Lunaris – The Crosspoint Between Worlds
After some time walking through the underground tunnels, the air shifted.
The enclosed stone walls of the tunnel gave way to something larger—a wide-open space, the entrance to Lunaris.
Draemir and Aiden stepped forward, arriving at a merchant's entry point—a traffic hub where traders, travelers, and residents passed through.
This was the crosspoint—the last entrance before reaching the city itself.
It connected Solara's fields, Aurenshaven, and the roads leading deeper underground to the distant settlements.
As Aiden entered, his eyes drifted up.
Above the wide stone doorframe, illuminated by golden lamps, a sign flickered softly—
🔹 Aurenshaven 🔹
It was a declaration. A marker.
Even here, in Lunaris, the connection to Aurenshaven remained strong.
Beyond the crosspoint, Aiden's gaze settled on the city itself.
Lunaris – A Simpler, Makeshift City
The first thing Aiden noticed?
Lunaris was… simple.
Basic.
Not as developed or structured as he had expected.
Buildings were makeshift, made from reclaimed materials, reinforced by necessity.
Wood, metal, and stone were blended together, giving it a practical yet temporary feel.
It wasn't like Villedor.
There were no towering skyscrapers. No massive structures.
Instead, it was a place of utility. A place that existed because it had to.
Aiden looked around.
The streets were quiet.
Only a few people walked between buildings, talking in hushed voices.
Their movements were casual, yet there was a clear sense of caution.
It was obvious—the population here was much smaller than in Aurenshaven.
And the moment Aiden stepped in…
People noticed.
The People's Reaction – Caution and Concern
Whispers. Stares. Murmurs.
The residents watched Aiden closely, uncertainty in their eyes.
Not fear.
Not panic.
But concern.
Because to them—
Aiden was something unfamiliar.
He looked like a Volatile.
But he wasn't just a Volatile.
His form was changing, mutating into something else entirely.
And yet—he followed Draemir.
And that was enough to keep their worry at bay.
For now.
Draemir Explains Lunaris
Draemir's glowing pupils scanned the streets.
He let out a small, thoughtful hum.
Draemir:
"Seems like today, there are fewer people in Lunaris... That's not unusual."
"Normally, there are around 50 non-infected residents here. Maybe more. Maybe less. I don't really keep track."
"Some of them are sick—infected but not turned yet. They require constant treatment to keep the virus at bay."
"Their only option? Renting in Lunaris while they fight off the inevitable."
Aiden's gaze shifted slightly.
Sick.
People desperately clinging to their humanity.
Draemir continued.
"Others? Merchants. They come here to buy and sell—purchasing supplies from Aurenshaven and taking them to different markets."
Then, his tone became more amused.
"Despite everything you know about the outside world, life inside Solara works very differently."
Draemir let out a slight chuckle.
"Oh, and here's something else you should know."
"For some strange reason… we have multiple coins."
The Currency of Solara – A System Built on Faith and Survival
Draemir's glowing gaze swept over the marketplace, his voice calm yet purposeful.
Draemir:
"One of the first things the cult had to establish was order. A structure. A way for people to obtain what they needed while ensuring balance among the community."
"And from that need… our currency was born."
Aiden listened intently as Draemir gestured toward a merchant's stall nearby.
On the wooden counter, small golden and silver coins were stacked neatly beside wrapped goods.
Draemir picked up a coin between his claws, turning it slightly so that the dim underground lighting reflected off its surface.
The Two Pillars of Solara's Economy – Suns & Lunas
"There are two types of currency in Solara: Suns and Lunas."
🔹 Suns – The primary coin of Solara. The foundation of trade and value.
🔹 Lunas – A secondary unit, more symbolic than practical, often used in large-scale trades or offerings to the cult.
Draemir held up a Sun coin, displaying it to Aiden.
It was golden, round, with an engraved image of a sun mask on one side and the cult's symbol on the other.
Draemir:
"Suns are the main currency—used for everyday trade. Buying food, tools, materials… anything of necessity."
"Everyone uses Suns. Merchants, laborers, even those in Aurenshaven. It's the simplest form of currency."
Then, he set the golden Sun coin down and picked up a Luna.
Unlike the Suns, the Luna coin was silver, with a crescent moon carved into its surface.
It was thicker, heavier.
"Then, we have Lunas."
"Lunas aren't used in normal trade. Instead, they serve as a sign of wealth and devotion."
"They're commonly used when someone makes large transactions, investments, or ceremonial offerings to the cult."
Aiden's brows furrowed slightly.
Draemir noticed.
Draemir:
"Think of Suns as the coin for the common people… and Lunas as the coin of the devoted and the powerful."
"Those who collect enough Lunas often gain higher status within the cult. They are seen as contributors to the greater cause."
"In other words, Lunas aren't just money. They're influence."
Aiden exhaled slowly, processing the information.
The cult had designed their economy not just on trade, but on hierarchy.
Money wasn't just wealth.
It was loyalty.
Value and Exchange – The Balance of Trade
Draemir set the coins back down and gestured to the surrounding market.
Draemir:
"The system follows basic principles of supply and demand."
"The more common something is, the less it's worth. The rarer it is, the higher the price."
"For example—crops are abundant in Aurenshaven, so they are cheap. But medical supplies? Weapons? Those are harder to come by, so they are more expensive."
"And then, of course, there's my blessing."
Aiden's pupils flickered slightly.
Draemir's voice remained steady.
"My blessing—Solara's golden smoke—is one of the most valuable things in this land."
"It can suppress the virus. It can keep people alive. It can pacify the infected."
"People are willing to trade Antizin, rare materials, even their labor in exchange for it."
"In fact, before we had a currency, this was our main trade—survival for survival."
