Chapter 3: Wings of fate

"You ready to go in?" asked Luna.

Nyxon nodded in agreement as he went to open the door. It was a nice place. It smelled of melted iron and rust the further they walked in. There were all kinds of weapons there at the time. Swords, daggers, spears, and axes surrounded the room. Nyxon couldn't help but look at the assortments of items in front of him. He was starstruck. There in front of Nyxon and Luna, stood a fierce-looking man. His eyepatch and long red hair highlighted his look as he stared at Nyxon in disgust while stroking his long red beard.

"Oh God, it's you again," The man said behind the desk. He looked unpleased to see Nyxon.

"Charlie! It's good to see you, man!" Nyxon said enthusiastically as he reached over for a handshake.

Charlie smacked Nyxon's hand away with his right hand from what seemed to be a hammer replacing it as a tool for work. Luna looked worried. She's never seen this person before. Luna quickly distracted herself with a book. It was called, Mending the right hopes into your sword, By Rocks D. Stewart.

"Don't put your hand at me like we're friends, Nyxon. I know why you're here." Charlie barked.

He had gotten off his chair and descended downwards towards Nyxon from around the corner as Luna peered from around curiously. Charlie had gone from Nyxons height to Lunas and somehow to his knees in only seconds. As Charlie appeared from the corner to reveal his height, it only made Luna laugh a little. Charlie ended up giving Luna a stare before aimlessly yelling back at Nyxon. "And my name isn't Charlie; it's Rocks! Not Charlie, wherever you got that stupid name."

"I don't believe that. You look like your name would be something cute. Like Pudding or Berri. That sounds fitting-"

"Yeah, and your head against the wall would also be fitting, right?" snarled Rocks. He looked like he was ready to fight Nyxon.

"O-Ok boys, let's just get what we came here for," said Luna nervously as she pulled Nyxon closer. "And you, stop irritating him."

"Ow! Ok, ok! J-Just stop pulling my hair!"

Rocks let out a hearty laugh. It seems Nyxon being hurt was some form of entertainment for him. "The dog got a leash to keep him in check now, is that right?" said Rocks while adjusting his eyepatch across his eye.

"That's not how it is at all!" Luna yelled back at him while pulling Nyxon forward.

"Look, can I please just get the sword I came for?" Nyxon said while pleading forward.

Rocks stared at the troublemaker before him, thinking about whether to let him inside to retrieve what he had already paid for. He couldn't deny him. His Father was the King, after all.

"Fine," Rocks said while throwing his hands up. "I better be getting a fortune out of this one," He said while leading Nyxon and Luna down the stairs to his shop, where the intoxicating smell had been coming from.

"Sooooooo, where's the sword?" Nyxon said happily.

"I gave it away to someone who can use it," muttered Rocks.

"You're so lazy. Do you know that? What kind of Prince requests an "Aura-generating sword"? I should have said no."

"But you still did it, right?" Nyxon said before being stared at by Rocks. He lifted his eye patch at the duo. Luna stared back up from her book for a moment in disgust. There was nothing behind that eyepatch. She regretted not keeping her eyes on her book.

They finally arrived at the chambers where the sword was displayed. The room was surrounded by nothing but Magma. It made Luna sweat profusely as Nyxon kept jumping with glee. Luna thinks to herself, "I forgot he's Half-Dragon. The heat must not bother him."

Nyxon walked over to pick up the mysterious blade. It illuminated faintly blue as Nyxon placed it in his hands. He looked at it with glee as he drew it out from its brown scabbard. He started swinging it around like a child, making sword-cutting noises as he continued to play around.

"So," asked Luna. "How long did it take to make the sword?"

"About, er, couple of months," replied Rocks

Nyxon started to swing back and forth in a straight direction as he mouthed out what he thought the blade would sound like in his head. Luna had decided to join in on the fun as Rocks rolled his head while lighting a cigarette he had picked up from his pocket. Nyxon looked at the crystal that seemed to be placed in the sword. It kept changing colors—first blue– then purple— then white. Nyxon held up the sword in the air. It was bright and almost blinding to look at. Nyxon shouted, "This is the crystal, right?

