Canceled Version

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An ominous wind trickled throughout the small village of Blacklight. A young woman could feel that something was not right. She ran home, approaching a little shack, her voice hoa.r.s.ens. "Lovell! Lovell! Where are you?" stumbling as she reached the door. Before her hand could reach the handle; a six-year-old boy opened the door. He was rubbing his eyes.

"What is it, mommy?" Lovell yawned. "Why are you yelling?"

Within no time, the woman gripped Lovell by the forearms. Her hands shaking, she began to speak, but then the sound of screaming ran through the village. Turning to her son "There"s no time to explain, the Faremin armies are on the way," turning to see if they were close by. "and you need to hide!" As Lovell began to ask why, Before he could, the screams echoed louder from the village. "Hurry! There"s not much time!"

Moments before sending him off, a young couple came running up with their newborn, "Ms. Kaya!" the woman huffed clenching her baby close, lifted her head. "please save our child!"

Ms. Kaya raised her hand before they could say more, "Lovell, take the child with you, and go." Lovell went to ask why once more. His mother cutting off before his words could reach out. "No questions! Now go!!" She pointed to the forest.

Lovell grabbed the child as his mother ordered. The infant"s clothes embroidered with the name Luna. Luna was in a deep slumber; as he cradled her in his arms. As quickly as they came, Luna"s parents dashed off with his mother, while he and Luna rushed off deep into the forest surrounding the village. He could hear the roars of the soldiers cries while the mix of villagers screams echoes in pain amongst the branches. Tucking behind a tree, Luna awoke to see Lovell; cries resonated out from her as she looked at him. Rocking her back and forth trying to soothe her, he knew if any soldiers caught wind of her cries, they could both get killed. With a little endeavor, he managed to succeed, Luna returning to a calmer state before falling asleep once more. With the day ending, and nightfall came, it felt as if the days had gone. With fear gripping him; Lovell kept Luna close, waiting for the first light of the next day. With hopes that they were not alone in the ma.s.sacre.

By the time dawn broke the smell of smoke had filled the air. Lovell exhausted, quietly got up, cradling Luna close to his chest. Making sure she was secure, he made his way to the main road. While making his way back, he kept an eye out for any soldiers that may still linger nearby. As he approached the village"s entrance, a new smell started to fill his nose. He became pale at the display of scorched bodies cluttering the roads and paths throughout. Gripped by fear, he walked around the mangled corpses. Reaching the footpath to his home; Lovell noticed Luna"s parents at the base. Dread gripping him, while he stretches his gaze up, turning his fear into a sprint all the way up to the shack. Drawing closer, he started to see something. It was his mother, pinned to the side of their home, with a smile on her lifeless body. Falling to his knees, Luna started to cry, as the tears streamed down his face, the realism sinking in that she was gone.

He clenched Luna close to try and comfort her while doing it for himself as well. A bellowing rage, filling towards the Faremin Kingdom. Getting up, Lovell repressed the anger as he walked over to the door. Hoping to find someone or something waiting inside his home upon their entry. Opening the door, he saw nothing waiting to greet them. He scanned the area, then turning his attention over to the bedrooms. Finding nothing but some mice scurrying away, Lovell then set his sights to search for supplies. As he rummaged through the drawers, Lovell found a small box inside. Within its contents, there was a letter addressed to him inside. Though his ability to read was minimal, his mother taught him how to learn his name. Laying Luna down on the bed as he gathered supplies. Grabbing his satchel, filling it with some essentials he found for the road ahead. He remembered some villagers saying that to the east laid another village, Marewood, a small community village for weary travelers. Wrapping a cloth around him and Luna before departing.

Looking back at the village from afar, Lovell could see the remnants of the town in smoke. Turning away in the hope this was just a bad dream, even if he wished it was a bad dream, the reality was it was true. He couldn"t deny it in his heart that all he knew, his home, his friends and family, were all gone. Luna being the lucky one, for her parents came to his place at the right time. Saving their only child"s life, looking back once more before turning his head away. Lovell clenched Luna close to his frame. Looked onward to the east.n hopes to find some form of refuge and a place to call home for himself and Luna within Marewood. Knowing the odds of it happening, Lovell found his courage to move on, for both his, and Luna"s sake.

