The battle against Phantom Lynx had ended, but Hana—now back in her normal form—felt something was wrong. The city was too silent, as if darkness still lurked. Rina walked beside her, thoughtful. "Shade tested us…" she said. "He wanted to see what we were capable of." Hana nodded. "And I bet the other generals will do the same." Rina stopped and looked up at the sky. The crescent moon shone softly through the clouds. "I feel something is coming… and this time, it won't be so easy." --- Meanwhile, in an abandoned tower on the outskirts of the city, Selene, the Lady of the Dark Moon, was watching a mirror made of shadows. She watched the battle against Phantom Lynx and sighed. "Shade underestimated these girls…" With a graceful movement of her hands, she summoned a sphere of black energy and began to shape it.
"But I will not make that mistake."
The sphere began to take shape, transforming into a grotesque creature. Its appearance resembled a giant puppet made of darkness, with long spectral strings dangling from its hands. Its eyes were hollow, and its mouth was sewn shut with shadowy threads.
"Nightstring Marionette… go test these warriors for me."
The creature bowed to its master before disappearing into thin air.
Selene smiled.
— Let's see how strong the moonlight really is, Lunar Bloom.
---
The next day, Rina was walking through the city streets when she felt a strange chill.
She looked back.
Nothing.
But the feeling persisted.
She quickened her steps, feeling that something was watching her.
Suddenly, a scream echoed through the street.
— AAAAH!
Rina ran towards the sound and saw something terrifying.
People were paralyzed in the middle of the street, like lifeless dolls. Their eyes were empty, and dark strings connected them to a giant monster.
The creature pulled the strings, and the bodies moved like puppets, completely out of control.
— What... what kind of monster is this?!
Rina knew she couldn't waste time. She ran into an alley and raised her necklace.
— Lunar Reflection, shine!
A silver light enveloped her, and in an instant, Lunar Bloom appeared in Rina's place.
She jumped to the top of a building and faced the creature.
— I don't know who or what you are, but I won't allow you to hurt these people!
Nightstring Marionette turned her head alarmingly slowly.
Selene's voice echoed through the air.
— We'll see if your light can withstand the shadows of my creation, Lunar Bloom.
The creature pulled on the strings, and the civilians began to move toward her like puppets.
Lunar Bloom hesitated.
— They... they're being controlled!
She couldn't attack them directly, but she couldn't let the monster continue either.
Nightstring Marionette laughed with her mouth sewn shut.
— Dance for me, little moon...
The human puppets advanced, surrounding Lunar Bloom.
She took a deep breath.
— I need to destroy the strings without hurting people...
Concentrating, she raised her hand.
— Lunar Mirage!
A silvery mist spread across the room, creating illusions to confuse the monster.
But Selene laughed.
— I've seen this trick before.
Nightstring Marionette snapped her fingers, and the strings glowed a dark purple. The illusions disappeared.
— What?!
Lunar Bloom didn't have time to react before the strings enveloped her.
She felt her body grow heavy. Her vision darkened.
And then...
She saw something.
A memory.
It was a girl, alone in a dark room. Moonlight streamed in through the window, but it didn't illuminate her enough.
She felt empty. Lost.
— I... I remember that...
Selene whispered:
— The moon is lonely, Lunar Bloom. You always knew that.
Lunar Bloom gritted her teeth.
— No... I'm not alone!
The memory faded.
Lunar Bloom opened her eyes.
The threads still held her, but now, she knew what to do.
She clenched her hands into fists.
— Moonlight doesn't just shine... it cuts!
The light around her grew, becoming intense.
— Lunar Crescent Slash!
A silver blade appeared in her hand, and with a swift movement, she cut through all the threads holding her.
The civilians fell to the ground, free from the monster's control.
Selene frowned.
— Interesting...
Nightstring Marionette recoiled, letting out a shrill scream.
Lunar Bloom seized her chance.
She leapt into the air and channeled all the energy she had.
"Lunar Eclipse Wave!"
A silver wave of energy surged around her before shooting straight at the monster.
Nightstring Marionette writhed and screamed, before exploding into shadow.
Selene crossed her arms.
"Not bad… but next time, it'll be different."
She disappeared, leaving Lunar Bloom alone.
She took a deep breath, looking up at the sky.