Rain was beating hard against the window stirring Luna awake. She shuffled and noticed an arm draped over her body. Yumi's face was staring into her own albeit with closed eyes. Luna smiled and watched. "My anchor huh?" Luna laughed very quietly. "Ironic that someone who pushed me away now wants me to lean on them." Luna brushed the dark brown hair from Yumi's forehead and gently kissed her. She pressed her own forehead against Yumi's and closed her eyes. "It means more to me than you may ever know." Luna slid from under the sheets and grabbed her oversized parka that was lying on the floor. After pulling it on she crept from the room and made her way to the restroom. After brushing her teeth she saw the ring swaying from her neck. Luna grabbed it and held it tight in her hand.
A quick moment of silence came and went and she released the jewelry. She made her way to the kitchen to prepare her honey sweetened tea. Rain was beating down on the windows and whenever thunder boomed Luna felt the floor vibrate beneath her. "With spring comes the rain." she said. The rain had always been her favorite weather. The sound of it calmed her and the way the world looked with grey clouds filling the skies eased her mood. These were days where she felt most at peace with the world. Once the tea was done, she opened the blinds and pulled a chair next to the window. She watched and listened as it hit the glass and beaded down. The feelings of nostalgia and melancholy always accompanied the gentle calm this weather brought.
At some point while watching the droplets slide down the glass, her mind wandered. She was at a park with her brother Jin. She was much shorter and her hair was styled in pigtails. She was wearing a pink raincoat and pink rubber boots. Luna was running after Jin who donned a similar coat but it was a deep blue. Luna was around five and her brother, seven. It was raining heavily and Luna wanted to run around in it. Her mother Akira had told her no and that she would catch a cold if she did but Jin stuck up for her. "I'll watch her mom and the coats should keep us dry. It will only be for a little while." he had said. Akira was still hesitant but with enough of Jin's pleas she eventually gave in.
The park was so close that it was visible from their front door. Jin and Luna would play there all the time. It was always games like hide and seek or tag. Sometimes they would race each other but Jin had longer legs and stood taller so he always won those. Luna didn't mind however, it was fun no matter who won. This day Jin had suggested they play tag to start with. Luna loved playing tag despite the fact she would always get caught in the end. Sometimes Jin would slow down for her to catch him or so she could get away and that always made her happy as well. One time she complained about it but he only smiled. "It's not fun winning all the time so I like to make it fair." he told her. Luna approved of his answer and never brought it up again.
During this game of tag the ground was wet and slippery and the drenching rain was near blinding as her small legs carried her faster and faster. Jin was running behind with his arms outstretched. "I'm gonna get you, Luna. You better keep going!" he yelled playfully and Luna laughed back. "You can't catch me. I'm too quick for you." she said back through panting breaths. Jin chuckled and grinned. "Way too quick, little sister." he agreed sarcastically. After his agreement he sped up and was gaining on her. She looked back and feigned fear with a large smile. "No! Slow down." she said back. "Not this time, Luna. I. Got. You." Just before he grabbed hold of her arm, her feet slid out from under her.
She fell and tried to use her hand to stop the fall but that had slipped as well. The grass was too wet and she landed hard. Tears filled her eyes as she sat up, holding her right wrist. It was in throbbing pain and she couldn't move it without sending that sensation up her arm. "Luna?!" she heard her brother call out. He kneeled down next to her. "Are you okay?" he asked. "M-my hand. It r-really hurts." she stuttered, struggling to talk through her sniffles. "Let me look." He gently took her hand in his and she let out a gasp of pain. "I think your wrist is broken." he said. He was calm. He was always calm in situations like that. Any time he or Luna had gotten hurt or if they were in trouble for something he seemed to be even more calm than usual, like nothing was wrong and he already had an answer on how to fix it.
It was a trait she always loved about Jin. "B-broken?" Luna cried. He smiled. It made her feel warm and safe. It made the pain seem to melt away for a moment. "It's okay, Lunasara. You're strong. Come on." He helped her to her feet and grabbed her left hand. She squeezed it tightly. "See, I told you. It doesn't hurt that bad, right?" he asked. Luna was fighting back her tears and sniffled her nose. "N-no. I'm strong. I-it doesn't h-hurt." she said, struggling against the pain. "That right, you are the toughest person I know. Let's go see mom and she can get you all better." Luna nodded and in the heavy rain, they traveled back to their home. Akira took her to the doctor within the hour and it was discovered she just sprained her wrist. Luna had to wear a brace for a few weeks after that.
Despite the injury both Jin and Luna still went to the park and ran around most rainy days after that. Those were always some of her favorite times. Luna laughed at the memory but noticed that tears were in her eyes. "I'm strong." she whispered to herself. "I am the strongest person you know, Jin. I am still, right? Heh, I don't really feel like it right now though." She sipped her tea and gazed back out the window. She had awoken once the night before due to a nightmare. Yumi and her were fighting the red eyed man back in SAO and he had beaten them both down to the ground. He took turns stabbing each of them until both of their health bars were red. Luna cried out and begged for him to let her go but he just stared with those crimson eyes. He stared and he laughed.
Dread consumed Luna as he approached Yumi. "I finally won, little wolf. You should have killed me before, you and that blonde bitch." "Nooo! Don't touch her!" she screamed, squirming and fighting to get her body to move but it resulted in nothing. "Hahahahaha!" he bellowed a horrifying laugh as his blade pierced Yumi's chest. A slight squeak escaped Yumi's lips before she fell to the floor. "Noooooo!" Luna yelled and screamed and kicked but her body wouldn't move any closer. Yumi's body shattered away into blue shards and the man's laughter filled her head until that was all she heard. It even drowned out the crunching of dirt and leaves as he moved closer to her, dagger in hand.
"Now, little wolf, it's time to end this game." He laughed again and the dagger punched into her chest. Just before her health emptied she awoke with Yumi by her side, attempting to calm her down. She was fine after that and her next dream was her and Yumi in a park, resting under a tree. Luna scoffed at the dream and nightmare both. "How does it flip so casually?" she asked herself, letting the pitter patter of the rain fill her mind. Is it Yumi? She was with me the night before as well and I didn't have a single nightmare. Maybe she really is my anchor." Luna laughed "Maybe." As if called, Yumi entered the room, rubbing the weariness from her eyes.
"Watching the rain?" asked Yumi. Luna nodded. "And listening." Luna replied. "I wish everyday was like this." "I don't know, I've never been fond of getting wet." Yumi stated, seating herself on the couch. Luna giggled and looked back out through the glass. She smiled and stood from her seat. Luna headed for her room where she changed into a pair of jeans and a grey long sleeved shirt. "Come on." Luna said, grabbing Yumi's hand. "Come on? I'm not even dressed yet." "Then go and get dressed. Hurry up." Luna pushed Yumi towards the hallway and proceeded to pull on her boots. By the time she had finished lacing them Yumi had returned.
