"Nyx?" Luna asked. "Is there something wrong?"
She was unsure what to do as Nyx's face showed not only confusion but perplexity.
"....A, Y-yes, everything is alright," Nyx stammered, his brow still furrowed in perplexity. "Just…"
"...You amaze me every time I see you," Nyx said
He looked at Luna, pausing for a long second. "I didn't expect you to use an intermediate spell from the beginning."
"Since everyone—well, almost everyone—start with the beginner spell… but, amazing." Nyx's initial shock melted into a proud grin. He brought his hands together in a few sharp, echoing claps that bounced off the training hall's high walls while saying, "Good job! Now I know we will convince our father…"
"Ah... It's not that I didn't know before. Sorry." He cleared his throat, a nervous habit. "I won't lose to him..."
Oh yes, you're at it again, Luna thought. I'm more convinced now that you only train me for your own satisfaction. Eh, who cares, at least you are happy. A barely noticeable smile appeared on her face as she ended her thought.
"Yay! Good job!" Luna clapped back to Nyx with a cheerful voice.
As they both clapped for each other, standing alone in the training hall, the light shone from the windows behind Nyx. He cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his right hand made into a fist. "Mhm, Luna, then I don't think you'll need more spells than this. Remember the sensation and the words I told you, and practice it over and over for the next few days until the duel."
"If you do that, you'll be able to impress father! Please do it for your brother!" Nyx said as he turned back towards the door and started walking there.
"Haha! Of course, I won't disappoint you, brother!" A laugh bubbled out of Luna, unforced and genuine, the tension of the last hour melting away. "Haha! Of course, I won't disappoint you, brother!"
I want to make the most of the life I have left, Luna thought, her head slowly lowering as a distant look settled on her face while she watched Nyx's back.
"Oh, and I have to go to father to help him with paperwork, so practice well! I trust you," Nyx said, already turning and waving with the back of his hand as he walked toward the door. "Of course, Brother!" Luna called after him. She watched as he stepped out, closing the door behind him and leaving her alone in the training hall.
As the door clicked shut, Luna's cheerful smile faded. She stared at the heavy wood, her voice a whisper in the vast training hall."I won't disappoint you, brother…"
…
For the next six hours, Luna practiced the spell Nyx had shown her. Yet, from time to time, the spell still failed, though that was rare after hours of practice.
Luna glided off the ground, circling the training hall. Sweating profusely, she jumped off just as the spell disappeared, right before it shot a few lightning bolts around the area.
I think… that's enough. I don't feel too well, ugh, Luna groaned. She opened the door slowly and made her way down the corridor. Arriving at the main front door, she turned left and went up the stairs to the fourth floor where she stayed.
Walking towards her door, her knight, Theo, followed silently in the shadows—a guard from the darkness, draped in pitch-black armor. He stopped within the shadow as Luna walked into the room.
Theo bowed to her as she closed the door behind her. She dragged her legs towards her bed and jumped onto it.
Ah, it hurts. Why is … mmm… my body hurting so bad? Luna thought, groaning. Gripping her stomach, she curled up into a ball on her left side.
Luna lay there for minutes on end, but it felt like hours. She gripped her stomach harder and harder as the minutes passed, her pain ever-growing. Slowly, her face began to pale; she couldn't bear it anymore.
She crawled out of bed and stood up, walking slowly towards the door as her legs trembled under the pain.
"I… need to call Aisha… Ugh, Aisha!" she muttered, just as her legs gave out and she fell onto the wooden floor.
Groaning in pain, she gripped her mouth. Tears slowly fell down her cheek, gathering on her hand.
The more she held her mouth, the more the pressure built. Second after second, it hurt more until it blew. Blood poured out of Luna's mouth and nose—a torrent from her mouth.
It gushed onto the ground, coloring it a deep red. Her training garment, her legs, arms, and even her hair were stained deep red. Blood was everywhere.
Luna's arms trembled as blood kept gushing from her nose and mouth. The more she looked around, the harder it was to breathe. Struggling for air, she glanced around hastily, just as the handle moved down fast and the doors swung open.
It was Aisha, standing and looking down at her. Luna looked up, murmuring, "No, no."
Aisha's eyes were wide open, the corners of her mouth stretching as far as they could to each side. Her face contorted into deep sadness; the look of pure horror confused Luna just as tears started flowing down Aisha's face.
She darted towards Luna, closing the doors after her with a thud. She hugged her, whispering, "Everything is okay. I am here. Calm down, my lady. Please calm down. Everything will be alright."
While Aisha kept repeating herself, she caressed the back of Luna's head, hugging and reassuring her deeply.
Luna couldn't help but be overwhelmed with emotion. As Aisha kept caressing her and hugging her tightly, the warmth of her body, the love in her embrace, the reasons why she did it—it meant everything at that moment. A stream of tears flew down Luna's face as she cried out loud.
"Aisha, I'm, I'm sorry. P-Please forgive me," Luna cried out.
"Everything is going to be all right. Cry as much as you need, my lady. I am here for you, please rest assured."
Aisha kept caressing the back of her head, now faster than before. Keeping pace, tears silently fell down her own cheek, burrowing into the back of Luna's clothes. She kept repeating, "Everything will be alright."