Nova Lunosis: part 1

Avea’s feet ached, every one of her limbs burning with fatigue as she strained to hold her arms in an elegant dancer’s pose. She was repeating the same steps for what felt like the hundreth time, her movements growing increasingly stiff and labored.

Avea and Dolunay were still standing on the moonbeam pillar, surrounded by the ghostly mist. It's haunting blue hue billowing around them, concealing them from prying eyes. The ethereal lumos orbs had long since drifted past, now more of a distant memory. Now the mist that had seemed to be that of a beautiful daydream, now felt suffocating and dreary. Dolunay’s voice cut through the mist, sharp and irritated. “And in and out… no, out… OUT!” His frustration grated on her already frayed nerves. “Ugh, we’re supposed to be figuring out how to interrogate Morpheus, not learning some ridiculous dance,” Avea snapped, her voice tinged with whininess. All she wanted was to collapse onto the ground and escape the endless repetition of steps and turns.

Dolunay’s gaze hardened, "your first mistake is thinking we’ll be interrogating Morpheus at the Nova Lunosis. He’s too cunning, he’ll be sure to avoid our advances." Avea sighed reluctantly, the sound heavy with the weight of her growing frustration. Her shoulders slumped as she returned to her position, trying to process the situation. "Wait, what do you mean we're not interrogating Morpheus?!" she exclaimed in disbelief. When she looked up, she saw Dolunay glaring at her coldly. "Precisely what I said," he replied, his voice sharp and cutting. Avea felt a surge of anxiety twist in her chest. "But he’s the only one who knows where the codex is! We have to question him!" she insisted. Dolunay’s expression remained stony, but there was a flicker of something dark in his eyes. "If we approach Morpheus too soon, he’ll retreat into his shadows, taking any chance of finding the codex piece with him.We shall observe him closely at the Nova Lunosis and see what he reveals," he explained, his tone brooking no argument.

Dolunay corrected her stance again. Avea gritted her teeth, trying to force her limbs to cooperate. "You will get close to Neomon, his claimed." At the mention of Neomon, Avea’s mind flashed to the shadowy luminary who had been the first to be claimed by his galad. She remembered the way the dark wisps seemed to drift off him like smoke, mingling with the purplish fire that flickered just beneath the surface. There was something beautifully haunting about him. Neomon was an enigma, and the thought of trying to get close to him filled her with a deep, uneasy dread.

"Neomon might not know anything about the codex…" Avea tried to argue, her voice weaker this time, as if even she didn’t fully believe her own words.

"Perhaps not," Dolunay conceded, "but Morpheus has made himself something of a Messiah among the Umbratus luminaries. His claimed might possess valuable insight." There was a dangerous edge to his words, a vengeful fury that lurked just beneath the surface of his calm demeanor, and it sent a chill down Avea’s spine."What makes you think he’ll reveal anything?" Avea asked. "You underestimate fear," Dolunay replied."It drives people with secrets to act unpredictably, even recklessly."Avea shivered at his words, a creeping unease settling over her. "I don’t understand, what is it that he’s so afraid of?" she asked, feeling her body twitch with the restless anticipation.

Dolunay’s eyes never left hers as he responded, "You... Your arrival has the potential to expose their lies, and it terrifies them."

Avea’s breath caught in her throat as his words sank in. "Your second mistake is dismissing the Nova Lunosis. It is the uniting of the lunar courts." The Minotaur’s expression shifted subtly. A faint smile, almost imperceptible, curved his lips. “Besides,” he said, his tone lightening seemingly trying to shake off the heaviness of the conversation. Suddenly breaking eye contact as he made to adjust her leg, "the Nova Lunosis can be an enjoyable celebration." There was a distant, wistful look in his eyes, as if he were recalling a memory long buried in the depths of his mind. Avea watched him closely, her curiosity piqued by the ghost of a smile on his lips.

For a moment, the dance steps seemed to fade into the background as she considered Dolunay’s words. The Nova Lunosis wasn’t just about ceremonial performances or elaborate rituals; it was tied to their mission and despite her weariness, Avea couldn’t help but feel that there was more to this celebration than she had initially understood. Dolunay’s gaze softened as he met her eyes again, a silent acknowledgment of the shared burden they both now carried. “Embrace the dance, Avea,” he said gently, and Avea slightly caught off guard by the softness in his tone forced herself to focus on the intricate movements. The veins of silver light flowed around her as though it were dancing along with her. She still felt fatigue, but a sliver of understanding began to pierce through the haze. As she adjusted her steps, she couldn’t help but wonder what memories lay behind Dolunay’s rare, fleeting smile.

