The place Scarlet Summer Moon arrived at, after trailing behind Fawn Prevernal Moon, was an isolated dimensional space… Severed entirely from the rest of the world.
"Oh-ho! Interesting place. Did you create this?"
"I lack such capabilities."
"Tch. How dull."
The space was bathed in violet light, mysterious and surreal.
A floating altar hovered in the air, and three figures were already waiting there.
The first was Purple Winter Moon—a Divine Moon who wielded the Spear of Lightning, capable of piercing through any enemy with absolute precision.
She looked no older than ten, with violet eyes and matching purple hair.
When Scarlet Summer Moon greeted her with an exaggerated wave, she scowled in clear displeasure.
"Do I really have to work with that idiot?"
"W-what...!"
While Scarlet Summer Moon feigned offense, a man with sky-blue hair standing beside her laughed and waved.
"You've arrived, Scarlet Summer Moon."
This was Azure Spring Moon, one of the defensive Divine Moons with the rare ability to heal all living beings.
Among the Twelve Divine Moons, only three possessed such defensive abilities, making him particularly invaluable.
And the last was...
"What a disgrace. It's hard to believe you're counted among the Twelve Divine Moons."
This was Crimson Autumn Moon, master of an orange, blade-like wind sharp enough to slice through anything in its path.
Hearing their cutting remarks, Scarlet Summer Moon shook his head in disbelief.
"The Progenitor Mage must have known what he was doing. Keeping us from gathering in one place… it's probably because of how unbearable our personalities are."
"Idiot. Do you really think the Progenitor Mage imposed restrictions on us just because of our personalities?"
"What?! You little brat!"
Scarlet Summer Moon bristled at Purple Winter Moon's jab and was moments away from retaliating when Fawn Prevernal Moon raised a hand to settle the tension.
"Enough."
"Tch. I'm only putting up with her because of you."
"Oh yeah? And what happens if you stop tolerating me?"
Crackle! Sizzle!
As red flames and purple sparks clashed, a blue water barrier rose between them, preventing their collision.
"We're not here to fight. You all know that better than anyone, don't you?"
Azure Spring Moon, who had created the water barrier, smiled gently.
Feeling a chill crawl down his spine, Scarlet Summer Moon withdrew his flames with a grunt.
'Ugh... Creepy as always.'
In the center of the altar stood a round table with six seats prepared.
Scarlet Summer Moon deliberately chose a seat far from Purple Winter Moon, only to find himself directly across from her. Trapped in an unspoken staring contest, neither was willing to look away.
Meanwhile, Fawn Prevernal Moon scanned the group before turning to Azure Spring Moon.
"Someone's missing."
"Ah, Pale Yellow Autumn Moon left shortly after arriving, saying she had urgent business. She asked me to relay her message."
"Still as reckless as ever. She knows how important this meeting is."
Scarlet Summer Moon leaned forward at those words, curiosity sparking in his crimson eyes.
"You keep saying this is important, so what's the reason for gathering us here? Didn't the Progenitor Mage forbid us from assembling like this?"
"I was just getting to that."
Seated at the table, Fawn Prevernal Moon laced his fingers together and looked around at the four Divine Moons present.
Although their gathering fell short of the intended number, the conviction in his gaze made it clear that he believed they were enough.
"Let me ask you one question."
His gray eyes gleamed with an unnerving pull, and the other Divine Moons couldn't help but focus on him, as though drawn into his presence.
"Have you ever—not even once—questioned the restrictions the Progenitor Mage placed upon us?"
"… What? What are you talking about? Explain it properly."
"It's exactly what it sounds like. The Progenitor Mage created us, yet shackled us with endless restrictions, binding our actions. Why do you think that is?"
"Well... To protect the peace of the world, right?"
Purple Winter Moon shifted in her seat, her voice uncertain.
But Fawn Prevernal Moon shook his head.
"No. That's merely what we were led to believe. The truth is something else entirely."
"What? Then what are we for?"
"Ironically, our existence holds no real value."
At those words, Crimson Autumn Moon's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing in disapproval.
