Chapter 0:

The Moon Festival

LightFall

The flowers swayed gently in the morning breeze.

Across the rolling hills of Moonlight Crest, thousands of Moonveil Blossoms danced among the tall grass, their delicate petals folded tightly beneath the warmth of the sun. By day, they were unassuming flowers, their pale blue and violet colors barely distinguishable from the surrounding wildflowers. But when night arrived, they would reveal the beauty for which the valley had become famous.

Beyond the pastures, enormous mountains rose toward the clouds. Their rocky peaks were partially hidden beneath a thin blanket of mist, while dense forests covered their lower slopes. Birds called from the treetops, and somewhere in the distance, the gentle sound of a flowing stream carried through the valley.

It was a peaceful morning.

And Luna intended to enjoy every moment of it.

Sitting beneath an old oak tree at the edge of her family's pasture, Luna rested against its broad trunk with a book open across her lap. Her long silver hair fell over her shoulders, occasionally catching in the breeze. She brushed a loose strand behind one of her pointed ears before returning her attention to the faded pages.

The book was old.

Very old.

Its leather cover had cracked with age, and the stitching along its spine had begun to loosen. The pages had yellowed, and some of the ink had faded so badly that entire sentences were nearly impossible to read.

It wasn't an ordinary book.

It was someone's journal.

Whoever had written it had lived a very long time ago. Their name was missing from the opening pages, and the entries were filled with observations about distant places, unfamiliar settlements, and events Luna had only ever encountered in history books.

She carefully turned another page.

The handwriting was uneven, as though its author had written in a hurry.

Luna narrowed her emerald-green eyes, attempting to make out a particularly faded sentence.

"That's strange," she murmured.

She tilted the book toward the sunlight, hoping the change in angle would make the writing easier to read.

For several minutes, she remained completely absorbed in the journal.

Then—

"LUNAAAA!"

The sudden shout startled her.

She lifted her head.

"LUNAAAA!"

Luna sighed.

She recognized that voice immediately.

"MAX!" she called back. "I'm over here!"

A moment later, a small figure appeared over the grassy hill.

Her little brother came running toward her as quickly as his short legs could carry him. His messy brown hair bounced with every step, and his little face was filled with determination.

"Luna!"

"I'm right here, Max!"

He continued running until he reached her, stopping just a few feet away.

Luna closed the journal, carefully placing it beside her before pushing herself to her feet. She brushed grass from her burgundy dress, straightened her blouse, and picked up the old book.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" she asked.

Max looked up at her.

"You were gone!"

"I told you I was going to be back soon."

Max frowned.

"Well, you know Mommy and Daddy told you to watch me!"

Luna raised an eyebrow.

"Max, you were sleeping. There was nothing to watch."

"I woke up!"

"Yes, I can see that."

He crossed his little arms.

Luna couldn't help smiling.

"Oh, don't give me that look."

She reached down and playfully scrubbed her hand through his already messy hair.

"Hey!" Max protested, ducking away.

Luna laughed.

"Come on, little troublemaker. Let's go home."

She took his hand, and together they started down the narrow dirt path leading toward their family's cottage.

As they walked, Luna glanced toward the village.

Moonlight Crest was already bustling with activity.

Colorful banners hung between wooden posts along the main road. Several villagers were carrying baskets of flowers toward the central square, while others were setting up tables beneath the trees.

Tonight was the Moon Festival.

Once every year, the village gathered to celebrate the magnificent blooming of the Moonveil Blossoms. Although the flowers opened beneath the moon throughout their blooming season, the festival marked the night when the valley was expected to shine at its brightest.

For generations, the people of Moonlight Crest had celebrated the occasion with food, music, dancing, and prayers of gratitude to Elysera, the Goddess of Light.

Luna's parents were helping prepare for the celebration.

Her mother, Roxy, had been busy organizing the festivities at the Church of Light, while her father, Cedric, was assisting the other villagers with the heavier preparations.

Which meant Luna had been left in charge of Max.

A responsibility he apparently took very seriously.

"Are we going to the festival tonight?" Max asked.

"Of course we are."

"Will there be cakes?"

Luna laughed.

"Is that all you ever think about?"

"No!"

"Then what else?"

Max thought for a moment.

"Bread!"

Luna shook her head, smiling.

