Seriously, can we just talk about business so I can get away from you?" "Of course, Luna. Anything for you. What can I help you with?" She handed over the paper of names. "I need these people found. Can you track them down for me?" she asked. "Oh, oh! These are all… Taking an interest in the war now, my love?" "Don't call me that please." "Of course, Master. Anything you ask of me, I shall do." "Does that include finding these people then?" "Oh of course. This will be easy and I won't even charge you much." "You're gonna charge me? The one you love so much?" she asked. "I do have to make a living but for you, I charge differently. Your payment can come in two forms or maybe both if you'll permit me the honor. You can step on me or maybe send me a picture of your underwear. I'm not picky, you could even just step on me with a skirt on and that way I get both. It might motivate me more."
She gave a look of disgust. "Gold will do fine if you want the job." "Playing hard to get I see. Fine fine, Lightning Dancer. For all of these people and the fact that they are all high ranking players, I'm gonna charge you five hundred a person." "There's like fifteen names on that list. Five hundred, really?" "I gave you my terms. Gold isn't as valuable to me as the other requests but you chose money so it can't be helped." he explained. "Can you do two fifty?" she asked. "Five fifty then." he retorted. Luna grinned and swept her hood down and leaned over the table towards him. "Are you sure? Not even for me?" "Like I said, you have my terms." he repeated.
"Even if I…" Luna bit her lip and lifted her shirt slightly as she sat back in her seat. He stared awestruck for a moment before shaking his head. "Sorry, I c-can't give in so easily." She lifted it enough to show her bare stomach and gently bit onto her finger and looked up with her glowing yellow eyes. He struggled to do so but he eventually averted his gaze. "Fine. Five hundred is good then. Just let me know when you find one." she said standing from her seat. "Pleasure doing business with you." "Hmph, some pervert you are." "I like it more when you reject my feelings. It gives me this weird tingle every time and I just can't take it. Yeah like that. Ahhh! That glare is so…" "Alright, I get it! I'm leaving."
"Bye, master." he called out, waving as she left. "I hate working with that guy." she muttered under her breath. "Ryken again?" asked Zin who had snuck up on her just outside. She ignored him and kept walking. "Come on, Luna, he really likes you. Why don't you just give him what he wants?" he said teasingly. "Because what he wants is my underwear drawer." Her body shivered at those words and she rubbed her arms. "I hate dealing with that guy." "That's almost every guy when it comes to an attractive girl. The only difference is that he is quite open about his interests." said Zin. "Is that what you're into then?" Luna asked. "If I'm honest with you, will you not tell Remi?" "Zin!" yelled Luna, hitting his arm. "I'm joking, Luna, calm down. Geez, have some fun once in a while."
"Where did you meet him anyways?" he asked, rubbing his arm. "The capital city on my fourth day. He was the first "Fan" I got after beating that high ranking player. I say fan but I think he goes past that. He's almost as obsessed as Red Eyes was." said Luna. "Look at the positive, he hasn't tracked you down and tried to kill you yet so I would say, not as bad as Red Eyes." Luna sighed. "Yet, being the key word. I don't think he'll go that far though. Despite his weird fetishes, he seems like a nice guy." "That's the spirit, Luna. Everybody has a positive underneath their negatives." "More of your words of wisdom, Zin?" "I actually found that one online in some forum group for motivational quotes. It was right next to "Try and you will succeed" and "Life sucks so deal with it". They really get me ready for the day." "Sounds like they would." muttered Luna, sarcasm clinging to her words.
"Well despite the big man, do you have any plans today?" "Yeah, that's why I met with him. I'm hoping to get started on this job as soon as possible." And what is this job that you speak of?" "The general of the human faction wants me to hunt some players down for him." "Ahh, take points from the enemies and raise your own in the process. Simple but effective." said Zin. "Easy for you to say. I have to find them, fight them, and hopefully win against them. These aren't gonna be that easy, at least not all of them." stated Luna. "It's nothing you can't handle. I'm gonna head out, Heti wanted to meet for a quest. He'll be pretty saddened to not have you along." "Why's that?" asked Luna. "Because he likes you more. You're much more quiet than myself. I think he sees me as a nuisance." "You don't say." said Luna sarcastically. He smiled and said his goodbyes before taking off.
Luna went to a clearing in the surrounding forests and rested under a towering black oak tree. After some time it had become her favorite spot for resting when she had the free time and she figured there was an hour or so of waiting before Ryken got back to her with a location. She closed her eyes and listened to the wind rustling the trees overhead and hearing the grass sway around her as the air rushed past. She enjoyed the feeling of the cool air blowing against her face and through her messy white hair. Luna had a tendency to lose track of time while sitting there as the hours just seemed to melt away. The world seemed right in this spot, like there were no jobs to do or people that would bother her. It was just her, the wind, and the small bits of wildlife around her.
In what felt like minutes but had really been almost two hours, a message icon pulled her back from her meditative state. "Location one acquired, Master. Jocke is in the town of Caron, just north of Hilor. He did a dungeon near there earlier this morning and has been at the town all day celebrating and selling the map data to any takers. Location two is also known to me. Lo will be headed for a cave fifteen or so minutes east of Caron. That'll be one thousand gold or one picture of black underwear." Luna shivered again before responding. "The gold will do. I'll pay you after I take care of them. By the way, stop asking for underwear please. It's rather disgusting." Another message arrived in barely a minute. "Disgusting? I'm most honored by your acknowledgement." Luna grimaced at the man's messages and closed her journal. "I'll have to burn this thing later and get a new empty one to avoid seeing those things again." she thought aloud. Luna headed from the woods to the stables at the gate and rented an orange coated mare with a white mane and tail adorning it.
She rode north for about fifteen minutes before coming to another walled city. The stone perimeter was larger than that of Hilor but the city inside was of similar size. The buildings were slightly more spaced from one another but its building count was near the same. One of the things it had over Hilor however was its cleanliness. The structures seemed to be made of a shinier stone and the streets were made of brick pavers and marble instead of the dirt. Luna had heard from Zin that it was one of the nicest cities in the hybrid's domain, second only to the capital near the northern border. She stabled the horse near the front gate and proceeded past the NPC guarding it. The gate was made of a darkened wood, near black, and had polished iron bands trimming its edges.
The city itself lived up to the rumors as the buildings were made of smooth white marble, the streets had roads of red pavers, and the sidewalks made of a similar white stone to the houses. She pulled up her hood and walked through the crowds of both players and NPCs that were trying to sell or buy wares, head into bars and shops, or just forming parties with one another. "If he's trying to sell map data then he might be at the broker guild." Luna thought aloud. She traveled for a few minutes before arriving at a two story building with a large wooden sign hanging above the polished wooden doors. "Caron Broker Guildhall" was carved into the wood with a grinning fox etched below the letters. "I never liked that mascot." she muttered before pushing the doors open. Inside were more players than Luna wanted to count, all lined up at tellers and stalls or having conversation with other people be it customers or buyers.
