LUNA

Riku walked out of the cave, sword in hand, still alert from the mysterious voice he had heard. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting long, jagged shadows. The silence of the forest was unnerving, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves.

Suddenly, a loud, desperate voice rang out from above.

"QUICK, OUT OF THE WAY!"

Riku's head snapped upward just in time to see a figure plummeting toward him—a girl with wild brown hair and wide, terrified blue eyes. He had no time to react.

CRASH!

She collided with him, and the two tumbled to the ground in a heap. The air was knocked out of Riku as he hit the dirt, the girl sprawled on top of him.

"Ugh… What the—" Riku groaned, trying to push himself up.

The girl scrambled to her feet, her entire body trembling as she glanced around frantically. "Please, you have to help me!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.

"What?" Riku asked, still trying to process what had just happened. He stood up, brushing off his clothes. "Who are you? What's going on?"

"There's no time to explain!" the girl said, grabbing his arm. Her hands were cold, her grip shaky. "He's coming—he'll find me! You have to hide me!"

"Calm down!" Riku said, raising his hands in an attempt to steady her. "Who's coming? What are you even talking about?"

The girl shook her head violently, her eyes darting to the dark forest. "Please! Just hide me! He'll kill me if he finds me!"

Riku hesitated, caught between confusion and urgency. The raw fear in her voice was undeniable. "Fine," he said quickly, pointing toward the cave. "There's a cave over there. Hide behind one of the rocks. I'll figure out what's going on."

The girl nodded without hesitation and bolted toward the cave, her footsteps uneven as if she could barely keep herself upright. She disappeared into the darkness, and Riku took a deep breath, gripping his sword tighter.

"What the hell did I just get myself into?" he muttered.

Riku scanned his surroundings, the eerie silence of the forest now feeling oppressive. Suddenly, a loud whoosh of air broke the stillness, and a figure descended from the sky, landing just a few meters in front of him.

The man stood tall, his long red hair cascading down his back. He wore sleek black clothing, and a black blindfold covered his eyes. From his back extended massive, leathery wings, dark as night with crimson veins glowing faintly.

Riku instinctively raised his sword. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded, though his voice betrayed a hint of unease.

The man tilted his head slightly, as if studying him despite the blindfold. "Hm," he said, his voice deep and cold. "You're a demon."

Riku's grip tightened on his sword. "What are you talking about?"

The man smirked faintly. "Your appearance gives it away. You carry the traits of her lineage."

"Her lineage?" Riku asked, confusion flashing across his face. "What the hell do you mean?"

The red-haired man ignored his question, his smirk widening. "A half-demon… fascinating. I've rarely seen one of your kind."

Riku felt his stomach drop. Half-demon? What's he talking about?

"Analyser," he muttered under his breath, "what's going on? What do I do?"

[[ Advice: Do not engage. Threat level exceeds your current capabilities. Escape is recommended. ]]

The man chuckled, his sharp fangs glinting in the moonlight. "You pointed a weapon at me," he said, his tone amused. "Do you know what most people do when they see me?"

Riku said nothing, his heart pounding in his chest.

"They run," the man continued. "Either you're incredibly brave or extremely foolish."

Riku swallowed hard but kept his sword raised. "What do you mean by that?"

The man dismissed his question with a wave of his hand. "I have no interest in explaining myself to you." His tone darkened. "Tell me, have you seen a girl around here? Brown hair, blue eyes. She's not… ordinary."

Riku hesitated, his mind racing. "No," he lied, his voice steady. "Why are you looking for her?"

The man's expression didn't change, but the air around him seemed to grow heavier. "She isn't your concern," he said flatly. "But she's… important."

"Important how?" Riku pressed, trying to buy time.

"That's none of your business," the man snapped. "If you're wise, you'll stay out of it."

Riku lowered his sword slightly, his mind working quickly. "Fine," he said. "If I see her, I'll send her your way. Where are you staying?"

The man raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by Riku's composure. "North," he said, pointing in the direction he mentioned. "There's a place called Fire Mountain. If you find her, bring her to me."

