LUNASTRA TRILOGY: Advent of Lunastra Arc (Arc 1)

Episode 8: Crimson in the Dark

Under the streets of Gardenia

That Same Night

*Music plays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FQgsYF0uR8&list=PLD18847DC426A0450&index=15

Shinki slinks through the tunnels that connect the sewer system of Gardenia and makes his way through the darkness, ever so sure to be aware of his surroundings. He clenches his right side with his hand and tsks with frustration. He was so close to dealing the finishing blow to that Gyukon brat and those two fairies-Flora and Roxy, was it? --and yet those three Gyukon Clan members had to ruin everything, didn't they?

Shinki calms himself down, but in his gut, he is still fuming at the fact that the Gyukon have thwarted his plans yet again-as if being chased off by the Head of the clan wasn't embarrassing enough. His eyes swivel as they take note of everything around him. Even when not in danger, Shinki would rather be on guard than caught unawares considering they would likely be put as enemies of the Magical Universe, especially after making such a statement to Tir Na Nog. The impact of what they've done remains like a black stain on clothing that remains ever so stubborn despite how intense one might wash away at it.

A pang of guilt hits his chest like a punch to the stomach and he pauses for a moment, his tattooed face gazing into nowhere and nothingness. In his mind, a specter of Nebula appears before him bloodied, angry, saddened, her Fairy form torn and wounded. She repeats one sentence over and over again...

You weren't like this before...

Nebula's voice rings through his mind like a church bell announcing the funeral of someone who has passed away. A pang of guilt rings through his entire being and he clenches his bicep to calm himself. She was right: he had changed from when they first met. He remembers the times he spent with Nebula during the days of the Kizuna Project under the beautiful emerald-white moon, sharing a moment with each other, not just as soul-brother & Soul-sister. Deep down, he yearned for those days to come back to him; it was the only thing that kept him company through his missions--besides the day THEY All left them to die!!

He grits and bares his teeth like a wild animal intensely displeased being kept in captivity

Shinki sighed once more and continued. "Sorry Nebula, my Heart, but you cannot begin to fathom the depths of suffering my brethren and I had to endure. You promised me you'd help whenever-but that was a lie!! Reality always matters," Shinki said to himself bitterly and in anger as he turned a left corner. He sees a glowing purple and crimson light ahead, vaguely in the shape of faint katakana hieroglyphic symbol up ahead.

He sees three figures sitting in a full lotus position and looking up to his direction. The at the front...the one whose half of a face was obscure by a skull-like mask and hood. From the shadows, the figure tilts his head slightly forward and squints his eyes at Shinki. The sclera is blackened and the pupils are of an eerie blue color, contrasting with Shinki's reddish. Reaver watches him silently and beckons him to their group. Hashira and Shinira glance over their shoulders to look at Shinki. They turn around to face Reaver once again.

This is my path, Nebula. You have yours...it is a shame, then, that we are on opposing sides of this war, Shinki silently muses to himself as he steps forward to rejoin brethren in arms. He steps through the crimson-purple dome barrier with ease and the energy around washes off him like water off his robes and into the glowing crimson in the shadows.

Shinki seats himself with his brethren in a lotus position; he rests both hands on his knees and looks to Reaver.

"Shinki, you appear to be bruised! Heh! Care to explain what happened? You should have at least got the Magic signatures of those two Fairies we assigned you to, no?" Reaver said to Shinki, more than a little bit of mocking and coldness in his voice.