She was wearing a pair of black denim pants and a dark indigo v-neck shirt with long sleeves. Luna tossed an umbrella over to her before opening the door. "I'm going first." she said, smiling. Luna opened her own umbrella and pulled the hood up on her black parka. "Where are we going?" asked Yumi. "On an adventure." Luna answered back. "Keep pace." she instructed. Luna grabbed Yumi's hand and began walking. The rain had slowed slightly and the wind was tolerable as they pressed on. Luna hummed and Yumi groaned. "Luna, I'm still getting wet." said Yumi. Luna laughed and jumped in a puddle next to her. Only a small amount of the water hit Yumi but it was enough. Yumi gave a disapproving glare but Luna only grinned.
"How much farther?" questioned Yumi at about the half hour mark of their venture. "Not much." Luna answered. Her gaze drifted to a certain house as they walked past. The memory of a small pigtailed girl came back to her. She was closing the door behind her and running on her tiny legs down the road ahead of them. "What are you smiling about?" asked Yumi. "When I was younger I used to live there." Luna said, pointing at the building. "Come on. Not much further. You can see it from here." Luna continued forward, giving one final look at her old home. A minute longer and they were standing at the entrance to the park. "We came all this way in the rain for this? There were other parks closer to where we live." Yumi complained.
"This one is special." said Luna. She walked until reaching a swing set and closed the umbrella she had been carrying. "Luna, you're gonna get sick." "If I do then it would have been worth it." She sat on the swing and kicked from the ground. She swung slowly with eyes closed and mouth open. The rain dripped onto her tongue and soaked her face but she was happy all the while. She remembered doing her first flip on this very swing when she was six. Her mother was with her and nearly dropped to her knees from worry when Luna flew through the air. She flipped backwards and landed on her rear but it filled her with glee and amazement. "Mom! I did it! I did it!" The young girl jumped up and down clapping her hands while Akira sighed in relief.
Luna swung faster and higher than she had ever done as a child and once she reached the peak of her height, she let go. She tucked in her legs and flipped. Both feet soon touched the ground and she looked to Yumi. "I did it." "I already knew you could. I've seen you do a backflip from just standing still." "You could at least act surprised. A little clapping would be nice too. Why don't you give it a try." Luna suggested, moving closer. "I don't want to get wet. How many times must I tell… Hey! Give that back!" Luna had snatched the umbrella from Yumi's hands and began running. Yumi pursued, the rain soaking her clothing. Luna laughed and Yumi cursed. "Come on, Luna! Please?" she cried out. "Catch me then!" Luna yelled back.
Luna led her around the swingset and over a waist height metal bar. Yumi cut her off by cutting through the merry-go-round. Luna had tried to stop but her feet slipped in some mud under her. She fell onto her rear and Yumi hovered over her with a hand outstretched. "I'll help you up." she offered. Luna grabbed her hand and yanked. Yumi fell but had used her hands to prevent falling face first into the mud puddle. She growled and Luna couldn't stop her laughter. A splash of the brown mud had hit Yumi's cheek. "Very funny. I told you I didn't want…" "To get wet, I know. I figured you were already soaked so what is the problem?" "The problem is now I'm also covered in dirt. I liked this shirt." "It'll come out. If not, I'll buy you a new one." "Besides that, you're the reason I got wet in the first place."
Luna held out the umbrella. "My bad. I thought it would be funny." Yumi snatched it and went to stand up again. Luna grabbed hold of her hand and pulled once more. Now Yumi was on top of Luna. "What is wrong with you? We're going to get sick now. I'm soaked and we still have to walk back home." Luna pulled Yumi's face close and kissed her lips. "Shut up. It will all be okay." Luna kissed her again and pushed Yumi to the side of her. After re-taking her feet Luna held out a hand of her own. "My lady." she said, giving a curtsy bow of her head. Yumi was helped to her feet and was gazing at Luna. "Do you want to play a quick game?" Luna inquired. "Really? A game?" Luna nodded. "Tag or maybe a race." Yumi rolled her eyes and Luna tapped her shoulder. "You're it." Luna said before taking off running. "What are you, five? Cut it out!" Yumi yelled and gave chase again.
Luna blinked and when she opened her eyes she was once more that little girl, sprinting through the wet grassy field. Jin was running behind her. She blinked again and Jin had turned back to Yumi. Due to her daydream Yumi had caught up and was reaching out to grab her arm. Luna slowed down, Yumi couldn't stop in time, and the pair went tumbling down. They rolled down a small hill and when they reached the bottom Yumi was pinning Luna down. She was panting heavily as well as Luna and the redness of her face showed even more as it glistened from the wetness of the rain. Strands of long brown hair draped past her shoulder and over Luna, dripping water onto her face. "Looks like I'm it now." Luna said, grinning. Yumi sighed and rolled off of her. Luna moved to a trunk of a nearby tree and rested her back against it.
The rain beat down on the leaves both overhead and scattered around her on the ground. "Satisfied now?" Yumi asked while crawling next to her. Luna could imagine her younger self resting against this same tree with Jin. "Yeah. I am. Thank you for putting up with it. I just felt kind of nostalgic and wanted to relive an old memory or two." "Are we really gonna have to walk home in this?" Yumi questioned. "No. I'll call a cab, let me just grab my pho…" "Luna?" "I forgot, I don't have my phone. I left it at home so it wouldn't get ruined." Yumi sighed again and let her head hit the trunk. "It's not that bad. Look at it like this, you can't get more wet than you are now." "That doesn't help." Despite the complaining and arguments Luna had gotten Yumi to her feet and the two returned to their adventure.
Luna took a slower pace for the walk back home. Her clothes were soaked through and heavy and her legs were tired. Yumi was in worse shape. Her mood was fouler and complained the majority of the way. She had fun despite what she said. I know she did. Luna smiled back at her companion. "Doing okay?" "I would be doing better if you gave me back my umbrella." "You let go of it again. I had to carry it for you." "You took it again and I can carry it just fine." "Fair enough." I've dragged her around enough. I would hate it if she really did get sick because of me. Luna threw the purple umbrella back to her friend and opened her own black one. "You're such a child." Yumi said. "Sometimes." Luna muttered to herself. I really needed this. By the time they had gotten back home, the rain had gotten heavier and their clothes were clinging to their skin.
