The Star, The Demon, and The God - 19. Before the Battle

Luno

After the Gods and Humans are distracted with talking about how to kill or stop Raiyo, I grab Tobias’ arm and pull him out of the scary room and into the hallway.

A few guards look our way but one look from Tobias and they scramble somewhere else.

As soon as they turn a corner, I reach up and smack Tobias hard on the chest.

“You told me,” I almost cry out. “You promised me! You said we would never go to war in that FUCKING ROOM!”

His eyes widen and he actually looks like a kicked puppy. Just seeing it makes me feel immensely guilty.

No! I will not let his sad eyes get to me!

“Yo-you just cursed,” He gives a small gasp. “You never do that shit!”

Oh Gods.

I am so close to giving in!

No I will not be sorry for cursing. Oh Gods...if Mother heard me and that language.

Sorry Mother! I’ll never do it again! I promise!

Tobias starts laughing. “I never thought I would see the day where Luno would start becoming a badass.”

I frown. “Cursing does not make you a badass. You just look rude!”

It is then that I realize that I am getting distracted. I am supposed to be angry! Not scolding Tobias for saying that saying swear words is bad.

“Stop distracting me,” I glare. “You promised me! You said that room would not bring us into a war! You told me!”

I bring my fist up to hit his chest again but he catches it. I try to use the other hand but I end up getting caught again.

Dang it.

“First of all,” He says with a stupid, handsome smile on his face. “I never promised anything. I simply made an assumption that nothing would ever happen. How was I supposed to know that something like this was going to happen to us?”

“But..,” I frown and feel my hands beginning to shake, “I don’t want to go to war. There would be so much death and pain! Why would I want to do that? Why do I have to be there?”

As I’m talking, my voice starts to get shakier and shakier and my eyes get more and more teary.

Tobias sighs and grabs my hands to keep them from shaking. “Calm down. You do not need to go if you don’t want to; but you know that you would be incredibly helpful to everyone if you were to join us.”

“Us?” I exclaim. “You’re going too? Why can’t you just come home with me? Please don’t go! You could get hurt!””

He rolls his eyes. “That comes with war, Luno. Things happen. It will be fine! Who knows, maybe I will end up walking into the Sanctuary a few days after Raiyo is gone.”

I push his hands away.

“Don’t be stupid,” I say. “Everyone here seems to forget that Raiyo cannot die! I recently learned about him but why is it that I am the only one who seems to remember that? Why do you all think you all could win? You could get hurt! All of you could get hurt! What if you get more than hurt? Oh my gods! Tobi what if you die? I can’t have you die! You’re my best friend! No you’re more than that! I can’t lose you! Please don’t leave me!”

Tobias stops me by kissing my cheek.

I freeze and stare off at nothing before looking up at him in confusion.

“Your flowers were starting to wilt,” He says a bit bashful. It is incredibly weird to see such an expression on his face.

“Relax Luno. I will be alright. I got you to protect remember? I won’t let an unkillable god try and stop me.”

I feel myself starting to blush and I try and look away from his handsome face.

“Don’t be worried about me,” He says.

“But I am worried about you,” I groan. “I don’t want you to get hurt! Just...come to the Sanctuary with me. We will be safe there!”

He shakes his head. “I can’t do that Luno. I know I swore to the Gatekeeper to protect you and to do that, I have to do this. If Raiyo continues to win, there probably won’t be a Sanctuary to keep safe.”

I frown at his words.

What do I do to save him? I can’t just leave him! I also don’t want to go to a war zone. It will be awful there! Why does he have to be so difficult! We could just leave and revive all the other villages and cities in Thymestrys! Why does he have to go to a war that seems to one sided?

Closing my eyes, I try and think of anything and everything that could possibly make Tobias leave with me.

Gods I sound like those desperate people in the romance novels that Mother brought me.

Still a bunch of fun reads though!

With a small sigh, I look up at Tobias’ pretty blue eyes.

Why do I have to like him enough to do this? It isn’t fair! Not one bit.

