Athos and Leon looked like sowers of stars as they approached the Terrunians who had swamped the estuary. With them came a gentle light that was spilling over the grass.

  The mild breeze carried the giggles and sighs of the locals, especially those for whom this was the first Lunary. The elders, however, would say that every time felt like the first.

  "Hey, Luke!" Leon shouted.

  "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you."

  A tall, brown-haired young man with a pretty face came to Leon's embrace. "Happy birthday, brother!" He patted him firmly on the back.

  "Thank you," Leon smiled, then added, "Though you know I haven't cared for them since..."

  "I know. But that has to change," Luke grinned. "What took you so long?"

  "Sorry, I stayed longer than I intended."

  "Did Fabiana keep you? Come on, admit it, she finally pulled you off Athos and dragged you into the hay behind her house to give you a birthday present." He smiled mischievously.

  "Can you be louder?" Leon punched him in the shoulder. "No, I was at my father's grave."

  Luke suddenly got serious.

  "Are you all right?" He looked at him worriedly.

  "Now I am. I feel like a tremendous burden has fallen off my back."

  "I'm sorry, I didn't know..."

  "It's all right, don't worry," he fell silent briefly, then said, "It's truly surreal, isn't it?"

  "It's breathtaking," Luke replied as they looked around and watched the Ruvimi Valley turn into a starry sky.

  "Listen, I have something to tell you," Leon lowered his voice.

  "What's that?" Luke asked absentmindedly.

  "I stopped by the Golden Pot to get something to eat when I came out of the cobbler shop, and I heard Horrick and Kayle arguing about the storms."

  "What exactly were they arguing about?"

  "Horrick thinks there's a Thunderer behind the storms..." Leon whispered the last sentence.

  "That's impossible!" Luke shouted.

  "Don't yell, you fool!"

  "It's not possible," he repeated quietly. "There are no bestias in Terrun."

  Fear crept into Luke's eyes.

  "It's just impossible!"

  "There are no storms either, and yet they happened."

  "But that's something else..."

  "Is it?"

  "What are you saying?"

  "I didn't get a chance to think about it, nor did I associate the storms with bestias, but you must admit it makes sense. It has happened before."

  "Yes—hardly ever. The last case was recorded how many – twelve, thirteen years ago? And people still think that the bestia was nowhere near Terrun but was brought here. They're just not around here."

  "Because it's easier for everyone if they believe it. Why shouldn't there be any?"

  "When did you hear that there was a bestia near the town? When did you see one in the woods or anywhere nearby?"

  "It doesn't mean something isn't here just because we don't see it, Luke. The forest is vast, and it's not as if any of the Terrunians were exploring. People are superstitious, and behind every superstition lies fear. They don't seek because they know what they'll find."

  "And you know the story of the first settlers looking for a land isolated from the world and magic."

  "I know, I've listened to it so many times..."

  "And you also know that even today, rites are performed that repel bestias from this land. The bestias are vulnerable here, upset, insecure..."

  "That's nonsense," Leon said, but Luke didn't care.

  "... this simply isn't their habitat. There are none here." Luke spoke as if convincing himself.

  "Luke, no ritual can drive them away, but everyone feels better—seemingly at peace—if they believe it can. That's why they choose to believe, even though they secretly fear. But I don't believe it. Bestias were here. Bestias are here. It's just luck that there haven't been any unfortunate events lately. It's not about any senseless rituals. This, with the storms, might not be a coincidence. Horrick might be right. It doesn't sound unbelievable to me at all."

  "Maybe it's because you've been obsessed with the Legion your whole life?" Luke was spiteful.

  "Perhaps. And maybe it's because I don't want to be constrained by other people's convictions, and I think with my own head," Leon snapped, and then they continued to silently observe the scene.

  Leon's look stopped at the couple sitting about twenty feet below them. They were facing the lake, so Leon and Luke looked at their backs. Still, he would recognize that graceful posture and chestnut curls, nearly brushing the grass, even from a far distance. He could almost smell her hair.

  Luckily, she couldn't see him, as his lips had suddenly gone dry while his palms grew damp. The young man's hand on her shoulder made Leon's otherwise dark complexion take on a rosy hue. Something in his stomach—like a hoop tightening under his chest—began to constrict.

  "Hey, look!" said the young man, and his hand flew off her shoulder into the air towards a glowing orb, like a miniature moon.

  I owe you for this, moonflower... You know how to pick the right moment.

