A Star's Element - 11. Adventuring They Go!

Luno

I close my eyes and rest my head against Enfi’s wing.

She is in her giant form right now so thankfully it will not bother her.

We have been traveling for quite awhile now and I just brought back another town of humans.

It was only about a four hour walk but gods my feet are killing me!

Reviving the humans leaves me a little bit tired honestly. I would like it if we could just take a small break and stop somewhere to sleep.

Tobias thinks it would be best if we were to cover as much ground as possible.

I constantly have to remind him that I promised Mother that I would hide from the moon. It will be dark soon!

Tobias just nods his head and continues to point out areas that might be hit next.

He constantly has the magical map in his hands, always keeping an eye on new forming spots and another eye on the first town that we saved.

He is making sure they do not get attacked again.

I doubt they would be attacked so soon but it never hurts just to be sure.

I open one eye slightly and see Tobias is watching me. I quickly close it again.

Maybe if I try to look extra tired, it will convince him to take a small break.

However, I have a feeling he is going to say that we should start moving again.

I really, really don’t want to.

Maybe I can ask if I can ride his back. My feet hurt from all this walking.

Tobias is pretty strong. Maybe not as strong as Kulu and Enfi but I know he would not ever bother with trying to ride them.

I did offer Enfi to him, but he is too scared of her. It would have made all these things so much easier but nope!

We have to walk because Tobias is a chicken.

Why would he ever give up the chance to fly? It is so exhilarating!

I feel so alive when I am flying! If I were to only float two feet off the ground, I would still be happy.

I sadly cannot do that right now. I already learned my lesson with humans and magic. I do not want to risk it again.

I hope they realize that magic is saving them.

I frown. Magic might also be killing them in the first place.

“Here.” Tobias says.

I look up and see he has a wrapped loaf of bread in his hands.

I just stare at it.

“Where did you get that?” I do not make a move for it.

Tobias would not try and poison me, would he?

“I took some food from the homes back in the town we just went through,” He smirks.

I push the bread away with my fingers. “No thank you. I would rather not eat stolen bread.”

“What? They weren’t even alive when it was there! It therefore, isn’t stolen.”

“That is not their fault,” I argue, “besides, what if the bread is infected with whatever had killed them?” I cross my arms and keep walking.

Tobias chokes on a piece of bread that he popped into his mouth. He spits it onto the ground and even wipes at his tongue with his fingers.

He is wearing gloves so I bet that makes the taste even worse.

He deserves it!

He spits out one last time and then glares at me. “Fine,” He throws out a sack full of food and then pulls his pack onto his shoulders.

“We need to get moving. There might be someplace else in need of our help.”

I feel my face heating up in anger and I stop myself. I take a few deep breaths and slowly exhale. I count to ten and then I nod to myself.

Tobias just laughs at me and keeps walking ahead of me.

I will not let him get to me.

Just...why would he be ok with stealing food from the people who had died? It is not right!

I follow close behind Tobias.

He does not really look back anymore. He constantly has his eyes on the map. Every now and then he would glance up in front of him but that is all. He doesn’t look at all the animals running back to their homes.

No doubt they no longer feel the threat from before.

What is doing this? Is it the moon god? I feel like maybe it is, but then why would he want to kill those who worship him?

He seems so greedy and mean. Why Mother is married to him is beyond me.

The fact she wants me to hide from him sure tells me what she thinks of him.

If you have to tell someone to hide from your significant other, then clearly something is wrong there.

Tobias and Raiyo both seemed to despise him as well.

“What is the moon god like?” I ask. Maybe Tobias can give a clearer answer.

Mother obviously didn’t want to talk about it and Raiyo did not go into detail.

“He’s a god who is possibly the most full of himself.” Tobias says without looking back at me, “Morgoren constantly cheats on his wife, he tried to choose a new champion for himself but instead he killed the champion, the champion's family, and half of a city. There is also the fact he slept with Raiyo, then tried to make a clone behind his wife’s back. He has instigated countless wars between the humans. He just loves to mess with things. The list goes on and on. Morgoren needs to be put into his place. I personally think that he should be killed, but that would take a lot of work that I doubt any of the gods are willing to use.”

I frown. “Why would Mother marry him? If he is so bad then why would she let herself be with him?”

Tobias sighs before looking back at me. “I don't know. Maybe there was love there at one point? I highly doubt it though. I know I would hate to be with someone who causes so much trouble. Pretty sure anyone else would look elsewhere.”

I nod. I guess I would too. Well, I know I would. I would not want to be with someone who constantly starts an affair and then proceeds to start a war.

Why would Mother do this to herself?

“Your Mother works in strange ways, Luno. I would not doubt that she is doing something for her own gain. All the gods are stupid like that.”

“Has Raiyo done that? You have spoken so highly of him, I would assume he is always right.”

