Tales of the Moon and Blood
The city lights were dazzling. The sidewalks, the night—it was all a beautiful and mesmerizing sight. Even though it was late, there were still many people around. Jin broke the silence, cutting through his thoughts, and spoke:
Jin (curious, his eyes half-closed): So, Alyssa… why are you all so desperate for magic and aura? And… are there any violations against the state?
Alyssa (her eyes fixed on the horizon, her voice heavy with bitterness): Our country is like a luxurious cake, full of resources… but we're too weak to use them. So, if others see us as just a cake… do you really think they'll treat us kindly? Of course not—they'll demand we surrender.
You know something, Jin? All of this… war, broken families, ranks and nobility… it's all just a cruel joke. We're merely fish swimming in an ocean of fate—one that can be shattered...
Jin interrupts her, eyes burning with determination:
Jin (seriously, his expression hardened): And should we prefer to stay broken? You're right, but no matter how weak someone is… should they just give up? No, right?
Also, when I faced the Army of the Dead, I swore I wouldn't flinch at death as long as I kept moving forward. I might reach something greater. And if I don't—I'll die satisfied.
Alyssa's green eyes watched Jin from behind... emerald-like, glimmering under the moonlight.
Jin (feeling embarrassed, smirking lightly): Damn… you're looking at me weirdly.
He turns—and is indeed startled by her gaze. Her beautiful eyes enchanted his heart. He chose silence and kept walking forward. Finally, they reached the restaurant.
Alyssa (with a proud smile): This is my restaurant. It serves the best spaghetti you'll ever have.
Jin (challengingly, with a sly grin): We'll see. If I don't like it, you're paying for my stay at the best hotel.
Alyssa (laughing confidently): Deal.
They go in and order two plates of spaghetti.
In front of Jin, an absurd number of spoons was placed. Apparently, the restaurant owner was a racist, and the entire place was filled with aristocrats who found it amusing to mock this "rural foreigner."
Alyssa became enraged. Her expression transformed into fiery fury. She grabbed a ceramic plate and smashed it into the owner's face.
Alyssa (furiously, eyes blazing): How dare you humiliate my friend and guest, you bastard?! Do you know who I am?! Alyssa von Bach! Is this how you treat a noblewoman above all your cowardly aristocrats, you pathetic worm?!
Jin was stunned—he hadn't expected such a violent reaction, nor had he realized the owner's act was intentional. He laughed, and they were finally served again—this time, with proper utensils, no extra nonsense. Jin was overwhelmed with choices... he began eating, and the conversation continued. He found himself enjoying it, listening to tales of noble absurdity. At one point, Alyssa began telling a strange and sorrowful story…
Alyssa (with a nostalgic expression, her eyes gleaming with sorrow): When I was little, there was a village of immigrants from the state of Qing, founded long ago.
There was a boy my age—Feng Cheng. He was sweet, kind… always putting others before himself. We used to play by the river that day...
Flashback
Young Alyssa (screaming in fear): Feng! Please, get that damned frog away from me! I don't want it near me!
Feng (laughing mischievously): Hahaha, what's wrong? Don't you see the pretty slime it makes with its tongue? Let it touch you! Hahahaha!
Alyssa ran away in terror until she tripped and scraped her leg on the rocks. Feng felt guilty for scaring her. He apologized and carried her back to the village on his back.
Her injury required extended care due to the village's poor resources. And since Feng didn't know where her estate was, he took her to his village.
That night, Alyssa told Feng to go home—but he insisted on staying nearby, to watch over her in the village's makeshift clinic. Alyssa hated her real home—her siblings resented her, and her father's attention felt more like pity than love.
Children often dream without consequence. Their vision is tinted with roses, which is natural for their age. But… that was Alyssa's mistake. She decided to live in the village, abandon her noble yet painful life, and marry Feng.
The next morning would be her confession.
She awoke from dreams of a peaceful life with Feng. She nudged him awake.
Alyssa (with childish excitement): Feng! Listen to me… I've made a huge decision… I want to live with you!
Feng (eyes wide in shock): Huuuuuh?! Really?! Then come live with me!
Alyssa (teasingly): No! You're twelve, you might be a pervert! I'll live with the village head's widow instead.
Feng (with a soft smile and sad eyes): Okay… I guess she likes you anyway.
Alyssa (gently stroking his face): Come on, Feng. Don't be sad—we're in the same village, after all.
Feng (laughing joyfully): Hahahaha! A sea of fun and adventures awaits us!
Two weeks passed. Alyssa's family had started searching for her after she disappeared for six hours. She had no idea.
One day, she and Feng walked through vanilla flower fields. A firefly lit their path under the moonlit sky. It was breathtaking.
Hand in hand, giggling, talking about dreams and their future…
Then—screams shattered the moment. The scent of blood and burning filled the air. They were paralyzed with fear.
They reached the village's edge and saw five Qing soldiers—elite killers, aura users. Cold-blooded. They murdered their own people, immigrants, simply as an act of vile nationalism.
Feng tried to pull Alyssa away. She was trembling, paralyzed with fear. She fell, screaming.
One soldier stepped forward—swiftly cut off Feng's head.
His body fell into Alyssa's arms. His blood stained her face.
She screamed. Her vision blurred. She fainted.
She woke up the next morning to her father's weeping—shocked by the massacre and terrified that his daughter was caught in it.
Her brother Alphonse was furious:
Alphonse (in disgust and rage): Damn this girl… look where we found her!
Father Frederick (with teary eyes and stern voice): Alphonse, shut up, you bastard. Not now. Don't speak like that about your sister in front of the soldiers, understood?!
Let's go home, my daughter...
Return to Present
Jin was speechless. How could a beautiful girl—someone you'd never expect to carry such sorrow—hide all this pain?
He tried to speak, but words failed him.
Alyssa (with a calm smile, eyes filled with strength): Don't force yourself to say anything…
Tragedy happens. I've used it as fuel—to move forward and take revenge.
Why bother thinking… when I can keep moving forward?
More importantly… was the food good?
Jin (with a faint smile and hesitant voice): Of course… it was really good.
He said it, still thinking about her story.
Alyssa (quietly): So… do you have a place to stay? Or should I rent one for you?
Jin (rising with a grateful smile): No, it's okay. I've got money from the minister—I can rent a place.
Thanks for the food, Alyssa… I'll head out first.
He left, looking for a hotel, his mind swirling:
Is revenge the right path? Could Alyssa reach something better than bloodshed? Or would she die before she even gets the chance?
Truly… life is strange. It raises no one—it only drags us down.
He found a good hotel. As he stared at it, he muttered:
Jin (with a sarcastic voice and distant look): Hahaha… life's just like this hotel. Beautiful from the outside—but once inside, it's all gray and depressing…
To be continued...