Disclaimer: I do not own Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic or its characters; that right belongs to Shinobu Ohtaka.
Author's Note: This is a first for me. I am using a completely Original (OC) in a story to be paired with the character of my choice. I know that I have another story up with the same said character, Lunaria, in Apocalypse. But that is a dark fic. And has her older twin sister and another person from their long history. So, please read and review in a kind manner. Lunaria was initially a Dungeons and Dragons character I created, while my older Twin created her polar opposite Tician.
Author's Note 2: Okay, I am putting this here, because I have come to realize that a lot of people might not be familiar with the word that I am using for the title of this story. It has been re-edited so it will appear differently in places than on AO3.
Juxtaposition
noun
1. an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.
2. the state of being close together or side by side.
Prompt: Journal - (noun) a daily record, as of occurrences, experiences, or observations.
Entry 1: Encounter 1 (Strange World)
I got this book, a journal, yesterday for my 10th naming day, from my younger brother Koumei, who thought that it would do me some good to record what I found interesting into its pages. The mere thought of recording anything worth noting seemed ridiculously but preposterous. But after some consideration when I awoke this morning, my conclusion is to do as such. Because the dream I had was as if I was awake and more intriguing than anything I have known in my remembered existence.
Last night I dreamed that I was in a forest, that had a strange feel to it. As I moved my dream body through its depths, noting flora and fauna were significantly different from the stuff, I knew to be real in my country. The smell of the place was slightly musty, with underlying clean scents of a place that has never been touched by a lot of people. Though in the short wandering I had done to explore the forest in my dreams, I have seen quite a few people. Kouen even dared to try to talk to them, only to be ignored.
When that happened, I dared to even try to attack one of them only to see my hand slide right through their bodies — leaving a rather odd feeling in my limbs, as if it had slipped through a vat of thick cream. Causing me to stop and think, before attempting to touch other things. Upon executing my thoughts, I found that I could feel the flora, but not the fauna of the forest. It was upon my experimentation that I encountered a unique individual or rather a child. She was short, still wearing her baby fat on her cheeks, arms, and legs.
I had just sat myself down to rest against a tree, enjoying the silent tranquility that the forest was giving off, figuring as far as dreams go, this could be a lot worse. It made no sense, though it did feel authentic to my senses. It wasn't often that I was allowed to take the time to rest and enjoy the world around me, being a prince to the imperial throne of the Kou Empire. So as I sat there, lightly dozing in the evening sun, the sound of movement reached my ears. Choosing to ignore it, since I could not interact with the actual inhabitants of the place, I just hoped that they would move on quickly.
Much to my dismay, then curiosity, when the sound of someone hitting the soft loamy floor of the forest reached my ears, only to be followed by a hiss of pain. Shifting so that I was turned away from whoever had fallen, receiving a small squeak and simple child-like 'oh' — frowning as I cracked my eyes open, to see a little chubby, black-haired girl staring directly at me in shock. Figuring that it was due to the fall she just took, as my mind wondered why such a young child would be alone in the woods, I finished shifting till my back was towards her.
Only to get a loud growl, that was more animalistic than angry human reaching my ears, before I was called rude. Unsure if it was directed at me, I looked over my shoulder at the little girl, who was now sitting back on the heels of her feet, while giving me a glare that clearly said that she was talking to me. Raising an eyebrow at the little girl, I found myself growing curious as to if she was able to see me. Turning my body, so it was half facing her, I waved my hand at her as if to shoo her away like I would one of the palace servants.
My actions only served to make the girl puff her cheeks up as she placed her small, chubby hands, now fisted on her hips. Again I waved my hand at her, making the shoo motion once more, to have the young girl tell me that wasn't how someone should behave when meeting someone for the first time — causing a mix of my curiosity and irritation to swell up in me. To me, a prince being told how I should act and by a child at that just annoyed me.
I narrowed my gaze at the girl in an attempt to intimidate, only for her laugh at me before falling backward and feeling more insulted, as I didn't see the point in staying there with the girl, even if she was the only person who could see me and was willing to interact with me. Quickly I stood up, glaring down at the girl who was now staring up at me from her prone position on the ground. Opening my mouth to tell her about being proper, when her eyes went wide, and a small squeak escaped those tiny petal pink lips, as she rolled over and darted towards me and behind the tree, I had just been leaning against.
I shook my head at her antics, as I heard the sound of someone barreling through the forest. Only to do a double-take when the person stepped into the small clearing I was standing in. The man was well over six feet tall, muscular and held himself with the dignity that only a person of royal lineage could. But what had drawn my attention was the fact he had waist-length silver hair, that had two silver triangles atop his head. Gasping in shock when those triangles moved as he looked around, giving me the chance to see that he only had one eye, that was golden in color. He seemed annoyed, if not a bit frantic as he searched the area before moving on, muttering under his breath about having to take care of an errant child.
I was unable to do anything but stand there as he left the clearing, continuing his search. Wondering just what type of person or even creature he was. Never before had I seen anything like him in real life or mentioned in a book. Not sure how much time had passed, when a quiet 'thank you' was heard from behind me it caused me to spin around to look down at the little girl, who was staring up at me with a look of complete relief in a very odd pair of eyes. I felt my head tilt to the side as I looked closely at her eyes, seeing that they were a soft, warm brown, but around the pupil and outer edge of the iris were thin rings of an almost liquid silver-gray.
Unaware of how absorbed I had become in staring at the girl's odd eyes, I started when she gave a small polite cough. Seeing the bright pink flush of her chubby little cheeks, made me realize just how rude I was being, before mumbling a hasty apology. It was about that time that my mind finally caught up with everything and let me know that this girl could not only see me but talk to me. Giving me the ability to interact with this strange place I was dreaming about. Blinking my eyes slowly as I figured this was better than nothing at all, I knelt so I was more on her level as I reached out to see if I could touch her shoulder, only to have my hand slide through it into the chest.