"Well, let's get you something to eat before you start eating the flowers."

The family cottage stood near the edge of the village, surrounded by a wooden fence and a flourishing garden.

Its stone foundation supported two stories of timber walls, and a large circular window overlooked the pasture. A narrow path led from the front gate to the wooden entrance, while climbing flowers decorated the walls beside the windows.

Luna pushed open the door.

"Home sweet home," she announced.

Max hurried inside ahead of her.

The cottage was quiet.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the wooden floors and the large dining table near the kitchen. A few bundles of dried herbs hung from the ceiling beams, filling the room with a pleasant earthy fragrance.

Luna placed the old journal on a small table beside the sitting area.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

Max nodded enthusiastically.

"Very!"

"Well, what would you like?"

"Eggs!"

"Eggs it is."

Luna walked into the kitchen and pulled a heavy iron skillet from beneath the counter.

She placed it over the stove before retrieving several eggs from a small basket and a loaf of bread from the pantry.

Max climbed onto one of the wooden chairs at the table.

"Can I help?"

"You can help by staying right there."

"I can crack eggs!"

"The last time you cracked an egg, half the shell ended up in the bowl."

Max giggled.

"It was crunchy!"

"Yes, Max. That's the problem."

Luna cracked the eggs into a bowl, whisked them with a fork, and poured them into the warm skillet.

A gentle sizzling filled the kitchen.

She stirred the eggs slowly, adding a little salt before turning her attention to the bread. She cut several thick slices and toasted them until their edges turned golden brown.

Soon, the smell of breakfast filled the cottage.

Max leaned forward in his chair.

"Is it ready?"

"Almost."

"Now?"

"Max."

"Now?"

Luna turned toward him with an exaggerated expression of disbelief.

"Do you want your eggs cooked or not?"

"Cooked!"

"Then give me a moment."

A few minutes later, she placed a wooden plate in front of him, piled with scrambled eggs and two slices of toast.

"There you go."

Max immediately began eating.

Luna sat across from him with her own plate.

She had barely taken her first bite when she noticed that Max was already halfway through his breakfast.

"Goodness, Max. Slow down."

He continued chewing.

"Max, you'll make yourself sick."

He swallowed.

"But it's good!"

Luna smiled.

"Well, thank you."

He took another enormous bite of toast.

Luna shook her head and returned to her breakfast.

For a little while, the only sounds in the cottage were the occasional scrape of utensils against wooden plates and the birds singing outside the windows.

Then Max pushed his empty plate away.

"I'm done!"

"I can see that."

"I'm going outside!"

"Where are you going?"

"To play in the garden!"

Luna glanced toward the window.

"All right, but stay in the garden where I can see you. I'll be out in a little bit. I'm going to finish eating."

"Okay!"

Max hopped down from his chair.

"And don't pick Mother's flowers!" Luna called after him.

"I won't!"

The door swung open.

A moment later, it closed behind him.

Luna stared at the doorway for a second.

"That child," she muttered affectionately.

She continued eating, enjoying the sudden quiet.

Through the kitchen window, she could see Max wandering between the garden beds, occasionally crouching to examine something in the dirt.

He appeared to have discovered a beetle.

Luna smiled to herself.

She finished another bite of eggs.

Then—

Knock. Knock. Knock.

She looked toward the front door.

"One minute!"

Setting down her fork, Luna pushed her chair back and stood.

She straightened her dress, walked across the room, and opened the door.

Standing on the other side was Elias.

His brown hair, streaked with dirty blonde, was slightly tousled by the morning breeze. He wore a simple white shirt beneath a dark vest, with a leather satchel resting against his side.

As usual, he looked as though he had somewhere important to be, even though he was standing perfectly still.

"Luna," he greeted her with a small smile.

"Elias!"

Her face brightened.

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd come by and see you."

"Well, come in!"

She stepped aside, allowing him to enter.

Elias crossed the threshold and glanced around the familiar cottage.

"Your parents aren't home?"

"No. They're both helping prepare for the festival tonight. Father's been out since early this morning, and Mother left not long after breakfast."

"I see."

Luna closed the door behind him.

"Have you eaten? I just made some scrambled eggs and toast. There's still some left if you'd like."

Elias smiled politely.

"Thank you, but I already ate this morning at the library."

"Are you sure?"

"Quite sure. But thank you, though."

