Once in the Moonlight XXII

CHAPTER LXXX1

“…..right, Haruka chan?” Akihiro asked. It was the ideal day, the kind that you hear of only in faerie tale books. But hey, my life was a faerie story in a world of faeries, so I suppose that makes sense, figuratively. “…Haruka chan?” he looked down to see me leaning slightly on his shoulder, my eyes softly closed. One silken hand rested on his shoulder, my fingers intertwined with the end of the sleeve. 2

He smiled down at her. She’s so beautiful… he mused. On impulse, his hand reached out for her honey coloured hair. Before even he knew what he was doing, his lips brushed against her cheek. 3

That felt so real.. I thought to myself, musing over that dream. I could have sworn that I felt a real kiss…But I guess that’s how dreams are…4

Dreams…then it hit me. Once again! I awoke to the sound of Akihiro’s voice, calling my name. My head flipped up instantly, growing more red as I noticed that my hands had subliminally clutched the shoulder of his t-shirt in my sleep. Why did this always happen? “Gomen nasai, Akihiro kun!” I quickly slid back to my seat. 5

Expecting him to be at least somewhat annoyed, I was surprised to see him smile warmly. Akihiro seemed startled, but said “Don’t think twice about it!” With a grin, he added, “They say that that happens only with those you’re most comfortable around,” 6

They say it happens around the one you truly love… I thought to myself. Did he know that? Oh, how embarrassing of a way for him to realize that I love him! I crossed my fingers, hoping that he had no clue… I nodded hesitantly. “H-hai,”7

His eyebrow went up slightly. “You-do feel comfortable around me, right?”8

A blush rose across my nose, pulling at a smile. “Of course! I’d-trust you with anything!” Except telling you that I love you… I added to myself.9

He didn’t seem convinced. Looking deep into my eye, he asked. “Are you sure?”10

Guilt trip. Instantly, thoughts of Musicana and my love of Akihiro rushed thoruhg my mind, and I wondered how I could respond. “W-what would make you think I don’t?” 11

He gave me a suspicious glance over. “Your stuttering,”12

“????” My eyes opened in terror. He was right. How did he know that? What was I supposed to do? I felt like a deer blinded by headlights, running into glass walls. 13

“I’ve never seen you stutter around anyone else,”14

“I-I-“ I looked out distantly, totally out of it.15

“I didn’t mean it like that-“ he quickly added, seeing my embarrasement. 16

”You’re right…” I hid my head between my knees. “Its’ just that---I---“ there came that curse’d stuttering again. I couldn’t help it. Around him, I seemed to fall so shy. “I—I—can’t help it…”, which I really meant in two ways. I couldn’t help my stuttering problem, and I couldn’t help but love him. 17

“Oh,” he stopped, thinking he asked about the stupidest of things to ask. “Gomen,” silence enveloped us once again. “Well, I’d better get going-“ he began, walking off. But I knew this was my only chance, and I had to use it. 18

“Wait, Akihiro kun!” I cried out as I grabbed the back of his shirt. He spun around to meet my eyes. 19

“I—I“ I started,. “I’m sorry!” Before I could stop myself, I felt my head jerk forward to meet his lips. He seemed taken back at first, but I felt his arm around my waist as he leaned in. 20

I won’t go on and on how wonderful it was to at long last kiss him, for words won’t do it justice. Neither do you need to know detailed description. It was…our kiss. Our first kiss…the mere thought made my heart race.21

After what felt like such a short time of utter ecstasy, we both broke apart. He looked at me with disbelief that that just happened. 22

“Haruka chan…” He said softly. I felt his hand gently reach my cheek. I turned scarlet in an instant. 23

“Gomen! I didn’t mean to-“ I was interrupted by the sweet taste of his lips again. 24

You have no idea how long I’ve waited for that…he thought25

“Akihiro-kun—“ I breathed. “I hope I didn’t-ruin our friendship—“26

“No,” he smiled. “You just made it stronger,” he pecked at my lips softly. 27

A smile pursed on my lips. 28

“I love you, Haruka,” he spoke gently, pulling me in closer.29

My head fell into his chest. “I…I love you too, Akihiro kun,” I whispered as I hugged him tightly. 30

