Chapter 17 – The realm of the mothkins

I walk despite the pain. Luna is ahead of me, she decides to walk with me instead of using her wings to fly. I find myself stealing gazes towards her, instead of looking at the path ahead. I almost fall on my knees because of it.

She chuckles.

"Luna finds your kind so …" she struggles to find the word.

"Weird?" I suggest.

"Different!"

"For some, that's the synonym of what I just said."

"What's a synonym?"

"A synonym is a word that has a similar meaning to another word. It's like different words that can be used interchangeably in certain contexts."

Luna looks at me with curiosity, her large moth-like eyes the shades of a midnight sky reflecting genuine interest.

"Why does your kind come down here?" she asks.

I wince as I walk. "I can't speak for all, but only for myself. I am after a crystal in the ninth depth of this hole that will grant you any wish!"

Luna's antennae twitch in excitement. "Wish? What would you wish for?"

I glance at the forest around us, the magical lights casting a soft glow. "To change the fate of my family, to make things right."

She nods, her ethereal wings fluttering. "Luna hopes you find it."

"Me too," I say, stealing glances at her unique beauty as we continue our journey through the her realm.

The forest in the moth's realm unfolds before us, a magical realm filled with surreal beauty.

Trees with luminescent bark stand tall, their branches adorned with shimmering flowers that emit a soft glow. The air is imbued with a delicate fragrance, a mix of sweet nectar and the subtle scent of the ginger incense-like magic that permeates the surroundings.

As we walk, the ground beneath our feet is a soft carpet of velvety red moss, sprinkled with petals that seem to dance in the gentle breeze.

Ethereal lights, resembling fireflies, flicker around us. The foliage itself seems to respond to Luna's presence, glowing in vibrant hues of purples, blues, and greens.

"The male human looks mesmerized," Luna says.

I manage to swallow hard before answering, "Yes… it's very different from what I am used to."

Luna giggles, a sound as delicate as the fluttering wings of the moths around us. "Luna likes when new friends appreciate the beauty of her home."

I smile at her words, at the way she pronounces every word. She has a weird charm I can hardly describe.

Luna walks beside me, her steps graceful and ethereal, as if she's part of the enchantment that shines through the magical forest.

We arrive in front of a massive tree trunk, one of many really if it isn't for the fact that she caresses its trunk – revealing the enchantment that hides a human size hole in it.

Luna gestures toward the enchanted opening in the massive tree trunk. "This is the way to Luna's realm. Luna will guide you, friend."

I hesitantly step closer, my eyes fixated on the mystical portal.

Luna's wings flutter softly as she awaits my decision. With a deep breath, I prepare myself for what lies beyond and take the first step into the luminous passage.

Inside I find a world I've never seen before. The moth's kingdom is giant cave, its walls covered in walls and tall hundreds of meters. Gigantic staircases leads us down, to the back of what looks like a statue. No, it's throne, depicting what looks like a giant.

"That is Luna's king," she bows with reverence to the shoulders of the king. "He is a thousand years old."

"A thousand?!" I almost yell in disbelief. Around us tiny fluorescent moths fly around us. "Why are they so tiny?"

"Those are babies," she says.

"Oh," I open the palm of my hand, a tiny moth lands on it and rolls over my skin. Luna chuckles.

"He is playing, he finds you amusing!"

I chuckle as well and watch as the moth flies away from me carrying the light with himself.

Luna walks ahead of me, her wings flickering lightly as we pass by the statue of the king.

The statue is a seat carved in stone with runes etched in its very solid material. They emit a soft, pulsating light, casting an ethereal glow that dances across us. Green and yellow hues intertwine, creating a mesmerizing display that seems to respond to Luna's presence.

Moth girls and boys walk past us, sending us wary looks as they do so.

Their ethereal wings, reminiscent of Luna's, come in an array of hues, ranging from delicate pastels to vibrant, iridescent shades.

Each Moth Folk has a unique pattern adorning their wings, with different runes marking them. Their hair, too, displays a variety of colors—ranging from silver and gold to shades of blues and purples. Some sport short, pixie-like hair, while others have long, flowing locks that cascade down their shoulders like Luna does.

As we reach the throne, Luna glances at the stone seat with reverence.

"Luna doesn't know who made this, but it has been here for as long as Luna remembers. It's a symbol of the Moth Folk's connection to the layers below."

I can't help but marvel at the craftsmanship of the statue, its imposing yet intricate design hinting at a history lost to time.

She leads me even more below, in a long corridor made of stone. I wonder just how deep we are and if we are close to the second layer. I am not able to ask, because Luna is very excited to show me around.

"This is where Luna sleeps," she says as we march in front of a tiny block sculpted in the rock. I peek inside, it's very dark so I am not able to discern much.

"It looks nice," I say, trying to be polite.

"It looks nice…" she echoes me, mumbling to herself. "Luna thinks you are nice, friend."

"You can call me Adonis,"

"Adonis…" she repeats, "Adonis…" she continues to say as we delve deep into the corridor until we reach the throne room.