Tales of the Sun, Moon and Storm

The time is as old as the Universe—the world we knew was big and still devoid of reason and expansion. For every spark that burst out from the nothing came a sole existence to oppose its dominion.

Eve Ainsley, who lived in a city called Gold Creek, opposes this spark that resonated through her bones every morning. It always came by a ring, shrilling at her sleep and banging through her head until it became unbearable to ignore.

Gold Creek is a hill to live on. Somewhere around the United States and above Texas, there's a hill on the west, ranging to the west coast with a remote town from any known state. This is everything someone like her could ever wish for—a place with few words and people.

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

"Uhm..." The girl left her bed tired as her phone went to snooze.

"What is it now? Oh, it's a bright day." She looks through the window and sees how bright and warm the outside is.

"What a warm day to start a school...It's warmer than many months ago..."

"I wonder what changed in this autumn. Maybe it's all bright as the summer."

The water in this town is cold and breezing, fresh from the river that flows from upstream. Eve always remembers the importance of hygiene by the skin. Water ran over her hair to the skin before the feet. She kept her hair short so she didn't need to wash more.

"An A cup for a girl who never get an A on school? How ludicrous." She looks again at her mirror, and nothing has changed. But now she looks refreshed and ready.

"Do I need to clip my nails? I guess not."

"Teeth? I don't have time!" She drops the toothbrush in a hurry.

Her mother always greets her from the table after cooking breakfast for her. But she was not a good chef—nor did she know what breakfast was. Every day, she had to sit at the table with an unappetizing face, gulping everything on the plate with her eyes closed.

"Another minced meat again, mom?"

"Of course! Who wouldn't like that? It's healthy and nutritious! Every child needs to have a lot to eat for a long journey in school."

"Yeah, I am." She looks both ways before throwing her eyes to the back. Luckily, she always had a book to distract the taste.

Her father— who awaits outside with his car on, greets her after a long hour of basking himself in the sunlight. John was a hard worker like his wife—who worked both at the house and outside. His metal carriage always needs cold water so it doesn't break in the summer.

"Eve, are you not coming with us by car? It'll be faster and better than walking alone." The father stood near the garage, calling her name. But she looks dismissive of the offer.

"No, I'm fine. I can go on my own. Besides, I've never walk alone—not when someone whose name starts with C comes to—"

"Hey, Eve! Ready to walk to school together?" The yell came from afar and sounded like a boy.

"—Walk with me. Hello, Cyrus..."

A figure stood at Eve's door by the name of Cyrus Beth, a supposedly well-known cleric in this town for his kind-hearted determination. He had lived near here since the day Eve had stayed her cause in this town, holding onto every faith he had to keep her up and strong in this cruel world with a smile.

But he was too overconfident, often too attached with his pride much to his faith. The girl could not even catch up with a bird on her tree, let alone the boy's initiative to talk.

"Cyrus, is it you or the trees getting tall around here?" She places her hand above her eyes from the sunlight.

"No, it's the trees." The father looks surprised at the trees around the house.

"Oh hi, Cyrus! Fancy meeting you here!" The mother waves from the door.

"Just as usual, Eve?"

Cyrus always had his eyes on Eve before she even did to herself. He will arrive in bright blue and yellow clothes so she can find him vibrantly at her house's door. It would make clear that the very thing she would see when she walks out of the house is the happiest color ever.

"Why couldn't you just use a car?" Eve crosses her arms with a dismissal of his words.

"You know I could just go by car, but walking is much better." Cyrus jokes light-laidly with Eve.

"You always say that, did you?"

"Well, have fun!" The parents bid from the home as Eve left with Cyrus.

"Will do!" Cyrus waves behind with a smile while Eve walks forward without looking back.

With a long path ahead, their journey from home is a binding between two souls. From the eastern side of a lushful forest and greenish residence of East Pinnacle to the stony land of the west known as Great Stone, they travel only by foot. It is for Cyrus to look onward for this walk because of his willingness to Eve.

But she was not easy to tempt by sweet talk and kindness. Her eyes could only look at a thin-layered paper chaptering a story to fill up her days. She was a lover of novels and literature, especially for a fantasy theme.