Riku nodded slowly. "Got it. And what about you? What are you doing in the middle of Forest?"

The man's smirk returned. "I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing in the Hellshade Forest?"

Riku hesitated before answering. "My village was destroyed," he said finally. "I'm just trying to find another town to survive in."

The man studied him for a moment, then turned away. "I see," he said, his tone almost indifferent. He spread his massive wings, the force of the movement stirring the air around them.

"I'll be going now," he said. "Remember what I told you. Don't get involved in things you don't understand."

With that, he launched himself into the air, disappearing into the night sky.

Riku stood frozen for a moment, staring at the spot where the man had been. The oppressive atmosphere lingered, the weight of the encounter pressing heavily on his chest.

"Analyser," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Who… or what… was that?"

[[ Unable to provide information. Data on the individual is not available. ]]

Riku sighed, lowering his sword and rubbing his temples. "Great," he muttered. "Another mystery I don't have time for."

He turned and headed back toward the cave, his mind buzzing with questions. Who was the girl? Why was the red-haired man after her? And hown did he knew i am half-demon"?

One thing was clear: he had been pulled into something far bigger than himself.

Riku walked back toward the cave, the cold night air brushing against his face. His thoughts swirled with confusion and unease about the red-haired man and the girl he had just hidden. The forest was quiet again, save for the sound of his boots crunching against the dirt and leaves.

When he reached the cave, he paused near the entrance and peeked inside. He spotted the girl crouched behind a giant rock, her small frame barely visible in the dim light of the dying fire.

"Is he gone?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Riku stepped inside, lowering his sword. "Yeah, he's gone," he said, his tone steady.

The girl let out a shaky breath, her shoulders relaxing as she stood up and walked toward him. "Thank you," she said softly, looking up at him with wide, grateful eyes. "You're the only one who helped me…"

Riku shrugged, unsure how to respond. "Don't mention it."

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke again. "That man… he's been following me for two months. I didn't mean to get you involved, but I had nowhere else to go."

Riku frowned. "Two months? Why is he after you?"

The girl hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. "It's… complicated," she murmured.

Riku sighed. "If you don't want to tell me, I get it," he said, turning to stoke the fire. "But it might help if I knew what I'm dealing with."

The girl bit her lip, then finally spoke. "I… I caused an accident," she admitted. "A big one. And now he won't leave me alone."

Riku glanced at her, his brows furrowing. "An accident?"

She didn't elaborate, instead stepping closer to him. "Can I stay with you? Just for a little while?"

The question caught Riku off guard. He blinked, then shook his head. "No. Sorry, but I can't let you do that. It's not safe for either of us."

"Why not?" she asked, her voice rising in desperation. "I'll do anything! I won't cause you trouble, I swear. Just… please."

Riku hesitated, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "I'm already in enough danger as it is," he said, trying to sound firm. "You'll only make things worse."

Her lower lip trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Please," she begged, her voice breaking. "I'll do whatever you want… it doesn't matter what it is…"

Riku froze, his heart twisting at the sight of her tears. For a moment, an image flashed in his mind—his sister, younger and innocent, before everything had gone wrong. Despite knowing how that ended, he couldn't ignore the resemblance.

He let out a long sigh. "Fine," he said reluctantly.

The girl's face lit up, and she threw her arms around him in a joyful hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Alright, alright," Riku muttered, gently prying her off. "Calm down."

She stepped back, grinning from ear to ear. "My name's Luna," she said proudly. "And just so you know, I'm a Celestial Dragon—the youngest one in existence!"

Riku blinked, staring at her in disbelief. "A… Celestial Dragon?"

Luna nodded, her smile unwavering.

"Analyser," Riku whispered under his breath, "what's a Celestial Dragon?"

[[ Insufficient data. Information unavailable. ]]

Riku groaned inwardly. "Of course…"

Luna tilted her head. "What about you? What's your name?"

Riku opened his mouth to answer, but no words came out. Panic surged through him as he tried again, only to be met with silence.

