4

Stunning Sunrise

Back within the comfort of her room, Luna stared at the alluring bed for a moment. 

Remaining still as a statue, her eyes turned towards the counter. 

An unsteady breath escaped.

Damn it, Luna dragged her hands across her pale face, brushing aside her lingering hair. This is so annoying. I just wanted to sleep, but leaving all those concerns to Neoma gives me a bad feeling. 

She turned around and reached for the doorknob, hesitating for half a second, grabbing the letter with her other hand.

Opening the door, she strolled past the hallway urgently, flicking off the letter’s sigil.

Her eyes quickly raced across the dozen lines, each time lowering her brows into anger.

Well, isn’t this ironic? Luna thought with an increasing grin, tightening her grip on the letter before crumbling it. Of course its taking place during my birthday again, it just had to.

Her sapphire eyes burned with excited anger, her teeth peeking like fangs.

Down on the very first floor, four stories away from Luna’s chamber, Neoma strolled towards the door at the end of the corridor. 

“Bummer, I didn’t get to know what the letter held.” She crossed her arms with a pout, stopping before the metal door. “Now, it’ll be more difficult to help my majesty.”

She pushed the door open with ease, walking in with no second to spare.

The room showcased its large servers and large screens confidently, showering every corner with neon lights and cables.

The two women who sat at the front turned around in surprise, quickly standing up, and bowed their heads, their arms stuck to their sides.

“Dear secretaries,” She stopped between the two, resting her hand on her hip. “Please tell me you’ve sent the process report to Luna’s other two fractures.” 

“Yes, your majesty,” The one on the left nodded their head. “They’ve already done their part delivering the capsules.”

The two returned to the screens, each one displaying different reports and documents. One in particular had a childish face by the corner, signed by the name, Power. 

Neoma clapped her hands in celebration, patting the two young adults on their shoulders, each with a ring on their hands.

“Okay, I’ll go distract her as you two go to Remrin city to retrieve this so-called Kijomi.”

The secretary on the right scratched her head, looking into her eyes nervously. 

“Are we seriously doing all this just for the possibility he might be some old friend?”

“Of course it is.”

Neoma took a deep breath, a genuine smile bringing forth warmth to the cold room.

“I want to see her smile, I want to see her laugh, I want to see her…free.”

The two watched with astonishment, glancing at eachother for a second. 

“What am I kidding?” She chuckled, shaking her head in disappointment. “You’re so right.”

Neoma turned back towards the door, snickering at how much tech engulfed the room, taking one pause before exiting.

“After all,” She turned towards them, concern flickering through her eyes. “I’ve got this feeling the Crimson Blood has their eyes on not just us but him, too.”

Leaving the two to resume their work, Neoma walks out casually, quickly glancing in both directions before continuing. 

Strolling past another few varied Sisters, just like herself, all with different hair length, outfits, and shades, she makes it to the staircase to the second floor. 

Then, the next. And the next. 

Each passing moment, she picked up her pace.

And after a minute, she made it to the end of the fourth floor.

“Alright, set the story up and convince her, shouldn’t be too hard.”

Neoma took a deep breath and placed her foot forward, walking up the spiral staircase to the last floor, Luna’s chamber. 

She brushed aside the dark, muddy barrier, one placed to keep all her Sister clones below and only allow the three Fractures and other paradigms, the tingle falling off her shoulders.

She cleared her throat and braced herself, arriving on the fifth floor.

But to her shock, Luna knelt on the ground, gasping for air, her hands supporting her fallen body.

“Your majesty,” Neoma ran towards her in utter panic. “Are you alright?”

Luna gathered her breath, sitting up and resting her hand on her glowing chest.

“Do not worry, it was just my husk acting up again.”

“What a relief,” Neoma sighed, fixing a strand of her hair. “Your majesty.”

As the glow faded, she gazed into her eyes, almost as if looking into herself. 

“You returning so quickly only means you have something to report?”

Neoma’s tone slipped back into formality, covering her delight underneath. 

“I’m afraid the new section of your newborn capsules was stolen during the recent trade.”

Luna’s eyes lowered in defeat, her lips trembling in frustration over the wave of more bad news.

So my dear, precious Sisters were taken?”

“Y-yes,” She stuttered, the lies hurting her more than she expected. “And I want to ask if I may have your permission to retrieve them.”

“You know very well none of my three fractures are allowed to leave the kingdom.” She replied quietly, her expression turning blank. “Thus, you may not leave the premises, despite how precious my Sisters are to me.”

“But your majesty, they’re our family.” Neoma paused for a second, covering her mouth with her intrigued fist. “Could you at least allow me to send a team to go in my place? That way, as they do that, we can discuss the Crimson Blood.”

Luna stood up, struggling for a second, and thought for a second. 

“Very well,” She took another deep breath, glancing at her open palm. “Place this duty upon my secretaries as we begin preparations.”

Neoma hid her shame, relieved that her plan worked, but saddened by how much trust she was given, nearly breaking her tone.

“Thank you,” She bowed with grace, hands knotted softly. “Your majesty.” 

Luna gently reached for her shoulder, her gaze softening with brilliance. 

“Yes, we’ll take these things one at a time.”

As she returned to her room, rubbing her eyes, the hallway shot Neoma a sideways glare as if telling her to leave.

And, so, she did.

Reaching the lower floor, Neoma’s smile returned.

She rested alongside a wall and exhaled, raising her hand to her lips.

Now, I leave the rest to the future.