Lunar Memories


"A-Agh…!"

With what little bit of strength in his weakened body, the young man forces his eyes to open and his aching body to remove itself from the solid ground beneath him.

His bright, nearly golden shape of eye color, takes a scan of the surroundings after the blurriness fades away, placing the boy in further question as he appears to be in some kind of ruin of an ancient castle or temple.

Little light can be found to illuminate its appearance; one thing remains unchanged, however, and he can sense it even beyond these aging wells is the atmosphere. One that, unlike any, can be felt on Earth.

His scanning eyes soon placed on a luxury craft pair of doors, which oddly remain unstretched compared to the rest of the room he is standing by.

With no sense of destination that can be made if he remains still, he comes closer until his outstretched hand grips the handle and turns it, slowly pushing it open for his first step to searching for any signs of life.

"Huh…?"

However, the moment his feet had stepped through the door frame, a soft, harmless flash of light assaulted his sights one more as he shielded them with his hand until it faded as quickly as it came.

His eyes are on the search one more time, and this time, it is as if the breath has been knocked out of his lungs, gasping in amazement at the sight before his gaze.

"Wow…"

A garden filled with roses of various colors coordinated with a well-kept floor of soft grass, one that made even a grown person want to take off their shoe to feel it with their feet and run around on it like a child again.

His body failed to resist the eagerness to enter the place, the gentle scent of bloomed roses teasing his scene of small with the sweetness of nature far suppress any expensive bottle of perfume a woman would pour her money on.

Bathing in the light of the night, illuminating his surroundings with their beauty, the ruin he had found himself awakened was no more and replaced with a palace built in white stones. One that is fitted for a family of long-passing lines of nobility beyond any known and found in Earth's history.

He also did not miss to look down at his attire, the plain pieces of clothes he had forgotten to change out before collapsing on the bed were replaced by a set of well-made ones, designed for some sort of nobility of high-standard. Complete with a sword in its scabbard by the side of his waist.

"Just… where am I…?"

Twisted with questions, he set his gaze to the night above, wondering if the little sparkling stars and moon from afar could offer a hint…

However…

"What… in the world…!?"

What offered him these hints, however, was not the stars or the moon, but rather…

The Earth itself.

"If this… the Moon…? I'm on the moon…?"

It was perhaps the most obvious thought that entered his mind, yet common sense sparkled conflict with the idea.

Why and how? The last thing he remembers was having a quick late dinner from coming home late. Everyone was already asleep, and after that, exhaustedly collapsed on the bed after a long day of part-time job and overtime switch.

And now, here he is in this alien castle, dressing like some kind of royalty and literally looking down on Earth from the Moon. It's not even his taste, for being a modern-day middle school student and general store part-time worker, he prefers to look plain and easy to move around without acting too fancy or too overly formal.

"Ugh… This is not the best place or time to complain about looks…! I need to get home and sleep for school tomorrow… maybe this is just some weird dream…?"

With that through out loud, he begins to pit his own skin or pull a couple of his fury red hair.

"Ugh… Not working, not enough pain."

There is a tree in front of ya.

"Sound like a plan, pain is what I live for, hehe…"

He gets down and on the ready for moments, reflecting on skills he had memorized into the muscles from physical class to perform the top speed at the start off.

"3… 2… 1!"

Like a rush of gale, the image of his form nearly seems to usually disappear into a blurring flash of speed that knocks out the air in a straight strike forward.

He isn't at the top of the PE class for nothing!

Yet, somehow...

*Teleportation*

"Huh, Fen-?"

"Woah!? Get out of the wayyyy!"

But -

*Rumbling!*

It was too late…

"Agh… what the… where did you even pop up…?"

He asks while nursing the red bump appearing on his forehead.

One thing confirmed, however, is that he's still in the dream, which means this is real.

Or it's simply still not enough pain…

"Owie… What kind of question is that? It's my house, so of course I can teleport in it!"

He finally opened an eye and glanced at the person who interrupted him from his task. Judging by the sound of their tone, it must be a girl -

"!?"