CHAPTER LXXXI31

He suddenly found himself liking the colour purple a lot. It matched her eyes, he realized one day. Of course, he would have never admitted having thought about Roxy in any way, especially not in a romantic way. What reason could he have to love that girl? All she ever did was try to start fights with him. But, as he thought about it, maybe that’s what he liked about her so much. Could it have been something simpler than that—like her impulsive determination to stand up against injustice? …That was far too deep for him. 32

Whatever the reason for it was, he found himself walking out of store with a royal purple wristband. He could say it was an impulse purchase: the excuse was that it matched her eyes, the eyes he tried to catch a glimpse of when she wasn’t watching. And when she was watching, he could look down to the wristband, and though it wasn’t the same, it gave a nice memory. 33

~34

“So what do you think, Roxy? …Roxy?” The voice slowly came to reality as Roxy bolted her raven head up to attention. “Roxy, are you alright?” Haruka asked, her usual concern evident. “You’ve been spacing out a lot rescently…”35

“Or is it that Roxy’s been checking out her Pokemon…” Topleaka winked with a giggle. 36

“Nande?!” the violet eyes came to attention instantly. “Pokemon? No way. Thanks for the insult.”37

Sabrina, usually indifferent to romance conversations, actually spoke up, twirling a straw between her fingers. “Really? I think you and Adair have something for each other…”38

The entire table must have turned in shock, noting Sabrina having an opinion in the romantic topic. Standing up in outrage, Roxy nearly belted, “I’d die before finding myself with him!”, heading out of the cafeteria. 39

Once she was gone, Topleaka sighed with delight, “Denial. Yep, its love.”40

~41

Roxetta Choirin walked down the street, letting the nice day fill her heart. She was…smiling for once-smiling because for once, she was happy! No one had annoyed her yet today!42

She looked down at her school uniform, up to her black curls, higher to the periwinkle sky, and for once, nothing made her annoyed about this! She didn’t have a bad hair day, she woke up on time-she didn’t even mind her reflection. Today was going to be great, she confirmed. Yes…no one would annoy her today!43

But, alas she spoke too soon as she saw Adair round the corner. His dull yet mystic grey eyes haunted her-but she shook her head furiously. She didn’t like him-she didn’t! 44

He had the school uniform on also-the black Chinese top with black silk pants. He gave her that stoic glare as usual. 45

“Roxy,” he called. She turned to face him, innerly sighing. Of course-the flawless day…46

"I heard you say you'd rather die than be with me" he smirked. 47

Roxy glared defensively, bright red, "...Where'd you hear that?'48

Was that a smile on his face-the smile Roxy always hoped for? No-still just a smirk. "As though you didn't proclaim it to the entire school..." he lazily leaned against the side of teh school's wall. 49

Roxy blushed angrily, "Well-why are you reminding me of this?" 50

He leaned in closer to her. "Becuase I wanted to prove you wrong..."51

Roxy's heart raced. It was getting harder to hide how she truly felt now. "What?" she tried to hold her ground with angered eyebrows. But her eyes told a different story. She found her back against a tree. 52

He suddenly leaned in and kissed her gently-more gently than Roxy thought Adair could be...in any way. It was too late to hold in now, so she wrapped her arms around his neck, to his utter surprise. It was a short kiss, but its effect lasted for minutes to come. 53

“A-Adair-“54

Roxy wasn’t’ sure if she was furious or overjoyed. Was this the same Adair she had fought with for the past two years?55

He smirked, then whispered in her ear, “Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?”56

She frowned with furrowed brows, but a blush escaped over her cheeks. “You-“ He turned to walk away, without another word. Roxy hadn’t expected that. Her eyes watched him walk away in surprise, then something within her rose up and ran after him. “Wait-“ she replied quietly. 57

He stopped and turned to face her. “Well-what?”58

Roxy’s frown gave in. “I-liked that,” she looked up at him with a blush escaping over her cheeks. In that moment, she asked herself Perhaps I’ve seen everything wrong…, but shoved it back, turning to him with a cute frown when he replied, “See? You aren’t dead.”59

CHAPTER LXXXII60

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM61

“No we don’t want any girl scout cookies!” Aspen automatically declared when the doorbell rang. That’s was the signature Aspen greeting for the door, considering that she was always too lazy to answer the door. 62

“Dang it. I want some girl scout cookies,” I could hear Akihiro’s voice from the other side. Rei’s silence somehow could be defined as well.63

