Rabbit under the Moons

The mountain winds cut coldy, as the trail wound downwards, the shadows of the peak no longer visible. The world seemed quieter now, swallowed by darkness, illuminated only by the moons and stars above. 

It was as if the battle atop the mountain against  the Corrupted Minotaur never happened.

Reiji marched ahead, his crimson red jacket slung over his shoulder, his wounds and clothes already healed. Yet the signs of battle were still there, dried blood and dirt still clung to parts of him, his tank still drained. Each step of his boots, crunching frost and gravel underneath.

Nraltia followed a few paces behind, her short spear strapped to her back, her ears and violet dress swaying gently in the wind, her amethyst eyes fixed on the figure infront.

"You're not very good with women are you?" she teases, finally breaking the silence.

"Hahahaha. She's got you figured out." the translucent goddess clutched her stomach as she rolled, laughing on air.

"Wha-what makes you say that? I'm just tired thats all." Reiji didn't turn his head, but his ears were bright red.

Nraltia snorted lightly, a wry little sound. "For someone who's always shouting in a fight, you're awfully shy."

"Its just easier to talk using my fist-" Reiji turns around, raising his fist, to make his point, but the words are caught in his mouth, as his brain goes empty.

"Oh, is that how it is in your world?" 

Her almond shaped eyes stared into his, their face merely a few centimeters apart. Despite just coming out of battle, scents of vanilla and wild lavender drifted from her, filling his surroundings. Her full and expressive lips curling into a coquettish smile, highlighting her well defined cheeks and jawline.

"..."

"Oh dear. It seems our new companion has broken you completely." Sending a small jolt, Elnyra shocks Reiji back to reality.

Averting his gaze, Reiji finally answers. "Its normal for guys like me, our fist could express things straight from our heart, a way that just wasn't possible with words."

A small silence lingers before Nraltia spoke again, softer this time. "Do you miss it... that world of yours?"

"Not exactly. I miss the people, the friends I left behind. But I've also met many people in this world, amazing people, strong people, struggling people... People like you." He glances at her briefly. "I guess no matter the world, everyone is just struggling to live their best lives."

Her fingers brushed gently against the runes on the spear shaft. "You saved me, you know. I was about to die, unknown by anyone, left behind and forgotten, just like my memories... Turns out, a passing by scary looking man had other plans."

"Sca-scary?" Reiji's face twitches slightly. "I didn't choose to look like this." His boots crunched heavily, the pace between each stride shrinking as he speeds up, trying to leave behind the description of his face.

They continued walking in silence, finally reaching the foot of the mountain. Summoning his trusted partner, Reiji hops on as he starts up the engine, it's engine roaring with life. 

As he turned around to address the amnesiac Luporine, a small and tender warmth was placed on his scarred cheek, a feeling that he would never forget.

"Thanks for saving me." 

Left speechless, he could only stare at the origin of that warmth, uncertain of how to react. Before his brain could process it fully, Nraltia had already climbed on board, her legs hanging off the same side.

Finally, he manages to whisper out two words "Hold on." before riding back to Tristan, the translucent goddess flying behind, observing the two of them infront.

--

The road back to Tristan stretched long and quiet, the twin moons softly basking the duo on the road. The bike's wheels propelling them forward, the lonely stone road and the wind a constant companion.

Reiji rode with hunched shoulders, both hands lazily gripping the handle bars, occassionaly stealing glances at the passenger behind him. 

Nraltia leaned against him lightly, her rabbit like ears twitching slightly in the ever changing breeze. The moonlights caught in her short black hair, making it gleam faintly violet, her amethyst eyes fixed on the sky above. 

Finally, Reiji broke the silence. "The two moons, I'm still not used to a night sky with two moons."

"I wonder if my home had a nice view of the two moons as well." she said, staring at the celestial objects above. "It still doesn't feel real, having my past torn from me, nothing but an endless void..."

Reiji glanced behind him, observing his passenger silently, unsure what words could ease her burden.

"But, there's something... a feeling screaming from my heart. I don't know if it's a curse or a promise. I don't remember the whole of it, no names or faces, but I think there was a reason I came here." She closes her eyes, concentrating on the things that still lingered inside her. 

"It's like a torn book, the pages scattered and lost, but the stain still remains. I'm not sure why... but it's to do with the corruption. It shouldn't be here, when I saw it, the mountain top and the Minotaur... my heart burns with a raging inferno."

Reiji continues driving, his eyes on the road ahead, listening intently to the passenger behind him, unable to see the intensity that burned within the translucent eyes of the figure flying behind them.

Sensing the flow of the conversation, she remained quiet, hoping that the new passenger might be able to do what she had failed at.

"Maybe... if I keep chasing it... something will come back. A piece, or maybe a spark... something... anything that might help me remember."

Her fingers tremble lightly, clutching at the jacket infront of her.

"Chasing shadows with nothing but scraps in your head... that's insane. You can't even be sure, that the corruption will hold your answers."

Her lips curved, not quite a smile, but a challenge.

"Maybe not. But its all I have. For now, It will have to be enough."

Clicking his tongue, he stares ahead. There was something about the way she spoke, stubborn, prideful, maybe even desperate, emotions that stirred a faint ache in his heart. For someone with nothing, she blazed, brighter than anyone he's ever met.

"Tch... you're crazier than I am" Grumbling under his breath. "And that's saying something."

Nraltia chuckled alluringly, melting the frigid air between them.

"That sounds like a compliment, coming from you."

"It is."

Shimmering besides him, her voice echos in his thoughts, cold and honeyed.

"Even without her memories, she runs towards the corruption. Alone. Wounded. Do you really plan to let her go? "  

Refusing to answer, he presses on, pushing his ride harder, as if trying to outrun the voice in his thoughts.

"You could leave her. Just walk away, pretend you never saw the way her hands shake, how it clings to you. But you won't, will you? Because she deserves more than a forgotten grave that no one will remember."

"Give it a rest already." 

Hearing his face scowl, Nraltia looks at Reiji, her front bangs brushing his neck.

"What's wrong?"

"Tch. Just wondering how someone with amnesia can be so stubborn."

She laughs, pained, softly, but full of warmth.

"Because, it's better than standing still."

"Stay be her side Reiji. You don't have to be a hero, you don't have to protect everyone. Just protect her... "

The words lingered in his mind as they continued the rest of the journey in silence.