𝐈 𝐀𝐌 𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 → kny x m! reader

17. | children of the moon

A majestic fortress, constructed of marble and gold, sat bewitchingly above the skies, invisible to the naked eye. Its sky was a beautiful mixture of black and blue hues, absent of light if not for the star's radiance, and most of all, the moons'.

Under the world's rules, and his blood demon art, that fabric of reality was his will. This space, all of it, was under his control. His very domain that sat upon clouds.

The island fortress was the closest place on Earth to the Moon. And here, he was stronger. Much, much stronger.

"[Y/n]-sama." His useless pondering came to a halt. He acknowledged the presence with a simple, "Hmm?"

"Welcome back."

Hàorán was standing behind him, as he gazed at the flowers below the hills. Luminescent white, beautiful pale ivory, stretched so far along the horizon. But none of them was the Blue Spider Lily.

Turning his head back, he directed his gaze to a deep, rich brown. The only thing that didn't change during Hàorán's transformation to a demon. What changed you ask? His skin, for one, was blue.

Blue as opals, pale blue. Blue as the spring sky.

A contrast to his bright, white long hair that was soft as snow. Two long bony curved horns protruded from his head, a darker blue, reminiscent of the ocean.

It should be strange to have such features, but Hàorán took it with ease. He carried himself with smoothness and grace. The extent of his strength borne in each step, and the restrained aura radiating from his expression.

[Y/n] smiled and asked, "Where's Tsuneo?"

An ugly frown appeared on his otherwise handsome face. "In his lab, making a mess of things," Hàorán answered with gritted teeth.

[Y/n] forced back the urge to laugh. For someone known to be patient in his hometown, now that he's left, Hàorán was anything but. Perhaps, Tsuneo was to blame, if he's being honest. That white-haired man was always getting on someone's nerves.

"What did he say to you this time, Hàorán?"

"Not say, did. Well, tried, actually. That old white-haired bastard tried one of his experiments on me!"

"Oh?"

"Oh?! It was serious. He almost killed me!" Hàorán exclaimed with bated breath. Somewhere, in the distance, he could feel Tsuneo laughing like a maniac in his laboratory.

He sighed. "Okay, okay. Calm down for a second. I'm sure he meant it in the best way possible."

"The murder attempt... the best way possible?"

"...I meant his experiment. He probably found a way to get you stronger." Hàorán looked at him as if he had grown a second head. Fair enough.

A very pitiful look crossed Hàorán's features and [Y/n]'s heart clenched in guilt. Maybe, he should give Tsuneo a stern talking to? It wouldn't do to have his right-hand man always fighting with his left, would it?

"When will our tour start, in any case?" Hàorán questioned, his face slowly morphing back into a neutral facade.

He gave a cheerful laugh in reply. "Soon, don't worry. But, I do actually need to talk to Tsuneo first. It's regarding the Blue Spider Lily. You can wait for me in the meantime."

Hàorán shook his head, purple eyes intensely gazing at him. "No, I'll come with you, [Y/n]-sama. Even if I have to see that scoundrel again," he said the last parts with disgust.

[Y/n] hummed a tune as the two leisurely walked into the ivory tower. Its presence was an awe-inspiring testament to both the grandeur and mystery inside of the fortress. A sense of power and knowledge emanated from this central structure, just as Tsuneo requested and stylized.