Donan, still in shock, wandered through the underground paths, his heart racing with every step. The explosions had been deafening, and he knew they meant something big, something that couldn't be ignored.
But what truly weighed on his mind was the image of Luna, still trapped and suffering the consequences of her battle with Moldor.
When he finally reached the room where she was, his stomach churned at the sight of Luna. Her body lay stretched out on the floor, wounds visible and bleeding.
The shock was so overwhelming that he froze for a moment, unsure of what to do. The air felt heavy, and the sight of her so fragile made his world crumble. He stood there, motionless, as though he'd lost control of his own body.
Luna, her gaze tired and pained, noticed his frozen state. She tried to get up, but the pain held her back. Her body was weak, but her mind remained strong. "Donan, pull yourself together, please. I need your help," she said, her voice faint but full of urgency.
He stared at her, unable to react, as if living in a nightmare. Then she took the initiative. Luna leaned toward him and, with a gesture that only someone with a heart as strong as hers could muster, kissed him. Donan, still frozen, didn't respond. But when she did it a second time, his world seemed to snap back into focus.
His senses sharpened, and he finally realized what was happening. He looked into her eyes, the pain reflected in his face, and finally found his voice.
"Are you okay? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling but full of concern. He helped her up, struggling to support her carefully and ensuring she could stand, even if just barely.
"Come on, follow me," he said, and with renewed determination, he began guiding her through the dark corridors. They needed to find a safe place, somewhere he could protect her, where they could both hide away from the reach of their enemies.
They reached a secure spot, a secret refuge Donan knew well where he'd stashed supplies. He placed her there gently, trying to make her as comfortable as possible while he started thinking about their next steps.
His mind was racing, but his heart remained with her at every moment. He knew he had to keep fighting, because if Luna wasn't there, he would have lost everything.
She looked at him, wounded but with a glimmer of courage in her eyes. And there, in that moment of relative safety, they shared a brief moment just for them. No words, only the mutual understanding that they were in this together and that, with that, they could face whatever came next.
Donan knew the danger hadn't passed. But, for now, he just wanted to know if she was okay. Everything else could wait.
Before Donan left to take his next steps, he turned to her, still feeling the weight of everything that had happened—the pain and urgency. But Luna, her eyes fixed on him, asked the question he least expected, something he hadn't considered until then.
Despite her injuries, with a deep and serene gaze, she asked:
"Donan, do you know what I truly need?"
He was silent for a moment, the question lingering in the air between them. He looked at her, the person with whom he had faced so many challenges, and sensed that there was something deeper she wanted—something that went beyond the fight and survival.
His heart raced, and he moved a little closer, but without a ready answer.
Donan sighed, feeling the tension of the moment. He knew he couldn't ignore the feelings that had grown between them any longer, and now, more than ever, he needed to be strong for both of them.
He looked at her sincerely, trying not to show the confusion he felt inside, and responded, his voice husky, "I... I know, but I can't give you what you need while all of this is happening. But I'll do everything I can to protect you, Luna, so you can have what you deserve."
Luna, with a look that mixed pain and understanding, gave a faint smile, even if weak. She knew he was carrying an immense weight, but she also knew he was trying in every way he could. "You're already giving me everything I need, Donan," she murmured before silence filled the room.
With that, he gave her one last look before leaving. The mission wasn't over, but in that moment, the bond between them felt stronger than ever.
Donan walked down the corridor, his thoughts tangled with Luna's words. She needed him in a way he couldn't ignore. It left him unsettled—a mix of responsibility and an unspoken desire to protect the woman who, in some way, always made him feel stronger. She wanted more than just safety—something deeper, something intrinsic.
His mind was a storm of emotions, but one thing was clear: he couldn't leave it all behind. As he stepped away from the room, her words still echoing in his ears, he knew the next step would be crucial.
He would have to face those who dared to interfere, not just for Luna, but also for himself. He felt ready, with a newfound confidence he had never known before. Now, more than ever, it was time to act.
His steps grew firmer, his posture more resolute. He would not only seek justice but also deliver to those who threatened to destroy his life the retribution they so deserved. He was preparing to strike back, whatever the cost, even if the path ahead was perilous. At least now he knew what he wanted and how to move forward.
As Donan walked through the underground corridors of the mansion, he felt a mix of urgency and confusion.
His steps, though swift, were laden with reflection. With every step, the echoes of his past actions reverberated in his mind. He was no longer the boy who thought only of his own desires and pleasures.
Luna had stirred something within him that he couldn't ignore. Her words, "I need a bath, but in my condition, I can't do it alone. Will you help me when you return?" echoed as a reminder of his responsibility and of something deeper growing inside him, something he couldn't yet define.
As he moved through the mansion, memories of everything Luna had done for him when he was feverish and wounded played in his mind. She hadn't hesitated; she hadn't demanded anything in return.
And now, he had to be the man capable of reciprocating, not with any ulterior motive or selfish desire, but simply to help—with the dignity of someone who respects and values the person beside them.
He paused for a moment, his hand resting on one of the cold stone walls. Reflection overtook him completely. He didn't want to be that impulsive boy anymore, the one who reacted to situations with fear or anger.
He wanted to be someone stronger, more mature. Someone who knew how to give without expecting anything in return, who could listen and understand others without judgment or pressure.
The desire for revenge still burned within him, hot and fierce, but now he knew he had to balance it. He could no longer act as though vengeance was everything. He had something far more valuable to lose now—something he was beginning to realize might be even more important than his own personal justice: Luna's friendship, perhaps something more, but above all, the respect he was starting to feel for her.
"I'm a man now," he thought, clenching his fists with determination. "And I'm going to prove it. Not just to myself, but to her too. I'll be strong. For her. For us."
Now, as he advanced toward where he knew the fight was about to begin, he felt the impulsive boy he once was fading into the past. He was ready for the battle, but not just to avenge those who had wronged him. He was ready to protect the most precious thing he had ever gained in his life so far.