"What? Is there something on my face? Or if you ended up ruining my makeup charging like a bull? Is this another one of your dumb games, headbutting your twin sister!?"

What's going on? What kind of dream is this…?

The girl before him appears to be of the same age as his, adopting a long pure white gown that seems to flow with the invisible wind. Trailing at the back, was a white gauzy bow with long fluttery ribbons. As well has several intricately decorated bodices with gold hoops, yet even with little jewelry and the lack of a crown, it does not fail to bring out her status as a royalty figure.

Soft, long, golden hair that nearly touches the floor, which she ties and stylizes into two buns of twin tails, in a sense, akin to that of a pair of bunny ears. Pure, ocean blue eyes color. As well as a golden crescent moon is symbolized on her forehead which may to mark her status as a member of the royal in place of a crown.

"Uhh… Brother? Are you still there? You didn't headbutting people too hard you ended up losing your memory, did you…? Hello~!"

"You are…"

"Uh, Yes brother?"

He just… needs to confirm it…

After all. His little sister is…

*Creek pit*

"Awwhh…!? Bug Brathor, woat r u doing?"

"What Are You, a lazy crybaby princess who never did her math beyond one thousand and who has too much free time fantasizing about some weirdo knights in shining armor."

Pitting both sides of her cheeks and outstretching them.

"Y r u su meme~!?"

After all, his sister is still a crybaby middle-school student who never did her math beyond one hundred and spends too much free time fantasizing about some weirdos wearing a tuxedo and masks.

Did she drag him out in the middle of the night while he was asleep to film some weird cosplay soap operas?

Either way, he decided to spare her cheeks for now. The last thing he needs tomorrow for their parents is why her cheeks are sore red.

"Owie~! Why are you so mean? Don't you know how ungentlemanly you are for doing that to a lady? I'm the princess of the moon kingdom. What will the people of other noble families say if they see a figure of high standard getting bullied like a child by her own big brother!?"

So, the self-proclaimed "Princess of the Moon Kingdom" says, pouting while nursing her sore cheek meat from the scratch.

"And they all came down to one things that remain true if you're still calling me big brother, it is the bigger one's job to bully their little sister. And if you're a princess, then that means I'm the prince, so who can question how I should treat my sibling?"

Well, at least there's no real harm in him playing along; it's nothing else than for their parents to add it to their baby girl's childhood album of the poor girl.

"Stop treating me like a child already! I'm in my coming of age already, I have to live it up to the exception as the future queen of our kingdom and the people. You should, too, as the prince and knight commander of Phoenix Dawn cavalry force."

Well, quite an imagination you got there, sis.

"Logical, but nah, I'm still too dumb to get the point of those boring tea parties, dress all fancy, and talk high and mighty. Maybe you feel like it is your responsibility to live up to a bunch of fat pigs on horseback expectations. But me? Just chill, friends, you can sit back and watch as I bring back the glory shoulder by shoulder with my brothers and sisters in arms."

Hey, I don't get to read the spot, so I have to make my own stunt. Those stage performance classes finally come in handy, who knows, maybe I am a natural actor after all.

"sigh... There you go again…, in your reckless barbarian self. We're not here to start a war with everyone. Our kingdom and its neighbors, forming the Silver Millennium, had distanced ourselves from any major conflict many, many thousands of years ago."

Silver… Millennium? It could be something she'd written down on the paper for her little story, but…

What's this strange sense of familiarizing…?

"Violence and bloodshed will bring nothing but suffering, despair, and death. What does a short moment of glory mean if it were to pass a legacy of hatred to the next generation? I just hope that you did not too quick to forget what mother has taught us… After all… it was war that we…"

"We never truly get to know our father…"

Damn, you have to go that far? What kind of projects are you having for the school stage this month, Romeo and Juliet war crime version?

"Hey sis, don't you think you get a bit too in character?"

He asks as his usual self, not some kind of prince and high commander of some sort of moon crusader force…

"I… beg your pardon…?"

