Winter has come.
The snow blankets the ground of the deep woods. The moon hung high, illuminating the sea of white. It was pristine majestic silence. The air was dry and cold enough so that one could feel winter's embrace within ones lungs.
Far into the mountains, enshrined in a cascade of trees sat a lone cabin. The windows bled out rich golden lights from the warmth within.
A fireplace gently cackles embers with a stew bubbling within a crockpot. Tending to the stew is a middle-aged mother. Two fairly young children at the table, waiting patently with their feet swinging.
And their eldest, a teenage daughter looking out the windows at the winter landscape outside. She had a peculiar appearance with long silver hair, fair complexions, and most notably, her bright amber eyes. She appeared different from her siblings due to them sharing slightly darker features. Despite her regal appearance, she was clad in tough leather pants, boots, and a tunic. A small blue skirt overlapping it did add a feminine touch to her appearance.
"Luna?" Called the mother from over her shoulder. "Can you bring a bowl to your father in bed, please?"
"Okay." She answered, walked up, and gave it a small sniff. "Oh, you used a little bit more rosemary today?"
The mother nodded. "I'm always amazed by that gift of yours, Luna!"
One of the boys chuckled. "Big sis has the nose of a dog! She smells like one, too! Blaaaaa!" Covering his nose, teasing the young adult girl. Luna snickered in response. "Don't go forgetting who's helping with keeping the food on the table, boys! Hehe!"
Bringing the bowl to a sickly looking man lying in bed. "How are you feeling today, Father?"
A raspy voice struggled to leave his lips. "Thank you, Luna. I feel somewhat better today. I only hope you're not getting overworked hunting without me."
Luna gently smiled. "Don't worry about me. It's my responsibility as the eldest child. You just concentrate on getting better!"
Luna turned her gaze outside. "Okay. Midnight is here. The Dorma are at their peak activity now."
Standing up, Luna fetched a hooded leather cloak from the closet along with a wooden longbow and a quiver. She threw the hood up and lced the bow.
"Well, I'm off." She exclaimed confidently as her mother returned some concerning words. "Do be careful out there, Luna.." One of the children playfully chimed in, shouting. "Don't let the beastmen eat ya! Hehehe!"
The mother scolded the loudmouth boy. "Conner! Don't even joke of such things!" The boy chuckled mischievously in return. Luna put her mother's heart at ease. "Rest assured, mother. You know everyone is well aware that no beast tribes have lingered in this area for many years."
The mother huffed a breath of concern. "I know, but still. The child shouldn't say such things regardless!"
Luna smiled softly and rested her hand on the door handle. "Even IF beastmen dwell in the woods.. I welcome their challenge." She said as she turned the handle with a loud clutter.
Leaving the house and entering the snow-covered landscape. Silence ensued. Peaceful silence with the full moon lighting the world in blue splendor. Luna immediately walked out into the woods that sheltered the light overhead and created a belly of darkness underneath. Luna stuck her face to the ground and gave a sniff. "Dorma.." she thought as she fixed her gaze uphill. "Not too far.."
She tracked the path leading to the target and was led to a frozen lake. In the center was a group of majestic beasts with snow white fur. They were mid-sized game, roughly the size of an elk. Their coats fluctuated a faint rainbow glow as they stood basking in the moonlight.
Luna looked about thinking to herself. "Makes sense that they chose this lake. It's a good open area for them to feed off the moonlight. Although.. that makes it difficult for me to get close enough for an arrow to reach.."
Luna devised a way to approach these beasts without startling them. "Hm?" Her ears caught a noise in the distance along the treeline. "The weight of the nearby footsteps.. are different than the Dorma."
A pack of fuzzy bipedal beasts cautiously stalked up with their eyes on the Dorma, looking to hunt aswell. "Almost on cue.. I can make use of them. I'll approach from the opposite direction and strike once the Kroll startles the hunt.
Once the Krolls got close, the Dorma sensed them and began back away, keeping their eyes on the Kroll. The Kroll grunt, realizing they've been seen, they begin to charge the Dorma.
Meanwhile, Luna was perched in a tree, waiting patently with her bow drawn. The Kroll suddenly rushed the Dorma, revealing their claws and fangs in the azure moonlight. Luna narrowed her eyes and stabilized her aim.
