Bright, early morning sunlight made its way through the side window of the small yet cozy room softly tickling Luna's face. It felt as if it was taunting her to wake up from the magnificent rest she was having.

  This had honestly been the best sleep she’d had in years. Her stubbornness kept her up most days and nights working on magical research.

  Luna had clearly become obsessed with figuring out a way to complete her mother’s goals and in the process she had started to use restoration magic as a way to recover some of her energy and remain awake for longer periods of time. But this was clearly not working — it seemed to make her irrational and impulsive. That's why yesterday she’d been so eager to try something new and dangerous.

  She really thought she could handle it.

  Her foggy mind gradually cleared with each passing moment, as consciousness and rationality slowly returned to her.

  Where the hell am I?

  Shakily, Luna sprung out of the comfortable bed, only to be met with a surge of pain coursing through her muscles. Even sleep hadn't alleviated her condition. Bracing herself to prevent from falling, Luna surveyed the layout of the small room. It offered little space, resembling more of a closet with a small bed. Nevertheless, the room appeared clean, and the sparse furniture was strategically arranged to maximize space.

  She also noticed her shoes were missing yet she was still dressed in her washed out, tattered black dress. This meant she hadn't been taken by anyone who intended to harm her while she was in a state of vulnerability. It was well known around Ortega, that in the dead of night, youngsters who dared to walk alone, disappeared.

  As a Mage, Luna knew that outside the magic nullifying barrier in the city, she was safe from harm. Yet, despite this knowledge, in her delirious state the day before, she had ventured out seeking help.

  To her surprise, someone had tended to her wounds with care, bandaging her fingers and feet. In her mind, the only person capable of such kindness was Ezekiel, her best friend.

  With a sigh of relief, Luna weakly yet confidently opened the door and stepped into the cozy living area. It was a well lit space with cozy wooden furniture. To the left there was a small kitchenette where a tall man stood immersed cooking unaware of her presence.

  “Hey, Ezek where the hell...” Luna stopped herself and blinked a couple of times as she got a better look at the man who had turned around at the sound of her voice.

  Tall and young, with rich dark skin, he exuded a presence marked by his broad shoulders and toned physique—evidence of the hard labor he endured daily. He stood there, patiently observing her, his deep chestnut eyes gleaming with curiosity, awaiting her next move.

  Handsome

  The sudden thought prompted Luna to reach her hand to her forehead, confirming her suspicions. Indeed, she felt quite warm — a fever.

  Her body tensed as her cheeks flushed a darker shade of red but her eyes remained vigilant — This was not someone she knew.

  Fidgeting with her clothes, Luna felt uncomfortable and troubled — she felt very unlike herself.

  Say something, you...

  "I thought you were my friend, sorry," she choked out, her voice feeling foreign, hoarse, and cracked. It didn't help the pain she felt from trying to speak. Stupid, that's how she felt, letting herself be in such an uncomfortable situation.

  Despite the strange tension in the air, Luna couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in the stranger's demeanor—a fleeting smile that danced across his lips as he turned back to attend to the cooking. The aroma wafting from the kitchen was tantalizing, a rich blend of herbs and spices that stirred her appetite. It was a stark reminder of her own neglect, of how long it had been since she had enjoyed a proper, home-cooked meal.

  As the scent of freshly made vegetable soup reached her, Luna's stomach rumbled in response, a stark reminder of her neglected appetite. She took a cautious step forward, her eyes fixed on the pot bubbling on the stove, its contents promising comfort and nourishment.

  "It's okay, I understand if you're wary," the man spoke calmly, his movements fluid as he placed a lid on the pot before turning to face Luna once more. "I found you on my doorstep, and you looked like you needed help."

  His words were reassuring, but Luna couldn’t shake the instinctive urge to keep her guard up. She faintly remembered someone holding her when her body had been too weak to move. It was likely she had made her way to this place in a delirious state.

  Still, Luna didn’t know where she was. She had no sense of how far she might be from home. To test her surroundings, she attempted to tap into the small reserve of magic within her. The night’s rest had barely replenished her depleted energy, but it was worth a try.

  We’re still far away from the city.