"Ah, Lightning Dancer, have any supple info for me today?" asked a teller as she approached. "I'm looking for Jocke, I was told he would be here." she replied. "The hybrid commander?" Luna nodded in response. "He just left I believe. He was overcharging for the map he wished to sell and nobody bought it. He stomped out a moment ago, complaining and cursing." the teller explained. "Thanks." she said before handing him a small bag of coins. The teller pocketed the pouch and nodded as she walked away. Luna left and looked around before coming to realize the crowds were too dense to find someone from the ground. She found a path suitable for climbing up a nearby building and ascended as fast as she could. From the rooftops Luna watched the streets like a hawk and pulled up a description of the man that the general had given her with the letter of names.
"Grey hair, purple eyes, long beard, and a scar over his right eye. Fox ears and tail. Good thing people like making their characters stand out." she said as she hopped from one roof to another. She soon found a man wearing bright silver armor that gleamed in the afternoon sunlight. A blue cape was clasped at the shoulders and draped down past his waist and he had a longsword's sheath fixed to his waist that was the color of sapphires. The hilt of the sword was ivory colored wood affixed with a ruby and a sapphire in the pommel. "Grey hair, scar and beard. There you are." she whispered as she leaped to another roof. Now Luna just had to wait for the right time to strike. Killing was possible in the towns but she would rather not be seen doing it.
One reason for the desired discretion was if word got around that she was killing high ranking players then they would be more on guard to her ambushes. Luna knew she had to do this quietly and out of the way of other people if she wanted to keep the element of surprise for later targets. She followed for nearly a half an hour as the commander walked through streets and examined stalls. He talked to various other players assumedly attempting more sales with his map data but none of them seemed to pull through. Another fifteen minutes passed and her time was finally drawing nearer. Jocke had turned down an alley and Luna followed from above. Another player was waiting there for him and the two began speaking with one another. "What is it this time, Jocke? If it's more map data I told you to take it to the guild. I don't like doing sales without their consent. I can lose my spot there if I get caught you know." said a dark haired man that was leaning against the white stone wall.
"Your guild be damned, Kipper. They dared to say I was overcharging for this. I…" "It's probably because you are." interrupted Kipper. "You always do. That's why you always call me here to buy it from you instead of just dropping your price by a few gold." Kipper continued. "A few gold? They want me to drop it by near a hundred. This is my job you know? I need to make a living." said Jocke. "Then I suggest you get more map data or go apply at a supermarket. This is the last time I'm buying from you, understand? How much do you want?" "One fifty, that's all I ask." answered Jocke. Kipper scoffed and brushed his hair out of his eyes. "I can see why they didn't buy it. This stuff is worth fifty, maybe seventy five at the most. Give it a few days and more than a dozen people will be in that building with the same info for half the price." explained Kipper as he produced a bag of gold.
"Last time, understand?" he asked, holding out the jingling sack. "Of course, thank you." said Jocke as he accepted the money and proceeded to swipe through his journal. Kipper sighed and shook Jocke's hand before vanishing from the dark alley. Jocke was now alone flipping the pages in his journal when Luna decided to strike. Stealth attacks could instantly kill a majority of the players if the build was right and Luna used this plenty of times for jobs or farming. She quietly descended the rooftop before dropping down behind him and freeing the dagger from the sheath on her waist. Clean and swift, her blade reached around and sliced into Jocke's throat spilling blood onto the ground in front of him. His health near instantly sank to empty and his body dropped lifeless to the ground.
As it faded into a cloud of dust Luna was already gone, scrambling back up to the roofs. Just as quick as she had appeared, she had vanished without a trace of ever being there. "One down, one more to go." she said, crossing a name from the list. "Next up is Lo, another high ranking hybrid. Hope I can get there in time." she said, pocketing the parchment. Luna was soon back at the stable and retrieving her horse to ride out again. She trotted east, passing old ruins, small unmapped villages, and a few old forts long since abandoned except for maybe some skeletons or bandits. She was soon upon the cave Ryken had spoken of and outside were three horses hitched to a grouping of trees. Luna hitched her own mare a little further from the path and contemplated the best course of action for this hunt.
"Head inside or wait?" she asked aloud. After a shrug she decided on the first action. Luna entered through the mouth-like opening to the damp caverns and proceeded into the dark with her hand grasped onto her dagger's hilt. She listened intently on every crunch from the stone below her and the dripping of water from above hitting puddles that were scattered around. Soon she heard the flickering of flames and footsteps splashing in the small pools of liquid. Luna listened and waited until she narrowed it down to only being one man. Peeking around a corner, she noticed the light of the torch and a shadow creeping along the walls ahead. She moved as quiet as the wolf that she resembled as if hunting for its supper. As the shadow inched closer Luna even caught herself licking her lips in anticipation.
The second she saw his body creep around the stone corridor Luna struck. With a swift and silent lunge her knife had pierced through his throat and she was atop him on the ground. His blood pooled around him as it gushed from the wound and within a moment, he was gone as well as the red liquid. The sound of coming footsteps caused her to leap back upward. Once she retook her footing Luna found another corner to hide around. "Hey, Crik, you still there?" asked a woman's voice. As she appeared around the corner Luna saw a tall, slim girl with long brown curls. Two deer-like ears atop her head and a small tail protruded from her waist just above her butt. She had no torch but hybrids had decent enough eyesight in the dark even if some weren't as good as others.
Luna doubted a deer could see as well as a wolf but the thought was faint and only lasted for a second as her next attack replaced it. The second the deer turned in confusion, the wolf lunged for its prey. Luna moved behind her and reached her hands around. One covered the deer's mouth while the other touched steel to flesh. Luna kicked the girl's leg from behind, dropping her to one knee and cut deep into the deer's soft skin. Once it touched ground, the body vanished and the blood soon followed. The blood on her blade turned to steam and soon faded into the air as she moved further in. Luna came upon a clearing in the cave with a stream running through it. Standing on the water's edge was a slim man with reptile-like features. His skin had green patches of scales around his arms, legs, neck, and face.
Sharp talons were on his hands and two fangs protruded from his upper jaw. He had red scars visible on his neck and arms which was one of the ways Luna figured she would pick out her target if he had been in a group. Lo appeared to be resting his feet in the cool water and seemed to be without a weapon or cause for alarm. Luna had the drop on him and felt confident knowing that. As she crept and circled around, staying behind rocks and pillars of stone whenever possible, she watched for any signs of him noticing her. He still appeared complacent as she moved in from behind. She could hear his sighs of relief as his feet splashed and kicked in the water while approaching. After a few more steps, her dagger once again found flesh. He tried kicking free but Luna's blade was quicker than anything he could have done.
It cut cleanly into his throat and leaked a stream of blood into the water he was soaking in. A trail of it colored the stream as the snake's body fell in, lifeless. Both the blood and body had vanished within the minute and so did Luna. Before long she was re-mounting her mare and proceeding back to Caron. Once there she took the city's warp gate back to Hilor and made way for her cabin up on the hill. It was void of life as she took a seat on the couch and tugged her hood from her head. After producing her journal she flipped to her messages to begin writing to Ryken. "Two are done. Thanks for the info and here is your payment. Send me another message when you find any others." She pushed send and yawned while stretching her limbs.