The Dorma ran at one of them and got caught in the fangs of the Kroll, sinking their teeth in the Dorma's neck. In the chaos, one of the Dorma strayed from the pack and got close to Luna's range. "Okay.."
She took a deep breath and loosened her arrow. Almost as if it was in slow motion, it flew gracefully, cutting through the moonlight.
It was an instant kill..
Unbeknownst to the ensuing skirmish, Luna jumped down and pulled the kill out of sight so the Kroll didn't notice the free meal. The kill was actually small enough for Luna to heft it on her shoulders, carrying it to a safe place. She took a breath, resting for a bit to catch her breath. "This Dorma will last us for at least a week between the five of us.."
"Hold on.." she caught a stray scent of blood.. It smelled different from her quarry. Following her nose, she crept over the hill crest.
A creature laid defeated in the snow. However, it wasn't just any creature but a humanoid wolf in soaked in blood and littered with stone arrows. Its pelt was just as white as the snow itself. "A beastmen? What is it doing in these parts? Furthermore, aren't those arrows in him of beastmen origin?"
Beastmen, creatures that share human traits, they are bipedal, and they speak and have communities along with beliefs.
Luna cautiously approached the body.
"!!!" But suddenly the creature sprung to its feet, huffing with a mouthful of blood. It focused its attention on Luna, who stood back with her bow ready.
He creature gasped out some pained words. "That smell.. are you.. human?" The creatures gaze looked confounded as it stared down Luna.
"Yes." She replied cautiously, gripping the drawn arrow tightly. "What's a beastmen of the Lycan tribe doing out here?" She asked with slight apprehension.
Before the Lycan could utter anything, it collapsed back to the ground. It must've taken all of its remaining strength just to stand. Luna cautiously approached and checked the lycan's vitals. It seemed to still be alive, just barely. Luna was curious as to why a lycan was wounded by seemingly his own tribe. The arrows were of lycan origin, so it was unusual, to say the least.
She let out a sigh and began to create a small shelter with a firepit nearby. She works quite quickly as the basic shelter and fire were made in under two hours. She struggled and dragged the unconscious lycan into it and put a fur blanket over his cold body. She then tended to the wounds, applying disinfectant and bandages, dressing the wounds completely.
The creature remained unconscious the whole time as this was happening.
The night grew old as Luna watched the lycan as he slept. She had many questions to ask him the moment he awakes. However, it seems that will take some time.
Her family shouldn't worry about her since hunting expeditions tend to take days to return anyway, so they shouldn't see it as abnormal. She is pretty far from home, so she was gonna set up camp anyway.
Under the moonlit sky, she spent some of the time skinning and butchering the dorma she hunted earlier. She placed the meat into an airtight bag to prevent attracting predators to her location. It also had a special blend of preserving salts to help keep the meat fresh during the trip.
After completing her tasks, she rested under the shelter, keeping an eye on the lycan for the rest of the night.
At some point, she must've dozed off, recalling the cries of a woman calling out to her. It was a reoccurring dream that kept happening every now and then. Nodding up, she mumbled. "That dream.. again?"
She shot a gaze at the red wine horizon that burned the cold sky. It was still early morning, but she had enough rest at this point. The lycan was still asleep, unconscious. She checked his vitals and is still quite alive. However, he seemed more responsive to her contact. Luna decided to try waking him up. "Hey, you ready to wake up now?"
After her voice softy fell, the lycan slowly opened his eyes in lethargy. "Hah.. it's y-you?.." His voice slipped out with exhausted surprise.
Luna held a stern expression, questioning the creature. "I went through a lot of trouble hauling your heavy ass and tending your wounds. I only did so because I have questions about your situation. Why are you injured by lycan arrows?"
The lycan huffed in response. "You did all that to ask me questions?"
"Pretty much." She responded blankly.
The lycan took a moment and decided to speak. "I don't look it, but I'm not a full blooded lycan. Human blood runs through my vains."
"You're a demi-human? That's the reason they're hunting you?" Luna asked with slight bewilderment, gracing her face.
"My background was recently discovered, and my execution was set the next day. Needless to say, I wasn't willing to stay in my prison in the until then. So I escaped, they hunted me down, and here we are."
It was understandable given that lycan's carry a strong sense of belief that beastmen who aren't pureblood are commonly mistreated or even killed to remove them from the bloodline. The same goes for the human angle in some circles. Not all humans, but most do hold a certain disgust to half-breeds.