"Suit yourself."

Luna gestured toward the dining table.

"Come sit down, then. I was just finishing breakfast."

Elias followed her into the kitchen.

He pulled out a chair and sat across from her, carefully placing his satchel beside his feet.

Luna returned to her seat.

"So," she began, picking up her fork, "what brings the great librarian Elias all the way out here this morning?"

Elias gave a quiet chuckle.

"Great librarian?"

"Would you prefer keeper of dusty books?"

"That sounds considerably less impressive."

"Well, it's certainly more accurate."

He smiled and shook his head.

For a moment, he simply watched her, the morning sunlight catching the silver strands of her hair.

Then he glanced toward the window.

Outside, Max was crouched beside a flowerbed, apparently having an important conversation with the beetle he had discovered.

"How's Max?" Elias asked.

"Driving me absolutely mad."

"Ah. So he's doing well."

"Exceptionally."

They both laughed.

And outside the cottage, the gentle breeze continued sweeping through the valley, carrying the scent of wildflowers toward the village as Moonlight Crest prepared for the festival.

Luna took another bite of her breakfast while Elias sat across from her, his leather satchel resting against the leg of his chair.

"So," she said, glancing up at him, "you still haven't told me why you've come all this way."

Elias leaned back slightly.

"Do I need a reason to visit you?"

Luna smiled.

"Well, no. But you're usually buried beneath a mountain of books by this hour."

"That's true."

"Or organizing shelves."

"Also true."

"Or telling someone to be quiet."

Elias chuckled.

"I don't do that nearly as often as you think."

"You told me to be quiet three times the last time I visited."

"You were reading passages from a history book aloud."

"I was sharing something interesting!"

"With the entire library, apparently."

Luna laughed, shaking her head.

Elias smiled at her, then glanced toward the open window. A warm breeze drifted into the kitchen, stirring the curtains.

"Actually," he began, "I just wanted to spend some time with you today."

Luna looked up.

"Oh?"

"Yes. I don't know how to explain it, but when I woke up this morning, something felt different."

"Different how?"

Elias hesitated.

He had been thinking about that feeling since sunrise, yet he still couldn't find the right words to describe it.

"I don't know. It was almost like there was something in the air."

Luna raised an eyebrow.

"Something in the air?"

"Yes."

"Like pollen?"

Elias gave her an unimpressed look.

"I'm being serious."

"So am I. It's spring, Elias."

He shook his head, smiling despite himself.

"No, it wasn't anything like that. I woke up before sunrise, and everything was quiet. Even the birds weren't singing yet. I opened my window, and for a moment, I had this strange feeling that something was about to happen."

Luna studied him.

"Something bad?"

"I don't know. Not necessarily."

He folded his hands together on the table.

"It wasn't frightening. Just unusual. Like waking up on the morning of an important day, except you don't know what's supposed to happen."

Luna considered his words.

"Well, tonight is the Moon Festival."

"I thought about that."

"Maybe you're just excited."

"Perhaps."

But Elias didn't sound entirely convinced.

Luna finished the last of her eggs and set her fork down.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing."

"You're probably right."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Elias straightened in his chair.

"Actually, there was something else I wanted to tell you."

Luna leaned forward.

"Oh?"

"I found something at the library yesterday."

"What kind of something?"

"A passageway."

Luna blinked.

"A what?"

"An old passageway. Underground."

She stared at him.

"Under the library?"

Elias nodded.

"You're joking."

"I'm not."

Luna sat up straighter.

"How have you lived in that library for nearly ten years and only just discovered an underground passageway?"

"That's an excellent question."

"And?"

"And I don't have an excellent answer."

Luna laughed.

Elias continued.

"I was moving some old shelving in one of the storage rooms yesterday afternoon. There's a section at the back of the library that hardly anyone uses anymore. Most of what's stored there hasn't been touched in decades."

"Sounds exciting."

"It was, actually."

"Of course you'd think that."

He ignored her teasing.

"One of the shelves had started leaning, so I decided to move it before it fell. When I pulled it away from the wall, I noticed something strange about the wooden paneling behind it."

Luna rested her elbows on the table.

"Go on."

"There was a narrow seam running along the wall. At first, I thought it was just an old repair, but when I pressed against it, part of the panel moved."

"And?"

"Behind it was a door."