“I’ll...I’ll go with you,” I say, feeling myself deflate when I say it.

He smirks. “Can’t stay away from me now? I guess I wasn’t mean enough to you.”

I roll my eyes but smile.

“Perhaps you are right. I tend to care for the more troubled animals the most.”

He fakes a look as if I offended him.

I laugh and push him gently.

“Well,” He says with a cocky grin. “If you’re going to war with me, I need to train you up a bit. I can’t have you being defenseless as soon as someone gets close to you.”

“Train me?” I frown. “Train me how? I don’t want to kill anyone!”

He sighs and gives me a deadpanned look.

“Luno, I get your little promise to never bring any harm, but trust me, now is the time where if you keep that promise, you will most likely die. That is the last thing we want to happen to you.”

I pout and shake my head. “I can’t do it. I can't kill anyone!”

Another sigh from him.

“Fine, you don’t have to kill him. Maybe we could try and knock people out! You won’t kill anyone then. Picture it as...forcing them to go to sleep! That would not be so bad, right? Nobody dies, they just take a short nap throughout the battle.”

“I guess that does not sound so bad,” I say. “Okay. Teach me how to do that!”

He chuckles and nods. “Alright, I will. First we need to listen to their plans of attack.”

Oh great...I absolutely love hearing about how we are supposed to kill people!

Wait...are we? Does Raiyo have an army? Well obviously he has the Demons, but would he actually use them? If he would, wouldn’t Tobias has heard something by now? Surely he would have gotten a message or something.

We both rush into the room to hear what the Bancrofts and Gods have planned.

It is a bit shocking to find even more Gods have appeared in the room.

What was once three gods have now increased to nine. It almost looks a bit crowded in here. I would blame the fact that they are all so tall. Most look to be about eight feet tall.

I am slightly jealous seeing that.

As soon as we enter the room, all conversations come to a halt and all their eyes turn to me. Some even feel as if it is a threat.

Something tells me that Tobias felt the same thing because he steps in front of me and keeps a hand on the hilt of his gun.

“So,” A Goddess with a crown of snowflakes says. “It is true. Morgoren tried to create a clone from a Star.”

“Poor thing,” A Goddess with warpaint and a bow on her back says. “A real shame that something like that could happen to someone so pure.”

I frown and turn away from their stares. I do not like it. It makes me feel like they caught me naked or something.

“I see Morgoren is not here,” Tobias says. “May I ask why? Surely he would take the chance to get Raiyo.”

Altiba nods. “You would be correct. However, the sun is still out and therefore he cannot join us. It was his punishment for what he did to the humans a thousand years ago. I trust you remember?”

Tobias nods.

I am guessing that is about Yinx and everyone else involved in that whole situation? It was one of the steps that brought down the great city of Avelin after all. It left quite an impact on history. So much so that they made a book about the fall of the city.

They called it The Tragedy of Yinx but I never really understood that. Sure, it was written by a Serendian author, but it does not really speak about Yinx. Maybe for a few chapters it does; only sharing about how the two Gods were terrorizing him.

He had been tortured by them and turned into a Demon. The King’s advisor had brought the Demon in and that was their mistake. It broke free of the Gods’ magic and proceeded to kill. everyone and destroy some of the city.

Everyone knew it was the Gods who had a part in that and a lot of followers decided to no longer pray to Morgoren.

It is a sad story, I just wish it was told more about Yinx. I was always curious as to what he went through. He is only spoken as some sort of small thing in the book. Never anything else.

Was he alone? Did he have any friends to look to? A lover perhaps? Family? Nothing at all?

We will never know sadly. We can only trust the words in the book which was written by someone who wasn't even there!

“Lunarico?” A voice calls.

I blink from my thoughts.

Right. Now is not the time to overthink on books; though, I wonder if Tobi would like to do that with me. Does he like to read like me?

No, no. Not the time, Luno.

“His name is Luno,” Tobias says. “That is the name he wishes to go by.”

