AN: And we're up to the second last chapter! Ahhhh can barely believe it myself XD Well, I hope you'll enjoy reading and let me know what you think about the fluff at the end :3c

Chapter 26:

As the rays of orange and purple shimmered over the horizon of the setting sun, Drayce felt a sense of nervous anticipation rush through him. His heart wasn't exactly beating out of control, but it was faster than usual due to the excitement and uncertainty.

It was the night of the full moon.

This night was supposed the time that the light of the Radiant Moon could be seen.

If they don't find it tonight they'll need to wait for another moon cycle before they could go searching again.

Drayce sat on the edge of the couch as he stared out the window. "This is it," he murmured, his voice breaking the silence that had fallen over the seating room where everyone had gathered in preparation.

"Yes," Shashi replied as he paced over to the window to look out at the darkening sky. "The full moon will be upon us soon." He turned away from the window to look over at Drayce. "Will you be all right to enter the labyrinth?"

Drayce didn't immediately answer. His eyes drifted down to his injured leg. It was still heavily bandaged but the pain had most lessened. Neither Ashton or Fiorello were thrilled with the idea of him entering the labyrinth, but both Shashi and Zohar insisted that he needed to go.

He wanted to go also. He didn't want to miss this chance, this opportunity to finally bring the Radiant Moon home for good. So that Aura could truly rest in peace. And so could the Moon Legacy she created to help it.

"I'll take my cannon and one of my crutches to be sure," Drayce said as he pushed himself to his feet and picked up just one of his crutches before he shoved it under his right armpit. "I'll rely on Decoy Bunkers if anything should happen."

"C-can I come?" Caelem suddenly asked him, his voice ever so shaky from nervousness. "I want to see it, too."

Drayce immediately smiled at the red-haired masurao. "Of course, Cal," he said which caused Caelem to immediately smile brightly with relief. "Stay close to me or Blayke, though, just in case."

"Yes!" Caelem immediately replied, rather happily at that.

"I'll come too. For extra protection," Zohar said, his tone firm, leaving little room for argument. Which was unnecessary as Drayce wouldn't have argued with him anyway.

"Why don't we all go?" Shashi was the one to suggest as he glanced outside the window again. "I wish to see this Radiant Moon as well."

Surprisingly, Ashton was all for it. "Good idea. Just in case we should encounter any trouble, it would be best if we're all together."

Drayce was fairly certain it was because Ashton wanted to keep an eye on him, but he was glad and relieved nonetheless. Everyone being together would also reassure Caelem and make Faelen happy. But that also meant if Drayce accidentally and unintentionally pushed himself too far, Ashton would go into full-fledge caretaker mode and possibly throw him over his shoulder again.

Not a good look for a leader of a guild!

"Well, let's get going," Drayce said with a broad smile.

… … … … …

Venturing along the winding stairs and paths leading to the labyrinth was surprisingly easy at night. It was a little disconcerting in a way. But Zohar did say entering the labyrinth was far easier at night. Was the lack of guards something done on purpose, leaving the entrance free for anyone to roam in and out as they pleased? Did the guards not want to risk their own lives trying to keep others out, instead letting them make their own choices to enter at night?

Drayce would have to ask Virgil about it later.

He should probably be thankful for the lack of security. It would have raised a few eyebrows for nine people (and a wolf!) to suddenly waltz in all at once. More so if they find the Radiant Moon, too.

As they stepped into the lush greenery of Tutelary Forest, a feeling of nervousness began to pool in Drayce's chest. The soft light of the full moon above was all that illuminated their surroundings. The shadowy corners and thick foliage seemed far darker than that he had seen during the daylight hours. Even the rustling of the leaves and the sounds of nature sounded more…subdued, for a lack of a better word.

Their surroundings almost looked…foreign, in a way.

"The labyrinth is so different at night," Drayce commented as they stepped into the clearing that was located before the stairs and in front of the large pool of water at the very centre of the floor.

"Don't wander off, Shashi," Ashton chided as he reached out to take Shashi by the elbow and pull him against his side.