Luna was aware of this and decided to believe this lycan's story due to it being a strong possibility. Also, he seemed sincere when he spoke of this, so it was hard to dispute if he's lying.
"Okay.." Luna muttered. "I believe you, but there's another thing I must ask.. Do you think you've escaped your pursuers?"
The lycan nodded. "Yes, I lost them off a cliff a while ago. They must believe me to be dead."
Luna got up and opened the airtight bag and pulled out a slice of dorma meat. "I'll give you a slice of my catch to help you recover. Whether you eat it raw or cooked, it is completely up to you. All I ask of you is to leave this place once you've recovered."
Luna closed up the bag and grabbed her things, and was about to set out in a rushed fashion. "W-wait!" He shouted. "I have nowhere else to go!"
"Not my problem." She spoke with resolve. Not long after, he shouted once more. "Do you really wish to walk away in such a way!? We don't even know eachothers names!"
Luna stopped in place and returned her hardened amber gaze back at the lycan. Her glare softened, and she let out a slight smile. "I'm Luna.."
The lycan struggled to his feet and approached. "Ragnar is my name, and I'm grateful for you saving my life." He then fell to his knees and lowered his head before Luna. "And Luna, even though I'm not a full blooded lycan, I still uphold their traditions. Since you saved my life, from this day on, it now belongs to you.."
Luna was struck with shock from this behavior. Regardless, she spoke calmly. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not in the situation to have a beastmen following me around. Just go and do something with your newfound freedom."
"B-but!.." Ragnar was about to speak up but chose to remain silent. Luna then turned and started walking home, leaving Ragnar looking on. "How odd.. her scent is.." the mumbled as she slowly disappeared from sight over the snow-covered crest.
Luna trudged through the snow-covered woods as the sun revealed itself, touching her face. Upon returning, Luna saw his two little brothers outside giggling while running around. Eventually, they noticed her and rushed inside, calling for Mother, letting her know Luna's back.
Once Luna reached the front area, her mother met up to her. "How did everything go? You were out all night again.."
Luna reassured her. "Don't fear, mother. It's nothing you should worry about."
"I know, but still, a mother can't help but worry.." her mother lamented as Luna smiled softly. She glanced over her mother's shoulder to see her father standing in the doorway. She couldn't help but notice he was dressed for the snow, wearing his leather coat. "Father? Is it okay for you to be moving about right now?"
The grizzled man spoke with stubborn energy. "Nonsense. I could use some fresh air after being cooped up for the past two weeks."
Luna's mother spoke enthusiastically. "Luke seems to have gotten over his illness. His fever has gone down some, and he's more active."
Luke approached Luna and spoke with eagerness. "Luna. I'm gonna get the cart read and head over to Juno to trade some of our livestock. Care to tag along?"
Luna's mother stomped the ground before Luke. "You fool! You're still getting over a fever, and you wanna do something so reckless!?"
Luke dismissed her worries with a smile and a hand wave. "Reckless, smekless, Olivia! I just gotta load the cart and sit my ass down until I get into town. It's hardly difficult even in my state!"
Olivia threw her hands in the air and stomped back inside, giving up arguing with the stubborn man. Luke turned his attention back to Luna. "So how did the hunt go, Luna? Did something happen?" As he said that, Luna's memory flashed for a moment of Ragnar kneeling before her. "No. It was just a normal hunt like any other." She answered as her father raised an inquisitive brow at her. "Well.. okay. Store the meat inside and let me know if you want to come along to Juno."
Luna found herself willingly helping her father ready the cart for the trip. "I'll hitch the Corlini to the cart!" Luna shouted as she entered the stable nestled out back past a workshop with a creature within. With black feathers and blue eyes, the creature stood tall on six strong legs with sharp talons on each end of them. It seemed happy to see her as she comforted the creature. "How do ya feel, Vesper?" She said, caressing the creatures' beaked face.
After loading the cart, Luna glanced back at the covered goods. "Hard to believe you had this much stockpiled before your ailment."
"That's the nature of business." He responded as he sat next to her in the cart, grabbed hold of the lead. "One must be prepared for a rainy day! Not to mention, the Dorma skins you got are gonna fetch a good price! Hehe!" He let out a hardy chuckle as he snapped the lead, causing the Corlini to start moving.