"I disagree. The Progenitor Mage created us to watch over the world."
"And what exactly have you done so far?"
"Our overwhelming power naturally forced the lifeforms of the world into submission and order."
Hearing this, Fawn Prevernal Moon nodded.
"So, in other words, you've done nothing."
"What...?"
As Crimson Autumn Moon's gaze turned cold, Fawn Prevernal Moon quickly clarified.
"I'm not blaming you. The reason you've done nothing isn't your fault—it's because of the Progenitor Mage's orders. But think carefully. Do you truly believe our existence has made any impact on the world's history?"
"Well, of course..."
But Crimson Autumn Moon's voice trailed off.
Because deep down, even he knew the truth.
In the modern era, the Twelve Divine Moons had become little more than forgotten relics, fading from the world's memory.
They were legends, reduced to myths that no longer influenced the world.
"Have you realized it now?"
"Our purpose has nothing to do with protecting or preserving the world's peace."
"Then what is it?"
Scarlet Summer Moon's voice rose with frustration as he demanded an answer.
Fawn Prevernal Moon met his gaze, speaking slowly and deliberately.
"Do you remember the Progenitor Mage?"
"Of course."
"He had... Two titles."
The Mage of Creation.
And...
The Mage of Destruction.
Unlike ordinary mages, the Progenitor Mage wielded powers beyond comprehension.
The power of destruction—to reduce anything to nothingness.
And the power of creation—to bring something into existence from nothing.
It was with these gifts that he ushered in the era of great magic. But such power also carried immense danger.
"The Progenitor Mage feared what might happen once he was gone. If someone were to misuse his power... the world would descend into chaos."
To prevent this, he divided his power into twelve fragments.
Modeled after the stars in the night sky, he distributed his power into twelve pieces, from January to December.
But something unexpected happened.
The fragments gained consciousness—a phenomenon unpredicted by even the Progenitor Mage.
He gave these twelve fragments their own personalities and identities, and scattered them across the world.
"And then he placed restrictions on us—ensuring that we could never fully gather."
To enforce this, severe limitations were imposed.
- The Twelve Divine Moons were to have no interest in the mortal world.
- They were to have no desires.
- They were forbidden from using their powers freely.
By stripping away desires, limiting movements, and binding their abilities, the Progenitor Mage created safeguards.
And then, he left, hoping that the Twelve Divine Moons would never unite again.
"What kind of story is that?"
"Wait... The way you're saying this..."
Purple Winter Moon's lips trembled, her voice fragile as though afraid of the truth she was about to face.
"Are you saying that our immortality and power... are nothing more than the Progenitor Mage's safety locks?"
"Unfortunately... That's exactly the truth."
"No way..."
Purple Winter Moon slumped into her chair, her face filled with disbelief.
Scarlet Summer Moon's fists trembled as he slammed the table, his anger boiling over.
"Damn it! I can't accept that!"
"You don't have to accept it. But think about the countless restrictions you've endured until now."
"Ugh..."
The questions that had plagued them for centuries resurfaced, each one striking like a hammer.
Why had they been forbidden from gathering?
Why had they been tasked with watching over the world yet stripped of the freedom to act as they pleased?
Why had they been commanded to protect the world but denied the ability to wield their powers without restraint?
One by one, all these doubts began to connect, adding credibility to Fawn Prevernal Moon's claims.
"Don't worry. That doesn't mean we're useless."
"... What do you mean?"
"The Progenitor Mage knew we possessed free will," Fawn Prevernal Moon explained. "And in some ways, he took comfort in that. If, in the distant future, a great calamity were to threaten this world, he trusted that we would act of our own accord… using his power to stop it."
"I see!"
"But isn't this not exactly a time of crisis?"
"No."
Fawn Prevernal Moon shook his head, his expression grave.
"You are simply ignorant of the truth. This world could face destruction within five years—perhaps even three."
"W-what?!"
At his shocking words, the expressions of the Twelve Divine Moons hardened.
It sounded unbelievable, but considering the speaker was Fawn Prevernal Moon, none of them dared to dismiss it as a lie.