The look of shock, awe, and horror that crossed her face as she stepped back and crossed her arms over her small chest as she hissed at me as if to warn me. Feeling a bit foolish, I held my hands up in what I figured would be the universal plea of 'I am not a threat' or 'I am sorry.`` Only to see her give me a bit of a wary look as she stepped further away from me, making me think I just lost any chance of gleaning her help. With a sigh, I let my body slump back, so I was sitting on my butt, as I continued to look at the young girl.
After a few minutes, the girl spoke to me, telling me that wasn't how you greet someone whom you just met. The absurdity of it had me chuckling as she looked down at me, confusion in her eyes as her cheeks turned red with what was indignation. Deciding to abate the situation, I waved my hands at her as I collected myself. Before telling her that I wasn't trying to be rude and that she was the first person who was able to see me and talk to me. My words only made her tilt her head to the side as if contemplating something before she smiled a sweet smile of innocence at me that made her odd eyes light up, as she promptly told me that was normal since most people couldn't interact with spirits.
Her words had me feeling as if the ground vanished, and I was floating above a pit, waiting to fall into it. There was no way I was a spirit; it was all a dream; none of this was real. But looking her in the eyes, I saw that there was the truth, leaving me feeling somewhat dumbfounded. There was no way I was dead or having an out of body experience since I went to bed alive and feeling alive and well after my naming day party. Rapidly I collected my thoughts then began to launch question after question at the little girl, hoping that she would be able to answer.
In quick succession, I found out that the forest was called Eternia, that somehow it was connected to a multitude of worlds, or rather coexisted next to the many other parallel words, the man that I had seen before was named Gentoka, he was really a Nine-Tailed Fox who had come there from another world, that someone had created this place that she just called the Goddess, who apparently was really pretty.
Wanting to learn more, I began to get more personal in my questions with her and noting that she would pause before answering or telling me that she was unable to answer them. Thus allowing me to learn she had a mother and father, older brother and sister who was the intended mate (which I got clarification was the equivalent of a wife) to Gentoka. That what was called Magoi and Ruhk in my world was called Magic here and that most of the forest inhabitants had one form or another of it. Though when I asked the girl about it, she said that her own hadn't been awoken yet since she was only four years of age, which led me to another set of questions, which were interrupted by the arrival of another person.
I was miffed that I was so caught up in the questioning and answering with the little girl that I hadn't noticed someone coming upon us. Meaning my guard was down and on a battlefield that would say my life was for fit. When a shadow passed over me and Lunaria who looked up with a slightly frightened look in her eyes, I jumped up to defend her. Only to see a very tall, spiky blond-haired man with unnaturally vivid green eyes looking down at her with worry in them.
At that moment, I turned to look at the girl who looked like she was caught doing something wrong, before raising her arms upwards. Wondering if she wanted me to pick her up, I felt that odd sensation of wading through thick cream, as the man stepped forward and knelt, while still half in me and picked up the girl. He gently reprimanded her for running off from Gentoka while he was watching her, on top of being alone in the forest. To which she replied, much to my dismay, that she wasn't alone, she was with her new friend and pointing at me.
The man now holding her turned to look at where she was pointing, obviously not seeing me, before he chuckled and said something about imaginary friends, before starting to walk away, telling her that their mother, indicating he was her older brother, was very worried. Just standing there watching it, as the girl called good by over her shoulder and saying her name was Lunaria. I was on Autopilot as I gave the proper response and my name. It was shortly after this I awoke to be in my rooms, feeling as if I had not slept at all.
Entry 4: Encounter 2 (A child's fight)
Again I am writing here about that strange world. It has been two years since I had that dream of that strange forest called Eternia and the little girl named Lunaria. That dream had haunted my waking days for weeks after it happened and I had shared it with Koumei to see what he thought since he was already showing great aptitude at being very intelligent and just like I craved knowledge. He told me that dreams like that are often considered prophetic, but he could not seem to figure what would have been the vital part for me to pay attention. So as the months had begun to pass by, I let it go to the back of my mind, filing it away and eventually forgetting it. At least until last night, the night of my 12th naming day.
Just like last time, I had gone to bed after the festivities had settled down. I was allowed to leave, with my sanity intact. My mind tells me I had just laid down and fell asleep when I was standing once more in the forest. That same musty smell wrapping around me, as I glanced around. I quickly noted that I was not in the same clearing I had last been in, from the placement of the trees and their type to the fact that there was a small creek burbling off to the side. I let my gaze narrow as I wondered if I would see that girl again, as well as if time had continued to flow forward like it had for me, or was it the day after I had met her.
As I am not one to wait around for things to happen, I began to wander around the forest, taking note of trails that were more visible to the ones that were hidden in the underbrush. My walking was taking a few twists and turns, with the sound of the water growing fainter behind me when the sound of rapacious laughter reached my ear, followed by a familiar-sounding growl. Immediately I changed my direction towards it, my feet moving a bit faster as a sinking feeling of something wrong began to fill my gut, till I was running in the direction it had come from.
Just as I reached the edge of the trees to another clearing, I saw a group of young boys, ranging from my age to at least a few years older than me, standing in a semi-circle and shoving at a girl that was somewhat familiar looking. Unsure if I was able to interact with them, I stepped forward not even drawing their attention to me. It was at that moment one of the boys gave a particularly hard shove to the little girl, sending her sprawling backward with a muffled cry of pain. The unobstructed view of the face told me it was Lunaria, who was picking herself up once more on wobbly legs as she stared defiantly at the youths.
