"The Moon Shines On Death..."

Bright

Pandaki waited.

Patiently. Adamantly. In the shadows, he remained. This plot to rid himself of his master Sidapa was brilliant, if he does say so himself.

He found a boy in the island of the deceased war god. A supposed son, orphaned, alone. An heir to the throne, but without the necessary powers to claim it.

He adopted the boy, hid him on the surface world, trained him in the art of warfare. He promised the boy an entire island of gold to rule, if he would only kill Sidapa, the god who killed his father, and caused him to grow up without a family.

He cultivated anger in the boy. Envy. Fear. Using these emotions to continuously steer the boy towards his sole purpose... to kill.

Once the deed is done however, Pandaki had no intentions of ever letting the boy inherit his birthright.

He would kill the boy, take the powers of Sidapa over life and death, as well as war and peace, and rule the heavens and all of creation.

He would become the most powerful entity, and everyone would bow down to him. This was his goal. His glorious purpose.

He could almost taste his triumph. He smiled, hidden in the shadows. Undetected... or so he thought.

👮‍♂️👮‍♂️👮‍♂️

Sargeant Malory Lander Docile. Landoc, as he was fondly called, made his way to the presinct where he worked. His steps had a certain spring to them. He could not explain it, but he felt so enamored of this Lan person whom he knew was the moon god.

His eyes. His face. It was clear to him now why his father, the god of war, desired Bulan. He might be in the same situation now! He could not shut the smile of the moon god out of his mind. It was as if he was spellbound. Powerless to resist.

Sidapa was a different case though. True he exuded virility and animal magnetism. But he was too imposing. Too forced. Killing him would be no easy feat.

Bulan's lure was subtle, almost whimsical. Magical. It came all too naturally. And hits you without you even knowing it.

The need to kill Sidapa now was more propelled by the possibility of winning the hand of the moon god once his present partner is eliminated. Getting the powers that once belonged to his father, and becoming the ruler of an island set in gold, came second only.

Oh to be loved by such a wondrous creature, it all but caused a smile to spread on Landoc's handsome face.

He took a printout from the machine, read it quickly, then stuffed it into a folder, and went to exit the station through the backdoor where his mentor waited in the shadows, lurking, hiding.

"Father?" He called out to the empty alleyway.

"I told you never to call me that! I am not your father. Your father is dead, killed by Sidapa. You are a half-breed, and I detest half breeds. You are lucky I even cared for you. Now you must repay me! Set me free from my ties with Sidapa... kill him and I shall be free." Pandaki voiced out as he emerged from the shadows.

"My apologies master. Here are the printouts. The plans to the mystical manor that is protected by incantations. The only way in for you is through the small window in the basement. This is the only space where the overlapping protective barriers are weakest. As planned I sneak in to find Sidapa, you appear at the last minute to deal the death blow after I have pierced him repeatedly with my father's twin swords."

"Excellent. We strike at midnight as earlier planned, the hour when the moon is caught between rising and falling, the hour when his powers are weakest to defend his husband." Pandaki explained.

"What happens to Bulan once Sidapa is eradicated?" Landoc asked.

"He dies of heartbreak. The two are inseparable. Joined by love. Once one of them dies... the other follows shortly." Pandaki replied.

"Then, is there no other way to avenge my father, other than to kill two gods? It seems hardly fair."

"Fair! What is fair? That you lived your life alone? Unwanted? Unloved? What do you know of being fair! Fair is when you have repaid me for feeding you by setting me free. That is what you should focus on. Remember! Midnight... don't be late." And Pandaki vanished, swallowed by the shadows.

Landoc turned around. He was right not to want to go through with the plan. He knew it would hurt the moon god indirectly if Sidapa were to die... and he could not live with himself if he caused Bulan any pain.

From the moment Pandaki pointed Bulan out to Landoc during one of their school's basketball games, he has become captured by the moon god's allure. Unable to spend a day without thinking, spying, and craving to see that dazzling smile.

He could never be the reason for that smile to fade. And so he decided earlier... to warn both Sidapa and Bulan.

The card he gave Bulan had a writing at the back. Stating that Pandaki planned to kill Sidapa at midnight tonight. He knew it was the safest way to warn the moon god, without alerting Pandaki of his treachery.

Fair. What is fair?

Fair is to be happy for others, knowing that your happiness will soon find you.

Fair is when from all the hardships in life, you find the courage to plow through... never losing hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

Fair is when you choose to give love... though it was never given to you.

Fair is when you list all the bad, turn it into a lesson... then give good back despite everything.

That is what's fair.

Landoc made his way back to the station, smiling, and feeling pleased with his decision.

Upon arriving at his desk however, he was surprised to see a golden wolf pup sitting on his chair, its green eyes staring back at him.

"Hey there little fella. Where'd you come from?" He asked as he picked up the pup to cradle in his arms.

He inspected the white interlocked moon design of the collar to find his card tucked carefully in it.

"The moon owes you its gratitude." The card read beneath the original writing where he warned Bulan of Pandaki's plan.

Landoc's smile widened. He was happy. He was pleased. He may not have won the love of the moon god... but that does not mean he should stop loving.

He will remain. He will stay. Loving... from afar. Always willing to help. Always ready to serve. Always able to defend... a love that belonged to someone else.

"So what should I call you then?" He cooed to the pup that kept licking his face, the setting sun throwing off it's rays against the wolf's golden coat.

"I know. Bright! That's you buddy! Let's go get you a big juicy bone to chew on." Landoc said as he started to clear his desk before leaving.

Tucking everything in his drawer he caught sight of a picture... one where Sidapa was twirling Bulan as they danced under the moonlight, fireflies surrounded them, and their smiles were ever so bright.

He sighed. In his mind he wished them well. And hoped them both happiness.

He closed his drawer, while carrying Bright, and repeatedly marvelled at why...

The Moon Shines on Death.

The End