Aiden absorbed every word.
The economy of Solara wasn't just about money.
It was about faith. Power. Influence. And survival.
The Cultural Influence – Why This System Exists
Draemir exhaled, shaking his head slightly.
Draemir:
"You might be wondering why the currency is named after the Sun and the Moon."
"The answer is simple—the cult created it."
"The non-infected who live here? They owe their survival to the cult. They obey because it is what keeps them safe."
"And so, they built this system around our beliefs."
He glanced at Aiden.
"The Sun represents Solara, the light, the guiding force—me. The one who leads and provides."
"The Moon represents the followers, those who depend on the light to illuminate their path."
"That's why Suns are the primary coin, and Lunas serve as a symbolic tribute to those who serve Solara's ideals."
Aiden let out a slow, controlled breath.
This place…
This system…
It was built on more than just survival.
It was built on belief.
Draemir's Final Words on the Matter
Draemir turned forward once more.
Draemir:
"It's a strange system, but it works."
"People trade. People survive. And in the end, everyone understands their place."
"And now you know, too."
Then—
He started walking again.
And Aiden followed.
Draemir:
"Come on. Let's go deeper into Lunaris."
The Training of an Eclipse – Aiden's Leap Beyond
Draemir continued leading Aiden deeper into Lunaris.
The streets remained quiet, the air filled with the distant sounds of merchants closing their stalls and residents murmuring among themselves.
But then—
Draemir stopped.
He raised his hand, pointing at the buildings ahead.
Aiden followed the direction of his hand.
First, a small building.
Then, a medium-sized structure, slightly taller.
And then, more beyond that, leading toward the rooftops of Lunaris.
Draemir's golden pupils flickered with intent.
Draemir:
"Follow my trail."
Then—
He moved.
With effortless agility, Draemir jumped, his powerful legs propelling him onto the first building.
Then, without pause—he leaped again.
His movements were fluid, precise, traveling from one building to the next with ease.
And finally—he landed.
Now, he turned, standing atop the final rooftop—waiting.
Aiden hesitated.
Then, after a breath—he crouched.
And he jumped.
Aiden's Struggle – The Learning Process
His first jump? Successful.
But messy.
He landed on the small building, but crawled on all fours as he caught himself.
Then, he moved to the medium structure.
This time?
Not enough power.
He had to climb.
His clawed hands gripped the edge, his legs kicking against the wall as he pulled himself up.
Draemir, watching from above, shook his head slightly.
Draemir:
"No. Do it without climbing. You need to focus on the power of your jumps."
Aiden exhaled through his nose.
Frustrated.
But determined.
He started over.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Each time? Faster. Stronger. But never quite enough.
Sixteen attempts.
And then—
Something snapped.
Aiden's hands twitched violently—his claws stretching unnaturally wide.
And before he could react—
Shkrrrrrt!
From his palms, something erupted.
Golden, glowing hooks, laced with streaks of deep purple sparks, shot forward.
They latched onto the highest rooftop.
And in an instant—
Aiden was airborne.
His body whipped through the air, carried by the sheer force of the impulse.
Too much power.
He overcompensated, flying past the intended rooftop—
And landed against the very ceiling of Lunaris.
Aiden dug his claws in, hanging onto the surface as he adjusted himself, preventing a fall.
From below, Draemir stared.
Wide-eyed.
Silent.
For once—he was at a loss for words.
Then—
Draemir:
"…W-well… That's certainly… impressive…"
But internally?
He wasn't just impressed.
He was concerned.
Because this?
This was the Night Hunter's ability.
And Aiden…
He wasn't just walking his own path.
He was balancing on a razor's edge—between Draemir's light and Crane's darkness.
He was becoming something entirely new.
A Return to Aurenshaven – Aiden's First Flight
Draemir shook off his thoughts, his voice calm but firm.
Draemir:
"Aiden… how about we go back to Aurenshaven?"
"There's more space for you to practice. More room to control your… impulses."
But then—
Aiden lifted his arm.
Aiming at Draemir.
Before Draemir could react—
Shkrrrrrt!
Aiden fired the hooks.
They pierced the ground—mere centimeters away from Draemir's feet.
Draemir instinctively leaped back.
And in that instant—
Aiden launched himself down at full speed.
The force of his landing shook the rooftop, the structure trembling beneath them.
Draemir stared, exhaling sharply.
Draemir:
"…Alright… Aiden… You need to control that. That's more dangerous than we expected."
Then, without another word—
He jumped down from the rooftop.
Aiden?
Instead of jumping, he used his hooks again—
Launching himself downward even faster than Draemir.
His landing cracked the ground slightly.
Draemir simply sighed.
And then—he began walking.
Aiden followed.
The Final Sprint – Aiden Outpaces the Sun
As they crossed Solara's fields, the sun was already fading.
Night was approaching.
Draemir picked up speed, leaping forward as he moved.
His jumps covered great distances, his movements precise and practiced.
But then—
Aiden adapted.
He aimed. Fired. Launched.
And in mere seconds—
He caught up.
Then, he passed him.
Draemir narrowed his eyes.
For the first time in years—
Someone was faster.
By the time Aurenshaven came into view, Aiden was already there.
Draemir arrived shortly after, landing gracefully beside him.
A brief silence passed between them.
Then—
A slow chuckle escaped Draemir's throat.
Draemir:
"I'll admit it… You're surpassing me."
He exhaled, shaking his head slightly.
"But that's normal. All students surpass their teachers… sooner or later."
Then—he met Aiden's gaze.
"Children… always grow beyond their parents."
"And you? You will change the future more than I ever could have imagined."
As the final light of the sun disappeared behind the horizon…
The night began.
And with it—
Aiden's new evolution had truly begun.