Even in recognizing their voices, Aspen found the effort to get up and open the door far too precious. With a sigh and rolling of eyes, Tien got up, “Fine; I’ll go get the door!”64

As the Viet opened the door, Akihiro asked again, slightly disappointed. “So there aren’t any girlscout cookies?” Though it was clear that Rei was trying to remain stoic and unconcerned, there was a gleam in his eyes that spelled death in his cousin’s direction. 65

“No. But there are Haruka cookies,” Tien replied with a sigh at my boyfriend’s thick-skulled-ness. But she was right; I had brought a giant tray of almond cookies over today, for we were all gathered to mourn the death of summer vacation. Hikari had mentioned the deceased Alfredo, so we ate a cookie in memory of him as well. 66

At the mention of my name, Topleaka said Akihiro’s eyes lit up. Considering that I thought his eyes were most handsome always, I couldn’t quite tell. “Haruka chan cookies?” Seeing him, I decided to not hold myself back anymore, getting up and giving him a bold hug. Considering that we were dating now (the thought made my head spin in delight), I had to get past the whole “Haruka Paranoia Withdrawl” where I would poke my fingers together and blush like a pansy. Or is it a peony?67

“Hey, Haruka chan!” I heard his laugh in my ears, and felt his arms pull me in. I wasn’t sure I had ever felt as delighted as I did right then, in his arms, holding him close. But of course, it was short lived, considering that we were in a room with at least ten other people, all of whom were staring in pure mortification. 68

“Are y-you two together?” Eurika voiced for the group, a knowing gleam in her eyes. 69

The thought had never occurred to me officially. Did Akihiro want to tell the world? Or did he want it “between us”? Considering it was my first relationship of this sort, I only stood there, trying to make myself invisible. But lucky for me, Akihiro was far more bold than I was. He grinned, giving me a quick squeeze, “You’d bet, Urik---eh?” Why was her name so hard to remember?70

“Its Eurika…” The honey haired girl’s head fell forward in dismay. 71

Finding the whole exchange rather awkward, Rei nudged Akihiro in the side. “Stop making a scene, lover boy, and remember why we’re here.”72

Turning a bit red, Akihiro let go of me, muttering “Gomen.” Once the standard moment of awkward silence ended, Aspen voiced her thoughts (for Aspen never kept her thoughts inside her head!), “So, why did you two come here?”73

“Rei’s car’s busted.” Akihiro replied, knowing that Rei hated to admit his automotive defeat. 74

The girls, seeing that to have no relevance to them, turned to each other with confused looks. Aspen, again being the allpowerful voice of the group, remarked, “Well, that sucks.”75

“Yes it does. But the thing is that we need some form of transportation to get to the studio today.” Rei continued, getting rather annoyed with his cousin at this point. 76

“…Subway?” Aspen suggested. 77

“Car.” Rei made the word final. “The only way to the studio is by road. It’s a bit out of the city.”78

The story earned a few unwanted awws from the girls listening, all except Aspen who repeated, “Well, that’s too bad for you.”79

When Akihiro didn’t explain, Rei sighed and expained in what he thought was clearly implied. Perhaps Aspen didn’t understand implications. “We need a car.”80

“I brought my car,” Roxy got up, pulling out car keys. I jumped at hearing her voice. Roxy didn’t seem much like herself these past few weeks. The way she spoke had such a new tone, an almost dark touch. It bothered me, yet what could I do about it? And more troubling above it all was that I hadn’t even noticed that Roxy was there earlier in the day.81

Shrugging, the group slowly made its way through Aspen’s front door, only Akihiro heading inside the house towards the cookie tray to get an almond cookie. 82

~83

Perhaps that was our biggest mistake of all: letting Roxy drive us all. Roxy, being a grade above us, had just earned her lisence, and thus, was given the privelege to drive us around. I wasn’t quite sure I wanted a homicidal gamer like Roxy driving, since her former experience was most likely in games in which the goal was to actually hit the other cars, but I hopped into the BMW with reluctance. That was another thing, Roxy was rich. 84

Though it was intended to be a pleasant ten minute stroll to the studio, my happy-little-fantasies were simply farfectched. Musing over and over again, “PLEASE PROTECT ME GOD,” my whole body slammed against the car door. 85

