Luna walked quickly through the rain-slicked streets, her shoes splashing in puddles with every hurried step. "I'm in trouble… how much time has passed?" she muttered to herself.
She picked up her pace, clutching her coat tighter. "Aria's going to worry…"
But then—figures emerged from the dark.
Knights in black armor stood at the end of the street, their forms almost melting into the night's shadows.
"Hey! Identify yourself!" one of the knights shouted, stepping forward.
"You moron, can't you recognize her?" the knight beside him snapped.
The second knight quickly approached, removing his helmet. His light gray eyes—rimmed in black—met Luna's, and something in their depth made her feel strangely safe. Protected.
He bent slightly toward her, drawing in a quiet breath, almost as if making sure she was really there. His expression softened.
"Miss Luna," he said calmly, "please come with us. Your sister, Aria, has been beside herself. She's devastated."
He offered his hand. "I'm Theo Vol. We've been searching everywhere."
His voice was firm, yet gentle. His smile—reassuring.
Luna hesitated, her fingers cold. Then slowly, she placed her hand in his. He gave a slight squeeze—steady, warm.
The three of them began walking through the quiet city.
Slowly, but surely, they made their way toward the park at the center of town. Rain fell gently around them, dim lanterns casting blue on cobblestone.
In the distance, knights moved briskly, giving orders, scanning alleyways. At the center of it all stood Aria—her eyes wild, her hands trembling as she bit at her nails in a daze of anxiety.
"Lady Aria!" Theo called out.
She turned sharply, eyes locking onto Luna.
She froze.
Then, in an instant, the breath left her lungs.
"LUNA!"
She sprinted forward, crashing to her knees in front of her sister, grabbing her by the shoulders with trembling hands.
"Where have you gone?!" Aria cried out, her voice cracking under the weight of hours of fear. Her whole body shook.
Luna blinked, startled. "I..."
"Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"
Her voice rose again—but when she saw Luna's pale, tired face, her shoulders dropped. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she pulled Luna into a crushing embrace.
"Two hours..." Aria whispered. "It's been two hours, Luna. Where were you?"
Luna hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… don't know. He was tall. Wore a coat. Had a monocle, I think… and an umbrella."
Luna hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I… don't know. He was tall. Wore a coat. Had a monocle, I think… and an umbrella."
She looked down.
"He just walked up and asked to talk. Said it'd be quick."
A pause. Her breath trembled, worn thin by exhaustion.
"I didn't know what to do. So I… I went.""
As she spoke, she gently patted Aria's head.
Aria pulled back just enough to look at her sister. Rain clung to Luna's lashes. Her skin was cold to the touch. She looked so small. So tired.
Aria exhaled shakily, then gave a faint, trembling smile.
Without another word, she lifted Luna into her arms and hugged her tightly.
"Don't ever do that again," she whispered, voice raw. "Not that I'll let you…"
She held Luna close, rocking her just a little. "You're tired. Sleep for now."
Then she turned to Theo, still holding Luna as if she were made of glass.
"Take us to the carriage. I want to go home. And investigate the man who took her. Here—this is his description." She handed Theo a hastily written note, scribbled one-handed while clinging to her sister.
Theo stood straight and saluted. "Yes, ma'am. I'll handle it."
Another knight leaned in and whispered something to him. Theo nodded, then turned back.
"The carriage is prepared. Please follow me."
Still cradling Luna, Aria followed Theo through the soft patter of rain. They reached the carriage and stepped inside. Theo closed the door behind them.
"Depart!"
The wheels turned, and the carriage rolled into the misty distance.
Inside, Aria clung to Luna, burying her face in her sister's chest. Her sobs were quiet, but each one shook her shoulders.
Hic.
Tears streamed freely down her cheeks, warm against the cold skin she refused to let go of.
And so the carriage disappeared into the night, carrying with it two sisters—one wrapped in desperation, the other slowly fading into the hush of rain and shadows.
…
Theo seized his helmet with purpose, the polished steel gleaming beneath the rain-smeared sky. With steady strides, he approached the assembled knights, placing the helm over his head and adjusting it with a sharp, practiced motion.
"Form ranks!" he barked.
Eighty knights snapped to attention in perfect unison, their armor clinking like a chorus of iron resolve.
Theo's voice rang out, cold and commanding. "Split into four squads! Sweep the north, east, west, and south sectors of Lavien!"
He inhaled, the breath sharp in his chest, then roared, "Find that man—no rest until he's found!"
A thunderous reply shook the courtyard. "Yes, Commander!"
The knights moved swiftly, organizing into four units with mechanical precision before marching into the rain-slick streets, boots pounding against cobblestones in synchronized rhythm.
Theo watched them for only a moment before crouching—and leaping.
In a flash, he landed atop the city's clock tower, the impact sending a brief gust outward. Wind tore at his dark cape as it unfurled behind him like a banner of war. The rain intensified, streaking down his black armor, which shimmered like obsidian under Lavien's dim blue lights.
He stood tall, sword nestled in its scabbard, one hand tightening around the hilt. His eyes narrowed, cutting through the rain-soaked haze as he surveyed the city sprawled beneath him.
A shadow against the storm—silent, sharpened, and waiting to strike.