"Yeah!" replied Rocks. "Just letting you know a crystal like that wasn't easy to find. Lots of vampires and Undead could have killed me if I hadn't gone early that night," Rocks said, letting out a heavy cough. It nearly made Nyxon's head spin.

Nyxon ran over to Rocks happily. Seeing Nyxon smile almost made Rocks throw up. "Sooooo, how much do I owe you again?" asked Nyxon. He started fumbling around with the pouch on his waist, trying to find the correct amount of money. "Was it fourteen hundred Gils? Or seventeen hundred Gils?

Rocks groaned, "It was sixteen hundred Gils Nyxon," corrected Rocks. Come on now."

"Alright, alright, relax."

Nyxon finally handed off the amount he was entrusted to give out as he and Luna finally made their way outside the smelly shop. Nyxon kept on staring at the sword he was given, still utterly shocked at how much his sword meant to him. Luna was thinking about how her interaction with Rocks went. "Well, that was something. He's some guy," Luna said while dusting off her dress. Nyxon looked up at her, drawing his attention away from his sword. "Yeah, but Rocks means well," assured Nyxon. "He might not sound or look like it, but he means it," Nyxon added.

Nyxon and Luna continued walking around the Kingdom. The sun beamed over the Kingdom as Nyxon and Luna continued walking together, laughing at their time together. Nyxon seemed to forget about the time as he was having too much fun with Luna (Luna forgot as well.). Nyxon had an idea, "Hey, do you wanna go to the forest? I like looking at the lakes." Luna shook her head in joy as Nyxon took her by surprise, lifting her in sudden suspense. His eyes also seemed to hold a faint glow of joy at the sudden change in plans.

Nyxon had started to fly along, with Luna accompanying him as a Dragon again. It was Luna's favorite thing to do. She shouted and screamed with glee at the wind blowing in her hair. Nyxon touched down in the forest, taking in the whispers of the river flowing along with the toads croaking in the distance. Luna hummed as she walked with Nyxon to the river bank he often visited. Butterflies seemed to be attracted to Luna's humming. Groups of all kinds of colors of butterflies swarmed her hair and shoulders as they flapped their wings flawlessly. Luna smiled. Her smile was golden.

Nyxon and Luna had approached the lake. It was flowing with fish and lily pads the toads jumped on. "YEAH! I LOVE TOADS, LOOK AT THESE LITTLE GUYS–" shouted Nyxon as he saw how Luna already had an abundance of toads. Luna and Nyxon wandered at the river. Nyxon removed his armor, keeping only the shirt he kept underneath his armor. He placed his weapon carefully next to a tree Luna was standing near. Nyxon jumped in the river. It was warm. Luna watched on the sidelines as butterflies stacked themselves on her golden hair. Luna stared at Nyxon as he played around in the water. He started to squeeze the excess water from his long hair, "Hey! You coming in?" asked Nyxon.

Luna thought to herself as another toad croaked near her dress. "Hm. I don't have another change of clothes–"

"I'll dry them off for you– come on!" shouted Nyxon. Luna nodded in embarrassment.

She slowly unbuttoned her dress before removing the bottom half and throwing them aside. She approached the river, anxious about removing her jacket, before joining with Nyxon. Her hair was long. It floated in the river like a lily pad. Nyxon laughed as Luna's ears went red from being embarrassed. "You wanna see something funny?" asked Nyxon. Luna shook her head in agreement as Nyxon dived underwater.

Something floated to the top– it was a toad. Was he floating on the water? Luna looked below herself to find Nyxon. He was allowing the toad to rest on his head. Nyxon laughed underneath the water as Luna giggled at how funny Nyxon looked underneath her. Nyxon started to rise from the water as he and Luna laughed. They stared into each other's eyes, taking in the feeling of being near each other. Luna and Nyxon soon turned to the sky, watching the clouds make various shapes.