“REMIND ME WHY WE’RE LETTING ROXY DRIVE?!” Sabrina shouted over the roar of the engine. 86

“Hey; I’m the oldest here!” Roxy replied, dodging a telephone pole with a super sharp turn. Rei, eyes wide, was surely questioning this whole scheme, while Akihiro was clearly enjoying himself. To think that the two were related. 87

But praise God that the ride was not terribly long. Before I opened my eyes, Yumesei production studios’ long wall of white cinderblock loomed before us. Then came the sudden screech of Roxy’s slamming on of the brakes. Every person in the BMW fell forward, only protected by the flimsy seat belts. Once the car was still, the air was silent in both fear and awe of the peace in the car. Now was Rei’s chance. 88

Opening the door as quickly as Rei could, he nodded in recognition (and perhaps thanks?) of Roxy’s courtesy, Akihiro following with a wave. But when he turned back, he looked as though he was missing something, leaned through the door to give me a kiss (Must…not…faint…), and went along to the recording studio.89

Then there was that sort of overwhelming silence: the kind that made one’s ears bleed. To save the moment (and gas), Roxy asked in slight boredom. “So…anyone up for a mall trip?”90

But Aspen could still ruin the moment even further! “The mall is for pansies and preps,” she frowned. 91

It was as if the Thai girl had said nothing, for Roxy changed gear, slamming on the accelerator in one swift motion as she muttered before our figurative deaths, “The mall it is.” In fear, we all stayed silent, grabbing onto the bottom of our seats, all except Hikari who called out in the name of Alfredo the fish that our lives should be spared. 92

When the G-forces stopped pulling me from every side and I thought I could look around (the parking lot was the only place where this was possible), I noticed for the first time in a while how much had changed. Certainly it was an odd time for me to get a wave of nostalgia (those always come after G-force waves?), yet these past few weeks, the world had changed in a handful of ways, from Roxy to Musicana to Akihiro. At least the last one was good. 93

Tien’s look was more firm and serious than it was a few months ago. Maybe it was from the teasings of her older sister Tuyet, or in her new doubt in faeries. Just yesterday, I remember her saying, “I don’t think I’ll see them anymore.” Aspen’s rounded brown eyes watched silently, her tongue rattling off less and less. What had brought change in her, I wasn’t sure, though I thought it may have something to do with Roxy’s new distant air. Though Miranda wasn’t in the car now, I thought of how bitterly she spoke rescently, hoping that that would change for the better. 94

In seeing Aelin and Wef, screaming with pure insanity, I wondered about Miranda. Whenever I tried to ask them about her and her moments of isolation, they only shrugged it off, saying “She does that a lot”, going back to their world of fun and frappuchinos. Hikari tucked back a stray auburn hair, telling jokes across to Tuyet, who chuckled along. I wondered if they had changed at all. The way they were able to laugh right now, so carefreely, as if there was no burden on their hearts, it made me feel so distant from them. Did they know anything that was going on? Didn’t they know all the chaos just bubbling below the surface of their world, their universe?95

Didn’t they know anything about Musicana?96

When I saw the thoughtful look in Sabrina’s eyes, I was pretty sure she was thinking the same thing. We four had changed in ways our old friends could never understand. Perhaps it was time to move on, and perhaps we would have to fight against the divisions of Musicana alone. One thing was for sure though; as we walked into the mall, laughing and talking on the lightest level, I knew this would be the last time of fun for a long time. It was, in a sense, the calm before the storm.97

CHAPTER LXXXIII98

Two girls stood at the bus stop on Seidori street, ironically, aquaintences of each other. There was a stark contrast between them: one of graceful emerald hair to her back, her eyes dancing with hope; the other of platinum blonde hair shortly trimmed to her chin, black streaks through her hair, painting her entire outfit, her eyes of silver troubled. But both were ignoring the bright coloured posters surrounding them. Instead, they found themselves looking out into the beautiful distance, lined with waving palm trees and spotless saturated blue skies. Both were inwardly awed by the pristine summer day, yet only one girl spoke up. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”99

“One could say that,” the goth replied with outward disinterest. “It’s a shame it’s an illusion…”100

“An illusion?” the emerald head frowned, “Why—“101

“It’ll fade into the distance. Its only when storms and tsunamis come that people remember that these beautiful days don’t last. That’s when they realize that all that they put faith in, all things beautiful, have faded. But its too late by then, of course. Just like coloured lights.” Her voice fell to a whisper. “When they are turned off, what is left?”102

