Hello, everyone! Welcome to chapter 2!
This one took a little longer than I hoped it would. But, many rewrites later, it has arrived!
Insane Dominator: Thanks for your review. I really appreciate it. To be honest, I haven't really tried writing from the point of view of someone with amnesia before, so it was a little hard at first and didn't turn out like I wanted, but I enjoyed the process. From here on out, it gets better, so I like to believe. As for your questions...all will be revealed along the way. There's actually a lot coming, relatively speaking. Nothing huge yet, but not disappointing either. I hope you like how it goes. As for Aquilo...enjoy the ride. He might surprise you. And Pokemon will be making an appearance! Can't say when, but soon! There are some nice references tho!
William Sloan: Thanks for your review as well! I really appreciate it! I just got around to reading your story and I've enjoyed it so far. Thanks for the compliments. I like being conventional, especially when it helps with representation. I like reading and watching stories and shows where I can physically see myself as a character and letting me know that hey, I can do that do! So, if this helps someone see just a little bit of themselves in my writing, then I'm happy! I hope you enjoy the ride, it's going to be a great adventure for Kamari from here on out. Also, about Poppilo, I actually adored the little guy when he first came out. He was my first choice for a starter for sun and moon and I love his entries and move-set. He did receive a lot of flack though and that confused me, but I loved his design. He's adorable. Thanks for the recommendations, I'll be sure to check them and leave a review for your story as well!
The musical inspiration for this chapter started with Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae. Then I switched over to a K. Michelle radio on Apple Music and honestly, it was beautiful. I loved every second. But I ended things off by listening to Birthday by K. Michelle and that really got the juices flowing. I'm proud of me.
And now, on with the chapter! I hope you enjoy it!
Fairy Tail's Moonlight
Chapter 2: Moonlit Enigmas
"So, you discovered your name in a dream?"
Aquilo started at him with a peculiar look in his eyes. An eyebrow raised as he stroked his chin. His thinking face, Kamari dubbed it. Mimicked after the great detectives they read about in the library. Kamari always found it silly. Yet Aquilo enjoyed. All he needed was the pipe to complete the look.
Kamari nodded. They had already gone over this while they got dressed. Multiples times at that—Aquilo asked many questions. Though, Kamari did not mind answering it again for his friend. His only friend, truly. The other kids did not like him much.
"Aye." The word left his mouth fluidly. Before that dream, he never thought to use it. It seemed that the dream unlocked more than just his name. "Someone called me it."
They were heading down to the cafeteria for breakfast. Walking through long, boring hallways painted a dull tan with matching floorboards. Everything appeared so polished and put together—no creative or eccentrics Kamari felt his spirit craved.
There had been a point in time when these halls scared him. Invoked loathing as he stared at his reflection in the shiny tiles and picked apart everything from his skin to his hair. Poisoned himself with the same words his bullies served him. Yet from his lips, they hurt more and made deeper wounds.
Today, he felt stronger—better, even. He walked through these walls with his head held eyes. As his hair—dry and frizzy from lack of maintenance—stood tall like a miniature full moon. Matched well with the light shining through his skin and eyes.
At this pace, Kamari predicted they would be early. They often arrived early to eat before the bullies barged in. Odd for them to exist in a monastery, but Kamari believed the monks allowed the behavior. At least towards him. On his first day, they wasted no time singling him out.
"Oh ho," Aquilo giggled, narrowing his eyes as he elbowed Kamari. "One of those dreams, huh? My roomie's finally growing up!"
Heat surged through Kamari's face as he spurted his rebuttals. Each failed attempt at slurring denial sent Aquilo into a laughing fit that ended with a slap on the back and an oily apology. He did not mean it, but Kamari accepted it nonetheless with a giggle of his own. Leave to Aquilo to make the situation lighthearted.
A good laugh made bad encounters softer.
They arrived at the cafeteria with the bullies sauntering towards them. Eyes forward with cocky smirk slapped across lightly tan skin. They all looked the same in Kamari's eyes and made their gaudy orange and brown robes tacky across their toned forms. The leader of the pack—Tyson—stood out with a feathered crown across his forehead, matching the inky black hair laying lifeless against his scalp. Being wicked never did the body well.
"Yo, Noname!" Tyson called out in his cracking voice. Like a bird choking on its daily meal. "We have been waiting for you."
His right-hand lackey—Jerry—squeaked out a laugh. "Yeah, ready to get us seconds?"
Seconds—Kamari folded his arms with a frown. They never succeeded in stealing his food before. He could not fathom why they tried.
"Back off, Ty!" Aquilo stepped forward, eyes narrowed, but arms trembling. They all faced their fair share of attacks by them. "Besides, his name is Kamari. He remembers it, last and all."
The third member of the tacky group giggled, covering his buckteeth that peeked over his lips. "What kind of name is that?" He smacked his dry lips and tested the name out for himself. "Ka-moo-ren—sounds weird, like him."
Kamari glared at him and clenched his jaw. Anger surged through his veins, but he held it back with practiced ease. Normally, he ignored them. Walked away with teary eyes and trembling arms. Aquilo always followed close behind, whispering encouragement in his ears as they searched for food. They both knew it was for the best.
Anything to save them from the vicious beatings these brats dished out.
Yet ever since he learned his name, things had been different. Strange confidence filled him like a foreign entity. It took control of his mouth and spoke, "Only thing weird here," with chest out and eyes narrowed, "is y'all's lack of common sense."