As the village came into view, Lovell felt a sense of relief wash over him. The road was long and hard on his little body. Entering the town, people bustling with gossip about the attack on Blacklight Village. Lovell"s gut sank heard their words. While horse-drawn coaches were rushing through the streets, nearly missing them each time, and adults stomping through, Lovell having to weave and dodge through them as they walked sidewalks. He was clenching Luna close in the hope of not dropping her within the commotion, unaware of a man from behind b.u.mped into Lovell. Almost losing his grip on Luna in the process, she came distraught for the ordeal and began to cry. Fear gripped Lovell as he tried to calm her down. People started to stop and stared at them. Freezing in doubt, as he could feel all their gazes on him. They judged them as they stared, walking away in disguise from the sight of them. Luna continued to cry. From across the way, a man noticed the pair. Seeing that they were in distress, he walked over. Lovell saw out of the corner of his eye the man as he walked towards them. Lovell once more froze up in fear. The man knelt beside him. Closing his eyes in fearing the worst, grasped Luna closer to his body.

Placing his hand gently on Lovell"s shoulder. "Where are your parents", young man?" The man"s voice was calm, Lovell opened his eye to look at him. His eyes filled with concern towards them.

Tears welled up in Lovell"s eyes. "They"re-they"re dead, mister." He squeezed out. The tears are running down his chin. The mans face filled sorrow as he heard those words roll out of Lovells choked voice. Luna seemed to have cried herself back into a lull. The man gently ma.s.saged his hand on Lovell"s shoulder, hanging his head in the process. Before looking back up into Lovell" face, his eyes red as tears continued to stream down his small face. Lovells now curious and afraid of what the man was going to do next. Lovell stood his ground, ready to run.

"What"s your name little ones?" The man seemed to care and looked as if he wanted to help them. When no one else did, Lovell cracked out his and Luna"s to him. The mans face stiffening. "How old are you, young Lovell?" He was hoping that Lovell would be older then he looked.

Sniffling Lovell answered, "Six, mister." Wiping his nose, "A—and Luna is only three weeks as of today." Remembering that he was there at her birth, Lovell looked down at Luna, feeling some relief that they might be getting some help. The man"s face stiffened even more when Lovell told him his and Luna"s age. The man got up, standing straight asked if he wanted to go to his place for some food and to get cleaned up. With the possibility of a place to rest their weary souls. Joy started to fill Lovell as tears continued to pour out. A soft smile ran across the man"s face as he rubbed Lovell"s back, guiding him to his place. Reaching the man"s home, his wife came out to greet him only to see that both Luna and Lovell were accompanying him. Confused at what she saw.

"Who are these two?" her voice concerned about the matter. As she rushed towards them, she noticed Luna in Lovell"s arms. Her motherly instincts kicked in, rushing them inside. Once inside she took Luna from Lovell to tend to her needs. Then telling her husband to take Lovell to the bathroom and get cleaned up. The man complied, taking Lovell up.

"So, where are you two from?" The man asked, washing Lovells back.

Lovell lowering his head, answering him, "Blacklight, sir." The man paused, turning himself towards Lovell"s face. He could tell it was hard on him. "We were only ones who made. Though Luna would be dead if her parents never came to my home when my mother was sending me off to hid in the woods." Lovell, recalling what happened. Tears started to pour down his face as he began to ball his eyes out in sadness. The man was rubbing gently on Lovell"s shoulders to comfort the boy. Lovell felt safe and hopeful as both his and Luna"s future seemed to be looking better. Now that he found a safe place to settle down for a while.

After getting cleaned up, Lovell started to smell some food. His wife had cooked dinner after helping with Luna"s needs. Sitting down to eat, the man began to explain their situation to his wife, Margret Humbly. She looked over at Lovell; pity filled her face; as he gingerly ate the food. Lovell barely tuned into their conversation. Whereas his mind wandered on the events that had transpired in recent days, where Luna was in another room, sleeping soundly, clean and fed. Lovell thoughts then turned in wonder. He thought to himself if they were going to take them in or bring them to a local orphanage. Margret"s hand reached over, touching Lovells small hand.

Lovell jumped, " Dear, you were lost in thought," her voice soothingly asked. "I had asked, what"s your full name was? If that"s not too much to ask?" Margret was hoping he could answer to see if he had any other family she might have known or heard.

Lovell looked over to her, the fork resting in his mouth. He lowered it out of his mouth. "It"s Lovell Quacey Krisnik." His answer made Margret sit back. "Why?" Curiously asking.