.......................................................................

Avea barely recognized herself as she stepped in front of the strange ornate mirror, to peer upon her reflection. She was struck by the unfamiliar face staring back at her. Gone was the grimy, hollow-cheeked girl she’d known, the one whose too thin frame was always draped in dirty rags. In her place stood a vision of beauty, a girl transformed. Her hair, usually a wild mess, had been intricately woven into a sweeping braid that crowned her head, with delicate, glimmering gems threaded through each twist and turn. It revealed her face in a way she had never seen before, like her soft jawline that painted her face as quite delicate, or her striking blue eyes that were a deep cerulean blue.

Her breath caught when she saw the dress. It was as though moonlight itself had spilled down from the celestial heavens, wrapping her in a gown that shimmered with a silken glow. The gown hugged her bodice and flowed outward in a way that made her appear adrift, almost like she was underwater. The fabric shimmered in a ethereal blue, Avea could hardly believe it, tracing her fingers over the intricate bodice and the billowing sleeves. Matching the shade of the dress, the most divine swirling motions down her arms to the beautiful handpiece that intertwined along her fingers. Even her feet, usually hidden in scuffed, beaten boots, were now in heeled slippers of what looked like glass, each one trapping rays of light that sparkled with her every step. It was as though an entire galaxy had been caught in her shoes. This is a dream, she thought still not entirely unconvinced that her body wasn't still laying unconscious at the bottom of the outland tunnels.

Dolunay had left her in the care of two silent court servants who had methodically washed and dressed her for the Nova Lunosis. The servants themselves were sickly pale blue and bald, their heads covered by cutting silver circlets and their immaculate halter-collared uniforms hugged their slender forms. Their milky, expressionless eyes had settled on her the moment she entered, and they moved in silent synchronization, as if one was a mirror image of the other.

As they undressed her earlier, she’d resisted, hissing and clawing like a feral cat, as they dunked her under warm water and attacked her knotted hair with a heavy brush. "Ugh, stop it! I can do it myself!" Avea had insisted, squirming against their firm hands. But they continued with blank, disinterested faces, as though her protests were nothing more than the wind. Occasionally, their milky eyes would shift to one another, seeming to communicate silently. Leaving Avea to wonder if they were reading eachothers minds. Glancing between them as they scrubbed her arms and legs with clinical efficiency. Avea shifted uncomfortably in the bath, the nagging feeling growing that, in their silent, detached way, they were talking about her.

"Avea Maxwell, claimed of the Cyntherial Moon," a low, guttural voice growled behind her. Avea teared herself away from her reflection to face the two Viltarin luminaries. Her eyes first saw their powerful jaws lined with long canines. It was unsettling sight, as if those sharp fangs were hidden knives glistening in the light. Their eyes were slightly too wide, glowing with an glacial blue and their slit pupils stared her down as though they were assessing the most effective way to tear her limb from limb. One of the Viltarin guards smirked slightly, clearly able to sense her tremer of fear. Their heavy brows were thick with coarse fur giving the look of a permanent scowl on their faces. Fur covered most of their face in uneven layers thicker along the cheeks, jawline and neck, but thinner on the rest of their face seeing flesh. They wore collars of jagged, dark stone, resting heavily around their necks, and were dressed in armor that gleamed with a pale opalescent sheen. Avea stared at her escorts, and the only thing she could really see was a mask of rage, as if their souls were trapped behind a predators grin. She followed them out of her chambers and along the crystal halls, trying to match their long, fluid strides. Keep walking, she thought.

Her heart thudded against her ribs as they approached a wide, glass-like staircase spiraling upwards, so high that she couldn't see the top. "What's at the top?" she asked. The guards ignored her, though she'd noticed the subtle twitch of their pointed ears. As they began their ascent, she watched her guards closely. They can probably smell my fear, she thought with a shudder. They were wolves circling prey, gauging her weakness. What if this is all a trap? Her hand grazed the tiny shiv she’d managed to carve out from one of the silent servant's combs that she'd stolen, sneaking it into the bodice of her dress, without either of them noticing. She knew it wouldn’t protect her from these two Viltarin guards, but it's cool presence against her skin brought her some semblance of comfort.