Silence whisked through the hallway. Tyson and cronies stood stunned, mouth agape and eyes wide. They had not ever received much backtalk from Kamari. Not since they attacked him the first night he arrived. He remembered well the pain in his shivering bones, Aquilo's quivering arms wrapped around him, and—most of all—the monk's dismissal.
Not anymore.
Kamari spoke more, slugging daggers from his tongue. He did not care to aim. Just that they impacted their flimsy shields and drew even a drop of blood. A drop for everyone's self-esteem they stomped on to better themselves. A drop for the sleepless nights and pounding knocks on his door as they taunted him. Each drop filled the veil of his revenge, but he knew there was not enough to satisfy him. Not enough to heal the wounds, but he found comfort in the release of built-up emotions.
With piece stated, Kamari walked into the cafeteria. Aquilo scrambled after him. Words babbled at a speed Kamari could not comprehend, but he did not mind. They brought a smile to his face.
Finally, Kamari Agrinya felt whole and now the world would know.
#
The cafeteria looked much like any school. Filled with benched tables and walls painted a sickly green. Whoever designed this temple did not know much about colors. Or maybe it was not so simple. Kamari felt sick toying with the food in his tray. Eyes unfocused as he nodded along to Aquilo's latest tail. Perhaps his spirit rejected this place, begging him to soar away and see the world.
He gave this temple a month of his energy and yet it never bore fruits for his nourishment. Just poisoned berries to rot his soul.
The latest tale—a memory of a dream about a mountain of ice cream—faded away at Aquilo's lips. Frowning, he glanced at his friend. "Kamari?" Aquilo frowned at him with furrowed brows. Eyes darted around at the other kids sitting at the table, scarfing down poorly prepared meals and roughhousing as brothers beyond blood ties. "Are you okay?"
Kamari scoffed. Days ago, he knew the answer to that question. Aquilo asked it often after many nightmares that sent his heart into a frenzy. On days where he dragged through the waves of time without purpose. He knew then before the words left Aquilo's lip what his answer was.
But today— "I dunno," he could not the words to describe the sensation deep within his heart. The passion and emotions battling it out in his soul for ownership as a foreign voice sang a soft melody of rolling waves over his mind. "I don't get it."
"Talk to me, bro." Aquilo inched closer and Kamari blushed. Feelings he hid under the blanket were much harder to conceal at this distance. "Tell me what's wrong."
Where to start… "I feel…caged." He started softly. He knew the other guys would not care for what he said. Probably loaded it for another round of ammunition whenever they fell out of Tyson's good graces. Aquilo was different, however. He rarely judged him. Must be why the words came so naturally. Before he knew it, Kamari had talked Aquilo's ear off, explaining the depths of his emotions and the details of his nightmares. Of the dream that set his soul free.
"I need freedom—like Icarus, ya know? How he wanted to fly?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Aquilo sighed, dropping his chin into his hands. "Remember the price, though. Icarus paid it when he flew too close to the sun. You might lose comfort if you leave."
"That's true," Kamari started, shifting just a bit. He was too close to his friend. Close enough to detail the breathing in his nose and how the air filled his chest. "Maybe it'd be safer if I had a companion, ya know?"
Aquilo glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. Before he could speak, however, all the talking in the room ceased. The boys tensed and turned their attention to the entrance. There, a few monks stood. Tall, bald men with tanned skin and short beards. They dressed in the same rooms everywhere but were adorned with feathered crowns and rosaries to signify their spiritual journal. Or so they say. Personally, Kamari found the moon more spiritually enlightening than birds.
"Good morning, young disciples." The lead monk of the trio took center stage. His booming voice rattled Kamari's ears like thunder. Of the tree, he was the most well-defined. With strong arms and legs paired with glimmering gold eyes. "I trust you found your breakfast pleasing."
"We have news to share." The man to the right spoke up next. Brash and aggressive like a wildfire. Slim and toned with burning red eyes that went aflame when he spoke. "So, listen up."
The two detailed the chores and activities for the day. Kamari sighed. They always managed to drain the fun out of the room. Like two forces of nature battling for dominance. He supposed it suited them well. After all, their banter made for a few laughs all the boys struggled to hide.
They spoke for what felt like hours to Kamari. And he yawned. Maybe he could take a nap. They would not notice, surely. Especially if he made a gradual transition—
A cold hand dropped onto his shoulder and he shivered. He knew this touch. A glance over his shoulder confirmed it. The last monk, silent as the moon with features just as cold as a blizzard. He peered down at him with frigid blue eyes.
"Noname," he spoke devoid of emotion and a slither of frost that made snowstorms a mild heatwave. "Elder Chalmers would like a word."
Chalmers, the Grand Elder of the monastery. Kamari gulped. They had only met once when he arrived. Since then, Kamari preferred to steer clear of the man. Something about him gave Kamari anxiety he could not calm.
Now, it seemed as though he had no choice. With a nod, he bid Aquilo goodbye and walked away with the third monk leading the way. His newfound confidence dwindled under the gleeful stares of the boys, but he held his head high regardless. He knew better than to show weakness. Even to the grinning Tyson who waved and slid a finger across his throat. Weakness never got him far here.
So, he stroked the confidence and pushed forward. Chalmers scared Noname to no end. But to Kamari Agrinya?
Chalmers was just a man. He would not take away this newfound power.
#
Kamari Agrinya - Status Unknown.
Location: Tengu Temple
Age: 15