This story doesn't start recently. It starts years before, when a small child discovered a world entwined with her own. When this child met her best friend….

Once upon a time, a young child entered a dream. This dream was not like her others, it was warm and delightful, filled with a galaxy all of its own. Small stars flickered, as if watching her small frame wander around them. A hand reached out to them, curiosity taking over her confusion. Blonde hair reflected silver as the young girl smiled to herself, clutching the star in both hands to bring it closer.

"Hello, young one." The voice took her by surprise, her hands dropping the flickering light. Her tiny frame jumped towards the source, eye widening in fear. But when she took in the person—no, not really a person… more of a being—before her, a small gasp escaped her lips.

Before her stood a man. He towered over her, though that was not hard since she was only six. He wore a suit of stars, almost completely blending into the background around her if not for the slight glow that encompassed his frame. But it was not his suit that interested her the most, but his… face? It was almost completely featureless, except for two silver eyes and a smiling mouth. She felt herself returning the smile.

"Do not be afraid." He said, immediately putting her at ease. Her hands found the bottom of her sleepshirt, the flowers bending beneath them. She could feel herself becoming shy, which wasn't unusual when she talked to new adults. But this man—being? She was still confused on what he was— put her at ease. At her reaction, the being bent down to her level, eyes still holding her hazel ones. She was short for her age, and even on his knee he still had to look down to her.

"Who are you?" She enquired, head tilting up to meet his gaze. As she did so, wild curls dislodged from their place, strands covering her face. His eyes were warm and inviting, as he moved the curls from her face.

"I have many names," The being started. "Some call me Man in the Moon, others call me Manny. Some call me MiM." Her face scrunched up, the confusion she felt before coming back. Her aunt and mum had told her stories about a man in the moon. But… they had said they were stories, fiction, a figment of imagination. And yet, here MiM stood, silver eyes watching her closely.

At her silence, MiM continued. "Did you not wish for a friend today young one?" The child almost chocked on her breath, eyes widening. Today had been the last day of school before winter break, and the last day for her bullies to torture her. Her mother had been late for pick up, which wasn't unusual since Christmas was coming, but the child wished she had been on time.

Marissa, her bully, had pushed her down in the mud, ruining the young blonde's jeans and coat instantly. She had taunted, teased, insulted, and continued to push her as she tried to get up. Her posse watched with glee, urging her to do more. The parents that stood around ignored them, obviously not wanting to get involved with the weird blonde girl who had been bumped up a grade.

It had gotten dark quickly that night, as it was winter and the shortest day of the year was approaching quickly. The moon had started to peak out as the sun set. After what felt like ages, Marissa's mother had showed up. With one last cruel act, in which she spit on the small blonde, she was gone. The child, humiliated and fighting back tears, had looked up to the moon and made a heartfelt wish. "I wish I had a friend."

After her shock, the blonde nodded vigorously, curls going everywhere. For the first time in a long time, a spark of hope came to the girl. MiM smoothed her wild hair once again, chuckling as he did. "Well, young one, I wish to be your friend."

"Really?!" She couldn't contain her excitement at his statement. Her body began to bounce, looking every inch the child she was. Maybe her luck was finally turning around. MiM seemed like he would be an amazing friend, especially if he lived on the moon. They could have playdates on the moon. "I want to be your friend too!"

"I am glad to hear that." MiM stated, the stars on his suit seeming to jump with happiness. The blonde reached out to trace them, wondering if this was the galaxy they lived in. Much like the stars around them, they jumped and danced under her fingers. She couldn't help but giggle.

However, too soon, MiM captured her attention once again. Clearing his throat, MiM place his hands on her shoulders, looking deep into her hazel eyes, which switched from gold, to green, to brown as the stars around them danced. His expression was serious, mouth pressed into a straight line. For a second, the child worried that this was all a trick.

"I must warn you young one, that there are forces in this world that do not like me. And if you become my friend, they may try to find you." He paused, taking a deep breath, collecting himself it seemed to the blonde. "With this knowledge, do you still wish to be my friend?"

Bringing a finger to her chin, the child tapped it, as if in thought. MiM waited in silence, silver calculating hazel. Soon, a brilliant, innocent smile graced her lips. She had made a decision, in all honesty she had made one when he first asked.

"Course I still want to be your friend! Friends look out for each other, so you'll look out for me right?" Her hands came to hold his, hers small and warm, while his was cooler. She met the immortal's eyes with determined ones. "And I'll look after you too. Promise." MiM laughed at the serious look before he hugged her. She melted into it, having not hugged a friend in a very long time. And his laugh was like a thousand ringing bells, beautiful and clear.

After a long silence, both enjoying their new found friendship, the little girl gasped, pulling away from her new friend. He looked at her, puzzled at the reaction. Guilty hazel eyes beamed back at him. "I forgot to introduce myself. Mummy says it's rude not to introduce oneself." MiM chuckled at her again, and she smiled even brighter.

Sticking out her hand, just like she had been taught, the blonde introduced herself. "My name is Astraea. Astraea Mae Toz. I am very pleased to meet you." MiM returned the shake, the stars dancing around him.

"It is very nice to meet you, Astraea."

Many years have passed since that day. Astraea had grown up since then, only months from her seventeenth birthday. The friendship they had cultivated since then had only gotten stronger, the unusual friends talking every night. MiM became her confidant, her best friend, her family in so many ways. Sometimes she believed herself to be crazy, yet the pendant MiM had gifted her on their meeting hung on her neck at all times. It was engraved with his symbol, a crescent moon and a silhouette of a man looking over it, presumably at earth…at her.

Just like MiM had promised, when a threat had surfaced, he had protected her. Though she hadn't realised the danger, MiM had made sure the war between immortals didn't touch her. He had kept her existence away from the others, thinking only trouble if people discovered his beloved.

But, as they say, nothing lasts forever. In the shadows, an enemy many thought was lost, began to stir, allying with the others. A world already on the brink of war. A family legacy only whispered behind closed doors. And a mortal, right in the smack of all of it, fighting for everything she believed in.

Welcome to the Remastered version of The Moon's Beloved. Enjoy.
I do not own RoTG.