Silence fell between them as Sabrina thought over those words. “True; the beauty we see does fade. But what if there was a beauty beyond?”103

“I want to see it,” Miranda’s words were sharp, emotionless, yet inwardly, it was a cry for something more. 104

“Perhaps it is an illusion…but not of coloured lights, but rather mirror reflections?” Seeing the goth’s raised eyebrow, she continued, “Like—that what we see, this beauty, will fade. And yet, there is a beauty infinitely greater than all of this that we see, and it shall never fade. We may only see a small piece of what is, but we can hope in something greater—one who never fails.”105

Not a second after she ended, the bus slowly stopped before the small stop. “To Namisaru Shores” Sabrina read, getting onto the steps of the bus. But before the doors closed, she thought she heard Miranda reply “Perhaps,” which was all that she needed to hear. 106

As the bus rode away, the goth was found alone on the bench, thinking over the words just spoken: the words she had despised yet hungered for the past ten years. Looking out into the green distance, she mused aloud, “Perhaps…there is colour.”107

~108

Namisaru Shores.109

The bus came to a sharp halt, making Sabrina nearly fall into the seat before her. A grin of excitement crossed over her face as she walked through the doors, stepping into the sand below her. As she had expected, Ashton stood in the distance, studying some shells in his hand. 110

This is where they always chose to work on Environmental Science projects together; it almost reminded them of the days they spent in England together. In those days, he had always been there for her, and she for him. Never again would she lose him, she promised to herself. 111

“Oh, Sabrina!” Ashton called, seeing the fair emerald head come closer and closer, carrying with her the signature sketchbook. Though Sabrina rarely showed off her talents and passions, Ashton had always known of her interest in art. Nearly everywhere they went, she brought around the black sketchbook, noting things she found fascinating, and drawing whatever would stay still long enough for her. It was one of those things he loved about her. 112

He also loved that she unconditionally wore that crescent moon shaped necklace he gave her for her birthday months before. Even now, as she walked over the hills of sand, he could see the violet pendant hang around her neck. How her eyes always glowed with hope and trust made his smile grow as well.113

“Hey, Ashton!” she called back, seeing him feet ahead of her. Seeing him always made Sabrina smile. Ever since they were young, it was he who always encouraged her, led her, made her stronger. If she remembered right (which she always did), it was he who led her to God, who made her the person she was this day. In every way, Ashton had always been her protector of sorts: the person she could run to. 114

Giving him a short hug, Sabrina sighed, “I’ve missed you.”115

Smiling at her expression, he replied, “Me too.” 116

It was then that Sabrina noticed the shell in his hand, her eyes widening in interest. “What’s that?” she asked, which began the conversation that they had come here for: the Environmental Science class project. 117

It didn’t take long for Sabrina to flip open her sketchbook to a clean page and begin sketching the various findings. As she turned passed old sketches, Ashton stopped her hand. “What was that?’ he asked, a knowing smirk over his lips. 118

Blushing strongly, Sabrina held down the page. “Nothing, nothing!” she laughed weakly. “Nothing of interest!” As he pulled her fingers back from the pages, she tried to fight him, “I always draw silly things—you should know that by now!” 119

“But I like your silly drawings,” Ashton insisted, managing to turn the page with her hand in his. Sabrina’s crimson cheeks only grew more red at the sight of the sketch and the warmth of his hand over hers. Before them both lay rough portraits of Ashton, done with fine accurate care, yet clearly rather quickly. Looking to her with a chuckle, he added, “That’s what I thought it was!”120

Turning her head with embarrassment, the emerald head begged, “Please don’t take it the wrong way—I’m not one of those stalker fangirls, following you to unhealthy extremes. I—“ she stopped, feeling his face closer to hers. 121

“As I told you, I like your drawings,” he laughed in a gentle voice before giving her a modest kiss. Though thoroughly surprised by it, Sabrina smiled in pure delight, kissing back.122

But moments like this never lasted.123

“You seem to appear everywhere,” the familiar voice of Jack called from the distance. Sabrina’s bright look instantly dimmed with horror as she whispered, “Will the nightmare ever end?”124