Luna unzipped her parka and slid out of her boots. "This is going to make a mess I think." she said. "It's your fault so you're cleaning it." Yumi stated, shrugging her own jacket from her shoulders. Luna pulled her black knee high socks off of her feet and carried them with her. Water dripped and puddled as she walked across the laminate flooring. Once Luna reached the bathroom, she stripped from the drenched clothing and threw them in a pile next to the clothes basket. After her bath was finished, she pulled the necklace back over her head and left the room. "At least put some clothes on." Yumi said. "I didn't want to get my floor soaked as well. I'll get dressed in my room and then I'll clean up our mess." "Your mess." Yumi corrected. "My mess." Luna agreed.
Luna got dressed and wiped up the puddles of water throughout the house. She spread it around more than me. Yumi had been creating more pools of water as she waited for Luna's bath to end. "We should have taken one together. I don't know why I didn't think of it." By the time Yumi was out of her bath Luna had mopped up all of the puddles. "Place is cleaned, my queen." Luna said. Yumi nudged her. "Don't call me that." Luna laughed and stood from the floor. "I'm sorry." she said. "For?" asked Yumi. "For dragging you around today. I was feeling a little nostalgic. I… achoo!" Luna sneezed and wiped her nose. "I told you." said Yumi. Luna sneezed again. "It was worth it tho… Choo." Yumi couldn't help but laugh and headed back to the bathroom. When she came back she was holding two tablets.
"Some cold medicine, here." Luna took them and swallowed them down. "Thanks." she said. She sneezed again and walked over to the sofa. They spent most of the night watching more movies and Luna taught Yumi some more english during them. The next day Luna had a slight fever so she stayed in bed. She had called off of school and her job for the week due to her lack of sleep so she didn't have to be anywhere. She had slept with Yumi by her side for the next few days and her nightmares began dwindling in occurrence. With her amount of sleep increasing she decided to log into Somerant. When Luna awoke in the wooden walled room of their cabin, rain pounded the glass and she could hear the wind whistling outside.
"Even here it's raining." she said to herself. Back in the real world it had been raining the whole week straight which Luna didn't mind that much. "I guess they wanted it to be the same here." she said. "Actually it's a rainy season event." Heti said from behind her. "Heti? When did you get there?" "I heard you walking around so I opened the door." "Without knocking? What if I was undressed?" "Then you probably would have hit me. It's a good thing you were clothed." Luna giggled. "How have you been?" he asked. "I've been better and I can't say that I've been worse so I guess I've been living the best I could." "What exactly happened?" he asked. "Same old stuff. I'm alright so don't worry too much. I'm heading to the capital real quick, would you like to come with?" Heti shook his head. "I was just about to get off. Best of luck to you, Luna. I hope you get better." With that Heti left the room and went into the spawn room as Luna liked to call it.
Luna walked out in the rain and to Hilor's warp gate. Once back in the capital she made her way up to Megaris's shop. The second she walked in the door Luna opened her hand and a swirling of wind encircled her. Just as her wind spawned, so did Megari's fire. It got blown away by Luna's magic and she grinned at him. "You can use wind?" he asked. "Better than you can use fire." she said, smirking. He laughed and rested his arms on the counter. "What can I help you with today, Luna?" "Simple repairs. It's been a couple of weeks." She traded him her equipment and the needed amount of gold. "Is that all?" he asked. "What else would I need?" she asked.
"A drink." he said, producing a bottle from under the counter. "Again with that?" Megaris smiled while placing two shot glasses next to the bottle. "Just one, it's not that strong." Luna rested her arms on the counter and examined the bottle. "Why are you so adamant on having me drink with you?" "Because it helps. You've been through a lot, girl. Have one glass and relax for a minute." Luna smirked and waved her hand. "Last time I drank something I…" she paused and her face turned red. "It's nothing. Forget I said anything. Either way, I'll have to pass. I already have someone that listens to my problems. I appreciate the gesture, Megaris, but I'll have to put a pin in your offer." "If you say so. I'll message you when the stuff is done." "Cool, thanks." Luna smiled and turned to the door.
"Hey, Luna, you forgot to give me the dagger. Maintaining that yourself?" "Ah, no, I just forgot." Luna walked back and reached for the old blade on her waist. She withdrew it and hurriedly handed it over. "Your hand's shaking." Luna grabbed her right hand in her left to quell the trembling. "It does that sometimes." She gave the best smile she could and bowed her head. "Thanks again, Megaris, let me know when it's done." She scurried from the shop leaving the man speechless behind her. When she was clear from the shop she looked to her quivering hands. "Damn it. Why? Why now? I can't deal with this again." "Luna!" "Megaris?" she grunted at the sound of his voice. She had ducked into an alley and heard his footsteps growing closer.
After a quick glance around she clambered up to the roofs above. When Luna looked back down Megaris was entering the alleyway. She grimaced and continued on the roofs to descend the mountain side. After stepping through the teleport gate Luna traveled back to the cabin in Hilor. She slammed the door and leaned her head against it. She held up her hands as they were still trembling. "One touch and I wound up like this again. Was all of that stuff really so scarring that it still won't go away?" "It's your fear of what you are that scars you." said a girl's voice. "Clair?" Luna gasped. "Don't be afraid, Luna. You're a human, not a monster." the voice said. Luna banged her head against the door. "I must be losing my mind." she muttered, dropping to her knees. "You're dead. Dead and you won't ever come back to me." she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
Why am I like this? What is wrong with me? "Luna?" A sudden hand touched her shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin. "J-Jin?" The next thing she knew, her brother was on his knees and his arms wrapped around her. "It's okay, Luna. I'm here." Luna broke into a sob as she wrapped her trembling arms around his chest. "I'm going crazy." she muttered. "No, you're not. You have wounds Luna and sometimes they open back up when you push yourself too much. You're not crazy, little sis. You're just…" "Broken." Luna interrupted with a whisper. "Hurt." Jin stated. "Why now?" she asked. "I've been fine for so long. It was only one person in a game. Why did that do this to me?" "Monster. Murderer." she heard Trail's voice say in her head. "Monster and a murderer. That's all you are." it said again. "No." she whimpered. "I'm not, I swear."
"Shhh. Rest your head, little sis. Wipe your tears and close your eyes." Luna wiped her eyes on his tunic and rested her head against his shoulder. The next image to appear was of Hollow, the elf she had killed in the forest. "You didn't let go and you killed me. You are nothing more than some feral wolf that craves blood. You like it, admit it." Luna shook her head and repeatedly whimpered denials. Burn marks appeared on the man's bruised throat and blood gurgled from his mouth. "Admit you like the feeling. That you like taking a life. You crave the sensation." "No, stop!" she yelled, grabbing her head. "Shhhh." She felt Jin's hand rubbing her back. "Shhhhh. Close your eyes, Luna." He began humming an old lullaby their mom used to put them to sleep too. It's so warm. It's so like you, kind and gentle.