A minute later she received a reply from Ryken. "I won't lie and say I'm not disappointed by your choice of payment but it can't be helped. Despite that fact, I will continue to serve you well. I'll have more locations for you tomorrow as I have a dinner to go to at this time and am quite tired. Sweet dreams my furry love." Luna slammed her book shut and threw it onto the table. "He would probably have better luck with girls if he wasn't so damn weird." The journal quickly vanished and she sprawled out on the sofa. Her eyes grew heavy as she laid on her side watching the flickering flame of a candle residing on a dresser.
"You always keep me waiting." said a girl's voice. "Sorry, Clair, I overslept again." Luna clasped her hands together as she apologised. "Will you ever stop oversleeping? I feel like you would get tired of being tired." "I won't and I do." replied Luna with a weary smile. Luna rubbed her eyes and yawned. "So, what are we doing today?" Luna asked while tying her hair into a ponytail. "It's a surprise. Do you even need to ask anymore?" asked the blonde haired youth. "I do although I should have known the answer. Can you at least tell me if it's Piper or not?" Clair shook her head. "No Piper. It's not even work related. I figured we deserve another day off so I had Heti find a nice place for us to spend the day." "We have been taking quite a few days off lately." said Luna, suspiciously. Clair shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "I can't help it. Even a workaholic gets tired of working sometimes."
"I guess I can't argue that." said Luna. Clair took Luna's hand in hers and pulled her behind. "I can walk without you pulling me." said Luna. "I know you can but I like holding your hand so no complaining." After a short walk through a forest near their cabin on the twenty fourth floor of Aincrad, Clair circled Luna and covered her eyes. "I can't see, Clair." "That's kind of the point, Luna. Just keep quiet for a minute. I want this to be sweet and I won't have it ruined." Luna giggled and went with the blonde's scheme. Luna was guided for another minute before the sound of gently flowing water filled her ears. Luna then heard the sound of birds chirping overhead and the rustling of leaves as squirrels ran through the tree's branches.
"Keep them closed for just a moment longer." said Clair as she removed her hands. Luna listened as Clair circled around her once again. After that she felt Clair's breath against her face and then the feeling of soft lips touched her own. "You didn't have to blind me to kiss me." said Luna, grinning and leaning forward for another kiss. Clair met her lips once more and then kissed her neck. "I know but I like the thought of it taking you unaware. Sometimes while you're asleep I think about it." said Clair. "Sometimes I wish you would." said Luna. Clair softly laughed and then moved behind Luna before placing her hands on Luna's shoulders. "Alright, now you can open them." Luna cracked her eyes open and then they quickly widened from what was in front of her.
A winding stream was gently flowing through a field of flowers. Trees surrounded them with one in particular standing above the rest. It rested near the water's edge granting plenty of shade on the stream's bank. "What do you think?" whispered Clair before planting another wet kiss next to Luna's ear. "I love it. Is it really all for me?" asked Luna. "Oh of course. Every bit of Aincrad belongs to you, my queen. This stream and the trees, the cabin and cities on this floor. I will give you anything you want, all you have to do is ask." Luna laughed. "I don't need all of that. This queen has one simple request." Well, your grace, what can this lowly peasant grant you?" asked Clair.
"Your company. I want you and me to go sit under that tree and just stay there all day long. You can draw a pretty picture of me and present it to me when you're done. That is all this queen asks of you." Luna stated. "Easy enough, your grace. If you command it then I will fulfill it." Clair reached for Luna's hand and kissed it before guiding her to the shade of the massive pine. The trunk was large enough for both Clair and Luna to rest their backs against it. Luna leaned her head on Clair's shoulder and closed her eyes. "I love you." Luna softly stated. Clair rested her head against Luna's. "I love you too, your grace." Luna lightly nudged her companion and giggled. "Your grace commands you to stop calling her that." "Then I shall, your grace." said Clair. Luna couldn't help but smile as she opened her eyes once more. The glistening of the sunlight reflecting from the water's surface was almost hypnotizing to her.
Her eyes wouldn't move from the dance of lights among the stream. "It's captivating isn't it?" asked Clair. "Uh-huh." agreed Luna. Luna sat there for what felt like hours in silence. The only sound was Clair's pen etching the page of her sketchbook. "You know what, Clair?" muttered Luna. "Huh?" asked Clair. "If this was to be my life, if I had to live the rest of my days here, I don't think I would mind it. Just the two of us, away from the world and sitting here under this tree. I couldn't think of anything better." She felt Clair's head nod. "I wouldn't mind it either. Any day with you is a day I'm happy to live, no matter where it is." Luna wrapped her arm tightly around Clair's. "Here, what do you think?" asked Clair, holding up her sketchbook.
It was a picture of a wolf sleeping under a towering pine tree next to a running stream. A young girl was curled up against the wolf's body, using it for warmth and comfort. "Is that supposed to be me?" asked Luna. "Of course. Who else would it be? I don't have enough of a feral side to be compared to a wolf." explained Clair. "I appreciate seeing how you truly view me." joked Luna. "Don't be so offended. It's your wildness that I love the most." said Clair, pecking Luna's cheek. "If you see me like a wolf then maybe I should act like one." Luna muttered. "How would you do that?" inquired Clair. Luna grinned and pushed Clair onto the ground. Once atop her, Luna pinned Clair's arms down with her own and leaned down next to Clair's head. "Like this." she whispered before nibbling down on Clair's ear.
Clair moaned and squirmed for a second before Luna then kissed her cheek, then her forehead, then her mouth. As she pulled away, the two were breathing much heavier and both had felt significantly warmer. "Aren't you being bold today?" asked Clair. "That's how a predator treats their prey. They need to be aggressive and quick and unwavering." said Luna, kissing Clair's lips afterwards. "As the prey, shouldn't I try to run away?" Clair asked while staring longingly into Luna's bright yellow eyes. "Not today little rabbit. Today, I have you all to myself and I won't let you escape from me." Luna licked Clair's cheek. Nearly an hour passed and soon the two of them were resting against the tree once more, panting and hot in the face. Luna smiled again as she looked at Clair who was pulling a cotton tunic back down past her stomach. "What?" asked Clair as she giggled. Her cheeks were red and her sensual smile nearly made Luna want to pounce on her again.
She shook the feelings away and looked back out to the water. "It's nothing." muttered Luna. "Hey, Luna, wake up." she heard Zin's voice call out to her. She was pulled back from the beautiful field of trees, flowers, and water to see the flickering flame on the dresser once more. Zin was standing next to her with his arms reaching to Luna's shoulder. "Hey, wake up." he said softly. Luna went to wipe her eyes and felt a wetness on her face. "Tears?" she asked aloud. "Everything alight, Luna?" asked Zin. Luna sat up and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "Yeah, I was…" She took a breath and slowly exhaled. "I had a dream of Clair." Luna said. "Bad dream?" Zin asked. Luna shook her head. "Happy dream." Luna smiled and watched the flame dance on the other side of the room. "That's good to hear." said Zin, taking a seat next to her. "How are your nightmares lately?" he questioned.