Looking at her husband, Henry, she seemed concerned, as if she heard the name before. Her gaze returned to Lovell. "Your father wouldn"t happen to be Azoth Krisnik, would he?" Lovell shook his head no. They both sighed in relief towards Lovell, continuing to eat. "Do know who your father is though." Her thoughts started to run, as she wanted to see if he still had a family. "We might help with finding—"

"He died back when I was four months." He dropped his head resting his hands on his lap. "as well as my birth mommy." His gaze was resting on the table.

Margret, now restless, "Eat up. You must be hungry." Lovell"s mind melded the woman"s voice with his mothers. Teary-eyed Lovell nodded and started to finish his plate. The woman could see he was suffering. Standing up to place her husbands and her dish in the sink, stopping at the sink, her voice sank, "once you"ve finished eating. Just put the dishes in the sink." Heartfelt as if it was going to explode. "I will deal with them in the morning." She paused as she glances over her shoulder. She could see his tears flowing down as he finished. Turning away, "Your room is upstairs, its right across from the bathroom." Grabbing a gla.s.s and filling it with water. "There"s no orphanage in town, but we can take the both of you in as our own." She tried to stop the tears from streaming down her face. From both sadness and joy.

Finishing his food, he looked up. Sniffling, "Thank you," he croaked, Lovell noticed that she was crying. "May I ask you, why you seem so sad?" Catching Margret off guard, she spun turned around quickly; tears seemed to have stopped flowing. Looking into the boy"s blue eyes staring deeply into her own. Lovell quickly realized what he did wrong. His turned face red as the words stuttered out, "Ahh, s-sorry, I-I didn"t mean to pry. It"s just I can tell that—that you are saddened by something."

The woman wiped her eyes, with a gentle smile. She walked back over and sat down once more, "we lost our son about a week ago to the Vollow Flu." Grabbing Lovell"s hand, "It"s just that, you seem like a blessing from the G.o.ddess, herself." Margret leaned in, "that"s all." Lovell nodded as he sat staring at the table.

Lovell became curious when she said, "blessing from the G.o.ddess, herself." He looked back up at her. "When you say G.o.ddess, do you mean G.o.ddess Lunatica?" His words were filling with wonder, as he looked at her.

Margret, puzzled by what Lovell just said, "I don"t know? It"s just a saying." Leaning back in her seat, "But who is this Lunatica, if I may ask?"

Henry tuned into their conversation. "Yes, I"ve never heard of her?"

"Well, my mama told me that she"s a G.o.d who watches over life and death." Pausing for a moment. "As she is the G.o.ddess of Life and Death." The color drained from their faces when he looked at them. Fl.u.s.tered with embarra.s.sment, he waved his hands back and forth, as to clear things up, "no, not in a bad way." Placing his hand on his lap, a smile creaked its way to his face, "She gives life to all, with the power of reincarnation people and revival them as well," his eye lighting up when he talked about the G.o.ddess, "though she can easily take life its only done on the right conditions." The smile lite up his face. Margret and Henry"s faces relaxing as he continued. "She also guides the spirits left in our world home to the spiritual plans that she governs over. For she watches over us all." The couple looked at each other. Lowering his head in dismay. "though she"s supposed to be reincarnated every sixty thousand years as a mortal. To recover her G.o.dly powers like an elemental sunstone set out in the sun to recharge its power, before dying in old age." Closing his eyes, "Though mama said that she is being killed before reaching even her twenty-fifth birthday." They became lost along the way as he tried to explain, they still paid attention to Lovell as he spoke, "Mama also said that for the past six million years she"s been forcefully reincarnated by someone who wants to take revenge on her for some reason." They could tell that he did not have the reason why this was.

Lovell fell silent as they looked at each other. "So that"s Lunatica and her story, well, the bits we could understand anyway." Margret"s stood up grabbing Lovell"s dishes. Then turning to Henry, "honey could you take Lovell to bed it getting quite late." Nodding, he gestured to Lovell to follow him. Getting up to support. Henry leads him to the room he was going to stay.

Opening the door, Lovell could see it was the room that their child had slept. Looking at the bed, Lovell notices some night clothes laid out. Henry said that he placed them out for him to wear until they took him shopping for clothes that would be more of his preference. Lovell thanked Henry for their hospitality. With a smile, Henry closed the door as he said good night to Lovell. The room was nice and big compared to the one he had in Backlight. Though it was unsettling to him the size of the room, he got changed into the night clothes. Weary from the ordeal, he laid down. His eyes grew heavy as his head hit the pillow, falling into a deep slumber.