Book is her friend—a treasure she finds more appealing than a gold bar, but it isn't something that others would like. Eve, an unruly librarian to some spoke, spent her life reading literature to deepen her wisdom and mind for a reason and reflection. To her, a book is an expressional art that allows her to speak and aspire, with her goal being to write her own writings for the world.

"Two creatures going around the city to seek the adventure of a lifetime with a life-changing lesson? Now that's a new kind of story for a reader. But I had to check for another book after this..." The girl reads diligently.

"It could be us somewhere, Eve. Can you imagine it? Two adventurers on far lands doing the best for one another? Almost like you and me."

"It says my companion is a creature, and you are merely to command. Hard to think of someone who could be as good as a little pet for your journey friend."

Cyrus would play along with her love for the book. He was not the one to read daily like his friend because he had known her for so long. He may have read a few chapters and used it on her as bait for their discussion. But Cyrus was more of a friend than a reader Eve could ever ask.

"You think two of us can get a companion to start our own adventure? Esalia said she started this whole book by finding her companion from those she came close to beforehand."

"I think ONE of us would get a companion. And it would've been you, Cyrus."

"What? Just me? Why?"

"Have you seen yourself? You're a star in this school. Anyone would've looked for you before I did..."

"You're a main character in this town, after all."

People are attracted to Cyrus like a magnet—quickly finding him everywhere they can see him in a free space. He is the second sun shining brightly on Gold Creek after the first sunrise. Everyone would know and find him on his way to Great Stone.

"Cyrus! Come here! Come here!" A girl jumps onto him after seeing the boy afar.

"Wohoho! No need to fight, everyone! I'm all for everyone!" Cyrus calms the fuss with his arms up.

"You thought we forgot about you, Cyrus? Just where we need you!"

Cyrus replies, "I'm always envy being too spotted lately."

One couldn't be said the same to Eve. Her cold and bland view would blend with the environment until a word came out of her mouth—almost like she was nowhere in their eyes, leaving only a whisper before it became too real to ignore.

"Oh, Eve? Right...I almost forgot about her." The girl notices her reading behind Cyrus's bag. If it were not for the blue sweater she was wearing, she would have been caught quicker between the blue-painted fence.

"Where is she? Oh, there she is."

"Sorry, we didn't see you there."

Eve replies, "Right...you didn't."

There are things that Eve would ignore from others that give her the chance to look forward to her intent. Sometimes, being unnoticeable with a friend in the spotlight comes with benefits. One instance is how close the west goes for a walk than a ride when she can pass narrow gaps in the town smoothly.

"So, anything new on the house lately? I heard you were moved to music class?"

Cyrus was flattered, "Thanks, but I'm not a swimmer expert. I took a "less physical" training because I didn't want to risk my health. You know, because of..."

"Oh, yeah! We get it. Hope you had it better now since the last time you picked that band..."

"I know. Turns out Jeremy wasn't lying about the school's drum band. If you mind, can I join you at the stadium tomorrow? Just want to help your performance whatsoever..."

And when she was around those who wished for a spotlight, they always left her a seat behind with a sturdy wood piece for a table. It is not a good place for writing, but it can hold a few paper sheets anytime she feels bored in the class.

It is not a gift from others but rather a simple ignorance she sees as bliss. The Institute didn't seem to notice everything she could do behind, even by the time she enjoyed being the watcher of everything in the Great Stone Institute. Because to her, everything is a simulation, and she lies behind the glass.

"Cyrus!" Yelled a girl from the chair with his hands up.

"Say hello to the champion of Gold Creek today! So, who was the girl I heard winning the local Creek-con competition again?" Cyrus tease.

"Aww, no need to be subtle about it. Everyone knew it was me!"

"I really wish I could knit like you so I don't have to wear this awful shirt."

"Aww, don't flatter! You look fabulous no matter what!"

They keep raising each other up in front of Eve.

Everything here is worth observing—from sound and looks, they're all uniquely aspiring in her mind. They could make a story in her head while she was waiting for the time being in the class. This is how Eve enjoyed everything in Great Stone.

The beautiful and shaded Eve wandered through the town, searching for inspiration to create a perfect conclusion to her chapter. But she lacked an idea that doesn't repeat itself. There's no rising action, no climax, and—obviously—nothing to resolve.

