Azarion walked ahead, the jingling of his ornaments echoing with each step. Luna followed silently through the winding corridors until they stopped at a familiar golden door.
"This is your room," Aza said, turning toward her with a teasing smirk. "Safe and sound. You owe me now, Princess."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "A favor? Seriously?"
"Oh, I take all debts seriously," he said, leaning slightly toward her. "Even the ones paid with a simple walk through the dark."
She crossed her arms with a soft chuckle. "Fine. What do you want?"
"Tomorrow. You're coming with me. No questions." His violet eyes sparkled with mischief.
Luna tilted her head. "Just like that? Not even a hint?"
"Nope."
She hesitated only for a second, then smiled. "Alright, I'll come."
Aza stepped back with a satisfied grin. "Good girl. Then… until tomorrow, Princess Lunastia."
"Goodnight, Aza."
He gave her one last look—something playful, yet oddly respectful—and disappeared down the corridor, leaving behind only the soft echo of his laughter.
Luna entered her room slowly, her thoughts swirling. There was something strange about Azarion… dangerous, unpredictable—but somehow, charming.
And just like that, he left a quiet mark on her heart.
Not fear.
Curiosity.
NEXT DAY _____
The room was dimly lit by hovering crystal orbs, casting soft violet glows across the obsidian walls. The curtains barely moved, as if the air itself held its breath. Luna stirred under the silk sheets, blinking into the quiet dark. No thunder today. No storm.
Just silence.
She sat up slowly. The endless night outside didn't bother her as much this morning. For once, her chest didn't feel heavy.
A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," Luna said.
Meli entered with a warm smile, her white apron glowing faintly under the crystal lights. In her hands was a tray—darkberry toast, glowing bluefruit, and steaming dusk tea.
"You're awake early," Meli said softly. "And you look… lighter."
Luna tilted her head. "I'm not sad. Still trapped, but… not drowning."
Meli placed the tray down, then held out something else—wrapped in shadowy cloth, tied with a silver ribbon.
"This came for you. A gift. From Lord Azarion."
Luna's brows lifted. "From Aza?"
She took the parcel, fingers working carefully through the wrap. As the cloth slipped away, a dress revealed itself—midnight black, with silver thread embroidered in swirling runes. The sleeves were sheer like fog, the bodice fitted with a daring plunge, and the skirt flowed like smoke laced with stars.
"It's…" Luna whispered, "beautiful. And bold."
Meli chuckled. "Revealing too. He clearly enjoys making a statement."
Luna ran her fingers across the silver designs.
"He's strange. But he made me laugh yesterday."
"Will you wear it?" Meli asked, folding her arms, a smirk on her lips.
Luna held the dress up to her body. The silver shimmered, echoing like whispers in the dark.
"I think I will." She smiled softly. "Let's see what mischief Aza has planned today."
The enchanted orbs in Luna's room glowed with a cooler light as Meli helped her into the black and silver dress. The fabric shimmered like night sky dust, hugging Luna's frame and flowing down in elegant waves. Meli adjusted the sheer sleeves, then stepped back, eyes wide.
Meli: "By the stars… You look like a queen born of darkness itself."
Luna looked at her reflection in the tall, shadow-framed mirror. Her pale skin glowed against the deep black, and the silver thread danced with every breath she took. Her long hair was pinned half-up, small crystals tucked into the waves.
Luna: "It's too much, isn't it?"
Meli (grinning): "It's perfect. And I have a feeling Lord Azarion meant it to be 'too much.'"
Palace Hallway____
As Luna stepped out of her room and into the grand hallway, several guards paused—eyes widening. A few even forgot to blink.
Meli (clapping her hands): "Eyes down, all of you! She's not a festival for your stares!"
The guards quickly looked away, some coughing and pretending to inspect the walls.
Then came the echo of boots.
Pat. Pat. Pat.
Azarion emerged from the shadows of a stone archway. He wore a long coat of dark velvet trimmed with silver, embroidered in similar runes that shimmered across Luna's dress. His long dark hair was tied half-up with a silver clasp, and around his neck hung a charm shaped like a crescent fang.
He stopped the moment he saw her—and smirked.
Azarion: "Well, well… I knew you'd look good in it, but I didn't expect to be speechless."
Luna blinked, both flattered and suspicious.
Luna: "You… planned the matching?"