"Why… why can't I say my name?" he muttered.

[[ Analysis: You do not have a name in this life. Although you retain memories of your past life, your previous name cannot be used. ]]

Riku's chest tightened as he absorbed the information. He looked back at Luna. "I don't have a name," he said quietly.

She blinked, confused. "What do you mean you don't have a name?"

"It's… complicated," Riku replied. "But I just don't."

Luna seemed to think for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I guess that makes sense," she said. "You're a half-demon, right? That must be tough."

Riku's gaze darkened. "You don't know the half of it."

Suddenly, Luna's stomach growled loudly, breaking the tension.

"Uh…" She gave a sheepish smile. "Is there anything to eat?"

Riku smirked faintly. "Yeah. I've got some meat left. Sit tight."

Riku set up the fire again, pulling out the last of the cooked bear meat. Luna sat cross-legged nearby, watching him intently as he worked.

"You're really good at this," she said, her voice full of admiration.

"It's not that hard," Riku replied, not looking up.

Luna scooted closer, her eyes fixated on him. "Your hair is so white… and long," she said, reaching out to grab a strand.

Riku tensed slightly but kept his focus on the meat. "Yeah. It's just how it is."

Luna's eyes softened, and she thought to herself, He's a lot like him… She quickly shook the thought away, dismissing it.

Once the meat was cooked, Riku handed her a piece skewered on a stick. "Here. It's not much, but it'll do."

Luna's face lit up as she took it. "Thanks!" she said cheerfully, immediately biting into the meat. Her eyes widened, and she let out a delighted squeal. "This is amazing!"

Riku chuckled. "You're easily impressed."

She shook her head, her cheeks puffed with food. "No way! This is the best thing I've eaten in forever!"

"Well, I'm glad you like it," Riku said, leaning back against a rock.

Luna finished the meat in record time, licking her fingers with a satisfied smile. "Thanks for saving me… and for the food," she said softly.

"Don't mention it," Riku replied, though he couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease.

Riku watched as Luna grinned at him, her childlike energy filling the small, dim cave with a warmth he hadn't felt in what seemed like an eternity. The firelight danced in her bright eyes, and for the first time in a long while, Riku allowed himself to relax, the heaviness in his chest momentarily lifting. Her presence, though unexpected and chaotic, was oddly comforting.

Luna tilted her head, curiosity bubbling to the surface. "Hey," she began, breaking the silence. "What were you doing out here in the forest all alone? It's dangerous, you know."

Riku sighed, leaning back against the cave wall. He hesitated before answering. "Just… surviving."

"Surviving?" Luna blinked, her smile fading. "Why?"

He shifted uncomfortably, gripping his sword tightly. "Because my village was destroyed."

Her expression turned serious. "Destroyed? What happened?"

Riku stared into the flickering flames, the memories cutting through him like a knife. "It was yesterday . My parents and I lived in a small village. Peaceful, quiet. We didn't have much, but we were happy. Until they came."

"They?" Luna echoed softly.

"Soldiers," Riku spat, his voice hardening. "They came in the middle of the night. Burned everything to the ground. Killed everyone they could find. My parents… they tried to protect me, but they…" His voice faltered, hands clenching into fists. "They didn't make it."

Luna's eyes widened, her hand covering her mouth. "That's horrible…"

"I was forced to watch," he continued, his tone low and bitter. "And when it was over, I hunted them down. One by one."

"You fought back?" Luna's voice was filled with quiet awe.

"I didn't just fight back," Riku said coldly, his gaze distant. "I killed them. Every last one of them."

The cave fell silent. Luna finally whispered, "That's… so sad."

Riku nodded, his expression unreadable. "It was. And it still is."

Luna hesitated before reaching out as if to comfort him, but Riku stood up abruptly, his movements stiff. "You should get some sleep," he said. "In the morning, we're heading out."