"Don't start fussing," Shashi chided in return, but didn't try to dislodge himself from Ashton's grip and instead continued to gaze at their surroundings.

Suddenly, Kamali tensed and his head shot up to look at their surroundings in a bewildered manner. "There's…" he trailed off as he continued to look around. Not exactly frantically, but almost as if he was truly and utterly baffled by something.

"What's wrong?" Drayce immediately asked.

"There's an ambience of mana," Kamali explained. "But I can't…pinpoint it." He turned to Shashi and gave him a questioning look. "Brother?"

"Hm, yes, I can feel it," Shashi replied almost absentmindedly before he tilted his head back to look up at the sky through the slight partings in the canopy above. "It's here. The height of the full moon."

Everyone immediately fell into a tense and somewhat uneasy silence.

After a moment Drayce felt something, too.

There was a notable…shift in the air. He couldn't quite explain it. Something felt different. He felt more aware of their surroundings. Mostly the energy that was slowly building around them. There was a sense of anticipation in the air. Something was going to happen. No…something was coming. Something benign. Gentle.

…The Radiant Moon was here.

Moonlight filtered down through the trees' canopy and moonbeams danced across the water's surface. The area was illuminated and bathed in a gentle white light.

Drayce suddenly felt a tingling sensation race down his spine when the moonbeams seemed accumulate in one area over the crystal clear and still waters in front of them. A circular beam of bright light. Heavenly and bright. Brighter than the light of the full moon itself.

"That's…" Drayce breathed as he stumbled forward a step.

"What?" Blayke immediately questioned.

"There's a light over there," Drayce paused in his movements to half turn to them and motion toward the obvious light shining from somewhere beneath the water directly in front of them. "In the water. Can't you see it?"

"No," Blayke immediately replied before he turned to regard everyone else. Silently they all shook their heads in answer and Blayke turned to look back at Drayce with an obvious expression of concern on his face. "No, we can't see it."

T-they couldn't see it?

"I can sense a sudden spike in mana, but I can't see anything," Kamali added.

"But it's so bright," Drayce insisted as he gripped tightly onto the handle of his crutch to turn around to face everyone. "You-"

"Where is this light?" Shashi interrupted as he quickly took a step toward him.

Drayce wordlessly shifted and pointed back toward the water as he glanced over also. Yup, that bright white light was still there. The colour of moonlight.

Shashi glanced over also and an expression of intense interest appeared on his face. "Hm." He hummed in thought for a moment with his brow furrowed in concentration. Suddenly he turned back to Drayce and unexpectedly made a grab for his crutch. "Can you walk without this?"

Drayce was understandably startled, but nodded his head as he relinquished his hold on it. "Yeah, I think so."

"Good," Shashi said as he retrieved the crutch from him and took a step back. He then motioned with his hand to the water. "Go to the water's edge. It's a light only you can see. Go. It's time."

Drayce stood still for a moment before he nodded his head and turned to face the radiant bright light. His leg still ached slightly but he ignored it to instead focus on the light before him. His steps were a little shaky, but he was moving forward nonetheless.

He soon reached the water's edge. And the light before him hadn't faltered in the slightest. It was mesmerising honestly. It was so bright, and yet gentle. It didn't hurt his eyes to look at it. It was like the glow of the moon. Soft. Gentle.

But…now what?

Drayce turned to look over his shoulder. "Uh, what do I do?" he asked somewhat sheepishly.

"Say the name in your head," Shashi instructed as Zohar moved to stand next to the scholar.

"Remember the reason why you wish to recall it home," Zohar added. "Call for it."

Call for it? Drayce wasn't entirely sure what that meant. But…he would try.

So he turned around to face the shimmering, glowing light once more. Unconsciously his hands moved to clasp themselves together tightly in front of him as he closed his eyes. He had to remember why he was searching for the Radiant Moon. What it meant to not only him, but to so many others. For the Earthlain Royal Family. For the Moon Mage. For his own ancestors.

