"Departing?! Dad, what are you talking about? You're strong and healthy! You can make it through this!" Luna's legs weakened, dropping down to her knees beside her father's bed.
"No, sweetie, my health has been failing me for a long time, but now it has finally caught up with me." Luna's father stared weakly at his daughter and felt his heart break at the sight of his sweet lil-star in tears."Dad, I don't understand! You always appeared vigorous and full of strength whenever I saw you!" cried Luna. None of this was making sense to her. Just a moment ago all was fine, so how come all of this was happening?! Seeing confusion laced within the princess's eyes as she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, the Royal Physician spoke up."Princess, a couple of years ago, your father was diagnosed with {Larkspur}, and as you know, {Larkspur} is still marked as incurable. Doctors across the Starry Galaxy have only found a way to slow it down. The pills I prescribed your father did just that, and as long he never overexerted himself, he should've been fine, but he overdid it, which sped up the disease. There's no hope left for him. I examined his body and estimated that he only has a few minutes left."Such grave news shook Luna to her core. At a loss for why her father would keep such a huge secret from her, Luna felt her throat tighten, and her knees quivered. A hand clutched her chest. Pain gripped her heart."I didn't want to worry you, your brother, and especially your mother. Who will no doubt be upset with me by the time she comes here. Luckily, I don't want to be around to face her wrath." Luna's father tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but no one could find the humor to laugh.Squeezing his daughter's hand, Luna's father knew he had reached the end of his journey, but before he departed, he wanted to leave his daughter with a few last encouraging words. "My lil-star, it seems your father will no longer be here to protect you from the world. It's time to grow up and face the harsh winds of reality, but remember, you'll never be on your own. You still have your mother and brother, and I will always live inside your heart, but you must go and live your life now. I know it's scary, sweetie. But I believe in you."For the first time, except for the day Luna was born, the mighty and proud ruler of Lunaris felt his vision blur with tears. A part of him wasn't quite ready to part from this world; there was still so much he wanted to do and see. One of those things was seeing all of the greatness his daughter would one day achieve.Yes, his lil-star was timid and had her own share of flaws, but he could sense a world of greatness resting deep inside of her. He called it instinct, but he knew she would one day be a star that shined brighter than all the stars in the Starry Galaxy. A star he could now only guide and protect from high above."Dad, I'm not ready to let go! I still need you! Please don't leave me alone!" Luna felt her heart breaking into pieces, salty tears constantly blurring her vision."I always ... will... be by your side, but the Holy-Mother is calling me home now... I see the foreshadows of my ancestors waiting for me to join their side, including my mother. Ah, it's been a long time since I last saw her."Voice growing weak, his eyes pointed on someone beyond the distance of the Starry Galaxy realm. Luna's father's spirit left this plane of existence and joined his ancestors who had long awaited him to be by their side as his mother, Lunaris' last ruler before he took the throne, warmly welcomed her son into her arms."Welcome home, son," she softly whispered into his ear.Seeing the light fade from her father's eyes, Luna instantly panicked. "Dad?! Daddy?! DAD! COME ON! PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES! I'll be good! I promise to do better. I'll do anything, but don't leave me! Don't go!!!!" begged and cried a hysterical Luna. She wasn't ready to lose her father! She still needed him! She wasn't prepared to face this cruel world without him yet!The princess's sorrowful cries echoed past the door, entering the ears of Zain, who, for the first time in his life, wanted to reach out and comfort the tears of a woman who wasn't his mother. Despite how much his other side screamed to comfort that voice that held so much pain, he only stared at the door one last time before taking his leave."Come here, Luna." Forgetting her professional mask as Royal Advisor, Mika pulled the crying princess into her arms.Though the Prime Minister did not consider the princess a worthy heir to the throne, his heart did go out for her. The love between father and daughter was strong. Everyone in the palace was aware of it as there was only one gem their deceased ruler held precious and