The sky, which had previously been shrouded in darkness, was now beginning to lighten. Hana Tsukishiro, still trembling after her first confrontation, looked around the city. Selene's power had been temporarily contained, but the marks of the battle were visible. The city was safe for now, but she knew she could not rest. The eclipse was just beginning, and the real fight was just beginning.
"I… need to understand more about this power," Hana thought, looking at the brooch in her hand. It was still glowing softly, like a light guiding her path.
She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her tumultuous mind. Her vision returned to the forest, where, during the confrontation, she had felt a connection. The brooch seemed to be calling her. Without hesitation, she ran out of her house, determined to understand what was happening.
As she walked through the silent streets, a feeling of cold took over her. It wasn't the usual cold of the night, but something else… something that suggested the shadow was approaching again. Hana looked back, but saw nothing.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her, standing between the trees. She seemed to be a girl about her age, with silver hair and a mysterious aura around her. Her presence was gentle, yet powerful at the same time. She was dressed in clothes that resembled the crescent moon—a combination of silver and lilac tones, with a shining tiara on her forehead.
"Who are you?" Hana asked, approaching cautiously.
The girl smiled, her eyes reflecting a calmness that seemed to come from an immeasurable power.
"My name is Rina Aoyagi. I am also a warrior, just like you," the young woman said, her voice calm but firm. "I am the Lunar Warrior Bloom, bearer of the light of the crescent moon. I have been chosen to fight alongside you against the approaching shadows.
Hana was surprised. Wasn't she alone in this fight? And what's more, someone with powers similar to hers?
"Lunar Bloom..." Hana repeated, feeling a strange sense of comfort at hearing the name. "Do you also carry a power linked to the moon?"
Rina nodded slowly, her gaze calm but with a mysterious depth.
"Yes. Each warrior has a phase of the moon to which she is linked. I am the Crescent Moon, and my ability is to manipulate illusions and heal the wounded." Rina looked at the brooch in Hana's hands. "You carry the power of Sakura, the flower of the moon, and together, we must face the advancing darkness." Hana took a step forward, feeling more connected to the situation than before. She knew the battle would not be easy, but with allies, perhaps she could have a chance.
"Have you... ever faced any of Noctis's generals?" Hana asked, her tone tense.
Rina gave a small sigh.
— Yes, I have already met one of them. Selene... the Lady of the Dark Moon. She is much stronger than we imagined. But our mission is clear, Hana. We must unite to defeat Noctis and his shadows. The moon and the cherry blossom must find balance.
Hana looked at the crescent moon, which was beginning to appear on the horizon.
"What do you mean by balance?" she asked, trying to understand more about what was happening.
Rina seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering.
"The Sakura Eclipse is not just about fighting Noctis. It is about restoring the balance between light and shadow. Each warrior in our group is an essential piece in this puzzle. The crescent moon, like the full moon, the waning moon... and of course, the moonflower. Together, we must unite our powers and, more importantly, our hearts." Rina paused, her gaze now more serious. "And to do that, we must first understand our own powers and learn to control them."
Before Hana could respond, a scream of pain tore through the air, coming from the city. The two girls looked at each other, knowing that a new threat had emerged.
"What was that?" Hana asked, hurrying.
Rina placed a hand on Hana's shoulder, staring at the horizon.
"Selene… she's attacking again. We must go now!" Rina said, her voice filled with urgency.
The two warriors ran toward the sound, passing through the city streets, where chaos was beginning to spread. A gigantic monster, a creature formed from shadows, was destroying everything in its path. It was stronger and more terrifying than anything Hana had ever seen.
"What is it?" Hana asked, dumbfounded.
"It's a creation of Selene. A monster formed from the corrupted energy of the black moon," Rina replied, her voice firm. "And I will make it disappear. Stay behind me, Hana.
Rina stretched her hands towards the sky, and immediately, the air around her began to glow with a silver light. She closed her eyes, and suddenly, a brilliant aura of moonlight enveloped her body.
"Lunar Mirage!" Rina screamed, and a wave of bright energy spread out from the monster. The shadows began to distort, as if they were being undone by the soft light of the moon.
The monster howled in agony, its form beginning to disintegrate. But before it was completely defeated, it gave one last scream and launched itself at Rina, creating an explosion of shadows around it.
Hana saw the situation up close. Rina was stronger than she imagined, but the fight was not easy.
"Rina, wait! I can help too!" Hana screamed, her hand holding the brooch.
Rina looked at her and smiled slightly, before shouting:
"Lunar Bloom! You are the key! Use your power, Hana!"
Feeling the heat from the brooch, Hana closed her eyes and, with renewed determination, raised her hands to the sky.
"Eclipse Blossom Strike!" Hana shouted, launching a wave of enchanted sakura petals that mixed with the moonlight, creating a combined blast of energy.
The monster screamed again before disappearing, dissolving into the shadows that finally dissipated. Hana and Rina fell to the ground, exhausted but victorious.
"We did it…" Hana said, smiling at Rina, still panting.
Rina smiled softly, extending a hand to help her up.
"Yes… but this was only the beginning. The Sakura Eclipse is coming, and the real battle is yet to come."
Together, the two warriors stood up, ready to face whatever the future held for them.