As the cart rolled along, her two young siblings ran along the cart, trudging through the snow, playfully calling out. "Dad! Luna! Are you gonna bring me back something!?"
"Me too! Me too!" The youngest shouted while slugging behind.
Luna let out a bright smile. "Only if you two promise to behave yourselves when we're gone!"
"Kay!" They both exclaimed almost in unison, slowing down and watching Luna and Luke embark into the snow filled beyond. An hour or so passed as Luna and Luke had occasional idle conversations every now and then. Luke and some point mentioned his appreciation for Luna's help during his illness and remarked that she's been quite a responsible older sister for all she's been putting up with. "Also.." he followed up with another statement. "I know you have no love venturing to Juno. I know how much you dislike the city and.."
Before he could finish, Luna shook her head. "That's not entirely true, Father." She said as she watched the landscape roll by. "I enjoy our time together during these trips, and that makes it far more enjoyable as a whole. I don't just join you out of obligation, I join you because I truly enjoy the lessons you teach me along the way.."
Luke was taken aback by her sincere words, glancing over at the radiant white rose sitting next to him. Her amber eyes smiling at the rolling hills passing them. Luke opened his mouth to speak. "Hard to believe you're already 20 years old. Time really slips by.."
Luna let out a chuckle in response to the nostalgic grizzled man. "Geez, Father. Don't get all emotional on me."
Luke then struggled to say something. The words seemed difficult for him. "You know, me and your mother have been meaning to tell you something for a while now.."
Luna's attention became fixated on the gruff man as he quickly lost the strength to continue. "On second thought, never mind. Forget I said anything."
Luna pouted with a huff. "Well, that's not fair, getting all serious about something and leaving me adrift!.."
She could see that Luke had difficulties with this subject, and she chose not to pry, but couldn't help but be curious. Changing the subject, she decided to ask about something else. "Father, do you know anything about the lycan beastmen?"
Luke turned with a puzzled expression. "That's an odd out-of-the-blue question. Why, you ask?"
"No reason, really. Just curious is all." Luna answered as Luke smiled with a squint. "From my knowledge, lycan's can be the most fearsome to the most loyal beastmen. Hence, why are many commonly employed in times of war and / or servants of households. But in the wilds, they can be rather troublesome and untrustworthy. I wouldn't go trusting them as far as I can throw them."
Luna quietly acknowledged Lukes words in deep thought as he observed her body language.
Sometime later, Luna caught the nasty stench of death amongst other horrific smells. Luke caught her reaction. "Guess that means we're getting close, huh?"
Luna nodded with her eyes watering. Eventually, they overlooked a vast city with sprawling structures with clay tile roofing. The sight from here was almost breathtaking, as if lifted from a painting. The city settled between mountain ranges with water canals branching overhead.
However, the majestic sights took a bleak turn once they got with the city limits. Cages that housed the living and the dead were hung along the road. The ones that lived called out to anyone passing by, pleading for anything to keep their barely sustained body active. They grew ignored since the people knew the punishment for assisting captured enemies of war.
Crows flock to feed on the long dead ones. The ground was nothing but mud and excrement atop the once maintained cobblestone road. Luke spoke up to Luna. "Is it just me, or are there even more corpses from last time?" He said, glancing at the mass grave of the unlucky ones being dumped away and forgotten.
The common folk who passed by seemed used to their surroundings, either indifferent or held a look of bitter acceptance. Once they reached the checkpoint that overlooked massive ivory walls, the guards halted their advance. "Hold! You are about to enter the grand city of Juno! State your business!"
Luke let out a friendly response to the guard! "Cut the procedural nonsense! You know who I am, Klein, so relax already!"
The other guard interjected. "Apologies, Luke. Security has just gotten more serious after news about the Vakrah empire crossing the sea. Everyone fears that they will invade Juno soon. Therefore, Lord Aldius has all guards on high alert."
Luke looked about. "So you're saying more corpses will be strung up soon.."
"Anyways. Show us your visas, and we'll let you in."
After undergoing procedures, they were let into the city. The inside wasn't much better. Less corpses, but more merchants of valuable jewelry, hides, and other wears. Most notably, auctions that were held by slave traders. The slaves were both humans and beastmen, who were being examined for health and tenacity for value assessment.