Taking another step forward, I stopped when the tallest of the boys stepped forward, spouting off about how weaklings should know their place in the world, that only the strong will survive, as he snaked his arm out and grasped a fist full of Lunaria's black hair and picking her up with ease. I could feel my body flinch back at the cry of pain she gave out as she began to squirm when her feet left the ground, only to go limp when the boy punched her in the stomach. Shock filled my mind at what I just saw, before anger swelled in me, unexplained. Keeping my eyes trained on the boy as I stepped further into the clearing, silently willing the boy to leave her alone and be gone.
Silence filled the clearing as the other boys began to look a little nervous at the youth holding Lunaria up by her hair. One finally ventured to speak that he shouldn't harm her further, because he would have to deal with her family, and if he were lucky, it would just be her brother. The youth in question just seemed to sneer at the comment before telling him again, that only the strong survived in the world and that he would kick the asses of her family as well before shaking Lunaria's limp body for emphasis to the others that he was the boss.
As the events unfolded, I felt my eyes go wide in my eyes as Lunaria's hand snapped up and grabbed onto the boy's wrist, surprising him, before he spat in her face and told her to let go of him. Only to receive her other hand coming up and grasping him at the elbow, as a low feral like growl seemed to come from her as she used her arms to pull her small body up and bite viciously into his arm. The howl of pain that erupted from his lips, his eyes flashed angrily at her actions raised a fist punching her. At that moment, the sound of someone running through the forest reached my ears, making me turn my head to see who it could be. My eyes landed on the blond man that was her brother carrying a small blond-haired girl in his arms.
He slowed enough for the girl to jump down, giving me a view of her. She looked to be a bit older than Lunaria, but clearly, could be her double except for her eyes and hair were different. Shoving any thought about the girl to the side as the man strode over to the group of boys, his anger very palpable in the air, making it feel as if it was a tangible thing. Reaching out with one arm that he wrapped around Lunaria, while the other came slamming down at the base of the boy's neck where it met the shoulder, rendering him unconscious. The snarl that he let out had the other youths backing away from Lunaria who was still attached to the boy's forearm, growling at her brother like a wild animal.
The whole scene before me played out as very macabre, as her brother got her extracted from the boy's arm, healing it, even though it was apparent he left a scar intentionally and told the others to take him away and never to bother his sisters again. compiled with great haste as he set Lunaria down on her feet and lectured her about picking fights, even if the reason was a good one. After he was done speaking, I watched as the older blond version of Lunaria walked up, smacking Lunaria in the face, as she sobbed out that Lunaria was stupid for doing that when she didn't heal like the rest of the family, but that of an average human, before turning and running back into the forest, in the direction that she and her brother had come from.
Still having a hard time processing what I had just witnessed, I watched as her brother directed her to wash in the stream nearby and to calm herself down before she came home. When Lunaria raised her head and gave a small nod, I heard him promptly inform her that he was telling their parents about this incident, which caused Lunaria to go stiff as a board before my eyes as a small whine came from her as she slumped forward, then watched him get up and leave.
Once he was gone, I wondered if she was indeed okay, only to go still as she spoke to me, asking how long I had been there. I pursed my lips as I thought of what to say, as she turned to look at me through slightly swollen eyes that were starting to become a rather unusual shade of purple. When she frowned at me, I knew that my face must have told her that I had been there for most of it. Unable to deny it, I chose to shrug my shoulders at her in indifference, getting a pained smile to cross her swollen lips as she waved at me to follow as she turned and made her way into the forest.
The walk I took with her was one of silence, one I was glad for as I began to process what I had seen and heard. My mind picking through all the information with ease, putting things in order of importance. First on the list was her attack on the boy, the fact that she didn't 'heal' like the family, but an average human. Not too sure if I would be able to get any information out of her this time, I came to a halt just behind her as she stopped on the bank of a stream, that seemed to flow from the direction I had initially come from.
Deciding that waiting would be the best bet, I stepped around her, so I was beside her, noting that she was still pretty much the same height as last time, before kneeling to look at her. Bruises and cuts on her face led down into the neckline of her shirt she was wearing and on her arms and legs. I could sympathize with the pain she was probably in, from being beaten mercilessly during sword practice. But to have it done to such a young child that was still technically what I termed toddler phase was just wrong. It made the bile in my stomach rise to my throat as I instinctively raised a hand to push her hair out of her face, only to have it slip into her body.
The look of shock on her face, before she burst out into a slightly pained sounding laugh. Pulling back and giving her my patented look of 'I do not appreciate,' made her look down, even though her body still shook with mirth. A soft thank you was given as she limped towards the edge of the stream, then into it. Letting her whole body drop to her waist once she was sitting in the cold looking water and began to bathe herself. I chose to sit down where I was at and wait for her to finish since something deep inside me told me that she would want to talk.
Sure enough, as she was rinsing her blood and that of the boys from her face, she began to tell me that she was starting to wonder if I was just an imaginary friend she created two years ago. And that she was embarrassed that I had witnessed her earlier, but that she wasn't supposed to fight because like her sister, now named as Tician, said that she didn't heal as quickly as the others, but just slightly faster than an average human. But she didn't enjoy seeing the boys pick on Tician since she was already starting to awake to her magical powers; thus she was something they wanted to prove themselves on because of who her parents were. Leaving me to wonder just what the hell was going on in this place, how underdeveloped it was to allow older kids to attack children like that when their abilities were not fully formed.
Snorting at that, I saw her turn around and look at me in question. Which I gave her my reply of how idiotic this place as it allowed for such actions. Only to have freezing water splashing down on my person, eliciting and yelp of shock, as she giggled at me. Rolling my eyes wasn't something I practiced because it was beneath me, but I did it at her, just glad to see that she was lightening up a bit. For some reason, that I could not explain, I decided that she looked best with a smile on her face, more so how it made those odd eyes shine. So when she quieted down, I asked what she meant about healing slower than her family and what an average human was here.