The voices began quieting little by little as her brother came to mind. The memory of her lying sick in her bed and Jin sitting at the end of it, humming the same melody as she drifted to sleep. "I love you, Jin." she whispered. He didn't stop humming but she felt him nod and his hand stroke her back. They stayed like that for nearly half an hour before her trembling stopped and the voices vanished completely. "I'm sorry." she said quietly. "Don't be. This is my job. Are you feeling better?" She nodded weakly and then scoffed. "I guess I'm not wielding a weapon anytime soon though." Luna's voice was faint but a venom resided in her words. She was angry but not at anyone other than herself. I'm supposed to be strong. If I'm not strong then why was it me to escape that death game? Why was it Clair that died and not me? If this is what I'm supposed to be for the rest of my life then I wish I would have died with her in the boss chamber.
Maybe I should end it and then I can see her again. She won't be happy but maybe she will forgive me when I hug her and kiss her and apologize enough. I can… Her thoughts paused as her brother squeezed her harder. "You promised me." she heard Clair's voice say in the back of her mind. I did. I'm sorry for thinking like that. She forced a smile at the thought of the young blonde girl scolding her. She opened her eyes and they met her brother's own eyes that looked so much like hers. I have Yumi and Jin and the rest of them still by my side. I have to get over this so I don't worry them too much. "Let me help you, Luna." Jin said as if reading her thoughts. "Let all of us help you. It's not a fight you have to do on your own and I don't think you are any weaker for this. Your wounds are ones that won't heal easily and open wounds bleed sometimes.
Not that this compares but I still dream about you, lying in that bed. You're still like a statue and you have all of these wires and tubes hooking you up to some machine and that old helmet hiding your face. I sometimes wake up in a sweat, afraid that this was all a dream and in an hour or two I'll be going to that hospital again to visit my sister that will never wake up again. I fear that I would never get to hear your voice or see your smile or look into your beautiful eyes ever again. I'm always afraid of losing you again, whether you realize it or not. It's not strength to hide your worries, if anything it's cowardice, which is why I feel so guilty that you look up to me the way you do."
Luna took his hand in hers and held it tight. "I look up to you because you deserve it. You always help me when I need it and you always seem to know what to do. If not for you then I don't know where I'd be right now. I don't just mean recently either, all throughout my life you've helped me. Remember that one time I got lost in that nature park. You looked for me until two in the morning in the pouring rain. You even fell and got hurt." She brushed her hand against his right forearm. "You have a scar here from where a broken tree cut you because of me but when you finally found me you didn't complain. You smiled and you held me close and you brought me back to the camp, never even mentioning your cut. I didn't even know about it until the next morning when it was wrapped in bandages."
"I remember you asking me about it. I told you it was nothing to worry about." Jin said. "And then you asked me how I was and if I was still scared? You keep me safe so how could I not look up to you? You and Clair. I've tried to be that for Yumi and then this happens and now it's her saving me just like usual. You, Trail, Clair, the boys, Piper and Fi, and now Yumi, and what have I done? I cry and crumble to pieces just because I played a game. Now I need to rely on everyone again to put me back together and for what? I'll just break again in a few weeks when I kill another player or at this rate even just touch my dagger." "Then why do you play these games, Luna?" Jin asked. "Because they are a part of me. If I turn away from who I am, what is left? If I run from this then what am I running back to? A scared little girl that can't be relied on for anything, that's what. Here I help people and I talk and joke with everyone. I can run and fly through the trees and I can kill enemies with a flick of my wrist.
I'm the Lightning Dancer in these worlds. Out there I'm just Lunasara, a broken, scarred, left behind highschooler." "What's wrong with that? Out there you're my little sister who loves to sing even if she's not that good. She loves to draw when she misses her old home and she clutches onto that ring she wears when she feels vulnerable or weak. She acts like she doesn't need me even when she does and while I find it annoying sometimes, I also find it cute and endearing in its own way. Out there she has friends and family who care about her, every second of the day. Mom and dad don't care about the Lightning Dancer, they care about the brown haired girl with bright yellow eyes that they raised. I care about the same person too." Jin said. "What's your point with all of this?" Luna asked. "My point is, we are all broken inside. Mom and dad and even me are in constant fear of losing you again. Yumi is afraid that you'll see her as worthless and run off without her. Zin and the guys are worried you'll try to kill yourself again if they look away from you.
These things never leave our minds but we talk and we get through them together. Look, it's getting to the point where it will just be me repeating myself over and over so take my hand." Luna did as he said and he rose, helping her to her feet with him. "This is my advice to you and I want you to take it. Logout and lock the AmuSphere in a closet for a couple of weeks. Stay away from all of these things that haunt you and enjoy the simple things like the rain or the trees. Enjoy your girlfriend's company and talk to her about your ghosts. You two might be able to work past each other's problems all at once." "Do you think it will help?" Luna asked. "I do. Talking to all of us before helped you then so I don't see why it won't now. I'll even drive you to see Clair's grave so you can talk to her. It's been a little over a month right? I say it's getting time for a chat."
Luna nodded. "Maybe you're right." "I am. One more thing before you go. If you're feeling up to it tomorrow, dad has a business party he wants us to go to. Mom was trying to get a hold of you but you weren't picking up so I came here to find you. Call me tomorrow some time after noon and let me know your answer. If you can't make it then I'll tell him." Luna nodded again and let go of her brother. As Luna went to turn around the hallway's corner she stopped for a second. "Hey, Jin. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You may never understand how much you help me." Jin smiled and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, well. That's what brothers are for. Get some rest, sis." Luna gave another smile and headed for the room to logout.
When she awoke the smell of stewed potatoes and meats filled the apartment. When Luna entered the kitchen she saw Yumi fixing two bowls of beef stew. "Hey." Luna muttered. Yumi put the pot back on the stove and brushed a strand of dark brown hair from her eyes. "Hey." she replied, smiling happily. I really do love that smile. "Stew tonight huh?" Luna asked, leaning against the doorway. "Nothing too complicated. I'm pretty tired tonight." Yumi replied. "Sorry about that. I know it's because I keep waking you up." Luna said. "Don't be so upset, Luna. I'm happy to help you out." Luna smiled. "I know you are." Yumi reached for a bowl but Luna moved forward and grabbed her hand. Before Yumi could speak Luna kissed her and grabbed both of her shoulders tight. When Luna pulled away Yumi had a look of confusion plastered on her face. "What was that for?" she asked.