Oh come on, you enjoy this too much…

"yawning~! Come on, sis, let's cut it here and go back to bed; we still have school tomorrow. I get it. You want to look the best on your very first MC role this month, but it must be late as heck now…"

He says, all suddenly feeling exhausted when dropped the act.

"School…? MC role…?"

Stop being so cute…

"Seriously, Serenity. I finished school and ran straight to work overtime to boost. I'm dead tired and need my beauty sleep even if it means oversleeping and being late for class…"

Maybe I should really stop gaming for hours and take better care of myself…

Wait, what did I just call her? Her name was…

Maybe this thing is starting to get in my head as well…

"Either way, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go to bed just yet. It was a bit past the exact days, but Mother has finally had the time to hold a ball in celebrating your coming of age and safe return. Mother even cooks your favorite dish herself! You simply can't be missing!"

Coming of age? Do you mean my birthday? That was a few days back and we celebrated it with a family dinner already. What got into you, Serenity?

Tch…! There that name again. Better question: yeah, what got into me that I can't even speak my little sister's name right? The blondie that I carried in my arms the day she came to this world…

"Sis, don't you feel something is kinda off?"

*Bells ringing!*

Before he could receive a reply, however, the bells located at the top of the castle tower started, akin to the one you would hear near and in the church when the clock had set a certain number.

"Oh! Look at the time; I forgot why I came in the first place; no thanks to someone with the habit of headbutting people. Come on, brother, let's get back to Mother before the ceremony starts!"

He was given no time to consider as Serenity took hold of his hand and dragged him with her.

"What ceremony? Is it even our concern!?"

"Of course it does! It's your coming of age, silly. I think Mother has something surprising for you! And sweet cake for the bonus~!"

This is so weird. Did Mom and Dad sign up for this play as well? Or is this Mother is someone else entirely?

Just what is going on? Serenity, sis…

No, your name is…

His thoughts were for himself, however. Either way, they were able to reach the palace's main building through the back entrance and to the second floor without any difficulty.

From on top of the second floor, the guests can be seen entrancing through the front as multiple names are being called by the Chancellor, most likely of some sort of standard or two.

"Can't you just magic us back like how you pop up out of nowhere just now? Why even sneak through the back door?"

He asks, trying to distract himself from the stranger situation on the display as his surroundings are becoming more and more realistic by the second as he cannot spot any hints of cameras or a stage performance piece of technology.

Or so, he had tried to convince himself this was just a very strange dream, a major stage performance drill, or the biggest prank in history.

"Huh? I Thought you hated teleportation, you always complain about how it feels like a painful stomach wrecking. And while it may look simple, teleportation takes a lot of mama to perform the spell. I will pass out if I use it twice a day…"

"That's because you never do anything that actually improves your physical. What have you been doing recently? Too busy writing some weeb novels about knights in shining armor sweeping your feet off?"

"Of course not! I'll let you know I've been showing results in my studies, taking dance and singing practices, and manners management as a lady. Ugh, can you imagine what it's like to hear those old fat belly nobility talking for hours, acting like you enjoy listening to their boring self-proclaim glory? Oh, of course, you don't, because you would rather go out to the outer ring looking for a fight while leaving your twin younger sister dealing with these boring tasks on daily routines!"

"Hey, you want to be a Princess, right? That's what Princesses do day by day. It's a wish come true so what to complain about? What will the people of the Moon kingdom think if their acting like an insufferable little girl? Not a good impression, I'm sure."

"That's exactly the core of my suffering. Aww… how will I get to be more like Mother? She is beautiful, kind, and rarely, or none at all, ever complains about everything dealing with a mountain of problems while ruling this kingdom for thousands of years after the Great Galaxy War… she was a legend and my inspiration to be a queen like her."

Serenity or whatnot, she's still the same as…

"Hey."

"Huh? Yes, brother?"

Perhaps he is simply getting used to the momentum surrounding him, but…

"Can you… retell the story? Of Mother and that Great War?"