  If she wanted to, Luna could thank the man in front of her and get out of there. But she was intrigued by the kind stranger who had cared for her with no apparent reason. At the moment, she couldn't feel an ounce of malice from him.

  Distracted by her swirling thoughts, Luna scarcely registered when the man stooped down to retrieve something from the floor. It wasn't until she saw what he held in his hands that her confusion deepened.

  "My boots?" she murmured, incredulous.

  He had cleaned them, she realized, observing the familiar pair of black lace-up boots that had once belonged to her mother. They were sturdy, reaching below her knee and well-suited for traversing various terrains—a necessity for any mage who spent her days scouring the forest for new plant specimens.

  “I didn't think it would be comfortable sleeping with this.” he chuckled and handed them to her.

  She received them and gave him a weak smile. “Thanks. I'm Luna, by the way.” her voice cracked at the end and she cleared her throat to help with the discomfort. Not that it worked.

  His smile grew even bigger as he let out a soft melodious laugh. “Im Theo, sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I'm not used to company.” He was very gentle in his interaction towards her, almost as if he were caring for a small lost kitten. His closeness and attitude made her feel convoluted but she was hungry and he had food that smelled delicious.

  Still it was better if she left. It would be unideal to stay at a stranger's house when she was this weak and unable to defend herself properly.

  Yes, that's it.

  She was going to thank him for everything and go home. Maybe when Ezekiel showed up he could provide her with something to stabilize her magic or she could try meditating.

  Just as Luna had made her mind up to leave, they both heard a door open and a little girl with short honey blond hair came out from the room next to where she’d slept.

  Rubbing her eyes while still half asleep, the child looked up at them. Her face was round with a small button nose, but the thing that caught Luna’s attention were her eyes. They were the same as Theo’s. Though the girl didn't look anything like him, the color of her eyes gave Luna the hint that this was Theo’s daughter.

  As soon as the little girl’s eyes landed on Luna her whole demeanor changed.

  She suddenly looked awake and energized as she ran to Theo’s side. Tugging his shirt with as much force as she could muster, the little girl placed her small chubby hand to her cheek letting him know she wanted to tell him something secret. Theo went down on his knee and listened to his daughter with a smile on his face.

  He really seems to smile a lot.

  Looking at Luna the little girl audibly whispered in his ear.

  “Papa, she’s not going to die now, is she?”

  Theo chuckled despite himself and ruffled the little girl’s blond hair as he stood up.

  “I think not Sofi.” he said as he looked up at Luna.

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  She felt struck by the little girl's words. Death. Just yesterday she’d thought it had finally been her time but it seemed that wasn't the case. Luna went down to her knees just as Theo had when talking to his daughter.

  “I'm all better now, so don't worry.” she said as she looked the little girl straight in the eyes and gave her a weak but genuine smile.

  The girl looked up at her father and smiled, extending her hand towards Luna.

  “My name is Sofia, I'm 8.” she exclaimed happily as she waited for Luna to shake her hand.

  Luna gently grabbed Sofia’s hand and introduced herself with a weak but genuine smile. “I'm Luna. It's very nice to meet you Sofia,” she said, shaking her small rough hand.

  After exchanging introductions, Luna rose to her feet. Between the fever coursing through her veins and the gnawing hunger in her belly, Luna could feel the world spinning around her. She teetered on the edge of losing her balance, but a firm yet gentle hand gripped her arm, steadying her trembling body.

  Theo looked concerned.

  Directing Luna to the cozy sitting area, he sat her down on a two person sofa. At each side there were chairs and in front a low wooden table. Everything in the house seemed to be made from the same auburn wood one that Luna couldn't recognize. It was very unlike her own home, which was made from ashwood that made the atmosphere feel dark and lonely. On the contrary this place felt welcoming and homely.

  Theo interrupted her thoughts as he called out to her from the kitchen area. Luna had barely noticed when he’d made his way there. “You’re still not fully recovered, so it's best if you eat something and get back to bed.”

  Get back to bed? Her. Here. No way.

  Even though she sensed kindness in their actions, Luna hesitated to burden them further with her presence. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and assumed a meditative stance. Delving into the magic pool within her body, Luna focused on calming the erratic energy coursing through. Even as she tried to absorb pure magic from her surroundings, her body was still too unstable and that prevented the magic from staying calm.

