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Author's note: I love doing A.N...well, so basically I can clear everyone what to expect on this point of the story . On Raenef 'hating' Eclipse in the previous chapters doesn't mean their strong bond is going to be severed forever It's a phase Raenef goes through because of the ongoing events. It's like saying sometimes that we hate our parents and wish they die because of this and that, but we don't mean that entirely o.O;;
Warning: heavy sappiness ahead. Grammatical error is bound to show up.
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My mother---my birth mother---Raenef never thought of his origins, saved for the fact he knew he is a time-displaced son of the previous Demon Lord Raenef IV. His early memories are the streets, and of recently, that of a long lost friend.
But he never knew of his birth mother. Nor was he curious to learn about it----until now.
The apparition is both long gone and he, having filled with such shock, lay down motionless at the grassy part of the garden where he use to stand. He can still hear her lonely mysterious voice singing that sad song---a one last lullaby of a mother for her child.
And that book, the one he found in the library--- it was really indeed meant for him all this time. He must get it from Eclipse. But it will be a very uneasy task for the young demon lord, especially for what happened last night. Eclipse believed the book have cast an evil charm on him, giving him hallucinations and making him see things that he shouldn't see. No way will he give it to him unless he gives one important reason why he should have it.
"Eclipse, that book came from my birth mother. Yes, she is an elf. Raenef IV actually sired me from an Elvin line. She gave it to me before I was transported to this time. Of course she is my mother, we look so much alike and I saw the flashbacks." Yeah right, like he would believe that. Raenef sighed, still lying down his back. With the event regarding who is Anna in his past still unanswered, he didn't want his liege to know about his recent discovery of his Elvin heritage. Everything--- it seems, have overwhelmed the both of them, his beliefs against his--- his reason over his emotions, his knowledge and experience against his naïve nature and naked determination. And to top it all off, recently Eclipse isn't sharing what he knows and won't allow him to. Raenef felt betrayed because of that.
But surprisingly, his frustration and anger for his raven-haired mentor last night have thoroughly left him. It was like, after seeing the blissful specter does he felt cleansed.
Young Raenef
An oval face with long lashes of small pink petals and amethyst eyes is looking over him.
"W-whoa!" Raenef bolted up; it was the lovely Mab from a while ago. He was stunned when she appeared in front of him. "Y-you're big!"
We faeries can change our size at will, young Raenef she smiled sweetly, and her sisters, the other Mabs appeared one by one in front of him, until he was surrounded with the color of the garden, by these charming creatures. He cleared his throat, and asked the first question that comes to his mind...
"...that apparition,"
Yes, that is your mother. She and those forgotten memories are what you saw.
It was possible he couldn't remember anything; he was after all, three at that time. But any child lost could still have a lingering memory of their mother, like her scent—or her voice.
Or her loving gaze
Don't feel bad young Raenef, most people tend not to remember their biological roots---but it will just dawn to them, at just that fateful day of an encounter---that they'll knew. There is an overwhelming surge of emotion that couldn't be denied---it's the tie that binds, for both share the same blood. That feeling you had, Raenef, is no enchantment. When you met her eyes, you recognized it immediately.
"Hold it, Y-you can read my mind too?" He gazed among them, perplexed.
The ticklish laughter emanated once again among the faerie sisters.
We can read minds for those who have nothing to hide for themselves,
One of the Mabs, who's hue of powder blue and silver, couldn't help but step forward in front of the young demon lord. She looks a bit bossier and smaller than the rest, almost child-like, and to Raenef, she's like a faerie version of Leeche.
Thank be the high beings that you're blessed with your mother's looks, Raenef! She chirped, You got her sparkle, you just---glow!
"Umm...thank you.." he blushed at the compliment, and then quickly remembered the scene he saw from a while ago. His mother and his three-year-old self, they do have strong physical similarities. "Everyone in the demon courts tells me I'm not cut to be a demon lord...I'm just too nice. I think now I knew why."
You may be a demon lord by birth and by blood, you might have possessed the talent and skills in the dark arts like your father have before you. But it was your soul, your nature---it's so much like Ailis, your mother
"Ailis...that's my mother's name." He whispered, and then looked up to the Mab with soft petaled brows, "Is she--- really my mother? What do you know about her? Why is this happening just now?"
