Onto The Next

by Anonymous

Summary:

The adventures of Sun and Moon in a dnd-based fantasy world! An episodic fic, featuring our celestial twins! Follow Sun and Moon as they travel through this often dangerous world of demons and magic.

Notes:

Here is the first chapter! It will be an intro the the twins and what they are in this new little AU.
(the actual first chapter is finished! I just need a few more hours to read through it, and then it'll be posted!)

Chapter 1: Introduction

I'm embarrassed to say how many times I've re-written this, and it's only the intro! I just have a problem with over-explaining, and it's something I always have to shave down in my writing so it's not so bloated. So I hope this little intro makes enough sense to you guys!

 

To start with, I spent FOREVER trying to decide what race to make these guys. Because I want them to still look like their canon selves, just not robots. I cannot imagine them looking human, or even elven or whatever. It just feels wrong to me lol so just picture them looking like their normal selves, but flesh and blood. If I ever figure out how to insert images on here I will draw up something to post here to make it easier to imagine them. It'll be sucky, but hey it'll be something lol

So after lots of angsting and poring over the race lists, I decided…they are faeries. Kind of. Sort of. Look, I’m playing loose with dnd rules, and the rules regarding fairies are already very blurry. There's different types depending on the different "worlds" you're using. So in the end I made them technically fairies, but I will explain the details!

 

So first off, these two boys are NOT super tiny. Most faeries in dnd aren’t, anyway. They are short, though, standing at roughly 3’9” or 114 cm. Imagine goblins and halflings and stuff, Moon and Sun are around the same height as them.

So yeah, they shorties. It’s going to be hard to remember lol because I’m so used to them being tall, and now they’re little :P but I didn’t want to bend the rules for faeries too much by making them average height. They also have bird wings! Different kinds of faeries have different kinds of wings, and I just love to imagine them having feathered wings. Sun has white wings and Moon has black. And they can purr! Why? Because I think it’s cute! :3

Now onto specifics! I made legit character sheets for these two. But I'll try to leave out the boring bits and just list relevant info.

 

 

Sunflower, aka Sun

 

Physical Description: Sun looks like his canon self, but obviously not mechanical. And he doesn’t have a flat disk face, obviously. Same goes for Moon.

Sunny has pale yellow skin/fur covering him. And of course he has his head of rays. They are soft but can’t really do much else but be pretty. Sun has bright golden eyes. He’s also got claws and fangs. Oh, and he also doesn't have wings.

Yup. Plot twist already! Sun used to have white wings, but they are gone now. Why? Well…maybe you will find out some day. Let’s just say it has to do with their past, and why they’re now just backpacking around the world far from home.

So yes, Sunny cannot fly anymore. But he can wear a normal backpack now. So he carries the majority of their supplies in a pack.

Also, Sunny is FTM trans in this AU. Though I don’t think those exact terms are a thing in dnd worlds, Sun prefers to be seen as a boy. He’s still very girly and doesn’t mind the occasional person assuming he’s a girl. I did this honestly because I’ve always seen Sun as not cis, and as being sort of a blurred line between boy and girl, but canon Sun is too repressed to realize it. But not this Sunny! And of course Moon supports his twin completely.

And last but not least, Sun has terrible scars across his back. I’m sure you can imagine why >:3

 

Class: Bard. Yes I made Sunny a bard. It just fits; to me at least. I know most people see him as a paladin or something but I can’t picture him all armoured up. He likes to play his instruments and make people smile. He’s also learned over the years to distract people while his brother does something sneaky. His two instruments are rather small, and he can hold each one-handed. One is a panflute, which Sun uses in combat to help cast spells. Though he doesn't require an instrument to cast, it just channels his magic much easier. And the second instrument is a little lyre, that he carries in his pack. It’s shaped like a crescent moon, and he loves it dearly.

 

Traits and Skills: So Sunny is great with things like performance and charisma. He’s very disarming, and people often trust him immediately. He’s very pretty and sweet lol and he wants to draw your eyes so you aren’t watching his twin do something sneaky.

Sunny has very bad strength and constitution. We all knew that. He can’t take a hit or give one. In a physical fight he relies heavily on his knife. If he ever had to punch someone he’d probably break his hand.

 

Equipment: Obviously Sun is rocking the light armor, and barely that. His only real armor piece is his outer shirt, which is padded armor. It’s faded and full of patchwork from Sun having to stitch it back together here and there. The twins are very far from rich. They’ve lost their whole past lives and have nothing but what they carry.

Beneath the padded armor is an undershirt, and Sun also has a pair of patchy trousers. He wears thin shoes made of cloth and leather.

His weapons are a small hand crossbow, and a little knife. The crossbow is a twin, and Moon has the matching one. The knife is actually very expensive, and Sun keeps it sheathed behind his back. The backpack hides it mostly from view. Years ago Moon stole it from some rich jeweler, and gave it to Sun as a present. It’s white and gold with pearl inlay design. The blade itself is not very dangerous, but Sun isn’t any good with larger weapons.

 

Backpack: Sun keeps most of their items, including their bedroll. They’ve only got the one and it’s thin :( but they can’t exactly carry around a bed. Their waterskin is also strapped to the backpack. Within the pack Sun keeps his lyre, along with a cooking pan. Also two wooden spoons and two little cups. He also keeps a bar of soap wrapped up in a cloth. And a little sewing kit, as well as a striker and flint. There's a few other misc items that I'm sure will be mentioned eventually.

 

 

Moonstone, aka Moon

 

Physical Description: Moon’s got skin/fur like Sun’s, but pale blue of course. His eyes are blue moonstone irises.

He has no rays like Sun. However he has a hat! Yes, it looks similar to his canon hat but a bit longer and darker. It’s a deep dark blue with dark fur trim, and has stitched tiny star patterns on it. It also doesn’t have a bell on the end, instead just a little dark fluff ball. It’s very sentimental to him, don’t touch it.

Moon has wings! I didn’t chop his off like poor Sun >:3 He has beautiful pitch black wings, think of raven wings. He’s able to carry Sun when he flies, but it takes a lot of effort so they can’t do it for long periods. Hence why they’re stuck walking most of the time.

 

Class: Moon is a rogue! No one’s really surprised lol though I know it would also make sense for him to be a mage of some type. But I wanted this to be a blend of Old and New Moon, with a leaning toward New. And New Moon isn’t big on magic, so rogue he is. He does know exactly one spell, though. It was too perfect not to give to him.

 

Traits and Skills: Moon is great with dexterity and intelligence, but he falls short with charisma. Everything else is decent. He’s of course great with stealth, and also very good with his aim. He has a lot more practice using his weapons than Sun does. He’s also proficient in investigation, with keen eyes and night vision. Sunny had no night vision. Why? Because they're fraternal twins and got different genes. Night vision gene swerved past Sun.

 

Equipment: Moon’s got a hand crossbow like Sun. He also wields two sharp daggers.

His clothing is also like Sun’s. A padded armor shirt, an undershirt, and trousers with shoes. All frequently patched up by Sun. His differs in one aspect, however. The back of his shirt and armor have tailored slits so the fabric can easily fit around his wings, and then they tie together at the bottom. Don’t think too hard about it lol

 

Items: Moon doesn’t have a backpack but he does keep their coin pouch. He also keeps a cleaning rag and whetstone for his blades when on the road. Sun isn’t allowed to hold their money because he’s prone to impulse buying lol

 

 

And there it is! I think I've got everything vital. I'm now off to read through and edit the first real chapter! See you guys in a few hours!

Chapter 2: A Willing Heart

Notes:

Umm! There's a fairly big storm that just started where I'm at. Power might go out so I'm throwing out this chapter without fully editing it. Sorry for any janky lines or typos...
This is based off a version of The Delian Tomb. I tried to use this as a way to show Sun and Moons’ abilities and characteristics, moreso than an actual plot, so it’s pretty simplistic.

The wind ran its fingers through every branch of the trees, whispering to each and every leaf as it passed overhead. Two short figures quickly ducked into the only inn that this small village had, eager to escape the road and rest their weary feet.

Moon led the way, his sharp eyes rolling over the crowd within as he made his way toward a vacant table. His twin followed close behind, looking around as well, though with an open and curious gaze.

No sooner had they taken their seats, than a smiling woman bustled over to ask them what they’d like. The aptly named Sunny twin perked up and asked about any possible desserts. The lady gladly boasted about the apple tart with berries that she herself made that day. She named the price, and Moon fished out two silver pieces and handed them over. Sun’s bright smile dimmed as he watched the exchange. He waited until the woman disappeared into the thick crowd before leaning over the table, toward his brother.

“I didn’t realize it would be that expensive.” he said quietly. “You didn’t have to buy it.”

Moon shrugged and leaned back in his chair. “It’s alright, I’m not hungry anyway.”

