When the Moon Found the Sun

By Bianca Abantao

A loud yell echoed through the palace. The large doors of the dining hall flung open revealing an old man rambling on about an artifact and the war to someone beside him. At the mention of war, Serena immediately sat up and strained to listen. War between the Lunar Court and the Solar Court had been waging on for centuries with no one ever in the lead. It was at a standstill, same as always. At this point, Serena just wanted something to happen. She looked toward her comrades, Mora and Remille, and saw them doing the same. They couldn’t stand being cooped up in the Lunar Court. Silence fell as the old man took his place at the center of the dining hall and began speaking. “An ancient artifact was discovered earlier today by the Solar Court that would change the course of the ongoing war. Any volunteers to retrieve this artifact should report to the Planetarium for more information,” announced the old man, who Serena now recognized as the Army General.

The room broke into conversation soon after the General left. Finally, something to do, thought Serena. She shared a look with her friends, and with no hesitation written across their faces, they stood and walked into the ornate hallway of the palace. The Planetarium was where the War Council held their daily meetings. Rows upon rows of chairs were organized neatly like dominoes, and the spacious room could easily hold an audience of five hundred warriors. The leaders of the War Council sat at a crescent shaped table in the center, each one wearing a robe of starlight. Crescent moons lined the shoulder blades and thousands of white stars glittered down the back. Her mother used to have one and she took it to the grave with her. The robes were not passed down from generation to generation. They were earned. Together, Serena, Mora, and Remille took their seats and listened attentively as the War Council convened the meeting.

After the meeting, they prepared their weapons and started trekking through the forest, towards the artifact. For three days, there was nothing but leaves and branches until Serena found the sun. It wasn't difficult to spot him; he certainly looked the part.

The Solar Prince’s armor was made of pure gold. Rays of sunlight bounced off his armor, blinding the three of them as they hid in the shade that the forest provided. Serena squinted as she looked up to pull Remille back as she tried to rush forward, hand already on her sword.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Serena hissed.

“But he’s alone!” Remille replied, her hands thrown up in exasperation.

Mora shook her head and pointed a few feet behind them. Two men - guards, Serena assumed - were trailing the Prince. A plan was already formulating in her warrior trained mind. Bringing the Solar Prince to the Lunar Court would be a prize within itself, but bringing him and the artifact would no doubt guarantee each of them a robe of starlight. She would make her mother proud.

“Who’s ready to catch the sun?” Serena whispered to the sky.

They followed the Prince and his guards for two days before they decided to make themselves known. Mora stopped covering their tracks, and it took the guards a few hours to notice. They followed their tracks, leading them deep into the forest. The trees there were so close together that little sun passed through them to light the forest. It was the perfect hunting ground. Serena screamed, it was a shrill, pain driven sound, and thus the game began. She heard the guards and the Prince run towards her scream. Fools. The Prince reached her first.

“Are you hurt?” He asked as his wide, worried eyes scanned over her. She was sitting under a tree, clutching her ankle and whimpering. Her moon white hair fell around her face, hiding her grin. The Prince moved forward. One more step, she silently coached. The leaves around her concealed the trap she set up. He took that step forward. A loud swoosh echoed through the eerily silent forest as the rope tightened around his legs and flipped him.

Serena brushed her hair out of her face as she slowly got up. His sword clattered to the ground and Serena pushed it away with her foot. She cocked her head to one side, an amused smirk on her face. What a sight, she thought, the Solar Prince hung upside down before her, his face turning red as blood rushed to his head.

“How’s it hanging,” she said, trying not to laugh.

Her back straightened as she as heard leaves rustling and branches snapping. His guards finally caught up. They rushed forward, but Mora and Remille were quicker. They stepped out of the darkness suddenly appearing before them. Their swords were at the guards’ throats before they could take another step.

“Don’t move dearie, I don’t want your blood to ruin my armor,” Remille taunted, smirking as the guard struggled against her. Mora stood next to her; she didn’t need words to keep the guard still. She didn’t blame him. Even Serena would stop in her tracks if Mora give her that look. Once the Solar Prince and his guards were firmly secured, Serena launched the second part of her plan.

“Let’s make a deal-” she said, leaning against a tree, picking at her nails with her hunting knife.

“No,” one of the guards growled.

Mora angled her head to the side, a look on her face that would make even the bravest people cower. “Interrupt again, and there won’t be anything left of you for the wendigos to eat,” she snapped. Everything in the forest tensed as the words left her mouth.