She looked up at him, her lips trembling slightly. "Okay…" she said softly, lying down on the rough cave floor. But as Riku moved toward the entrance of the cave, Luna bolted upright in panic. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere," he replied calmly, glancing back at her. "I'm staying awake. Just keeping watch."

"I can stay awake too!" Luna offered, sitting up.

"No," Riku said firmly, waving her off. "Rest. You'll need your strength."

With that, he walked to a large rock near the cave entrance and sat down, his back to her. Luna frowned, watching him for a moment before lying back down again. After a beat of silence, she called out, "I feel like you're hiding something."

Riku smirked faintly but didn't turn around. "That's not entirely wrong."

"What is it?" she pressed, sitting up again. "You can tell me."

Riku sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "It's not a happy story. It'll ruin that childlike sparkle you've got in your eyes."

"Nothing can do that!" Luna declared proudly, puffing out her chest. "I'm tougher than I look."

He glanced over his shoulder, meeting her determined gaze. Finally, he sighed again and nodded. "Alright. But this stays between us, got it?"

Luna nodded eagerly, crossing her heart. "Promise!"

Riku leaned back against the rock, staring into the dark forest beyond. "In my past life, I wasn't just anyone. I lived in a kingdom. My family ruled it. My father was the king, my mother the queen. And then there was my sister… the light of our family. We were happy. Or so I thought."

"A prince?" Luna's eyes widened in wonder. "You were a prince?"

"Yeah." He chuckled faintly, a small, wistful smile crossing his lips. "My sister and I used to play together in the gardens. Hide and seek, sparring with wooden swords, even sneaking sweets from the kitchens. She was my best friend."

"That sounds so fun," Luna said softly.

"It was," Riku agreed, his voice tinged with longing. "But royalty comes with responsibilities. Expectations. I spent most of my time training with my swordmaster. My parents used to watch sometimes, proud of my progress. They said I'd make a great king someday."

"That sounds like a dream," Luna said, her expression warm.

"It was. Until the night everything changed."

Luna's face fell. "What happened?"

"It started like any other night. I'd finished training and was heading to get something to eat. I saw my sister in the hallway. I make fun of myself to make her laugh. She ignored me. But I noticed she was carrying a small knife. I didn't think much of it." He paused, his voice faltering. "That night, we had dinner as a family. My father talked about the future of the kingdom. My mother brought up marriage alliances. I asked my sister why she was ignoring me. She didn't answer, just left the table."

Luna noticed the shift in his tone and stood, walking over to sit beside him on the rock. "And then?"

"That night, I went to bed early. I was lying there, thinking about why my sister was acting so distant. And then… she knocked on my door."

"What did she want?" Luna asked, her heart pounding.

"She came in, hugging her pillow. She asked for a hug." Riku's voice grew quieter. "I didn't think twice. I hugged her. And then…"

He clenched his fists, struggling to continue. "She betrayed me. She stabbed me. Smiling the whole time. She said it was for her husband… so he could have the throne. I was a threat."

Luna gasped, tears springing to her eyes. "That's… horrible…"

"I don't know how long I lay there, bleeding out," he said hoarsely. "But I remember the pain, the confusion, the… heartbreak. And then… I died."

The cave fell silent, the weight of his story hanging heavy in the air. Luna stared at him, her expression a mix of shock, sorrow, and empathy. Finally, she placed a hand on his arm. "I'm so sorry…"

He shook his head, his voice bitter. "Don't pity me. It's jusr the past."

"But it's your past," Luna said firmly. "And it matters."

Riku looked at her, his icy demeanor softening slightly. "Why do you care so much?"

"Because no one deserves to carry something like that alone," Luna said, her voice gentle but resolute. "And because… I think you're stronger than you realize."

Her words struck something deep within him, and for a moment, he let his guard down, allowing the faintest glimmer of gratitude to show. "Thanks," he murmured.

Luna smiled, her cheerful energy returning. "Hey, you saved me, right? It's only fair I try to cheer you up!"

Riku chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're a strange one."

"And you're a tough one," Luna said with a grin. "Together, we make a pretty good team."

