Act 2
"Tch, today was a stressful one," Emrys muttered as he walked through the boarding gate, his backpack slung over his shoulder. "I hate stressful days. They make me sleep too early."
"I'm not even in the mood to play technique names or catch the thieves with the others. Argh, this sucks."
As Emrys approached his hostel building, his eyes caught a glimpse of a Regeni billboard with the news headline:
"Terror spreads as food scarcity strikes western and southern parts of the Four Rose Petals boarding world."
"Hmph." Emrys bent his head, pinching his chin. He didn't understand what it meant and didn't care that much.
"Ah, that's right. What did she say her name was again? Ehh… Mooner or something like that. I should check up on her. It could kill time or, better still, ease my boredom."
Emrys walked towards his hostel in anticipation.
As he neared his hostel, he heard the resonating sound of two metals clashing, just like the other day. He entered the hostel gate and went to the backside.
There she was, sitting on a broad log of wood with the same straw hat on, facing a garden of ornamental flowers.
Standing some distance behind her, Emrys watched as she slowly raised a medium-sized katana with a wooden hilt towards the sun. The light glinted off the sharp edge of the blade.
Emrys was mesmerized. Not only did he love the scene, but he was also captivated by the shape of the blade. It was the first time he had seen a katana.
He ran and slid in front of her. "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
"It's you again!" Sweat rolled down Luna's face.
"Remember I promised to return. Sorry, I forgot your name. Is it Mu… Nu—" Emrys squeezed his eyes shut and held his hair.
"It's Luna," she giggled.
"Yes, that's it. What's with that blade? It looks like nothing I've seen. How did you make it curvy?" Emrys pinched his chin as he knelt on one knee in front of her.
Luna was stunned. She didn't think anyone would be interested in her craft. She looked at Emrys with her mouth slightly open for a few seconds before laughing, holding her stomach.
"What is it, a type of machete? What's it used for?" Emrys asked, looking at the curved blade.
Seeing Emrys' genuine interest, Luna realized he was truly sincere. She looked down and smiled, her face slightly red.
"Your hands, is it from beating the iron? You push yourself this much?" Emrys held her palms, rubbing them gently.
She gasped and retracted her palms immediately, feeling awkward and ticklish.
"Oh, sorry," Emrys said.
"This blade… is a weapon," Luna said, holding it by its wooden hilt, her face becoming sober.
"A weapon?" Emrys repeated.
She continued, "This blade is called a katana. Where I come from, the people who used these blades were called Samurai. They were warriors skilled with the blade and adhered to a strict code of honor called Bushido. This curved blade and sharp edge made it a formidable weapon, while its symbolic significance went beyond its practical use. The forging process is considered an art, and the sword was a symbol of the samurai's status and commitment to discipline and honor."
"I love the art of forging katanas, but I loathe the darkness that follows the concept of these blades. That's why I make katanas for domestic use only, to beautify this world with their gardening work and exquisite design." She sheathed the katana and raised it high, inspecting it.
"But this one in your hold, it's newly made, isn't it? Just like a baby, it hasn't caused any pain." Saying this, Emrys adjusted his posture to that of a sitting one.
"You're right." Luna picked up the cloth next to her and gently wiped the sword.
After a few seconds, Emrys shifted his gaze to Luna's face, who was looking down. He found her facial features unique, having never seen anyone like her before.
"Why are your hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows so white? And why does your hair somehow glow?" He asked.
"It was passed down from both my parents. My hair reflects sunlight, hence its luster." She talked calmly.
Emrys continued to look at her, waiting for her to make eye contact. Her eyes fascinated him, and he wanted to see them again.
"Please, look at me," Emrys said, eager to make eye contact with such a rare eyes.
She slowly made eye contact with Emrys, who tucked his face in his arms after a few seconds, his eyes becoming watery.
Rubbing his eyes, he laughed mockingly, "I can't even last three seconds."
"Sorry," Luna giggled, covering her mouth.
Looking at the katana in her hand, Emrys asked, "May I hold it?"
"Alright, but don't run off with it though," Luna said, handing it over.
Emrys took it, his hands trembling with excitement. He held it awkwardly with one arm.
"You're holding it the wrong way. Use both hands. Your posture is bad too. Let me help you." She got up and helped Emrys position his body correctly.
"Woah! Is this how a samurai stood during battle?" Emrys asked, his eyes and mouth the only things moving. He was as stiff as a mannequin.
"There are other stances, but this is the basic one. It's understandable why you're this stiff; you aren't used to it. But with time," Luna said.
Sweat rolled down Emrys' face. "You've got to be kidding me. How did they fight like this?!"
"They swung their blades with great timing and precision. It took patience and total concentration. A wrong move could lead to one's demise.
"Now imagine you're about to fight someone wielding a katana or any other blade-type weapon. How would you cut them down? Show me." Luna returned to her seat.
"Am I allowed to move from this position?" he asked.
"Of course," she replied.
As soon as Emrys heard this, he imagined an opponent with a katana. He threw himself forward and swung the katana heavily and continuously in all directions until he lost his footing and fell, hitting his head on a log of wood.
"Nodachi?" Luna soliloquizes while observing Emrys' swings.
The Nodachi is a large katana excelling in heavy attacks and overhead strikes. It was mostly used by samurai with a bulky stature.
Emrys quickly got up, breathing heavily. "H-How was that?"
"It was good. You did great," she cleared her throat while looking away and covering her mouth.
"I know you aren't being honest. It's written all over your face." Emrys touched the part of his head where he had fallen, his eyes closed.
"Pfft." She couldn't hold her laughter for long.
Seeing this, Emrys slowly walked out of the garden. "Laugh all you want, I don't know how I was supposed to get it on my first try."
"Wait! My katana, you haven't returned it!" Luna exclaimed, stretching her hand toward Emrys.
Emrys grinned and looked back at her. "Hehe, come get it if you can." He took off running.
"Why you?! Give it back! Someone else might see it! OK, I'm sorry I wasn't honest. Please!" Luna ran after him, but her kimono made her slow.
Emrys changed direction and started running outside the hostel. He looked back and saw she was still on his trail.
"Sheesh, you're way more agile than you look. Let's go further, shall we?" He ran toward the outskirts of the boarding world, past the seaside, and further into the small woods.
When he looked back and saw she was no longer following, he stopped and walked back.
After calling her name loudly and searching the small woods, he found her big straw hat on the fallen tree leaves and picked it up. He walked back to the seaside, where he saw her sitting on the shore, coiled up.
The ocean wind blew their hair back as the waters clashed violently while the sun began to set.
After a brief silence, Luna raised her head. "The sun brings everything to light, but there will always be shadows."
Emrys raised his head, looking at her, but had no idea what she was talking about.
She turned to him. "Say, what do you see when you look into my eyes?"
"Brightness of course, your eyes are freaking white." He picked up a handful of sand and allowed it to flow slowly through his palm.
"It's useless," she said with slight annoyance in her voice as her eyes became watery with tears.