The Snow Goddess, the one who called my name, gives a curt nod and motions for me to step forth.

Tobias steps in front of me when I make a move. I place my hand on his arm to tell him that it will be okay.

It feels notably colder near the Goddess.

She is pretty. If not a bit...cold. She looks the type that I would describe as those ladies in the books who get stuff done and done perfectly.

Her hair is a pale blonde, her skin a shimmering white, as if her skin is encased in a sheet of ice. She wears full set of armor. None of the other goddess’ wear armor like her. She almost looks a bit scary, but her armor is beautiful.

It looks like it is made of a shiny, dark blue metal. It has the prettiest design, surely it is not handcrafted. Magic must have been used to forge it. The snowflakes look much too perfect for someone to etch onto the armor.

“You, Luno, might be the one who can truly stop him,” She says. “Your...friend here told us that Raiyo sent you on the quest to bring all the humans back. If anyone would be safe enough to bring the necklace to him, it would be you. He would not want to kill you. We are certain of it.”

I cannot give a response as Tobias pulls me back behind him.

He glares at the Gods. “You did not mention anything like that to me! Are you out of your mind? Risking something as stupid as that!”

She chuckles. Her icy blue eyes looking a tad mean.

“You think a demon deserves to hear everything from us? Perhaps down in Raiyo’s realm everything is more uncivilized, but up here in the real world, you stay in your place.”

Tobias’ hands ball up into fists.

I reach out to grab one; to try and pull him back from doing something he really shouldn’t do.

“I-I do not think I could hurt him,” I say, a bit nervous to speak to her. “I have never hurt anyone before!”

She smiles a smile that suggests that I might be a cute animal to her.

“Oh I am afraid that none of us can physically hurt him,” She says. “I trust you could use some of your abilities to tame the Archdemon. It will be no small task, but we all believe that you could do it.”

I nod at her words.

They...they might be right? I could knock Raiyo out! I have never done it before but I doubt it is impossible. The most I ever do is calm everyone down.

If I can calm Tobias, then I am pretty sure it might work on Raiyo. It would not be trying to harm him, so maybe my magic would bypass his curse?

Gods. Why did Mother have to curse him from death?

While I do not wish death on anyone, denying the possibility of it ever happening is clearly keeping Raiyo as a huge threat. If he were normal, I am sure the Gods would not need me or all the humans to stop him.

“I...I would have to touch him to...make him sleep,” I say, feeling nervous again.

Tobias shakes his head at me. “See! That is something we cannot go with. We have to depend on everyone else but Luno for this. If we lose him, then we lose everyone!”

“Nonsense,” The Sun God frowns. “There will be plenty of other ways of bringing the humans back. Luno is not our only saving grace.”

I swear I feel Tobias’ anger go up a few notches at that.

“If we had the fucking means to bringing them back before,” He growls. “Then why the hell haven’t we used them already?”

Silence is all he gets in answer.

I am just surprised they are willing to let him speak like this to them.

“I’ll do it,” I say, breaking the awkward silence. “I’ll stop Raiyo.”

There are a few breaths of relief, but Tobias turns to me with a look of betrayal. Then he stomps past me and out the room.

I stare after him before turning to the Gods and Bancrofts.

“I can leave now, yes?” I ask.