Seeing Ashton so close to Sabrina, the masked Atlantean stopped in his steps. “Oh, I’m sorry for interrupting.” When Sabrina glared at him sharply, he sighed, “Actually, I’m not.”125

“What do you want from me?” the emerald head asked bitterly, her hand subliminally grabbing Ashton’s. 126

Wiping away all looks of friendliness, Jack’s eyes became emotionlessly still. For a moment, Sabrina could have sworn that they glowed gold. “I want to know why you left me. Really.”127

Standing up from the sand, Sabrina took a deep breath and replied, “You were the one who left me alone, broken. You are a fool, and it’s a shame it took me too long to realize that.”128

“I’ve always needed you,” his voice sounded so despirate, so needy. And yet it was all to try to catch her emotions.129

“Don’t you know when to quit?” Ashton came in at last, his look threatening death. 130

Humans, Jack snickered to himself. Ignoring the young man’s comments, Jack continued, “I don’t want to have to force you to come with me; it would be a terrible shame. But really, you have not much choice in the matter.”131

“Why not use force right away?” Sabrina dared, her patience quickly falling to pieces.132

“Because I love you.” From the look in his eyes to the smirk dancing off his lips, it all told fancily woven lies, lies that Sabrina could now see so clearly. 133

Disgusted, she took her sketchbook in hand and threw it at his face. The pages flapped in the wind, a loose paper in the back rolling across the seashore. “You’ve never loved me! You never cared two cents about me!” she cried, her fists bunching. 134

It was as if he assumed such a response. He had to admit that this lover of hers was unexpected though. Watching her lace her arms around the young man’s, trying to hide the tears quickly rising to her eyes, he decided it was time. There was one piece of truth in what he said; he had grown rather attached to the emerald head, and found it a shame to see her brought to Atlantis’ throne as a slave for the Queen. But if there was no choice, there was no choice. “I suppose I shall have to use force now,” Jack noted in a slightly amused tone. 135

Expecting the little faerie to call upon her powers to defend her, the Atlantean was rather startled when the human came before him, throwing a sudden fist in his stomach, muttering under his breath, “Over my dead body.” 136

An Earthen man? Jack didn’t even try to restrain his laugh. Even Sabrina, standing a few feet away seemed alarmed by the peacable Ashton’s action. A minor inconvenience. “An easy request,” he laughed, sending a kick towards the young man. 137

It was clear that Jack was giving his easiest shots he could muster. Ashton couldn’t know that, but he was doing fairly well against them still. Yet that was when Sabrina processed it all: Jack was Atlantean, and he could truly kill Ashton any second. 138

Now Ashton was hardly the violent type. And yet it was in moments like these where his usual nature was laid aside for the common good. Without much thought, he pulled out his pocket knife (small, yet capable of some sort of damage, surely), flicking it open in the blinding sunlight. 139

At the sight of the large blade, Jack laughed again, this time sincerely entertained. “Try to stab me! I dare you!” When Ashton made no movement, Jack purposefully ran his own hand into the silver metal. Green-blue blood quickly rushed down the metal in streams to the sand that were unnaturally fast. In horror, it was then that Ashton noticed the hand, one perfect stretch of skin, uncut. Thinking he dreamed it all, he looked back down to the ground, tainted in the unsightly discoloured blood. His eyes wide in confusion, he asked, “What are you?”140

But before Jack gave any answer, he hummed a hardly audible tune, which was answered by the awe-striking rumble of a distant wave. The sound only grew louder and louder, making both Sabrina and Ashton turn to the waters. Rushing towards the shore was a mighty wave, towering higher and higher by the second. There was no where to run or hide; they could only watch the approaching wave in horrific silence. 141

Seeing it was about to crash, Jack decided to reply to Ashton’s question, “It won’t be long before all of you understand.” The sound of water rose from all sides, and in a moment of confusion, the Atlantean grabbed the faerie’s hand, letting the water fall over them in a painful yet refreshing slam. 142

Thinking it was the end, Ashton was shocked when he opened his eyes moments later to see the waters still, and the giant wave gone. Praising God for being spared, it was a deadly realization when he noticed he was the only one on the shores. Where is Sabrina? He called her name, but was met only with the sound of the tumbling waves in the distance. 143

Looking over the sand, he did see her fallen sketchbook, pages rustling in the wind. The one loose page rolled towards him, making him snatch it up in his hands and unwrinkled it. It read—144