"Any attempt to flee will only see you hunted down and imprisoned, along with your traitorous mother," one of the Viltarin wolf guards spat. His voice was sharp with a growl that made Avea’s heart freeze. He kept his icy eyes forward, his pace unfaltering, each step echoing as if counting down to her impending fate. The words rattled through her mind, every escape plan disintegrating. So she shrugged defiantly, "didn’t even cross my mind," she shot back, her tone deliberately flippant. The guard only scoffed in response, the low growl that followed vibrating through the silent stairwell. The climb stretched on endlessly, and the sound of her heels clicking against the stairs began to grate on her nerves.

She stole a glance around, half hoping to spot a clue of what lay at the end of this climb. Shadows loomed along the crystal walls, creeping down occasionally illuminated by flashes of light from within the crystalline structures. The engravings shifted, alive with scenes of both agony and peace, the faces of luminaries twisted in battle then softened in moments of harmony. The suffering and unity weaving together like a chaotic tapestry. Avea felt a rush of relief as the staircase finally ended, the last step landing her in front of a large set of double doors, stretching high above her and shimmering with a swirl of enchanted silver that seemed to ripple at their presence. At the center of the doors there was a steely entwined shield that seemed to be the lock, as they approached closer the moonstone in the Viltarin guard collar began to glow. This moonstone was different from her mother's smooth and translucent moonstone. The Viltarin's moonstone was dimmer and murkier, as though it were polluted with some tainted essence. Nevertheless, a dark radiant blue emitted from the stone and the knotted shield began unravelling before her eyes. Avea could faintly make out sounds from the other side; muffled voices, music, and laughter, muted as if submerged underwater. She took a shaky breath. This can’t be a trap, she reassured herself. They need me to restore their precious uri, and a steely calm settled within her. She looked over at the wolfish luminaries flanking her, their lupine eyes fixed on her with something that almost resembled wariness. Are they… afraid of me? she wondered.

The guards’ glowing eyes narrowed,"after you, Cyntherial Claimed," one of them growled, his voice rough as he and his companion stepped aside, allowing her to pass. The faintest snarl lingered on his lips, their predatory instincts barely concealed. Avea raised an eyebrow, muttering, "Hard to get a warm welcome here," before stepping forward.The moment she crossed through the veil, the sounds around her sharpened, coming to life with the clink of glass, bursts of laughter, and the glorious notes of unfamiliar instruments.

As they stepped beyond the archway, Avea was swept into a world beyond her wildest imaginings. All the luminaries from every moon glided through the ballroom with a graceful fluidity. Her steely calmness instantly withered, and suddenly her hands turned clammy and cold. She'd forgotten that Dolunay had told her that she'd been announced to the lunar realms as the official claimed, and as she walked forward each step felt like an eternity. "Breathe..." she whispered to herself over and over. She was going to throw up, as she walked out onto the crystal balcony in front of the luminary assembly. Even from above Avea could see the array of colors around her were rare and fleeting, a decadence of lunar hues her eyes had never seen before. All the luminaries wearing garments reminiscent of their moons, mingling beneath her. The ballroom was curved into an endless dome that seemed to stretch on into some sort of optical illusion, but above there was no ceiling leaving the cosmos above them. Galaxies that were an ablaze with light and colour, and the infinite stars forming shifting constellations that swirled above as if the heavens themselves were laid out in their honor.

Avea immediately noticed the strange white statues emerging out from the ballrooms crystal walls. So enormous in statue that they touched the cosmos above them, and they too were watching her as the Viltarin guard slammed his staff against the crystal floors. Suddenly the boisterous ballroom was silenced, all quietened to stare at her.

"Avea Maxwell... Claimed of the Cyntherial Moon," the Viltarin guard called out to all.

There was no applause, not even a hint of a smile. Instead she stared out at a sea of eyes all assessing her, some curious, some wary, and some hostile. She could sense their collective power, a unity of moonlit elegance. The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity, and Avea could feel the swell of panic as dread bloomed in her chest. I don’t belong here, she thought, and in that moment as though sensing her panic a cosmic dust was summoned. Breaking away from the galaxy above and flew towards her, and as it got closer Avea could see it was a shimmering cluster of tiny blue sprites. Their wings glinting in the moonlight, flitting and twirling towards her, their wings leaving a trail of sparkling dust. Their laughter resembled silver bells, soft and fleeting, yet impossibly bright.