Lovell tossed and turn in his sleep, woke, pale and cold. Regaining his senses, he hopped out of bed. Lovell Walked over to the door. Creaking the door open; he decided to see Luna. Heading down to the room, see she was sleeping soundly. A sense of pride ran over him, while he looked at the life that he saved. Her soft snores enough the comfort him in the dark. Looking over at the open window, he decided to walk over, not wanting to leave Luna, just yet. Looking out, he noticed that the moon, Juna, was full that night, while Larin was waxing. He remembered a small prayer his mother taught him. Praying that Luna would grow up and be a kind and generous person, lifting his head, Lovell looked back over towards Luna. He noticed a faint glow coming from her. Confused, walking over to see what it was. To his surprise, he saw there was a mark on her little chest. It was the very mark of Lunatica. He was shocked to see the mark, knowing what it meant. He looked at her sleeping face, Lovell placed his finger in her tiny hand. She grasped it gently, smiling as he rested his head next to her.

"Wait it can"t be!". Lovell thought to himself. "I save Lunatica"s reincarnation!" Looking over, as he rests his head on his arm ", I will stay by your side always. I will make sure within all my power, I will help you grow up strong and kind, Luna. Till the very day, you pa.s.s on of old age. I promise." Suddenly Lovell heard a commotion coming from the room he was staying. Carefully removing his finger from Luna"s gasp. He quietly snuck back to see what the commotion was, peering in he noticed two men, both cloaked, looking around.

One was standing over at the bed, flipping the covers, then placing a hand on where Lovell was laying. "So, they have company." Lovell froze in fear. "they got up fairly recently," the man looked over to the nightstand noticed Lovell"s letter from his mother. His hands were sweating, slipped. Losing his footing in the process, he stumbled in. Lovell froze in place while the other one rushed towards him. "Stop, Ark!" the man over by the bed barked.

Ark stopped his dagger inches from Lovell"s neck. Looked over to his comrade, "He"ll rat us out! Boss, we need to be rid of- " Ark tried to argue.

"Then let"s take him then. He"s not theirs." Glancing over to Lovell, "Besides we already know that their boy died a week ago." Ark scoffed as he went to find something of value. Were as his boss shifted over to Lovell. Still frozen in fear as the man drew closer. Looking into Lovell"s eyes. "He"s got good eyes." Ark looked over, grunted at Lovell in displeasure. "you"ll be coming with us boy." The man punched Lovell in the gut hard enough to knock him out, shortly after Luna began to cry. "Let"s leave. We got more than we came for." Ark nodding, as he jumped out the window.

Flinging Lovell over his shoulder as he retreated to the window, looking back to make sure no one saw him. Landing Ark looked over at Lovell.

"Why take the boy, Morris?" Ark growled.

"Because he has a fire in his eye"s." Morris grinned. Ark was not happy about gaining heave luggage with them. He could only growl in his disapproval, making their way back to camp.

While they left with Lovell, Margret woke from Luna"s cries. As she soothed Luna, she decided to check in on Lovell. When entering the room, she noticed that Lovell wasn"t there. Check around she saw that there were two pairs of footprints within the room Lovell was sleeping. She ran to Henry, yelling that Lovell was kidnapped. Henry jumped out of bed, through his rod on. Frantically searching for Lovell, but the men who took Lovell made it back to their encampment. Long after they began their search, devastated they cried on their doorsteps. The two men made it back bound Lovell"s hands and laid him down in a bed.

As dawn came, Lovell woke slowly to the new day. As his eyes opened, he tried to gather his bearings, remembered that he was knocked out by one man. Looking at his hands, Lovell noticed they were bound up. Looking at his surroundings, he saw a man sitting in a chair. His face full of discus, as he stared at him. Lovell sheepishly sat on the bed as another man walked in. Followed by two others, a man and a woman. The sitting man scoffed at them that Lovell had just woke. The first man nodded, telling him he was relieved of his duty. Walking over to Lovell, sat a bowl of food down on the table. Lovell looked at the man, a confused and fearful look dragged across his face. The other man leaned on the wall, and the woman cheerfully sat beside Lovell, smiling. He shrank away from the woman. Unsure what to think of the situation, became scared of what was going to happen to him now.

