Destiny. Fate. Magic.

  All these concepts have been always at best fictional to me, so it feels a bit unnatural to have everything shoved in my life all at once like this. Still, though, if this is something which was meant to happen nonetheless, me getting involved with the Voidscion and what not, the least I could do was to try and get used to all this.

  “Orin. Dad. I’d like to know more about this ‘magic’.”

  Orin’s lips curl into a faint smile. “Magic,” he begins, his voice carrying weight, “is not some whimsical force from fairy tales, Heliar. It’s an art. A science. A concept you must understand.”

  Dad nods, gesturing for me to focus. “The power we call magic comes from the resonance between people and the moons. Each moon carries its own power, its own essence, and those attuned to it can harness that energy in ways unique to them. Magic, in this sense, is as natural as the tides or the changing seasons—guided by laws and rhythms, not chaos.”

  I frown, trying to keep up. “So, it’s not some kind of all-powerful, arcane sorcery?”

  Dad shakes his head. “No, son. It’s nothing like those stories of untamed, godlike power. It is precise, like a muscle you train or an instrument you learn to play. Anyone can resonate with a moon, but to truly understand and harness that power? That takes discipline and understanding.”

  Orin gestures toward the gemstone on the table. “Kindly allow me to demonstrate.”

  He holds his hand above the stone, his fingers curling slightly as he closes his eyes. The air around him hums softly, and the gemstone responds, its surface rippling with light. It begins to glow faintly, and a moment later, strands of silver-blue energy spiral upwards, weaving themselves into a delicate structure of light. It hovers in the air, pulsing gently, like it’s alive.

  “This,” Orin says, his voice calm but commanding, “is the simplest form of channeling. The energy from a moon—drawn, shaped, and given a form.”

  I stare, mesmerized by the strands of energy swirling in the air. They twist and fold like ribbons in a gentle breeze. The structure Orin creates takes the shape of a blooming flower, its petals shimmering.

  “This is just a fragment of what’s possible,” Orin continues, his voice steady. “The energy you see here is drawn from a moon’s essence. For me, it’s Seryna, the moon of clarity and balance. Its power flows easily when guided, but it requires focus to shape.”

  I nod. “So, where does the core ‘purpose’ of this magic lie? You said that it’s not an all-powerful sorcery. Then does it help the corresponding users in combat? Does it grant them different sorts of spells. What is it?”

  Dad speaks, “It’s a supplementary power. It’s not exactly elemental, but us magic users can basically conjure and give form to the energy of a moon and have it enhance our combat skills and the like. To put it more clearly, let’s say Orin has to face someone who holds the power of Phobos, one of the moons of Mars. Considering the affinities of these moons with each other, Orin will have the edge in the battle when it comes to magic alone. And with his combat prowess, victory will easily be in grasp. On the other hand, if I have to face someone from Phobos, I might not easily be able to win. That’s how the affinities work in this case.

  “There’s also a special, and rare moon power. It’s related to healing, and the one who holds that power is able to act as support and help their allies. They can easily turn the tide of a battle.”

  I lean forward, curious. “That moon… which is it?”

  “It’s Luna. The one true moon of Earth. It holds the power of restoration, renewal, and guidance. Those attuned to it can heal wounds, ease fatigue, and even stabilize energy flows within others. It’s a power of support.

  “But make no mistake—support is not weakness. In many battles, the tide is turned not by brute strength, but by those who stand behind the front lines, providing support to their allies and ensuring they stay on their feet.”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  I nod, understanding his words. *Luna, the one true moon…* A rare power, one that could turn the tide of battle.

  As I ponder, Orin shifts in his seat, his gaze focusing on me.

  “You’re thinking about it the wrong way.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “You keep looking at this like it’s a game of strengths and weaknesses. Like it’s a set of abilities that determine who wins and who loses.

  “Magic isn’t just a tool for battle. It’s a force woven into everything. It exists beyond the fight.”

  Dad nods. “People often tend to focus on combat applications, but the truth is, resonance—magic—is something that shapes the world. The moons don’t exist just to grant power; they are a part of the natural order.”

  I frown, trying to keep up. “So it’s not just about who’s stronger or who has the best abilities?”

