Whispers of the Moonlight

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The Journey

he forest floor. Aster trailed behind, slightly quieter, but his sharp eyes caught every movement

inally broke the quiet, his voice soft

er. "If there is, they're prob

ead. "You always say things

in. "Keeps you on yo

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ours, the silence

lijah called for a break. Aster sat heavily, pulling out a worn cloth to wipe the sweat fro

through hell," Elijah remar

efore wiping his mouth with the

the log. For a moment, it felt like the we

ke? Living free?" Aster as

nopy of leaves, watching as light filtered through. "Ho

we're all just pretending we are.

nt to be caged, Aster. You're meant to paint the skies

llow. "You always say that. But the

dropping to a whisper. "Then let

ensity in Elijah's gaze. There was somethi

vational speeches," Aster

aking his head. "Y

re stuck

way

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he forest seemed to shift. The wind carried a chill, rustli

jah said, pulling his cloak

hing. "Think we'll

r a cave. At this p

ories of his childhood - tales of mischief and adventure. Aster listene

sked after a while. "You n

ered for a moment.

gotta be something. A favorite dis

I used to dream about having a fami

sion softened.

t didn't quite reach h

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hem before the

senses sharpening.

g his dagger. "Could

scent. It wasn't long before they saw

d it wasn't a campfire. It was a

der his breath.

g closer to inspect the wr

ver did this migh

wood. His gaze caught on a symbol etched into the

he calle

on darkening as he saw the symb

"I don't know. But i

her, a rustling sound from th

er at the ready.

aced, but he forced himself to stay calm. He

the shadows was cloaked and

voice smooth and chilling. "You've

shielding Aster. "We'r

o one passes through wi

ked, surprising even himself wi

ted their head

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m to make the first move.

ith precision. But when another figure appeare

s mark - a clean,

ng their wound. Aster's heart

igures retreated into the darkness. Th

rises... and wi

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rom his blade, breathing

his hands trembled

nned. "Nev

to their wounds in silence. The fire crackle

y'll be back?" As

rugged. "

ighed.

mile playing at his lips. "You

barrassed. "I just...

s why you'

fortable silence, the weight

ilence. "What do you think the

don't know. But I think

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the embers as if searching for answers in the ashes. His hands trembled slightly, a lin

with a piece of cloth. He glanced at Aster, hi

jah finally broke the silence,

slowly. "Ye

e not fine. You almost

yes shadowed with unspoken emot

e air. Elijah said nothing, his

d, his voice soft. "About where I

gured you'd tell me

est whispered around them, leaves rustling in

his voice barely audible over the crackling fire. "

, his eyes narro

ter laugh. "How

lijah said firmly. "You're not wea

ster finish

d. "No. You're stron

s beyond the firelight. The shadows felt fa

sked after a while. "What they

"I don't know. But we've survived

is face. "It's not just about survi

r a long moment. "Wha

"I want to paint the world. I want to crea

ned. "Then we'll fi

-

Aster stretched out on the ground, using his cloak as

o stay up," Aster

led faintl

oothing sounds of the forest. For the fir

colors - vibrant and wild, painting th

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