"If only the town was as engaging as it looks. I could have written more about the sky than this ground." She looks back and forth to her empty paper—still nothing to write around here.

She watched every moment in class disgustedly at people who came close to Cyrus. Her eyes were locked on the boy with envy as if she was waiting for him to stop or to notice her wish to stop playing an actor on a stage. She approaches the group only to talk behind Cyrus, which many didn't bother with.

"Went on another trip again, Cy? Where have you been lately since a week ago?" Eve approaches from behind. Her eyes are still locked on the book, but her ears and mouth are only to Cyrus.

"I have a trip out there, Eve! And it's called an event, not a trip. I'm living the best of my life while still young!"

"You always say that every day." Eve looks down with boredom.

But today, she will have a day she never expected from a book she read. A chapter will soon turn to reality before her eyes, coming to this Institute by the autumn sky and a grey cloud slowly approaching the west. It would be luxurious and beautiful just by the look—even if it may not glisten and bright like this morning.

*Stop* A car stopped at the University's entrance. Its golden rim on the wheel indicates a noble passerby had stopped in this place.

"He's here!"

"He's here?? He's here!!"

"Who's here?" Cyrus and Eve mumbled simultaneously.

"Oh, finally! Kids, walk out now and greet your new student! Don't want to miss this chance, are you?" The teacher rushes out with a metal cup in his hand.

"That was unexpected. Why didn't I know anything about the new student?" Cyrus thought.

"Now that's something to see for today," Eve replies.

"Dion," They named him a legend or a figure of fame. But Cyrus had never heard such awe given to those but him, which would also be impacted towards Eve. Each second, they heard whispers about him from the outside, and then they heard running and stomping in a rush.

"The prince has come!" Yelled someone.

"Prince? What are we? Peasant?" Eve mumbled.

"Does that make me a special peasant? I did well for one!" Cyrus pauses.

"Not now, Cyrus..."

Dozens of people are waiting from the door over someone inside that carriage. There are men in suits siding on the road and a red carpet on the floor. Then there's a trumpet to welcome the guest—as if a party was about to be arranged at the front.

All they could hear from the outside was a scream, and a whiz turned into incomprehensible excitement. Everyone was there, including scholars and lecturers, reaching for their caller.

"It's strange. I've called their names and none of them respond to me. Everyone always responded to me!"

"First time?" Eve struggles her way into the outside, followed by Cyrus from behind.

"Wait, what's that in your hand?" Cyrus pauses.

But no one heard the cleric's call, even those who came close to him. All they could think of was waiting for whoever was behind the chariot to walk off. It is such a bizarre thing to happen for Cyrus—all of them were carrying trinkets with the name "Carven" on them.

"Woo! He's here!"

"It's him! It's the Carven himself!"

"Dion! I'm here! Notice me! Notice me!"

"Dion, I bought all of this for you!"

Dion Carven, or so they called him on that chariot—the prince without a crown, yet his attire was out of this land. The crowds only get louder when they finally get his look, and he was undoubtedly a man with a decent impression. But, one thing that stood beautifully indescribable by nature was the uniquely green eyes that defined his beauty.

An emerald eye he has—a beautiful but lifeless stare seemingly indifferent to emotions. The blueish upper layer on his pupil reflected the serenity of a sky, the greenish lower layer reflected the purity of nature, and both combined to form a rare beauty that mesmerizes everyone who looks upon it.

"Alas, some fresh air after a long ride to this...junkyard. But regardless, I am here and I expect more than whatever this is." The boy mumbled to his servants.

"Your father assure you that this is for your good, Mr. Dion." The servant replies.

"The education here might be low, but it would bring you an opportunity to enhance your artistical skill than you'll ever be in Birmingham. Not to mention the incident with the paint..."

"Speak no more about that, Bernard. I just want to get this day through..."

Everyone came bewitched in this town. Never had Eve seen someone so charming in looks they could take a crowd stunned with only a glance and a wave of his hand. It was only the temporary silence that she could take before it became a deafening scream.