The response she gave to me was not what I was expecting. A normal human was someone who came to the forest with no magical ability or aptitude, so they took forever to heal and that she healed just a bit faster than them. While to my first question she said that there was no injury to her sister, but before she ran away she was cut up and bleeding profusely, it was from their parent's magical abilities and racial nature that healing was pretty quick. She told me then that Michael, her older brother, had been stabbed through the shoulder, by the next day he was completely healed. To me, that was utterly outrageous, since unless magic were cast to heal that wound, it would still take at least a week at the least.
But as I gazed into her face, there was no trace of lies or deceit, making me recall our prior conversation again, to realize that she was open, honest and without lies then too. Giving a small shake of my head, I stood up and motioned for her to get out of the stream. Which to my surprise, she complied with haste, coming to stand by my side, all the while looking up at me with her questions in the depths of her eyes, that somehow I knew she would not be asked. At that moment, I felt an odd pulling sensation, only to be awake once more in my room as the morning sun shone through the window.
Entry 9: Encounter 3 (Same day, different names)
Again, I am writing here about that strange world. Last night has given more, much more enlightenment about that strange place and the people in it. Of course like before, I am nothing to be a trend, I went there via sleep after being excused from my naming day festivities. Now at the age of 14, I am considered an adult in the palace, meaning the burden I will bear for my place on the throne one day will be increasing. The fact that I had accepted a long time ago when my father married my uncle's wife after he and all but one of his sons were brutally slaughtered.
When I appeared in the other world, I was not in the forest, this time, no I was in what seemed to be a sturdily built wooden building — the sound of many voices coming from a room behind me, drawing me towards it. When I reached the double-wide doorway, I saw several people there. Only three I recognized right away, as having seen them on my previous adventures here, Michael, Tician, and Lunaria. The latter two of the three were dressed up in matching gowns but in different colors. The dresses seemed to be custom made for them.
I was curious as to who the other people were in the room, as a blond woman of medium height turned around and looked in my direction with large, luminous blue eyes that seemed confused when she appeared not to see me. Next, to her, the tall male, covered head to toe in a gray robe, a hood obscuring his face from view. His arm wrapped around the blond woman's shoulders as he leaned down as if to say something before she just shook her head. At the far end of the table was a tall, lithe built man with long black hair that had brilliant red streaks dyed into it, his dark eyes looking as if he would rather not be here at all, as he watched Lunaria and her sister Tician.
At the opposite end of the table from the man, next to Michael was a stunning woman who had hair the color of rubies and skin was pale like fine china. Her dark gaze looked at the girls with a thoughtfulness that seemed out of place, though she would occasionally reach out and brush against Michael — telling me that she was possibly his lover or at least interested in him. As the man, himself kept his attention for the most part on his little sisters, with the random, hate-filled glare at the long-haired man across from him.
Observing all this, the lights in the room dimmed, and a cake with candles appeared on the table. Soon everyone around me was singing a song about a happy birthing day to the girls, making me realize that they were the same age, even if Tician was the older sister. Though they didn't look a bit alike, they must have been twins.
Filing that information away from later as the song ended, and I felt someone looking at me intensely. Refocusing my gaze, I met Lunaria's, who had a smile on her face that lit it up brightly. Wondering what she could want by the look she was giving me, I just stayed there, leaning my body against the wooden door frame, waiting until she would have a moment to get away to come to talk to me. Though I didn't know how she would accomplish that, when she was the only one that was able to see and speak to me, meaning others would think Lunaria was either crazy or being childish about having an 'imaginary' friend like she mentioned last time.
I estimated at least a good hour had gone by before I noted that Lunaria was standing next to the blond woman talking to her. To my surprise, she referred to her as her mother, making me question just how old she was. Barely looking like she was in her twenties, only to double-take as the man next to her, picked up Lunaria and she named him as her dad. She was leaving the other two people without a name for me. But soon enough, I found my attention drawn to what was being said as her parents debated if what she asked for was feasible. Before seeing them set Lunaria on the floor, telling her to wear her warm boots, as she darted my direction.
When she rushed by me, I watched her heading towards the front of the cabin where I had found myself, to begin with. Not sure what she's doing I followed her, only to see that she was shoving her bare feet into fur-lined boots, leaving me to wonder why she would wear something like that at all when the forest was always warm. Noting that she hesitated before grabbing a pair of black and purple knitted gloves. The look she gave me over her shoulder as she stood up and jerked the door open, blasting the area we stood in with freezing air — the world outside the door blanketed in white, under the night sky.
There have been many books I have read about snow, but to be seeing it and feel how cold the air was with it around, did not sit well. I found that I wasn't too happy with how cold it was, making me thankful that where I lived was warm and humid most of the year. A soft 'hurry' intruded on my thoughts at that moment, drawing my attention back to the little girl before me as she stepped out the door, looking somewhat exasperated at me. No one had to tell me I was frowning at the thought of going out into the cold, but I did as I was bidden.
Once I was out in the snow, the door shut behind us, I realized that I didn't feel cold unless the wind blew through me. It made me marvel at the uniqueness of the situation. Already trying to figure out how this worked, when my attention was drawn back to the person standing before me, who was smiling cheekily at me — causing me to feel wary at that since I now knew what little sisters could be like when they wanted something. So I started Lunaria down, waiting until she would cave in and speak her mind. Only to receive a roll of her shoulders, before waving me off and walking away down a partially hidden trail.
It wasn't a long walk, and I had out of curiosity looked back behind us, to see only one set of footprints in the snow, which was fascinating to know that I left no imprint at all. The moment that both of us stepped out into a small clearing, I gave it a quick once-over, noting quickly that it was neatly kept, with a small cabin that had a window, that showed in the reflecting moonlight weapons stored inside — telling me that this place was a training ground of sorts.