Sun’s expression showed clearly that he wasn’t pleased with Moon’s words. But Moon ignored him and continued glancing around, his own expression relaxed. He was just glad to be off the road and in a town. It was the first one they’d come across in days, and their supplies had dwindled down to nothing. He’d need to ask around for any potential jobs. And if there was no honest work to be had, well…Moon always had other means of providing for himself and his twin. His large, feathered wings stayed pulled in close, mindful of the stepping feet as patrons passed by.

The food was quickly brought out to them, along with two mugs of water on the house. Sun gave the lady a sweet smile that she couldn’t help but return. He then scooted his chair closer to Moon, so that both could access the plate. He tucked into the tart with gusto. His sweet tooth had been deprived lately, and he was excited to finally have something other than bland rations to eat. The plump berries on the side he left alone, giving Moon the opportunity to have first dibs.

Moon pretended to be uninterested for only a few short minutes, before he reached over and plucked up a few of them, popping them into his mouth. This amused Sun, but also gave him a jolt of guilt. He knew Moon was just as hungry as he was. His need to always act aloof and unbothered got on Sun’s nerves sometimes. He wished he’d thought to ask for a nice stew they could share, before his mouth ran away from him and asked about sweets. He just couldn’t stop himself! He’d smelled the toasty oven in the back kitchen and nearly started drooling. Oh well, maybe he could play a pretty tune and sing a bit after dinner. Their fellow patrons might toss a few coins their way.

His contemplation was interrupted as the door burst open, and a man stumbled in. He tried to get words out around heaving breaths, his arms gesturing back behind him. Several people rushed to his side, asking what was wrong. Moon rose from his chair and stood directly beside Sun, who craned his neck around him to see the commotion.

“Th-They-They” the man huffed. His hands clenched in his apron, shaking with panic. “They took Bess!”

A few gasps from the crowd, and the man continued after pulling in more deep breaths.

“Goblins took my girl!” his words choked as tears clouded his eyes. “P-Please, please, we have to go after ‘em!”

A pause. No one moved. No one said a word. No one offered to help this man. Sun and Moon looked around, and both could see clear expressions of resignation on the patrons’ faces. And they couldn’t really blame them, either. Goblins were a nasty sort. Especially when one was nothing more than a villager with not even a sword at their side. The man cast about, his face growing more heartbroken as no one stepped forward.

Moon tried to resist the urge to look over his shoulder at Sun. He knew what he would see. Sun was a bleeding heart when it came to folks in trouble. Especially when it involved children. He couldn’t stop himself, however, and looked behind at his twin. Wide, pleading eyes stared back at him, and Moon bit back a groan. They had just arrived! Why couldn’t they get at least one night of peace?

“We’ll help out however we can.” Moon spoke up. “We have experience dealing with goblins.”

All eyes were on him now, but Moon kept his gaze on the distraught man. He looked both shocked and relieved, and maybe a tad skeptical. Moon and Sun certainly weren’t of impressive stature, after all. But he either believed Moon’s words, or he was truly desperate, because he quickly accepted their offer.

Before Moon knew it, he went from finally getting to relax in a nice warm inn, to walking down the main road of the village, following the man to his home. On the way, he’d introduced himself as Lars, the town’s sole blacksmith. He talked at length about how he was training his only child in the craft, and she thankfully has taken a shine to it. And then he’d become emotional and had to stop talking. Sun laid a comforting hand on his arm and offered words of assurance.

Soon they came upon Lars’ humble home, and it was immediately apparent that it had been ransacked. The windows were smashed, the door was broken in, and there were small weapons littered about from where the goblins had clearly been trying to make off with as much as they could. Moon immediately set to work, looking over the scene for any potential clues. His keen eyes locked onto faint tracks. While he surveyed the area, Sun stood by Lars, who was near tears once more. A few villagers had followed and were standing around watching the specticle. Moon ignored them all and followed the tracks a short distance. He gave a long sigh of frustration as he realized the trail was leading off into the dense forest. Moon cursed his foul luck, and then returned to his twin.

“We’ll find her.” Sun was saying. “My brother’s amazing at tracking, and he’s fought plenty of globins!”

Whatever the crowd was about to say in reply was cut off by Moon’s return. All attention turned to him again, but he addressed only Sun.

“They took her into the forest.” he said.

Gasps, and a sob from Lars. Sun quickly patted the poor man’s arm again.

“We need to get started now.” Moon continued. “It’ll be nightfall soon. At this rate, we’ll probably be gone a full day or two.”

Sun nodded, looking tired as well, but determined. Moon then looked up at the tall sniffling man.

“We’ll find your kid, and bring her back.” he said.

“Thank you.” Lars replied, voice thick with emotion. “I mean it. I’ll pay any reward when you return.”

Moon certainly wouldn’t turn that down. Their gear could always use a talented hand. And if they found the girl unscathed then perhaps they could even earn some extra coin. Moon nodded at Lars, and then turned. He walked confidently toward the forest edge, hearing Sun close behind. The people stayed behind, watching the two and murmuring to each other. As the brothers entered the tree line, Moon grumbled and glanced over his shoulder at Sun.

“We could be in a nice warm inn tonight.” he said, half joking and half annoyed.

Sun didn’t reply beyond giving Moon another beseeching look, and Moon looked ahead. He had to follow the goblin trail carefully, or risk losing it. The trees closed in on all sides and blocked out much of the fading daylight, but Moon was able to see very well in the dark. Sun was not so gifted, and gently held a few of Moon’s feathers as they walked deeper into the wood.

All too soon, night was upon them, and they had to stop and rest. Without the help of the starry sky, even Moon struggled to see, and could no longer follow the goblins’ trail. So the twins picked a nice grassy spot with no rocks or brambles, and Sun dropped his backpack and retrieved the bedroll. He laid it out and then searched about nearby for fallen branches. As he did, Moon walked several paces ahead, ears and eyes on alert. When he was satisfied that there were no dangers nearby, he returned to their impromptu campsite.

“No fire.” he said quietly. “It could draw attention.”

Sun groaned, but complied and left his tiny pile of twigs alone. He quickly dove into their bedroll, shivering as the night chill closed in around them. Moon joined him, slipping into the bedroll beside his twin. Sun snuggled up to him with a happy purr, arms curling around Moon’s middle as he pressed his face into his shoulder. Moon smiled and wrapped his arms around Sun in return. One of his black wings folded over them, offering camouflage as well as increased warmth. Exhaustion claimed Sun quickly, and he slipped into a deep sleep. Moon remained awake for a time, listening to the sounds of the forest. Insects and animals called out in the night, but none drew near to the two huddled forms. Eventually, Moon gave in to his own weariness, and slept.

 

 

The sky was clear and bright. The wind was strong beneath his wings. From high up here, the world looked so small beneath him. He felt the warmth of the sunshine against his skin and feathers. He stretched his arms out wide, embracing the current that carried him. Suddenly his brother was here! He moved in close, his own wings beating heavily. His hands closed around his shoulders, and he gave him a gentle shake.

“Wake up, Sun. C’mon, wake up.”

 

 

Sun’s eyes opened, and he was laying on the ground, wrapped up in the warmth of their bedroll. Moon sat beside him, and Sun sleepily gazed past him up at the sky. The first shades of dawn were touching the night. Soon the morning sun would rise.

Moon got up and patrolled their immediate area, making certain that nothing had crept upon them in their sleep. Sun got busy rolling up the bedroll and strapping it onto his backpack. He shouldered it with a sigh, pushing away the ache that wanted to nestle within his chest. He gave the brightening sky one last longing glance before focusing back on important matters.

Soon they were walking again, Moon in the lead. He was able to pick up the trail, and followed it through the dense forest. They had to move carefully around and over fallen branches and bushes, trying to make as little sound as possible. After what must have been an hour of walking, the forest thinned, and suddenly Moon stopped. Sun nearly walked into his back, but was able to stop himself.

“Look ahead.” Moon said under his breath.

Sun peered over his shoulder, and saw a lone rocky hill rising above the trees. Upon its cliff edge, Sun could see two figures standing. It was difficult for Sun to see them clearly from so far away, but Moon’s keen eyesight was able to answer his unspoken question.

“It’s goblins.” he said quietly.

And then Moon tucked his wings close to his body and stooped down a bit, walking slowly through the trees. Birdsong had fallen silent in the presence of the foul creatures, and the twins would have to be extra careful to go undetected. Sun followed after him, trying to watch the ground, but his eyes kept glancing up toward the figures. He quickly regretted his distraction.

Snap!

Sun’s whole body froze, his eyes widening as they dropped down to the forest floor. He took in the sight of his foot, planted directly on a branch. It had snapped in two underneath his weight. The sound it produced was faint, but in the silence it was all too noticeable. Moon watched the figures on the hill face their direction and notch arrows in their bows.

“Shit.” he grit through his teeth.

He quickly crouched lower. His dark wings could only do so much to conceal them in broad daylight. The goblins surely had sharp eyes, and his fear was proven valid when one quickly pulled back on their bow, aiming it right toward them!

Moon pivoted on one foot and slammed into Sun, throwing them both to the forest floor. They heard the dull thwack of the arrow hitting a tree just above their heads. Moon growled in frustration. Their element of surprise was ruined, but Moon had one last surprise up his sleeve.