The prince greeted everyone by giving a line on a red carpet for fame so everyone could have a share of his title. But what everyone was looking at was only his green eyes, which seemed to give serenity in their own ways.

"Whoa..." Cyrus mumbled. His looks began to be trapped just as the others.

"No need to look awed with it. Everyone also felt the same." Eve replies with the same expression for Dion.

"How? Ever saw that kind of guy here?? We've never had a tropical-eyed boy, let alone a billionaire son. I'mma go meet him!"

"What? No, you're—fuck." She follows reluctantly.

Many line up for a moment with Dion for a signature and take a picture with his eyes—His beautiful, glimmering eyes. This was the time for the two to look upon the prince together.

"Thank you so much, Dion! I'll never wash this arm!" Her arm was scribbled by Dion.

"Dion, I rubbed one out for you on my precious Dion pillow! I'll go for more until you sign my pillow!" Said a student confidently to his face. The look on Dion's face was priceless hearing so.

"Well, hello there! Fancy meeting a handsome boy here." Cyrus greeted.

"Handsome is an abbreviation for handily boresome." Eve muttered.

"Huh? Who are you two?" Dion pauses.

For a moment, Cyrus felt a seemingly unsettling look behind the lens of Dion's eyes—like a spark taking away the light of his smile and flashing him back with silence. It is as if he was looking at an ocean of lifeless water and immovable flow. Such a fear is instilled in Cyrus's heart, yet a word to describe how amazed he was.

"Aah! You're scaring me!" Cyrus thought fearfully.

"Thank you for admiring my immeasurable beauty! Happy to help." Dion sarcastically replies.

But for Eve, a jolt of peace suddenly appeared to her eyes from that view, glimmering like the clouds in spring before a blink wept them out. At that moment, everything returned to boredom and realization. Eve could only think silently with her friend Cyrus. Such life reflects from a mere blink.

"Aah! Don't look at me like that!" Eve backed fearfully.

"Excuse me, but could you wait in line to get your yearly signature on me, mate?"

"We're not here to get your signature!" Eve yelled, but Dion only focused on Cyrus.

"We're actually wanted to know about you. Are you happened to be famous? I can see that from your eyes..."

"Oh, who wouldn't say that? Aren't you a new prickle on a cactus lately? My name's Dion Carven, and please keep an eye on that."

"Dion Carven? Oh! I knew you! The son of Carven.io industry? Is it?"

"Now you get it." Dion walks off without even looking at Eve.

Suddenly, something changed in Cyrus' mind. Dion had cast his name like a spell on him, turning him from once a confused and wandering cleric into a die-hard devotee of the prince. Even Cyrus could not resist him differently from the others.

"Whoa. Wait for me! Dion, notice me!" Cyrus yelled.

Once again, Eve was left contemplating nothing. Even Dion couldn't notice her right in front of her face, and Cyrus, who was once with her—now went to join the crowd without her. Such abandonment would make her sad and alone again. But before she could express her anger, she was disturbed by a dreading sound shivering behind her hair.

*Shrug* *Shrug* *Shrug*

"What was that?"

Something phenomenal was here, standing with her for some time and looking at her. Its silence afterward made it more unsettling for Eve. She looked back, and nothing replied to her—much as people around here. But it made her more drawn to the mystery, knowing so many things to follow but far behind the plot.

"Weird. So weird..." She mumbled.

Her curiosity had finally come to use. Going here was not a waste of time, but the feeling was still nowhere to be found. Was it really just a false sense coming from today's event? Or perhaps someone else was late to the party like her?

Something had noticed her from what she saw. It is a surprise for her to be peeked at even by anyone but the cleric—it makes her freeze to have a second look. She wanted to know who had been looking for her other than the prince.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Eve yelled left and right, but no one responded.

"Hello? Anyone?"

"What was that?"

But the silence had already gone for too much. Doubt starts to come, and eventually, she gives up her search. The librarian could not be distracted by the wind and decided she must leave to join the others on the back side of the crowd again.

"Give me something to surprise, can you?" She yelled at the sky.

"I want someone to notice me. Someone like him..."

But what she didn't know is that the thing was there all along, waiting for her behind a guise of nature before it followed her again from behind. And now, it was going after her again. Where would it go is soon for her to be found.