A soft cough came from behind me, making me turn to look at the small girl. Her odd eyes were looking up at me, a smile on her face that seemed to make it appear to glow (not that, that is humanly possible). From there, we had a long conversation, starting with me asking what type of celebration had just taken place — learning that today was her naming day, or as they termed it a birthday. She left me feeling off-balance when I told her that I had celebrated my 14th naming day as well, as she asked if I wanted her to give me a gift.
This lead to me offering her one in return in exchange. Having a few sisters now, I thought I was prepared to deal with the way the girl could make things go off-kilter, but apparently, it wasn't any help. While the girl told me that all she could do was give me a song, that would be for me alone. I asked her what she would want, speaking a singular word: dance. Glad that I had begun to perfect my court mask, I kept my groan inside and my distaste off my face since she didn't try to retract what she asked for. Dancing was one of the few things I was horrid at. Only have been able to master two simple ones.
Giving a small nod of my head, I proposed to her that she should start singing and I would take it from there for the dance. She seemed pleased her much as she pulled on the black and purple knit gloves she had brought out with her. Already a soft, almost melancholy melody began to fill the air around us. Leaving me a bit surprised at how it sounded, wondering where she could learn such a tune (*1). Holding out my hand, only to have her place her gloved hand on it, not phasing through it. Slowly I took her through the steps, as she began to sing, her eyes half shut as she quickly and easily picked up the steps, following my lead.
The time flew by quickly when the song ended, and I stepped back from her and bowed. The sight that met my gaze when I rose from the bow will forever be etched into my memory. What I saw was her odd ringed eyes shining, her face flushed a soft petal pink, as she smiled softly, gentle and way more mature than an eight-year-old should be able to manage. Promptly I gave a shake of my head, as I stepped back from her, letting her hand go, seeing her body surrounded in a pale white nimbus, that I was sure the moonlight reflecting off the snow. Making me realize that if she were my sister and got older, I would be personally checking any suitor for her, not that I felt terrible for her older brother in that area since he would have that honor. Barely able to hear Lunaria's softly spoken 'Thank you,' before I whipped around to see the tall, black-haired man with red streaks staring intently at her. His voice when it spoke, made me go on guard. The look in those dark eyes left me feeling a chill, though she just gave him a quick wave and told him he was too kind to a novice like her.
The man, Lord Ryu, quickly left after that, as the tall cloaked man stepped from the shadows, looking after the retreating figure. He turned and looked back at Lunaria before calling her to his side. Which she ran to, squealing as she was lifted into the air and hugged tightly. The man seemed to be looking in my direction as he spoke to her about singing and the dance. He asked if that was for someone special. She responded that her special friend had taught it to her, making the man laugh and ask if it was her 'imaginary friend' and if it was a male. To which she just replied with a somber tone, yes, and gave my name. A hardened look appeared on the man's tan face as the cloak fell away made me feel as if my blood ran cold in my veins. The brown face, with narrowed eyes that were so black, they seemed to absorb the light from the air around him. While his silver-white locks with a few black streaks in it partially covered his exotic features.
From there, I followed them back to the cabin, as the man, her father told her it was time for bed and to get ready, he would personally tuck her in. Not sure what to do, I watched him put her down as she darted up the stairs and into the first room at the top. Looking around and noting that the others were still in the other place, Tician, Lunaria's twin in their brother's arms passed out and clinging to him tightly, while the weird animal-man stared at him balefully. At that point I decided that I would go upstairs, to tell Lunaria good night. With hesitancy, I attempted to climb the stairs, finding that I could do it with ease, making me feel happy over the simple task like a child.
Once at the top, I knocked on her door, which was quickly pulled open, revealing the girl in a black and red nightgown. The look on her face was comical and priceless as she backpedaled away from me, motioning me, giving me a condescending look. Choosing to ignore it, as I stepped in and she quickly closed the door, I realized that I was in a girls room, even if it was a child was a bit improper. Not that I saw it mattered to her as she ran and dove onto the bed. Turning and looking at me, with head tilted as I scanned the room. My eyes were taking in what sat in one corner. My face showed what I was thinking because she told me that after the fight two years ago, her mother and father had started to teach Tician and her to fight.
Shooting her a look, to see she had laid down and was looking out the window, her face oddly devoid of emotion. I turned my gaze back to the wooden training weapons in the corner, seeing a short sword, a long sword, two daggers, and a six-foot-long quarter-staff. The last gave me a pause when that odd tugging sensation happened. Turning towards Lunaria, I saw her looking at me, a sad smile on her face as she lifted a hand and waved to me, just as I felt myself slipping away.
When I awoke, Koumei was sitting on the edge of my bed, Looking somewhat worried at me. Come to find out it was near noon, and I had not done anything, a light coat of sweat coating my face and neck, though there was a smile on my face. It was leaving me to give an excuse to my father and mother, while Koumei bored holes in my back until I told him what I had written here. Though the laughter he gave me was much unappreciated since it was about me dancing and in a dream.
Entry 11: Encounter 4 (Reality Checks In)
It has been quite literally three months since the last time I have dreamt of that world, but last night I found myself there again. But it felt different to me. When I appeared, my ears were instantly filled with screams of pain, before a white light washed over my vision. When I was able to see, I was in the forest, smelling smoke and blood. Those were things that once one has smelled them, that could never be forgotten. Leaving me feeling sick and worried for my little friend, as I made my way to where I could hear voices coming from. It wasn't a long trek, but the scenery told me that the forest was being ravaged by war.
