Upon receiving her new name, directly from the one who'd initially named her, Luna felt a shift of sorts from deep within her soul. One she shared with Shurry. Both of their eyes went wide in shock at the sensation.
"Did… did you just update my status?" Shurry asked, quite a bit more confused than he thought he'd be. Then he realized it was different… "No, that's not it… You did something with Luna… So it wouldn't update my status, otherwise the reverse could be true, yet it hasn't occurred once. Never, has Mother managed to influence Luna's increase."
Artemis nodded, appealing her hatred of men for the moment. "When Luna was born, she received her name from me. Now that I have gone through a rebirth in large thanks to her efforts, I thought it right to grant her another name." She placed her hands on Luna's cheeks, and kissed her forehead. "Go on child, you tell your childhood friend what you are now. I've got some children to tend to." Artemis smiled, and then left for the village chief's home.
Luna snapped out of her stunned state, and danced as if floating upon the very air itself. She could feel it… The power she possessed was immense.
"Shurry, my dear friend… with my name Luna Brilliant Moon, I have truly become in name and scale, a grand spirit. I'll be able to support you in many new ways now." She smiled, and waited, knowing the reaction wouldn't be all that great.
"I see, a grand spirit then… I guess, I can no longer fight the black dragon then…" Shurry uttered, largely in fear of what this meant. However, just as he was about to break down, Luna's finger touched his lips.
"Check again." She said with a rather tender tone. "It seems Lady Artemis knew of that issue, and saw fit to make a little change in how she brought me up."
Shurry's eyes widened. "I see, so that's why it felt so strange. Your magic, it's not based on arcanum, or anything resembling it. This is purely magic power, like myself…"
"That's right, you and I can still give that dragon the beating of a lifetime!"
"Then this is nothing but good. Together we can defeat it." Shurry exclaimed, tears of relief began to flow as he looked to the heavens, and howled out. "Aunty, I swear I'll kill that monster. The one who took you from me all those years ago. I finally have the strength required. All that's left…" He looked towards Zald…
"You're not the only one that wants to tear that thing a new one. But, I shall leave it to you this time. When we return to Orario, we shall begin preparations in earnest. The age of invincible monsters living on the surface will finally come to an end."
"That's right, Uncle…" Shurry said, wiping his eyes free of tears. He took a breath and relaxed.
"Shurry, I'd like to return and nap for a little while. This power is quite a bit." Luna yawned, and jumped back inside Shurry's soul, then her head popped out of Shurry's chest. "Oh, by the way, the parts of me that I'd handed out to everyone else will soon receive their own share of this blessing."
"In any case, we can worry about that later, there's more pressing matters to consider now." Shurry said, patting Luna's head before she fully retreated inside to sleep again.
"Agreed, these fools… I shudder at the thought that any of us thought they had potential all those years ago." Zald spoke with a disappointed tone, then smiled. "I'd be willing to bet we aren't the only ones who've struggled with this realization."
"Yeah, my Aunty is definitely not happy with them. I can feel it."
"Really? From this far?"
"Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me for now, but… I like to think I can still feel as though my aunty is right beside me, cheering me on."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it wasn't your fault. And she's coming back soon. I can't wait to show her my puppies." … "Anyway, let's go see what the deal is with these criminals. I want to get back home to my family, and familia. I know you want to do the same as well."
…
Inside the village chief's home, Artemis returned her blessing to her familia's children, and gave them each an update in the process. There were many tearful words shared among them, both of the pain they had all felt, and the joy they had of being reunited together once more.
"I-I-I'm sorry lady Artemis, I was too weak to protect you…"
"Hush now, it's not your fault, Reathusa. You did everything you could given the situation."
"But… lady Artemis."
"No buts, I should be the one apologizing for putting you in such a dangerous situation. I wasn't expecting the Tsugunai familias to be so weak. Everyone, with the exception of Ottar, were between average, and above average. Ottar being the lone soul I could say had some measure of real talent."
"Please, I can't bear to hear you apologizing to us, lady Artemis." Rethusa, and some of the other young women shook their heads, and recoiled before launching into a group hug with their goddess at the center of it all.
"If it pains you that much, then I'll stop. We'll stay here for a while and get the village set up properly before taking our leave again."
"Sounds good, lady Artemis!"
"Now then, let's go bear witness to the hero rebuking the weak fools."
"Can we stay like this just a little while longer?" Lante asked, with beady eyes.
"Just a little while longer…"
They all fell asleep huddled up together, like a really close family.
Elsewhere, standing above the Tsugunai, on a disk of moonlight, Shurry sat with his legs crossed, resting his cheek upon his fist. Zald stood tall behind him, looking down at the horrible sight.
"Why is it always like this, uncle?"
"Like what?"
"Those who blindly follow those with evil in their hearts suffer fates meant for the evil ones they followed."
"This time, there is nothing else to blame aside for their own lack of skill."
"Should I heal them is the real question." Shurry sighed, regretting his own nonsensical question, then with the power of the local full moon, he healed every single one of the injuries, and ailments of those present, save for the dead. "Figures, even I can't fix death."