The moon is a signal that the worst is yet to come. The light of Evil is yet to show its face and only a small fire burns. The moon signals speed due to its quick changes, and the moon is a signal that you are not alone in darkness when the shadows are out to get you and Death is lurking behind every door.
The runner quickly found a place to hide. They were tired, and the warrior was very sick from their encounter with the pre-supernova sun. In their speed, they had forgotten to restock supplies, and survival was the necessity the two shared.
A short distance away from the ring, a small town rose out of the mist from a nearby lake. A crescent moon rested above them as they knocked on the door of an apparent temple. Inside an old man and his wife were sitting beside a fire, commenting on the day▓s events. They quickly offered the two a meal, but the runner begged for speed.
⌠But you▓re sick, your friend is. Let him stay here to get well,■ the wife begged, but the runner refused.
⌠Then let me take him to the Healer by the river. ▒Tis only a short walk from here,■ the man offered. When the warrior vomited again, the runner knew that choice he would make.
⌠How long will it take? I refuse to leave him, but people are after me, the bad kind, and he insists on remaining by my side. If this is quick, then I can keep his wishes.■
⌠▓Tis merely a flash, darling. Come now, we travel to the river, where the moon shine can heal us all,■ the wife grinned. Gaps were everywhere inside her mouth, but her demeanor was pleasant enough. The four of them got onto a carriage and rode closer to the lake. The sound of running water could be heard, and when the lake was visible, it shimmered magically from the crescent moon▓s light. The warrior, drifting in and out of consciousness at this point, thought it was the end of his life. He murmured in his sleep, and the runner realized the danger.
⌠Can▓t you go any faster?■ the runner pleaded. The old man shook his head and laughed.
⌠Must be from one of them ships, Martha. He thinks these ole war horses can perform magic!■ he exclaimed, laughing heartily and slapping his knee.
⌠Let me out! I can get there faster on my own!■ the runner yelled, jumping from the carriage without an answer and carrying the warrior under his arm as he went. He ran past the carriage, following the path and turning when the rush of water grew louder. He banged ferociously at the door. A gruff, older man answered, cursing under his breath.
⌠What? Don▓t you know what time it is?■ he mumbled.
⌠Can you heal this man?■ the runner asked frantically, near angrily.
A smile lit up the healer▓s five-o▓clock shadow. ⌠Sorry for the rudeness, mate. Right inside; put him on the red chair. You pull a hard bargain, mate, nearly breaking me door down. Must be your brother.■
⌠He needs help while you▓re blabbering! What can you do for him and fat? The Wraith are after us!■ the runner bellowed. The smile disappeared as the healer pulled out a bottle.
⌠I▓m a healer, not a curer, but if we get him to hold this down, he▓ll be fine,■ the healer whispered, pouring the bottle▓s contents into a make-shift saucepan and lighting a small fire. After a minute, the liquid babbled and the healer removed it, placing the liquid in a bottle-like syringe. He put it in the warrior▓s mouth and eased the liquid inside. After a minute, nothing had happened.
⌠Well?■ the runner asked.
⌠Things take time, Sir!■ the healer screamed angrily. The runner nodded and felt the warrior to see if he was alive. He was burning hot, but his breathing had normalized. He slowly began to awaken. When he had fully come to, another knock sounded at the door and the old couple walked inside.
⌠Nice to see him livin▓,■ the woman smiled.
⌠I owe you both an apology, for everything. We really must go now, in a hope to save your planet,■ the runner whispered. Respectful gestures were exchanged all around, and the runner carried the warrior outside. They were quickly to the ring and left the planet behind, leaving their troubles to the crescent moon.