For the first time , Riku allowed himself to smile—a small, fleeting smile, but a smile nonetheless.

Riku sighed and looked at Luna, her childlike energy still radiating even as the firelight flickered low in the cave. "Go to sleep already," he said with a hint of exasperation.

Luna puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms. "Don't treat me like a kid!"

Riku smirked, leaning against the cave wall. "But you are like a kid."

Her pout deepened, and she stomped over to the fireplace, plopping down dramatically. "I'm sleeping, but not because you told me to. It's because I want to!"

Riku chuckled softly. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

For a while, silence filled the cave, broken only by the soft crackle of the fire. Then, after about ten minutes, Luna's voice piped up, breaking the calm.

"hay , are you still awake?"

Riku opened one eye, glancing toward her. "Yes, I'm awake. Why? Do you need to pee or something, child?"

"NO!" Luna shouted, sitting up with a huff. "Don't call me that! I was just thinking about something important!"

Riku sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. What is it? Make it quick."

Luna grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I want to give you a name!"

Riku blinked, confused. "What do you mean, 'give me a name'?

"Duh, I mean a real name. A special name. From me!" she said proudly.

Still confused, Riku called on his Analyser skill. "Analyser, what is she even talking about?"

The cold, logical voice of the skill echoed in his mind:

[["Naming System: High-level individuals possess the ability to grant names imbued with their essence. This process strengthens the recipient, often triggering evolution. The individual naming you is significantly more powerful. A name from such an individual could alter your existence."]]

Riku's eyes narrowed. "Wait… Analyser, how strong is she compared to me?"

[[ "Cannot provide exact data. However, Luna is approximately 20 times stronger than your current level."]]

Riku froze, his mind reeling. Twenty times?! How is that even possible?

Snapping back to reality, he shook his head. "No way. I'm not letting you name me."

Luna's face fell, her pout returning in full force. "Why not? It's a good idea!"

"Because," Riku said firmly, crossing his arms, "I don't need some fancy name or evolution. I'm fine the way I am."

"But it'll make you stronger!" Luna argued, crawling closer to him.

"I don't care," Riku shot back. "Strength isn't everything."

"It is when you're as weak as you are," Luna teased with a cheeky grin.

"Excuse me?" Riku glared at her.

"Come on! You're strong, sure, but you could be way stronger with my help!" she said, bouncing slightly where she sat. "Think about it—no one would mess with you! Plus, you'd owe me forever!"

"That's exactly why I'm saying no!" Riku snapped. "I don't need to owe you anything."

Luna smirked, leaning closer. "Admit it—you're scared."

Riku frowned. "I'm not scared."

"You are," she sing-songed. "You're scared of getting stronger and realizing how awesome my name would make you."

"Luna, drop it. I said no, and that's final."

She huffed, sitting back with her arms crossed. "You're so stubborn."

"And you're annoying," Riku shot back.

For a moment, they stared at each other, the tension thick in the air. Then Luna's eyes softened, and she gave him a small, sincere smile. "Look, I'm not trying to push you into something bad, okay? I just… I think you deserve to be stronger. To have the power to protect yourself and the people you care about. Don't you want that?"

Riku hesitated, her words hitting a nerve. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I… I don't know."

Luna leaned forward, her expression earnest. "Trust me, I won't give you a dumb name or anything. And it's not about you owing me. I just… want to help you. Please?"

Her voice was softer now, devoid of her usual playfulness. Riku stared at her, his resolve faltering. Finally, he groaned, throwing his hands up. "Fine. You win."

Luna's face lit up like a child on her birthday. "Yay! I knew I'd win!"

Riku rolled his eyes. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this."

"Because I'm amazing," she said, sticking out her tongue. "Now, let me think…"

She tapped her chin, her playful energy returning full force as she started brainstorming names. "Something cool… something strong… .' Ooh, this is gonna be fun!"

Riku sighed, leaning back against the cave wall. "You better not pick something ridiculous."

"No promises!" Luna chirped, grinning mischievously as she continued to think.

TO BE CONTINUED