Moonlit lay on the forest floor, his body broken and bleeding. Aliana's words echoed in his mind: "Leave him to the mercy of the forest creatures."
Hours passed, or maybe days – Moonlit lost track of time. He drifted in and out of consciousness, his vision blurry.
Suddenly, he felt tiny creatures crawling on his skin – venomous forest insects feeding on his blood. Moonlit tried to swat them away, but his arms felt heavy as stone.
Just when he thought all hope was lost, a gentle touch surprised him. Someone – or something – was brushing away the insects and cleaning his wounds.
Moonlit forced open his eyes to see Aliana kneeling beside him, her emerald gaze locked onto his. She was treating his injuries with a strange, glowing liquid.
"Why...are you helping me?" Moonlit whispered, his voice barely audible.
Aliana's expression softened slightly. "You amuse me. Most creatures in this forest fear death. You...invite it."
Moonlit coughed weakly and said, "Yeah, my dating life is basically that – a death wish."
Aliana raised an eyebrow. "You joke...while dying. I think I'll keep you alive – solely for entertainment purposes."
Soon the sun was setting, and Moonlit was still flabbergasted by the alive-and-kicking presence of someone he considered an enemy – yet she was helping him.
"Why is she helping me?" he questioned himself for the hundredth time.
When night finally came, Aliana set up a fire to warm their bodies. Moonlit's face was still pale, but his curiosity was stronger than his pain.
"Why are you doing all of this?" Moonlit asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aliana smirked while rummaging through her bag and grabbed an ancient book that seemed million years old.
"What's that for?" Moonlit asked – again.
Aliana raised an eyebrow. "For a guy, you ask too many questions."
Moonlit held up his hands defensively. "Hey, someone's trying to kill me everywhere I go – I have questions!"
Aliana chuckled softly before opening the book.
"My grandfather told me this story when I was a kid," she began. "It's about an ancient prophecy..."
Moonlit's eyes widened slightly. "I already know this prophecy..."
Aliana cut him off with a sly smile. "You never seem to shut up. Let me finish."
Moonlit mimed zipping his lips, making Aliana laugh – a rare, musical sound.
She continued, "The prophecy speaks of balance in the universe, maintained by multiple realms, each governed by five gods representing fundamental aspects of existence.
"In our realm, Dualixa, these gods are:
1. **The Knight of Darkness** - embodiment of infinity and endlessness, ruling over shadows.
2. **Aruna, Goddess of Light** - symbolizing the peculiar nature and energy forms of the universe.
3. **Kyravita, Goddess of Life** - representing complexity, self-organization, evolution, and growth.
4. **Aevrox, God of Time** - governing sequence and causality.
5. **Nebulon, God of Space** - embodying mystery and the unknown.
"These gods maintain harmony across realms... but a darkness threatens this balance – **Interhater's** influence spreads evil across the cosmos."
Moonlit's eyes locked onto Aliana's, his mind racing with questions – but he wisely kept silent this time.
Moonlit said with a straight face, "Aren't all demons evil? You should be glad someone like Interhater is taking over..."
Aliana's expression changed to utter astonishment, as if watching a baby take its first wobbly steps.
"Are. You. Brain. Dead?!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Not all demons are evil, Moonlit! We're just like you humans... but different," Aliana explained slowly, as if teaching a child.
"Didn't you learn this in your world, human? Demons have families, friends, and feelings too – we're not all bloodthirsty monsters!"
Moonlit looked sheepish, realizing his massive stereotype fail.
Aliana's eyes sparkled with amusement, but her tone remained playful teasing.
"I'm starting to think your survival skills are outweighed by your lack of common sense."
Moonlit chuckled nervously, still puzzled by Aliana's kindness towards him.
"Why are you helping me, anyway? You're not exactly making demon-kind look evil by saving my life..."
Aliana's smile faltered for a split second, and she glanced away, her secret momentarily almost exposed.
But she recovered quickly, saying, "Let's just say I'm investing in your... entertainment value, Moonlit."
Moonlit's curiosity was piqued, and he asked, "Entertainment value? You're really selling this explanation poorly, Aliana."
Aliana playfully rolled her eyes. "Drop it, Moonlit.
But since you're so curious, tell me... what do you know about demons having families?"
Moonlit thought for a moment before responding, "Actually, nothing. I just assumed demons spawned from darkness or something."
Aliana burst out laughing – a rich, musical sound that startled Moonlit.
"Oh my darkness, you really are clueless! Demons have parents, siblings, children... just like your kind. My father was a powerful demon lord, and my mother was a skilled warrior demon."
Moonlit's eyes widened. "You're a demon princess?!"
Aliana nodded, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "Yes. And my grandfather – the one who told me the prophecy – was a wise and just demon king."
Moonlit's mind reeled with this new information.
"So, why are you helping me, Demon Princess Aliana? Do you oppose Interhater's darkness?"
Aliana's expression turned serious, her eyes glinting with a hidden intention.
"Let's just say... my family's legacy depends on stopping Interhater. And somehow, Moonlit... you're connected to that fate."