Atlantis’ waves shall never overcome us.145

Atlantis…wasn’t that one of those faerie tale myths about the city of the water? Water…Waves…Atlantis…Sabrina…? The thoughts came together as he watched the waves, hoping she would arise from them, or that he would wake up and find it all to be an easily forgotten nightmare. But the waves were empty. Looking over the sentence again, he felt a heavy feeling in his stomach that Sabrina was not on earth anymore.146

~147

She tried to scream, yet her lips were silent. Water rushed from all sides, tossing her across the boundary of worlds. Feeling her body weigh down, she was certain she was being taken to Musicana, more specifically, Atlantis. Trying to fight against the heavy waves and the icy touch of the hand around hers, Sabrina’s arms and legs refused to move, forcing her to surface on the foreign ground of Atlantis. 148

Her lungs begged for air, making her pant as she pulled herself up the beach. Before she could recover from the drastic change, she heard Jack’s voice proclaim, “Welcome to the glorious kingdom of Atlantis.”149

Once she was able to catch her breath, the emerald head demanded, “Why…have you brought me here?”150

Continuing forward across the silver sand, the Atlantean replied, “You will see in good time.”151

Standing on her feet, she took in the new land. The waters Sabrina had just come from were deep blue, unnaturally deep blue. The stretch of land was long yet hardly went far inland, lined with a thin wall of curious trees. She believed they were trees, that is. They made a hollow sound when the wind blew through them, looking not much different than willowing cotton on flimsy sticks. Below her feet, she saw how silver and dark the sand was. Everything in this land appeared so dark. A shiver running down her spine, it finally processed that she was on land. “I thought Atlantis was under water—“152

“It is. But the Queen, being so considerate, knew you were unable to meet her in such conditions. So she chose to meet you on the outer shores, which is very demeaning for her…”153

“Why is that?”154

“It is where the outer merpeople dwell, those who are below us pure Atlanteans. For a pure Atlantean to be found among the aboriginal, it is most dishonorable.”155

Frowning in confusion, Sabrina asked, “The outer merpeople? What do they look like?”156

Without a word, Jack motioned towards the deep blue waves, where the tails of mermaids were definable. “Mermaids?” Sabrina voiced in wonder. “But Atlanteans don’t have fish tails—“157

“We should continue on,” he insisted, walking towards the inland of thin trees. Under their shade, the ground grew even darker, the thick “leaves” blanketing most of the light, as if they were entering the thickest forest. But it was not long before they saw the pale blue figure of the Queen Aryelin emerge from the distance. Dressed in ornaments of polished silver and violet, her thin curved figure seemed to light up the dark woodlands. As she drew closer, Jack reluctantly gave a curt bow, making the Queen smile in amusement. But when she saw Sabrina upright, watching her in disgust, she frowned for but a moment, surprising Sabrina with a wider smile. 158

“So I see you have brought us the princess of the heavens,” she observed, Jack nodding slightly in reply. 159

It was then that Sabrina noticed that they were not alone, for another person was approaching. Black curls hung down her back, eyes of violet gleaming even in the dim light. She looked terribly familiar, yet so different than the one who first came to mind. There was something horribly beautiful about her, the kind of beauty that has been perverted by sin and darkness. But there was a shimmer for a moment in her face that seemed to remain the same. “Roxy?” Sabrina whispered, wondering if her friend could be under the mask of evil.160

“Oh, Sabrina!” the faerie laughed, oblivious to the sudden pain stabbing the emerald head at the use of her name. “Or should I say Hoshye? You should know that Earthly names shouldn’t be used in this country…”161

“Roxy, Aquitane—whatever, what are you doing here?” the emerald head asked, half fearful half angered.162

“I saw my potential; I saw my fate,” Roxy chuckled, making light of such a change. “You don’t need to be held back by those fools either, Hoshye.”163

“What are you talking about?” the faerie of the skies cried, her voice echoing in the trees. “You can grow in Eden! You don’t need to rebel, to fight against what is created!“164

“But I do, for that’s the only way to progress. Musicana itself is so limiting...imagine all we can do in Earth with our powers!”165

“What difference does it make? God gave us Musicana; its where we’re meant to be! Do you honestly mean to destroy all of this good— ” Before she could continue to protest, she felt a sharp blow in her back, making her voice stop and her eyes widen in pain.166