They fluttered all around her, covering Avea with their blue glow. Before lifting her off the balcony allowing their shimmering galaxy mist to catch her and carry her over the crowds, she flew over the other claimed who had already been announced. Her heart staggered slightly seeing that among them was Neomon standing swathed in shadow. Unable to see his face clearly, as it remained masked by his shadows. However the other claimed's searing judgement burrowed into her skin, as she was gently guided her down amongst them. As she moved through this celestial gathering, the crowd dispersed for her, as though she were a flame and standing too close to her would burn them.

The air buzzed with low conversations, and the musical quartet began playing strange melodic symphonies swept across the entire ballroom. The luminaries bodies were swathed in garments that shimmered and reformed as though woven from living light as they moved across the dance floor. Avea gasped seeing a waltzing couple twirl each other outwards, and then as they twirled in their feet outwards on the crystal floor. They were lifted into the celestial heavens, spinning and twirling above. The sprites mist shimmered across the dancefloor like a lingering trail, their giggles echoing. Many followed as the music began to swell, and suddenly the celestial sky was filled with twirling, spinning, arching bodies.

It was the most enchanting sight, to see all the luminaries dancing to the rhythm of the fantastical symphony. For a brief moment Avea could see the pure elation on their face, their cold masks slipping as they were overtaken by the joy of dancing in the cosmic skies. This was what dreams were made of it, the most splendid of imaginings that her human mind could have never fathomed. However, her awe didn't last long as she caught the sneers and grimaces of the luminaries beside her. As she moved through the crowd she could feel all the eyes follow her across the floor with hushed whispers.

"Disgrace"

"How could the ancients allow this?"

"I thought the eight moon was destroyed."

"She's clearly a fraud."

"A traitor just like her mother."

Avea unable to withstand all the stares and whispers, retreated to the periphery of the great dome ballroom. Watching as the luminaries graced the ballroom floor that was now in full swing. The quartet fell and swelled in soaring notes of the most beautiful music she'd ever heard. Around the entire dome she'd counted seven of the large statues of these ethereal beings, made from cool white stone. Watching over the celebrations, each one held out a glowing orb, similar to the lumos that she'd seen drift by on the moonbeam pillar.

Avea couldn't break her gaze from the beautiful female statue in front of her, that she'd found herself instantly drawn to. Holding out her orb as though in offering and yet her presence seemed distressed. The smooth white stone capturing the gentle curve of her face, but her expression remained unreadable. Her chin lifted slightly and her hair frozen mid-motion, giving the sculpture a sense of life despite its stillness. Light glided across the surface, revealing subtle shadows, and Avea couldn't help but feel captivated by this women. The way that she couldn't quite tell if she was surrendering her orb or offering it, but to whom? While all the other statues seemed to portray an calm stillness, hers was more ambiguous.

"That was quite an entrance Avea Maxwell" hearing her name Avea turned to see her galad Dolunay standing behind her with his large twisted horns. The minotaur lifted his chin high, he was wearing a simple silver armoured breastplate, with a dark blue drape elegantly slashed over his massive shoulder. It wasn't by any means flashy or eye catching, and as Avea glanced closer she realised there was no emblem or any indication that he belonged to a clan at all. The simplicity of the garment spoke to Dolunay's seeming desire to remain unseen, unacknowledged. “They are the light born,” Dolunay said. "We believe they were the first galad, chosen to ascend beyond mortality."Avea snapped her attention back to Dolunay. "The ones the Supreme showed us," she asked, recognising them."The very same," her galad replied, his sharp gaze lingered on the statue for a moment.

"This used to be my favourite night of the ascension" Dolunay spoke softly. Avea stared up at the celebrations before her, at all the dancing amongst the constellations that twinkled brightly, almost like the stars were smiling down upon them."Why this night?" Avea asked, wishing that she could see whatever memory Dolunay kept replaying in his mind. "This is the one night of the lunar cycle where all the clans come together as one. To see the first surge of the uri, those strangers that you were taught to hate they become your ... friends" the last word strained coming from the minotaurs lips. Avea peered at the luminaries clearly segregated into their clans, and despite the beauty around them there was still a tense animosity that permeated through the air. It was as though when they drifted up into the cosmos to dance they left all their judgement and anger behind to linger below like a rot.