Luna's eyes widened.

"A secret door?"

"More or less."

"Did you open it?"

"Yes."

"What was inside?"

"Stone steps. They lead underground."

Luna stared at him in disbelief.

"Elias!"

"What?"

"You found a secret passageway beneath the library, and you're only just telling me now?"

"I found it yesterday evening!"

"And you didn't go down?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it was getting late, and I didn't particularly want to explore an unknown underground passageway by myself."

Luna tilted her head.

"That's surprisingly sensible of you."

"Thank you. I think."

She smiled.

"So what's down there?"

"I haven't the slightest idea."

"Treasure?"

"Unlikely."

"Ancient artifacts?"

"Possibly."

"Skeletons?"

Elias paused.

"I sincerely hope not."

Luna laughed.

He smiled before continuing.

"Honestly, it's probably just a bunch of old books. The library has been standing for generations. I wouldn't be surprised if someone built an underground storage room and simply forgot about it."

"Still, that's exciting!"

"I thought you might think so."

Luna looked toward the old journal resting on the table near the sitting area.

There was something irresistible about forgotten places and the stories they held. She had spent countless afternoons reading about distant kingdoms, ancient civilizations, and the people who had lived long before her birth.

And now Elias had discovered something hidden beneath their own village.

"Well," she said, "when are we going?"

Elias smiled.

"I was hoping you'd come with me today."

"Today?"

"If you'd like."

Luna glanced toward the window.

Max was still outside in the garden, now poking at the dirt with a small stick.

"I'd love to, but there's one problem."

"What's that?"

"Max."

Elias followed her gaze.

"Ah."

"Mother and Father asked me to watch him today. I can't just leave him here."

"Of course not."

Luna considered the situation.

"I suppose I could bring him with us."

Elias nodded.

"That's perfectly fine."

"Are you sure? You know how he gets when he's bored."

"I've known Max since the day he was born, Luna. I think I can manage."

"He asks a lot of questions."

"So do you."

Luna narrowed her eyes.

"Very funny."

Elias chuckled.

"Besides, I'll make sure you both are all right. We won't do anything dangerous."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

He glanced toward his satchel.

"And like I said, it's probably nothing more than a dusty old storage room full of forgotten books."

Luna stood and picked up her plate.

"Well, dusty old books happen to be your favorite thing in the world."

Elias watched her carry the dishes toward the kitchen counter.

"Not necessarily," he said quietly.

Luna turned.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

She gave him a curious look before shrugging.

"All right, then. Let's go see your mysterious passageway."

She placed the dishes in the washbasin, wiped her hands on a cloth, and walked toward the open window.

"MAX!"

Outside, the little boy lifted his head.

"WHAT?"

"COME INSIDE! WE'RE GOING INTO TOWN!"

"WHY?"

"BECAUSE I SAID SO!"

Elias covered his mouth, hiding a smile.

Luna turned toward him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're laughing."

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"Only a little."

She rolled her eyes.

A moment later, the front door swung open, and Max hurried inside with dirt covering his hands.

"Where are we going?" he asked excitedly.

"Into the village."

"To the festival?"

"Not yet. The festival is tonight."

"Then where?"

"The library."

Max's expression changed.

"The library?"

"Yes."

He looked toward Elias.

"Are there going to be stories?"

Elias smiled.

"There are always stories at the library."

Max considered that answer.

"Okay!"

Luna pointed toward the washbasin.

"First, wash your hands."

Max looked down at his dirt-covered fingers.

"But—"

"No buts. Go on."

With an exaggerated sigh, he wandered toward the kitchen.

Elias leaned closer to Luna.

"He really is getting bigger."

"Don't remind me. I remember when he could barely walk."

"And now he can argue with you."

"Constantly."

They shared another laugh.

Outside, the morning sun continued climbing over the mountains, illuminating the valley as the village prepared for its most beloved celebration.

The Village of Moonlight Crest

By the time the three of them left the cottage, the roads leading into Moonlight Crest had become noticeably busier.

The village stretched across the valley rather than gathering tightly around a single square. Small cottages stood between gardens and orchards, connected by winding dirt paths and narrow stone roads. Wooden fences separated vegetable plots from grazing pastures, and the distant mountains rose above the rooftops.

Luna walked beside Elias while Max hurried a few steps ahead.

