The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the kingdom of Eden. The bustling city below was alive with activity, but within the walls of the royal castle, a different kind of energy hummed—one of quiet determination and unspoken struggles.
Luna, the moon elf witch and headmaster of Eden's Mage Academy, ma de her way through the labyrinthine halls of the castle. Her silver hair shimmered faintly in the dim light, and her steps were quick but measured. She was have her own task, one that had taken an unexpected turn earlier in the day.
Her destination was Truth's laboratory, a place of endless experimentation and occasional chaos. As she approached the heavy wooden door, she raised her hand to knock, but before her knuckles could make contact, a deafening boom echoed from within. The door rattled on its hinges, and a thick plume of black smoke seeped through the cracks.
Luna's eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, she pushed the door open, coughing as the acrid smoke assaulted her senses. The lab was a disaster—papers scattered, glass shards littering the floor, and the air thick with the scent of burnt magic.
"Truth!" Luna called out, her voice muffled by the smoke. She waved her hand, summoning a gentle breeze to clear the air as she ventured deeper into the room.
There, amidst the wreckage, sat Truth, the iron dragon girl mad scientist with silver short hair. She usually pristine lab coat was singed, and her face was smudged with soot. She looked up at Luna with a sheepish grin, though her diamond eyes betrayed her disappointment.
"Luna... hey," Truth said, her voice hoarse. "I, uh... might have miscalculated a few things."
Luna knelt beside her, her concern evident. "Are you okay? That explosion sounded massive!"
Truth waved a hand dismissively, though she winced as she moved. "I'm fine, just a little... crispy. But the artifact... it's gone. Total failure."
Luna followed her gaze to the workbench, where the remnants of their project lay in ruins. The magic artifact they had been working on—a device designed to light up the city of Eden at night—was now little more than a charred husk.
"I'm sorry, Luna," Truth said, her voice heavy with guilt. "I ruined our plans. This was supposed to be our big breakthrough, and I... I messed it up."
Luna placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault, Truth. Experiments fail all the time. That's just how progress works. We'll figure it out."
Luna sighed, running a hand through her disheveled hair. "I just... I wanted this to work. For the kingdom, for everyone. And now we're back to square one."
Truth stood, offering her a hand. "We'll start over. Together. But maybe... we should consider asking Lito for help. He knows more about artifacts and energy sources than anyone. He might have some ideas."
Luna hesitated, her expression conflicted. "I don't know, Truth. Lito's already swamped with work. I don't want to burden him even more."
Truth nodded, understanding her concern. "I know. But we can't keep hitting walls like this. Lito would want to help. He always does."
After a moment of contemplation, Luna relented. "Alright. Let's ask him. But if he says no, we drop it, okay?"
"Deal," Truth said with a small smile.
---
Later that afternoon, Luna found herself standing outside Lito's office. The door was slightly ajar, and she peeked inside, her heart aching at the sight before her. Lito sat at his desk, surrounded by towering stacks of reports. His shoulders were slumped, and his face bore the weight of exhaustion.
"Huh, there are always problems in the kingdom," Lito muttered to himself, flipping through a particularly thick document. "It's been ten years since we founded Eden, and yet... racism, conflicts, egos... it never ends."
Luna's breath caught in her throat. She had known about the kingdom's struggles, but hearing Lito voice them so plainly made her chest tighten. She watched as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant.
"Even the Guardians... we're not perfect," Lito continued, his voice tinged with regret. "We all have our flaws, our egos. And me... I'm just a human trying to keep up with legends."
Luna's heart ached for him. She wanted to rush in, to tell him how much he meant to her and the others, but she held back, unsure if her presence would be welcome.
"But... I haven't forgotten," Lito said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "The seven of us, back in the orphanage... those crazy days. They keep me going. Even if I failed to protect them back then, I'll keep trying now. For them."
Luna's eyes welled with tears. She had always known Lito carried a heavy burden, but hearing him speak so openly about his insecurities was both heartbreaking and inspiring. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and knocked softly on the door.
"Enter. The door's not locked," Lito called out, his voice weary but welcoming.
Luna stepped inside, her presence immediately drawing Lito's attention. "You look exhausted," she said, her voice gentle.
Lito chuckled dryly. "Well, these reports are really piling up."
Luna hummed in agreement, her eyes scanning the chaotic desk. "You should take a break," she suggested, sitting on the edge of the desk. "You can't pour from an empty cup, Lito."
Lito sighed, leaning back in his chair. "You're right, Luna. I should."
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. Then Luna reached out, taking Lito's hand in hers. "Lito, whatever problems you're facing, you're not alone. You have me. You have all of us. Talk to us, okay?"
Lito's eyes softened, and for the first time that day, he seemed to relax. "Thank you, Luna. That means a lot."
Luna smiled, but her expression soon turned serious. "Actually, I came here because I need your help. Truth and I... we hit a snag with the artifact project what we talked about this morning right? We thought you might have some ideas."
Lito's brow furrowed in concern. "What happened?"
Luna explained the explosion in Truth's lab, the failed artifact, and their need for a new approach. Lito listened intently, his mind already racing with possibilities.
"Alright," he said finally, standing up and ruffling Luna's hair affectionately. "Anything for my friends. Let's see what we can do."
Luna's cheeks flushed, but she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "Thank you, Lito. You always know how to help us when we're in trouble."
As they left the office together, Luna felt a renewed sense of hope. No matter how heavy the burdens they carried, they would face them together—just as they always had.
To Be Continued...