He rose up off of Sun, pulled out his daggers, and rushed into the open. His wings beat hard and lifted him off the ground quickly. He flew rapidly in their direction, making the goblins pause in bewilderment.

Sun felt a bit winded but scrambled to his feet as fast as he could. He watched his brother take to the air with both worry and envy. He pulled out his crossbow and loaded a bolt, watching carefully as Moon closed the distance between himself and their enemies. The second goblin let loose an arrow in panic, and it missed wildly. Moon was soon at the cliff’s edge, and slashed at the first goblin. The blade sliced across its leather breastplate, dealing no real damage. Moon continued to propel himself forward, swooping past the goblins and circling wide.

Both goblins were distracted by the unusal sight, and Sun took aim at the second goblin and fired. He watched it flinch as the bolt sailed past its ear, just barely missing. Sun could feel its angry glare settle on him now, and he grabbed a second bolt and loaded it.

Before he could pull back his next shot, the goblin already notched and fired another arrow, this one aimed directly at him. Sun squeaked and ducked back behind a cluster of trees. He took a quick breath to steady himself before jumping back out and aiming as fast as he could. He needed to take out this second goblin while his brother handled the first.

Moon dove back in close toward the first goblin. As he reached it, he suddenly flared his wings out. For a moment he hovered, weightless, curling his body inward. In a fraction of a second, Moon raised his legs and delivered a mighty kick. His feet connect with the centre of the creature’s chest and launched it backward. The creature landed hard on the rocky ground, and Moon landed on his feet, rushing forward and trying to stab it in the face. The second goblin ran over to attack Moon, but stumbled when a bolt lodged into its armour.

Down below, Sun let loose a few curses, panic closing in. Moon was alone up there with two enemies, and Sun couldn’t even manage to take one out! His eyes darted between them all, watching as one goblin struggled back to its feet while the other managed to roll away from Moon’s strikes, abandoning its bow and unsheathing its shortsword. It swung the blade wildly at Moon, who kicked off the ground and rose back into the air out of reach.

Sun watched, but was reminded of the second goblin when an arrow pierced into the ground, coming far too close to hitting him. He flinched and raised his crossbow, but Moon was quicker. He saw the goblin fire at his twin, and with claws out he dove at the foul creature. He slammed into it just as it notched another arrow, sending the goblin hurtling down the hillside. Both twins watched as it hit many large rocks on its way down, painting a trail in its thick dark blood.

Moon heard a sound from behind, and his wings pumped rapidly. He ascended high up into the air, looking down to where the remaining goblin now stood. Its bow was retrieved, and it tried to track him as he flew around. But the rising sun was bright, and it concealed Moon as he circled above.

Down below, Sun was shocked for a short moment as he saw the goblin land in a heap before him. And then he aimed his crossbow and fired at the prone form. The bolt pierced deep into the armor, and he heard the goblin give a raspy noise of pain. Sun dropped his crossbow and started running forward. He pulled out his knife as he went. He reached the creature’s side and buried the blade into its neck. He had to kill this thing fast before it managed to recover enough to fight!

The goblin shrieked, and Sun barely had time to wrench his blade free before it swiped at him. Its claws slashed into Sun’s padded shirt, sending Sun reeling back. He tightened his grip on the knife and went back in for another stab. The goblin thrashed, and the knife missed its mark, burying deep into the shoulder of the leather armour.

Above them, the first goblin fired into the air, missing Moon by far. Moon then closed in once more, his blades ready. The first blade dug into its armour, pushing it back, while the second landed a slash across its head. Blood sprayed onto Moon, but he ignored it. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, and whirled around. His heavy wings swiped the goblin and sent it crashing back onto the ground.

Sun struggled to pull his knife free, giving the goblin a prime opportunity. It reached its big claws out and pushed Sun back hard. He landed on his back, knife still stuck on the goblin, and quickly scrambled backward. The goblin slowly rose to its feet, a hand holding its bleeding neck.

Up on the cliff’s edge, Moon stood over his opponent, watching its dying gurgling breaths, his blades buried deep in its neck. Once it fell silent, he pulled his daggers free. He then rushed to the edge, and went over it, his wings opening up as he dropped. He had the second goblin in his sights. It stood facing Sun, one hand on its neck and the other on Sun’s knife. It took only one step toward Sun, before Moon landed on top of it. He buried one of his daggers into the top of its head, snuffing out its life before it even knew what happened.

Moon let go of his dagger and let the creature drop forward. It fell limp upon the ground. Moon panted heavily, catching his breath as he looked at Sun. He scanned over him for injuries, and felt relieved at seeing none. Sun, however, felt the opposite. He saw the blood staining Moon’s shirt and face, and rushed onto his feet and toward his twin. He tried to gasp out words of worry, his hands raising to grab Moon. But Moon’s hands caught his, and he quickly reassured him.

“I’m okay.” he said between panted breaths. “Not mine.”

Sun’s shoulders dropped in relief, and they both stood catching their breath under the light blue sky.

“I’m s-”

“I know.”

Sun still felt upset, knowing he messed up Moon’s ambush. But it was clear that Moon wanted to put it behind them. They’d survived, and they still had a job to finish. They couldn’t afford to get distracted now. Moon turned and approached the dead goblin, reaching down and twisting his dagger free. He wiped the blood off on his trousers before sheathing both blades. He spotted Sun’s knife glinting in the daylight, and yanked it from the armour before handing it to his brother. Sun gave a quiet thanks before returning his treasured knife to its home.

Moon was then back in business mode. He checked over the corpse for anything of use. But aside from a few unbroken bolts, it had nothing of value. Moon looked at the tall hill looming over them, and noticed a small area of stonework, hidden in the shadow of the cliff. It looked to be the entrance to an underground structure, and Moon led the way toward it. There was stonework, ancient and crumbling. It created an opening in the hillside leading into the stone. The scent of goblins lingered around it, and Moon has a suspicion that the rest of their quarry was inside. And hopefully, the child was as well.

“Stay here.” Moon said quietly, and Sun nodded.

He crept to the entrance and peeked inside. He could immediately see two goblins inside. One was fiddling with its sword while the other leaned heavily against the wall, eyes closed. They looked bored. Well, Moon would certainly liven things up. He was surprised they hadn’t noticed the fight happening nearby, but he wouldn’t pass up good fortune. He carefully pulled out his crossbow, and with practiced ease, he pulled back a bolt and aimed quickly. He saw the moment the goblins flinched when they heard the snick of the bolt locking into place. He nearly smirked.

He released his bolt with a squeeze of the trigger, and his target was dead and sliding down the wall before either even saw him. The remaining goblin didn’t bother trying to fight. It just turned tail and fled further into the crypt.

“I think it’s safe to assume they’ll know we’re coming.” Moon said over his shoulder.

Sun joined his side, following close as Moon stepped cautiously into the structure. Through the entrance, they could see a staircase leading down, the stone steps chipped and worn away by untold centuries.

The sound of faint, rhythmic chanting was heard from further down, along with a orange flickering glow. Moon looked around for any sign of traps, taking it one step at a time as he and Sun slowly descended. The air grew cold the deeper they went, leaving the warm day behind. Moon’s nose curled at the thickening scent of sweat, dirt, and rot. Goblins definitely called this place home, he was sure now. He had to carefully step around the bloodied bones of a carcass on one of the steps, making sure to point it out to Sun so he’d see it too. The rustle of moon’s feathertips sliding against the stone felt deafening in the tense silence. He gripped his crossbow close, aimed forward and ready to fire.

They listened to the chanting, and realized with a spark of concern that it might be some kind of ritual happening. Which could mean a sacrifice. Which means they might be too late. Oh, Moon really hoped they weren’t too late. He didn’t want a dead kid on their hands. Sun would cry for days, and they’d have to tell the villagers. He shook the grim thoughts away. He had to focus. They had to be careful about this.

Moon paused as the next chamber came into view. He stood near the bottom of the stairs, listening intently for any sound. They couldn’t just rush in. Surely the goblin that ran had alerted others. They’d be waiting down below, weapons at the ready. So Moon looked over his shoulder at Sun, and his twin could immediately tell what he wanted without a word.

Sun closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath, concentrating. He stretched out a hand, and from it a pale figure emerged, growing quickly in size. It was a ghostly image of himself, and it drifted silently down the last steps. Moon moved behind it, a shadow to the white phantom. Sun stayed rooted in his spot, focusing only on his spell. Silent Image was hard for him to master, given his propensity for getting distracted. But when he pulled it off, it was a very useful distraction.

No sooner did the ghost’s nimble feet touch the floor of the room, did the flaming brazier extinguish with a hiss. Smoke billowed across the ceiling. The phantom continued on unbothered, and an arrow passed through its face, bouncing off the wall behind. In the moment of confusion, Moon gazed into the black room, once more thankful for his night vision. He let his bolt loose, watching it fly and bury itself into a goblin’s face. He instinctively ducked back, knowing that return fire would follow quickly, and he was not proven wrong. Another sharp thwack as an arrow sparked off the wall where his head had been. He wasn’t sure how many goblins were in the room, but he assumed maybe one or two more.