Jack, getting put up with the mini debate, spoke up after sending the blow. “This talk is a waste of time. Your powers are needed, Hoshye. Atlantis is, of course, a large country, and needs much power to resurrect it in Earth. A full gate of Moonlight needs to surround it. We need your power over the moon, the tides, to direct currents from the Gates of Moonlight around its shores.”167

“I thought you didn’t need Eden!” Hoshye spat, her neck still burning. 168

“We don’t want fear to arise from the general public of Atlantis. But really, you have no choice in the matter.” The Queen said so trivially, examining her nails with interest.169

“Oh please, Sabrina?” Aquitane looked down with a bittersweet smile.170

The irony of the smile stabbed Sabrina in the back as she looked up to her old friend in confusion. “Why…Roxy, what have you become?”171

“I have become what I was always meant to be,” she shrugged, snapping her fingers.172

It was then that Sabrina suddenly felt uncosciousness seap over her as her shoulders slumped. Her last thoughts were “Forgive them God…forgive her…” before sleep fell upon her. 173

Looking down at her emerald haired friend, the raven headed one asked, “Is this necessary?”174

“What, my dear?” The Queen still showed no sign of interest. 175

“Forcing the others to join us. If they choose to be fools and support the old kingdom of Eden, isn’t that all the better for them? We don’t need them.” Second doubts began to flood Aquitane’s mind as she thought of Earth, those she had known so well on earth: were they worth being left behind? Would they be hurt by Atlantis at all?176

“They will become part of Atlantis.” Jack muttered, kicking at a pebble on the ground. “They are needed in ways you can’t understand yet. Its best for them to be with us, after all, even if they do not wish to be on the winner’s side.”177

“Just promise you won’t hurt them anymore,” the words were a hushed whisper on the faerie’s lips. “Please bring them no harm.”178

An eyebrow of interest rose on the Queen as she stepped forward to embrace her new servant. “Why does it matter, dear? They are forgotten souls, fools. You have our people, Atlantis, now. Those of Earth should be erased from your memory. They did not appreciate you, amn’t I right? What reason do you have to have them spared?”179

Those words were not terribly reassuring. In fact, they sturred a new uneasiness in Aquitane’s chest. Frustrated against her friends she may be, and yet, to see them as slaves under the mighty hand of the merpeople frightened her. “Everyone deserves a second chance, no?” her voice still soft. The vinettes of laughing with Haruka, Topleaka and Sabrina came to mind, with a tinge of remorse, but she stuffed them in her chest. “And besides, they must be well to help Atlantis, as you say, right?”180

Suspicious of this remark, Queen Aryelin mused, So this is the weakness of this one: friendships. That shall be good to know. But saying nothing in the way of her thoughts, she replied with a devilish smile. “Of course. You are quite right, faerie. No harm shall come to them.” While reassuring the thought was, the glimmer in the Queen’s eye made it clear that there was far more to this story than princess Aquitane could image or predict, especially not when she chose to join Atlantis. 181

CHAPTER LXXXIV182

WHEN I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH183

Dear God,184

I’ve been void of ideas for a while. That troubles me a bit. When I have no ideas for lyrics, it usually means that I am preoccupied, worried, anticipating something that is to come. That’s just it: I feel like something’s about to happen, like this is the calm before the storm; something will be lost. 185

I’m already troubled about Roxy; she hasn’t been herself in a while. I haven’t seen Sabrina in a while; is she alright? Topleaka’s still normal…I think. But seeing everyone else’s troubles, I think she’s worried, burdening herself with their suffering. And me? I’m just thinking about Musicana…186

I’ve had that song hum through my mind: the inner voice, its called? I think you’re using it to warn me of something…to strengthen me. This is the sort of feeling I get once I step into the moonlight: excitement, fear, strength, weakness, thoughtful, idealess, in wonder. 187

Its sort of like that verse…Psalm 23? “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…I will fear no evil.” Even in the moonlight, there are shadows that I can’t define, shadows that very well may swallow me up whole—188

I’m afraid. But what I’ve learned is that though I may be afraid, I still have to stand up, and trust you to empower me. Even if a great wave is about to come sweep me off my feet, you will be with me. Don’t let me forget. 189

-Haruka190