"Because I really needed it right now." "Did something happen?" Luna led Yumi to a seat and began explaining her shaking in Megaris's shop, her talk with Jin, and her thoughts of suicide, as breif as they were. "I need help, Yumi. I keep telling everyone I'm fine but I don't think I am this time. I don't know if I will ever be okay again. Killing that man was like confirming my worst fears about myself. I… I'm scared of myself. I'm scared that I might… I'm scared I might crave it. I know it's crazy, hell, even I can't believe I'm saying it, but I can't think of any other reason I always turn to that as an answer." "Because you lose yourself and can't think of another one. That's why I said I'll think for you in those situations. I'll stay by your side forever if that's what it takes to help you." "I know you would. I know everyone would be there if I needed them." Luna smiled bitterly. "Hey, would you mind doing me a favor, Yumi?" "Anything, just name it." "Can you go to a party with me tomorrow night? My father is having a business party and he wanted me to go but I don't know if I can without you there."
"I would be honored. I've never really met your father either so it will be nice to get the chance to talk to him." Yumi said with a wide smile. Luna returned the grin albeit not as brightly. "I feel like I'm thanking you now more than anything recently but I can't help but to keep doing it. Thanks for being with me." "Of course. Now, let's eat before the stew gets cold." Yumi served their meal and after eating and taking their baths they cuddled up together in Luna's bed. That night she dreamt about the two people she had killed in SAO but this time it was not her killing them that played out. This time it was her getting killed. The man she killed while trying to get to Trail was the first to appear. Rain was coming down hard even though it had not been raining at the time. The hooded man stood between her and her friend who was stabbed by two other swords and was nearly dead.
This time instead of cutting his head from his shoulders, Luna jumped over him to get to Trail. When she was pulling him from the other blade she was stabbed from behind by the hooded figure she spared and her health dropped. Once empty Luna's body felt weightless as she cracked and shattered into dozens of tiny blue shards. She was rebuilt on her knees with a sword pierced through her chest and Trail snarling in front of her. Her vision began to fade and she heard Clair crying out to her but all else went silent. This time her hand did not move and she let it stay limp at her side as her eyes closed and her health sank lower and lower. Once again she cracked and shattered away. Next she was rebuilt again but it was not in SAO that she appeared. It was in a hospital room looking down at her family huddling around a bed with a young frail body lying in it.
They were all crying and Jin was holding their mother tightly in his arms as tears soaked his shirt. The sound of a flat beeping echoed from the monitor to the right of the bed and the doctor was undoing the wires and tubes that were plugged into the frail body. Upon closer inspection Luna saw long messy brown hair creeping out from under the helmet and saw the face through the glass visor. "It's mine." she muttered while floating overhead. "I'm dead." Enji grabbed the doctor by the collar as he passed and began yelling at him but Luna couldn't hear what he was saying. The doctor pushed him off and patted his shoulder before walking from the room. Akira went from Jin's shoulder to clutching Luna's hand. It was nothing but skin and bone from two years of not being used. Luna clenched her own hand as if grabbing her mother's but only clutched at air. "If I'm dead then I won't ever be able to grab her hand again. Not Jin's either. She closed her eyes to blink away her tears and when they opened Yumi was now clutching her other hand.
"I told you, Luna." said a voice from her right. When Luna looked she saw a young girl with a blue rose in her messy blonde hair. She was not smiling. Clair instead looked disappointed. "I told you that you had people to come back to and look at what you did to them. You left all of those people behind and for what? Because you didn't protect yourself?" "You're the one that told me not to kill anyone. "If you think like that then what makes you better than them?" You told me that, remember?" "I told you that because you were thinking about attacking them. It would have been suicide. If you failed then you would be dead and if you succeeded then the girl that I loved would have been replaced by a monster. There was no winning there so I stopped you but Trail had a sword through you.
He was killing you and you just let him. That man who attacked you and him earlier too, he was trying to kill you. It's different if you seek it out but defend yourself, Luna." Clair scoffed and brushed her hair from her face. "I guess it's too late for that now though. I'm sorry my words are what failed you." "No, it was me that failed, not you. No! Come back, Clair! Please!" As Luna yelled after her, the blonde girl turned and faded in the distance. She looked back down to her bed and her family and saw a doctor removing the helmet and pulling the sheets over her head. When she looked to her side again she saw herself staring back. It was the version of her that she dreaded more than anything.
She had brown hair but it was frizzed up as if she had just charged herself with static. Her eyes were bright yellow but they seemed to glow and had an anger clouding them. She had teeth that were bared and was growling as she gazed forward. Next to her was another version of herself. This one had short white hair and matching wolf ears. A bright bushy white tail swayed behind her but the hair was sticking up on end. This one two had bared fangs and static filled hair. Blue lightning coursed around her body and blood dripped from her claws and jaw. Luna shook her head and stepped back before falling onto her butt. "No, stay away from me." she pleaded. "I didn't kill those people this time, I'm not you anymore." she said. "But you were us." "N-no. Never, I was never like you. I'm not a monster." Luna curled up and buried her face in her arms.
She felt small again and when she looked she had pigtails draping over each shoulder and she was wearing a pink button up shirt and a blue skirt with pink spots. She was alone in the park where she and Jin would play as children and it was like a monsoon around her. Howls and growling could be heard in the distance and her whole tiny body began to shake. "Stay away from me." she said, her voice young and full of fear. A street light flickered on and she saw a shadow of her white haired self standing beneath it. "No! Stay away!" she shrieked. The wolf took off into a sprint towards her. Then there was rustling behind her where she saw the long brown haired version coming from the bushes with knife in hand. "Noooooooo!" she screamed so loud she thought her own ears would burst from it. The two just about landed on her when she woke up. She didn't scream but her whole body was drenched and her breathing was out of control.
She panted heavily and scanned the room before feeling herself to confirm who she was. Yumi pulled her into an embrace and kissed her cheek. "It's okay, Luna." Yumi sounded exhausted. It was as if she hadn't slept in over a week. Since I started having these nightmares again. Luna kissed her back and rested her head back on the pillow. Yumi was back asleep near instantly but Luna had a harder time. She laid there staring at Yumi's face, taking note of the black rings under her eyes. Luna caressed Yumi's cheek and grimaced. The thoughts of her dream raced through her mind. What am I truly? Am I a monster or am I a scared five year old girl running from the truth? Is there a middle ground where I can be forgiven and come to terms with what I've done?
I did have to do it or I would have died and then that dream would have been true. I say that but what if I could have gone around that man and what if I never accepted Trail's duel? What would have happened then? I did win the fight with him as well and he was unarmed but I deemed it necessary to kill him in the end. Would he have given up if I let him? I didn't even let him finish his plea before I slit his throat. Luna's hand clenched into a fist as she remembered the way it felt, cutting into him as her name escaped his lips. His final words were my name and I didn't even listen to them. I loved him and we only had each other back then. I owed him a chance and I refused him that. It hurt so bad to see him killing others that I couldn't help it and then when he almost killed me I had to do it but… If I never accepted his duel then I would have been fine from the start and nobody would have died.