The toad croaked on Nyxons head. Luna turned to Nyxon, "I can't wait to get married one day." Nyxon smiled at Luna. "I-" said Nyxon before being ruddily interrupted by the toad croaking. "She wasn't talking to you!" groaned Nyxon. The toad hopped back into the water as Nyxon held Luna's hands. "I can't wait too. I dream about it all the time," said Nyxon. "You can tell, right? You can see my memories from skin contact?"

"I don't need to do that to know the truth. I love you, Nyxon."

"I love you too, Luna."

The day seemed promising. Luna and Nyxon got out of the lake just moments after Luna joined Nyxon for some fun. Nyxon dried off Luna's clothes in a funny way. He flapped his wings in Hybrid form as fast as possible, so Luna wouldn't run home to grab a quick change of clothes (Luna thought it was funny, that's all that matters.)

Luna and Nyxon flew back into the town square, walking and talking with other locals before Luna sprang an idea in her head.

"Oh! I know!" Luna squealed, scaring Nyxon. "Can we please go revisit the day we met?"

"I thought you said I had to go home?" replied Nyxon.

"When have you ever done that?" asked Luna. She seemed to be telling the truth.

This was something Nyxon knew would never get old for him. Having Luna by his side was something he hoped he would grow old enough to cherish forever when he was older.

Luna's parents were no shock to Nyxon. They loved him immediately despite the origins of where he came from and even treated him as if he were their child. Inviting him over for dinner, letting him practice his Aura in their backyard, and even viewing the memory orbs they had guarded for centuries were all just things Nyxon could do with the Prophets of Esmus by his side growing up.

Nyxon finally spotted the town of Prophets as he soared over the kingdom, finally touching down where he could safely land. Luna carefully lowered herself from Nyxons grasp as she finally started walking.

"Luna!" A voice shouted from afar as Luna turned left and right.

"Mom?" Luna said surprisingly. What are you doing out here?"

"Cleo had foreseen you landing here soon, so I had waited for you to arrive," said Queen Patrica. And Nyxon too? I shouldn't be surprised now anymore."

"Hi, Mrs.- "

"Oh, don't call me that Nyxon," Queen Patrica snapped, interrupting Nyxon. "Just call me either Queen or Mom, please," she said in a calm tone of voice toward Nyxon. Her voice was smooth like silk. Nyxon rubbed his head back and forth in embarrassment.

"Where's Dad? I haven't seen him yet," asked Luna.

"He's inside the altar. Patrica pointed behind herself, "It's best not to bother him right now."

Nyxon chimed in excitedly. "Can me and Luna visit the chambers of history?"

"N-Nyxon!" Luna said nervously.

"Oh, of course, you two can. Just tell the Warlocks down there that I sent you, ok?"

"Yes, Mom!" Luna said as she clapped her hands together.

"Thank you, your majesty," Nyxon said as he bowed.

"Oh, Nyxon, you're so polite. I'm glad Luna had chosen to stay with you when you were children" "It's so sweet to know what future you two hold together."

"Mom! Stop looking into Nyxon's future!" said Luna.

"Ah! Sorry sorry" "I just can't help but smile at how my future son-in-law looks!"

"MOM!" Luna shouted aloud before the queen faded into the air, leaving the two behind staring in disbelief.

Luna pulled on her ears before rubbing them back as an apology for accidentally hurting herself. "Sometimes I think she's a little crazy from all the years of being a Queen," Luna said as she started walking to the hidden entrance of the chambers of history.

"I think she's sweet. I like her a lot," Said Nyxon as they walked through the dark depths of the chamber beneath them.

The warlocks standing in front of the big metal doors had lowered their guard as they saw who was walking down with Luna at her side. The warlocks immediately opened the door as Luna and Nyxon conversated as they walked in.

"This palace is awesome!" "I can't even tell when it ends!"

"This room has no end to it, Nyxon."

"Why don't we just look at everything then?"

"It would take too long, dummy," Luna exclaimed, "I have some favorites I selected out from my memories" "Every time we held hands, laughed together, smiled, and even hugged is all placed right here!"