  Breathing in and out slowly she opened her eyes and saw Sofia’s extended hands offering her a bowl of soup. She had sensed the little girl approaching.

  The fragrant aroma made Luna’s mouth water as she received the soup and muttered words of thanks under her breath.

  Sofia smiled as she sat next to her to eat. The child had a big grin on her face as she enthusiastically enjoyed that food.

  Reaching into the bowl with the wooden spoon to take the first bite, Luna’s senses were overwhelmed. It was the best food she’d ever had, and it was merely a vegetable soup. When the taste of the warm liquid filled her mouth she could taste all the fresh vegetables and spices used to cook it. There was also the hit of lemon that strangely gave it just the right kick.

  Looking up at Theo, she noticed he was looking back at her. Feeling shy, Luna averted his gaze and went back to her food.

  After a while, Sofia rose from her seat, her empty bowl clutched in her small hands, and approached Luna. With a gentle tilt of her head, she peered into Luna's bowl, silently checking if Luna had finished her soup too. Luna couldn't help but notice Sofia's innocent gesture, which touched her deeply. As Luna finished her soup, she handed her empty bowl and spoon to Sofia, watching with a smile as the child skipped away toward the kitchen.

  The warm and nurturing atmosphere of the stranger's home enveloped Luna, offering a sense of safety and contentment. However, she knew she couldn't linger in this haven forever. Despite the comfort she found there, Luna had to face the challenges waiting for her back at her own cottage.

  For a second she also remembered her plants, they were tethered to her magic and the burnout would have caused them symptoms as well.

  As worry began to fill her mind once more, Luna seized the energy that the nourishing meal had given her. She reached for her boots, which Theo had thoughtfully placed beside her earlier, and began to slip them on while expressing her gratitude to her hosts.

  “I really appreciate all that you've done for me, but I feel better and it would be unacceptable for me to intrude any further.” She stood up and adjusted her clothes walking towards the main door.

  Sofia sprinted in her direction grabbing her dress as she looked up straight into her eyes with a face full of dread. “Will you come back and play with me? I know you couldn't because you were sick, but we are friends now so you have to come back and play.” she blurted out with great desperation.

  Luna felt caught off guard but happy nonetheless. “I will come back and play, I promise” she responded while gently stroking Sofia’s hair which caused the child to smile and let go. She also looked up at Theo who gazed at her with great appreciation. Luna figured his attitude was due to the gentleness she showed for his child.

  Setting aside the peculiar events of the morning, Luna bid Theo and Sofia goodbye with a final wave before opening the door and closing it gently behind her. Taking a deep breath, she set off on the journey back home. Surprisingly, it wasn't far; her cabin stood just at the edge of the forest, it's dark silhouette blending into the trees.

  Walking down the path that led to her home, Luna felt feverish, the aftermath of her recent magical exertion weighing heavily on her. Each step felt like a struggle, but she pressed on, determined to reach home. As she trudged forward, Luna faintly noticed a presence behind her, and a slight pressure on her shoulder. Suddenly, the world around her seemed to shift and blur, and before she knew it, she found herself back home in her messy living area.

  “I've been looking for you.” Ezekiel said with a stern voice as he walked past her to the messy kitchen.

  The cabin was small, only two old chairs and a small table adorned the living area and past that double doors opened to the enchantment room which doubled as a kitchen. It was messy and smelled terrible with the pungent smell of magical experimentation still clinging to the air. Despite everything, she noticed the strange concoction on the pot was gone.

  “I got myself into a bit of a mess but nothing major” she exclaimed, feeling a lecture coming. “But I’m glad you're here since I need your help, my magic’s being, unsteady”

  Ezekiel turned and stared at Luna with that all knowing look he always gave her when she made a mistake. He was on the shorter side, maybe a bit taller then her, but no way as tall as Theo. His hair was full of orange locks that fell just above his shoulders and his eyes shone like bright purple amethysts.

  “Yes. I noticed Luna, and so did anyone able to detect magic within a two kilometer radius from this location!” He shouted.

  It was unlike Ezekiel to get angry. He’d always been stubborn and annoying, but he mostly never screamed at her. His current mood made the situation seem more serious then what Luna had anticipated. Pacing through the living area Ezekiel’s elegant purple robes swayed around him while Luna still stood by the door, still feeling like hell and still remorseful.