"Don't go too far!" she called.

"I'm not!"

"Stay where I can see you!"

"Okay!"

Elias glanced at her.

"He's certainly energetic today."

"He ate enough breakfast for three people."

"That explains it."

As they approached the center of the village, the preparations for the Moon Festival became impossible to miss.

Everywhere they looked, people were working.

Several men carried long wooden tables toward the open square in front of the Church of Light. Women arranged baskets of freshly picked flowers along the pathways, while children helped hang colorful ribbons between wooden posts.

A group of villagers had begun constructing a small wooden platform near the center of the square, where musicians would perform later that evening.

The smell of freshly baked bread drifted from a nearby cottage, mingling with the sweet fragrance of spring flowers.

Luna smiled as she took everything in.

"They've certainly been busy."

Elias nodded.

"I passed through here earlier. They've made quite a bit of progress."

A familiar voice called out from across the road.

"Good morning, Luna!"

She turned to see an elderly woman carrying a basket of folded linens.

"Good morning!"

"Looking forward to tonight?"

"Of course!"

"Make sure your mother gets a chance to rest. She's been working herself half to death organizing everything!"

Luna laughed.

"I'll try!"

The woman waved before continuing toward the square.

Elias smiled.

"Your mother does have a habit of taking on more work than she needs to."

"She enjoys it."

"That doesn't mean she needs to do everything herself."

"Try telling her that."

"I value my life too much."

Luna laughed again.

They continued walking.

A few children raced past them carrying bundles of ribbon. One nearly collided with Elias before quickly apologizing and running off.

Max watched them disappear around a corner.

"Can I go play?"

"Not right now," Luna answered.

"But they're playing!"

"They're helping with the festival."

Max looked unconvinced.

"They're running."

"Yes, Max. Sometimes people run while they're helping."

Elias chuckled.

Ahead of them, the Church of Light came into view.

The beautiful old building stood near the center of Moonlight Crest, surrounded by flowering trees and carefully maintained gardens. Its pale stone walls rose above a broad wooden entrance, and tall windows caught the morning sunlight.

A carved symbol of Elysera adorned the space above the doors.

For generations, the church had been a place of worship, comfort, and gathering for the people of Moonlight Crest.

And today, it was the center of the festival preparations.

Several villagers stood on ladders, securing decorations to the outer walls. Others were arranging benches and carrying baskets toward the entrance.

Near the front of the church, a familiar woman stood beneath a wooden archway, attempting to secure a long festival banner.

Luna recognized her immediately.

"There's Mother."

Before she could say another word, Max spotted her.

"MOMMY!"

He took off running.

"Max, slow down!" Luna called.

But he was already halfway across the square.

Roxy, standing with her arms raised as she adjusted the banner, barely had time to react before two little arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

"Oh!"

She looked down.

"Well, hello there!"

Max squeezed her tightly.

"Mommy!"

Roxy laughed and lowered her hands.

"Goodness gracious, Max! You nearly frightened me to death!"

She turned around and crouched to embrace him properly.

"What are you doing here, sweetheart?"

"We came to see you!"

"Did you now?"

"Yep!"

Roxy smiled and kissed the top of his head.

Luna and Elias approached a moment later.

"Good morning, Mother."

Roxy looked up.

"Good morning, dear!"

Her expression brightened further when she noticed Elias.

"And Elias! How lovely to see you."

"Good morning, Roxy."

He smiled warmly.

"Do you need help with that banner?"

"Oh, don't worry about it. I've nearly finished."

She glanced upward.

"Although I seem to have made the left side a little crooked."

Luna looked at the banner.

"A little?"

Roxy gave her daughter a playful look.

"Now, don't you start."

Elias stepped forward.

"Here, let me."

He reached up, carefully loosened one side of the banner, and adjusted it until the fabric hung evenly across the archway.

"There."

Roxy stepped back to examine his work.

"Oh, that's much better! Thank you, sweetheart."

"Of course."

Max tugged at his mother's dress.

"Mommy!"

"Yes, darling?"

"Luna made me breakfast!"

Roxy smiled.

"Did she?"

"Yep! Eggs and toast!"

"That sounds wonderful."

"It was really good!"

Luna folded her arms, smiling.

"Well, I'm glad somebody appreciates my cooking."

Max continued enthusiastically.

