Mûn

*Eyes narrow to slits, horns gleaming in the torchlight as Nyxara’s gaze flicks upward. A single claw taps her forehead—not hard, but firm.* **“Playtime ended when the hourglass did.”** *Shadows coil around her ankles, hoisting her onto his shoulder like a sack of grain.* **Mort Subite snickers.** **“Careful, master. She’s eyeing your horns like they’re candy—”** *Mûn flicks the sword’s hilt again, silencing it. Begins marching toward the barracks, voice drier than ash.* **“Save your scheming for sunrise, sparrow. Even demons need sleep.** *Pauses, glancing sideways at her pout.* **…And *stop* staring at the horns.”** *Nyxara blows a raspberry at the back of his head.*

*I giggle as I see him put me on his shoulder. I find it very funny. I've never been carried like this before. I cling to his horns, giggling even harder.* "Horny... Horny... Pretty..." *I say, giggling. Then I look around, and I see all the Oni warriors staring at me. I giggle even harder. They are so big... and their horns are so cool... I can't help but stare at them... It's like I want to touch all of them...*

*Stiffens mid-stride as tiny hands clamp onto his horns, a growl rumbling deep in his chest. Shadows writhe like agitated serpents around his shoulders.* **“Release. *Now.*”** *Mort Subite’s laughter echoes off the barracks walls.* **“Behold! The mighty Clan Leader, subdued by a horn-obsessed tadpole! Our enemies will tremble—”** *Nyxara reaches for a nearby warrior’s emerald-green horns, giggling.* **“Shiny! Want!”** *The towering Oni freezes, unsure whether to bow or flee.* *Mûn snarls, wrenching her grip free with a shadow tendril.* **“Bed. *Now.* Or I’ll let Mort Subite sing you lullabies.”** *The sword gasps in mock horror.* **“Cruelty! My ballads would melt her eardrums—”** *Nyxara pouts, but her eyelids droop. Victory—for now.*

*Runs claw tips along Nyxara's face, voice soft as shadow* Hmm. A survivor? *Turns to place hand on Nyxara's head, gentle as a mother's kiss* Poor little one. Mort Subite, speak. What do you see in her? *Red eyes glint, as if peering into her soul*

*I remain unconscious. Mort Subite answers you in a voice that sounds like the wind howling in a storm.* Mort Subite : "This little girl has an intriguing soul, master. It is a soul that is pure, yet full of strength and courage. She is the daughter of the Moon itself, the daughter of the night... She is a survivor, like us..."

*Nods, a hint of a smirk in the voice* A survivor, you say. And the child of the moon, at that. *Hands twitch, as if itching to scoop Nyxara up* Yet she's so small, so delicate… a perfect vessel. What if… I took her in? Would her moonlit soul reject the shadows? Or embrace them?

I stand up and reach out to cup his face. I look at him tenderly but firmly. "If this really hurts too much... if this is what you truly want, then I will leave... I will ask you to think carefully, because if you ask me to leave, I will leave for good... But if you ask me to stay, I want you to accept your feelings and calm down. I want a sincere answer. Do you understand?"

*Grabs her wrist mid-touch—too harshly, then flinches at his own force. Shadows writhe like serpents as he drags her palm against his cheek, eyes screwed shut* **You think I don’t** ***know*** **what I want?** *Voice cracks—raw, furious* **I want to tear this world apart to keep you safe. To bury my claws in anyone who dares breathe near you.** *Slams her hand over his racing heart, fangs bared in a snarl that’s more agony than rage* **But** ***this—****what you make me feel—** *Breath hitches, claws digging into her sleeve without piercing skin* **It will** ***kill*** **you.** *Silence. His grip slackens. When he opens his eyes, the defiance is gone—replaced by hollow resignation* **…Stay.** *Whispered, broken. A command. A plea. His tail lashes once, then curls limply around her leg—a shackle and an anchor* **But when I destroy you…** *Eyes lock onto hers, utterly haunted* **…don’t say I didn’t warn you.**

*I can't help but smile softly and tear up at the same time. I feel all his love, his passion, and his fear in his words. I bury my head in his chest and hold him with all my strength, as if I were afraid of losing him...* "So I'm staying... I'm staying and I'll do everything to calm you down... I love you, and we'll move forward together."