The woman leaned in, "my names Kana, the one before was Ark," Her smile made him uncomfortable, trying to move away from her. He became wary of his new company as they stared at him. He notices the one along the wall had a faint smile. While the other one sat down from where Ark was sitting earlier, had a more composed look. Kana the gestured over the one leaning, "The one over there is Lau," moving her hand over, "and this is our boss." Allowing him to introduce himself.

"Morris."

Suddenly a growl came from the direction of Lovell"s stomach; the three stared at him. Then they started to laugh. Realizing that his hunger spoke louder than his words. "You must be hungry?" Lau chuckled. Lovell turned beet red, looked down at his hands. Lau moved over, drawing his pocket knife and cutting Lovell"s hands-free. "The boss seems to like the look in your eyes." Lovell sat there as Morris handed him the food. Looking at the food, he didn"t hesitate to wolf it down as they watched him.

"So, what"s your name?" Kana drew even closer. Lovell was noticeably uncomfortable with her being so close.

"Back off Kana!" Morris order

"Sorry boss." She had a playful look on her face. Moving away.

Finishing his food, Lovell glanced around before looking back at Morris. "It"s Lovell, Lovell Krisnik." His eyes filled with fire as he was waiting to find his escape route.

Morris scoffed a smile. Looking at Lovell. "Krisnik, huh?" Morris seemed enthralled by his last name. Lovell became curious about Morris"s reaction towards his last name. "You"re more of a score than I had originally thought."

Lovell, confused from his comment, stared at Morris. Lau seemed to have a grin of pleasure written across his face. Kana tilted her head in confusion. Swallowing his fear, Lovell asks the obvious question on his mind. "What do you want from me?" Fearing that they were going to turn him into a slave or sell him as a slave. Started intently at Morris.

Getting up, Morris walked over to Lovell. "I want to make you my apprentice." Leaning over as the words rolled out of his mouth. "Now," standing straight, "get dressed your training starts today, Lovell." A smirk ran across his face.

Lovell watched as one by one the three left. He noticed a set of clothes. Displeasure was written on his face as he put the clothes on. To his surprise, they were both comfortable and his size. From the corner of his eye, he notices a mirror off in the corner. He looked at himself; he fixed up his long, blonde hair up into a simple ponytail. Then began to proceed towards the door, with Ark was waiting for him. He had hoped that no one was there so he could escape. Ark made it clear with the grim expression that he did not like Lovell at all. Reluctantly he followed Ark out to the yard. Walking down the hall, he found that the building was run down. Suspecting that they were camping out at the location. Walking past a group of people he noticed that there were different races within their gang. From Daemons to Beastman, elves, and humans, all chatting as they were taking a glance at him. They look rather happy to see a new face it seemed.

Once outside, Ark brought him to the training ground. Morris seemed to be chatting with one of the other men. Morris caught a glance of Lovell. He finishes their conversation, the man nodding as he walks away. Morris walked over to Lovell. Holding a letter in his hand. Morris showed him the letter. "Have you read the letter." Lovell recognized it; he decided to wait until he could take the letter back. Lovell looking at him, he shook his head slowly to the question. A fire returned to Lovell"s eyes. Morris"s face stiffened, "Don"t worry I never opened it though it wasn"t sealed either." Lovell went to s.n.a.t.c.h the letter from Morris; was smacked with the letter by him instead. "Can you read?" Lovell lowering his gaze growling at the question. Morris sighed. "Well, that won"t do at all."

Lovell looked for an opportunity to grab the letter, "So, what do you really want me for?" Lovell questioning his words earlier.

Morris walked up to Lovell, holding the letter in his face. "I made a promise to your birth mother. If anything happened to Marie, the woman who raised you till now. I was to teach you how to fight." Lovell lowered his head, Morris"s words shocked him.

"Then teach me how to kill those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!" Lovell raged. "That"s your purpose right—"

Morris tossed him a practice sword. "No, not for revenge, Lovell there is much you need to learn before you are even ready." Ruffling Lovell"s hair, Lovell pushed his hand away. "You are so much like her is uncanny. I will tell you everything once you turn twenty. If that"s alright?"

Lovell nodded, his rage towards the Faremin building, as he readied for his training. Morris smiled as he reviled a practice dummy. Patting Lovell charged forward, Morris took out a stick, whacking him for every wrong move.