In the Pale Moonlight

The spearhead hovered inches from my neck. Though the sparse rays of moonlight leaking through the trees were of little use for making out the girl’s expression, her steady hand told me enough. She knew what she was doing, at the very least.

“I will ask you once more, Lord Jonquille,” she said. “What business do you have in a graveyard at this hour?”

I doubted I could give a sufficient answer. I was just as confused as her, if not more. I had awoken just recently, not to the familiar sight of my second-floor apartment, but to a night sky full of stars. The pounding in my head from when I’d first gained consciousness was fading, but it was only leaving room for question marks.

I wanted answers just as badly. But with this nausea not fully subsided, I feared that whatever came out of my mouth next could be a surprise to us both.

“I have no idea who you’re talking about. I don’t even remember how I got here,” I managed to say, though that first part was only a half-truth. By this point, I’d worked out a few things about my current situation, as utterly ridiculous as they were.

Her spear faltered. I guess she’s not used to hearing that one, though I can’t exactly blame her.

She quickly regained her composure and glared at me. “Are you so drunk that you’ve forgotten your own name?”

To be fair, the condition I had woken up in was not unlike a hangover. Though, I would rather describe it as having just completed an incredibly long and arduous journey. My first few moments in this strange land had involved gasping for air and clutching at the grass, desperate to experience the sensation of just being alive.

But I supposed moaning and groaning as one stumbles through the forest in the dead of night could be taken as a sign of inebriation. Having a weapon pointed at me was certainly sobering, but not quite in the same way.

Even so, I was fairly confident I could talk my way out of this. The first order of business was to introduce myself and assure her that I was in my right mind. Mentioning that my consciousness had just suddenly arrived here from somewhere very far away—likely on a metaphysical scale—could come later.

“Sorry, you must have me confused for someone else. My name is Reed Arbour.”

Apparently that was a mistake.

As soon as I gave her my name, she raised her free hand and thrust it toward me. A wave of pressure knocked me back against a tree, where chains of ethereal light bound me in place.

The girl aimed upward and launched another pressure wave, blasting a hole in the forest canopy and enveloping us in moonlight.

“Don’t lie to me, demon,” she spat, sadness and fury rising from beneath her stoic demeanor. Tossing aside her spear, she planted her feet and stretched both arms forward.

The pressure in the air suddenly changed. A great mass of energy began to gather around her, until brilliant white light shone from her palms. Her long, black hair waved in the wind, and her piercing blue eyes almost seemed to glow. It was a striking sight.

“W-What are you doing?” I asked, suddenly coming to my senses. However beautiful this night was, I didn’t want it to be my last.

“Sending you back from where you came.”

If it weren’t for the implication that my alleged home was the grave or beyond, I might have thanked her. I closed my eyes and prepared for the worst.

I heard the roar of a mighty force being unleashed, and even the darkness from behind my eyelids turned blindingly bright.

Until finally, everything returned to darkness, silence, and stillness.

I dared to open my eyes. It seemed nothing had changed.

“Is that it?” I asked.

The girl tilted her head. “The exorcism magic had no effect. So...you’re not a demon?”

“Of course not!”

She slowly drew closer, her eyes studying me intensely. “Which means...you’re telling the truth? You’re really Reed?”

I nodded, trying to rein in my irritation. “That is what that means.”

For a moment, she made a face that I couldn’t quite understand. But she soon returned to her usual calm expression, and gave an apologetic bow.

“I’m so sorry. This is all a terrible misunderstanding.”

With a flick of her wrists, the magic chains disappeared.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,” I said as I nursed my aching back.

I wanted to tell her off for jumping to such an extreme conclusion, but the truth didn’t seem too far from where she’d landed. Putting aside how my first moments here must have looked to a stranger, I was undeniably in control of a body that was not mine. I didn’t care for being called demonic or evil, but this did seem to be some form of possession.

All that mattered now was that I was still alive, and we were beginning to reach some semblance of an understanding.

I took a deep breath and cooled my temper. “I obviously take issue with you waving that spear in my face and pushing me around with that magic. It was a real ‘exorcise now, ask questions later’ approach. But I’m willing to let it go if you can point me in the direction of the nearest castle or village or whatever civilization you have here.”

“Actually, there’s a carriage on the side of the road just past the forest. My family and I are headed to Laurel, and it’s not too much farther. You could come along if you’d like.”

I was taken aback by her sudden shift. “Just a minute ago you were trying to blast the literal hell out of me, and now you want me to take a ride with you?”

“It’s the least I can do,” she said, looking down. There wasn’t a hint of pride or contempt in her voice.

I gave an exasperated sigh. As terrible as my encounter with this girl had been, in the end she was offering me a safe ride to somewhere with food and shelter. I wouldn’t even have to walk there. Her attempt to drive me out with divine force had been in vain, but this power was certainly compelling.

But even so, I was in no mood to be around her for any longer.

“Forget it. Just tell me which way, I’ll go there on foot.”

“O-Oh, okay.” She actually looked a little disappointed. After taking some time to examine her surroundings, she pointed. “Over there. You should be able to see the gates once you’ve left the forest.”

I gave her a weary wave goodbye and marched off.

At least I’d have plenty of time to figure out my next steps. But some part of me still didn’t want to believe any of this was real. The headache and nausea were gone, but I still felt disconnected from reality.

Honestly, what scares me the most is just how easily my mind is accepting everything, even the existence of magic. It’s like I’ve been wired to acclimate to these things. Maybe it has something to do with this body?

“Wait!” a voice from behind me called out.

When I turned back, the girl was holding something out to me. It was a small slip of colored paper. I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at this strange display. Her face was as serious as ever, but I could have sworn that her cheeks were burning red.

“M-My name is Ash, honorary member of the international traveling performer’s group known as the Bellis Troupe. As compensation for this offense, please accept this ticket of free admission to one of our upcoming shows!”