Nobody beside his future challengers that is. Clair said I saved people that day and I saved Yumi that day at the dojo but there I didn't kill him. She stopped me from doing it. Same as Clair stopping me that day with the red eyed man but then he came back and hurt my family. I have scars to remember that mistake from. Luna caressed her scarred right arm. Maybe it was a mistake to not kill him that day when I had the chance but maybe that thought is what makes me this way. "If you think like that then what makes you any different than them?" she whispered to herself. Does my actions saving people make me different from a murderer or does that make it worse to try and justify it? Too cowardly to own up to my demons and too cowardly to admit they are that in the first place.
I really am an idiot. I don't call myself a hero and nobody will admit that I'm the monster. If I'm not either then what does that make me? "A human." she heard Yumi say. When Luna looked Yumi was fast asleep. It was a memory of a conversation they had not so long ago. "You're not a monster, Luna. You're a human that wanted nothing more than to live." A flash of blue followed by a crash of thunder caused her to jump and Yumi stirred awake. "You okay, Luna?" she asked wearily. "Y-yeah, it was the storm outside. It caught me off guard. Go back to sleep, you look like you need it." Luna brushed Yumi's hair with her hand. "Okay." Yumi said while yawning. She curled back up in the sheets and was quickly back in her slumber.
The next morning it seemed to be storming worse than it had all week. The skies were near black and the rain sounded like hail hitting the glass. Luna felt odd as she watched the rain run down it. She felt exhausted to be sure but there was something else, even if she couldn't place it. She found a smile coming more natural during their breakfast and Yumi seemed pleased to see it again. Once they were done, Luna went to her closet to find a dress to wear for the party that night. Once that was settled, she texted Jin and let him know to pick her and Yumi up later for a ride there. It was near seven thirty at night when Luna decided to get ready. She was in her room for nearly forty minutes standing in front of her mirror as she got ready. Luna had never been a fan of make-up or getting dressed up as she considered it too girly and that they didn't suit her.
Tami always argued, and so too did Akira before her, that Luna looked beautiful when she was dressed up but that only made her feel like some kind of doll which she also disapproved of. Tonight however, she decided to go all out. It wasn't often that her father asked them to attend a business party and Luna didn't want to disappoint him in any way. Luna was trying to zipper up her dress but couldn't reach her hand all the way to her back so she headed for Yumi's room for assistance. "Hey, can you give me a hand?" Luna asked as she entered. Yumi didn't respond though. She stood there staring and remained speechless. Yumi's orange kitten Miu was the first to greet Luna by rubbing against her legs and making noises. "Your cat has more words than you it seems." Luna stated, petting the kitten.
"I-I'm sorry, I was just…" "Staring?" Luna finished with a grin. "Does it look that bad on me?" Luna spread her arms and began examining herself. "N-no! I mean, no, it doesn't. You look stunning." Luna was wearing a dark black dress that ended above her knees with white frills trimming the hem. She had her hair tied into her usual ponytail with her black ribbon that was usually tied around her right wrist. In its place was a black bow with a blue rose decorating the knot and on her left was her silver chain wrapped around and the ring dangled loosely as if it was a charm bracelet. Luna had tied a black and blue ribbon around her neck as a choker which was also used to hide the scar there. Luna knew she couldn't hide them all but if she could at least hide one then it gave her some semblance of comfort.
She also had black tights on that were somewhat transparent. For make-up she had black eyeliner and eyeshadow that accented her yellow eyes, giving the illusion of them glowing. She had put on some dark red lipstick and a little blush on her cheeks. "I can say the same for you." Luna said back, deflecting the praise she had received. Yumi was wearing a violet dress that went past her knees in length. She had similar black make-up around her eyes as she had borrowed it from Luna and around her neck was the necklace Luna had given her as a gift. Her hair was braided and draped over her shoulder so it hung over her chest. "I didn't really own anything to dress up with so I think I'm rather plain to speak truly. "Sometimes simple is better." Luna replied. "Either way, you look good. Now, would you mind zipping me up?" Luna turned around and Yumi obliged her request.
They shared a smile before heading into the hallway just as a knock rapped on the door. Luna opened it and let her brother in who was wearing a white button up shirt with a black tie draping over his chest. He was in black slacks and had polished black dress shoes which he took off at the door as he entered. "You look amazing, Luna." he said, embracing her. "I should be saying that to you. I don't think I've ever seen you wear something like that." Luna replied. "Ha, I dress like this about as often as you do." "So never. That explains why I'm not used to you being so handsome." Luna retorted. Jin's usually messy brown hair was slicked back but Luna couldn't tell if it was from the rain or if he had styled it that way. Either way she thought it suited him.
"That's pretty rude, little sis. I heard that I've always looked pretty good." "You shouldn't believe everything Tami says. She likes to exaggerate." Jin laughed at Luna's remark and looked over at Yumi who was staying near the couch. "Wow." Jin gasped. Luna smacked his arm. "Eyes off, Jin, she's mine." "I know, she just took me by surprise is all. You look really great, Yumi." he said, smiling and pushing Luna off of him. "T-thanks." she replied timidly. "You need to stop or you'll take her from me." Luna said, half joking. Jin only laughed and Yumi blushed more. "Okay, are you two ready?" he asked. Luna and Yumi both nodded and grabbed their umbrellas before leaving through the door. Luna had grabbed one more thing as she walked out and that was her black parka that was hanging on a hook. She shrugged it on and put her hood up as they walked through the rain to Jin's car.
The hotel the party was taking place at wasn't too far but the ride still felt like a lifetime. Luna's nerves were skyrocketing and she felt more and more anxious with every passing minute. She kept messing with her hair and gripping onto the ring around her wrist. "You seem nervous." Yumi stated. "I don't like parties very much, too many people. Plus I have to wear this thing and these." Luna pointed down at the black high heels she was wearing. "I've only walked in these twice and I fell both times. I hate these things." she said. "Someone with your finesse and balance has a problem in heels?" Yumi asked, teasingly. "Yeah, I do. They're weird and I like both of my feet flat on the ground, not arched up on a stilt." "Why have heels then?" "They're all I had. My mom got them for me to wear at my uncle's wedding years ago. I don't own anything else appropriate for this." Luna answered, playing with her hair again.
