Bloodlines of Sun and Moon

II: The Emperor's Gambit (LUX)

The world did not always like Lux. On multiple days and on numerous occasions the world liked to screw her over for the fun of it, and Lux faced whatever obstacles the world had decided would bother her most with a strong and happy face much to Nox's dismay.

Nox; her heart hurt just thinking about her. Her twin sister was her complete opposite, whilst Nox had short black hair, Lux had luscious blonde brown waves that cascaded down her back, her eyes were a warm sky blue, and an array of freckles conquered her nose and cheeks. Yet, some would say the most jarring difference were their personalities, while Nox thought too much, and wore a mask of cruelty and ambition. Lux faced the world with a cheeky smile and a laugh that echoed wherever she went.

She held her notebooks close to her chest and attempt to feel some warmth and fill the emptiness of being alone.

Nox and her had parted paths just a month ago, she had decided to continue her education in an American university in the hopes of leading a normal life, and forgetting all the nonsense Medea had taught them. Revenge never suited Lux, whenever Medea would begin one of her rants of how Nox and her would bring down the kingdoms and empires that have dealt them such a cruel hand.

Yet, Nox had flown to a Norwegian university as they provided 'a higher quality of education' Lux knew it was just to learn more magic, to uncover the mysteries that have ruined their childhoods, to seek the revenge that had plagued Medea's mind, rotting it with hate. The thought made Lux fume. Medea had poisoned them so thoroughly.

Instead of playing outside with their Barbies, Medea would lock them up in the house and force them to do hours and hours of battle training at the mere age of six till their tiny bodies could no longer endure and they passed out or released their stomach's contents, by the age of ten they had memorized by heart the ancient transcriptions of Luna and Sol, the Sun Kingdom and Lunar Empire. Latin was no problem for them, they spoke it fluently when it came to threats, battle terms and history.

When Medea had passed away they had just turned seventeen, they had both mourned the woman who raised them, but while Lux was eager to turn away and choose a different path for her life, one that did not lead them to bloodshed and inevitable war, Nox was eager to complete what Medea began and leave a legacy that screamed of vengeance.

Her eyes fill with tears, as she remembered how furious Nox was when Lux suggested that they should live like normal teenager for once.

But, we're not normal! Nothing in our life even has the slightest sense of normalcy to it, you're asking me to leave my destiny, all that Medea spent her whole life preparing us for, her death would be in vain if I listen to one word coming out your mouth! You're a coward, Lux always were, you don't have the guts to do what needs to be done, and you think running away to America, escaping your destiny will set you free? Destiny arrives just the same.

The words were a constant echo in her head, haunting her in every moment. Destiny arrives just the same. These five words were etched into her skull, Nox had the ability to turn her words into daggers, her syllables to torturing devices. Medea used to joke that Nox had the ability to twist her phrases to sound like prophecies.

The thought made her hair stand up, Nox and Lux's abilities were a rarity according to Medea. Her brown eyes would light with insanity whenever they discussed that topic. Pure Lunar and Sol blood is strong; potent, but especially if it comes from royalty and high-ranking officials, now imagine you mix both, you get the ultimate killing machine, a potentia that can destroy and build empires, kingdoms perhaps even worlds. Strumming beneath your skin, roaring through your blood vessels is a prize that the universe will kill for.

She shook her head in an attempt to remove these thoughts, they were in the past were they were supposed to be, Medea was no longer here, her voice had no power over her, her future and present were in her own hands now, determined by her own decisions.

She had been so wrapped in her own head, that she hadn't noticed the rock in front of her, she tripped, and unable to grab into anything to cushion or prevent her fall, Lux closed her eyes tightly awaiting impact, and the crunch of her bones against the rough rocks.

But she never did, her face never touched the gravel. A strong muscular hand had gripped the back of her white shirt, she opened her eyes and turned around and met ice blue eyes, her breath pausing in her lungs. Thunder roared in the background and lighting lit the sky. Yet, her eyes did not waver, she was drowning in these ice eyes.

She shook her head, and saw who those eyes belonged to. His skin was pale, as though he has not been out in the sun in a while, his face and body were well structured with a sharp jaw and cheekbones, his hair was white as snow and overgrown, befitting those icy eyes. He was still staring at me, like he could not believe what just happened.

I righted myself, and stood up, adjusting my flared jeans and tight white shirt which had ridden up my back, I smiled at him in gratitude, before picking up my books and said, "Thank you, I am Lux." He looks at me like he already knows my name, which irks me. He stares at me for a few more seconds, like he still can't believe what his eyes are witnessing, as though his brain short-circuited.

He takes another look at me, his face a block of ice, he stares at my outstretched hand, before gripping it in his, unlike my hot, almost scorching fingertips, his freeze mine sending a shot of electricity up my arm.

"Hello, my name is Tempest." I feel my face drain of color, his voice is deep and highly attractive, but that name, that hair, the thunder and lighting. I gulp as I look at him and whisper in the tiniest voice ever.

"You're the fallen emperor of Luna."