"Are the clans always like this?" Avea asked. "What judgemental? Suspicious? Pretentious?" Dolunay finished, staring down at her with a sly smile, which was a strange sight to behold. "Yes that" Avea replied, feeling a little more at ease now. "I feel as though I'm being sized up for battle." "You are" Dolunay replied, returning to his harsher tone.

Avea turned to look at her galad. "Their uri is disappearing, the very essence of their being. The Nova Lunosis summons the first surge of the uri, they're scared that it won't be a success." "Because of me" Avea replied, not needing Dolunay to finish his explanation. "They're skeptical. This unficiation ritual has to be flawless, and the courts know that you are either our salvation or our undoing." Dolunay continued to stare onwards, refusing to acknowledge the panic stricken expression on Avea's face. "That is why we must find the truth so we can end their fear" his stance returning to his stoic and cold demeanor. Her galad's voice barely more than a whisper, "that's why you need to find the truth. I just want my mother's freedom." "Of course" Dolunay replied, just like that the cold distance settled between them, just when Avea thought that for a moment she'd caught the minotaur in a moment of contentment, it was gone and replaced by the cold familiar mask.

At that very moment one of the Supreme's servants swept towards them with a silver tray of flutes filled with a mysterious sparkling liquid. Avea went to reach for one, only for Dolunay to snatch the sparkly flute away from her. "Wha?" "You need to keep your mind clear, too much of the Nyx elixir will have you seeing things" Dolunay replied sternly. "So what now?" she asked. "Now you need to go and find the Umbratus claimed, and no matter what happens keep that safe." He whispered, and Avea knew what he was talking about. The codex that she kept nestled in her chest, and with those parting words Dolunay dispersed back into the crowd. Avea didn't miss the revulsion flickering across the luminaries faces as Dolunay parted through the crowds, towering over them. As though the large minotaur were a blight upon their perfect world.

She sighed, before shoving back through the crowd, trying to get within reach of the Umbratus clan who had swathed themselves in their violet shadows. Cloaking themselves from the rest of the luminary clans, choosing to remain elusive and secretive. Avea couldn't seem to get close enough to catch Neomon's attention, let alone find a clear path to the Umbratus claimed.

It was proving more difficult than she thought, everytime she felt she had the Umbratus claimed in her sights he would dissolve back into his violet shadows and vanish. The couples of luminaries came together levitating upwards into the cosmos above, where they began a new dance sequence of twirling with the billowing symphony. Their celestial attire, all an array of breathtaking colours as if they were painting their own galaxies in front of her, while the Umbratus clan glided through the crowds like a dark phantoms. Sucking the light out of the celebrations, like a void. Morpheus stood at the head of his court who followed closely behind as though they were his wraiths trailing behind. There was a eerie chill that emanated from them, and Avea chased after them while the luminaries cleared away from them.

Her eyes found Neomon standing among their ranks, his face seemed distant, almost bored. His eyes avoiding eye contact with the crowds, while his feet dragged like there were imaginary shackles on his ankles. He appeared so out of place among the ostentatious Umbratus court, despite being dressed in a golden plate with Amythest vibrant stones glistening along his torso. There was a cape draped over his shoulders rather solemnly, as though the emotional weight of it were crushing him. His discomfort was evident even from across the ballroom floor. I need to get to him, she tried to step back into the crowd and slammed into a hard body beside her. "Oof" Avea cried, stumbling back slightly. "I'm sorry I wasn't watching ..." Avea started glancing upwards at the luminary she'd bumped into. Her heart sank in her chest, when she saw Lazarus Bane staring down at her, dressed head to toe in his ceremonial ensemble of a tailored white uniform. Sharply structured over the shoulders and torso giving the subtle military silhouette. The tunic had a high standing collar lined with translucent blue crystal that shone softly like icicles. The sleeves were long and fitted, ending in armoured cuffs, embroidered with minimalist insignia. Across the coat was a sash made of polished silver and set with a blue silver gem that pulsed faintly. It was an ensemble that was razor-cut and rigid, demanding an air of command.