But somehow, it only feels right to ask…

What is this sense of deja vu? At the top of this floor…

In fact, he feels as though the entire scenario that led them to this point of the conversation was a massive back to the past for him. And he was simply trying to fool himself into questioning the difference between dream and reality…

"Once, the world was filled with nothing but primal, existences that know no morality other than the need to serve one hunger and wicked satisfaction. And planet Gaia, with its rich resourceful skin given by Mother Nature, becomes the wanted landscape for their ceaseless conquest. Soon, Gaia, and her siblings, including our home planet, Luna, are slaves to these elderly existences and their wicked view of order in fear and chaos..."

They share a view out to the sparkly of heaven above. His gaze set its mark on Earth or Gaia as she called it, listening as the Princess of the moon retold the tale of which they may have heard many, many times ago.

"Then, in the quest to seek liberation, the first chosen guardian of the moon, guided by the light of the ancient Silver Crystal, sinks across the ocean of stars in search of the beings of pure light. And for what can be described as a fruitless eternity journey, the guardian of the moon, through her faith and unbound sense of determination. The Star of Light, and horse of the Titans, had unveiled its presence to her sight."

He gazes follow the direction of where she's pointing as if she knew just exactly what lay across the destination beyond this sea of stars.

The Star of Light, and horse of the Titans…

It sounds so childish as it is something that you tell a kid to sleep during bedtime or a heroic TV show…

And yet, why does it sound so true to my ears…? It as is I…

"Her effort was not in vain as her pleas for help were answered by the warm hands of the beings of light, the first to step forward was a powerful warrior who carried the spirit of the immortal bird. Since then, an oath of companionship has bloomed the day they have reached their hands for each other."

Love blooms, regardless of their inheritance, huh…

"Together, shoulder by shoulder and hand in hand. With the combined strength and power of miracles, they spark the flame of liberty, justice, and order. Become the guiding light that shines the path for others to follow in one banner. This event was then known to the generation as the Starcross Revolution. A great war against the order of fear set by the Elder beings."

The Elder beings… was she actually referring to some kinda Lovecraftian space monsters? It can't be…, those were just fictional, right…?

"The war lasted for years untold, with countless bloodshed and deaths bringing the destruction of many stars and the fall of order. Sorrow, depression, and despair are the inevitable emotions set in the hearts of many. With only a tiny glitter of hope to light their spirit and faith, believing in a better tomorrow. And so, the miracle had once again smiled and the effort of those of the pure heart was rewarded."

"Together, the Titans of Light and the first generation of Star Guardians had defected, exiled, and sealed many of the ancient evils. A new order of peace, justice, and freedom was embodied in this phase of history. Soon, the Titans of light returned to their home star, but always watching over and ready to reach out their hands to those in need. A glorious city was built on the center of Luna in honor of the sacrifice of the first generation of Star Guardians, becoming the home of many across the Solar ring and those who have lost theirs."

Suddenly, he felt the warmth and gentle grip of her hands on his own. Their eyes reflect one another like two sources of light.

"Serenity…"

"That city is our home, the kingdom of Silver Millennium. Guided by the first Guardian and Queen of the moon kingdom, our mother. And watched over by the light of hope of our father, a Titan of Light. So, Fenix, dear brother. No matter what route you are taking and where you settled, the Silver Millennium will and always be yours to come back to."

Home, huh? Here? In this dream…

"So this is where you've been hiding to avoid being the center of attention, aren't you? Lord Fenix."

Huh?

He turns to look at the causal and chill feminine voice.

She appears to be a few years older than them, young and likely in early adulthood with an air of maturity to come by.

With the way she dresses in her usual field attire, it doesn't look like she's here to converge the ball below. Dressing in a simple black corset top that embraces her form from the torso down the waist finely, with fitted black skinny tight jeans, as well as high-knee leather boots and a dark blue jacket over the shoulders.

Shoulder-length short black hair which she stylized the front wave to a side mask that veiled her left eye, while her sharpened disclosed one was a deep shade of violet.

"Ange?"

The name slides from the edge of his lip the moment he shares a gaze with her own.

What's going on? Why did I know her name? She is…

"Fenix, who is this?"

Serenity asks from behind curiously.