"They still happen from time to time but it's been almost a month since the last one." Luna looked at him with the love befitting a brother and stared into his eyes. She lunged and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you for caring." she said softly. "Well, this is unexpected. What did I do to deserve your appreciation?" Zin asked jokingly. Luna gripped tighter. "Just shut up for a moment and accept it." said Luna with a muffled voice as her head was against his chest. He wrapped one arm around to her back and stroked it. "Your welcome Lunasara." Luna rubbed her face more into his jacket and loosened her grip slightly. "I love you, Zin." she said. Zin nearly had a tear running down his face as he chuckled. "You better be careful Lightning Dancer, if someone saw you like this you would lose face."
Luna hit his back and looked up at him pouting. He simply smiled and rubbed her hair with his free hand. "I love you too, Luna." She didn't know what was causing her to feel so vulnerable, so open, but it wasn't a thought she dwelled on for long. It felt almost necessary at the moment, like it had to happen. She had never been like this with Zin before, never really thanked him for everything he and the rest of the boys had done for her and she felt now was the time to do it. For a moment as she sat there wrapped around him, Luna felt like the fifteen year old girl that was getting dressed for her first day of highschool again. The girl that never killed anyone or lost anyone important in their life. The girl who never had to fight to survive and now had a back riddled with scars from one of those very times.
The girl who still had an innocence that she currently no longer possessed. Luna felt like the little girl who wished to be pampered and treated just like a child. "For just one moment." she muttered. "One moment I want to be that same little girl again." Her face was soaked with tears while Zin rubbed her back and held her tight to his chest. "And you deserve to be." said Zin. "Nobody is strong all of the time Luna. You know the night Clair died, I cried a lot. I cried all night and some of the next morning until you woke up. I know what it's like to want to be weak and helpless for a minute or two so go ahead and play the part. You'll feel better afterwards, I promise."
Luna couldn't say what had come over her but she felt everything both good and bad rushing back to her mind. Her memories as a young girl with pigtails running around her yard, to a girl meeting her first friend in middle school, then getting trapped in SAO and meeting Trail. She then thought of her first kill and how Clair saved her afterwards. The red eyed man and the dojo instructor and Yumi. Nothing was skipped in her thoughts as she cried for what felt like hours nestled in Zin's arms. "When was the last time I cried?" she thought. "When was the last time I actually sat down and thought about everything that has happened?" She couldn't find the answer. She thinks about it sure, but never actually focuses on it, not recently at least. She had to be strong or that's how she felt. Strong for her parents, for Yumi, her brother, her other friends, but most importantly she had to be strong for herself.
If she let it get to her then she knew this would happen so she pushed it away and buried it. That to her was moving forward. Luna stayed pressed to Zin's chest for several more minutes as she calmed herself down. While pulling away from him she wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "I'm sorry." she said. "For what? I just told you, you don't always have to be strong Luna. Lean on your friends and show some vulnerability for a change. Honestly I'm happy you feel comfortable enough to open up to me like that." "Don't get used to it." said Luna, sniffling. "And now you're back to normal." said Zin. Luna stood up and began marching for her room but stopped short of the hallway. "Hey, Zin, can I ask you something real fast?" "Of course." he replied. "I love Yumi, I really do but… but I dream of Clair a lot. I hug and kiss her and I still love her as much as I did before she died.
Is that wrong? Am I being unfaithful to Yumi?" Luna asked quietly. "I'm not exactly the one to turn to for love advice but in my opinion, no. It's only natural to still have those feelings and nobody ever asked you to forget about Clair. Besides, anybody with eyes can see how much you care for Yumi and I'm sure she knows that as well. Don't worry about it too much, okay?" Luna gave a subtle smile and a nod before returning to her room and logging out. Luna stared up at her ceiling for a second, reflecting on what had just happened. Her face turned a bright red as she pulled her pillow over her face. "I can't believe I did that." she said with her muffled voice. She turned and saw Shu crawling under her arm and looking into her eyes. "It's okay right? To be like that sometimes?" she asked Shu. He gave a turn of his head and licked her face. She ruffled his fur and hopped from her bed. "Thanks for the help." she said, stroking his fur before leaving her bed.
The smell of beef and rice flooded the house as Luna walked out to the living room. "Hey, Luna, how was the hunting?" asked Yumi who was setting the table. Luna smiled and took her seat. "It turned out great. Two targets down so far. This looks good." she said, smelling the wafting aroma radiating from the plate in front of her. "Thanks. I spent a while on it." Yumi took a seat across from her after setting a cup of tea beside each plate. Yumi watched as Luna ate for a minute. "Is something on my face?" Luna asked. Yumi shook her head. "You just look tired. Is everything alright?" "I'm fine, thanks for worrying." "Are you sure?" asked Yumi. Luna thought for a second and took a quick breath. "I actually have something I want your opinion on. I know we've talked about it before but I can't help but worry about it. I told you I still love Clair but I never asked you about your feelings on the matter.
Don't get me wrong, I love you, Yumi, truly and sincerely love you. But…" Luna paused and Yumi began to speak. "It's fine, Luna. You love the memory of her and the times you spent together and I know that will never change. She was too important and meant too much to you. What matters, at least to me, is the fact that you love me now. With everything you've done for me I can't question your feelings. You told me that I share a place in your heart with Clair and I couldn't be happier that I fit in there at all." Luna smiled and looked up at her girlfriend. "Thank you. I'm sorry I'm acting like this." "Open? Honest? It makes me happy to see this other side of you." Luna's eyes widened as she looked into Yumi's. It's just like what I said to Clair.
"I'm glad it gives you some amusement." said Luna. "It does. Normally you're my pillar so it's nice to have it turned around a bit." said Yumi. Luna couldn't help but chuckle. "Maybe I'll give you that opportunity a bit more often then." The two smiled at each other and finished their dinner. Luna assisted Yumi with the dishes and after their bath the two went to sleep. The next day Luna found herself just outside Capital City, perched in a darkened oak tree, watching and waiting. "Ryken said the next man would be here today." Luna said, re-examining the message she had received that morning after signing in. "Juki. Elvish male, white hair, silver bow and white cloak draped to his feet. Forest road south of the capital near noon. Transporting a letter from an elvish general so he might be guarded."
She closed the journal and listened for the bells echoing from the city. They tolled, signaling it was half an hour past noon. "I've been here for over an hour and no sign of him so either Ryken was wrong or the man had a change of plans." she mumbled to herself. She felt a fit of impatience washing over her while remaining there for another hour without any signs of players. Just as she was about to give up, the sound of crunching leaves reached her ears. When she looked ahead she saw a grey haired boy around her age with two bamboo batons gripped in his left hand. "Stile?" she muttered in surprise. The next noise to pierce her ears was the sound of a bowstring launching an arrow through the air.
Her eyes glanced up and Luna swiftly rolled backwards from the branch to avoid the incoming projectile. She flipped and landed on the ground with both feet and one hand, her free one grabbing hold of her dagger. When Luna looked forward, Stile was already launching at her with both weapons ready to attack. Luna grabbed hold of his downward swing and swept his leg out from under him. Another arrow suddenly appeared from the treetop which Luna cut away with her blade. Another swing of the baton came from her left which she ducked under until she was practically laying on the ground. Luna rolled to the right and leapt back to her feet and did another back handspring to create more distance.