that was the princess.Checking the king's pulse one last time, the royal physician, with a grave nod of his head, signaled that the ruler of Lunaris had passed. Which wrenched a heartfelt wail from Luna. "NOO!!!" Luna screamed and almost fell to the ground, if not for Mika holding onto her as tears of anguish fell down her bronze cheeks.Mika could only silently cry and tighten her arms around her younger cousin. She, too, felt deeply saddened by the loss of her uncle and monarch, watching with a heavy heart as the Royal Physician told them it was best to make funeral arrangements soon.Later that night, Luna curled into a ball on her bed, clutching an old stuffed bear with stitches in many places. It was the first gift her father had given to her when she was a child. Luna continued to weep as despair plunged into her heart. She wanted to believe that everything that happened was nothing but a nightmare, that when she'd wake up, everything would be back to normal.Her dad, the one who protected and loved her like no other, could not be gone. Why did creatures suddenly attack her realm? Why did her dad have to catch {Larkspur}? Why was all of this happening to her?! It was cruel, unfair, and Luna wanted none of it! The one thing she wanted was now gone forever!Lost in her own thoughts, Luna didn't notice a ball of purple light enter her room and land on top of her head, disappearing into one of her large puffballs. Luna cracked open her eyes when she heard her door creak open. Walking through the door, the imposing figure of a woman strutted inside the room.Her figure was practically glowing, giving others the proud and majestic impression of a lion. Golden blonde strands of hair were slicked back at the front and styled into a crinkling wild mane that extended down her back. The golden bracelets on her arm jangled as this person caught Luna's attention, immediately recognizing the woman as she leaped off her bed and ran into the woman's open arms."M-Mom? Mom!!!" Luna threw herself into her mother's arms as she began to break down for a second time that day.The woman, who shared a similarity to Luna in height and appearance, sighed and tightened her arms around her daughter. "It's okay, sweetie. Everything will be okay. Momma is here. I got you," gently consoled the ruler of Solis, Luna's mother, holding her grieving daughter in her arms.Two days after the announcement that Lunaris's proud and beloved ruler had passed, the citizens immediately began to mourn. Many were already grieving for the loss and damage they suffered from the attack. Standing inside the grand chapel was a female knight, whose attention was drawn when the same young knight who had guarded Luna during the invasion walked up to her side.Cries of grief echoed from those who either lost a husband, wife, child, or friend; they grieved in remorse. It was a sad day. Lunaris, known for its beautiful starry skies, was covered with dark gray clouds and a downpour of rain."Never before has the royal chapel been filled with this many coffins," said the female knight as the young knight solemnly stared at the sight before him, which saddened his own heart. Clapping both of her hands together, the female knight silently prayed for those whose lives were lost during the invasion.&nb
Fast forward to the present, as days later, the Royal Council of Lunaris had called for a meeting and requested Luna's presence. The main reason for this meeting was to decide what to do with Luna and her title as heir. Traditionally, after a ruler died, their heir took the throne. Which in this case was Luna, yet there was one big problem."Princess, I believe you are aware of your tarnished reputation. Though you are the heir of Lunaris, we, the council, do not feel at ease with placing the leadership of Lunaris in your inexperienced hands," said one of the older men who was a member of the council and a relative of Luna’s, just like all members appointed on the council.His words caused Luna's mother to narrow her golden eyes suspiciously at the man. Days had passed, yet the Ruler of Solis remained behind on Lunaris to cater to her daughter's needs as she went through this tough time. Luna's days passed by
A week had passed, and Luna stood in her room. Her mind was in a daze as the maids raced around packing the last of her luggage. A part of herself was still trying to process the bizarre situation of her meeting with the royal council and how in just a few minutes, she'd be departing from Lunaris to attend Starlight University. "Oh great, my stomach is aching again," grimaced Luna as her nerves were skyrocketing through the roof. Thankfully, she was distracted by the doors of her room being thrown open and saw her mother, who, instead of her royal attire, walked in wearing a fabulous white suit. She ordered directions to the maids before she walked over to Luna’s side. "Right after I drop you off at the airport, I must return to Solis and wrap up some business. One last time, I will ask, are you sure you want to go down this path?" asked Luna's mother. Once again,