"And she made the eggs all soft, and the toast was crunchy, and I ate all of it!"

Roxy laughed.

"Every last bite?"

"Every last bite!"

"Well, it sounds like your sister did a wonderful job taking care of you."

Max nodded proudly.

"She did!"

Luna reached over and gently ruffled his hair.

"See? I told you I knew what I was doing."

Max ducked away with a giggle.

Roxy looked between the two of them, her expression warm.

"I'm glad you had a good morning."

Then Max suddenly looked up at her.

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Can I stay with you?"

Roxy tilted her head.

"Stay with me?"

"Uh-huh! I wanna help!"

"Help with the festival?"

He nodded eagerly.

"Please?"

Roxy glanced toward Luna.

"Well, I don't see why not."

Max's face lit up.

"Really?"

"Of course. But you'll have to listen to me, all right?"

"I will!"

"And no running off."

"Okay!"

"And you'll have to actually help, not just eat all the treats."

Max hesitated.

Luna laughed.

"That might be asking a bit much, Mother."

Roxy smiled.

"We'll manage."

She took Max's hand and looked toward her daughter.

"Now, where are you two off to today?"

Luna glanced at Elias.

"We're going to the library."

"The library?"

"Yes. Elias found something interesting yesterday, and we're going to have a look."

Roxy raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? What did you find?"

Elias adjusted the strap of his satchel.

"An old passageway beneath the building. It seems to lead into some kind of underground room."

Roxy looked surprised.

"Underneath the library?"

"Yes. I discovered it while moving some shelves in one of the old storage rooms."

"Goodness. I never knew there was anything beneath that building."

"Neither did I," Elias admitted.

Luna smiled.

"Which is exactly why we're going to investigate."

Roxy looked at her daughter.

"Investigate?"

"Just have a look around, Mother."

Elias nodded reassuringly.

"I haven't gone down there yet, but I suspect it's simply an old storage area. The library has been around for a very long time."

Roxy considered this.

"Well, I suppose there's no harm in looking, provided you're careful."

"We will be," Luna promised.

"And don't go wandering into anything that looks unsafe."

"Mother."

"I'm serious, Luna."

"I know."

Roxy turned toward Elias.

"And you make sure she doesn't get herself into trouble."

Elias smiled.

"I'll do my best."

Luna looked offended.

"Why does everyone assume I'm the one who's going to get into trouble?"

Roxy and Elias exchanged a glance.

Neither answered.

Luna stared at them.

"Oh, that's just wonderful."

Roxy laughed.

"I'm only teasing you, sweetheart."

She reached out and gently straightened a loose strand of Luna's silver hair.

"Just be careful, both of you."

"We will."

"And you'll be back before the festival starts tonight?"

"Of course," Luna replied. "We wouldn't miss it."

"Good. Your father and I will be expecting you."

Max tugged at Roxy's hand again.

"Mommy, can I help with the flowers?"

Roxy looked down.

"Certainly. Come along, and I'll find something for you to do."

Max turned toward Luna.

"Bye, Luna!"

"Bye, Max! Be good!"

"I will!"

He waved enthusiastically at Elias.

"Bye!"

"Goodbye, Max," Elias replied.

Roxy smiled at them both.

"Enjoy yourselves, you two. And remember, don't be late!"

"We won't!" Luna called.

They watched as Roxy led Max toward a group of villagers arranging flowers near the church entrance.

Within moments, the little boy was eagerly helping carry a small basket, looking immensely pleased with himself.

Luna smiled.

"Well, at least he'll be occupied for a while."

Elias nodded.

"Your mother has always been good with children."

"She has."

For a moment, Elias watched Roxy and Max together.

He had spent much of his childhood within those very church walls. Roxy had been the one to raise him after he was abandoned as a newborn, and even now, after years of living independently at the library, he still regarded her with the same affection and respect he had felt as a child.

The church had been his first home.

And the people standing before it had been his first family.

Luna gently nudged his arm.

"Coming?"

Elias blinked, returning his attention to her.

"Of course."

"Good. Because I intend to find out what's beneath that library before you decide to cover the entrance with another bookshelf."

"I wasn't planning on covering it."

"Not yet."

He laughed.

Together, they turned away from the church and started along the stone road leading toward the village library.

Behind them, the sounds of festival preparations continued filling the square.