She deflected another arrow that was launched her way while keeping watch on the two points, one being Stile and the other being the shooter's location. A sudden blue glow illuminated the trees ahead where the previous arrow had come from. Her eyes darted to it and in that instance Stile charged forward. In the blink of an eye Stile was launching through the air as was a long blue beam of light with an arrowhead leading it's path and Luna had vanished from her location. The beam met dirt and Stile only hit air as a trail of blue lightning zigged and zagged to the archer's position. When Stile had looked up his companion was hanging from one of the branches by a metal wire. Two blue static filled gashes were cut into his chest as he swung back and forth. Stile walked to his partner curiously until the cold of steel met his bare neck.
Luna had dropped behind him and had him in her grips. She kicked his leg and brought him down to one knee while keeping a firm grip on him. "Luna?" he gasped. She pressed the blade deeper into his skin. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Guard duty. He hired me to escort him so thanks for costing me my pay. What are you doing?" he questioned. "Hunting prey." she replied. "Am I on the menu then?" he asked jokingly. "Only if you insist on continuing this. Do you wish to continue?" He gave a quick chuckle before dropping his weapons. "I know when I'm beat. My employer is dead anyways so it would seem to me that I failed. There's no more need to fight." he said. Luna removed the blade and sheathed it at her waist. She turned to leave as Stile was picking his batons back from the leaf covered ground.
"Hey, Luna." he called out. She stopped but didn't turn to look back. "What is it?" she asked. "Would you like to get dinner sometime soon?" Luna smiled from under her black leather hood. "Is now really the time to ask me out?" "It's not a date or anything, it's just been a while since we talked. The last time was that night of the festival I think." "You think? Was it really that forgettable?" she asked. "No but I didn't want to come out and say that I think about all the time. That might be weird." "Yet you just admitted it." Luna turned around and removed her hood. "I suppose I did. Anyways, your answer?" "I hate to tell you but I am taken now." Luna said, grinning at the boy. "I told you, it's just as friends. What do you say? Tonight after you're done with your hunting?" "Fine but don't expect another sleepover." Stile raised his hands in the air. "No worries, Luna. I didn't want it to go that far last time so you don't have to worry, as long as we stay away from that water that is." he said, smirking.
"I'll message you later tonight when I'm done for the day." Luna pulled her hood back up and turned once more. "Oh, before I forget." said Stile, regaining Luna's attention. "I really do think about it quite often, that night that is." "Did you really need to say it again?" asked Luna, her face blushing and heating up. "I felt like I had to." He smiled at her before staring at the spot where his companion swung moments before. When he turned back Luna was already gone as if she had never been there. "That one's down. Do you have any others for me today?" Luna messaged to Ryken as she waited by a winding stream not far from the capital. "Just one more and he's been pretty tricky to track down so I expect a special treat from my master. Kipolo is a hybrid commander that trains new recruits.
I was told he would be traveling to Hilor for some recruiting from the guilds that are there in an hour or so. I hope this helps, my love." She rolled her eyes and wrote back. "Thanks for the help but please stop calling me that. Another thing, you will get gold and nothing more from me." Just before despawning her journal another message came in. "Whatever you say my feral companion. Just don't expect me to listen. If I don't try then I'll never know if you want to change your answer." She closed the book in a haste and vanished it from her hands. "Change my answer? Ha, maybe next time I'll give him a dagger as an answer and see if that changes his mind." she said aloud, stomping off towards town.
Luna's next target went down with little trouble and later that day she met with Stile at one of Hilor's taverns. "Sweet Poisons? Is this place really a restaurant?" asked Stile as he gazed at the swinging wooden sign. "Of course and they have decent enough food so get in there already." Luna pushed him through the doors and followed him to a seat near a corner of the room. "I don't know if I trust eating at a place with poison in the name." said Stile as the pair was taking their seats. "Relax would you? I eat here all the time and I haven't died yet." said Luna. "Relax? Easy for you to say but harder for me to do." "How come? Something happen or are you nervous to be around me? I'll have you remember that you're the one that asked me out."
Stile gave a nervous expression. "I know I did but how do you expect me to stay calm around you after what happened. It's becoming quite difficult to keep my charm about me." "Charm? Is that what you call it? How many girls actually fall for your "charm", as you put it?" Stile thought for a moment before holding up his hand. He had two fingers in the air as he smiled at Luna. "Two?" asked Luna. Stile nodded. "Some girl from high school and you." "Me? I never knew. I appreciate the heads up about my apparent falling." "As sarcastic as ever I see." said Stile. "Well that's my own kind of charm. If I got rid of it, how would I get people like you to fall for me?" she asked teasingly. "I suppose I have to agree with you on that. I can't really see much else to be taken by. Your messy hair, your sun colored eyes, the way you smile and laugh and fight. I really don't see any other positives to you."
"If you put it like that then you almost make me sound perfect." stated Luna. "It does sound like that huh? I…" "Hello, sir, miss, can I take your orders?" interrupted an NPC waitress. The two gave their orders and watched as the waitress drifted back through the crowds of NPCs and players alike. "You were saying?" asked Luna, grinning at the boy. "I was saying, I purposely meant it the way it sounded." Luna scoffed and looked away. "Perfect isn't the word I would use." "What would you use then?" asked Stile, leaning forward in his seat. "Damaged." she uttered under her breath. "What was that?" Stile inquired. "I don't know what I would use but it's far from perfect, that's for sure. Enough about this though, how have you been since winning the tournament?" she asked.
"Busy. As you could tell by my reason for running into you today, I've been getting hired by high ranking players and faction officials and merchants and all kinds of people ever since winning. It gives me something to do though so I can't really complain." "I suppose that's good. I always hated it when work got slow. It was nice to take days off here and there but after a while I started getting restless. When I got out of the hospital the time before last I was limited on what I could do because of my injuries so I had to come here to run around and blow off steam. It's a good thing I had access to this place." explained Luna. "Hospital? What happened?" "Oh, I forgot I never told you about it." "Here's your food, sir and miss. If you need anything, make sure to ask." The waitress bowed her head and vanished again into the crowd. Luna smiled and turned back to Stile before explaining everything with the red eyed man and the dojo instructor.
The two sat there for nearly an hour and a half with Luna just sharing stories from SAO and the events up till now. "Damn, you've really been through a lot huh?" inquired Stile. "Ha, that seems like an understatement now that I'm thinking back on everything." said Luna before sipping from her mug. Her expression turned somewhat melancholy as she stared down at the table. "Maybe so but it doesn't sound like it was all bad." said Stile "It wasn't. There was this one time with Clair where we had to go fishing. Some guy wanted to give his friend some monster fish for their birthday and the look on Clair's face when I pulled the thing from the water." Luna gave a somber chuckle. "I remember it like it was yesterday. It was no bigger than my palm when I unhooked it and Clair took it from me and began coddling it. The thing suddenly smacked her in the face with its tail and then it started getting bigger and bigger.