For its own sake.

Radiant Moon of Compassion. It was time to return home.

Aura was sorry for what she had done in that one careless moment of jealousy and spite. She had learnt her lesson. She had lived a life of peace and servitude. Please forgive her.

So…come home now. Ramus was waiting.

Please.

From behind his closed eyes Drayce saw a flash of bright light. He immediately opened his eyes and before him, floating majestically upon the clear, still waters of Tutelary Forest was a sceptre. It stood tall, a brilliant blue moonstone as the pinnacle. Crystallised vines curled and wound around the staff, reaching towards the beautiful blue stone. The staff, as tall as Drayce was, appeared to have been made from the purest clear quartz. It shimmered and sparkled under the light of the full moon far above.

It was the Radiant Moon!

It was…beautiful. Truly beautiful.

Slowly Drayce raised his hands toward it. He hesitated for a moment before reaching forward, his hands open and welcoming.

He felt a gentle warmth flow through him, from the very top of his head down to his toes as the Radiant Moon drifted toward him and he enclosed his hands gently around the staff. He knew what this meant. The Radiant Moon had heard his words and accepted them. Accepted him. It was ready to return home, too. Its wait was over.

"It's…good to finally meet you," Drayce said softly as the Radiant Moon settled gentle and securely into his hands. And he smiled when the blue moonstone shimmered with a gentle light in response.

He could almost hear a voice in his head say, "I've been waiting for you, too."

"Drayce?"

Promptly remembering where he was and what was occurring, Drayce ensured that he had a firm grip on the Radiant Moon before he turned to face everyone again. And he smiled at their expressions of pure surprise and disbelief.

"We've found it, guys," he said. "The Radiant Moon of Compassion."

There was a moment of silence as everyone stared at him in awe. But they soon rushed toward him and encircled him, and asking him an array of questions. Was it really the Radiant Moon? How did he know? Where did it come from? How did he get it? A lot of really good questions.

Drayce, however, could only chuckle at their questions. They were all so excited and thrilled at the discovery. Their relief and wonder was palpable. And sincere.

That was what treasure hunting was about, wasn't it?

"So this is the Radiant Moon of Compassion," Shashi murmured as he held out a hand toward the beautiful sceptre, but didn't touch it. "It's truly beautiful."

"To think that it's been here for at least nine hundred years," Ashton commented. However, his attention didn't seem to be on the Radiant Moon, but rather at their surroundings. "And no one knew."

It was truly amazing. It was so close, and yet so out of reach.

"Drayce, your foot," Blayke unexpectedly exclaimed.

"Huh?" Drayce uttered as he immediately glanced down at his injured leg. And promptly realised that he stood upon it fully. It was flat against the ground and there wasn't a single twinge of pain. He thought that perhaps the discovery of the Radiant Moon had pushed that pain aside.

But as he tested his foot he realised he couldn't feel any pain. None at all. In fact other than feeling restricted from the thick bandages, it felt completely fine.

"It doesn't hurt," Drayce said with a confused tone.

Fiorello immediately inspected his leg and an expression of confusion also appeared on his face. "It's been completely healed," he said.

Wait, that feeling of warmth he felt…Was it…?

Drayce chuckled again. It must have been!

"It was the Radiant Moon, I believe," Drayce said as he turned his attention back to the stunning blue moonstone.

"It must have healed you in thanks," Zohar was the one to suggest.

Drayce turned his gaze away from the Radiant Moon to look over at Zohar. Zohar stood at the back of the group, but not excluded in anyway. He looked unsure, and yet there was a tender expression on his face. As if…the thing he had hoped to happen had and he was pleased with the results.

Drayce smiled at him in return and tilted his head to the slight playfully. "I think so, too."

"Well, well," a new and completely unfamiliar voice suddenly drawled from the direction leading deeper into the labyrinth. "Isn't this interesting?"

Drayce immediately tensed as did everyone else. "What?" he uttered as he pulled the Radiant Moon close and turned in the direction of the voice.