"Cut that out or you really will mess it up." Yumi said, smacking Luna's hands away. The hotel was a highly expensive place and from what Jin said, they had rented out a ballroom, a bar, and a restaurant that all resided on the bottom floor of the place. Jin dropped Luna and Yumi off under the covered drive port by the front doors and left to go park the car. When the pair walked up to the door they were stopped by a well dressed man standing behind a wooden podium. "You are?" he asked. His voice was condescending and Luna didn't have much taste for the way he sounded. "Lunasara Mirahai and this is Yumi Kisama." she replied. "Mr. Mirahai's daughter then. You're here but not her." he said, staring into Yumi's blue colored eyes. "She's with me." Luna said, wrapping her arm around Yumi's. "She gets in as well." Luna demanded.
"I was told not to let anyone in unless they were on the list or were a resident of the building. She is not either so she does not enter." "Then I'll just force myself in." Luna said, smirking at him. "We're quicker than you and there's nothing blocking the door. I would rather not cause a scene but if I have to then it can't be helped." Luna reached down to take off her heels but then the man sighed. "Very well, Ms. Mirahai, Ms. Kisama, you may enter." "Thank you, sir." Luna said, bowing her head and leading Yumi as she walked forward. "You seemed pretty confident back there for someone who couldn't stay still the entire ride." Yumi said. "Sometimes that happens. I don't like dealing with people more than I have to and I know how to get them to shut up. He wouldn't want a couple of kids making a mess on his watch, it wouldn't look good for him.
It was a wiser move to let one person who's not on the list in then it would have been for both of us to run in and make a scene." "I'm surprised you were so certain he would give in." "I'm smart enough to know what buttons to press and to know when I'm in the right. I was invited and I invited you, it's only one extra person and I guarantee I'm not the only one who is going to bring a plus one tonight. He had no other choice but to give in. I am surprised my dad didn't put you on there though. He should have known I was bringing you." Luna pondered for a minute as they walked until Yumi tugged on her arm. "Speaking of your father, you never told me what he does. This is all a business thing right? They must have some money to put this on." Luna sighed. "I honestly couldn't tell you much. He works at some tech company and that's all I know. He has to keep most of his work a secret from people.
I've always assumed it's like video games in how they don't want stuff to get leaked to the public. Once one person knows, it tends to spread so they keep the info to as few people as possible." "I guess a tech company explains the financial ability." Yumi said, looking around the lobby. It had shiny granite tiles as flooring and the ceiling had a mural painted on it that resembled the sky. There were gold colored columns lining the room, reaching from the ground to the ceiling as decorative supports. The check in desk was in the center of the large lobby and behind it was two women in uniforms. "If you're here for the party then it's that way." one said, pointing to a door to their right. Luna bowed her head and the pair made their way through the doors. A massive open ballroom was on the other side with crowds of talking people filling out any empty space. The voices were so loud that Luna couldn't hear herself think as they worked their way through them.
"Luna, over here!" She recognized the voice as her father's. When she looked over she saw her mother and father standing side by side near a table lined with different dishes of food ranging from fruit platters to roasted ham. "Mom, Dad." Luna said, hugging them both in turn. "You look beautiful, dear." Akira said, examining Luna from head to toe. "I've never seen you look so grown up." she added. Enji nodded in agreement. Yumi stood nervously behind Luna before Akira beckoned her closer. "Come here, Yumi, I want to see you too." she had said and Yumi timidly approached. She was met with a tight embrace and a look over. "You truly are a wonderful sight." Akira stated, causing Yumi's face to redden. Akira pushed Yumi into Luna's arms and produced a phone from her purse. "You two really are a beautiful couple, let me take some pictures." "Mom, cut it out." Luna groaned. "Let her take them, honey. She won't give up until she does so you might as well get it over with." said Enji. "Listen to your father, dear. He learned that lesson long ago." Akira said, tapping her screen repeatedly creating multiple clicking noises.
Yumi grinned and pulled Luna tightly to her. Luna couldn't help but smile as well and gave in to her mother's persistence. "Enji!" a voice cried out, pulling her father's attention. "I'll be right there!" he called back before kissing Akira's cheek and vanishing into the crowd of people. "Even at a party he works. I swear he doesn't know when to take it easy." Akira said, smiling. "Does it ever worry you?" Yumi asked. "Not at all, dear. He works hard but he does it to help people and that's what he wants most in the world. He wants to be of use to those around him instead of a burden so he strives to reach new heights every day. If anything it makes me love him more. Now I'm going to keep him company so you two enjoy your night." Akira sipped from her glass and followed Enji's path.
"I like her." Yumi said. "She would love to hear it. She's been crazy about you since that night at the police station." Luna stated before grabbing a cup from the table. She poured a liquid into it and just before she sipped it a sigh escaped her lips. "Wine." Luna grimaced as she set it back down. "You don't like it?" asked Yumi. "I don't drink. I did once and I wasn't really myself afterwards so I would like to avoid it from now on." Granted that drink was special but I can't tell the drink's effect from what I might be like if I was drunk. It would be better to just leave that a mystery and avoid it all together. "What happened?" Yumi asked, interrupting Luna's thoughts. "Ah, well, I kind of lost control of myself for a bit and wound up sleeping with someone. I don't really regret it but I think I would if it happened again. I didn't even really know them and I forced them into it. Anyways, let's find something to do to kill time until we can go home."
"W-why don't we dance then." Yumi suggested, her face a bright shade of red. Luna hadn't noticed before but the music was slow and people were dancing all around them. "I don't know. I don't think I can dance in these things." she said, gesturing to her heels. "Nobody can, you hold them while you dance." Yumi said, taking Luna's hand in hers. "How do you know?" Luna asked. "My dad danced with me at a school dance one year. Plus I have eyes, Luna, everyone is doing it." Luna glanced around and noticed most of the women had their shoes in their hands as they swayed with their partners. "Fine." Luna gave in and took her shoes off.
Yumi wrapped her arms around Luna's waist and Luna draped hers over Yumi's shoulders and the two started swaying to the music. "This brings back memories." Luna whispered. "Of?" "SAO. I don't mean to bring everything back to Clair but we had danced like this at the last Halloween party we went to. Zin took her from me soon after we started and within seconds they were arguing. He had stepped on her toes after criticizing her and ran off when she got angry. It was a funny sight, Clair was dressed as a maid and Zin was a vampire. Karst thought it was funny too." Yumi caressed Luna's cheek. "You always smile so fondly when you talk about them." she said. "I'm sorry." Luna said. "Don't be. They're good memories and without them, you wouldn't be you. I like learning more about what made you who you are. I'm a little jealous of Clair but it can't be helped. I'm sure we'll make memories of our own soon enough."
