Moon's lie

Separate ways

Alon looked at everyone enjoying the food while chatting. Kabi was also eating to his fill but with puffy eyes. A smile crept up on Alon's face.

But suddenly a thought crossed Alon's mind, about what could have happened to the girls had he not been there. How would that crybaby have fared had he not met him? He was also aware that similar or even more gruesome crimes must be taking place somewhere right at this very moment. He could only make peace with it.

Alon sighed heavily and continued to eat.

Soon, everyone finished eating and sat in silence.

"So, when are you guys leaving?" Alon asked while looking at Tess.

"Tomorrow morning," Tess replied plainly.

"I'll leave after seeing you off," Alon said while nodding. He would be at peace if he saw them off himself; otherwise, he would keep on worrying.

"Here," Tess tossed a spherical crystal toward Alon.

He caught the crystal and looked at Tess with eyes asking for an explanation.

"I asked for it from the owner, once I reach home I'll give one to the siblings as well, so you don't have to worry about not being able to communicate with them," Tess explained plainly.

Hearing this, Kabi's eyes lit up.

"Thanks." Alon expressed his gratitude and turned toward Kabi, "Don't make things difficult for your sister after getting there."

Alon said in a reprimanding tone.

Kabi nodded his head vigorously.

After chatting some more, they went to the rooms prepared for them.

Alon lay on his bed while looking at the ceiling.

'I wonder if Moon is doing okay. Is Earth doing okay? Well, Moon did say he will take me back before anything starts. It's funny though. How I'm worried about not a person but a planet. Sigh.'

He had never known anything about his parents, all he could remember was living in an orphanage since he was a child. He did not have anyone to protect, but still, he wanted something to protect. He wanted a reason to go on. Maybe that's why he readily accepted all that Moon told him.

"This world may not be the best place, but it's worth giving it a try. That's why we are born. Give it a try, this place is good enough to spend one life."

Alon remembered the sweet voice of the lady who runs the orphanage, in his memory, she was still active in that role. It was like Alon wanted to stop making memories from that moment on.

He was fully indulged in that happy memory, but tears were flowing from his eyes. No matter how hard he tried, the memories were heading toward a reality he wanted to deny.

Alon slowly opened his eyes and looked out the window, at the night sky, without a Moon.

******************************

The next morning, after they saw off the three girls that wished to return home, Alon accompanied the others to the teleportation array.

Tess entered very specific coordinates and locked their destination.

"Take care," Alon said from behind his mask.

He had not taken the mask off ever since the beginning, not even while eating. The girls complained, but he remained adamant about it.

It would only be dangerous for them; well the cat did die because it was curious.

He had also especially told Kabi to keep it a secret that he had seen his face.

He knew that the bandits from before, not even their leader could subdue Tess, but still, Tess was in that state.

This was not his speculation though, Tess had told him.

She told him how the group who attacked her was different from the group that was 'escorting' them. Also that the other girls were captured merely to disguise themselves as slave traders to avoid any unnecessary development in their plan.

Hearing this Alon's eyes turned emotionless for a moment.

'To think, that they would destroy so many families, for their 'bigger cause'.'

Alon had been so furious then, that he wanted to rip them all apart, piece by piece. But he composed himself, but one thing was certain; he would never be merciful with these kinds of people again. Things would not end the way they did with the 'bandits'.

Tess also asked him to be careful with his every move from now on, she did not know exactly how strong Alon was currently, but even after the power he displayed in the forest, Tess was still worried about him.

He figured how deep in the water he was now.

Even this morning, Tess had come to convince him to come with her.

Alon was deep in thought when she asked him again.

Why was he even saying no to going with her? There was no loss in following her.

But still, his intuition told him that it would be better if they went their separate ways. It would be better not only for him but also for the children.

If the mastermind thought he saved the children with some motive rather than on a whim, it could become a fatal weakness for him while a nightmare for the children.

"You really don't want to come?" Tess asked for the last time before activating the array.

"It's better this way." Alon said with a smile, "Nobody knows what's underneath this mask anyway, so I'll be fine."

Tess activated the array just as Alon finished his words.

Alon looked at the children's faces one by one, etching them in his memory.

His gaze finally landed on Kabi.

"I'll come to meet you soon, take care of your sister. You've to be strong for her, she has been strong long enough." Alon's caring and gentle voice filled Kabi's ears.

Kabi nodded his head with moist eyes. But in the next moment, his jaw slacked when he realized Alon had not even moved his mouth while saying that.

Alon ignored his reaction and smiled brightly.

"Hope we meet again. Till next time…" Tess had a troubled expression, but before she could say anything more, she disappeared from where she stood along with everyone.

Alon sighed as he saw them disappear.

After waiting for a moment after them, he walked up to the array and entered the coordinates he wanted to go to.

But before he could start the portal, an incredibly handsome man walked up and stood beside him.

"What a coincidence, I was heading to the exact same place." The man said with a smile.