Luna was well aware that this was the real world. Living beings reduced to merchandise, as if they were nothing more but cattle. Regardless, it does make her feel exceedingly uncomfortable when she sees children being sold off, thinking of her little brothers in their place. More often than not, they were sold to wealthy ministers who had wretched vices that they felt the need to satisfy. It was hard not to notice when they smiled maggots as they approached with a bag full of coin, eyeing their merchandise..
"Let's get going.." Luna said as Luke nodded in agreement, understanding her distress. Rolling through the busy streets, they passed through the upper district. The upper district is usually where brothels are located. Typically for nobles since it was a high-priced indulgence. There are lower end businesses, but that isn't always an organized establishment.
Passing through the cobblestone road, their cart rolls up to a well-dressed, heavy-set man who welcomes them with open arms. "Luke!" The wealthy man remarked with exuberance. Stopping the cart, Luke returned the gesture as if meeting an old friend. "Ydran! Did you know of our coming?"
"Whispers in the wind, my friend! Speaking of information, I heard you were taken by I'll in the past week or so. Fancy seeing you're as hard to be killed off as ever! Hoho!"
"You think I'd die that easily? Hah!"
Ydran switched his attention to the cart behind Luke, seeing Luna in her leather get-up, but acknowledging her pure white beauty underneath. "My my, your daughter has truly grown into a breathtaking beauty!"
Ydran approached, extending a gracious hand as a noble would typically address a lady. Luna understood and extended her hand forward with a smile. Luke shifted his eyes at Luna's body language. Her voice grew dainty as her hand was closed around his. "Your compliments of my beauty is appreciated but misguided, mylord. I am anything but the words you grace me with."
Ydran smiled in return to such a delicate response as his eyes closed into slits. "Remarkable. A young female hunter with words of a princess! Truly, you popped out of a fairy tale and into this bleak world!"
"Ahem!" Luke interrupted the performance they staged between each other. "If you're done courting my daughter, shall we continue with business?"
Ydran let out an extended sigh. "Haaaaaah.. very well."
Pulling back that cover, the wagons contents were revealed to be weapons. Swords of various sizes, down to pocket knives. Ydran examined one of the blades' edge with fascination. "How exquisite. You're an artisan with practical tastes. These blades possess a flawless edge with a simple yet elegant design."
Luke interjected. "My weapons are for high-ranking soldiers, not nobles. To nobles, swords are nothing more but decorative pieces that are never meant for use. Just like their cocks." His quip actually had the noble chuckle with agreement. "Haha! Indeed! Hence why I prefer your style, I like having a functional cock. Heh!"
Luna held a queer look after hearing the two men talk so explicitly about lower extremities so freely. Ydran glanced at her. "Ah! Forgive my manners for using such vulgar language before such a radiant lady."
Luna laughed slightly. "It's fine, really. It's just a bizarre analogy you two agreed with."
"Anyway!" Ydran clasped his hands together. "I'd say your armaments are worth 57 silver lumens."
Luke showed disinterest with the offer. "Please, Ydran, you know my weapons are worth far more. I'd say 63 would be more reasonable."
Ydran straightened his back with a grunt. "Hmph! You drive a hard bargain, but I must confess that armaments of decent quality are in high demand right now.. very well. You have yourself a deal, Luke.
Luke cracked a smirk. "Happy to do business."
As they settled their arms deal. Ydran asked one last thing before some parting words. "Luke. I can't help but ask as to why you continue living in the mountains like a hermit? Wouldn't business be leagues better if you were a local smithy?" After saying this, Ydran then shot a glance at Luna.
Luke answered in earnest. "I have no interest watching my young be engulfed by the temptation of the city. As I've told you many times before, I'll take my chances in the wilds rather than being employed by you."
Ydran smirked. "Hoho! Saw right through me again! Well then, I'll keep trying every now and then until you decide otherwise. Just so you know, the spot will remain open until that time comes!"
"Don't hold yer breath." Luke jokingly quipped as he snapped the lead and began to roll away. As they rolled along the rough cobblestone road, Luke glanced at Luna, who stared off into the distance. Luke cleared his throat. "I know you don't entirely approve of Ydran, but he is an old friend of mine despite our differing views on the world."
Luna returned her gaze at Luke. "I just.. get bad vibes from him, is all. Not the same vibes from those twisted nobles in the slave market.. More like.. a serpent."
