---
Luna stretched her limbs as she lay on the soft cushions of her chambers, the scent of lavender and moon blossoms filling the air. It had been too long since she had truly rested. The palace felt the same, yet different. The halls echoed with familiar voices, yet she had changed. She was no longer just their princess—she was a Queen in her own right.
Ren sat cross-legged on the floor beside her, flipping through one of the books Luna had gifted her. Her silver eyes shone with curiosity as she traced the illustrations of celestial beings.
"Do you think I'll ever be as strong as you?" Ren asked.
Luna chuckled, reaching out to ruffle the girl's pale hair. "You'll be stronger."
A knock on the door interrupted them. Before Luna could respond, Levi strolled in, arms crossed over his chest.
"Another rematch," he said.
Luna smirked, shaking her head. "No."
Levi groaned. "Come on! You barely broke a sweat. That wasn't even a fight!"
"That's exactly why I won't fight you again," she teased.
He huffed, flopping onto the couch beside them. "Fine. But one day, I will beat you."
"Keep dreaming," Luna said with a wink.
The throne room doors swung open, and Luna barely had time to react before she was enveloped in a tight embrace.
"Nyx," Selene whispered, her voice trembling.
Luna's breath hitched as she melted into her mother's arms. The weight of her journey, the battles fought, the blood spilled—all of it threatened to crush her in that single moment.
"I'm home," she whispered back.
Solarian's arms wrapped around them both, his usually stern expression softened by the sheer relief in his eyes. "You're late," he said gruffly, but his voice betrayed his emotions.
Luna chuckled through her tears. "I know."
Levi stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his golden eyes filled with something unreadable. He had changed. He was no longer the small boy who had once clung to her shadow. He was taller, stronger—his features sharper, his presence commanding.
But when Luna pulled away from her parents and turned to face him, his façade crumbled. He moved forward in a single step, wrapping his arms around her in a fierce hug.
"You should've come back sooner," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion.
Luna smiled, resting her chin on his shoulder. "I'm here now."
When he pulled away, his teasing smirk returned. "You got stronger."
Luna arched a brow. "And you got taller."
Levi scoff
---
A Time for Planning
Once the initial reunions were over, Luna, her family, and her warriors gathered in the strategy chamber. The map of the three clans lay stretched out before them.
The following days were filled with strategy meetings and discussions. Luna sat with her parents, Ahava, and her warriors, planning how the Eclipse Clan would interact with the Moon Clan.
"Our kingdom is growing faster than expected," Ahava noted, his brow furrowed. "We need stable trade routes. If the Sun Clan continues to isolate us, we'll have trouble sustaining our people."
Luna exhaled, leaning back in her chair. "That's why I need to meet with them."
Selene's fingers tensed around her teacup. "You alone?"
Luna glanced at Ren, then back at her mother. "Not alone. Ren is coming with me."
Ahava's golden eyes flashed with irritation. "Again, you go without us?"
Luna met his gaze calmly. "You know why."
Ahava leaned forward, voice tight. "Because you don't trust us?"
"Because I do trust you," she countered. "Which is exactly why I can't bring you."
Ahava clenched his jaw. He knew what she meant. If he saw the Sun Clan disrespect her, he would not hold back. He would let his fury dictate his actions.
"Then take someone else," he pressed. "At least—"
"No." Luna's tone left no room for argument. "If I want them to see me as a leader worth negotiating with, I need to show them that I'm not a threat—yet."
Ahava leaned back, silent.
Solarian tapped his fingers against the table. "You're walking into a den of lions, Luna."
Luna smirked. "Then I'll show them I'm the deadliest one there."
---
The Farewell
The night before her departure, Luna sat on the palace rooftop, staring at the stars. Ren sat beside her, silent for once.
"Are you nervous?" the girl finally asked.
Luna exhaled. "No."
Ren tilted her head. "Liar."
Luna chuckled. "Maybe a little."
Ren rested her chin on her knees. "Do you think they'll accept us?"
Luna's gaze darkened. "I don't need their acceptance. I just need them to listen."
A beat of silence passed before Ren spoke again. "Do you think we'll ever have a home where we don't have to fight for it?"
Luna reached over, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face. "One day."
Ren nodded, as if that answer was enough.
---
A Farewell with a Promise
The morning of their departure arrived too soon.
Luna stood at the palace gates, her cloak billowing behind her. Ren adjusted the straps on her small bag, her youthful face determined.
Selene pulled Luna into one final embrace. "You come back to me, my little Nyx."
Luna smiled against her mother's shoulder. "I will."
Solarian rested a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Don't let your pride blind you. The Sun Clan's Prince is no fool."
Luna smirked. "Neither am I."
Ahava stood a few feet away, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his frustration was evident.
"You better come back soon," he muttered.
Luna gave him a playful salute. "Take care of my kingdom while I'm gone."
Levi stepped forward last, his golden eyes sharp. "You should've let me come."
Luna tilted her head. "Get stronger first. Then maybe I'll let you tag along next time."
Levi narrowed his eyes. "That sounds like a challenge."
Luna winked. "It is."
With that, she turned, Ren by her side, and took her first step toward the Sun Clan.
She didn't look back.
But if she had, she would have seen the worry in her parents' eyes, the silent frustration in Ahava's, and the fierce determination in Levi's.
She would return.
And when she did, things would never be the same again.
---