  Orin chuckles softly. “If it were, the world would be a much simpler place.”

  I exhale, running a hand through my hair.

  “I understand. Is that all I need to know? Or is there something else too?”

  “Yes, my child. There is more to it.” Mom interjects.

  She continues, “Every moon grants a unique type of power, and it can be categorized into three main applications. Firstly, it’s physical enhancement. It boosts a fighter’s strength, speed, agility, endurance, and all sort of physical properties.

  “Then you have manifestation. That allows a user to generate moon energy in a form. For example, weapons and shields. And then there’s tactical abilities. It includes more subtle effects like foresight, premonition, deception, or area influence. And of course, completely different from all is the unique power of Luna.”

  I think over it, her words repeating in my mind. I nod, slowly looking up at her. “I understand. It’s honestly quite easy to grasp.”

  Orin chuckles, “That’s right. These powers do follow a natural order after all.”

  A question comes to my mind, but before I can ask, he continues, “My moon, Seryna comes under the third category.”

  Orin gestures with a hand, the lingering silver-blue light still faintly pulsing in the gemstone before him before fading away. “It grants clarity, insight, and the ability to alter perception—subtle but invaluable in battle.”

  I watch the last traces of energy fade, my mind still processing everything. "So, every moon has its own kind of power," I murmur, tapping my fingers against the table. "But Luna… its power is different from the others."

  Dad nods. "Yes. Unlike the others, which grant strength, manifestation, or tactical advantages, Luna is purely restorative. Those attuned to it have the ability to heal and support, keeping others in the fight when they would otherwise fall."

  I glance between them, a question coming to my mind. "Then… who has it? Who's attuned to Luna?"

  Momentarily, there's a heavy silence. A fleeting hesitation in Orin’s expression. Then, Mom speaks.

  "Stella."

  The name hangs in the air. A strange, weighty feeling settles in my chest.

  Stella. Of course it’s her…

  I exhale slowly, trying to steady myself. Of course, it’s her. Somehow, it makes perfect sense, like a puzzle piece falling into place—one I didn’t even realize was missing.

  My meeting with her, the strange sense of familiarity, the feeling of being drawn towards her, it all makes sense now.

  My power is related to the Sun. And hers is to the Moon. The one true moon of Earth, Luna.

  A strange feeling stirs in me—something deep, something old, something which I can’t name.

  Orin watches me closely, as if gauging my reaction. “The sun and the moon,” he says, his voice almost distant, thoughtful. “Two celestial bodies bound by an eternal cycle. Neither complete without the other. Their fates… always intertwined.”

  His words send a shiver through me, something primal stirring in my core.

  Fates, intertwined.

  I have never believed in destiny. Never cared for the idea that lives could be predetermined, that paths could be set before we even take our first steps. But now, with everything that I’ve seen, everything I’ve learned… I cannot ignore the weight of it.

  I think back to Stella—the way she looked at me, the way she smiled, like she knew something I didn’t. It was like she had always known.

  “Is that why…” My voice comes out quieter than I intend. “Is that why I feel this connection to her?”

  Orin studies me for a moment, nodding. “Perhaps. Some bonds are written in the very fabric of the world. Even without knowing it, your souls recognize each other.”

  I grip my hands together, feeling an uneasy tightness in my chest. If that’s true… then what does it mean for us? What does it mean for her?

  But before I can voice the thought, Orin’s gaze sharpens, pulling me back to the present. “But that connection alone won’t be enough.”

  His tone shifts, more focused now. “You’ve been marked by the sun, Heliar. Whether you like it or not, your path is no longer that of an ordinary life. The Voidscion is already moving, and when it reaches you, when it reaches those you care about—you won’t have the luxury of hesitation.”

  The memory of that thing—the Voidscion—floods back. The way it took Stella. The way it threatened Aric and others. And the way I was powerless to stop it.

  A slow, burning resolve starts to take shape inside me.

  “Then teach me,” I say, my voice steady now. “Teach me how to fight.”

  Orin rises to his feet, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he bows. A gesture of reverence. Of recognition.

  His voice is deep, steady.

  “To the Son!”