The Moon Hiding at Dawn

Epilogue ω: The Sun's Genesis

[This version of the epilogue follows immediately after the events of the initial epilogue and is the alternate ending of the novel. Ending on the previous epilogue would be fine, continuing to this epilogue would also be fine. In the end, nothing would change. The sun still rises once the moon has hidden. The only thing different is if you prefer to bask at the moon's peace or be blinded by the glaring sun.]

The kiss under the moonlight was so surreal that it felt as if I was brought to the past. But that was nothing but a moment that simply drowns in half a second. In just a split-second after, countless sounds warped in, coalescing into a chaotic form. A sound that resembled screeches of tires at one point, a distant screech at another, a hollow sound of sirens, a rattling sound of pounding, an orchestra of clattering metal. Only that all these sounds were mixed in a deafening cocktail that made me collapse, my eyes slowly closing even though I kept trying to fight it in fear of losing her all over again.

I was blinded. Unwantedly. Silence is loudly ringing in my ears as I drown into the void or so it would seem. It felt like an eternity before I could slowly open my eyes again.

The scene was the same, except that Kallen had me in her arms. I must've fallen unconscious for a moment. At the very least, she is still there.

"Are you okay now? It's time to go..." she asked... or I heard her do so from a distance.

It took me a while before being able to fully regain my eyesight.

Why am I laying down on the road? There are a few people around me with vibrantly colored vests though I can't understand what they are saying. There are other people at the side as well that are watching.

What is happening?

I may be in danger for all I know but I wish the others didn't pay so much attention like the other two people by the sidewalk kissing like there's no tomorrow. It's like watching a film... a film? Have I seen that before? It seems so familiar...

Still, everything is so slow that it's boring me out. They didn't stop anytime soon until the guy seemed to stumble down. The girl helped him up though and they just left after glancing at me. At me? Why would they?

Maybe they just got back to reality. Needless to say, everything still feels watery.

I guess I'm going to sleep for a while.

A dreamless night. I keep trying to remember who I am and whatever things that I have done but nothing has been coming to mind. At first there were distant scenes similar to a while ago like a couple kissing at some kind of rooftop, another by a tree. The problem is I don't really know what to do with it since it's all silhouettes and nothing else. It's not like I could recognize even myself when there's not much to deal with.

The outline does tell the shape of the hair but anyone can have any shape of hair and people can even have the same one. It's like there's just as many patterns as to how people can arrange their limited hair so it's inevitable.

Why am I thinking about hair again? I don't know anymore...

What was I talking about?

"...he might need a little more..."

Huh? A little more what.

"...sorry. Goodbye..." 

Wait, why?

I can't make sense of any of these voices.

Now all I hear is distant low-humming of something.

I tried opening my eyes. A small glimpse of light! If only I could... it's useless. I can't seem to move everything yet. I just have to make do with this for now. Slowly. Slowly. Slowly but surely until... there we go.

I can see now. But I can't move anything. All I could make sense of is a cold sensation, a white room with a door in front of me, and a girl in a business attire who looks like it was her first time seeing a human like me wake up.

"Doctor!!" she said as she rushed out before returning with someone in a white coat. Oh, now I remember. Doctors are humans who treat diseases and stuff. That must be why I was here.

He did a series of weird things including opening my mouth, shining my eyes with a flashlight, and many more which I couldn't protest against. Now they had the lady go out and I was brought before many things here and there before falling asleep again.

When I came to, I could move again. Maybe not that fast but I definitely could. I could probably talk as well if I wanted to but I don't really know what to say.

I scanned the room to see the same lady again only that she's in her casual clothes now, a black shirt that says "Star Wars" in it that is honestly a little bit big for her size.

She held my hand. "You idiot! I thought you were a goner! I told you to go to your home and rest and the next thing I knew is that you've been hospitalized! What would you do if you just suddenly disappeared in the shop and everything! That's not even the thing! What would I do if I suddenly lose you as well?!"

She still kept rumbling more after that but I don't really get most of what she is saying. Shop? Home? Lose me? Am I some kind of shopkeeper or something? I honestly don't remember but I guess I should first ask...

"W... Who... are... you...?" I croaked. I guess I still can't speak well.

She suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Y-you... you don't remember anything? Anything at all?"

I slowly tried to shake my head left to right. "S... sorry..."

She was teary for a bit and it made me feel bad but I really can't remember anything other than simple worldly stuff and bits of information here and there.

But she wiped her tear and embraced me before backing away. 

"It's okay if you don't" she said.

"I'm Riz, the one and only love of your life!"