Luke smiled softly with understanding in his voice. "Hence our differences. I'm willing to take his coin, but that's all I'm willing to get from him. The man owns many businesses, from pubs to brothels, and he has a lot of influence in this city. In accomplishing his goals, there's no doubt in my mind that he had to play dirty to get to where he is now."
After their brief discussion, they used the coin gained from Ydran to get feed and other goods. Needless to say, the rest of their time spent in Juno was uneventful.
Upon leaving the city, Luna sat in the back of the wagon, polishing and tending to her bow and equipment. She quietly looked back at the massive sprawling ivory walls that were stained over years of neglect. She signed a breath of relief as the city grew smaller as well as the repugnant stench dissipates.
Up the mountains and over the endless hills, they arrived within eyeshot of the humble cabin atop the quiet wilderness. The sun settled over the arch of the snow-capped mountains overhead, staining the clouds crimson.
Hopping off, Luna swept her gaze about her surroundings and unleashed a warm smile to herself as she appreciated the sight.
"Okay." Luke mumbled as he hopped off. "Let's start storing the food first. If you don't mind putting Vesper in her stable along with the feed afterwards?"
"Alright." After unloading, the sky grew dark as Luna led the bird-like creature to her stable. With nothing but an oil lantern in one hand guiding her through the dark. Opening the stable door with a clunk, she swung the doors wide for the carts entry along with Vesper hauling it. Unhintching the creature and consoling her, she put the creature back it her holding area for rest.
"Another day as always." She mumbled after shutting the doors closed. Not necessarily upset in any way, more like content with this life. As she trudged through the snow back to the house, she stopped midway. A familiar scent wafted through the air. She recognized it as she looked upwind along the dark treeline. Blue eyes flickered in the dark. She calmly placed the lantern in the snow and steels her nerves. She didn't have her bow on her but had her dagger strapped to her side and was ready to use if needed.
She approached as her eyes adjusted to the darkness in the treeline. The eyes remained, watching as she did so. As she got closer, she could see it was Ragnar, who remained in place and let out a casual.
"Greetings, Luna."
She almost wanted to punch him for his casual response after getting her all worked up. Her voice was heavy as she spoke. "Don't just say 'greetings' as you just stand in the dark like a creep! What are you doing here anyway!? Stalking me!?"
Ragnar simply gave a calm response regardless of her tantrum. "Firstly, I swore my life to you. Secondly, my wounds are still recovering, so I can't really go anywhere in my state. Thirdly, as I told you, I have nowhere else to go, so I guarded your family while you were away."
Luna's frustration settled as she could see that the tall wolf-like creature was being quite honest. He didn't let out an air of deception. He just didn't understand why his actions were inappropriate.
Luna folded her arms in thought as she sized up the lycan who calmly observed her back. "Not much for words, huh?" She said after a brief silence ensued.
Ragnar opened his mouth to speak. "Apologies, you see, my kind tend to speak more from reading body language. And I might be reading you wrong, but something about you makes you seem.. different from the other humans."
Luna became cautiously curious with a tilt of her head. "How so?"
"Everything.. you're flowing pure white hair, those amber eyes. Even how you move and behave is different. It's subtle but noticeable to me. Furthermore, your scent is noticeably different." The conversation led Luna to become uncomfortable as she took as step back slightly. Ragnar continued regardless. "Also, I noticed earlier you caught my scent and tracked me from a great distance. No normal human possesses such a keen sense of smell."
"Enough!" Luna shouted, losing her composure she followed up with a bellowing tone. "What are you implying by saying all this? That I'm not human? Don't be ridiculous! My parents have raised me ever since I was a baby! I am human! And you come along and have the gall to assume otherwise!" Her fangs revealed during this scathing fit that was aimed at Ragnar. It escalated to a pretty high volume as he stood there, calmly enduring her hatred.
Suddenly, she heard the door to the distant cabin open abruptly. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing and hearing her mother calling out her name. "Luuuuna!"
As this happened, Luna was gonna turn her attention back to Ragnar just to notice he completely disappeared into the shadows. She sighed and gathered herself, returning to the cabin.
Upon entering her mother's vision, she lamented. "Oh! Luna! I was worried about what was taking you so long. I feared the worst."
Luke stood in the doorway as Luna reassured her mother, who stood outside in the snow. Luna grabbed the lantern from the snow, speaking with a smile. "It's nothing, Mother. I just saw something, and my curiosity got the best of me."