The mab rolled her eyes, mildly exasperated, The proof is what you've seen young Raenef. I do believe you still have that piece of garment she gave you.
Oh yes, the shawl. He just realized it now; he has it for years, but it never have been worn out and always appears so new.
We have known each other for time immemorial. We have been serving humanity with all simple little things one could take for granted--- the color and scent of flowers, the weather and good blessings for the crops. The mab continued, When the world of man came, we all retreat to our realm that only Few Can Enter. Only powerful beings can trespass the Enchanted Domains. One of them with such power is your father.
The elders won't tell us how it happened, but it became a controversial issue when your mother conceived you, she was set to marry this Elvin prince from the other part of the woodlands you see. Another one of mabs explained, When they learned she is carrying a demon lord's child, they were enraged. It was a disgrace; they believe it is something that should happen to dark faeries or creatures of the night. When they learned of the prophecy, they gave your mother a chance to keep you long enough till its time---
"What prophecy? And what do you mean 'till its time'?"
You know the curse placed in the Raenef's name? That is the prophecy.
The annihilation of the name---
We have to send you back in time young Raenef. The previous Mab continued, Your mother feared that the travel will damage you and your thoughts, thus she created the spell book for you in a form of a story book for children so no one will be suspicious about it. Once you open it, it reveals what you desire. You desire for someone to love you and to know more about yourself, for that, it's strong enough for us to go through time and help you.
We are Mabs, Raenef. We appear when love lingers in the mind of those who sigh for love. Nothing is impossible in our realm.
It apparently takes some time for Raenef to absorb everything they said.
If love can move mountains, what more of time?
His mother loved him beyond all odds, and he never knew it existed. How come he couldn't know? His own conception is such a complex nature. No one wanted him to live yet she became strong and kept him. He was weak and confused, and her love poured and transcend through time on that fateful vision by the garden: a fleeting memory he once knew. When he saw the tears from her blue clear eyes so much like his own, it starts to make him cry. Somehow he is starting to remember.
Everything seems to work as a fateful coincidence that week, he knew heavily in his heart the loneliness of immortality in a demon lord's reign. He was inexplicably drawn to go to the library and eventually found the mysterious book. When he opened it, it spun tales of love and lore---comforting him, assuring him that he'll find what he seek. Then came the dreams of his past and Anna. He dreamt of the happier days with her, and the tragedy unfolding in the present.
Your mother knew your pain, young Raenef. She doesn't want the tragedy to repeat itself and cause you much grief. That's why you discovered the book, that's why you have those dreams
What do they mean about the tragedy to repeat itself?
"Lord Raenef!"
Eclipse!
Raenef turned white when he saw his raven-haired liege anxiously searching the garden. Any minute now he could see him with the faeries!
"Please go away, when he sees you he will---"
No he won't one of them said pleasingly, He wouldn't even sense you are here
"Why?"
Why not? You just have it in you, young Raenef.
Raenef wished he were back to his room. When he opened his eyes, he is already there. On his bedside table, is the spell book.
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I hope he didn't do something drastic---
Eclipse couldn't help but be worried for the young demon lord. He wants to blame his own harshness with the boy from last night, but it couldn't be helped. He have to protect Raenef against the forces he don't know, even though the blonde will hate him in the end---Eclipse knew he did the right thing.
But is the right thing always necessary, does the end justify the means?
Why is he even asking THAT question?
"I think that's what you call conscience." The demon scholar appeared behind Eclipse's back; much to the latter's annoyance. "It's something you have been having lately since you took the current lord Raenef under your wing."
"I think I'll appreciate it if you stay out of my mind, old demon."
The elder grinned to his own amusement, "I can't help it. Anyway I'm here to tell you something." He continued, "The book disappeared in front of my eyes while I was observing it."
"What do you mean it disappeared?"
"Disappeared. Vanished into thin air, gone without a trace. It's like someone or something doesn't want us to pry on it any further."
"Well, believe it or not—so is the Lord Raenef."
"What? Wow, what are the odds of that!"
It isn't a reaction that Eclipse would expect for a demon scholar revered for his knowledge and whose advice have been passed on to the many reigns of Demon lords. Maybe he is getting too senile---"I wish you could be more sensitive on this matter, this is the Lord Raenef we are talking about."