It was two of me and two of Clair put together by the time it stopped growing. She screamed and at first I thought it was out of fear but then she ran up to it and tried to hug the thing. She really was weird, liking bugs and giant fish. It spit water in her face and tried to run away. I think she frightened the poor creature." Luna couldn't help but laugh at the memory. Stile's hand suddenly caressed her cheek and then touched her chin. He moved her head to look up at him as he leaned closer with his lips nearing hers. Luna gasped and pushed him back. "What are you doing?" she asked. "I-I'm sorry, I j-just thought that…" "That what? You can just kiss me? I told you earlier, I have a girlfriend now. W-we can't do that, Stile." The two blushed and looked away from each other.
"I… I can't get the image of you out of my head and we seemed to be hitting it off and I…" "What? You thought I would just go along with it?" "I don't know. I couldn't help it. I look at you and I see…" "Something else, right?" asked Luna. "You see me from that night, not the me here in front of you." "I see both." said Stile before taking a slow breath. "I want you, Luna. Ever since the festival, I can't get you out of my mind. Any girl I see turns into you. I…" "You need to stop." Luna interrupted with a downhearted tone. "You told me that nothing was gonna come from that." she added. "I lied. I can't just stop because you tell me to." "Then you need to figure something out, Stile, I want to be friends but nothing more. I can't be anything more." she said.
Stile scoffed. "It's not like it's my fault in the first place. It wouldn't be like this if you didn't come on to me like that." he said. "So it's my fault?" Luna sighed and pinched her nose. "You're right. It is my fault. You wanted to stop." "Exactly, I did. Now I find out you have someone. So much for not looking for a relationship." "I wasn't at the time and Yumi happened after the tournament was over." "How can I believe you? It seems to me that you were just playing with me." Luna shook her head. "I would never." Stile threw his cup against the wall next to them causing some of the other players to look in their direction.
His face was a bright red and Luna smelled ale on his breath. "Were you drinking?" she asked. "It doesn't matter what I was doing. It's not like you really care anyways. You got what you wanted and now you tell me to leave you alone." "I never said that. I told you I wanted to be friends but we can't go any fu…" Luna felt a sudden smack against her cheek. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at Stile. "This isn't like you." she said. "What would you know?" The look in his eyes was a very different one than Luna had seen him with before. Usually they were calming and playful. Now they were filled with rage and disappointment and malice. He stood, looked down at her, and scoffed before walking from the table.
Another player stepped in his path. "Hey, you can't just hit her like that." he said, shoving Stile. Stile stumbled and looked up with a drunken haze in his eyes. He pushed the guy back. Just as the arms came towards Stile again he dodged and kicked the guy's feet out from under him. Stile looked down at the man with a poisonous glare before continuing out of the restaurant. Luna just sat there holding her cheek as he vanished through the doors. She didn't look back or observe the confrontation, Luna just simply stared at the table and held her face. "He hit me." she whispered. "Ha, maybe I do deserve it for what I did." "Are you okay?" a voice asked her. "Huh? Y-yeah, I'm fine." she said, giving the best smile she could muster through the tears. The look on the girl's face as she looked at Luna was one of pity.
"He shouldn't have done that to you." said the girl. Luna shook her head. "No, it was my fault. I hurt him more than he hurt me." she thought aloud while standing from the table. "Hey." the girl called for her but Luna kept walking. Luna walked until she was sitting under her favorite tree outside of the city. The sun was setting, leaving an orange horizon that peered through the heavy tree cover above her. "I barely know him. We were barely friends. But if that's true then why does it sting so bad?" she asked herself while tears fell to the ground. "Perfect? I really proved him wrong I guess." Luna looked around as if expecting someone besides herself to say something but she was alone. Her only company was the encroaching darkness and the nocturnal creatures that were appearing around her.
Luna stayed there for some time after that until the tears ended and she calmed herself down to some extent. "I should probably head home. It's getting pretty late." she said to herself as she returned to her feet. Before long she was back at the cabin and back into her room there. Moonlight peeked in through the panes of glass and through the shades that were covering them. She sprawled out on the bed and logged herself out to awake in her real bed back at home. The room was dark besides a small blue night light plugged into the wall. Shu was curled up next to her side as she slid the helmet from her head. Luna did her best to put Stile in the back of her mind and headed out to make dinner. She made lasagna and her usual honey tea for Yumi and herself.
She didn't mention the day's events during dinner, deciding that it was better to keep it with herself. "Or am I being selfish?" she asked herself later in her room. Yumi didn't know about Stile or what had happened between them and Luna didn't know how she would take it if she found out. She struggled to sleep that night with everything running through her mind and went to school the next day deprived of rest. The final days of March came to an end and her request for the general was nearing its own ending. Most of the names from the list had been taken care of and the next one to catch her attention was Hollow, an elvish commander who she had fought with after her duel with Zin in November.
After an exchange of messages Luna had met with Ryken in Hilor for Hollow's location. "He should be at Milnor this afternoon according to my sources." said Ryken. "Are you certain?" asked Luna. "As certain as I am about my love towards you." Luna sighed. "Can we have at least one normal conversation? Just one is all I ask for?" "No can do, my love. For me this is normal and you are the weird one. Maybe if you complied with my own normalcy then it would seem more favorable for you." "So if I was to ask for your underwear and plead for you to step on me then I would be normal in your eyes?" "Essentially." he replied with a serious look on his pudgy face. "Then consider me the weirdest person on the planet. When is he supposed to be in the city?"
"Noon I believe. It would most likely be wise to catch him outside the walls though. Milnor is a city turned into a base of operations ever since they started taking the war seriously. He would be difficult even for you to get at." Ryken explained. "I suppose I should wait in the forest then. I need to catch him off guard." "Well, you have my information, Master. I would be honored for a special payment if you were so inclined." "I'm gonna regret asking but "special" in what way?" questioned Luna. "Just a kiss is all I ask of you." "That's it. Nothing weird or perverted, just a kiss? No money either?" Ryken shook his head and leaned closer to Luna. "That is all." he said. Luna sighed again and stood from her seat before walking over to Ryken's. "Close your eyes." she said. He did as instructed and waited.
Luna moved closer and kissed his cheek. Once she pulled away, he quickly placed his hand over the spot she had pecked. "I'm in a relationship so that's all you get. No complaining about it." she said. "I wouldn't dare to. Thank you." Luna forced a smile and left his company. "He's a nice guy but he really needs to get his head in check." she muttered while walking the streets of Hilor. She warped to the capital and rented another mare from the stables. Milnor was south of the capital and across the borders into elvish territory. She rode for a while and was soon outside the city's wooden walls. It was by no means a fancy or wealthy city. The perimeter walls were crafted from oak logs cut from the surrounding forests. The houses were made from the same material. The streets were nothing more than dirt paths and the clothing worn by the locals were comparable to peasant wear when put next to the garb of the capital or Caron.
It was nearly the elvish equivalent to Hilor or at least that was Luna's assessment of the place. Elvish soldiers made up of both players and NPCs walked the streets and guarded the perimeter leaving Luna no opening to slip in undetected. She knew Ryken wasn't lying but was hoping she wouldn't have had to wait in the trees. The elvish race had an affinity with the forests of Somerant and were rather attuned to its inhabitants. Ryken had told her that elves were able to sense other living creatures in the forests if they're close enough. He compared it to the hybrid's natural ability to see in the dark and with their increased smell and hearing. "It's a race benefit then." Luna had said and was met with a certifying nod from her informer.
