Sora of the Moon

CLAIRE~12

My head was killing me. What was that all about? Was I even conscious right now? The last thing I remembered was Nathan running to catch me and then everything went blank. I stood up from the fluffy floor and checked my body for possible injuries. Where was I? Heaven? I swear I didn’t fall that badly for me to die. I still wore the dress Hayley had gifted me and pretty much nothing had changed, except the place. It was so bright and for a moment I thought I was walking on pastel clouds. I walked forward hoping to find someone or something to tell me where was I. I looked up to see a sparkling icy blue and pal purple sky. It kind of reminded me of a winter sunset with the difference that the stars were already shining.

“Welcome Sora…” An angelic voice distracted me from my thoughts.

Sora? Not her again. Why was everyone so obsessed with her? I sighed confused of where did I need to look. There was no one here.

“I’m sorry you got the wrong person. I’m not Sora”, I spoke to the void and a gentle laugh followed.

“Of course. Claire Moon. I’m sure you are confused”.

“Who am I talking to?” I asked looking around me just to see the same magical scenery.

“There’s no need for you to know my name yet. You are now on the path that leads to the entrance of the Moon Kingdom”.

I was startled.

“Do you mean the sky? Am I at the sky?”

“You can say so, yes, a part of it. The sky in fact is parted in three Realms. The Moon Realm, which is located from the bright side of the Moon, the Eclipse Realm, which is located at the dark side of the Moon and the Sun Realm that you can find if you follow the Star of Dawn”.

I was already puzzled. There was some illogical physics going on here but I didn’t bother with that. I sucked at Physics anyway. 

“What about Space?” I asked and the laugh echoed again.

“That’s human. You are now located in a place beyond space and time. This is the Celestial World”.

“That makes absolutely no sense”.

“I can understand that but I’m afraid I’ve got no time for further explanations”.

“What am I doing here?”

“You’ve awakened dear. You’ve been chosen. It’s time for you to get married”.

I froze at her state.

“M-married? I’m only eighteen! I’m not even in love”.

“Yeah about that… marriage doesn’t work like that here. You will have to choose from the Heirs of the other Tribes and always remember, Kings of each Kingdom aren’t allowed to marry a second time or else it’ll kill you as a punishment. You have to hurry Sora… we Queens are going to fade soon and then the anarchy will bring destruction upon our world. We need you to choose a husband as soon as possible and devote yourself to him. This is the only way…”

Her voice started to fade and I freaked out.

“What? No! Please don’t leave. How am I supposed to choose a husband? I don’t want this. I’m so young, please!”

I abruptly woke up, sweating. I was back in the Academy but I didn’t recognize the place. It looked like an infirmary. Why am I even wondering? I passed out and then Nathan came. He must have left me here but where was he now? The room was pitch-black. I quickly stood up feeling a lot better and opened the door. I had to thank him for that. The moonlight once again showered over me and I felt uneasy. Was that what I saw really just a dream? I hoped it was. I don’t want to get married if I’m not in love. What’s even the point of marriage if you don’t love each other? Life would automatically turn into a torture for both sides. I didn’t want that for me or for the others. I decided to let it go. I’m sure this was my imagination after all. I blame it on the show. It was so magical and pretty that it played with your mind.            

I closed the door behind me and I started worrying about me returning to the Dance. I had no idea where was the infirmary. I rubbed my forehead hoping to remember something and then I noticed it. My skin was sparkling like snow and my color for sure was not that white. I closed my eyes thinking that this was another trick of my mind and shook my head. I’m just tired, that’s all. Tomorrow I’ll be fine.  As I was about to leave, a horrible scream cut the night silence. I flinched and immediately followed it into the woods. Somebody might be in trouble.

“Hello? Is someone there?” I shouted reluctantly but there was no answer.

I was kind of scared to move deeper in the woods at this kind of hour but I also had a feeling that someone needed my help. I swallowed the fear and walked further just to find myself into a glade. My eyes followed the moonlight that actually led me here and I saw him. My heart skipped a bit at the sight of Nathan’s half naked body that looked like it had been bathed with tar. What was this?    

“Nathan!” I said running up to him.

I kneeled down to help him stand but he didn’t let me.

“Don’t touch that”, he ordered strictly trying to stand up on his own.

“What are you talking about? What happened? Let me help you”, I insisted brushing his hair away from his face.

He looked in pain and I helped him rest on the bole. His skin looked terrible, burnt I could dare say. I looked around me for something that I could wipe this black mud off him. Thankfully his shirt was lying near me. I quickly took it and used it as a towel on his skin. I saw him shut his eyes in pain the moment I started cleaning his chest.

“Be careful not to touch this”.

I glanced at him confused.

“Why?”

“Just don’t touch the black”.

“I believe that it’s a little bit late for that”.

I said showing him my hands. His eyes opened wide.

“Is this not burning you?”

“No, why? Should it be burning me?”

“How is this possible…” I heard him murmur but I ignored it.

“Who did this to you? We should tell the Headmistress…”

“No. It’s fine. You should head back to the Dance. Hayley must be worried about you”.

“Are you serious? You look like you’ve been showered in acid and you expect me to leave you alone? Why are you even still conscious?”

“Claire. I said I’m fine. This isn’t the first time neither it would be the last. Please leave”.

He was so stubborn. I decided not to listen to him and wrapped his arm around my neck to lift him up.

“Claire I said-”

“And I said that I would help you. Just accept it, will you? You can barely even walk”, I interrupted him walking out of the woods.

I might have helped him but I still didn’t remember the way to the dorms. God, how stupid. I would just improvise. How hard could it be?  I followed the first path I saw and thankfully it did lead me to the Academy. The thing was that I didn’t recognize the building, like at all. Where was I? I let out a sigh.

“You have no idea where are we right?” I heard Nathan’s voice and I felt my cheeks redden.

I looked down ashamed.

“I’m sorry…”

I was prepared to be yelled at but instead of that a laugh escaped his lips. Oh my God, I couldn’t believe that something that small had made my heart stop for a couple of seconds. I smiled unconsciously.

“We’re behind the dorms. You made a half circle using the forest shortcut”.

“Oh did I?”

“Yeah. It’s fine, you can leave me here. I can walk”.

I looked at him concerned.

“Are you sure? I could at least escort you to your room”.

He nodded in denial while regaining his balance.

“You’ve done already enough”. 

I decided not to force myself to him again. He actually looked better. I soundly breathed out and averted my gaze from him. It was then when I realized that in one hand I was still holding his shirt. I handed it to him.

“Here you are”.

He smirked at me while accepting it. 

“Do you know how to return to the open theatre?”

I questionably lifted my shoulders.

“I’ll manage”.

He hit his shirt on his palm.

“Right. See you Claire”.   

That was the last thing he said before leaving through a dark alley.