Luna chuckled. "We already have. The times you rejected me and the time your mother hit me really left an impact. I'll never forget all of that." Luna said, smirking. Yumi looked upset at Luna's words. Luna hit Yumi's arm lightly and smiled. "I'm joking. There are plenty of good moments with you. At the station when you accepted my invitation to live with me, you opened up to me at the hospital, you became my girlfriend, the park just recently, and many other things like supporting me when I needed someone the most, even if I didn't want to admit it." Luna kissed Yumi's cheek. "I love you, Yumi. Try not to forget that okay?" Yumi smiled and kissed Luna back. "I'll do my best to remember." They stayed silent as they danced to the music but Yumi soon broke it. "What happened after that dance?" "Huh?" Luna gasped, taken back by the sudden question.
"I'm just curious, you don't have to answer it." "We went home and then we slept together." Luna answered. "Slept together? Like in the same bed?" "Well it was actually on the couch. We were up most of the night and then the next day we…" Luna paused and her expression soured. "Hmm?" Yumi asked. "The next day we fought a boss and that was when she died. Ah, I didn't mean to say that out loud, I'm sorry." Luna let go of Yumi and stepped back. "Luna, it's fine." "No, I ruined the mood. I apologize. I'm uh… gonna go use the restroom real quick." Before Yumi could stop her, Luna had run off towards the hallway in the back of the room. After turning the corner she hit her head softly against the wall. "Stupid, stupid, stupid." she said to herself. "Why did I have to say that? It was going so great and then I brought it up. It was me and her and then like always, I mention Clair and then I say that. Stupid. Idiot."
"I don't think you're that stupid, my dear." said a voice behind her. Luna nearly jumped from her skin from the surprise and turned around. Once she saw the man's face, her own turned pale white and her eyes widened in disbelief. "No, you can't be here." Luna uttered. In front of her was a tall slim man with slicked back hair and a sleek goatee to match, both as black as night. His eyes matched his hair and seemed to be void of any light. "Why is that, my dear? I don't remember dying in SAO and I did have a life before that dreaded game. Most of the people were japanese so it makes sense that I live here." "I mean at this party. What are you doing here, Fox?" "Ah, that name brings back memories doesn't it, Lightning Dancer? I haven't heard it in years at this point. Good times indeed. By the way, you would do well to call me by name here. Giza Kushina, the CEO of Kushina Technologies."
"So that means…" "That I own the company that's hosting this fine party. I have every right to be here, Lunasara, and I know why you're here as well. Your father is quite the brilliant man if I do say so. I'm working on an evolutionary piece of technology at the moment that would be impossible without his assistance. I see where you got your intelligence from and when I saw your mother I was blown away by how much you look like her. You and your brother both are like near replicas albeit I do prefer you over her. You seem far more entertaining, especially as of late. The red player attacking your home, my brother at the dojo, both of which resulted in hospitalization. I also see that your scars are true as well." "Your brother? How do you know so much and what do you mean brother?"
"My dear, it is my job to know everything about everyone. You should know that more than anyone. My brother however told me right away about what happened after he woke up in the hospital under police supervision. He mentioned a young brown haired girl with yellow eyes nearly killing him and I knew right away that it was my dear old friend." Luna was left speechless and nearly breathless as she stumbled back into the wall. "No, you can't be real." "Oh but I am, Luna, and I need you to know that." He withdrew a knife and stabbed it into the wall next to her head. He was pressed against her body and his face was nearly touching hers. "Losing your bite, Lightning Dancer?" he asked, whispering into her ear.
"Get off of me." She tried to sound intimidating but her voice was like a faint squeak. Any semblance of strength had vanished the second he showed the steel blade. Her hands were trembling and the faces came back to her mind. "I have a favor to ask of you, my dear. Just one, and I do hope you will oblige, I would hate to scar up that pretty face anymore than it already has been. What a shame really. I didn't want that to happen when I sent him to you." "You?" she gasped. "Y-you did that?" "Who else would it have been? I found him and gave him your address. I thought you would have fought him off better but then you went and disappointed me so I had to stop him." "T-that was a cop that shot him." Luna muttered. "It was, but who do you think sent the cop? Honestly, you should be thanking me for saving your life. He would have killed you and your entire family. Your father, mother, and that stupid dog of yours."
"Dog? You know…" "I know everything, Luna. I know about Tami, Yumi, Jin, Zin, Heti, Karst, Clair's mother, your parents, if there is anything to know then you best believe I know it." Luna shook her head and tried to free herself. He scoffed. "You really are a disappointment, Lunasara. A scared little girl in place of that independent, strong willed, angry wolf I saw back in the Singing Swordsman. It's alright though, I am going to give you one more chance to make it up to me." He pulled the knife and stabbed it even close to her face. The blade would have cut her if she had not shifted her head to the right. She felt the cold of the metal touching her cheek as she tried to move again. His hand grabbed a clump of her hair and he forced her face back against the knife's edge.
"Thank me." he demanded. Luna stayed silent but then another tug touched her to steel. "T-thanks!" she yelled. "Shhhh, I appreciate the enthusiasm but you must be quiet, my dear. If we are found out then you will be in some big trouble. You and everyone you care about, understood?" Tears were forming in her eyes as she nodded her head meekly. "Very good. Now, sometime soon I will need you and I will want you at your best. You will be part of a group testing out my latest invention in a fantastic and innovative way, my dear. I will have the Lightning Dancer, not Lunasara for this. If you fail to deliver then to put it simply, you will die. You and your friends and family after they watched you die over and over. I will make sure they suffer far worse than you could ever imagine before I kill them as well. So, who are you going to be when I need you?" Luna stayed silent and then her head hit the wall. She felt dizzy and then another hit nearly made her legs give out from under her.
"Who will you be?" he asked again. "Lightning Dancer." she answered with a nearly incoherent voice. "Fantastic, my dear. You are as sharp as ever. I truly hope you can be, for your sake Lunasara." He let go of her hair and she dropped to her knees, tears causing her make-up to run. Her whole body felt weak and she felt a wetness leaking down her thighs. "Hmph. Pitiful. So many people used to fear you. All of those red players began asking me to hide them from you, did you know that? If only they could see you now. A little girl sitting in her own piss. Ha, it's damn near laughable." He chuckled and kneeled down to her. Luna's eyes appeared empty as if there was nothing happening in them. She was looking straight at him but it was as if she couldn't see at all.
"I told you that you would regret your choice Lunasara. I was a man you didn't want to make an enemy of but you refused me. If you don't pull through with this then I want you to thank that blonde haired bitch for walking you down this road for me. You really have been the best part of my recent years, coming up with these ways to torture you. Your father's promotions, making him work on the very technology that I will use to… Oops, I almost gave away the fun bit, sorry about that. More will be shown in time, my dear, so do be patient." He stood up and spit on her before hiding the knife again. He gave one final look and left from the hallway.