Zephyr spotted others playing and running around on the hill. He walked towards the lake, intending to rest when he sensed someone watching him. "Come out, Luna. I know it's you," he said with a hint of amusement.
Luna emerged from behind a tree, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "How did you know it was me?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Zephyr chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're not as stealthy as you think you are, Luna. Besides, I've known you long enough to recognize your presence."
Luna's grin faltered for a moment, and she looked away, her expression turning thoughtful. "I suppose you're right. I wasn't trying to sneak up on you anyway."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What were you trying to do, then?"
Luna's gaze snapped back to his, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "I was just... observing. Yes, that's it. Observing."
Zephyr's curiosity got the better of him. "Hmm, may I know what you're observing about me?" he asked.
Luna walked forward, her unicorn form gliding effortlessly across the grass. She took a seat a little distance from Zephyr, her eyes looking calm. "Just the way you had a great time with the Chosen One," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity.
Zephyr nodded, shifting his gaze to the lake. "I did."
Luna's expression turned thoughtful. "And you told her everything without waiting for the right moment?"
Zephyr looked at her, his eyes locking onto hers. "There's no perfect time, Luna. The sooner she knows, the better prepared she'll be. I didn't reveal that she's Lucain's soulmate, just that she's crucial to meeting Malaki."
Luna's gaze lingered on Zephyr, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "You're different from the rest of us, Zephyr. Always rushing into things without considering the consequences."
Zephyr shrugged, his eyes drifting back to the lake. "Someone has to take the initiative, Luna. Besides, I think she's ready for this. She's stronger than you think."
Luna's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with the implications. "I hope you know what you're doing, Zephyr. We can't afford mistakes now, not by losing you."
Zephyr's gaze snapped back to Luna, a hint of determination in his voice. "I'll be careful, Luna. But I have a feeling time is running out."
Luna's eyes narrowed again, her tone firm. "I'll support you, Zephyr. But be warned: the others won't be as understanding. You'll need to tread carefully. Remember, what we discussed stays between us. Be cautious around Sparkle; she may seem careless, but she's intelligent. Don't let her discover anything."
Zephyr nodded, his eyes locking onto Luna's. "I'll be vigilant at all times."
Luna's expression softened into thoughtfulness. "One more thing, Zephyr: when can we expect Alicia to harness the Chosen One's power?"
Zephyr's gaze drifted, his mind turning over the possibilities. "I'm not sure, Luna. Alicia's abilities are still evolving. But I sense it won't be long before she taps into the Chosen One's energy."
Luna's voice dropped to a low, urgent tone. "We need to be prepared, Zephyr. Alicia's powers could change everything. We must ensure the Chosen One is ready for what's coming."
Zephyr's eyes snapped back to Luna's, his voice filled with determination. "Yeah, you're right about that. But it's Lucain who's in charge of that. Our duty is to keep a watchful eye on her and protect her until he comes back. But I don't know when."
Luna's eyes locked onto his, her expression serious. "Yes, but we can't keep her here for long. They'll be going back any moment now."
Zephyr's gaze drifted, his mind racing with the implications. "I know. I'll make sure to stay close to her, just in case."
Luna nodded, her expression softening. "I'll be here, watching from afar. Be careful, Zephyr."
Zephyr nodded, his eyes locking onto Luna's. "I will. And Luna?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for watching my back."
Luna's expression softened into a gentle smile. "Anytime, Zephyr. That's what friends are for."
Zephyr's gaze lingered on Luna's, his eyes searching for something he couldn't quite grasp. Her words awakened a deep sense of connection within him, a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced since his parents' passing. The pain of their loss still lingered, a wound that had never fully healed.
He looked away, his eyes drifting towards the horizon, Luna's words echoed in his mind. He felt a strange sensation wash over him, like a warmth spreading through his chest. It was as if her words had stirred a long-dormant ember, a flame of hope that had flickered out after his parents' death.
"Thanks, Luna," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Luna's smile faltered for a moment, and she took a step closer to Zephyr. "Hey, is everything okay?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Zephyr turned back to her, his eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Zephyr felt like he was drowning in the depths of Luna's eyes, like he was being pulled into a world of feelings he couldn't quite navigate.
"I... I don't know," he said finally, his voice cracking with uncertainty. "It's just... when you said that, it made me feel something. Something I thought had died after my parents passed away. I've been carrying this emptiness inside me for so long, I thought it was just a part of who I am now."
Luna's expression softened further, her eyes filled with a deep understanding. "I'm so sorry, Zephyr. I had no idea it still hurt so much."
Zephyr's eyes dropped, his gaze falling to the ground. "It's not just the pain," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's the feeling of being alone, of being adrift in the world without anyone to anchor me. But when you said what you did... it made me feel seen, heard. Like I'm not alone anymore."
Luna had grown accustomed to Zephyr's reserved nature, particularly when it came to his parents or anyone else from his past. She had pieced together fragments of his history, sensing the deep-seated pain and regret that lingered beneath his stoic exterior. It was as if he was driven by a fierce determination to succeed, to prove to himself that he was more than the sum of his family's mistakes.
She watched him, Luna noticed the tension within him growing more pronounced, like the quiet before a storm. His eyes seemed to cloud over, his jaw clenched in a silent struggle to contain the emotions that threatened to surface. She could almost feel the weight of his unspoken thoughts bearing down on him, the pressure building like a slow-burning fire.
In that moment, Luna's expression transformed, a sly smirk spreading across her face like a whispered secret. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, as if she had conceived a plan to cheer him up since Zephyr's love challenge, she decided for them to race.
Luna stood up, her unicorn form towering over the grass. She turned around, her eyes looking at the poor Zephyr, feeling bad for him. "Let's race, Zephyr. The first one to reach the hill wins extra power, granted by me," she said, her voice dripping with challenge.
Zephyr's eyes lit up, and he grinned at her bold proposition. He stood up, his wings fluttering slightly as he walked closer to her. "Game on," he said, his voice filled with excitement.
Luna's smirk grew wider, and she held out her hoof, her eyes glinting with anticipation. "On your marks... get set... go!" she called out, and they took off like shots, their incredible speed propelling them forward.
The wind whipped through their manes, sending them flying behind them like colorful ribbons. Luna's laughter echoed through the air, mingling with Zephyr's whoops of joy. The two friends tore across the landscape, their hooves pounding the earth in unison.
They approached the hill, their speed increased, their breathing synchronized. Zephyr's wings fluttered wildly, generating powerful gusts of wind that buffeted Luna's face. She responded by summoning a burst of magic, her horn glowing brightly as she surged forward.
The finish line loomed ahead, and the two friends gave it their all, their hearts pounding in their chests. In a photo finish, Zephyr crossed the line a fraction of a second before Luna, his wings beating triumphantly.
Luna skidded to a stop, her chest heaving with exertion. She grinned at Zephyr, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Well done, Zephyr. You win this time."
Zephyr grinned back, his wings still fluttering with excitement. "Thanks, Luna. You're a tough competitor."
Luna chuckled, her smirk returning. "I'll give you the extra power, as promised. But next time, I won't go easy on you."
Zephyr's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I'm counting on it."