In the early hours of the morning, while everyone in the house was still asleep, Lucy and Ken quietly slipped out of their rooms.
They moved silently through the house and made their way to the garden.
There, they immediately saw Luna sitting on a wooden bench.
She stood as soon as she noticed them.
"You're here," she said calmly.
"Come along."
"Where… are we going?" Lucy asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"To a secret place where no one else can hear what I am about to say," Luna replied, her tone serious.
She opened her mouth, slightly raised her hand, and cast a spell.
"Bibliotheca Arcanum Aperio!"
The air grew cold, and the wind whispered unnaturally.
A faint crack appeared before them, forming a portal.
"Step inside," Luna said softly.
Lucy hesitated for a moment but eventually followed Ken through the portal.
They found themselves in a vast library, stretching endlessly in every direction.
Lucy's eyes widened in awe.
"This is the secret library," Luna said. "It cannot be found in this world."
"We're not even in our universe," she continued. "This is Earth, but in a different dimension."
Ken was equally stunned by what he saw.
After a few moments, they sat down.
"What is this, Aunt Luna? Who are you really, and what do you want to tell us?" Ken asked.
"I will answer all your questions," Luna replied, "but you must listen carefully."
Both of them nodded.
Luna began her story.
"In the beginning, there was nothing—only darkness, and no concept of time existed…"
Suddenly, a light appeared and took form.
In an instant, the multiverse was created.
But one universe was unique.
It contained only a single planet—Earth.
Earth was once the center of that universe, and the Sun revolved around it.
Luna continued, "The God created beings to oversee and govern all life on that world—the Zodiacs. Thirteen in total."
"One day, a war broke out among them."
"One Zodiac ate the forbidden fruit, losing their immortality. And He sealed the twelve Zodiacs to stop the war and prevent further destruction."
"The world shrank, and the universe continued to expand."
"Because of the forbidden fruit, one Zodiac became so powerful that it nearly matched the Creator."
"Only the bodies and half of the powers of the Zodiacs were sealed."
"They became stars, known today as the Zodiacs Constellation."
Ken and Lucy could hardly believe what they were hearing.
Luna continued, "For reasons unknown, the world was destroyed. But millions of years later, it returned."
"The Earth's appearance changed. Lands broke apart, oceans swallowed areas, and residual magic formed planets, eventually enlarging the Sun. That's how the solar system was formed."
"So… that's how the world and the universe were created," Ken said.
"Yes," Luna confirmed.
She continued her story.
"The truth is… my parents didn't die in a simple car accident. I am the reason they died."
"The people you've seen exploding… if you observe carefully, they experience unbearable headaches and lose control over themselves."
"That's because magic fragments enter their bodies—fragments derived from the powers of the Zodiacs scattered throughout the cosmos."
"These fragments have minds of their own and seek human vessels."
"I am one of the vessels of the Zodiac Fragments."
Ken and Lucy gasped.
"But why do people explode when the fragments enter them? Why not you?" Lucy asked.
"Because humans are weak. They cannot withstand the power of the fragments, even a small piece," Luna explained.
"But there are exceptions—some humans are perfect vessels. Those are the ones exposed to magic beforehand."
"I am one of the perfect vessels. However, when I learned to control magic, I accidentally used my power while in my parents' car."
"That's why they died," Luna added.
"So… does that mean I'm a perfect vessel? I was able to cast a spell and release magic," Ken asked.
"You are not a perfect vessel of the Zodiac Fragments," Luna replied. "I don't even know the origin of your power."
"The power of a fragment vessel like me is limited because only a small portion of a true Zodiac's power resides in our bodies."
"It depletes, but it can also return over time."
Luna took a deep breath.
"In your case, your power does not come from a magic fragment. I still don't know where it came from."
Ken asked, "Then why did you look so surprised when you saw Lucy?"
"It's true, she feels familiar to me," Luna said. "It's as if I've seen her before—or perhaps it's a being connected to my own power that originates from a Zodiac."
"According to legend—and based on what I just told you—there are thirteen Zodiacs.
One of them, who saved the world and became the God of Light, has red hair."
"My suspicion is that there's a reason you were born with red hair. It may be connected to the God of Light, Emelyra Scarlet."
"But judging from Ken's power, I can say it does not come from Emelyra. Your magic is dark," Luna said, turning her gaze toward
Ken.
"I believe Lucy also possesses power, like you, Ken. But since we don't yet know the extent of her abilities, I cannot answer that yet."
"That's why I need your cooperation—to help answer our questions."
Curious and intrigued, Lucy immediately agreed.