Luna's diary: "My hero"

   My first impression of Master?
Honestly… I thought he was weird.

   There we were, trapped in a cage, surrounded by despair, and he spent more than an hour muttering to himself like crazy. 

   But as time passed, I noticed things. The way his eyes scanned the area, sharp and calculating. The way he deduced what I was without me saying a word. Even though I tried to hide it.

   He also didn't fall in despair like all of us, and even made a plan to save us all. A reckless plan, yes—but a plan nonetheless. He rallied us, encouraged us to move, to think, to fight. In that moment, he looked like hero in my eyes.

   And then he was attacked. A bandit’s blade cut through the air, and once again, just like before, I ran.

   But this time was different.

   He came back. He survived. At that moment, I started to believe that maybe—just maybe—this man could defeat the curse that clung to me.

   So I decided, that I would stay by his side. I would support him in every way I could. And that was how I became his maid.

* * *

   Two, maybe three weeks passed since then. Life settled into a rhythm. The housework my mother once taught me became my new duties. Cooking, cleaning, laundry—I threw myself into it all.

   They praised my cooking the most. The first time I set food on the table, both Master and Lady Zephyra cried. Though, I still don’t know why… perhaps the taste reminded them of something?

   Each day, I woke early, prepared breakfast, and waited for him to rise. I watched him work, train, laugh with Bel, and I couldn’t help myself. Even since that day in the cage, he had been my only light. And I wanted—no, needed—to know more about him.

* * *

   One sunny afternoon, Master and Bel decided to play badminton in the garden.

   “Big brother, take this!” Bel shouted, leaping high as he swung the racket.

   The shuttlecock soared into the air. Master lunged, sending it flying back with even more force. Bel squealed with delight, but the shuttle shot far too high, vanishing into the edge of the forest.

   “I’ll get it!” Bel cried, dashing off before Master could stop him.

   “Bel, wait!” Master shouted, but it was already too late.

   We ran after him.

   We found him soon enough—surrounded by a pack of grey wolves. Their eyes gleamed, their fangs bared, their movements perfectly synchronized. I froze. My legs trembled.

   But Master? He didn’t hesitate. He leapt forward, pulling a single Arcana from his pocket. It shattered in his hand, releasing a thick smokescreen.

   “Come on!” he shouted, grabbing Bel’s arm and pulling him into the haze. We escaped, stumbling through the undergrowth, but I knew it wouldn’t last. Grey wolves had sharp noses and sharper instincts. They would find us.

   Sure enough, their growls soon closed in.

   “Luna!” Master barked. “Take Bel! Run to Zephyra and tell her what happened!”

   "B-But Master—!"

   "Quickly!"

   "..."

   ...It was the third time.

   The third time I was told to run while someone else stayed behind.

   And the worst part is that deep inside, I felt it again—that horrible relief. The twisted comfort of being spared. I hated myself for it. I was disgusted by it.

   But Master… Master saw through me. Even on that first day, he had told me:

   “People feel relieved when they’re not the ones in danger. That is something natural. If anything, I’m the abnormal one—for running toward danger like an idiot.”

   He said that while laughting. He didn’t judge me. He accepted me. And that’s why—

   When the wolf lunged at him, I couldn’t move away.

   If Master leaves me too… My light... I can’t. I won’t. 

   I can’t... 

   I can’t. I can’t. 

   I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t! I can’t! I can’t! I CAN'T! I CAN'T!! I CAN'T!!! I CAN'T!!!! I CAN'T!!!!!

   I CAN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   ...

   ...I see. 

   I just need to kill those mutts myself.

   My body moved on its own.

   In a single instant, my bare hand pierced through the wolf’s throat. Warm blood splattered across my arm as the beast collapsed at my feet.

   I turned toward Master. My lips curved into a smile that didn’t feel entirely my own, my eyes burning with something feral.

   “Everything okay, Master?”

   His expression was tense, confused, but he managed a faint “Yes.”

   Relief flooded me. Overwhelming, intoxicating relief. He was safe. And with that safety came something else—euphoria.

   But more wolves emerged, circling us.

   I stepped forward, my voice steady. “Please don’t worry, Master. Everything will be okay.”

   What followed was carnage. My memories blur, but I remember claws tearing, bones breaking, blood spraying. And that feeling like I was loosing myself... 

   But for some reason, I felt so calm at the same time. I felt like I could do anything.

   When it was over, only silence remained.

   From that day, I made a vow.

   I would become stronger. Strong enough to protect him, to protect everyone close to me, with my own hands.