Truths Beneath the Moon

The forest seemed different after the battle. The air no longer weighed heavy, but in every broken branch, in every fallen leaf, lingered the echo of combat. The campfire had dwindled to embers, and the faint glow lit the faces of Blair and Asori as they rose to their feet, still shaken by what had transpired.

Asori had decided to accompany Blair to her home. Deep inside, he felt he owed her his life, and the least he could do for now was ensure she arrived safely. Yet the memory of their kiss lingered in his mind—along with the strange sensation it had awakened in both of them.

They walked forward without a word at first. The damp ground crunched under their steps. The wind blew softly, as if it had chosen to follow them.

Blair walked a few paces ahead, steady, though she glanced at Asori from time to time. He, on the other hand, kept his gaze distant, brow furrowed, his fingers absently playing with the necklace at his chest.

The silence lasted until Blair finally broke it, her voice low, almost a sigh.
—That man… that knight… he wasn’t just anyone. He was one of Zeknier’s envoys.

Asori lifted his gaze, curious, though his tone remained dry.
—And this Zeknier, who’s he supposed to be? The master of every gothic knight in the forest?

Blair turned her head toward him, a weary smile tugging at her lips.
—If only it were that simple.

She stopped, looking him straight in the eyes. Moonlight reflected off the orb in her hair, the flower-jewel glowing faintly.

—Zeknier isn’t just a man. He’s a conqueror. A butcher. For years he’s tried to seize the Five Empires around Azoth. Every place he touches ends the same: ashes, cities reduced to nothing, families torn apart. —Her voice faltered for a moment, then steeled itself again—. And now he wants something greater: the power of the Sacred Orb.

Asori raised a brow, not slowing his pace.
—The Sacred Orb? Sounds like a bedtime story for kids.

Blair shook her head, serious.
—It’s no myth. It’s real. And the worst part… is that Zeknier knows it. He wants to use it to end the war once and for all.

Asori lifted the necklace from his chest, the dull stone dangling.
—And what does this trinket of mine have to do with your stories?

Blair stepped closer, gently taking it between her fingers. The orb flickered faintly at her touch.
—Because this “trinket”… is the Orb of Air.

Asori froze, stunned.

Blair touched her own orb. The flower-jewel flared for an instant with a warm glow.
—And this… is the Orb of Fire.

Silence stretched. The wind swept through the trees, rustling the leaves.

Asori clenched his fist around the necklace and sighed.
—Look… don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful you saved my life, Silver-Haired Princess, but I don’t want any of this. Wars, empires, slaughter… none of it has anything to do with me.

Blair looked at him, serious, but with tenderness in her eyes.
—And do you think I wanted this? Do you think I chose to lose my parents, to bear this power, to live on the run knowing every shadow could be an assassin sent by Zeknier?

He didn’t reply.

Blair drew a deep breath.
—I’m searching for the other Orb bearers. Warriors like you and me. It’s the only way to stop him.

Asori let out a dry laugh.
—Warriors? You’ve got the wrong guy. I’m no warrior. I can barely… —he cut himself off, gaze falling—. I can barely protect myself.

Blair stepped closer.
—Then explain to me… who was it that nearly destroyed the forest with a single strike just moments ago?

Asori blinked, baffled.
—I don’t know. I don’t remember anything. Just wind… you… and then nothing.

Blair’s eyes locked on him, intense.
—That was your Awakening. The power of the Orb awakening inside you. You may not remember, but I saw it. It was like watching a hurricane take shape.

He looked away, uncomfortable.
—Great. A hurricane I never asked for.

Blair sighed, but a soft smile curved her lips.
—Maybe you didn’t ask for it. But it’s yours. And there’s something else you need to know.

Her gaze deepened, her crimson eyes glowing faintly.
—The kiss I gave you… it didn’t just close your wound.

Asori flushed instantly.
—Ah, of course. I knew this was coming up.

Blair smiled, amused by his discomfort.
—That ability is called Sweet Kiss. It’s a unique power of the Orb of Fire. When I use it… I create a bond with the person who receives it.

Asori frowned.
—What kind of bond?

Blair lowered her voice.
—I can sense where you are… your emotions… your life energy. Over time, that connection grows stronger. And there’s more…

She paused, as if the words weighed on her.
—The one who receives the Sweet Kiss… can only be healed by me. If anything serious happens to you, no one else can save you. Only me.

Asori stood silent, processing. Then he sighed and looked at her with irony.
—Perfect. So, besides being a Silver-Haired Princess, you’re also my personal nurse.

Blair couldn’t help laughing, covering her mouth with her hand.
—Idiot.

Asori watched her for a moment longer, and for the first time, he couldn’t cling to sarcasm. His eyes dropped.
—I don’t know if I want… to be tied to something like that.

Blair’s expression softened.
—You’re not tied. You’re alive. And for me… that’s enough.

Silence fell again, though it wasn’t heavy. Only the wind kept them company as they walked.

The sky began to lighten, painted in orange and pink hues. The forest shadows slowly withdrew.

In the distance, atop a hill, the silhouette of a walled city came into view. Towers, banners, and a castle rising like a guardian over the valley. The Kingdom of Azoth.

Blair stopped, gazing ahead with a mix of relief and concern.
—We’ve arrived at my home.

Asori looked at her, serious, then raised his eyes to the walls.
—Nice castle. Bet they’ve got fresh bread.

Blair smiled, and for the first time in days, a ray of hope pierced through her weariness.

Together, they took their final steps toward the gates of Azoth.