From a path that led deeper into the first floor three figures appeared. At the very front of the small group was a man dressed similar to that of a dragoon. Shield in one hand as a large cannon rested casually in the other. His long black hair fell down his back and shoulders in flowing waves. His eyes were that of a piercing blue, though one was hidden behind an eyepatch.

He didn't recognise the tall dragoon with the eyepatch at all. Not even vaguely. But he immediately got a bad feeling from him. The way he actually swaggered toward them, his steps purposeful yet arrogantly casual as a smirk, the smuggest smirk he had ever seen on his lips. He was intimidating and he knew that he was.

Although he didn't know who the hell this guy was, he definitely recognised the tall pugilist and short necromancer that stood arrogantly on either side of him.

"You guys again, huh?" Drayce said with a tone of annoyance as the others of the guild immediately created a protective circle around him and the Radiant Moon.

"I-it's them," Caelem whimpered as his ears folded back and he shuffled meekly back.

"Tch," Blayke spat as he threw out an arm in front of Caelem and urged him to hide behind him, which he did so quickly. And gratefully. He even went as far as to cling lightly on the back of Blayke's armour.

Drayce felt his own protectiveness rise at Caelem's reaction.

"So you did save the Therian," Tomlin commented with a grin that was practically deranged on his lips. "Aren't you guys' noble?"

"Which is more than can be said for you," Blayke immediately spat in return as his hand tightened around his rapier. "What the fuck do you want now?"

"Now," the dragoon drawled at them with that smirk still in place. "Don't go getting all offensive on me. I'm merely a spectator."

"You're also outnumbered," Drayce retorted as he clutched the Radiant Moon against his chest and glared at the unknown dragoon. There was no way in hell he was going to let this guy, this bandit, anywhere near the Radiant Moon or his guildmates.

He wasn't sure what he could do, but you better believe he would do something!

The dragoon just chuckled, but the mirth from it made Drayce cringe. "I'm not after that sceptre."

Drayce arched a sceptical eyebrow at him. "I find that hard to believe."

The smirk on his face seemed to widen at that. "Don't get me wrong, I know that it's worth a shit-ton of money, but I also know that someone as...antagonistic as I wouldn't have been able to get near it." His gaze locked straight onto Drayce and seemed to forget that everyone else was there. "Right?"

"…What do you know about it?" Drayce asked as he subconsciously tightened his hands around the Radiant Moon.

But when he felt a pulse of energy from the sceptre, he loosened his grip. The energy calmed him ever so slightly. He was still cautious though, which was completely understandable.

"Oh, this and that," the still unnamed dragoon answered flippantly. "I can also see that thing has a deva or two. So chances are it would beat me senses should I try to take it from you now. I could easily do so, mind you. But for this time only, I'll hold back."

Drayce felt his eye twitch. This guy…was pure arrogance. And totally getting on his nerves. "How thoughtful of you."

"I know," he returned as his smirk took a decidedly more sadistic edge. "It's because I may have found something far more enticing to hunt."

Drayce really didn't like the way his eyes seemed to narrow in on him when he said that. And he could feel the others around him also bristled with subtle protectiveness. "...Who the hell are you?"

The dragoon feigned disbelief. "Oh? You don't know who I am? How shameful," he chided as he took a few steps closer, yet again prompting the others of Drayce's guild to bristle.

Blayke and Ashton in particular.

"My name is Keane," he finally introduced himself. "A name you will be hearing a lot, Treasure Hunter."

Treasure hunter? How did he know he was a treasure hunter? Drayce had only told a small handful of people. Could they have unintentionally told this guy?

"How do you know that?" Drayce demanded.

Keane just sighed mockingly. "Typical Treasure Hunter. Too nosy for your own good. But if you must know; I did some snooping. Imagine my surprise to learn that a Pendragon had moved into town. You come from quite the notorious family, don't you?"

Drayce felt a wry grin slip across his lips. "You have no idea."