She found a comfortable grouping of trees on the main road that resided a fair enough distance from Milnor's main gate. Luna didn't want any assistance coming their way if a fight was to break out. She sat on a branch near the top of the large oak with her back resting against the tree. She closed her eyes but kept her ears on alert, listening to every little sound they could pick up. Crickets chirping from the ground, birds flapping in the nearby trees, even a couple of players had crossed under her in the hour or so she waited. Her hopes of finding him were beginning to dwindle when she finally heard footsteps once again. Luna's eyes darted around, scanning the area but saw no sign of life. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes once more as her body again relaxed.
"Come down here, wolf." she heard a man say in a monotone voice. She peeked over towards the ground and then saw her target. An elvish man with long blue hair was staring up at her, beckoning her down. "Down here, wolf. Hurry now." he said. His voice seemed almost robotic as he spoke. His expression remained stoic as he watched Luna drop to her feet. "So you're the assassin, Lightning Dancer? This is rather interesting. Interesting indeed. I was planning on finding you soon but nevermind that I suppose." Luna was puzzled by his statement but did her best to not let it show. "I didn't like how our fight ended last time so I thought it was time for a rematch." she said, keeping her voice calm yet sharp.
It wasn't necessarily a lie that she was telling. Their last fight left a sour taste in her mouth as she assumed he was holding back or just not trying at all. "Indeed. I do apologize but I only wished for an assessment at that time. Now however will be a good time for a proper test. If you wish to come at me, wolf, then I encourage you to do so in a hurry. I am rather busy and I don't want this to take too long." "What kind of test are you talking about?" Luna couldn't help it any longer as her curiosity was getting the best of her. "You don't need to know just yet. If you pass then maybe it will be revealed in the near future but not before then." he said, keeping his tone void of any emotion.
The eyes Luna was staring into were cold and calculating. She saw them move as she did and felt them crawling over her body as he watched every miniscule motion she made. Even as Luna reached for her own blade, Hollow's remained sheathed. His arm made no attempt to reach for it and he showed no sign of reacting to her. Once again Luna felt uncomfortable with the situation. She felt like something was off about it. Putting the doubts to the back of her mind, she grabbed hold of her dagger and kicked off the ground with a string of blue light trailing behind her. In an instant she had flown at him but was stopped just as fast. She didn't pass by like she had expected and her blade touched no skin.
Instead Luna was halted in her tracks with her arm grasped in Hollow's left hand. Before she could react to the situation Hollow wrenched her wrist and nearly caused her blade to fall free of her hand. He drove his knee into her gut and backhanded her as he released his grip. She flew back onto her side, landing a few feet from him. Blood trickled from her mouth and she felt a stinging pain on the right side of her face. "Is that the best you have, Lightning Dancer? I've seen the move before and once I see it I can block it. It doesn't matter how fast you are if I predict when you'll reach me then you stand no chance of hitting me." He approached slowly and Luna arose to her feet. She wiped the blood from her mouth and tightened her grip on the dagger.
She charged and swung and at the last second was blocked. He had drawn his sword in in instant, knocking her attack up and away from him, leaving her open. He then thrusted his sword through her chest. Blood ran down his blade and dripped to the ground. The warm liquid ran from her chest to her stomach, soaking her shirt and pants as it made its way under them as well. Some blood spurted from her mouth as she stood there, impaled on the cold metal. He kicked her back off of his sword and Luna fell to the ground ahead of him. "Maybe you're not that worthy after all. You put up more of a fight last time." he said, looking down on her. Luna glanced at her health and saw it drain into the yellow. She noticed it continually emptying by the second as her blood spilled from her wound.
"My blade also has a bleeding enchantment on it. It increased the health lost from bleeding out." Hollow explained as he stood there watching her. "I need to end this fast." she whispered while struggling back to her feet. The front of her clothing was soaked and stained red, her chest was throbbing with pain, so much so that the hit to her face wasn't even felt any longer. Luna took a breath and rushed forward again. She swung and as a reaction, so did he. The two blades connected and she slid back a foot from the impact. I need to get him on the offensive. She glanced around for ideas. Or create an opening. She watched him for a moment longer before blue static enveloped her body.
In seconds trails of lightning went from tree to tree resembling a spider web. Luna kept kicking from one tree to the next, going faster and faster each time until she felt a proper moment to strike arise. Hollow remained unresponsive to the attack. Luna had even noticed that he closed his eyes. He's listening. Finally she kicked off of the final tree and flew. A loud bang echoed throughout the forest and an explosion of blue light and static filled the area. When Luna had realized what had happened she was flying backwards through the air and hit her back against one of the oaks. Blood painted the bark when she collided with it and she fell onto her stomach at its base. Hollow was standing with his sword still paused where he had struck her weapon.
Just as Luna reached him, his sword was already there waiting or at least that's how it seemed. His weapon glowed blue and had clashed with hers, causing the dagger to shatter away and fling Luna through the air. Blood was pooling under her as the strength was leaving her body. Her yellow bar was quickly darkening to red and her breathing began to hasten. A wave of panic was washing over her and those yellow eyes widened in fear. The second her health reached twenty five percent a miniscule beeping started in her ears. Her heartbeat quickened and her fast breaths became more shallow and increased in speed. "I can't die. Not now. Not yet. I can't. I can't." she muttered while watching the bar empty even further. She forced herself to her hands and knees while she stared towards the ground.
"You're afraid of dying." said Hollow, witnessing her sorry condition. She was panting, bleeding, and her skin seemed to turn more pale. "It is just a game, wolf. If you die then you lose some experience and that is all." "No! I can't die! I won't let it end! I can't!" she screamed, gritting her teeth and forcing herself up until she was in a wolf-like stance. She was on her hands and feet, glaring into Hollow's empty and dull eyes. Her thoughts became tunnel vision. Now it was only survival, her or him, life or death. Her fangs were bared and her claws were scratching into the earth as she growled at the approaching threat. Her glowing yellow eyes narrowed and became full of a rage that was not so unknown to her.
"I will kill you." she growled. Lightning sparked and charred the earth around her as she snarled. She took a few steps to the left, pacing before her pounce and then she made her move. She ran forward and whipped with her left hand. A blue spark shown from inside her sleeve and a black cable shot forth. Hollow attempted to block it with his blade but it instead wrapped around his right arm before tightening. Luna continued her forward assault and when she was nearly in striking distance, she leapt. As Luna flipped overhead she whipped with her remaining hand and another black cable shot from her sleeve. This one had wrapped around the man's left arm and Luna landed on her feet behind him.
Lightning coursed through the wires causing the man to spasm and smoke to rise from his wrists where the cables were tied around. She pulled hard, crossing the wires and arms up by his throat. Luna kicked his leg to drop him to a knee and pulled even harder while reeling in the lines. The cables were cutting into his throat and were charring the skin as it was touched. She reeled and pulled until any ability to breath was cut off from him. With his hands also tied up he couldn't fight to free himself and all of the squirming or kicking wouldn't change the fact that he was beaten. Luna pulled with all of her strength and the spools were screeching as it continually tried to reel in more cable despite the force Hollow was using to prevent it from doing so.