“We know that you’re looking for the artifact,” Serena continued after a long pause, amused by their surprised faces.

“How did yo-” Ammuel started, then stopped abruptly. He’s scared of Mora, Serena realized. She almost laughed. “I have my ways. Let us tag along and we’ll help you,” Serena offered, waving her hunting knife in the air. She tilted her head, looking the Solar Prince in the eye: “Or you can just stay here all tied up. You know what happens at night in this forest.”

There was not one person in this kingdom who did not hear about the tales of wendigos or the Wild Hunt that were set in this forest. No one was brave enough to prove the tales wrong. And no one wanted to prove them right.

“Fine,” the Solar Prince said quickly, fear evident in his eyes. His guards protested, but they stopped immediately when Remille shot them a deadly glare. Serena threw her hunting knife, cleanly cutting the rope holding the Prince. He fell to the ground in the least princely way.

“Nice doing business with you,” Serena grinned, but it was less a grin than a baring of her teeth.

The dead silence of the forest followed them as they treaded towards the artifact. With the Prince at Serena’s side, his guards did not take a step out of line. They knew she would kill their Prince without a second thought. When night came upon them, they sat around a fire, warding off creatures of the tales. Serena was brave, but she was not a fool; she refused to die because she did not believe in folktales.

Sometimes, the Prince talked to her. She always listened but never responded. One day he would tell her about the ducks in the pond outside of his window. The next, he would tell her about the nightmares that plagued him at night. But he never told her about the Solar Court.

“My name is Ammuel by the way, I’m sorry I never told you,” he said, his cheeks instantly burning. It was adorable, she thought. What is wrong with you, she instantly chided herself.

“Serena,” she replied pointedly after a long silence. The Prince whirled towards her, smiling brightly. It was the first time she had spoken to him since they made the deal. It was also the biggest mistake she had ever made. Serena didn’t know when things started to change, but they did. The silence of the forest was suddenly filled with laughter and conversation. Together, they all walked in a group, telling each other of their courts, their families, their friends. Even the guards, Zoriah and Zayden, stopped brooding and joined in the conversations. The most surprising thing though, was that Mora was smiling and bumping arms with Remille. Serena had never seen Mora smile so publicly, or Remille look at someone so tenderly. Swords were abandoned. They all trusted each other. This was never meant to happen. Fools, we’re all fools, Serena thought. She tried not to acknowledge Ammuel’s constant glances, tried not to see his bright blue eyes never missing the chance to look at her. She didn’t know what to think of it. He gave her a wild flower one day, a violet, blushing violently as he did. Her mask slipped. She smiled.

“I can finally die in peace,” he said, his cheeks still burning. Serena tilted her head and raised her eyebrows inquisitively. “I’ve made you smile,” Ammuel said after a long pause. He puffed out his chest and promptly fell to the grassy ground, laughing. Serena followed suit after an initial wave of shock. Later on, she found herself tucking the purple flower into her armor, thinking about how she hadn’t genuinely smiled or laughed since her mother died. Oh gods.

What was this boy doing to her?

Reality hit her the day they found the artifact. She stood off to the side as the rest of them sat, celebrating by the bright, burning fire. Her thoughts plagued her. As she stared at the fire in front of her, all she could see was her mother’s body, burning. She died months ago. Serena didn’t know why she was thinking of her now. Still, she remembered the scolding her mother gave her the night before she died. Serena so clearly remembered the anger evident in her mother’s eyes when she found out that Serena missed training because she was with a boy.

“Don’t you dare disgrace yourself because of him. Don’t let anyone interfere with your success. Promise me, Serena.” Her mother took her shoulders and shook her. Shook away Serena’s nonsense. “Promise me you’ll earn that robe. Earn your glory. Earn your leadership.”

Her mother cupped her hand on Serena’s cheek. Her eyes were so weary. “Don’t throw away your future. Don’t fail yourself.”

At the time, Serena thought she was just overreacting. She gave her mother the cold shoulder for the rest of that day. She didn’t even say goodbye when her mother went on what would be her last mission. On the day of her mother’s funeral, as she watched the stars on her mother’s robe catch fire, she looked skyward and whispered her promises. The promises she never got to agree to that day. She would break those promises now if she didn’t go through with the plan she made before everything changed. Reluctantly, she put her mask back on, hiding her fragile state from all but herself.

