THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The carriage rocked gently along the road, the steady rhythm a lullaby to the silent thoughts occupying David's mind. He sat with his hands clasped under his chin, eyes focused on the passing scenery outside. They were on their way to Lysora County—the famed Golden Coast—a land where the sea kissed golden sands and the sun set in a blaze of fire across the horizon. But even the beauty of the journey couldn't lift the weight pressing on his heart.

David thought of the Cataclysm, the great darkness creeping toward the world like an ominous tide. The memories from the novel depicted battles fought, allies lost, and the ever-growing shadow of doom gnawed at him. He had come far, yes, but it felt like a mere step in the journey that lay ahead. Stopping the Cataclysm wasn't just about survival; it was about his selfish desire, to protect what he loved and to cherish a promise he made.

But am I enough?

he wondered, his gaze hardening as he clenched his fists.

A slight shift in the corner of his vision snapped him from his thoughts. His shadow… it fidgeted, the edges flickering as if something within it was restless. He raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"Luna," he called out, keeping his tone gentle. "Come sit with me."

The shadow stilled, but there was no response. He waited, his brows drawing together in worry. How long had it been since he'd last spoken to her? The realization weighed heavily on him; he hadn't spent nearly enough time with Luna, his Aetenus. Bound to him in service and loyalty, she existed as his shadow, a guardian and a part of him. Yet, in all his focus on the looming threats, he had perhaps neglected the person within that binding.

Do Aeteni even have feelings?

he wondered, drumming his fingers thoughtfully. Draven, also his Aetenus, had always behaved with quiet obedience, like a well-trained slave. He was stoic, never showing emotion. But Luna… she was different. She had a fierce independence that set her apart, a wildness that simmered just beneath the surface. Sometimes, he could feel her gaze upon him even when hidden in his shadow, as if she watched and judged him with an intensity that made him uneasy.

"Luna," he called again, a bit softer this time. "You don't have to hide in my shadow all the time. You can come out and sit with me if you like."

He knew he wasn't in Aethelwarin County anymore, and here, he could afford to let his guard down a bit. There was no need to be as cautious, no pressing worry about curious eyes or prying questions. For once, he wanted to be at ease, to let things flow without suspicion clouding every moment.

For a heartbeat, all was still, and then a ripple of darkness slid across the floor of the carriage. The shadows gathered, twisting and coiling before him, until they began to take shape. Luna emerged from the gloom, her form slowly solidifying on the seat across from him. Her golden eyes gleamed with an intense, almost predatory light, and her arms were crossed over her chest as she settled back, her gaze fixed squarely on him.

David smiled nervously, feeling the weight of her unyielding stare. She looked… disappointed, a slight frown on her otherwise striking face.

"I—" he began, but words failed him. What was he supposed to say? He hadn't planned on her appearing so… confrontational. He forced himself to meet her gaze, but her golden eyes were as unyielding as a storm, sharp and unwavering.

"Did you need something, David?" Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a razor-thin layer of annoyance she didn't bother to conceal.

David rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish chuckle escaping his lips. "I… just thought you might want to sit up here with me for a while. You know, enjoy the view outside."

Her eyebrow arched, a faint smirk tugging at her lips, though her eyes remained cold. "Enjoy the view? Is that what you think I'm here for?"

"No," he admitted, voice faltering. "I mean… I know you're my Aetenus, bound to me and all, but I wanted to make sure you're… comfortable?"

"Comfortable, right?" she drawled, an unmistakable note of mockery in her tone as she cast a glance out the window. The corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly, the barest hint of a challenge.

David exhaled, already feeling a headache brewing behind his temples. "Here we go," he muttered, half to himself. He should have known better. Luna's wit was as sharp as the talons she once wielded against him. But before he could respond, a System window blinked into his vision, its presence as sudden and jarring as a lightning strike.

"[System Update: Due to Luna's unique constitution, she has developed emotions and relationships that transcend the traditional servant bond. She now has the right to express a limited range of emotions.]"