"I can't die!" she bellowed through gritted fangs. Not long after, maybe a few more seconds despite feeling like hours, his body went limp and lifeless but even then Luna didn't let go. Even after the lines reeled as much as they could and the lighting dissipated from lack of any more magic, she pulled. Only when his body despawned into a plume of dust particles did she drop to her knees. Her whole body was trembling and she felt wrong inside. Her mind was clouded and her hands were numb. Her health began to slowly regenerate as she was out of combat and the pain was subsiding but the taint she felt lingered on. She felt like a monster just like the day Clair had died and she attacked Piper, just like the day she had her hands around the red eyed man, and just like the day she wrapped her jacket around the instructor's neck to strangle him.
"I didn't let go." she whimpered. "There was no Clair or Yumi and I didn't let go." she said. She crawled against a tree and curled up, staring at her quivering hands. "They had stopped me before but without them… I didn't let go." Her eyes filled with tears and her whole body felt cold as well as numb. "Murderer." she heard a voice say. "No! I didn't have a choice. It was me or him." she replied. "If your first thoughts or even second or even third go to killing them then what makes you different from them?" It was Clair's voice she had heard this time. "You don't understand. I would have died. I had to do it. I'm not like them." cried Luna. "What makes your life more valuable than mine. Why did I die and you live?" asked a young boy who she recognized as Trail's voice, her first friend from SAO whom she had killed.
"I d-don't k-know. Pl-please stop. G-go away." Luna was curled into a ball on the ground, her whole body quivering from fear as voice after voice beared down on her. Tears soaked her face as she sobbed into her arms. "L-leave me alone. I-I had to do it." she repeated. She repeated those words over and over but the voices found no satisfaction in her excuse. "Murderer!" said one. "Murderer!" yelled another. They continued on and on, never ceasing their assault. Luna covered her ears in an attempt to get them to stop but it didn't quiet them to any extent. "Luna! Wake up! Luna!" She now heard another voice yelling through the others. She felt her body being shaken but couldn't bring herself to respond. "I had to do it. I'm not a murderer. Please. Stop." Her voice was quiet and broken as she attempted speech in between breaths and tears.
"Luna!" She felt a slap on her face and she opened her eyes to see Yumi in front of her. She was back in her bed and the AmuSphere was thrown next to her. Her body was still shaking and the feeling of her limbs had still not fully returned. "Luna." uttered Yumi as she latched around Luna's body. Yumi was crying right next to Luna's ear while she squeezed tighter. Her mind still wasn't fully returned to her so Luna couldn't think on how to react. Her arm instinctively embraced Yumi and pulled her close. "I had to do it." she repeated again, whispering into Yumi's ear. She felt Yumi nod but then nothing else except for an unforeseen drowsiness. When she next awoke, the sound of her fan and A.C. were only accompanied by Shu's quiet snoring. The only light in the room was her blue plug in beside the bed.
It illuminated just enough to walk around the room without tripping over things in the night. The feeling in her arms and legs came back to her and the tears that had soaked her face were now dry and gone. "What happened to me?" she asked quietly. She felt something next to her in the bed stir and shift. When Luna glanced over she saw Yumi sitting against the wall her bed was pushed against with the small orange kitten resting in her lap. Yumi was fast asleep. Luna listened to Yumi's quiet breathing for a moment, letting it calm her nerves as it always had. Even back in SAO Clair's sleeping face and her shallow breaths were enough to drive away any concerns or worries. It however did not work this time. Luna remembered hitting the tree and then hearing the voices and then waking up in her bed. Everything else was a blur. It was there but not clear enough to remember without focusing on it.
Her head throbbed and she still had a pain in her heart. "Murderer. Monster." she muttered, looking at her hands. She turned to see Yumi once more. Luna slid from the bed and left the room quiet enough to not even wake Shu. She made a glass of her honey tea and sat at the table just outside the kitchen. "What is happening? I thought I was over this." she said, glaring at the steaming liquid resting in the ceramic mug. "Luna." She turned and saw Yumi wrapped in a sheet, standing in the hallway. "I didn't mean to wake you." said Luna. Yumi shook her head and walked to take a seat next to Luna at the table.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Luna took a sip from her tea and stared at her reflection in the liquid. "I'll be fine. I just need a minute." Luna's voice was soft and barely audible. "You told me that we would be honest with each other." said Yumi. "I did and I am. While it's never been this bad, stuff like this happens sometimes. It goes away after a while." "What happens? I've never seen you act like that. You were crying and yelling and I didn't know what to do so I pulled off your helmet. Your body was all sweaty and…" Luna grabbed Yumi's hand to help calm her. Luna's hand was still shaking fiercely despite her best efforts to subdue it. "You have seen me like this before." said Luna.
Yumi looked confused at Luna's words. "The dojo. The night we fought the instructor." Yumi gasped as she remembered the night. "When you were… Then after you let go of him you curled up and cried. But this was in a game and I've seen you kill people plenty of times there and this has never happened." "It only happens when my health gets low. I get scared and kind of black out. I go back to SAO for a moment where death was a real possibility. This is usually what happens afterwards. I hear voices from the people I've killed or watched die and I see their faces like they're haunting me. Most of the time they're in dreams but when I get like this it happens while I'm awake. I kind of... break down I guess." explained Luna.
Luna smiled at Yumi while pulling her hand away and taking it in her other one to quell the trembling. "I'll be fine, Yumi. I'll lose some sleep and shake for a while but I'll be okay." "Are you sure?" asked Yumi. Luna leaned and kissed Yumi's lips. "I'm sure. Go get some rest. You shouldn't have to stay up just because I am." Yumi kissed her back and stood from her seat. Instead of going to the hallway she grabbed hold of Luna's hands and pulled her to her feet. "What are you doing?" asked Luna. Yumi remained silent and pulled Luna behind her. Luna was guided to the couch where Yumi sat her down and then stretched out next to her. Yumi was resting her head on Luna's lap and pulled her sheet over her.
"Yumi." said Luna. "If you want me to rest then I will but I'm not leaving your side." stated Yumi. Luna could only smile and ran her fingers through Yumi's smooth brown hair. "Your shaking is calming down." noted Yumi. "I have you to thank for that." Luna said before bending down to kiss Yumi's forehead. Before long Yumi was fast asleep but Luna was unable to succumb to her drowsiness. Every time her eyes closed she saw the faces that tormented her. After a defeated grin Luna gazed out her window to see the full moon lighting up the night sky. She watched it for as long as she could and then watched as the sun replaced it. By the time Yumi had awoken the next morning Luna was finally asleep with her head drooping to the side. Her messy brown bangs draped in front of her eyes, hiding the dark rings that resided under them.
Yumi brushed her hand through Luna's hair and caressed her cheek. She then stood up and draped her sheet over Luna's body and helped her onto her side. Luna's breathing was still faster than normal and she seemed slightly restless but she was asleep and that was all that mattered to Yumi. "Get some rest Luna." she said softly before kissing her cheek.