"We never met, my lady Princess Serenity, future Queen of the Silver Millennium. I am called Angelica or Ange, a bounty hunter originating from the planet Uranus. I am currently in the service of my lord, Prince Fenix of the Moon Kingdom on his un-glory quest for Justice, defeating evils that rarely ever have the nerve to step past the outer ring. We get paid by the majesty here, so there's not much to complain about, aren't we? My lord~ "

Her one uncovered eye pierced a teasing look at the high-horse red-haired prince who could do nothing but break a sweat at being found guilty in front of his own sister.

"Oh, I see. A pleasure to meet you as well, lady Angelica. But at least Big Brother is fighting dangerous criminals and beasts that threaten innocent people. So, I guess that is good…?"

Then why do you sound so nervous about it…?

"Of course, we poor mercenaries are going high and low for our prince to deliver Justice and bring back words of glory in the name of the Moon Kingdom and the Solar systems. For a price, of course."

Stop shooting me that looks like I'm some kind of kid looking for trouble to mass around.

"Because you are~!"

Goddammit!

"Ugh, You two make it sound like I'm looking for random people to pick a fight, if that's the case, a street bar or underground fight club will do."

"Please don't tell me you actually participate in those barbaric activities. What will Mother say if she finds out…?"

So the Princess of the Moon says, sweating at the back of her neck…

"Anyway, what got you coming around, oh my loyal bounty hunter?"

I guess we are friends, huh?

"Ah, yes, I almost forgot. And well, and forgive me for saying this, but you haven't been a very good boy since coming back. I bet our sweet and beautiful gentle heart queen is dying from the inside, having her make the time to arrange such fine dance panties in celebrating her baby boy coming of age as the true heir of the Moon Kingdom. Only to have him wander off looking for people to pick a fight with and playing with poor maidens' hearts with -"

"Stop, stop, stop! Now you're just making things up! And by god, you make me feel like the worst child ever exists in the entire universe. Are you sure you're my loyalist servant?!"

This woman…!

"I'm a merc, the best one around you can afford, so it's really just the money that does the talking in our little love story~! Besides, I'm expanding your reputation with colorful humor, so what's there to complain about? Isn't I a good wife~?"

"Definitely not and far from being my wife. What kind of wife spreads fake humor about her husband being the worst person who ever exists in the entire universe?!"

Serenity, the poor princess of the moon could only watch as two, and dare she say, an old married couple going back and forth with each other like this was the daily routine conversation for them.

But well, the elder said the more a couple argues with each other, the more they are likely to care about each other. That might be the case here, right?

Right…?

"Umm, excuse me?"

""What?!""

"Nya?!"

She actually did a cat jump, backing away from the full force of the couple's furries for her own skin.

The palace will definitely be less boring with two around, she sure…

"Uhm, y-yes, well, sorry to interrupt your… conversation, but aren't we kind of getting off the point again…? I think we keep Mother waiting long enough already."

She nervously says while keeping her distance, clearly looking forward to taking another blast of the unlikely married couple.

"Oh yeah, you're right."

That's all you're gonna say…?

She can only sigh a year's worth of breath, laming at how hopeless her dear brother can be sometime…

"Well? Let's get going, don't want to keep dear mother-in-law waiting~"

"Ugh, please stop spreading fake humor. I'd rather die single than marry someone who marries my money instead."

"Aww, I do care for free, you know? If I really like that someone~! "

Quite a… interesting relationship you have there, brother~!

I wonder… if he and I will also be that sometime as well…?

She thinks for herself about the possibility of the moments she could share with the one whose images have remained in her thoughts for some time previous from now. Failing to resist herself from taking another look at the night sky, more sincerity, the natural blue star, and their closest neighborhood, the home of the person who had grown dear to her…

"Serenity? What are you standing around for? Come on, they're about to start."

"Ah, I coming!"

It's only, however, even if it's just wishful thinking, that you can be here with me to the dance tonight…

Soon, however, they managed to get to the gathering hall without further delays. The guests are all dressed up for the party, and fortunate enough, they seem to unnoticed by the trio present as the three make their way to the throne located in the middle of the castle center.