David blinked, a twinge of disbelief rippling through him. The System rarely offered explanations, let alone suggestions. Its sudden sentience unsettled him, and yet, a part of him felt relieved. Luna wasn't bound by the cold, unfeeling constraints of servitude; she was evolving. He couldn't help but wonder what this meant for the future. Would the System continue to grow? And if so, to what end?

"Well," Luna's voice pulled him from his musings. She arched an eyebrow, her posture relaxed yet radiating defiance. "Aren't you going to say something?"

David stood, the motion fluid despite the carriage's gentle rocking. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and placed his hands on her slender shoulders. Luna's eyes widened, the gold in them flickering with confusion as he leaned down and captured her lips with his. For a moment, the world outside blurred, the clamor of hooves and creak of wood receding into silence.

Her initial response was resistance; she tensed beneath his touch, fingers curling as if to push him away. But then something changed. The fight within her faltered, a strange warmth unfurling in the space between them. The shock melted into something unspoken, and when he pulled back, she stared at him, eyes glistening with emotions she could scarcely process.

"What was that for?" she managed, voice unsteady but laced with curiosity.

"For neglecting you," David said softly. He held her gaze, the storm of guilt and determination swirling within the depths of his eyes. "I'm sorry I haven't been there. If you're willing, I want to start fresh. Not as master and servant—but as companions. As equals."

Luna's golden eyes softened, the hardness slipping away like sand in the tide. She made a sound that was half grunt, half sigh, the closest she came to a laugh. "You really are impossible," she whispered, before shifting beside him and resting her head on his shoulder. The tension in the carriage dissipated, replaced by a fragile peace.

David's lips curled into a smile, genuine and warm. He felt her breath, steady and real, against him—a reminder that even amidst the weight of prophecy and impending doom, there were moments of connection, fleeting but powerful. Continue your journey on мѵʟ

The landscape outside continued its golden sprawl, but inside the carriage, the world had shrunk to just the two of them, bound not by force but by choice.

As Luna rested her head on David's shoulder, a rare calm settled over the carriage. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the uneven road created a soothing backdrop, amplifying the rare moment of peace between them. David's eyes softened as he glanced at Luna's serene profile—her golden eyes now closed, dark lashes casting delicate shadows on her pale skin. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he felt the weight of companionship rather than the relentless push of duty.

To pass the time and perhaps deepen his understanding of her, David's thoughts turned to a skill he had become increasingly adept at using over the last two months: Point of View. While it had proven invaluable in observing allies and enemies alike, it had never occurred to him to apply it to Luna, his enigmatic Aetenus. Maybe he had avoided it out of respect or, more truthfully, fear of what he might discover. But here and now, with her warmth against him and the world temporarily at bay, he felt compelled to bridge the remaining gap between them.

He focused intently, a flicker of anticipation sparking in his chest. A subtle, familiar twinge in his eye signaled the activation of the skill. An instant later, a translucent display materialized before him, shimmering with arcane light. It hovered mid-air, shifting gently with the motion of the carriage. David's heart quickened as rows of runes rearranged themselves into a readable form, revealing Luna's statistics in striking detail.

"[

Error: Some of the target's information is fragmented; therefore, not all details about the target can be displayed.

]"

"Guess that's to be expected......"

"[Character Profile: Luna Hróðvitnir

Background: Born from the moon's silver glow and forged in the vastness of the cosmos, Luna Hróðvitnir is a primal force feared by all. Known as the Blood Alpha to Every Beast, she hunts the stars themselves, her existence a dark legend whispered among the realms. Imprisoned for her insatiable thirst for blood and destruction, she is the Dweller of Ruin and Devourer of Celestial Bodies. Her essence is woven with ancient power, a being who stands above lesser deities, feared even by those who reside beyond the stars.]"

"[Error: The system has detected a faint aura of Divine from the target]"

"[Error: Divine aura has been sealed]"

David blinked not sure if he was reading Luna's background correctly.