Azarion (mock bowing): "I call it coordination. We are, after all, walking into mystery together."
Luna (raising an eyebrow): "And where exactly are we walking to?"
He offered her his hand with a sly grin.
Azarion: "Ah, ah. That would ruin the surprise."
Luna (sighing): "You love being dramatic, don't you?"
Azarion (grinning wider): "Only when the audience is this stunning."
Luna placed her hand in his, rolling her eyes—but her lips curled into a reluctant smile as they walked off into the velvet corridors .
Streets of Duskvaria ____
The black carriage rolled to a stop with a creak of its enchanted wheels. As the door opened, Luna stepped out, her dress flowing like a midnight river. Her silver heels clicked softly on the obsidian stone road.
Her breath hitched.
Luna (eyes wide): "This… This is Duskvaria?"
The streets shimmered under floating orbs of violet light. Unfamiliar creatures roamed—some with wings made of mist, others with glowing eyes or twisted horns. Some looked fearsome, others oddly cute, and many simply strolled by, minding their own dark and dreamy business.
The buildings stood tall and gothic, carved with glowing runes, ivy twisting around spires of onyx. Shops lined the streets with bizarre yet beautiful displays—glimmering vials, floating rings, whispering fabrics.
Luna (softly): "I thought it would be terrifying… dirty… cruel."
Azarion (standing beside her): "Darkness is only ugly to those who never step inside it."
She turned to him slowly, surprised by the poetic tone in his voice.
Luna: "Well, someone's being deep today."
Azarion (grinning): "What can I say? The company inspires it."
He offered his arm. She hesitated, then linked hers with his as they walked deeper into the street.
They stopped outside a unique shop, glowing softly with bluish flame torches. The sign read "Dreth's Markings & Magic" in curling silver letters. Through the window, shelves overflowed with glittering jewelry, enchanted inks, dark silks, and tattoo designs floating midair.
Luna (stepping inside, amazed): "It's like a gallery of… rebellion and art."
Her eyes scanned the walls, the enchanted ink bottles glowing in their own hues. One necklace floated toward her, spinning gently as if curious.
Luna (squinting, then turning to Azarion): "Wait… this is yours?"
Azarion (leaning against the doorway, arms crossed): "Guilty."
Luna (smirking): "No wonder you walk around like a jewelry box exploded on you."
Azarion (laughing): "You wound me, Princess. I prefer the term 'walking art piece.'"
Luna (snorting): "Sure, let's go with that."
She picked up a thin chain with a shadow gem in the center and studied it curiously.
Luna: "So… why are we here?"
Azarion (stepping closer): "I was thinking…" —he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice— "about getting a new tattoo."
Luna (rolling her eyes): "Of course you were."
Azarion (teasing): "Care to help me choose the spot?"
Luna (turning away quickly): "I'm not touching your body again. Last time I ended up in a mess."
Azarion (grinning): "It was a beautiful mess, though."
Luna: "Shut up, Aza."
But even as she looked away, her lips betrayed her with the hint of a smile.
As Luna admired a floating bracelet shaped like a crescent moon, a man walked past them—his eyes lingering far too long on her. There was something predatory in his gaze, a twisted smirk curling at his lips.
Azarion noticed instantly.
His playful expression vanished.
Azarion (coldly, under his breath): "You've got five seconds to stop staring…"
The man didn't.
Without a word, Azarion took a slow step forward—and for just a second, his face shifted. His violet eyes bled red, blood trickling from their corners. Cracked scars spread across his skin like shattered glass, and dark veins pulsed beneath the surface.
The man's face turned pale. He stumbled back and ran without a word, vanishing into the crowd.
Luna didn't even notice—she was still mesmerized by the glowing ink jars.
A second man approached, cloaked entirely in black. Even his face was hidden beneath a hood and veil. His voice was deep and smooth.
Man in Black: "Welcome, Master Azarion. The chamber is prepared."
He looked at Luna and gave a respectful nod.
Man in Black: "And welcome, Princess Lunastia."
Azarion placed his hand on the small of Luna's back and guided her toward a black velvet curtain. Behind it lay a room lit by flickering blue flames. A chair carved from violet diamond sat in the center like a throne.
Azarion dropped into it with a lazy grin.
Azarion: "Now, choose a spot."
Luna (blinking): "What?"
She looked at him—his arms, hands, neck, and even the back of his palms were filled with strange symbols, beasts, and intricate lines.