Horror was filling me when I slowed down to a walk, coming into the clearing with the voices. My eyes were seeing a tall blond-haired woman, clutching desperately to the animal-man that Lunaria had named as Gentoka. Her sobs were racking her body as she kept her face buried into his shoulder, while he tried to soothe her by running his hand down her hair over and over. The distressed look on his ethereal features was pained. It was undeniable that he was distraught, while my mind wondered why he would be touching another woman when he was engaged to Lunaria's sister.
Creeping slowly closer, I heard what he whispered to the woman — calling her Tician, which was impossible. This girl was a young woman, almost fully grown and taller than me. Muttering under my breath about how long had it been since my last visit for their 8th birthday. Keeping my eyes on the duo as the woman pulled back and spoke. Her words left me more unsettled than the fact that a war had broken out here. She mentioned that three months ago, things were happy, that so much had changed since Lunaria's and her 8th birthday. Expounding on the fact of Lunaria being taken away, then her body is forced to grow to its current age while having suffered in less than 3 hours the pain that was being inflicted on her sister. Before more sobbing, then said at least she knew Lunaria was alive because she too was still alive.
The feeling of my stomach bottoming out, as I felt ill enough to throw up. This just wasn't possible. There was no such magic I knew of that could do this. Gritting my teeth and curling my hands into a fist, I willed myself to wake up from this nightmare. To make this be an awful dream. That I could accept because what I had heard was just not a reality I wanted to acknowledge as a possibility. It meant my little friend had been one hell of a victim and was still suffering, if what the blond woman, Tician was saying. Because they were twins, they shared a bond that let her know if her sister was dead or not.
Anger I didn't know I was capable of rose to me, and I screamed it aloud. In the next instant I was awake in my room, the moon still in the sky, telling me I had not been asleep and there for very long. I rushed out of my room, startling the night staff as I barreled down the hall and into my brother Koumei's room. Violently I had shaken him to wake-fullness and explained the dream. The way blood drained from his face; I knew he knew something of that type of magic. Fear was etched into his freckled face as he looked away, speaking of what kind of magic would have to be used — leaving me to feel hollow inside. I have been awake since then, my worry, anger, and fear to keep me from sleep.
Entry 16: Encounter 5 (Badges)
Life was funny in ways that I cannot fathom. Since my last visit, I had tried many different methods to try and get me to that forest. But nothing worked, leaving me frustrated. I had become more obsessed with learning anything and everything I could when I wasn't learning the way of the sword. Which, according to my father's praise, I was a natural-born warrior, with how quickly I ran through my instructors. Time has passed slowly for me; my mind frequently occupied with that world and the little girl. Wondering if she was still alive and how powerless I was not to be able to protect her. It has almost been two years since that dream.
In that time, a group called Al-Themen had appeared and helped us. With them came a man named Judar, magi. I do not trust the man, but he has appointed me as someone he wants as Kings Vessels. Meaning that I would be entering a dungeon, but my father put the stipulation that it would only happen after my 16th naming day. It made me excited to be able to conquer a dungeon and put all my knowledge and training to the test.
It is still two days before my 16th naming day, and it will be two weeks after I go to conquer my first dungeon. And I can honestly say that the dream I had last night that took me to the forest again, left me happy but at the same time so disheartened. Upon my arrival, I noted that I was once more in the cabin. Right across from me was Tician and the animal-man, Gentoka. They were having a hushed conversation a few feet from a partially opened door. Even with their hushed tones, I heard everything they were saying. Making me narrow my eyes as I felt my body begin to relax before it tensed back up again. The war had ended, Lunaria was safe still, but there had been some severe losses, that of their father, mother, with their brother severely wounded and not healing like he usually would. Lunaria was blaming herself for them, hiding away because of something that happened during the war.
When the duo stopped talking, both looking worriedly at the door, leading to the room, she was sequestered in. Deciding that I needed to see her, I waited for them to leave. I got the sensation that I was being watched, though no one was around now. Slowly I walked closer to the door, my eyes adjusting to the fact it was almost entirely dark in the room. Only a single candle was lighting up space within. What little light it cast, showed me that the person I wanted to see was sitting curled up on a bed, looking out the window at the night sky.
Just looking at her I could tell that there was something off. Each step that I took carried me further into the room, yet she didn't seem to acknowledge me, stare out the window. When I reached the edge of the bed, I saw her face reflected in the panes of glass, showing a slightly vacant look on a face that had been previously animated with life and emotion. Now it was just a blank mask, staring out at the snow-covered trees and bushes. To see that made something inside of me feel an odd, almost twinge like pain. Again seeing this girl without a smile on her made emotions that I wasn't aware that I had in me well up. Giving me the urge to protect her, though I knew that I was unable to.
When a few more minutes had gone by, I finally coughed to announce myself. The reaction she gave, Lunaria's body tensed, before turning to look at me. Left me feeling like a royal ass. There was a smile on her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. They were still devoid of anything as I stared down at her. It took a few seconds, and it was evident to me when she spoke, that she was forcing herself to appear as if she was happy and nothing was wrong. She gave a hollow laugh after explaining briefly of things that had happened in the last three years. Leaving me to do quick math in my head, realizing that she was now eleven years of age to my soon to be 16. Making me pause for a second to realize that time had sped up because she was no longer six years behind me, but five years.
Quickly shelving that line of thought, I began to ask simple questions, to draw her out of this self-receding depression. I wanted, no needed to see a genuine smile on her face. It was borderline painful to see her suffering and attempting to be strong. But like before, she seemed to know what I was thinking her head tilts down, chin resting on her chest. Which to my gaze now was very pronounced, leaving me to flush, since I also had realized that she was in nothing but a white dressing gown. My reaction to her current state of dress and situation made her give a laugh that I craved, though when I looked at her face, those eyes were still expressionless. Taking what I got was good enough for me.