Tobias just scoffs and turns back to walking. “Of course Raiyo has done that. You think he fucked with Morgoren for no reason? He got something that night with the Moon God. I don't know what, but he gained something from it.”

I think back to what I saw with Raiyo and that giant demon. He looked like he was going to sleep with him. I even thought he was.

Instead, he took his soul and killed him.

Raiyo said he could feel again so I guess he gained something from it. I wonder if Raiyo tried to kill Morgoren. I know he does not like Morgoren. He possibly hates him, so what did he gain from that night?

“I would not think too hard into how the gods work.” Tobias says. “They cause big problems for small things. Just let it go. You’ll get a headache from it. I know I get one when I think about their dumb ways.”

I move to walk right next to him.

“You sure don’t seem to mind speaking against the gods. What if one heard you? What if Raiyo heard you?” I ask.

I am a bit concerned for Tobias. I would not want a god to smite him just because he is careless with his words.

“Relax. Are they not supposed to hear us all the time? Pretty sure they would have done something by now. Plus, I do not speak ill of Raiyo. I actually know of his messengers. I am careful about him. I do not really have anything bad to say about him honestly.” He pauses before shrugging, “Except maybe he is a bit of a perv.”

I laugh but quickly cover my mouth and look around for any possible wisps.

“He really is,” I giggle and we keep walking.

The sky has started to turn a bright orange.

I need to find shelter now.

“I need to hide somewhere, Tobias. It is almost night time,” I say in an almost begging voice.

Tobias just smirks.

“Calm down, I already planned this out. What is that over there?” He points towards a beaten down home. No doubt it is abandoned. It is rather small.

“It has windows, though. I can not touch the moonlight, remember?” I cross my arms.

Tobias keeps walking for the small house and when the front door does not open, he kicks it hard, almost knocking it off its hinges.

Dust flies everywhere. As soon as it has settled down, we walk inside.

There is a fireplace with a single couch in front of it. Everywhere else looks as if it was taken away.

The only bedroom is completely empty. Not a single bed in this house.

I guess sleeping on the couch will have to do.

“Can you do something to cover the windows?” He asks. I guess I can figure something out.

I give a nod and he walks out the house. I run after him.

“Where are you going?” I whisper, almost afraid the moon god would be able to hear me soon.

“To get some wood for a fire. I don’t know about you, but I am freezing.” He snaps his fingers and in a small yellow fire, a silver ax forms.

“Wow! I did not know you could do that.” I gaze at the new ax in awe.

Tobias just smirks before turning to find some wood that is not frozen over.

Now, what to do with those windows. I doubt creating a thick bush would be enough. I could always create giant stone pillars that cover the windows.

It would be more solid which means I could trust it more.

I get to work making four pillars that are rather tall.

The walls of the house groan as the pillars rub against the wood. Nothing breaks so I guess that is fine.

I decide to grow some vines on the stones just to make it less obvious that magic was involved.

There is also the fact that it looks prettier but I doubt Tobias would care for that.

I hear the sound of wood being chopped in the distance.

I guess Tobias will be here soon. I would not doubt that he is hungry. Maybe I can make some berries?

The bush would die fast thanks to the snow but the berries would only really be needed tonight.

I walk outside and randomly spread berry bushes around the house. I immediately start plucking the blueberries and place them on a bowl I found in the kitchen.

Once I think I have enough. I then start thinking too much.

I seriously doubt Tobias would want blueberries. I do not even really like them anymore. Just a bunch of bad memories.

I could try and make food from the snow. I just have terrible practice.

The horse sprites never seemed to complain though.

I grab two handfuls of snow and place them into another bowl.

I guess I could start with bread. That should be easy right?

I hover both my hands over the bowl and just think about bread. Just….bread.

I peek one eye open and see the snow glows for about a second before it is back to normal.

I close my eyes again.

Come on, Luno. Bread. Bread. Bread!

The sound of static fills my ears and then a small explosion erupts in front of me.

The snow flies from the bowl and flies everywhere.

It hits my hands, face, the walls, the table, it even knocked over the other bowl of blueberries. They go flying and roll around all over the kitchen floor.

“Gods dammit!” I groan to myself.

“Whoa!” I jump at Tobias’ voice behind me. “Watch your language!” He grins before dropping a bunch of wood near the fireplace.

I roll my eyes and bite back a smile. I should be sad. I can’t make something as simple as bread.

“I tried to make you food.” I frown and gesture to the empty bowl. The snow has already melted away.

Tobias shakes his head and smiles before looking into the bowl.

“Ah yes. A true feast worthy of a king!” He says.

I swat at his arm and walk outside to get more berries.

Instead, I am roughly pulled backwards and turned away from the door.

I struggle to move away from Tobias but he reaches back and closes the door.

I frown at him and cross my arms. “What was that for?”

“Yes, be angry after I saved your life.” Tobias huffs and moves to set up a fire. “It is almost like the moon is out or something.”