As she was about to step inside, Luke's arm suddenly barred her way. "Is that true, Luna?" He sternly asked, quietly looking her in the eye. Luna felt intimidated by the glare but answered nervously nonetheless. "Y-yeah.."
"Hmm.." Luke grunted and ordered her to tend to her brothers inside and get them to go to bed. As she went inside, Luke shut the door behind her and stood outside with Olivia.
"Olivia.. I think it's time we tell her.."
Olivia's eyes widened, and her head lowered. "A-are you sure?" She asked with apprehension in her voice.
"Yes." He replied with a sigh. "We kept it from her long enough. We can't keep it from her forever. She'll eventually find out, and that could destroy her trust with us."
Olivia nodded the air in agreement. "Later tonight, then.."
After their discussion outside, they entered the dwelling as Luna was trying to get the young ones to settle. They were restless in their bedrooms and refused to lay in bed as Luna struggled to get them to do so. Olivia chimed in with motherly aggression, halting their antics instantly.
Luna cracked a smile. "I need to learn that trick. Must have to do with being a mother."
Olivia then sternly told Luna to get out of her leather get-up and into her nightwear. Luna nodded with slight intimidation, joining the fearful younger brothers. "Mother can get scary sometimes.." Luna playfully whispered to the two boys as they nodded in agreement.
Later that night, after the two sons were sound asleep in the other room. Luna left the room in her white night gown. She let out a sigh. "Haah.. finally, those little monsters are asleep. She returned her gaze to both her parents sitting at the table, as if they were waiting for her.
"Is.. something the matter?" She asked, thinking they might be on to her about Ragnar or something. "No. Not necessarily." Luke said as he gave Olivia a quick look. "We just wanna have a little talk about something we've been meaning to tell you."
Luna recalled what her father was about to say during the trip this morning. Then, the brief discussion she had with Ragnar hours earlier. Luna smiled and waved her hand with a nervous voice. "Uh. That's fine. I'm just gonna get some sleep."
"It's important, Luna." Luke said with a steady look and tone. This halted her attempted retreat, causing her to slowly reluctantly approach the chair at the table that opposed them. It almost felt like an interrogation as they sat quietly, waiting for one or the other to speak first.
Luke opened his mouth to speak. "I guess there's no esay way to tell you this, but.. Luna, we aren't your real parents."
Luna's eyes sunk in disbelief. These words rocked her to her core. She struggled to utter a single word as Olivia began to explain.
"It was several years after Luke was unfit for war after his last campaign. We were in a small town called Yoits during the days of spring. It was a small community with houses fairly apart from one another. It was peaceful. The way we wished it would stay. However.. war found it way to this small town. Many people were killed and suffered injuries. Therefore, we were forced to move elsewhere. Just me and my husband were all there was.. when suddenly.. we stumbled on the aftermath of a battlefield. Corpses covered the of both lycan's and humans. The strange thing is that the lycan's weren't armed in any way."
Luna remained silent, listening intently with anxiety in her breath.
"They were civilian beastmen with children corpses scattering the ground. As we were about to leave, we heard something nearby. As we approached the noise, a pile of bodies slumped apart as a female Lycan emerged. A lycan with flowing white fur with amber eyes. Her wounds appeared fatal, and her condition seemed bad. Holding close to her bosom was a baby that appeared to be human with the same amber eyes. The lycan saw us and had a look of mercy. She extended the child our way, and I gladly accepted it. She gave me one last smile before succumbing to her wounds.."
Silence fell for a moment after the story as Luna asked with baited breath. "So.. what you're saying.. I'm not only a child you adopted, but I'm also a demi-human?"
Luke leaned back in his chair as he answered. "Your highend sense of smell is definitely something a lycan would have. And it's safe to assume the lycan who protected you as a baby could've been your actual mother. You both shared a similar physical appearance. There's other things about your behavior, and the way you move gives off a subtle hint to your origins."
Luna raised her eyes that now began to well up. Olivia comforted her. "Make no mistake. We still cherish you as if you were our own. This is why we felt the need to let you know the truth."
Luna looked out the window for some time, in deep thought about this revelation. It was overwhelming to hear that all this time, she was really a demi-human, and she never knew. She thought her sense of smell was just a unique trait, but this whole time..
She thought she was human..
Knowing this, it feels like life will be different from now on..