They nod and turn to talk amongst themselves.

~~~

One Day Later

I do not see Tobias at all for the rest of the day. Not even when it is night time do I see him in our room.

When I asked Vlad where Tobias was, he said that Tobias has been on the training grounds destroying all their dummies all night.

Since I knew where he was, I of course decided to go and talk to him. Clearly I did something wrong to him.

I had to ask the cleaning staff about three times for directions to the training grounds. I even stumbled onto a cook in a not so public friendly situation.

When I finally fine Tobias, I see him cut the head off a straw-filled dummy.

A few of the other soldiers around him look annoyed by that.

Once he sees me, Tobias sighs.

“Can we not do this,” He says as he grabs another dummy leaning against a wall.

“We should,” I cross my arms.

He sighs. “Is this because I kissed you?”

“What?” I exclaim. “No! Not at all!”

He groans. "Then why disregard everything I said in there!

I frown. “That is not at all what I did and you know it is true. I want to help; not be a useless person on the side. It would not be fair to everyone!”

I glance to the side and see people who have clearly never held a sword in their life. They struggle to hold it up and swing.

“Yeah you won’t be the only useless one,” Tobias huffs. “They are calling in their people to bring our numbers up.”

What? They are bringing in regular people? Why? They are the ones we should be protecting!

“Some are volunteers,” He says. “Some were called in by the Kings and Queens. Isn’t war just lovely? Throwing more lives on the line? You should definitely go home to stay away from it.”

I scoff at his words. “That is the last thing I am going to do now. I want to go with you! Not leave you all alone. You told me I would be useful!”

He sighs. “Yes I did, but I did not expect them to put you in that much danger!”

“I will be fine,” I say while placing my hand on his arm. “Trust me! I can handle myself!”

He gives me a look of uncertainty. Honestly I do not blame him. I don’t even know If I can do whatever these Gods are hoping for me to do.

“Hit me,” He suddenly says, sheathing his sword. “Hit me as hard as you can.”

I shake my head and step back. “Why would I want to do that?”

He hands all of a sudden strikes out and smacks the side of my arm.

“Ow!” I cry out and rub on where he hit me. “Why?”

He laughs. “Oh please. That didn’t really hurt did it?”

“Well...no...but the fact you did it!” I glare.

He smirks and strikes out again, hitting me on the thigh.

“Stop it!” I frown and step back again. “Why are you hitting me?”

He motions to himself. “I am a bad guy. Now try and defend yourself! You got to train somehow. Standing around and thinking about doing it is not going to help you.”

With another swing of his hand, he tries to hit my other leg.

I managed to dodge this time!

I grin and look up at him in victory, but instead I am met with another smack to my butt.

“Hey!” I cross my arms. “That isn’t fair!”

He rolls his eyes and gives me a deadpanned look.

With a sigh, I nod. “Right, right. They would not just stop after I dodge once.”

He gives an approving nod and then we get back into this weird smacking-dodging...thing again. I feel a bit self-conscious with all the others who could be watching us however. Tobias is at least keeping my concentration on him for me to care however.

“Now,” He says, looking a little nervous. “We should test the sleeping spell you are supposed to use.”

Oh gods why?

“Tobi,” I say with unease. He lifts one hand to stop me.

“I’ll be fine. Just...call for help just in case alright?” He says with a small laugh. “If I know you can do it, it will bring a lot of relief off my back if the real thing were to happen.”

“If?” I frown.

He nods. “Yes. Raiyo still has to go through thousands of us before you are even allowed to go near him.”

I tilt my head in confusion. “Who said that?”

“I did. Just now. Dodging slaps isn’t going to save you Luno. The last thing we need is for you to be one of the first ones to go.”

Biting my lip, I give a small nod.

“Alright,” He gets himself into a stance as if he is waiting for a beast to try and knock him over.

“Hit me with the spell!”

Biting my lip, I reach my hand out to his cheek. Tobias looks a little confused by the gesture.

I try and concentrate on sending my magics into him; kind of how I do it with the calming magic. Unfortunately, nothing seems to be happening.

Frowning, I place both hands on his cheeks and concentrate again, searching through his emotions for whatever needs to be unlocked to force him to sleep.

That is when I feel it, a slight hiccup in his mind. It is a painful emotion of confusion mixed with thoughts of curiosity. Over what?

I reach in with my magics to try and unravel the hiccups, trying to soothe him and make him sleep.

Tobias’ eyes roll into the back of his head and then he collapses on the ground.

I stare down in shock for a moment.

Shouts of alarm are heard around me.

Quickly I lean down to bring my head over his chest. Thankfully I hear a heartbeat. Not too soon after, I also hear him snoring.

I jump up and give a shout of glee.

“I did it!”