He sets the firewood up in a neat pile.

“Now, if you’d be so kind.” He waves a hand at the firewood and I roll my eyes.

I uncurl my pointer finger and a single flame hovers above my fingertip.

I wave it towards the fireplace and a large stream of fire flows onto the wood.

It disappears from my finger and then a nice fire is burning in the fireplace.

“Thank you.” Tobias nods and then goes to scoop up any of the blueberries on the floor.

I go to help him.

“Thank you.” I say without looking at him. “I did not realize the moon had already come out.”

Tobias lets out a grunt and holds the bowl for me to dump whatever berries I have in my hands.

With a wave of my hand, a small ball of water begins to form. It hovers over the bowl of berries before it drops into the bowl.

I push my hands in and try to wash all the berries before tossing the remaining water into the sink.

“Blueberries?” Tobias asks before eating one. “I can only assume you made them from thin air.”

I smile and nod.

My smile disappears at the dumb memories it brings.

“I tried making bread as well since I am sure a warrior like you would not want to just eat berries.” I pick up a blueberry and roll it between my fingers.

Tobias just shrugs.

“It is better than nothing. I thought that I should possibly hunt an animal, but I have a feeling that would have made you very cross.” He chuckles to himself.

I just glare at him.

“Yes, yes it would.”I cross my arms and walk to the couch that sits by the fireplace.

At least now I don’t have to look at those berries or Tobias’ stupid face.

Heavy footsteps make their way next to me and then Tobias is sitting next to me.

He brought the bowl of blueberries with him.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “If it makes you feel better, I am grateful that you tried to make me bread.”

I give a small smile at the tiny bit of praise. I guess I am a sucker for that. I barely get enough of it.

I’ll take whatever I can get.

We watch the fire in a calm silence. Well, somewhat calm. Tobias keeps fidgeting.

I would be fine with it if his dumb armor was not digging into me everytime he moved his arm.

“What is wrong?” I ask. I glance at him with tired eyes. I probably shouldn’t have started a conversation. I am much too tired to keep one up.

“Nothing. Just feeling a little tired. I’ll be fine.” He leans against the armrest and pats his cheek with his other hand.

I push on his shoulder. “You should get some sleep. We both need it.”

Tobias shakes his head and keeps his gaze on the fire.

“I need to keep watch.” He says with a small yawn.

I yawn back.

I hold a fist up to the front door and with a jerk upwards, a stone wall surges from the ground and the door can’t be opened.

Perfectly safe now. I doubt anything was coming before but if it will calm Tobias, so be it.

I turn back to Tobias. “There. Now, go to sleep.”

Tobias is rather hesitant about it but he eventually decides not to fight back on that.

He strips of his chest armor and gauntlets. He then leans back and lays his head on the back of the couch. His eyes are closed.

Once I am sure he is not going to get up, I quickly summon my cloak to lay it on top of him before throwing my sandals off. I pull my legs up and under me and move to lay my head on my armrest.

Instead I am pulled to Tobias’ chest.

I forget how to breathe all of a sudden.

He is very warm. Perhaps abnormally warm but it feels rather nice.

I glance up and see his bright blue eyes watching me.

We just stare at each other for a moment, the only sound that can be heard is the fire crackling in the fireplace.

There is also the pounding in my chest but I don’t think he can hear that. At least I hope not.

I feel my face beginning to heat up and it is not from the fireplace. Tobias runs the back of his hand up against my cheek and then brushes the tips of his fingers against the flowers over my ear.

I shiver at the touch and close my eyes.

I do not want to look. I feel like I will do something I shouldn’t.

“Luno,” Tobias says. I keep my eyes shut.

“Luno, is this ok?”

His voice doesn’t sound as rough as it usually does. Tobias actually sounds caring, almost like this matters.

Does it matter?

I open my eyes and see Tobias’ eyes are still searching my face. They almost look like they are worried? Surely not.

“Is it ok if I kiss you?” He asks.

I swear I don’t make a stupid squeaking sound. Surely that was some other animal that was walking past the house.

With a small nod, I then lean forward and press my lips to Tobias’.

~~~
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Taisla - The Gatekeeper of the Heavens

“Is he on his way?” I ask the servant.

“Yes, Gatekeeper.” He bows before standing straight again.

I give a nod and walk into my chambers.

I have some things to discuss with my love.

While he is causing his own troubles, I have some that I am more than sure can be added to his plate.

Morgoren will be cleaning up this one mess, once and for all.

I smirk at the thought of Raiyo’s head on a pike.

End of part 1!
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Sorry for the late chapter! I was a bit busy lately with personal crap. I should be good now!
 
This part was technically supposed to end last chapter but I don't know...I kind of felt like writing one more chapter of them. Oops!
Next part of the story will be a bit different. Luno and Tobias won't be present there but it is still apart of the main story