"In a rush?" Lazarus asked, his deep voice had a hint of amusement. Avea huffed in annoyance, "no but you are in my way" she replied, trying to shove her way past him. "Or you're in mine" Lazarus countered, clearly making no effort to move, instead towering over her. "Just get out of my way!" Avea hissed urgently, losing the Umbratus clan in the periphery of her vision. "You know subtlety is key when tracking an enemy" Lazarus calmly replied, gesturing over to the Umbratus clan sweeping across the ballroom. "Who says I'm tracking anybody?" Lazarus shrugged his shoulders rather smugly, "like I said ... subtlety." Avea cursed herself for giving herself away so easily. "You know what why don't run off to your little pack and leave me alone!" she snarled shoving past the Viltarin claimed. A shadow passed over Lazarus's face as he grabbed her arm, not tightly but in warning.

"What is it you want with the Umbratus claimed?" he asked. "I told you nothing" she responded. Lazarus let go of her arm as though he were disappointed by her pathetic attempts at lying. "You're hiding something and I'm going to find out whatever it is" Lazarus said, his eyes switching to that chilling glacial blue. "Why do you care? I don't belong here remember? That's what you said...maybe your precious ancients made a mistake." Avea heard how sour her words sounded, how Lazarus's words had struck and wounded her. That's when Avea noticed the eyes lingering on them while sipping rather conspicuously from their sparkling flutes. Lazarus had noticed it too, straightening his posture and staring ahead with a devoid expression on his lupine face. "You matter more than you think, trust me the ancients don't make mistakes." Those were his parting words before he turned and walked away from her. "Whatever spacedog" she huffed, Lazarus's wolverine ears perked up as he strode away. Each stride indicating a subtle power that lay dormant inside the powerful hybrid body. Avea released a breath, Lazarus had obviously caught onto her plan to talk to Neomon she'd need another way to talk to Umbratus claimed.

She kept watching Neomon who had now been saddled with two wraith body guards, while Morpheus had drifted away to somewhere unknown. The sight of their wispy silhouettes made Avea's skin prickle, and Neomon's face kept twisting with irritation, as he kept trying to evade their spindly clutches and she watched while they were distracted he slipped away into the shadows. She watched closely as his shadow moved through the dome, no more than a smear of night shifting through the crowd. Avea found as he moved past crystal walls the light refracted back causing slight flickers in his shadow, making him easier to trace.

If Neomon wanted to play in the shadows so be it, Avea just had to get his attention.

She followed his shadow through the crowd, practically shoving past luminaries to corner the Umbratus claimed.That's when she saw the flute glass still in her hand and got an idea. She reflected the light from her flute directing it at Neomon's shadow form, and she saw it convulse as though confused by the stray light. She directed the light to the section of the dome slightly concealed by the giant female statue, where there was a an opening that led out onto a balcony. She'd sent her message and now she walked subtly outwards slipping out of the ballroom where she was now staring out with the galaxy. She waited for the Umbratus claimed, standing on the edge of the universe with the galaxies at her fingertips. It was like a ghostly fire with its radiant colours stealing the breath from her lungs, and as she released her hands from the crystal railing, she reached out her hand and the stars gleamed brightly all around her.

"The eighth claimed..." a low voice said from behind her, Avea gasped turning to see nothing behind her.

"You summoned me?" the voice spoke again and suddenly the violet shadows dissolved away leaving Neomon who seemed to slink out of his shadows now standing before her in the flesh. He'd been watching her the entire time, she'd have to be careful of that. "Yes" Avea replied, trying to get a good look at the shadow she'd been chasing all night. Neomon's eyes burned with an intense yellow glow, sharp and unblinking, as though lit from within by something dangerous and alive. From up close she could see how sharp his face was without the wisps of shadow concealing him. Defined cheekbones and a gently sloped nose gave his face a quietly handsome cast.

His face remained unbothered, as boredom still dulled his features.

"The oculus showed me something about your moon, I thought you might be interested in knowing." She'd thought to bait him with what little knowledge she did know about his moon. Prove to the Umbratus claimed that she did hold valuable insight, and hopefully find a clue as to where the codex could be. Neomon however, simply cocked his head to the side watching her lazily with those yellow eyes, and Avea could feel her face heat up with embarrassment.

"What makes you think I would tell you anything about my moon?"

Absolutely nothing, thought Avea. Realising that perhaps her rash methods of interrogation were not going to work on the Umbratus claimed. Neomon scoffed at her, as though she were a child wasting his time. "I don't know why you are wasting your time trying to find out about the trail, all of this is pointless anyway." "What's pointless?" Avea asked, feeling herself getting defensive. "All of it, the trails, the ancients, the whole thing is just a cycle of destruction feeding itself so it doesn't starve."