Luna had placed her hand in the sky as a glowing orb had been placed in her hands. It radiated a color of gold and had sparkled down as it landed on her hand Nyxon walked over to look inside.

Nyxon was only eleven at the time, celebrating the eleventh anniversary of the defeat of the Elderians again, along with his Father and the rest of the kingdom, as usual. It was also his birthday conveniently then, meaning this was a big day for the Kingdom.

"Look, Nyxon! There's you! You were so cute." Luna chirped.

"Yeah....I was something." Nyxon whined.

They both peered into the glowing orb as it flashed a bright white glow as they had viewed into another timeline.

Nyxon was only eleven at the time, celebrating the eleventh anniversary of the defeat of the Elderians again, along with his Father and the rest of the kingdom, as usual. It was also his birthday conveniently then, meaning this was a big day for the Kingdom.

"Ah, King Magnus! You did it! You did it! You saved everyone that day, and I can't thank you enough!" Said a citizen shaking Magnus's hand extremely fast.

"I-Its a pleasure to be here to see everyone safe and sound. I was only doing what I needed to at the time." Magnus laughed.

"Well, you did good! You did good, your majesty!"

Finally, more guests had arrived, and more Kings and Queens from separate places worldwide had come over just to meet the King and his army. Along with the unique appearance of Nyxon, who had also turned eleven that day.

The King and Queen of Prophets had already made their debut with Princess Luna moments before being invited in as they were looking for the King. The room was crowded. Pictures and paintings were being made in honor of King Magnus for his hard work, along with Donnel and Brinks, who were busy.

King Cleo and Queen Patrica soon entered the castle. They fixed their dresses and suits as they walked closer and closer to the castle. Luna was right behind Queen Patrica. She nearly tripped over her dress as she tried to hide behind her in the main lobby of the castle.

"Luna?" Queen Patrica whispered, "What's wrong?"

"Luna, you won't be able to make friends if you keep hiding like this." King Cleo added on. He bent down on his knee. He was trying to fix Luna's hair. "Now, look. There's a boy here, ok? Just about your age– nearly your age. Why don't you try talking to him?" Luna stared at her Father. She nodded in silence.

"Is that him?" Patrica pointed to someone in a crimson-red cape across the room.

"That's him..." King Cleo whispered.

"Hello. Cleo." King Magnus chirped.

"King Cleo." King Cleo snarled.

Queen Patrica looked back and forth between the two Kings, confused about what was happening. "Oh, King Magnus!" Queen Patrica babbeld. "It's good to see you after all those years."

"As to you as well, my Queen. Didn't you have a daughter? Where is she?"

Queen Patrica turned around to reveal Luna. "Here she is! She turns thirteen in six months!"

"She's huge!" King Magnus chimed. King Cleo rolled his eyes as King Magnus continued talking, "She has the prettiest blue eyes I've ever seen! She must have gotten them from her mother."

King Cleo grinded his teeth together. He stopped quickly and regained his composure. King Cleo clapped his hands, "Well, Luna, this is the King of our Kingdom, Magnus– King Magnus."

Luna waved. "I'm the Princess. It's nice to meet you, King Magnus."

Magnus gasped with joy, "And she's so polite! My goodness! I wish Nyxon were like this."

"Nyxon?" said Patrica. She raised her eyebrow at the name.

"Why, my son, of course! And future Prince!"

King Cleo shook his head in confusion and raised his eyebrows, "But I thought Brinks was the prince? What happened to him?"

"Nyxon shows more potential than Brinks at the moment. So I've changed my mind."

Luna finally moved from the Queen's legs. She stood tall as she tried to squeeze a word out. "Um... where's the bathroom?" Luna whispered.

"Luna!" Queen Patrica said in embarrassment.

"It's right upstairs, Princess. Take your time." King Magnus said as he bowed toward the tiny princess. She quickly ran away to try and catch her breath from being in such an event. Luna closed the bathroom door and started running the water to splash her face with water to collect herself from her nervous posture. She looked at herself in the mirror, trying to convince herself to go back out there with her parents.