"Hold on, Fawn Prevernal Moon. The world is ending...?"
"For what reason? Why is it ending?"
Fawn Prevernal Moon paused in silence for a moment before finally speaking.
"I don't know."
It was a disappointing answer, but there was a glimmer of hope. They weren't completely out of options.
"That's why I've gathered you here. Whatever the cause of the world's destruction, we can prevent it using the Progenitor Mage's power. He would want us to act of our own will to protect this world."
The Twelve Divine Moons fell into silence, each processing the gravity of the situation.
Fawn Prevernal Moon didn't push them for an answer. He waited, certain that their decision had already been made the moment they set foot in this place.
Finally, the first to speak was Purple Winter Moon.
Though she looked like a young girl, her voice carried a hint of nervousness.
"What... Do we need to do?"
"You're not going to tell us to join hands and pray, are you?"
Scarlet Summer Moon scoffed, his sarcasm lingering in the air.
Fawn Prevernal Moon responded calmly.
"It's simple. You will divide your powers and transfer them into a vessel in the form of blessings."
And...
"The vessel, having received all of our powers, will become the medium to activate the Progenitor Mage's power."
The Twelve Divine Moons were stunned by Fawn Prevernal Moon's words.
"A vessel?"
"Where is this vessel?"
"You're not seriously planning to use a human, are you? Humans can't withstand more than two blessings from us."
"No. But there's one who can."
Scarlet Summer Moon leaned back, shaking his head at Purple Winter Moon's doubt.
"Baek Yu-Seol... There's a very unique human out there."
"I've never heard of him. What is he?"
"He's not what—he's who. He's a human."
Crimson Autumn Moon clicked his tongue and corrected Purple Winter Moon.
"He's quite famous in human society for bearing five blessings from the Twelve Divine Moons."
"What?! A human has received five blessings from us? That's impossible!"
"It's not impossible. Don't forget, the Progenitor Mage who created us was originally human too."
"You're saying this boy could rival the Progenitor Mage?"
"So we're using him as the vessel, aren't we?!"
Purple Winter Moon's innocent eyes sparkled as though she had already figured it out, but Fawn Prevernal Moon shook his head.
"No. Baek Yu-Seol can't be the vessel. He doesn't share my vision."
"A vessel with its own will? He's just a human!"
"Purple Winter Moon, didn't you just suggest he might have a vessel comparable to the Progenitor Mage?"
"Ah... Oh...?"
She finally began to understand.
Baek Yu-Seol was indeed a perfect vessel for containing the power of the Twelve Divine Moons—but too perfect.
But his unyielding will made him unsuitable for their purpose.
"So what's your plan?"
"There's another candidate for the vessel."
"What? Is that even possible...?"
The idea that there could be two vessels in the same generation, both capable of holding the power of the Twelve Divine Moons, was hard to believe.
But Fawn Prevernal Moon nodded calmly, as if it were a simple fact.
"She is a girl born from the whispers of the stars, possessing a pure soul unlike any other. You could say she was born with the most extraordinary fate in this world."
"So... We're going to imbue our powers into that girl?"
"That's right."
"And where... Is this vessel?"
Fawn Prevernal Moon smiled.
It was a remarkable coincidence.
The second vessel, destined for a purpose that directly opposed Baek Yu-Seol's, had been nearby all along.
As Fawn Prevernal Moon thought about the contrasting fates of the boy and girl—two souls who shared deep bonds and secrets, yet were destined to clash—a smile unconsciously formed on his lips.
Seeing this, the Twelve Divine Moons froze.
It was the first time in a thousand years that they had seen him smile.
"Stella Academy."
With those words, Fawn Prevernal Moon rose from his seat.
"That will be our final destination. Keep that in mind—and disperse for now."
With that, he vanished into a swirl of gray light, leaving the remaining Divine Moons behind.
They stared at the empty space where he had stood, their expressions blank.
After being dormant for centuries, should they feel relief at being active again—or dread?
Unable to decide, the Twelve Divine Moons silently dissolved into the shadows, retreating to their isolated domains once more.