That stumped Avea, she'd expected the Umbratus claimed to be arrogant or defensive, but she wasn't expecting this deep seeded nihilism. She could see it in his eyes, there was a bleakness laying there like a bottomless pit of despair. Avea forced herself to tear her eyes away, "so you don't believe the uri will return?" she asked. "It may, but the clans will never stop fighting over it, and it'll be destroyed again. Creation and destruction, it's all a cycle." Neomon's shadows swayed around him, almost in a soothing comforting manner. Avea was starting to feel agitated that he was stalling her, soon somebody would notice that they were missing.

"I need to know what your galad is hiding out in the desert?" Avea asked, not bothering to ease into her question. Her voice was hushed but her eyes were locked onto her fellow claimed. Neomon's eyes snapped to hers, a flicker of suspicion stirred behind his hollow stare. Avea could tell that she had his attention, "how do you know that Umbratus is a desert?" he asked. Moving closer towards her it was hard to ignore the current of intensity between them, like with each question an invisible snare tightened more around her neck."You didn't answer my question" Avea said again, she knew that she was playing her hand. Neomon's eyes darkened with cold suspicion, the mask of aloof boredom slipping slightly.

She tried to read Neomon now, he wore an air of practised indifference, but there was something about the way that he leaned towards her when she spoke of Morpheus, as though he were hanging on her next word. There was something about his own Galad that he didn't trust. She needed to play to that distrust.

"Morpheus is hiding something on your moon, something that's hurting it" she whispered. She couldn't tell Neomon about the codex, so she'd have to lie. Neomon didn't reveal anything, if he believed her he didn't show it. Avea somehow could feel his hesitation like sifting sand, "don't speak of my moon to me, it's of no importance to you." Avea couldn't help but be slightly caught off guard by Neomon's cool detachment. "I saw glimpses of the luminaries on your moon, I know somethings wrong and it's connected to whatever Morpheus is hiding. You're their claimed?" Avea remained speaking in a hushed tone, but the words were more fervent. Neomon turned away from her, "I don't know what you're talking about" he replied before dissolving in front of her eyes. "You never denied it" Avea blurted out.

Neomon halted in his semi-shadow form, as if in limbo he remained undecided. Avea stepped boldly forward, "that Morpheus is hiding something in the desert ... but you know that." Now that she saw Neomon in his shadow form she noticed that his face looked hollow and sunken, almost like a skeleton. He wasn't staying in limbo, he couldn't morph. He was too drained. She decided not to say anything, waiting for Neomon to respond to her accusation. Could he know about the codex too?

"You will find that in the darkness the truth is often hard to find" Neomon replied dully. "Leave it buried" and with those parting words he dissolved back into the shadows and retreated. Coward, thought Avea, as she was left standing alone on the edge of the universe. Neomon wasn't going to help her find the next piece of the codex, however she had found out some valuable information.

She did find out two important pieces of information. Morpheus was indeed hiding something out in the desert on the Umbratus moon, and Neomon for whatever reason knew about it. Now as she stared out the galaxy all around her that she'd been admiring moments before, she'd found it had lost its radiance. Leaving only a muted and cold collection of stars and dust drifting around her. She wearily moved back into the crowd dragging her feet back towards the light hearted music. This night had gone on for what left like an eternity and it'd left her bone aching with tiredness. All she wanted now was to retreat to her chamber and curl into her soft bed, and fall into oblivion. The servants came around once again with the sparkling flutes and Avea instinctively reached for another. "Don't mind if I do" she said glumly, before sculling down another drink. Revelling in the tingling sensation as it spilled down her throat. She was struggling to maintain her composure, feeling herself mentally grasping on slipping reigns.

"Why aren't you dancing?" a deep scolding voice said from behind her. Avea scoffed, "same reason you're not" she retorted. Dolunay came out from behind her to stand beside her observing the crowd, "you need to be blending in and learning what you can, our mission is imperative" he said. "I never asked to be apart of this ... why don't you dance and learn something" Avea said through gritted teeth, her restraint waning dangerously thin. Dolunay sighed, "it's been many eons since i've danced at the Nova Lunosis" he said, "besides it doesn't serve the mission" he added dismissively.