"Come on!" She said as she slammed on the sink. "It's just one day! Just one stupid day!" "I.... don't even wanna be here."

She told herself as she opened the door back to the downstairs hallway. She had built herself up to finally be the role she was born into as a child, as she should have initially. While walking, she saw someone, a child from what looked like a child at the time. They had stood between the rails holding the insides of the wood while looking through the holes.

"Oh, hey"

"Hi," Luna said softly while pulling her ears back.

"What are you doing up here?" Nyxon asked.

"Oh, I got nervous and decided to go in the bathroom to relax."

Nyxon turned his head back to the stairwell. "I get it. I don't like celebrating this either."

Luna lets a drop of sweat run over her head at the sudden words from the child. She didn't think anyone could share the same idea as her. She quickly ran over to the child and hugged them joyfully, pleading how thankful she was for their opinion.

"See? I always thought it was stupid. Why would we celebrate a war that happened so long ago? It's so evil."

"Yeaaaah, hey, what's your name?" the Nyxon asked nervously.

"Oh, right!" Luna bowed. "I'm Princess Luna, the daughter of King Cleo and Queen Patrica of the Prophets."

"You can raise your head. I don't really like the bowing thing" Nyxon raised his hand. "I'm Nyxon. I'm the King's son."

A small scream emerged inside Luna's head. She had not only just insulted the King's party and his accomplishments but said it all

directly to the King's son too. She started to get on her knees and apologized quickly as she began to cry at Nyxons feet.

"I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING, YOU'RE ROYAL HIGHNESS!" Luna cried out loud.

"Shhhh shhh! It's ok! Get up!" 'I don't care a lot about that stuff," Nyxon said while twirling his hair behind his ear.

"Y-You don't?" Luna cried.

"No, something always felt wrong with that" "This whole kingdom thing was never for me. I just wanna have fun with my friends. Like what other people do! They always look like they're having fun," Nyxon said as he helped Luna back up to her feet as he wiped her tears.

"Don't you already have a lot of friends?"

"N-No, not really. My dad says being friends with commoners isn't something people of royalty do. Well, that's what he's telling me, at least" Nyxon throws his arms in the air with a bright smile."I wanna have so many friends that I can fill up this castle one day! That's my dream one day."

Luna had let out a small laugh towards Nyxon as he frowned, thinking he was being made fun of.

"Hey, I wanna be your first friend if that's ok" "I wanna be there when this castle gets filled one day," Luna said while rubbing her head out of embarrassment from before.

"Hey... thanks for being my first friend." Nyxon chirped.

"Of course, Nyxon, of course," said Luna. She embarrassedly twirled her hair around her ear as she looked at Nyxon again. She was nervous. "S-So, that scar on your eye– how'd you get that?

Nyxon pointed to his right eye. "Oh, this? My Dad told me I was born with it." Nyxon rolled his eyes over to Luna, "Her eyes are pretty–" Nyxon thought. "Oh yeah! That thing on your forehead– what's that?"

"It's a moon crescent." Luna chirped. "My Mom and Dad said I was blessed with it!"

Nyxon smiled. He was happy at that thought. Nyxon and Luna continued conversing, telling each other more and more about what they did in their daily lives. Nyxon would always either be training or sleeping. Luna would always be either praying or reading a book. Nyxon and Luna decided to walk downstairs. With Nyxon and Luna's newfound confidence, there was nothing the two were nervous about doing.

Nyxon started to scratch his scar, "Owch– it burns!" he cried. Luna continued to walk as she passed by a big red door. It had metal plates covering the front of it. It was titled, "DO NOT OPEN." She looked over at Nyxon, who was still scratching at himself, "Hey– what's this door?"

"I dunno," replied Nyxon. "Dad says never to open it. But my eye starts to hurt every time I walk by it."

"You never tried opening it?" Luna asked.

Nyxon felt a scorching pain in his chest. His throat started to go dry at the thought of opening the door. His eyes began to hurt, and his ears pained him whenever he thought of the door. "No– hey, let's just go downstairs-" Nyxon exclaimed, pulling Luna alongside him.