The plane left the atmosphere of Lunaris, soaring across the vast canvas of purples, blues, and pinks space, clashing together and dotted with over a million tiny stars. Throughout the ride, Luna was engaged in a warm and friendly chat with Sasha as she got to know that the other girl's home realm was Ignis, the hottest planet in the Starry Galaxy.The realm of Arcana existed in the center of the Starry Galaxy as people dubbed it the supreme capital. Arcana only had four entrance points connected to the four major realms, which included Lunaris. As Ignis existed in the same quadrant as Lunaris, Sasha had to take a plane to Lunaris first before getting on a second plane that would take her to Arcana.After the long plane ride finally came to an end, the two girls exited the plane, and right next to the airport was a train station. Reading how one of the trains led directly to Starlight University, they bought tickets and boarded
Following the direction of where the squealing was directed towards, both Luna and Sasha saw an attractive boy in fit shape. Messy raven locks of hair covered his head and shielded a part of his face. His style of dress was casual yet still very fashionable as he soon disappeared from out of sight."Oh my god! Do you know who that is?!" excitedly asked the girl in the green blouse."Nope, but man, he was hot~!" dreamily sighed the other girl in the dress, having hearts for eyes."That's Jian! He's best friends with the second prince of Militum, a.k.a the most beautiful man in the galaxy! Those two never stray far from each other, meaning Prince Zain is somewhere nearby! Kyaa~! To think we saw a member of the Royals~!" swooned the girl in the green blouse and glasses as her friend in the yellow dress curiously quirked an eyebrow."Royals? What do you mean by that?""
Luna stood nervously on the large circular shaped stage, palms sweating, stomach cramping. She hated the feeling of being watched by hundreds of eyes. Keeping her eyes on the ground, Luna could sense when her opponent stepped onto the stage."Hmph, so this is who they put me up against? This match will be nothing but a breeze! Do not worry, princess. I'll make sure not to dishonor the proud realm of Rigel!"A handsome boy with wavy blonde hair combed back stepped on stage. His choice of attire was more on the showy side and screamed rich. An arrogant sneer marred his face as he glanced at his opponent before his eyes softened towards the beautiful blonde princess who showed zero reaction to his words."Alright, let the match begin!" yelled the bearded, stern-faced instructor as the boy disappeared, only to reappear before Luna and try to launch a punch straight at her. Luckily, Luna
Luna's mind blacked-out, and when she came to, she saw herself standing in a desolated throne room covered in cobwebs and dust. The room was vast but empty, a shadow cast upon it, as her eyes made contact with an undecorated silver throne covered in a thick layer of dust. "So we finally meet, my destined partner." Luna heard a cheery voice of a female child and turned around. Flying in the air, centimeters away from her face, Luna saw a tiny child-like figure with big round purple eyes, blonde hair, and tanned skin. She wore a cut-off, purple and white sleeve dress with gold embroidery. Frills and bows were incorporated into the design. On her forehead glowed the mark of a lavender crescent moon. "What's going on?! Where am I?" Luna began to panic and wondered where did this strange child-like figure come from. "This is your inner soul room, which reflects the things you wish t
"Star Form-Pawn!" announced Luna, standing on stage, summoning forth twin daggers made out of pure light to her hands. Channeling magic into her weapons, Luna crossed her arms in an x-formation as the blades glowed bright and she broke her arms' formation."Lunar Star Cross!" Luna unleashed a large light-based magic attack that took the form of an X as Dimitri hurriedly blocked the attack with his dual weapons.Luna's attack collided with his weapons. Dimitri gritted his teeth, shocked to find himself pushed back and seconds later sent flying into the stadium walls where Luna's attack left a heavy indent. Dropping down to the ground, Dimitri struggled to get back on his feet as the students' eyes were wide in disbelief.When the match first started, it was clear that Dimitri far outmatched the infamous Princess of Lunaris. Yet somehow, the girl underwent a drastic transformation, changing the tide of battle