The ghostly image of his twin melted away like mist, and Moon felt Sun at his back. He saw him grab the string around his neck, pulling his little panflute out from under his shirt. He played a few fast notes, and Moon wisely shielded his eyes. He knew what was coming next. Color Spray was Sun’s favorite. It dazzled children and drew eyes where they needed to be. And in the right environments, like a pitch black room, it was blinding.

The goblins all yelped in pain as their eyes were overwhelmed by the bright dancing colors that flashed and spun across the walls. It lasted for a short moment, and Moon quickly reloaded his crossbow with his eyes closed. As soon as Sun stepped back from him, Moon opened his eyes and aimed. Another bolt met its mark, sinking into the throat of a goblin. Moon felt satisfaction stir within. He and Sun had this dance nearly perfected, working in tandem like they could read each others’ minds.

Sun raised his own crossbow and scanned the darkness for any sign of movement. His inability to see through the blackness made it impossible to know where to aim. Moon reached up a hand and grasped the bottom of the muzzle, steering it in the right direction. Sun understood and fired.

But the goblins could also see in the dark, and were determined to not be bested so quickly. The one that Sun fired at ducked beneath the bolt, while a second goblin hurled its small shield at the twins with surprising strength. It smacked into Moon, making him stumble back into Sun, who was loading his crossbow. He fumbled and dropped a bolt, watching it clatter down the steps into the shadows.

The sound of a bowstring pulling taught was as loud as a rockslide to the brothers, and they both acted fast.

Moon reached for the fallen shield, lifting it up and shielding his head while his body covered Sun. Sun, however, reached beyond Moon once again and sent a burst of light into the room. It didn’t blind like the previous spell, but it drew the goblins’ attention for a moment, making them all jump back in caution. Moon saw the opportunity. He dropped the shield and rushed into the room. He let his crossbow fall to the floor and pulled out his daggers. He was mindful of their armor this time and aimed higher. One blade slashed against a leather shoulder, while the other made contact with skin. The goblin shrieked and thrashed, trying to aim its own blade into Moon. But Moon was faster, and he buried his dagger into its neck.

Sharp pain flared across the back of his wing as the second goblin moved in to slash at him. Moon heard Sun cry out in anger. His twin, now able to see with the help of the light, aimed his crossbow and shot. It lodged into the armored back, doing no harm but enough to draw the goblin away from Moon.

The second goblin turned toward Sun with a snarl, raising its sword and running at him. Sun had no time to retrieve another bolt, and as the goblin closed in, he did the only thing he could think of. He bashed the butt of his weapon into the creature’s face. It was enough to briefly stun it and make it stumble back a step. Sun wanted to retreat further up the steps, but he couldn’t leave Moon alone with two enemies. So he dropped his crossbow and pulled out his knife, readying himself.

Moon watched this all from the corner of his eye, gritting his teeth and willing the goblin in his hands to die faster. It kicked at his shins, but Moon grunted in pain and stood his ground. He twisted the dagger inside its neck, and it gargled in pain before finally going limp.

Moon let it drop and turned around, running up on the last standing goblin. It was trying to charge at Sun again, but a dagger slitting its throat open stopped it in its tracks. Sun was glad he was far enough back to avoid the blood spray.

Once all had gone quiet aside from their tired breathing, they allowed themselves a moment to relax. Moon stood in the middle of the room, scanning over everything as Sun’s lingering ball of light illuminated the shadows. Sun, however, only had eyes for Moon’s injury.

“Hold still.” he said quietly as he stepped up behind Moon.

Moon listened and only winced slightly in pain as his brother lay a careful hand over the wound. It wasn’t deep, but it was long. It ran in a slightly curved arc across the upper arm of the wing. Moon soon sighed in relief as the pain faded and the laceration stitched itself back together. He was grateful for Sun’s healing ability. It had come in handy many times before. Moon said a quiet thanks before stooping down to pick up stray bolts.

Sun leaned against the wall, feeling exhausted. All the spellcasting had drained a lot of his strength, as did the close range fighting. He usually was the one keeping his distance, but that wasn’t really possible in tight quarters like this. Moon gave him a worried glance before focusing back on the room. He knew that they’d just have to be stealthier and quicker, and hopefully end this whole thing before Sun overextended himself.

Garbage littered each corner of the stone chamber, with bones and rotten food laying in gross piles. There were a few notable items that looked like they’d once belonged to more civilized types. Shredded sleeping rolls and clothing, a few broken trinkets. No doubt spoils of these creatures’ past foul deeds. Upon one wall, Moon noticed etched writing. It read ‘We honor the lives given fighting chaos. Sleep well knights and dames of the Delian Order’. Moon wasn’t much of a historian, and so could only mentally shrug at the significance of these words.

Their journey continued, down a narrow corridor. Moon took the lead as always, his eyes scanning the floor and walls, wings twitching in anticipation. The chanting continued uninterrupted, and the brothers both felt relieved that the rest of this group clearly hadn’t heard the previous fights.

Suddenly, Moon’s slow steps halted.

“Wait here.” he whispered back at Sun.

He crept forward and knelt carefully on the floor. Just ahead of him there was a section of floor that didn’t look right. It was raised up slightly from the rest of the stonework, and it had markings carved into it. A very obvious trap. Moon looked it over for several seconds, figuring out how best to disarm it. If he had to trigger it, then it’d surely cause a lot of noise. The analytical part of Moon guessed that he and Sun might not even weigh enough to trigger the pressure plate, but he wasn’t about to risk it. Unsheathing a dagger, Moon very delicately stuck the blade in between the stone tiles. Or, he tried to. His dagger blades weren’t thin enough.

After a moment of frustration, Moon turned back toward Sun and held a hand out. Sun quickly placed his knife in Moon’s waiting palm. Sun’s knife was shorter but thinner, and worked beautifully for this task. Moon was able to slide the blade down the sides of the pressure plate, until he felt a tug of resistance, and then a dull snap. The wire was severed, disengaging the trap. Moon grinned in triumph, handing the knife back before cautiously pressing down on the plate. Nothing happened.

Moon glanced back at Sun, who beamed at him proudly. Moon had to reign himself in. He could boast later about this. At least Sun never got tired of his show-boating, always humoring him when he wanted to rant and rave about something technical and smart and far over Sun’s head.

Moon shook off the desire to brag about this latest feat of intelligence, and instead got serious once more as he moved carefully over the plate, feeling it sink down. He continued through the corridor, listening and watching intently for anything. They soon came to a corner, and Moon peered around its edge. The corridor beyond opened up into an expansive room, with a much higher ceiling and a big fire that cast dancing shadows upon the walls. Smoke was quickly staining everything in its thick haze, but Moon could use this to his advantage. The heavy crackle and roar of the bonfire seemed to muffle all outside noise. Moon could see three goblins within, and hoped that none were clinging to any unseen corners.

There were two dressed and armed like the others, with another goblin in between them. This one was marked with painted symbols across its body, clearly a shaman of some kind. It chanted in a language Moon couldn’t decipher. Just past this figure, Moon noticed a small form lying on the ground. He instantly knew that it must be the girl.

Determination flared to life within Moon. They had to get this just right. They had to end this as quickly as possible, or else risk the girl getting killed. He retreated back to Sun with a plan.

“Okay,” he whispered, huddled close with his twin in the dark hallway. “We’re both going to go back a bit and load our crossbows. Then we both take aim, I’ll go right you go left. You think you can cast another color spray?”

Sun nodded, looking just as determined as Moon felt.

“You’ll throw a color spray into the room, and then we both fire. Hopefully that’ll take out two of them. Then we’ll just have the one left.”

“Got it.” Sun replied, turning and moving back down the corridor.

Moon followed until they reached the previous room. They quickly loaded their crossbows, with each taking an extra bolt and holding it in hand for a quicker reload. They retraced back to the chamber, keeping silent.

Just as they planned, both brothers aimed their weapons slowly. Sun had to aim one-handed, his crossbow wobbling a bit as his other hand fished out his panflute. His finger tightened over the trigger as he blew a few notes. The room’s occupants all paused, and then flinched when a spray of dazzling colors erupted. The twins both took their shots.

Moon’s crossbow scored another headshot. He was on a roll! But he couldn’t celebrate yet. Sun’s bolt buried itself into the arm of his target, causing it to howl in pain but otherwise stay standing. Moon was already reloading, and took a shot at the shaman. It missed as the goblin reeled away, and Moon cursed in frustration. He then breathed deep and cast the only spell he could do. Both the shaman and injured goblin immediately dropped, asleep before they hit the ground.

“Let’s be quick.” Moon said, stepping into the room. “Get the kid and get-”

A huge, clawed hand wrapped around a wing and lifted Moon off the ground.

“Moon!” Sun screamed below.