Together, Ammuel and Serena sat under the rare openings between the trees. The leaves were spread apart, letting in the red glow from the lunar eclipse. Her thoughts still gnawed at her, forcing her to act. The sun engulfed her and made her feel as if she wasn’t alone, floating towards an endless abyss of darkness. But Serena knew she would fail her mother if she stayed. He’s an enemy, she scolded herself, don’t disgrace yourself because of a boy. Her mind was at war. He was her friend, she defended herself, or was he something more? The violet he gave her was still safely tucked into her armor. It felt like a chain now. But did she want to break free? She shook her head, trying to empty her thoughts, but they still gnawed at her, threatening to consume her.

Serena looked at him now. He was laying on the ground next to her, eyes closed. He looked so peaceful there, his bright blond curls falling around his face in wisps. Light from the lunar eclipse illuminated his face, highlighting each perfect aspect. It was as if the gods themselves sculpted the curve of his brow, painted each of the freckles sprinkled on his cheeks.

Oh gods, his freckles. All Serena wanted to do was lay next to Ammuel, but she couldn’t stand the gnawing feeling anymore. Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes. She shook her head. I will not fail, she thought, determined.

The next few moments were a blur. Her sword was suddenly at Ammuel’s throat. They locked eyes. She cocked her head to one side once again, but the amused expression was long gone. This was not a game anymore. Her heart thundered, but her grip on her sword never wavered. I’m sorry, she mouthed as she brought her blade down.

The Solar Prince and his guards were firmly secured once again. Serena heard every beat of her heart. She wanted to cry, her throat was closing up. She was suffocating. Refusing to cry in front of him, Serena walked deep into the forest. Remille followed and took Serena into her arms. Serena was too weak to push her away, so she tucked her head into Remille’s mess of blond curls. She let down her walls and cried. And cried. And cried. All the while, Remille stroked her back, not saying a single word. Perhaps she was broken too.

The trek back to the Lunar Court was characterized by the eerie silence that filled the forest once again. Every step Serena took felt like walking on shards of glass. She didn’t dare look at the Prince, walking with shackles in front of her. But gods help her, she still looked. His shoulders were slumped and his hair had lost some of its golden sheen. He no longer looked like the sun anymore. She didn't go near him. She couldn't bare it, so she guarded one of the twins instead. Even then, his presence still pained her. As the dark looming palace of the Lunar Court came into view, every step shattered Serena’s soul. Once she passed the gates, she placed her mask back on, hiding her weak self. She walked with purpose into the palace, not giving even a hint that she was broken underneath.

Serena was met with praise. The War Council did not anticipate this much of an advantage. While looking over the shoulder of the Army General, she saw the Solar Prince being led away, along with his guards. She briefly shut her eyes and forced a bright, strong smile on her face. Everything was a blur once the Prince was led to his cell and she was led by the Army General, who was still praising her.

Serena stood in the center of the Planetarium, facing the warriors of the Lunar Court. Mora and Remille were at her side, grim looks on their faces. Serena forced her face into a vacant expression. Her guilt was chewing away at her. It took all her strength not to look at him. But she was not that strong, not anymore. Serena glanced at the Prince, only to find his now dull blue eyes staring right back at her. Her heart panged as she scanned over him, like he scanned over her. The skin where his chains laid was rubbed raw. His curls were a tangled mess, his eyes were sunken in. There was no sign of the blushing, bright eyed boy she let her mask slip for. He looked like he went through hell and back. But there was no hate in his eyes when he looked at her. Why was there no hate in his eyes? She choked down a sob. Her tears were spared only by the loud speakers blaring:

“For their success in finding the artifact and capturing the Solar Prince, the War Council presents Serena Varner, Remille Fitzgerald, and Moralynn Radford, the highest possible honor a warrior can earn: the Robe of Starlight. With these robes, these three young women will become leaders of the War Council and will assist their court in the battle to victory,” the Army General announced, as the robes were placed upon their shoulders.

Serena was hardly listening. She stared blankly at the marble floor as applause washed over her. This was not how Serena thought this day would go. The day she should’ve made her mother proud. The day she should’ve been in complete and utter joy. You earned the robe, Serena thought to herself, why are you not happy? She knew it was because of him. Because she let her mask slip. Because she let the sun engulf her. She should’ve known better. For, she was the moon, and he was the sun. The universe forced them apart; placed them on opposite sides of the world. They were never meant to find each other. They were never meant to be together.