As Avea opened her mouth to pry further she heard a horrified hush fall over the crowd. Avea's eyes landed on a figure breezing through the floor, instantly noticing how the crowd parted as though not wanting to get caught in their orbit. Avea recognised her immediately from the way that she breezed across the floor so unfazed, along with two viltarin guards trailing close behind her. Their icy eyes never straying from her mother, whose own eyes were turned onto the crowd with a hardened steely gaze.

The quartet stumbled over the their notes and eventually went silent. The luminaries waltzing above slowly began drifting down to the crystal floor, as though they could sense the spirit in the ballroom had deflated bringing them back down to the grim reality. They had shackled her wrists, with cuffs forged from strange glass, and Araceli was still bound to her human form. Avea could only watch frozen beside Dolunay, as suddenly the whole dome broke out into an outrage of whispers.

The traitor of the lunar courts.

Despite her obvious capture she was breathtaking, her dress wrapped around her body like the night had imprinted on her flesh. Cut outs revealing her pale skin and trailing along the crystal floor. Her beautiful gown coiled around her body the way that darkness blends with light in the twilight sky. Shimmering with it's twilight hues of violet was spellbinding. She wore a crystalised veil that did nothing to hide the revealing dress. She was still trapped in her human form, but resembled nothing of the mother she knew. Where was the ragged clothing from the fray? Or the scuff marks and calloused from the wastelands? Instead she'd been replaced by this deity, and despite the sneers from the crowd they moved aside as though they were entranced.

Avea's eyes met her mothers, and in that single fleeting moment when their eyes locked did she recognise those deep blue irises. She recognised her mother. "Avea" her mother whispered, her lips barely moving. "Mum" Avea spoke under her breath. Suddenly Araceli's mask slipped and she turned towards Avea, who instinctively felt her body move towards her mother. Needing desperately to feel her mother's touch, to be held in her arms. Araceli had almost crossed the ballroom, almost within reach of Avea until she suddenly winced. Crumbling to her knees in defeat. That's when Avea saw the shackles around her wrists, glowing with a searing light. The Viltarin guards approached her mother in their stoic manner, lifting her mother who was violently thrashing against them. "No..." Avea cried reaching towards her, but was held back by Dolunay whose stare had turned cold as stone witnessing Araceli struggle. Who in turn glared at Dolunay, her eyes holding such burning hatred within the depths of her eyes it could have scorched stone.

"Let go of me dogs" Araceli seethed tearing herself out of their reach, but it was useless. Her shackles held her at bay, weakened her to the point of submission. Avea tried to shove away Dolunay's massive hand, to get to her. "You can't go to her" Dolunay spoke, his voice low in warning. "Why not?!" Avea replied through gritted teeth, who was watching her mother be lifted up in defeat by her guards. "The unification has to be flawless, your mother of all people knows that," though the Minotaurs voice sounded strained, as though the words were pressing against a wound.

Avea watched with a heavy heart as her mother was led away by the Viltarin guards to where her claimed Yume was waiting with a scowl of resentment on her beautiful face. The Oniria clan looked upon her mother with the same vengeful anger simmering beneath their gazes, clearly having a traitor for a galad brought a sense of shame to their court. Avea couldn't help but wonder, what an enraging feeling it must be to hate someone so much, but know that all your hopes for salvation depended on them? The irony of it all was almost too twisted.

Suddenly there was a glare of light so bright in the center of the ballroom that forced everyone to turn away covering their eyes. "It is wonderful to see us all here dear subjects, all our lunar courts together as one" the Supreme cried out, appearing from the glare of light. She was dressed in a sparkling white dress, shining so brightly like the moon in its full luminous beauty. The sparkling glistening all the way down to her fingertips, along with her luminous crown resting upon her head. She was pristine and gentle before them, and her eyes were beaming with eagerness as she gazed upon them.

All eight of the claimed had emerged to the forefront of the crowd, now standing with their galad. Every pair of eyes staring each other down with a seething hatred. Avea couldn't help but wonder that the Supreme's glaring light had accidently blinded her, because the hostility between each of the courts was as clear the crystal that surrounded them. Avea's eyes found Neomon's and the Umbratus claimed instantly turned his eyes away in avoidance.

It was also clear that whatever unspoken truce had been forged was now broken.

"The ancients have called upon us, the Nova Lunosis shall commence."