"Hmmm, I think you can take it from here. I'll be off if you don't need anything to be done by the end of tonight."

His neck nearly pops a snap taking a turn to shoot a question looking at her.

"You're not staying?"

"Hmm, I'll pass, I don't look the part and am not a fan of fancy-looking parties. I'll be back at the camp, everyone who's not busy is gathering there. If you have some spare time after, come join us, commander, we'll be holding our own celebration then."

"Alright… I'll come by."

I say…, nearly giving in to the eagerness to take on her invite, it sounds like fun…

I want to see just what kind of friends I have made in this world and what it means to be in the role of their leader…

"We'll see, who knows, maybe you'll be too busy acting like the prince you are and sweeping one or two maiden feet off with your smooth style~ and forget about us poor mercenaries. I say there are few around that actually fit one of your types, especially that bubble blonde over there."

I rather not look, 'cuz you will just tease me again if you right…

"And that a problem? Are you actually jealous that I get to dance with one or two of my types of princesses? And here I thought our relationship was nothing more than money talk, or are you telling me you're actually interested in having a dance with me with that smooth style~?"

Ha! How do you like that?!

"Ha, Maybe I am."

…?!

"Well, have a happy night, my lord. Adio!"

She gives him a quick salute before turning and making her way to the back to the path they had used to get through.

And yet, his feet nor lip slide the chance to mutter a word and catch her attention as the image of her presence disappeared through the closed door frames…

"Angelica…"

How…?

How did you make me feel like this about you…?

I don't understand… I've never known and met you and yet, I do in this world just as the rest of the faces of those I've never met and the smiles and laughs that we shared continue to flash in the back of my head…

It's as if the me of this world is trying to merge with my mind…

I don't get it… just who am I and why am I here…?

"So… I guess Lady Angelica is at least one of you types, dear brother~? "

Not you too…

He thought without needing to turn and face her…

" sigh, Maybe. Yeah, maybe, but then again, she could be just messing with me again. It's been like that since date one of our money love stories."

Goat, with that paranoid thinking, I never gonna get a girlfriend for the rest of my school year…

" giggle~ If it's a maybe, then it's still possible she actually DOES like you, I bet my magic rod on it!"

" groan… I don't need you to play the matchmaker right now or was it you've been looking forward to another big sister to make my life a living comic book?"

"Well, I am certainly interested in meeting my daughter-in-law. giggle~ "

"Yeah, yeah, I sure you are, Mom."

Wait, what?!

He finally turns back to face her and nearly jumps back in surprise for there to be two of his sisters…

or rather, the person who stands by her shares a near-identify facial feature as her, only more mature and older, to that of the age of their parents. But, something in the air she is giving telling him she was far older than her appearance, almost ancient…

She is a spitting image of Serenity, or rather, it was Serenity who took after her. tall and blessed with the purest of white skin tones. Adopt on her form is but a simple white dress that was more than enough to radiance her divine beauty, mysterial transparent fairy-angel-like wings.

She wore her angelly white-silver hair the same way Serenity does, do which they're flowing with the mythical wind surrounding her peaceful presence, as well as the same golden crescent moon mark on the center of her forehead.

And that smile of kindness, and gentle silver eyes…

It's as if I have never forgotten who they can only belong to and the walling feeling in my heart…

The wanting to call her…

"Fenix…? Is there some the matter, dear…?"

Her voice, the same one that has always hummed in every dreaming moonlight, sheltered me from the nightmare of the darkness…

"No, it's nothing. Don't worry about me…"

"Hehe, I'm afraid I can't do that just yet, it will forever be my duty to worry about you…"

"It still nothing, it just I…"

"If so… then what is the meaning behind those tears…?"

"It just…"

"You are always so strong, brave, and determined, just as he was…"

"He? You mean…"

"But you are home now… and when you do, you will find me here, always waiting to welcome you back in my arms and allow yourself to just be at peace. So please, my dear, rest for now and distance yourself from the challenge that is yet to come, my dear child, my little sunshine…"

"Mother…"