"I should probably be annoyed," Keane said as he continued to slowly approach them, Tomlin and Bronson staying eerily silent and unmoving behind him. "Treasure hunters like you are quite interfering in the life of a bandit, after all."

So he actually admitted that he was a bandit. Typical.

"But..." Keane drawled as he once again locked eyes with Drayce, blatantly ignoring everyone else. "You're quite pretty, aren't you? This should be fun."

…Fun?

"What the fuck does that mean?!" Blayke finally snapped.

Keane's gaze shifted toward Blayke and his conceited expression faltered for a second. He actually looked agitated. But that smug smirk from before soon returned to his lips and he flippantly waved at them as he changed his trajectory to head in the direction of the stairs leading back into town.

"Unfortunately it's goodbye for now, Pretty Boy," Keane said as he clicked his fingers arrogantly, summoning both Bronson and Tomlin to follow him. "But we will meet again. And soon."

Drayce clenched his jaw in annoyance and remained silent until the three of them, those ratty bandits, were out of sight. He didn't know what that Keane was capable of, but he got a seriously bad vibe from him.

Better make sure that none of his guildmates encounter him again.

"Drayce…?" Faelen worriedly said his name.

Drayce immediately plastered a reassuring smile on his lips as he looked over at Faelen. "It'll be all right," he said. "He's just a cocky bandit. He's full of hot air."

Forget him, anyway. They've got more important things to think about. For example the beautiful sceptre he was holding!

"Never mind him," Drayce continued as he loosened his tight grip around the sceptre. "We have the Radiant Moon. Let's head home."

"What of the seal on the treasure chest?" Kamali reminded him.

Drayce glanced in the direction of where the stone treasure chest of Aura's was located. "Let's return tomorrow morning," he said as he looked back toward the stairs that would take them back to town. "Not comfortable waltzing around at night. Also it would be best if we can take everything to Ramus at once."

Speaking of Ramus, their Earthlain Prince was going to get the surprise of his life!

… … … … …

Drayce stood in the library before the table where the Radiant Moon lay upon a white cloth. The room was dark, the only source of light from the full moon outside the open window. It was approximately midnight now, and after the excitement of discovering the Radiant Moon had died down (for the most part at least), everyone had decided to rest for the night.

Tomorrow they would return to the place of the stone treasure chest that Moon Legacy led them to and lift that one last seal. To find the one last piece of Lilith's life as a princess before she took the name of Aura Pendragon.

Drayce himself should be sleeping. But he was restless. No surprise. The famous treasure he had heard from his childhood lay before him. He was also feeling surprisingly energetic. It was likely from the Radiant Moon. He had felt its energy flow through him after all. And his leg had been miraculously healed completely. No scars. No proof of any kind of injury. The Radiant Moon had healed him.

It truly was an amazing treasure.

Slowly, Drayce reached out to gently trail his fingertips over the magnificent blue moonstone.

He was so glad to have found it. And that it was safe and sound.

And tomorrow it could finally return home.

The sound of footsteps behind him caused Drayce to pull his hand back and to glance over his shoulder. He was some surprised by who had entered the library with him.

"Zohar?" Drayce uttered before a smile spread across his lips and he turned to face him fully. "Hey."

Zohar nodded his head in greeting as he stopped before him. "Unable to sleep?"

"No surprise," Drayce replied with a chuckle and turned to look upon the Radiant Moon once more. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he couldn't help but comment as Zohar stepped beside him to gaze upon the legendary treasure, too.

"Hm," was all that Zohar said in return.

They fell into a somewhat comfortable silence. Somewhat because Drayce couldn't help but notice that Zohar seemed to contemplating something. That was what he got from the expression on his face he caught as he glanced at the talented necromancer next to him anyway.

However, before he could ask Zohar if there was something bothering him Zohar cleared his throat. And Drayce immediately turned to give him his attention.

Zohar looked at him for a moment. "I wish to remain," he suddenly said.

"Remain?" Drayce repeated before his eyes widen. "You're joining the guild?"

