4
Zomera was always a crowded city, Beta knew that. Not to mention the amount of merchants this time of year. Autumn was the biggest season for trading heavy items like animal skins, furs, and furniture. Weaving in and out of people, Beta and Luna made their way to the palace.
Luna gaped at it, "How did you get it to fit into this city? Beta, it's huge!"
Only hearing about the palace and it's beauty, Luna had to see it in order to believe it.
Beta smiled, "A few magical charms. I shrunk it and then put some enhancement charms back into it. Lovely, isn't it?"
They continued up the steps into the main corridor. It was quiet, too quiet as if no one was home, "No one is here to greet you, Beta?"
Beta simply ignored the question and ushered Luna up to the thrown room. As they walked in, Luna could have swore she saw her parents reflections in the wall sized window. Then again, maybe it was her imagination. She observed the room with it's high windowed ceiling and red plush carpet and seats, no wonder why people said this was the 'Palace of Dreams.'
"Come sit down Luna while I call up lunch." Beta said as she walked out of the room smiling and whistling cheerfully. She was glad that Luna was here to keep her company.
Taking another careful look at the room, Luna couldn't help to notice a purple velvet box displayed in the right hand corner. Curiosity beating her impoliteness, she walked up to the box and laid her hand on it. The feeling of cold water tricking down her spine sent Luna whirling through a warp. Keeping her eyes shut from the icy air blowing at her, Luna began to experience a suffocating feeling the was bringing her into a darkness. Trying her best to focus, Luna screamed.
All was silent and still, "What the hell was that."
She shook her head as though trying to rid of the splitting headache she had. Looking up to see where this bizarre box led her, Luna couldn't believe the sight she was seeing, it couldn't be true. She was laying on a kitchen tile floor looking up at her... parents.
"Mum! Dad!" Luna said happily as she got up and went over to her parents.
They were sitting at a table set for lunch. Happily talking to each other, Luna's parents failed to take notice in Luna herself.
She looked at her mum, "It's me, mum, it's Luna!"
Luna's mum did not make the slightest notion that she was even there. It was as if her parents were only a memory, a crevice in history.
They were a wonderful sight to see. Luna's father, David, was a handsome man with electric blue eyes. He was a smart and loved Luna very much. Her mother, Olivia, was the same way. She always made sure that Luna had the best. Luna always thought that her auburn locks were beautiful and matched her figure.
Taking a seat in between her parents at the table, Luna just looked at them wishing she could stay here, in this moment of time. As she continued to stare at her parents, Luna remembered the purple velvet box. She remembered reality. She bowed her head low as if trying to avoid her parents gaze. Brushing the wetness off her face, Luna looked up at both of her parents, "I miss you guys a lot. I am sorry that we haven't known each other very long," more tears trickled down her face, "But I'm happier now, but I still need some of the tart mum used to make."
She laughed to herself and said her final piece, "I just wanted to let you know that I love you so–"
"And they love you too Luna," said a voice from the distance, "please come."
Startled, Luna looked around, "What? Who? Come where?"
Then, all of a sudden, a hand reached out from what looked like a portal, "Back to the Glass Palace."
Luna sighed, she knew it was time to let her parents go. She kissed both of them and held onto the hand tightly. Within seconds, she was standing back at Beta's palace. They both sat down at the table, Luna just staring at her plate.
"It is interesting that you touched the Element, Luna." Beta said starting to eat her soup.
Luna sighed, "I saw my parents, but they didn't see me."
"Yes, I know that." Beta said concentrating on her soup.
Luna looked up, "You know that?"
"Don't forget I own that Element. Luna, look, what you saw was only a fragment of time, a little piece of your history. That is exactly what the Element's purpose is: to show you your prized anc cherished moments in your life, to go back and relive them."
All the colour washed out of Luna's face.
"Oh," Beta added, "the soup is delicious. Please eat it before I have to."
She smiled at Luna, but Luna did not return the gesture.
Just let it go until I finish lunch, just let it be.
She still had the Moon Stone in her possession. Placing it carefully on the table, Luna leaned over and took a big spoonful of soup.
Noticing the package on the edge of the table, Beta sat up straighter, "Er, Luna."
"Yes?"
"The object on the edge of the table, may I ask what it is?"
Luna shrugged, "It's for you. It's the Moon Stone."
She handed the package to Beta who stored it in her robes smiling, "Now, you must want to know why you're here."
Mouth full, Luna nodded vigorously.
"Alright then," Beta said twisting her fingers, "You need to help me. As you saw, the fortress that separated the sea from Zomera is gone. Thinking that it would be safe again with no invasions, I demanded that all news articles and circulated information that was distributed to the Zomerians should issue that there will not be another invasion, that there would be a peaceful reign."
Luna simply stared at her not knowing what to say. Instead, she continued to shove the soup in her mouth.
"Considering that you're an important part of this kingdom now," Beta continued, "Er, I don't know how to say this but the Moon Stone does not only contain my life, but yours too. I suppose it evolved after you were born because of your fate, your obligated duty to this kingdom."
Luna continued shoveling the soup down her throat. She didn't want to here this, she didn't want Beta to tell her any of this.
"And, um, well, you're the one that has to kill off Bayterin and save Zom–"
"NO!" Luna yelled. Her voice echoed throughout the vast thrown room, "No, Beta, that's not me. None of that is me or belongs to my future."
"But–"
"Look, I know I said I wanted to fight. I really want to, but I meant fight with the royal army, not alone! This is all fake, I'm not meant to do this."
"You are—"
"No, you let me finish." Luna said assertively, "I have no comment about you filling your civilians heads with nonsense. Why didn't you keep the fortress?"
"Because Bayterin disappeared and I thought it was safe!"
"Well, quite frankly, you thought wrong!"
Beta looked as though she was close to tears. Luna knew she was hard on Beta, and she regretted it. But rage was building up in Luna, "And what now? Are you going to tell me that we're related? Are we 'secret sisters?'"
Beta bit her lip, "Actually–"
Luna abruptly got up from the table and ran away.
"Luna, LUNA COME BACK!" Beta pleaded.
But Luna did not heed to Beta's pleads, she kept running through the palace corridors until she arrived in a sectored room. Anger swept through her as she wrenched open the door and slammed it shut.
Breathing heavily, she walked across the room and onto an outside deck where the kingdom of Zomera stood, sparkling happily. Luna then knelt down on the ground and cried. The burdens that she had to deal with were unbearable, she needed help.
"Darius!" she cried aloud, "Darius, I need you, please."
A flash of light came from the opposite side of the deck as she saw Darius looking at her solemnly. His black hair swayed lazily in the air. Darius' green eyes pierced Luna's as he held out his arms.
Luna pushed herself up and embraced Darius' tall figure. Trying her best to avoid his gaze, Luna just held tight to Darius. She felt protected by him as he embraced her.