A huge beast on two legs had reached down and plucked Moon up like he was a plaything. It stared at him, looking equally curious and incensed by his presence. A crossbow was heard firing, and Moon saw a sharp bolt pierce into the creature’s shoulder. Moon was mentally cursing himself out. He’d not thought to check the unseen corners before rushing in! And now here he was, face to face with a very angry bugbear. It looked down at the wound on its shoulder, and then turned its steely gaze back to Moon. It squeezed down on Moon’s wing, and he feared that it might break.

“Little pests.” it rumbled, its stained teeth gnashing.

“Let him go!” Sun demanded, aiming his crossbow.

The bugbear just laughed, and then threw Moon at Sun. He barreled into his brother, sending them both rolling across the ground. Moon got up quickly, looking at the bugbear. It stood up fully, towering over them both. Moon had to draw it away from Sun! He glanced around and noted that one of the ancient columns had crumbled. It was split around the middle and now tilted into the wall at a slant. Moon’s wings beat hard, ignoring the sore thrum of pain, and he was soon scaling onto the broken column. His quick movements worked in drawing the bugbear’s attention. It lumbered toward him, claws reaching out.

“Pluck those pretty wings.” it muttered.

Moon snarled, showing his sharp fangs, and pulled out his daggers. He wasn’t going down without a fight! And behind them, Sun was also willing to fight. Moon could see him looking frantically around for something he could use. But there was little readily available to them besides crumbled stone. Sun then played a few notes on his panflute, and Moon felt a rush of strength surge within. Sun had laid a blanket of Bardic Inspiration over him. It wasn’t much, but it could give him an edge.

The music drew the bugbear’s eyes back toward Sun, and Moon saw his opening. He launched off the column and onto the bugbear’s chest, stabbing in with one dagger. With the other blade he sliced at its exposed neck.

Blood sprayed, but the huge creature grabbed Moon by his wings again and flung him away. Moon saw fire and for one awful moment thought he was going to land in it. But he sailed over the flames, the tips of his wings singeing, and landed in a pile of clutter. He registered the sound of his brother’s crossbow firing, and fought to clear his vision and get up.

His body protested, but he stumbled to his feet and saw the bugbear advancing on Sun, who was stepping back into the doorway. Moon took flight again, landing on the creature’s shoulders. He reached around and thrust his dagger blade right into its opening mouth. It sputtered and thrashed, knocking him off again. Moon was able to control his landing better this time, and both brothers watched as the bugbear choked on the dagger, blood spilling from its mouth. Sun used one of his last bolts and shot it directly in the face. Even this wasn’t enough to kill it outright, and it stumbled away from them, blind with pain.

Moon gripped his remaining dagger and ran up to it, slicing the back of its knee. This sent it crashing down to the stone floor, where Moon was finally able to stab it through an eye. One of its flailing hands hit the back of Moon’s head, making him see double. By the time his vision cleared, the bugbear was finally still. Sun rushed to his side, hands bracing on his arms.

“Ar-Are you okay?” he asked.

Moon nodded, too winded to answer verbally. He gestured loosely in the direction of the girl, and Sun reluctantly left his side and went over there. Sun’s bardic inspiration was fading, along with his adrenaline. Moon could feel a crash coming on, but fought it off. There were still enemies in the room, though they thankfully still slept.

Sun knelt before the child, who lay bound. Tear stains blotched her face, and Sun smiled reassuringly at her, speaking in a soft tone.

“It’s okay, we’re going to get you out of here.” he said. “Are you Bess?”

“Y-yeah-h.” she hiccuped.

“Well your dad is very worried about you. We’re going to get you home to him.” Sun reassured.

After he untied her, he helped her stand up from the altar she’d been forced to lay on. As she moved away, some shiny things caught Sun’s eye. There were a few stray gold pieces and jewelry, as well as a healing potion. Sun gasped and quickly grabbed it up, inspecting it before taking it over to Moon.

“Brother, look!” he smiled. “Here, take it and you’ll feel better.”

“I’ll be fin-”

“Don’t.” Sun said sternly. “Take it.”

Moon just rolled his eyes, winced, and then took the potion from Sun. He uncorked it and drank it down in one gulp. Instant relief flooded through as his sore and bruised body was mended. His growing headache was gone, and Moon got to work searching around for anything of note. He found and pocketed the gold and jewelry that Sun had spotted. He’d be able to sell the jewelry for a nice profit once they got back into town. Sun was busy fussing over the girl, checking her for any injuries. Thankfully she only had a few minor scrapes.

Moon looked at the words engraved on the altar. Something about loyalty, honor, and heart. Moon didn’t pause to try and read the whole thing, ready to get out of here before the goblins awoke. Neither he nor Sun were up for another fight.

The trio were soon back out in the open air, inhaling deep and enjoying the sunlight. They still had a long trek ahead of them back to the village. Moon could fly there in half the time, but he couldn’t carry both Sun and the girl. He’d have to leave Sun alone then come back for him, and there was no way he was doing that, despite Sun insisting he would be alright.

So they walked. Sun asked the kid questions about herself, and the silence was filled with the young girl’s bright voice. The terror had fallen away easily now that she was freed. The twins were relieved about that.

They were able to walk faster, now that they didn’t need to sneak and track. Dusk was beginning to paint the sky deep purple as they reached the village. Lars could be seen immediately, pacing around outside his home. The twin’s wondered if he slept a wink since they left. His cry of pure joy when he saw them made even Moon break into a smile. Bess left them and ran to her dad, tears streaming down both their faces. Lars wrapped his broad arms around his daughter and spun her around. The brothers stood by and watched, glad that things ended happily for this family of two.

“I can’t thank you enough.” Lars said to them. “Please, I have some gold I can give you. It’s not much but it’s all I have.”

Sun tried to refuse the payment, but Lars insisted, and Moon certainly wasn’t going to protest getting more coin. They were nearly down to their last copper, after all. He accepted the ten gold pieces with a grateful nod.

The rest of the village was also glad to hear about the creatures they slayed, making their sleepy town just a little safer. The twins were rewarded with free dinner and a night at the inn, which even Sun accepted graciously. They were both exhausted, and were able to eat their fill for the first time in too long. The innkeeper also insisted on giving the boys a supply of food to take with them, and Sun had nearly hugged her in response. Their meager supply of stale bread was less than appealing.

That night saw them both safe and warm and under a roof. They lay tucked together in an actual bed. Sun snuggled down into the mattress. It was a bit threadbare and lumpy, but compared to the ground, it was a cloud. Sun lay sprawled on his front, his face buried in a feather pillow, while Moon lay on his side, with his wings falling limp over the edge and onto the wooden floor. Sun was asleep in under a minute, leaving Moon to smile at his brother, before he too settled in for a night of peaceful rest.

In the morning they would gather their things and set out onto the road again. They would have plenty of gold pieces in their coinpurse, as well as more supplies for their journey. But for now, the twins would sleep.

 

Chapter 3: The Road Ahead, Looking Back

Notes:

This one’s loosely based off of 'The Road to Swordfall'.
I haven't had time to read through it, as is becoming a habit of mine. So apologies for any wonky sentences or spelling mistakes.

The darkness choked in around him, stifling his noises as he struggled against the sharp hands holding him in place. The room around him was a vast, black void, eager to drown him as surely as the deepest ocean. Even now he felt himself sinking into it.

But Moon didn’t bother looking for an escape. His gaze was locked on the tall figure that stood before him. One he knew all too well. A face he’d seen as far back as his memory led him. He glared hard up at that face that looked impassively down at him. Hatred and horror squeezed tight around his chest, stealing the breath from him. Calm red eyes returned his gaze, unmoved by his anguish. If not for the hands holding him back, he’d have flown across the room and clawed those damned eyes out.

A voice spoke, faint and fast, and it took Moon far too long to realize that it was his own voice. The words were nearly drowned out by the rushing in his head. But as he became aware of them, his voice rose in volume. It crescendoed into a burning scream that rattled the very darkness around him.

“Where is he? What did you do? What…what did you do? Where. Is my. Brother!”

Moon shot up, gasping. His heart hammered painfully in his chest, and he quickly looked around. Night still surrounded him, though this blackness he could actually see through, much to his relief. The small campfire crackled quietly, only embers now. Moon felt movement beside him, and he realized that in his panic he must have jostled his sleeping brother. He watched Sun rub his eyes and peer up at Moon, sleep hanging heavy over him.

“Moony?” he mumbled in a groggy voice.

“Sorry. Go back to sleep.” Moon whispered.

Sun quickly settled back into slumber. Moon pulled the blanket higher and laid back down beside his twin. He stared at Sun’s back, breathing through the old emotions that were trying to chase him down. He tried to focus on the soothing sounds of the night. The faint bird calls and insect songs made for a calming chorus.

He hated remembering. He hated thinking of the past. All of the endearing good and wretched bad tangled together in a knot of pain. It was in the past, and that’s where it should remain. But the hurt and the guilt forever crawled toward him, closing in when he stayed still for too long.