"You still have lot to learn Eclipse," the demon shook his head, "Why do you think he'll disappear? You are being hard on him lately." Eclipse frowned; he didn't like the annoying jovial expression written on the elder's face as he lectured him like he is a child. "Now, I know I'm not his mother, and practically you know more about him than I do. Yes, he is a demon lord and he knows the consequences of his actions—but let's face it, he is still a child. Maybe if he reached a millennia or two, then you can be hard on him..."
"I'm not being hard on him. He was about to run away from the castle without my permission, he will get himself in danger with the forces he don't know about."
"He is young. Let him make mistakes, how else would he learn?" the demon lectured, "You need to trust on your own Master, as he trusts in you."
Eclipse couldn't help but agree that the old demon has a point. "Well, let's say you are right. But it so happens he won't listen to me, I have to force him."
"And now he is gone." The demon elder exclaimed, raising his hands in disappointment. "Eclipse, you are one of the demons whose accomplishment and skills place you among the top hierarchy. Yours is an impressive resume that even one of the five eldest demon lords desperately sought after your services. Now put that experience to use, be a cultured being and do the best thing----talk to the boy instead of grabbing him by the wrists and putting a hex on him."
"It is a temporary seal. He should be okay by now." Eclipse countered, "And it was an emergency, I don't have time to talk to him. You know that." But elder is going somewhere else, "Are you even listening?"
"Yes, of course." The demon noted, rubbing his rough stubbled chin as he looked at a distance. "Tell me, have you searched the whole castle for the Demon Lord Raenef?"
"Yes of course I did!"
"Why, he seems to be in his room this whole time."
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Meanwhile...
"This won't be an easy search."
The city by the south has changed a lot in a span of seven years since she left it. The merchant area is busier and more populated than ever, bustling with activity and trade. The rural outskirts of the city itself have been rapidly adapting too.
The more advanced everything have became, so is probably the accelerating poverty and crime.
Anna couldn't help but notice but there are beggars, thugs and some prostitutes wandering where they shouldn't be. Some places have been neglected and became a breeding ground for seedy characters. Thieves could be anywhere to take advantage of women like her, alone in a foreign place.
That is maybe what she needed.
Kunio might have developed a wide network of the guild by now---that is if he seriously pursued it to survive. Tying her horse at the stable near the inn where she is staying, Anna took her white cloak and walked briskly within the narrow crowded streets. Her objective is to make herself a susceptible target to the thieves. She has always appeared to be fragile, a very bad misconception to her attackers. If any of these thugs try to hurt or steal from her, she'll have to take them down and demand them to take her to their current leader. It couldn't be Kunio now, but nonetheless, they might heard of Raenef--- the young blonde boy whose innocence seemed untarnished even though he was raised in the streets among thieves.
It didn't take her too long. Two men starts following her from behind, and she can see they're trying to make eye contact with two others--- who both are boys, probably around Raenef's age. One of the boys is planning to throw something on the ground, while the other one is prepared to leap out the alley. They're planning to rob and confuse her, probably in the middle of the trading square.
Some things still don't change. She still remembers hanging out with Kunio and the then juvenile group of thieves. She definitely knew this pattern.
"I know there are four of you out there. Are you planning to steal from me?" she said out loud, which caught the conniving thieves by surprise. Noticing that their cover is blown, they all pursued to corner her. But no four strapping young men could match a demon hunter. Anna is already physically trained to fight ever since she was seven. It was just a matter of minutes and a few twisted limbs and blows, that she have them all lying down the ground.
"Take me to your leader!" she demanded, pulling one of the fallen thugs. "Tell him it's a matter of urgent need---"
--- End of PART SIX ---
This is such a boring chapter that finally ended in blah, I'm in a hurry to catch my flight home...eep... ; But at least Raenef's 'mother' has a name now. Did a research on that too. Hehe. Ailis meant 'noble and kind' in Gaelic origins.
Next chapter: why the fiction is called 'Lover's Moon'. More OC's abound, but it is necessary for the story--- I might make a cameo of Demon Lord Krayon and Chris to balance out stuff. The old demon scholar is still unnamed, and he will continually make Eclipse look stupid...and sorry, no possible yaoi here and I'm not into Eclipse bashing ; ; maybe next fiction after this one will have yaoi in it. Which might be even early next year since this one will take long o O;
Don't hesitate for a review or comment.