From there, things became more natural; eventually, she opened up and spoke in a soft voice that was choked with a myriad of emotions as she told me what had happened in the last three years. I thought I was horrified by what type of magic could be used to age a child from the age of 8 to look like a 16-year-old. How very wrong I was to make that assumption. I learned that a man had come to the forest; he had her taken as a prisoner. That managed her with ancient blood magic that was forbidden. While he did that he did other magic on her that bound her to him so that he could control her physically, and to a lesser extent mentally and emotionally.
He had made Lunaria with her newly awakened magic attack those that she called friends, as well as family in the forest. The pain in her eyes flashed clearly as she did her best to swallow the sobs that were threatening to crawl up from her throat, as tears made her eyes glassy in appearance. I could tell that she wasn't done at all, so I waited for her to get herself under control so that she would continue. The moment she did, I had begun to wish silently that she had chosen to stay silent. Her words etched themselves into my mind and heart, for she was very descriptive about the type of torture the man inflicted on her person, keeping her bound by cold iron chains and cuffs, as well as beating her when she defied him because he wanted her physically to be his mate.
The last bit made bile rise to the back of my throat as what could only be described as rage rose to burn hot in my chest. Lunaria just smiled sadly at me, as if reading me like an open book, before politely asking me to stand by the full-length mirror and look at it and not at her. This took me by surprise, but I did as I was asked. Watching her turn her body, so her back was towards me, pulling her hair over one shoulder and feeling a bit of confusion at what she was doing when she lowered the back of her dressing gown down. I literally at the sight that met my eyes in the mirrors reflective surface, had me swallowing the bile that just tried to crawl up my throat. I had seen what torture could do, but this was something else. Her pale flesh marred by vivid red scar tissue. Crisscrossing lines from the top of her shoulders to just below shoulder blades, round pockmarks in between them at spaced intervals.
I had heard from the veteran warriors that there were things that you couldn't pull your gaze from or un-see no matter what you did. I now knew what they were talking about, staring at those scars in the mirror. There was so much I wanted to say, scream and rant about at that moment, but nothing would even form so I could speak them. At some point, Lunaria had looked at me, tears previously unshed in her eyes were falling down her cheeks. She continued to tell me how she got them, which gave me pause before I smiled and stepped away from the mirror. I made my way to her, though she tried to flinch away from me, her shame at those scars she was showing me. So I picked up the blanket and tossed it over her to hide them and the tears she was crying. I at least understood that it was not right to watch a woman cry, that it was something they need to do in private.
Standing there looking out the window while she vented about what she said to the man before he gave her those scars, made me feel a strong sense of pride at her sheer willpower and stubbornness. Because it took a lot of guts to sit there and tell your tormentor of 2 years that they'd only get what they want 'over one's own dead body.' From there, she explained to me that she was freed from that cretin, only to have her father killed him, but not before her father took the man with him, himself to hell. That she was so confident that her father had gone to hell struck me as odd, but I choose not to question it. She hadn't stopped and said that she was now a pariah in the forest, due to what she was made to do during her captivity, even though her magic is used to heal others, it is also the most effective killing out there. The hollow laugh again when she said that the best killers in any world, would be those that heal, since their intimate knowledge of the body.
It was so simple that I couldn't deny it and it gave me a new view of the healers at my father's court. My eyes still trained out the window, to the snowy landscape before me, I let what I was told process before giving her a reply. I knew that she was stronger than she thought she was right now. Even now, I still have a hard time comprehending what I told her; it was as if someone other than myself was speaking with my mouth. Because never would I have told someone that the scars were not a mark of shame but a badge of strength and survival. That not many people would have survived, to use that as a foundation to make things right with those who were still alive in the forest. That it would not be an easy road to walk, and it would take a while before anyone would probably see her as more than a pariah, but if she stayed true to who she was, what she knew and always smiled that smile that only she could, then they would have to accept her.
Her reflection in the window panes was one of shock, as the faintest flicker of hope shone in the depths of her unique eyes. Just as she stuck her tongue out at me, making me blink before I burst out in laughter myself. The laughter that she echoed as she let the blanket fall from her head and told me 'thank you' and 'goodbye.' Leaving me to feel a bit sad before two things happened, the feeling of being watched washed over me, just as the world faded away from me.
Entry 21 Encounter 6 (Denied)
My next visit to the forest came after I conquered my second dungeon but before my naming day. When I went to sleep, only to find myself standing in the dappled sunlight escape of the woods themselves, there was a faint sense of unease in my gut — already having trained me in the art of combat and war, on top of not just the Kou History, but as much of my own world. I can say I am very confident in my intuition. And at that moment, it was telling me as I stood there in the forest that something was not quite right.
I began to walk through the dappled light of the forest, letting my feet carry me wherever, silently hoping that my friend was not in trouble once more. As I made my way through the woods, the sound of music that was sweet reached my ears. It drew me in the direction that it came from as if I was almost under an enchantment. Each step towards the sound made me feel as if I was growing lighter, happier until a familiar figure stepped onto the path before me. The long black hair with red streaks let me know if it was the one called Lord Ryu.
From my standpoint, he just stood there as if lost in thought back to me. So when I attempted to step around him, he moved right into my new path. I was uncertain if this was a coincidence, so I stepped back the other way only to have him once more step into my path. Something that was out of place since only Lunaria had been aware of my presence to my knowledge. So I quickly decided to try stepping off to the side to go towards the music. But once again, Ryu stepped right into my path, only he turned and looked directly to where I was standing.
At that point, I didn't like what was going on and started to move forward to pass right through him since I didn't seem to have that problem at all. Hitting an invisible wall of force was not what I was expecting, as the man, he leered at me before telling me I didn't belong and should leave the forest immediately. Narrowing my eyes, I let my hands feel the barrier in front of me before a distinctive female voice spoke from behind me, criticizing the man before me. The look on his face was barely suppressed anger and disgust, though he seemed to back off and lean against a nearby tree. Though the barrier before me didn't vanish.
