A trail appeared in front of their eyes, as they both stood looking at it.
Noen's eyes were still cautious, whereas Sera just couldn't ignore the beauty in front of her.
But he, cold as ever, flicked his finger in front of her forehead, saying,
"We don't have time to spare,
So start moving."
"But…" she said, trying to retaliate, though she instantly lost her spirit as they both started to move forward.
***
Noen had a small dagger prepared for any threat as he wandered his eyes across the whole city.
In front, there was a huge town hall; hundreds of houses lay scattered, though some of them were cracked or aged with time.
It looked like the moss was devouring them, but it was a whole new ecosystem, and just with their steps, it all lit up.
Scattered fireflies wandered through the place, their glow illuminating the city as the mesmerizing sound of insects pleased their ears.
"What is this place?" he asked, though Sera looked excited. Her expression brightened like a child as she dashed forward toward the centre, spinning in between the fireflies.
Just then, a voice echoed behind Noen's ears—it was of a man, amber eyes, fluffy brown hair, almost in his twenties, as the whole barren city turned into a lively place.
People wandered all around, fountains bloomed like rainwater, and kids ran behind each other.
Behind him, the man said,
"Are you new here?"
It instantly snapped Noen back to the view; his eyes contracted, completely shocked.
He asked, "Where is this?"
The man responded, coming in front of his face,
"This place is our home—the City of Moonlight. You can also call it the Blooming Light.
Well, what's your name, mister?"
Noen just looked at him like he was seeing a mirage, but mysteriously, everything felt real. As he placed his hand on the man's face, dragging him aside, he said,
"Stay away. You don't need to know who I am."
Just as he said that, he called for Sera.
Far in the distance, she looked confused, surprised by the sudden change of atmosphere.
Her eyes searched for something, and as she noticed Noen—
"Mister!" she screamed. "I'm here!!"
She instantly dashed forward toward him, stopping in front of the man as she asked,
"Who are you, mister?"
"Oh, well, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself.
I'm Aven, Aven Scott… pleased to meet you, miss."
"Ohh nice to meet you, Aven," she said, "I'm Sera."
Instantly changing her gaze, she looked at Noen.
"Mister, introduce yourself."
He looked at her with an annoyed gaze, sighing.
He said in a cold tone, "I'm Noen… I hope we won't meet again," glaring at his eyes, but her voice echoed, disappointed. She said
"Urgh, mister!!
"Can you be a little respectful??"
"Do I have to? He said with a nonchalant tone.
Leaving Sera sighing, before she turned back to Aven, bowing, she apologized,
"Sorry for his behaviour, he is just like that… looking at him, she said, but he is a good man, so don't be too harsh."
Noen blushed a little at this response, turning his head away, brushing his hair as Aven jumped in front, saying in an energetic voice,
"Well, introductions are done.
So.. nice to meet you, Sera."
His eyes shifted
"And you also, Mr. Noen…"
Anyway! " You both are new to this city, so please let me be your guide," he said
As Sera jumped with joy, but Noen couldn't—he just followed them without a word, although his eyes stayed sharp, looking in a direction he glared at.
***
Passing through the city, Aven introduced the culture, jumping around here and there, his voice as energetic as ever.
"This place is the market, if you want anything—"
He grabbed an apple from a stall, handing it over to Sera. She thanked him, taking it from his hands, but Noen just grabbed it, throwing it to the ground.
"Don't eat that," he said
But Aven jumped in between, awkwardly laughing,
"Don't worry, his mood might be off… There will be more opportunities, so follow me, miss. She just nodded, humming, as she followed.
But Noen glanced at the apple, picking it up again.
He wondered.
It feels weird…
His hand tightened with force as the apple crumbled into dust—but it was wrong.
Not an apple… but like a rock.
His eyebrow narrowed with suspicion, though his senses remained calm.
He just followed.
***
A day passed.
Moving around the city, Sera had a necklace on her neck, humming as she wandered, stopping around a house.
Aven muttered, "Right there… You both can rest a little. If you need anything, you can call the owner."
"Well, I'll meet you tomorrow."
Sera waved goodbye, moving back to Noen.
"Isn't the city beautiful?" she said.
But Noen's eyes, cold like a tiger, looked at her as he responded in an indifferent tone,
"It seems you had a lot of fun."
Sera, confused by his question, just stared at him silently before she said in a joyful tone,
"Yes, I had." On it, he just sighed,
Though he quickly changed the topic as he said,
"Well, you should rest. I'll walk around a little bit."
Her eyes stayed on him, suspicious, before she entered the house.
Meanwhile, Noen completely changing his demeanour. He muttered under his breath,
"This city… there is something off about it."
"Also, that boy…"
His eyes glanced back, looking in the same direction he had looked before.
"I'm feeling the same aura from that direction… the same one I felt from him."
But why? he thought.
Just then, something trembled.
It was like a fire spreading throughout the sky. The sound of rumbling shattered the buildings as Noen looked in pure fright.
He ran back, calling for Sera, as she ran back to him as well.
"What's happening?" she asked.
Though Noen's eyes remained panicked, trying to calm himself, he focused and said,
"Sera, do you have the sword I gave you?"
"No," she said.
But as if realizing something, he looked at his waist.
"No… my dagger, it's also not here."
He looked around, trying to make sense of the situation.
He bit his finger, but to his surprise, it just bled.
His eyes shrank as a realization hit him.
"I can't regenerate…"