Sixteen years had passed since the comet crashed.

The icicles hanging from the trees sang shy melodies as magical critters searched for food beneath them.

Beyond the forest, snow had swallowed the dozen nearby towns and villages, hugging the countless roofs and walls.

The people who once called these places home were long gone; instead, they were occupied by dozens of Sisters, the title given to Luna’s clones, and a few hundred heavily dressed humans.

Despite the differences, they coexisted peacefully, from helping one another to sharing houses.

However, in the center of the dozen villages lay a grand kingdom, an enormous castle taking center stage.

This was home to Her Majesty, the Queen of Lunar Province.

And right beside it was the medical department, another of the dozen buildings guarded by its shadow.

Two ladies scurried into the entrance, carrying portable tablets, and began searching.

“Are you two looking for someone?” A Sister appeared behind them and tapped them on the shoulder.

Startled, they turned around quickly, tightening their grip on their devices.

“Yeah, you, Lucy!” 

“If it isn’t the esteemed Beta and Delta, my favorite humans.” Lucy chuckled, crossing her arms. “How may I help you today?”

“We need your weekly report for your division,” Beta said, handing over the tablet.

“I apologize for my tardiness.” She sighed, scratching her head. “There've been more injured people these last few days.”

Delta shot glances between the two, her expression a bit wary.

“They’re recovering though, right?”

“Oh, yeah, of course,” Lucy smirked, handing the tablet back. “No sickness or injury is too much for us to handle.”

“That’s great to hear.” Delta sighed in relief and fixed her brown hair.

“I still can’t get used to seeing humans within the main district.” 

“We’re still shocked ourselves,” Beta said with a blank expression, scrolling through the information provided.

“It’s all thanks to our majesty and my aunt,” Delta murmured, puckering her lips.

“You mean Kayla?” Lucy put her fist against her open palm. “Oh, right, I forgot you two were related.”

Another Sister passed by, pushing a stretcher, her lab coat running alongside her.

“Alright, we’ll leave you be now.” Beta quickly bowed, grabbed Delta by the hand, and walked toward the exit. “The patients won’t heal themselves.”

“Okay,” Lucy waved happily, returning to work shortly after. “See you two next week!”

A minute later, the two finally reached the end of the trail and looked up at the enormous gate.

From the golden patterns to the luxurious outlines, the gate stood as tall as the other buildings, all small before the gigantic castle.

“It’s still a bit nerve-wracking, don’t you think?” Delta smiled nervously and adjusted her glasses.

“Well,” Beta said, stepping forward, ready to climb the thick stairs. “The sooner, the better.”

The two reached the gate, took a deep breath, and began knocking.

Each knock was calculated, forming a melodic pattern.

Creak!

The two sides began to separate, leaving a giant trail of sound in their wake.

The two walked in, the door shutting soon after.

Their footsteps echoed across the vast hallways, the chandeliers above singing in delight.

They passed a dozen rooms, corridors, and stained-glass windows, each a bookmark of the esteemed palace. 

Finally, they reached the end of the first floor, turned, and stopped at the second door.

“Master Neoma, we’ve brought the report for this week so that–” Beta paused, letting go of the wooden door. “Is this a bad time?”

Neoma frantically shoved her snacks in the nearby drawer, shoving the bowl of ice cream away with her other hand. 

“No, it’s not.” She laughed embarrassingly, wiping the crumbs off her face. “Please, come on in.”

Beta approached her desk, fixing her hair behind her ear, Delta glancing around with curiosity. 

“So that’s the report for this week, I assume?” Neoma took another bite of her dessert, shooting glances at the tablet. 

“Correct.” Beta set the tablet on her desk, then bowed. “I hope it won’t be too much for you.”

“Don’t worry, one more thing wouldn’t hurt.” She grabbed it and set it on the stack of documents beside her. “Anything to help our dear majesty.”

“May we take our leave now?”

“Yes,” Neoma waved her hand dismissively. “You are excused.”

The two bowed and withdrew themselves from the compartment. 

Warmth had also left the room, leaving a bitter aftertaste the moment the door shut.

“What should I start with?” Neoma whispered to herself, leaning back on her chair. “Let’s see.”

She scrolled through the dozen tabs and records on the tablet, finishing her ice cream along the way.

Near the end of the report, she reached for another scoop, but the bowl was empty.

She let out a mild sigh and let the tablet fall onto the desk, her finger reluctantly swiping the screen.

Her eyes remained nearly shut until she opened the last column, Recon. 

It read: 

Details: A suspicious campsite was found 178 kilometers to the west. 

Quantity: Four, each a distinct color and heavy with equipment.

Request: Preferably, investigation before confrontation. 

Rank: Sisters+

Signature: Luana

Neoma’s eyes lit up as she read the words again. 

And without a moment’s hesitation, she leaped over the desk and rushed out the door.

She raced up the stairs with a determined smile, darting past her dear Sisters on the second floor and reaching the next spiral staircase.

Third, fourth, and fifth. 

Without breaking a sweat, Neoma reached the final floor. 

“Exactly a minute.” She rubbed her nose. “Sweet!”

She steadied her pace, stretching her arms as she neared the hallway’s end.

Unlike the other floors, this floor had no corridors, windows, or furniture. 

Only one room.

It watched from the very end, keeping a sharp gaze on those who traveled by.

Halfway to the room, a coat of ice appeared, growing bolder and brighter the closer it was to the single door.

“That’s right.” Neoma lowered her expression, bracing herself as she scratched her neck. “She could be asleep for all I know.”

Each step she took felt heavier and heavier.

Until the dragging of iron finally stopped.

Neoma stood before the bare door.

She glanced around the edges and noticed the ice was rather colorful, each space illuminated like crystals.

Then, back at the door. 

She took one deep breath and knocked cautiously.

“Your Majesty, are you awake?”

No answer.

Another moment passed by.

Again.

Neoma sighed and leaned closer to the door.

“Please excuse me.” She pushed the door open slowly, her tone softening. “I’m coming in.”

Her feet sank in place, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Piles of clothes were scattered in front of the door, her books everywhere but on the bookshelf, and her belongings were lumped on top of her counter.

Neoma then redirected her sights to the large canopy bed in the center.

“Your Majesty?” 

The heap of thick blankets budged a tiny bit, and a faint groan came from underneath.

Neoma crouched and began picking up the clothes, pushing the piles together.

“Your Majesty,” Neoma spoke louder, growing closer to the bed. “Please get up. It’s something important.”

“It’s barely afternoon,” Luna murmured, only the top of her head peeking from the blankets. “Just one more minute.”

Neoma distanced herself again, picked up the books, and stacked them neatly on the shelves. 

Then she went to the counter, placing them in their respective drawers until she came across a familiar mirror.

The same one from when the crater crashed, their birthday.

She stared for a moment, then put it where it belonged.

“So, how about this?” She said with a smug grin, her hands intertwined mischievously. “Would you like some ice cream with sprinkles, syrup, and gold? Of course, extra large–”

Before she could blink, the blankets flew in every direction, one even hugging her face.

Luna’s hands scrambled across the air, slamming against the mattress in joy.

“Yes, please!” She exclaimed, sparkles shimmering in her eyes. “Pretty pretty please!”

Neoma’s hand gripped the blanket and pulled it aside.

“Not with that messy look.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She yawned, covering her mouth with one hand, the other going up and down as if swatting a fly. “I’ll get ready in the meantime.”

Luna dragged herself across the wide mattress like a ragdoll, taking her a minute to cross past the intense mess.

“An urgent matter came up.” Neoma placed her hands behind her back, and her expression turned serious. “And I’d like your permission to investigate it.”