Sun and Moon, Dusk and Dawn

Chapter 1

It wasn't my fault, right?  I'm sitting in a rock formation on the upper levels of Mount Targon, Calibrum trained on the spot the Solari are suspected to push through. There was a tip a couple days ago, so I was sent to deal with them. 

Always me. Why does it always have to be me? Except I know why. I've always known why, and knowing and understanding are two separate things. Me and my sister, we always have to solve problems for the Lunari, even though I can't talk and she... she... isn't here right now. It's always us. Only us.  

I hear movement and look down the scope of the magical rifle. The Solari are on the move. Big heavy shield bearers in the front, with swordsmen behind and archers behind that. They're looking for the Lunari Campsite. Good thing the camp was moved a few hours ago. 

You should apologize Aphelios. Alunes voice rang through my head.

I frown. I'm not apologizing to that prick! They all outcast us! We are the ones who don't belong in their eyes.

They need us Phel!

I scowl at the thought and turn my attention back to the rifle. The Solari are approaching, but their leader is no where in sight. Just as always, I wait to draw their leader out and she's no where to be seen. My shoulders tense as I pull the trigger, causing the bullet to go wide, firing into the cliff side. 

A barrage of arrows comes flying up towards me, and I duck back behind the rocks. 

Be more careful! 

But where has careful gotten us all this time? The Lunari have always been careful, and yet the Solari can still find us, can still want us dead. We shouldn't have to take this anymore, to have to hide in the shadows, to have to hide who we are. We are better than them.

I take another shot with Calibrum, the shot explodes into a rain of purple dust, heavy in the air. It sinks into the ground, making it like quicksand and near impossible to move. I slide down the rock formation and land in front of them. 

"They sent one boy!" One of them scoffs, trying to get his feet out of the ground. 

"Pathetic!" Another crows.

My expression goes grim as I summon Severum and Crescendum, Alune passing them over to me from beneath the veil. I start slashing with Severum, as Crescendums chakrams gather around me, hovering magically. 

I only brought up the obvious. He was the one who couldn't take it! Another slash with Severum. Blood flies, red in color over the soldiers adjacent to the ones I cut down. 

They should listen to me. I switch to Crescendum, spinning the chakram in my hand. 

Why should we have to hide when they don't! I know how to protect people! The elders just wont let me! 

I call forth Infernum, spewing blue fire over the hordes of Solari soldiers, melting their golden armor to their bodies. 

WHY DOES NO ONE EVER LISTEN?! 

There's a noise from behind me and without thinking I throw Crescendum. How could I let one get behind me like that. 

I look, but there is no armor, no shield, sword, or bow. The face of a child stares up at me from the ground, separated from its body, eyes blue and glassy. She's wearing Lunari clothes, grey and teal in color, dyed cloth and leather. Her hair, braided to one side, once white but now soaked in blood. 

A high pitched wail comes from behind some rocks and another child comes running out. The boy kneels down next to the girl, sobbing. I drop the weapon and turn back to the Solari. Bodies burnt by fire, golden plate mail melted to the corpses, unsalvageable. 

And they send me on stupid recon missions instead of letting me walk up Mount Targon and do this to the rest of them! 

Phel you know you can't. This isn't what the gods would want, all this fighting! You've killed so many people! We were on a recon and distraction mission! We weren't supposed to engage with them! And those kids! You need to take care of them. Take them back to camp. 

I turn back to the little kids. The boy is around the same height, same white hair and blue eyes too. The little boy gets up, sadness in his eyes. 

"Y-You can bring her back right? You're powerful. You can fix her? Make her wake up?" 

I just stare wide eyed at the two of them. Such similar features, such a likeness would... I trail off, everything hitting me at once. I drop Crescendum, the weapon fading into mist. I fall to my knees, staring at the girls head. 

Neither of us move until one of the heralds from camp comes. "I heard commotion and thought the Solari would be chased off by now..." He trails off and runs to the boy, pulling the kid into his arms.

I wrap my arms around myself, the cold mountain air seeping through my coat and onto my skin, into my skin.

My legs feel shaky and I can't move. It's like my feet are stuck in place from Gravitums pull. The Herald looks me in the eyes and scowls. He gives the boy a quick squeaks before he stands up and faces me. 

"YOU! HOW COULD YOU?! YOU IRRISPONSABLE JOKE OF A PROTECTOR!"

My lips part as if to say words, but none come. They never come. 

"Maybe it would be best if you left." 

The words hit sharp and brutal, but I know there are much worse things than words. I'm not fit to deal with that child anyway, he can calm him better anyway. I start moving back towards the Lunari camp when the Herald catches me by the shoulder. 

"Maybe it would be best if you left the Lunari camp. You've been butting heads with the leaders and we cannot tolerate these, these, stupid ideals! I will not let a murderer back into camp!" My eyes widen, this, this I could never imagine. They cant kick me out. I'm the only one who can defend them. They need me. 

I start walking back to the camp anyway, its not like one Herald can kick me out of the Lunari forever. It would have to pass by the elders, my parents would be in the know about it, teachers, mentors, the whole camp would have to send me away. 

That wouldn't happen. 

Right?