He moved closer and pressed his cheek against Sun’s back, between his shoulder blades. Through the thin shirt, he could feel the raised scars. He could feel where bone and muscle used to live. He could still feel the ache in his throat from screaming. The hot sting of tears on his face. A pain unlike any other take hold-

Moon breathed in deep, pulling his mind back into the present. There was no changing the past. It was over. It was done. It was gone. He settled closer to Sun, and willed himself to go to sleep.

 

 

He did not sleep. He watched the stars pass overhead and flee the approach of dawn. He breathed a sigh of defeat before slowly sitting up, careful not to disturb Sun again. He went through their backpack and pulled out the last of the meat that the village gifted them. He also fished out their cooking pan and moved over to the fire, quickly rekindling it.

It was normally Sun who handled the cooking, but Moon was itching for something to do. Something to occupy his thoughts for a while. The smell of sizzling meat eventually roused Sun from his slumber. He stretched and rolled over, blinking at Moon.

“Morning.” he smiled sleepily.

“Morning, Sunny.” Moon returned his smile.

Sun sat up and stretched again, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He left the warmth of the bedroll and moved closer to the fire. He pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around them as he watched Moon cook.

Sun’s eyes drifted from their breakfast to Moon’s wings. They rest folded against his back, the long tips sweeping down across the ground. Sun always thought the rich, warm black was beautiful. It contrasted perfectly against the pale blue covering the rest of Moon. But Sun quickly noticed that several feathers looked out of place, and he realized it had been a long time since Moon last had his wings preened. Sun felt guilt weigh heavy in his chest. They spent so much of their time traveling and surviving, that actually taking care of themselves had lowered on the priority list.

Well, no time like the present to make up for his forgetfulness! He slid over to sit behind Moon and gently ran his hand down the long primary feathers. He could already feel several that were loose or had dirt clinging to their vanes. The wing twitched away from his touch, and Moon looked over his shoulder at him.

“Sun?”

“Hold still.”

Moon did not hold still. Instead he sighed and shifted away.

“They’re fine.” he said.

“They’re clearly not. I can see-”

“It’s fine.” Moon repeated more firmly.

Sun frowned at his twin, confused and a bit hurt. He didn’t understand why Moon was turning him away. Surely his wings didn’t feel comfortable like this. Sun remembered all too well how it felt to go a length of time without preening.

A loud rustle from the trees drew their attention. Moon shot to his feet, eyes darting to where his weapons lay. A human man stepped into view, hands up in a placating gesture.

“Easy.” he smiled. “Apologies for the fright. I saw your campfire and hoped to meet friendly faces out here.”

The twins looked at him, Moon with a wary gaze. Sun was a bit more eased from the friendly tone, but he would wait for Moon’s judgement. His brother was able to read peoples’ intentions better than Sun ever could. If this stranger posed a threat, Sun trusted that Moon would swiftly figure it out.

The man stepped from the treeline and into the open, at the edge of their little campsite. He kept his hands raised a bit, but Moon still eyed the knife on his belt and bow at his back. The man glanced between them, curiosity clear in his gaze.

“My name’s Edward. I’m from a hamlet not far from here. I’m trying to track deer, but they’ve been scarce lately.” he said.

Sun smiled politely, standing up beside his brother.

“I’m Sun, and this is my brother Moon. We’re-”

“We’re just passing through.” Moon cut in.

Sun got the hint and sighed quietly. Moon could be so paranoid. Sun sat back down by the fire and turned his attention to the breakfast, taking it upon himself to turn the meat over. It was nearly finished, and his stomach growled in anticipation. He might just cry when they had to eat their usual rations later. If only the supplies they’d received from the village could last forever.

“Is it…alright if I sit by your fire?” Edward asked. “It was a cold night, and my fingers are bitten by the chill.”

Moon hesitated, before nodding.

“Alright.”

The man smiled again and sat down across from Sun. Moon picked up his belt and buckled it around his hips, the sheathed daggers a reassuring weight. He then sat beside Sun and watched him finish cooking their breakfast. Sun carefully pulled the pan from the fire and sat it on a rock. He had to keep hold of it so the pan didn’t slide off, but he could eat just fine with one hand. He noticed the human pulling out what smelled like a piece of dried meat and begin eating it.

He also noticed the repeated glances the man kept giving to Moon’s wings. It was understandable. After all, most faeries remained within their homeland. He was sure they made quite the unique sight, especially Moon’s striking wings.

The three sat eating in silence, early morning songbirds twittering in the trees around them. The man kept inhaling like he was going to speak, but then thought better of it. Sun was about to have mercy and start talking, but their new acquaintance finally found his voice.

“So, um, where are you two from?” he asked.

Sun opened his mouth to answer, but Moon once more interrupted him.

“Far away.” he said in a flat tone.

Sun was tempted to elbow Moon.

“Oh yes, I imagine very far.” the man smiled. “I’ve never, well, I’ve never seen…whatever you are.”

“We’re faeries.” Moon answered around a mouthful of meat.

“Oh! I’ve heard of those!” his smile grew, and then faded as he glanced between the twins. “But…um…”

Sun knew the question was coming. He could read it plainly in the other’s gaze. This was far from the first time a curious stranger asked. And it wouldn’t be the last. Anyone who knew of faeries would inevitably ask why Sun lacked wings. Some assumed he was born without them, that perhaps some faeries just didn’t have wings. Others came to the correct conclusion, and those were the worst. Because then Sun would have to see the pity on their faces.

Luckily for Sun, their peaceful breakfast was interrupted. Though it was in a way that had Sun questioning if the luck was favorable or not. Low, rumbling growls drew all eyes away from the fire. Sun’s heart jumped as three wolves lurked into view, their eyes locked onto the trio. Moon rose to his feet, standing in front of Sun. On the other side of the campfire, Edward carefully pulled his bow from over his shoulder and reached for an arrow. Sun glanced to where their crossbows lay on the ground. Moon had his daggers, which he slowly unsheathed. Sun wished they could have had a nice breakfast without being accosted by creatures. It was always something.

Edward notched an arrow and pulled back on the bow a bit. One wolf bared its teeth and lunged at him, snapping its jaws. Edward yelled out in alarm and fell backward under its weight, abandoning the arrow and holding the bow as a shield. Sun shot out a hurried Color Spray, clumsy and faint. But it was enough to make the wolves flinch back for a moment. Edward seized his chance and pulled out his knife. He slashed at the wolf, and it bolted off of him. They did not retreat fully, however, and quickly circled back. Incensed, they rushed forward, snarling and hungry for blood. Their main target was Edward, who was still on the ground.

Moon stabbed at them with his daggers, causing one wolf to divert toward him. He dodged away from it, its large form dwarfing him in its shadow. The creature came at him, jaws open, teeth glinting. And then it collapsed to the ground with a shriek, its paws kicking in the dirt. A bolt was embedded into its neck. Moon looked behind and saw Sun, crossbow in hand, already pulling back a second bolt. The other wolves rushed over their fallen companion toward Sun, but Moon wasn’t about to just stand by and do nothing. He flared his wings out and leapt onto one of the beasts, burying his daggers deep into its back. The other still dove at Sun, jaws open, eyes gleaming. Sun tried to dodge, but the creature’s large frame hurtled into him, knocking Sun onto his back.

The air was forced from his chest, and Sun tried to brace himself for unforgiving teeth. But Edward acted fast, grabbing a burning stick from the fire and throwing it. Part of the wolf’s gnarled fur caught alight. It howled and fled away into the forest. It didn’t return, and the other two wolves were quickly finished off by Moon.

Stillness descended over the camp, the only sound being everyone’s heavy breathing. Moon rushed to Sun’s side, helping him off the ground. The twins glanced over each other for injuries, giving dual sighs of relief when they found none. Edward huffed a tired laugh, wincing at his singed fingers.

“Well, I think I’ve warmed up enough.”

Sun offered him a fleeting smile as he picked up his crossbow. Moon yanked bolts out of the corpses, inspecting them. He glanced at the remains of their fire, now a smoking mess. Their unfinished breakfast was lost somewhere in the dirt. Edward gave a low whistle as he looked over everything.

“You two are tougher than you look.” he said. “These pelts will serve my family well. That is, if you’re not in-”

“We don’t need them.” Moon said, pulling on his padded overshirt and shoes.

Sun followed suit, getting dressed and packing away their things with quick efficiency while Moon scanned the surroundings, just in case the surviving wolf returned.

“You could come with me.” Edward offered. “I’d be happy to provide a few supplies, or a place to stay-”

“No thanks, we need to be on our way.” Moon interrupted. “C’mon, Sun.”

Daggers sheathed and crossbow on its hook, he started walking down the long road ahead. Sun just gave the human a parting wave before hurrying after his brother. While he understood Moon’s wariness, he wished they could have stopped by Edward’s home. He seemed to be an honest man, after all. And their last scraps of meat were currently lying in the dirt. Oh well, looks like it was back to the stale rations…

 

 

Sun trailed behind his twin, idly looking around at the beautiful forest. The tall, ancient trees swaying in the breeze. The occasional bird fluttering by. Sun watched a little cardinal stretch its vivid red wings and fly overhead. His gaze then fell to Moon’s wings, still dirty and unkempt. He’d lost several loose feathers during the unexpected fight that morning, but several of the remaining ones were out of alignment. It was no doubt uncomfortable, and probably contributing to his dour mood.