The female voice spoke to me once more, making me turn around. The voice belonged to the red-haired woman I saw on a previous visit. Her dark gaze observing me, guarded as I felt the pressure of it weigh me down. To which I realized she was the same as the last time I had been here and felt as if someone had been watching me. Fully aware of the fact that I was frowning as I returned her gaze, only to receive a rather bright smile from her, as she introduced herself as Lady Anya, the Lady Goddess of the Forest Eternia. Causing me to do a mental retake as the feel of pure, raw, powerful magic crashed down on my person. And if I had a physical body, I was pretty sure I would have been forced to kneel on my knees as the air was pressed from my lungs.
Leaving me stuck there to listen to what she said, and she had a lot to tell me. I will not be listing it all here, but the short of what she told me was thank you for helping Lunaria five years ago when she was 11 years old that she didn't understand how I was able to come to this place spiritually, more so, because the door she created for those individuals that did come through, meant that they had to be entirely physical and that I was not to go to Lunaria, who was singing at this current moment. The last bit had me break my calm veneer and snarl at her as if something deep inside me didn't like being denied that simple right.
She reasoned that I shouldn't be there, that something kept pulling me from my body, leaving it vulnerable. But whatever it was, it was powerful enough that it revolved around Lunaria and her magic. The speculative look in her dark eyes made me feel as if I was some specimen that was rather interesting to look at. Rankling on my pride even further, as she gave a small laugh and waved her hands as if dismissing whatever she had been thinking about. I questioned her as to why I would not be allowed to go to my friend, to see and talk to her. The response was not something I had been anticipating, for how simple it was. That Lunaria had progressed in the last five years, to become a vibrant, happy person who always gave her best no matter what.
Which the Lady Goddess, Anya attributed to me, before telling me that she would be strengthening the magical walls and increasing the security on the door that allowed others to come to this place. The sadness in her eyes told me of the weight this choice cost her. As well as showing ancient wisdom and age in those dark eyes, that had seen and lived through a lot. I wasn't happy, to say the least, but to know that the goddess of this intriguing place had been aware of me every time I visited this place, but choose to do nothing, waiting to see what my purpose was. Though she deemed me not a threat, since not once had I done a singular thing to harm her home.
When she finished, she told me that she would be sending me back to my world, my home. I guess I showed my thoughts very clearly on my face because she bid me stand and follow her, though her brother protested what she was doing. To which she silenced him with a look that promised something I didn't care to name then or even now. So, when she began to walk towards where the sound of music came from, I got up and followed, ignoring Ryu's eyes attempting to boring holes in the back of my head. The walk was a short one, before we came to the edge of the treeline, overlooking a rather large lake that glinted in the sun like jewels laid out on a piece of dark blue silk.
The sight before me had me doing a double-take to try and rationalize what I was seeing. Standing in the middle of the lake, on the water, or rather what looked to be a disc made of light, was Lunaria herself. But she didn't look like the girl I remembered, her body glowed in that pale white nimbus, but from her back were feathered wings of white and purple and hanging down and curling around her legs and feet was most definitely a tail, that was black and purple. Giving me the chance to recall what she told me of our second meeting, that her family healed due to her parents 'racial' heritage. Seeing first hand, a person I had subconsciously deemed as a human, be anything but as she stood there swaying and singing a rather upbeat song.
The feel of a hand passing through my person drew me back from the sight, to look at whom the offending appendage belonged to, to see the Lady Goddess giving me an understanding and knowing look. Before telling me that Lunaria and her sister were extraordinary girls, other than they were the only two children ever born in the forest. That their powers were still awakening and growing. And that it was time for childhood dreams and fantasies to be put away for them to grow up. Which to me, was a rather polite and at the same time, rude way to tell me to leave her be and never come back. Again that strange sensation rolled through me at being told that I wasn't allowed to be a part of her life since necessarily that was what the woman was saying boiled down too.
The feeling of loss began to stretch through me, as I turned to watch Lunaria once more, feeling as if this would be the last time that I would ever get to see this girl again. Realizing that she was honestly just something ethereal, as she sang and swayed on top of the water. Looking like she did the night, she sang for me, and I danced with her.
Ending Notes: Alright people, this is just a prolog, and I am doing something that is way out of my comfort zone, using an OC in a story. AND BEFORE ANY OF YOU START GOING OFF ON THAT SINGULAR FACT! Just know that Lunaria is not a Mary Sue in any shape and form. I have taken the test and talked with other talented authors on Fan Fiction and AO3 about her and the actual backstory that I have touched upon briefly in the interludes that were mentioned in the journal entries.
And yes, Lunaria will be causing Red Kouen as well as his brothers, in future chapters to slowly began to change, while picking and choosing at key events to keep the story to Cannon as possible. SO IF YOU HAVE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS, I plead with you that you just quit reading this story and don't flame me and be rude. I HAVE no PROBLEMS reporting people for that crap, as well as block such people from the right to read my stories. Because the most crucial piece that you, the reader, need to remember, is that we, the writers/authors of these stories are the ones who are doing the work.
It is our stories, and we can make it go down whatever road we want them to go down. Your input and suggestions are helpful because it helps to inspire us greatly, as well as help us make it better. BUT it is our story, not yours. We are giving you the privilege to read our work.
*1: The song she is singing/humming is Inu Yasha's lullaby. Please YouTube it, because I do not own that and will not claim the rights of owning it. They belong solely to the creator, singer, and score writer for it. IT is a beautiful piece and is haunting, so I think it fits Kouen.
TBC!