  A white pearl was born from each moonflower, carrying a dazzling light, gently hovering above the ground as if someone were pulling them with invisible threads, wanting, simultaneously, to do it imperceptibly. While the flowers on the ground were slowly extinguishing, the air was illuminated by thousands of glowing pearls intoxicated by the moonlight.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "I think it's time we take a peek at ourselves, mate. Don't forget to make a wish at the end," Luke warned him. "In fact, two," he added, winking at him. "It's your birthday, after all."

  Terrunians were a free people, a no man's land. They didn't pray to any god or bow to any ruler. They believed in freedom and peace. Records show that the first settlers arrived in the Ruvimi Valley centuries before the Great War, looking for a piece of land far from the rest of the world, far from conflicts and quarrels.

  They paid homage to the Moon, believing that man, like the moon, changes on their path, has their bright and dark side, matures. That's why Lunary is one of the most significant holidays among the locals—a night in which the moon reaches its full power and shines with its glittering, pearly glow, to illuminate the dark parts of one's being.

  Besides creating one of the most beautiful sights, Terrunians believe that the moon and the moonflower help everyone unite with themselves and their soul. Therefore, it is a custom for everyone to vigilantly contemplate their thoughts, feelings, and wishes, eventually making one.

  Even though he closed his eyes, Leon could still see the chestnut strands. It took him a while to focus. He thought about his life, everything that had happened recently, and how long it had taken him to regain his strength and joy. He lost his father and found out that everything he believed in was a lie. Then he lost her as well. Still, he had learned a lot and emerged victorious in his inner war, losing a few battles along the way. But is there a war without casualties?

  He thought about what was behind him, but also everything life had yet to bring—about who he used to be; everything he is; and the man he wanted to become. He searched within himself, sifting through desires, seeking the one that burned brightest of all. He found it easily, wishing for it twice, for he had no other desires.

  He heard the sound of a mandolin. Gordon's fingers danced on the strings. He opened his eyes and realized everyone around him was already on their feet.

  A handful of people danced on the sandy shore, moving to the melody, some more gracefully than others. Ariana watched them, swaying gently to the rhythm of the mandolin. She stood alone, and Leon felt his heart tremble.

  "Maybe we should go, don't you think," Luke suddenly suggested.

  "The night has just begun, what's your hurry?"

  "Uh, well, nothing... I don't know. I'm getting cold," he said.

  "Is everything all right?"

  "Yes, yes, don't worry," Luke replied. He glanced at Leon, then at Ariana, before saying, "You're not planning to approach her after everything that happened, are you?"

  Leon watched the chestnut tresses that swayed with the soft movements of her body. An unbearable urge gripped him—to get close, to touch and hold her.

  "I don't know. Maybe... I'd like to," he said absently.

  "But there's been nothing between you two for a long time..." Luke stared at Ariana. "I mean, you're not even talking..."

  "That's why. I have nothing to lose," Leon said resolutely. "Wait for me here, brother."

  He approached her quietly, smelling the scent of linden: the fragrance of her hair. His heart pounded even harder.

  "Would you dance with me?" he whispered softly.

  She turned eagerly as if she could hardly wait for someone to ask her to dance. But the smile quickly vanished, turned into a grimace, and the gleam in her eyes gave way to bitterness, disappointment.

  "Leon… I wasn't expecting you..." She said confusedly.

  She doesn't feel delightful either, but "I didn't expect to see you" is not the same as "I don't want to see you".

  He reached out and offered her his palm. She looked over one shoulder, then the other, and then laid her palm in his insecurely. Leon's heart was pounding so hard it almost drowned out the music.

  "Are you expecting someone?"

  "No," she said. "I just didn't expect you. That's all."

  "It seemed you wanted to dance, but you're missing a partner."

  "Of course, that's when you come in to save the day." He could hear the poison in her words. "What do you want from me, Leon? Why did you come to me?"

  Because I can't get you out of my head...

  "I wanted to make sure you're all right," he said.

  Ariana was silent.

  "Well, are you?"

  "Do I look bad?"

  Then Leon fell silent. If he says she looks terrible, he'd lie to her, probably even offend her. If he told the truth, he'd hurt himself—she looked beautiful, different: she was prettier than ever.

  "I'm finally fine. I'm happy. After all this time, I can finally say that. Thank you for caring."

  Poison, again.

  That was the answer he dreaded the most.

  "You're not going to ask how I am?"

  "So I don't get an answer again? No, thank you," Ariana said.