Zohar nodded his head once. But it was a strong nod. A resolute one. He had made up his mind.

"That's great!" Drayce said as a broad smile spread across his lips.

Drayce's enthusiasm for him to join the guild caught Zohar off guard for a moment and he looked genuinely surprised. But his gaze soon softened.

Drayce wanted to ask him about his own goal he had been reaching for all by himself, but decided against it. He didn't want to remind him of it. And possibly make him reconsider joining.

"I'm…I'm relieved," Drayce said as he flushed lightly and scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Heh. There were times when I thought of you as a guildmate already. You just…fit in so well with everyone, you know?"

"I have…things that I wish to do," Zohar said and his eyes took on a faraway gaze for a mere moment, but he soon blinked that away to regard Drayce once more. "But I do not see the harm in pushing that aside for a while to join a guild."

"Ah," Drayce made a sound of understanding. "You know, just because you've joined doesn't mean you can't also focus on whatever it is that your goal is. We can help." He found himself looking deep into Zohar's eyes. "I can help."

Zohar held his gaze and a small smile slipped across his lips. "I know," he said before a look of unease took over his face. "There's…"

Drayce urged him to continue. "Hm?"

Zohar pressed his lips together tightly as he mulled over his words. "That is not the reason why I wish to join, though."

"Oh? What-?"

The question died on Drayce's lips as Zohar unexpectedly moved to stand behind him. And before Drayce could even consider asking him what he was doing Zohar lifted his arms and gently wrapped them around his shoulders and chest, tenderly pulling him back against his chest.

Drayce's arms fell limp by his sides as his heartrate suddenly increased as his back pressed against Zohar's bare chest. His face also felt unexpectedly hot as he felt Zohar press his chin against his right temple almost tenderly.

Zohar was…hugging him? No, w-wait…holding him…

"Eeh?" Drayce stuttered as he attempted to peer up at Zohar but the way he was holding him still, all he could manage was to peer at him from the corner of his eye. "Z-Zohar?"

"I want to join to protect you," Zohar said, his words unexpected and his voice firm.

Drayce managed to wiggle an arm free and he reached up in an attempt to tug at one of Zohar's arms when he paused, his fingertips a mere half an inch from Zohar's arm. "P-protect me?" he murmured, honestly quite confused.

"I do not like the way that bandit was looking at you," Zohar explained as he moved his head slightly. Almost as if he was…nuzzling him?

"Ah, I see…" was all Drayce could find the words to utter.

So he was worried about that Keane guy as well, huh? Both Blayke and Ashton had already expressed their own concerns to him. But Drayce himself wasn't worried. Well not really. As long as those bandits focused their attention on him, the safer the rest of his guild would be. That was his logic at least.

Wait…Zohar had declined his other offers to join before stating that he had something he needed to do alone. So did that…?

Was protecting him more important to Zohar right now than his previous purpose?

That was…

Drayce lightly touched his arm. "I…appreciate the support. And I'm glad to have you as a member of my guild. I'll…also try to keep myself out of danger so you won't worry so much. But…it's good to know that I have someone to back me up should anything happen."

Unexpectedly, Zohar's arms tightened around him ever so slightly. And Drayce felt his face burn hotter.

It was unnerving how dizzy he suddenly felt.

"A-ah, it's getting late," Drayce began to prattle to hide his strange bout of nervousness. "We have to return to the labyrinth tomorrow and then present everything to Ramus at the Council Hall. Heh, there's a lot of explaining to do…"

Zohar didn't say anything in return. He just drew in a slow breathe which for some unknown reason made Drayce's heart skip a beat before he made a slight sound of agreement. And began to pull away from him.

And as Zohar drew his arms away Drayce felt an unexpected cold wash over him and he was left momentarily bewildered at the feeling. However he managed a smile to his lips, albeit a somewhat nervous one, and he walked with Zohar as they both left the library.

Getting some sleep after everything that had happened, after that had happened, won't be easy. But he had to at least try. Or Ashton would lose his shit again.

That was something he didn't want to happen…