“Brother, are you feeling alright?” Sun asked, trying to gently nudge the issue.

The soft approach didn’t work. Sun could see Moon’s feathers ruffle.

“Just tired, Sun. I’ll be fine. Let’s keep focused on the road.” Moon replied without looking back.

Sun gave a silent sigh. Moon often kept walls between them both. They changed over the years, some falling away while new ones rose high. Some were heavily damaged, with loose stones and holes through which Sun could peek.

This wall in particular was new. Sun could practically see Moon hastily building it up, and he wasn’t sure why it was being created in the first place. Moon always let Sun help care for his wings.

Either way, Sun was determined to knock this new barrier down before it grew too solid. After all, he wasn’t about to stand by and let Moon’s stubbornness affect his health. But for now, Sun would drop it and change the subject.

“It’s too bad we didn’t get to finish breakfast.” he said. “It’s probably wolf food now.”

“Hmm, yeah.”

Sun sighed again, but didn’t comment. He didn’t want to get into an argument out here. They had to remain alert of their surroundings. He’d just wait to push the matter when they were in a nice comfortable inn.

As much as Sun loved the forest, he couldn’t wait to pass through another town. He could hear a river nearby, which gave him hope. Settlements were often established near sources of fresh water.

When they rounded a corner and a large bridge came into view, Sun perked up. Surely this meant there was a village or an outpost in the area. But as they walked closer, their steps slowed. In the middle of the bridge lay an overturned wagon. Various objects could be seen scattered around it.

“Looks like trouble.” Moon said quietly. “We should find another way across.”

Sun felt hesitant. The chances of finding another bridge nearby were incredibly slim. They’d likely have to travel days out of their way to find another crossing. He hated leaving the scene behind, too. It was likely bandits, hiding and waiting to ambush travelers. But Moon had already decided not to intervene, and Sun didn’t want to push the issue and worsen his brother’s foul mood.

They veered off the path, entering the thick forest. The trees loomed above, their canopy casting shifting shadows as the brothers moved quietly between trunks and underbrush, the sound of rushing water a constant companion to their left. Sun let the silence linger, trusting Moon to lead them. He held onto a slim hope that there might be another crossing point nearby, but with every passing minute of uninterrupted forest, that hope faded. After nearly an hour, they climbed a steep, rocky hill. At the top, Moon paused and walked to the edge, staring down at the rippling waters below.

“The forest just keeps getting denser.” He muttered, voice heavy.

“Should we… head back?” Sun suggested, his tone uncertain.

He didn’t like the idea, but it was their only option. Moon stayed put, his gaze locked on the river, his expression distant and pensive.

“We could fly across,” he said, almost too quiet to hear.

Sun blinked, thrown off by the suggestion. We? That wasn’t possible anymore. Gone were the days when the twins could simply soar over obstacles. He looked at Moon, wondering if he was starting to feel heat-sick or something. But Moon turned to him, a determined look in his eyes.

“I can carry you over,” he said, firmer this time. “It’ll be faster than backtracking to the bridge.”

Sun hesitated, his doubts plain. “B-But…”

Moon was exhausted. They both were, after days of endless travel. And Moon had struggled in the past to carry Sun, even when he was in top shape. Now with the weight of their supplies, and his wings in this condition, the thought of making it across seemed impossible. But Moon was focused, his calculating gaze fixed on the task ahead. Sun knew that look. Moon had already made up his mind, and arguing would only frustrate him more. And despite his doubts, Sun did trust him. Even if they ended up crashing into the rapids below...

Moon paced back and forth along the small clearing, testing his footing from the trees to the cliff’s edge. He scuffed the ground deliberately, checking for loose stones and hidden roots. Satisfied, he turned and extended his hand to Sun, a silent command.

Sun took a deep breath and moved behind his brother, looping his arms around Moon’s neck and hopping up, his legs wrapping around Moon’s waist. Moon grunted, gripping Sun’s knees to keep him from falling.

“You okay?” Sun asked.

“Yep.” Moon replied, voice tight but resolute.

“Well, I suppose it’s good that we didn’t finish breakfast.” Sun huffed out a faint laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “If I ate any more of that meat then you probably wouldn’t be able to carry my weight.”

Moon didn’t respond, his focus entirely on what lay ahead. He shifted his stance, spread his wings wide, and with a determined inhale, broke into a run. Sun clung tightly, burying his face into the back of Moon’s neck. He was too nervous to watch. The wind whipped around them, Moon’s powerful strides closing the distance between them and the cliff. Feathers flew loose as Moon’s wings pumped hard.

And then Moon kicked off of the edge. They plummeted, gravity reaching out a merciless hand to pull them down. Sun’s heart lodged in his throat as the river rushed up to meet them. Moon’s wings managed to catch the wind and wrench them up just as the icy spray misted their skin. Sun could feel the strain in Moon’s muscles, the effort in every beat of his wings as they climbed higher, fighting gravity and fatigue with sheer will.

Moon’s breaths came in harsh gasps, his body trembling under the exertion. He managed to clear the river and make it to the shore. Sun watched as Moon looked out over the expansive forest. It was clear to Sun that he intended to fly them back to the road. But Moon’s strength had reached its end. He quickly dropped out of the sky, wings flapping hard to try and control their descent. He wasn’t very successful, and they were both sent tumbling through the dirt and underbrush. The impact knocked the wind from Sun’s lungs, several items spilling loose from the pack.

For a long moment the two of them just lay there, the world spinning. Sun pushed himself up onto his elbows, blinking away the dizziness. Moon lay flat on his back, wings splayed out, chest heaving.

“Are you alright?” Sun asked, voice thick with worry.

Moon lifted a hand, waving him off. “‘M fine.”

Sun watched him, torn between frustration and concern. He knew Moon well enough not to press the issue, not for the time being at least. Instead, he busied himself gathering their scattered gear, relieved to find nothing broken. Eventually Moon staggered to his feet, stretching his limbs with a wince. He glanced at Sun, his expression softened but weary.

“Let’s go. The road is this way.”

Sun fell into step behind his brother as they resumed their trek. It took another hour of navigating the dense forest before they stumbled back onto the road. The bridge was visible in the distance, the overturned cart seemingly undisturbed. Sun glanced at it, then quickly turned away, focusing on the path ahead.

“I hope we find an inn soon,” he muttered, more to himself than to Moon.

His longing for rest grew with every step, and it wasn’t for his sake only. He stared at Moon’s back, at his exhausted slump and drooping wings. The river and bridge were good signs, though, that something must be nearby. Hopefully that something involved food and beds.

 

 

The twins trudged on until they reached a valley where the forest parted to reveal sprawling green hills. And nestled among them was a building. It was a large wooden structure, its walls an aged brown, with a tiled roof glinting under the sun. The painted sign swinging lightly in the wind read ‘Heartseeker Inn.’ Sun's eyes lit up, relief washing over him.

“Moon, look!” He pointed eagerly. “An inn! We can stay there tonight!”

Moon’s eyes narrowed, scanning the building. “It’s not even afternoon yet,” he said, his voice flat. “We can cover more distance before nightfall.”

“Please, Moon,” Sun pleaded, his voice almost a whine.

He cast his brother the kind of wide-eyed look that he knew was hard to resist, the same one that always worked when they were children.

“My feet are killing me…” He continued. “Just one night, please?”

Moon sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Even when Moon’s mood was low and his stubbornness strong, he was still weak to Sun’s beseeching gaze. He took one last look at him, then nodded reluctantly.

“Fine. One night.”

Sun’s face burst into a beaming grin. “Thank you! You’re the best brother ever!”

He grabbed Moon in a squeezing hug before charging forward down the winding path. Moon followed behind, noting the lack of visible travelers. He hoped the place wasn’t abandoned. Sun would sulk for hours.

They made their way to the inn’s entrance, the door opening with a loud creak. Inside, the place was warm and dim, the heavy scent of roasting meat and spiced ale wrapping around them like a welcoming blanket. The interior was spacious, with long wooden tables and benches arranged in neat rows, a stone fireplace crackling at one end of the room. A bar ran along the opposite wall, a middle-aged man leaning his elbows on its surface. He look at them with a smile that seemed a bit too eager.

Sun approached the bar, smile just as bright as he stood on his toes to see over it. “Hello! How much for a room?”

The innkeeper’s grin widened, his teeth flashing. “Ah, travelers! Welcome, welcome!”

His eyes flicked between Sun and Moon, lingering a bit too long on the latter. “It’s five silver for a room, and food’s on the house. A real bargain, considering we’re the only inn for miles around.”