  “I'm sorry, okey. I didn't mean for any of this to happen.” she said moving to the side room that contained her bed and personal items. It was like an open concept bedroom. “I just wanted to advance on my mother’s research.”

  Ezekiel paused his pacing for a moment and turned away from Luna, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes of his respect for her privacy. Luna appreciated this small consideration, especially in moments like these. As she changed into clean clothes and removed her boots, Luna couldn't help but sigh heavily, feeling the fever worsening with each passing moment.

  Suddenly Ezekiel’s voice broke the silence. “If you want to advance, you should just come to the Magic Realm.” he said, annoyed, knowing she wouldn't listen.

  It wasn't the first time Ezekiel had extended an invitation for Luna to join him in the Magic Realm. However, her mother's personal journals had repeatedly mentioned conflicts with the Magic Realm, detailing how they would never accept her research.

  At the moment, Luna wasn't in a great mood, so she didn't want to hear his lectures. Preparing to spend the rest of the day in bed, she started unfolding the bed’s blankets. There, nestled amidst the comfort of her sheets, Luna noticed a small plant snugly tucked in, seemingly asleep.

  She hadn't been listening to Ezekiel, but something he said caught her attention once again.

  “I dispersed the magic that was provoked by the enchantment you were trying to make yesterday. But if anyone was around this area in the past twenty-four hours they would have felt it, so you should be more careful.” He hurriedly said as he let out a heavy sight. “I thought you'd been taken by the Decidit.”

  His words heavily weighed on Luna’s mind. The Decidit were the betrayer mages that allied themselves with the humans 700 years ago when the war broke out between them and the magical creatures. It was because of that that the Mages created the Magic Realm, a pocket dimension where magicians lived peacefully outside of the dealings of men. Ezekiel came from the Magic Realm and so had her mother.

  Luna had met Ezekiel a couple of years back when she rummaged through her mother’s magical artifacts and found a teleportation crystal that temporarily took her to the Magic Realm. These crystals were given to each head of a household in the Magic Realm. They were highly precious to each house and known only to those in the highest positions. When used, the crystals would send a signal to the Department of Dimension Magic, which is why many mages had been sent to search for her mother, Lilith—she was the one who had stolen it. Lilith had fled after her own mother, the head of the House of Restoration, had died.

  It was by luck that Ezekiel had found her instead of someone else. Luna had managed to persuade him, giving him the teleportation crystal and telling him about her life in the human realm. He was somewhat of a loner, and Luna suspected that their bond stemmed from his rebellious nature and perhaps a sense of pity for her.

  It also helped that he saw her as somewhat of a disciple since she was self taught and he’d had the best of magical training. The only problem was that she was a Restoration Mage and he was a Dimencion Mage so there was little he could teach her about her own magic, but still he could instruct her in the basics of every magical affinity, information about the Magic Realm, and combat training.

  The Aura were the first magical creatures to walk the land. Capable of feeling the five different natures of magic: Creation, Destruction, Illusion, Dimension and Restoration, they labeled themselves Mages. Even though all Mages could access the five natures of magic, they can only have affinity with one of them, which would always be determined by bloodline. That is why the Magic Realm divided itself into families of magic, one for each nature.

  Reflecting over everything Ezekiel had told her, Luna made a mental note to stay in her lane and not try new things recklessly. Also she was going to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity nearby that could put her at jeopardy.

  “Thanks Ezek.” she said in a lowered voice “You are always helping me out but i'm not ready to leave this Realm”

  Ezekiel didn't feel surprised by her answer, it had always been the same. “Ok, just be careful.” He repeated as he moved to the door. Not that he ever used it.

  "You should take better care of yourself, Lu," he said, concern showing across his features. "I left some food for you, so eat it." He smiled briefly before turning away, then abruptly stopped and added, "And also, don't get too close to the humans. It's common for them to turn us in." His worry was palpable. "A magical burnout like that would have been clearly visible, even to a human." And with that, he vanished.

  Fuck!

  It was quite obvious that Luna was in big trouble as someone had indeed witnessed her magical burnout. And it had been a human nonetheless.

  amazon.