  "I see, you moved on quickly..."

  "Quickly? You rotten, selfish man!" She pushed him away. "Moved on? I had nothing to move on from! I've been looking for you for days. I begged you to talk to me after your father died. I wanted to be there for you because I couldn't imagine how hard it was to lose the only family member you ever had. But all you could think about then was your wounded vanity. You didn't care who you hurt along the way! You just disappeared, as usual."

  He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close. He could feel her heart beating strongly.

  "I'm sorry. I'm here now."

  He held her in his arms for a long time. She didn't resist.

  When he opened his eyes, Leon realized that all eyes were on them. As she discreetly moved away from him, Ariana seemed embarrassed.

  "What are you looking at, you idiots?" someone in the crowd shouted. "The musician is playing the Love Dance of the Moon and the Sun! We're not going to stand here watching you smooch until morning, are we?"

  Laughter echoed throughout the valley while many nodded approvingly.

  Ariana was nervous, like a thief caught in the act desperately seeking an escape.

  "Are you looking for someone?" Leon asked again.

  "Uh... No, no..."

  "Good. It's not like we have a choice..."

  Feigning naivety, he appeared utterly cold-blooded, though his heart was racing up to his throat. He relished the fact that he would dance the love dance with her. The truth was, though, they, in fact, had no choice.

  According to custom, on the night of Lunary, the Love Dance of the Moon and the Sun would be played, and the couple chosen by the musician was expected to perform the traditional dance.

  Enthralled by their conversation—overwhelmed by emotions and all the unspoken words that had tormented them for so long—Leon and Ariana didn't notice when Gordon approached.

  This love story was one of Terrun's most beloved legends, and the melody Gordon played was its hallmark, weaving through the tale from beginning to end.

  Once upon a time, there lived a love older than time itself, mightier than any force: the love of the Moon and the Sun. It was a time when there was no darkness in Eltrimera. Many creatures of Darkness tried, unsuccessfully, to extinguish the zeal of this love—until the Darkness itself descended upon Eltrimera. It was so powerful that even the Sun and Luna struggled to resist it, so dark that it threatened to overshadow even their light. The battle raged for seven long days.

  Music followed the story, and Leon and Ariana followed the melody. The dance commenced with a couple's dance, blending passionate solos and paired movements. The first part culminated with the dancers embracing a tranquil slumber. When they awoke, Darkness was all around them.

  In Terrun, this dance was taught from a young age and passed down through generations. There was almost no one who didn't know how to dance it, whether gracefully or unskillfully.

  After seven long days, Darkness spoke to them, deceiving them. It led them to believe that the only way to defeat it was to illuminate the heavenly vault on both sides. At first, the Sun didn't want to separate, but Darkness was convincing. It managed to deceive them: Luna agreed to part with her beloved Sun, only to banish the dark.

  On the eighth day, the Sun and Luna said farewell and headed for opposite sides of the sky, convinced they would soon be together again.

  Ariana and Leon separated, dancing their parts, continuing the story bathed in the pearly light of Luna and the moonflower, and the glistening looks of the locals who surrounded them.

  Deceived, the Moon and the Sun remained forever apart, and one side of the celestial vault was left in utter darkness. However, Darkness didn't entirely win: their love was so strong that the light of the Sun always found its way to Luna, who absorbed it and brought it back to Eltrimera, ensuring that Darkness could never devour it completely. Their love watches over the world to this day.

  That is why the Terrunians adore Luna: she sacrificed her love to be the light in the darkness for the people. The Legend says that only love between two people, as strong as the love of the Moon and the Sun, will succeed in defeating and forever banishing Darkness, after which the eternal day will dawn again in Eltrimera.

  The dance ended with the dancers reuniting and immersing in a gentle embrace, symbolizing the victory of love and the end of darkness in Eltrimera.

  The scent of her hair brought back an avalanche of memories. The images lined up before his eyes while his heart pounded from fatigue and excitement. Ariana broke free from his embrace and hurriedly lost herself in the crowd. In Leon's hand remained a blue satin ribbon she tied a lock of her hair with. He was left alone.

  People continuously applauded, smiled, and shed tears. He looked around for Luke, but he didn't see him.

  He stared at the sky. The glowing pearls of the moonflower were high above, seeming to merge with the stars. The moonlight began to fade, like hope extinguishing when a cloud of sorrow hovers over it.

  Don't look at me like that, Luna. You'll have to find someone else to ward off the Darkness. From this love, only a small change remains.