Moon frowned. It was indeed a good price, almost too good, and the innkeeper’s cheerfulness was setting him on edge. But Sun’s excitement was palpable, and the thought of a warm bed instead of the hard ground made Moon bite back his concerns. He knew that he’d been in a rather foul mood all day, and perhaps his perceptions were skewed as a result. So he wordlessly fished out five pieces of silver and handed them over.

The innkeeper pocketed the coin with a quick, practiced motion and waved them toward the tables. “Sit, sit! I’ll have food brought out right away.”

They took a seat at a table near the fire. Sun set his bag down beside him, rotating his shoulders and enjoying the warmth. His fingers played idly with the string around his neck, his little panflute nestled safely beneath his shirt. Moon leaned heavily over the table, his eyes already feeling heavy. He made sure to scan the room, though, spotting a few other patrons sitting at tables and benches, alone and paying them no mind. But something about it felt off. They were just sitting there, staring silently at nothing. No move to order food or drink, no conversation. Moon’s exhausted mind turned slowly as he tried to keep watch, his wariness dulled by the call of sleep.

The food arrived quickly. It was hot stew with chunks of meat and vegetables, steam rising in tempting swirls. Sun dug in with gusto, but Moon hesitated, his instincts prickling. He took a cautious bite, his tongue tingling with a strange aftertaste.

“Sun,” he started, but his brother was already halfway through his stew.

Moon grimaced, trying one more bite before pushing his bowl away. Something was definitely wrong.

Sun’s spoon fell from his hand and clattered across the table. He blinked, swaying as he looked at Moon with glassy eyes.

“I… I feel strange.” he mumbled.

“Damn it,” Moon swore, standing abruptly.

He reached for Sun, trying to pull him up. But Sun’s eyes had already closed, his body going limp. And then Moon’s own head began to swim. The room tilted as he tried to hoist Sun up. They needed to get out, now. Moon wrapped his arms around his twin, dragging him as much as he could across the floor, bag left behind. Forget their things, he just needed to get them both out of here before-

A heavy blow to the back of Moon’s head sent sparks dancing across his vision. He collapsed forward onto Sun, blackness quickly closing in to swallow him whole.

 

 

When Moon woke, his head throbbed with a dull, relentless pain. He blinked, trying to clear his blurry vision as he looked around. He was in a small, dimly lit room. He was lying on a narrow bed, his wrists tied to the bedpost with thin rope. Sun was on the bed beside him, similarly bound, his face pale and sickly. Moon's stomach twisted with a mix of anger and fear.

He yanked at his bindings, pulling himself up so he could use his teeth to tear at them. It tasted like dirt and sweat, but he ignored it, gnawing until the fibers snapped. Once his hands were free, he quickly untied his ankles, then turned to Sun, his fingers working fast to undo the knots.

Sun groaned softly as he woke up, his movements sluggish. “Moon… I feel sick.”

“I know,” Moon said quietly. “We’re getting out of here.”

He hated that he hadn’t listened to his gut. Hated that his tired, grumpy state had made him heedless to the warning signs. Hated seeing Sun like this, so soon after that nightmare-

Moon pushed the thought away and focused. He searched the room, eyes locking onto Sun’s bag in a corner, their weapons slung carelessly over it. He moved quickly, clumsy fingers tying his belt in place. Everything seemed to be here, except his coin pouch of course. He picked up Sun’s knife and crossbow, turning to see him sitting on the edge of the bed, still looking ill.

“Can you handle this?” Moon asked, his voice gentler now.

Sun nodded, though his hands shook slightly as he took the weapons. “Yeah. I think so.”

The door was locked, but Moon’s claws often proved useful for simple locks like this one. He carefully slid a claw in, pressing his head against the door to listen for the telltale clicks of the little tumblers. He carefully nudged them, listening as they were each slid into place. Soon enough, the door was able to be opened. The corner of Moon’s mouth quirked up in a shadow of a smirk. These idiots really had no idea what they were in for now. Moon wasn’t going to be merciful.

He slowly opened the door just enough to peek out, seeing the empty end of a hallway. He opened the door wider, looking out fully. There was no sight or sound of anyone, just a hallway with several doors. Moon ignored the headache still battering the back of his head. He glanced at Sun.

“Stay here.” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’m going to check things out.”

Sun opened his mouth to protest, but Moon was already moving. He crept down the hall, his steps silent. Beyond the door at the very end was a small office, papers scattered across the floor, splatters of dried blood staining the wooden desk. Moon’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. Then he spotted the safe in the corner, half-hidden.

He moved closer to inspect it, finding that it was kept open. Inside were several satchels of coin, and Moon immediately recognized one of them as his own. He snatched it up, and then grabbed the others. He shoved them into his shirt for now, the tight belt keeping them from falling out.

Back in the hall, Moon made his way back toward Sun. But instead of staying put, Moon found Sun in another room. This one was clearly for storage, crates and barrels stacked high. Sun was standing among them, looking like a sleepwalker as he rubbed his eyes and swayed a bit. They couldn’t afford to linger here for long, though, so Moon approached him.

“Come on.” Moon whispered, startling his brother, who jumped and let out a sharp gasp.

“Don’t do that!” Sun hissed, his eyes wide.

Moon gave him a wry smile. “Just listen to me next time and I won’t. Now let’s go.”

Sun grumbled but fell into step behind Moon. They moved together, slipping down the hallway until they found a ladder leading up. Moon hesitated, inspecting the trapdoor above. It could be guarded or trapped. Moon hoped that maybe there was another exit they could use.

“Let’s keep looking,” he muttered.

They reached the end of the hallway and turned a corner. Before them was a large, open space that had been converted into some kind of makeshift temple. The air was thick with the smell of incense, and at the center of the room were three hooded figures, their backs to the twins. One of the figures turned, as if sensing their presence. His eyes gleamed wide in alarm.

“They’ve escaped!” he shouted, his hand darting toward his belt.

Moon didn’t hesitate. He drew his daggers and flew forward, the blades flashing as he stabbed the first figure. His strikes were lethal and precise, quickly snuffing out the man’s life. The other two pulled out their own weapons and lunged toward Moon. Sun drew back a bolt as quickly as he could, firing toward them. The shot went wide, but it was enough to send the second figure stumbling back.

The third continued forward, swinging their sword. Moon dodged and twisted around expertly, parrying the other’s blade with one dagger while his second plunged into the figure’s chest. Blood sprayed, and they crumpled to the ground.

Sun fired a second shot, this one striking the last assailant in the neck. He fell with a grunt, clutching the bolt for but a moment before he too fell limp. The room was suddenly still and silent, the only sound being their labored breathing. Moon glanced at Sun, who still looked too pale for his liking.

“You okay?”

Sun nodded. “Yeah. I’m… yeah.”

They looked around the room, noting the bloodied altar. Moon wondered if they were meant to be sacrifices for whatever rituals these lunatics held. They’d clearly taken over this inn, and he shuddered to think of what became of the original owners. Well, it wasn’t a mystery for him to solve. He just wanted to get out of here.

They moved cautiously back to the ladder, Moon leading the way, his crossbow held at the ready. He pushed open the trapdoor slowly, peering into the room above. Four figures lounged in the main room of the inn, looking exactly as they did when the twins were up there. Moon carefully took aim with his crossbow. He needed to make his first shot count.

He fired, the bolt striking the nearest figure in the throat. Chaos erupted as the others scrambled to their feet. Moon was already moving, leaping up into the room, his daggers flashing as he closed the distance. He was a blur of motion, his strikes precise and deadly. Sun hung back, firing his crossbow, his shots not as accurate but enough to keep the attackers off balance.

Soon enough the final assailant fell with a strangled gasp, and then the inn was silent once more. Moon stood in the center of the room, his chest heaving, his eyes remaining alert. Sun lowered his crossbow, his hands still shaking.

“Let’s get out of here,” Moon said, his voice rough.

They made their way outside, the fresh air cool and sharp after the suffocating warmth from indoors. Sun glanced back at the inn, his shoulders slumping in disappointment.

“I didn’t even get to enjoy the bed,” he muttered.

Moon slung an arm around Sun’s shoulders, helping him remain steady as they walked.

“Well, good news is I’m pretty sure where we are. The city isn’t far from here.” Moon said.

“Really?” Sun looked at him.

Moon nodded. “Yep, so let’s keep going. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can take things easy for a while.”

Sun couldn’t wait. The idea of settling down for a bit, behind safe walls, made him pick up the pace. He bit back the lingering nausea and focused on the long road head of them, the sun dipping low overhead.

 

Notes:

This is definitely expanding beyond simple episodic chapters lol why does my brain always do this XD I can’t just let something be simple. That said! If anyone has ideas or things they’d wanna see, don’t be shy, let me know!

Notes:

please note that updates will be very slow with this one. It is strictly a side project, and I am using dnd campaigns as the backbone for the story, which means me actually playing through said campaigns at least once, and that in itself takes time. But! As always, I am very open to ideas and requests! Not everything that happens must come from a campaign, so if anyone has a request then don't be shy!

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 15 of Blue and Rose Prose