Luna (crossing her arms): "There's no space left. Unless you want a tattoo on your face."
She laughed.
Azarion (serious): "Then that's where it'll go."
Luna (staring): "You're going to ruin your face? Are you insane?"
Azarion: "I need her image on my face."
Luna (shocked): "Mine? But… why?!"
Azarion (shrugging slightly): "I tattoo everything I find interesting. Every memory. Every story. And you…" —he leaned closer— "you're one of the most interesting things I've ever met."
Luna (irritated and flustered): "That's ridiculous! You can't just brand me onto your face like a souvenir!"
Azarion (mocking her tone): "Brand you? Oh come on, it's just art."
Luna (glaring): "No. Absolutely not. Your face is too—ugh—fine. If you must do it, then at least not somewhere so visible."
Azarion (teasing): "So you admit my face is fine?"
Luna: "That's not the point!"
The man in black watched them like a statue, unmoving but clearly listening.
After a moment, Luna let out a deep sigh and pointed to his forehead.
Luna: "There. Just under the hairline. At least your ridiculous hair can cover it."
Azarion tilted his head, pretending to consider.
Azarion (smiling): "Fine. For now. But next time, I'm tattooing your name on my neck."
Luna (rolling her eyes): "You do that, and I'll claw it off."
Azarion chuckled, motioning for the tattoo master to begin.
The buzzing of the ink needle filled the room as Luna stood by, half-annoyed, half-curious, and deeply confused about the strange pull she felt toward this walking chaos.
Outside the Tattoo Shop, Duskvaria Streets__________
Azarion and Luna stepped out of the glowing shop. The soft shimmer of enchanted lanterns reflected off the dark cobblestone streets. Luna walked slightly ahead, her black-silver dress flowing behind her like liquid night.
Azarion paused by the carriage, fixing his long hair with both hands.
Azarion (grinning): "What if I do this?"
He pushed his violet hair back, revealing the new tattoo on his forehead—her silhouette, etched in glowing silver ink.
Luna (narrowing her eyes): "Put it back."
Azarion (teasing): "You really don't like seeing your face on me?"
Luna: "It's not about liking. You'll attract too much attention."
Azarion (chuckling): "I always do."
Luna (firmly): "Cover it."
Azarion (sighing dramatically as he drops his hair back down): "Fine, fine. Ruin my fashion."
As he turned to climb into the carriage, Luna's attention was stolen.
A woman walked past—tall, elegant, dressed in layered black feathers and glowing silver threads. Her skin was a pale grey, her long fingers adorned with twisting rings and chains.
Luna (softly, to herself): "Wow…"
Without a second thought, Luna followed her—fascinated by her intricate outfit, enchanted by how she moved like smoke. The woman turned down a narrow alley, and Luna followed, her eyes locked on the swaying cloak.
Luna (murmuring): "Just a quick look…"
Behind her, Azarion turned.
Azarion (calling): "Luna? Luna—?"
He scanned the street.
Empty.
His eyes sharpened.
Azarion (gritting his teeth): "Damn it."
Meanwhile…
Luna walked further down the alley, unaware she had wandered too deep. The elegant woman was gone—vanished like a mirage.
Luna (looking around): "Wait… where did she—?"
Suddenly, she froze.
The atmosphere shifted. The street behind her had disappeared into shadows. The stone walls pressed in tighter. Creatures crawled along the edges—some with too many limbs, others with glowing hollow eyes. They whispered, giggled, hissed.
Luna (voice shaking): "A-Azarion?"
No response.
She turned, heart pounding, only to find more twisting paths—each darker than the last.
Luna (raising her voice): "Azarion! Where are you?"
The walls seemed to mock her, echoing his name in broken whispers.
Creepy Voice (mocking): "Azaaaarion… Azaaaarion…"
Luna (spinning around): "Stop it!"
She tried to retrace her steps, but every turn looked the same. The creatures vanished when she turned, only to reappear in the corner of her eyes. Her breath quickened.
Finally, she reached a dead end—a narrow path closed in by crooked walls. There were no doors. No windows. No light.
Only darkness.
Luna (whispering): "I shouldn't have wandered off…"
She backed against the wall, fists clenched, every hair on her body standing. The silence was suffocating.
Suddenly—a cold wind. A breath.
And behind her, something moved.