---
The journey to the Sun Clan was long, but Luna was no stranger to solitude. She had spent two years cultivating her strength in the wild, enduring the most merciless terrains. Compared to that, this was nothing.
But what she hadn't accounted for was Ren's endless curiosity.
The girl walked beside her, eyes darting in every direction, absorbing everything as if she were afraid she'd miss something important.
"Why does the Sun Clan hate us so much?" Ren finally asked, kicking a pebble down the dirt road.
Luna exhaled. "It's not just hatred. It's pride. The Sun Clan thinks themselves superior to us, even though history proves otherwise."
Ren wrinkled her nose. "But that doesn't make sense. If we're stronger, wouldn't it be logical to work together?"
Luna chuckled, shaking her head. "Logic rarely governs the hearts of men."
Ren tilted her head. "Then what does?"
Luna's lips curled into a smirk. "Power."
The child fell silent, her small hands curling into fists. Luna knew that look well. Ren wanted to change things. She wanted a world where people weren't cast aside for being different. And Luna had every intention of making that happen.
---
The Gates of the Sun
By midday, they arrived at the Sun Clan's borders. The towering golden gates stood tall, guards stationed at every post. Unlike the Moon Clan's cool, silver elegance, the Sun Clan radiated overwhelming opulence. The streets behind the gates buzzed with life—merchants shouting their wares, armored soldiers patrolling the roads, banners of gold and crimson fluttering in the wind.
Luna didn't wait for permission. She strode forward, her presence commanding.
The guards stiffened at the sight of her. "State your business."
Luna's night-colored eyes locked onto the one who had spoken. "I am Luna Nyx Astraeus, heir of the Moon Clan and Queen of the Eclipse Clan. I am here to speak with your king."
The guard hesitated. "The king does not—"
"You will announce me," Luna interrupted, her voice leaving no room for argument. "Or you can explain to your superiors why you denied an official meeting request from the ruler of the Eclipse Clan."
The guard swallowed hard before nodding. "Wait here."
As he disappeared behind the gates, Ren looked up at Luna. "That was scary."
Luna smirked. "Good."
Minutes later, the gates groaned open. The guard returned, his expression tight. "The prince will see you."
Luna's smirk faltered slightly. Of course. Not the king. The prince.
The same man who had marked her chest with hatred in their last battle. The one whose touch had left an unknown celestial imprint on his body—one that still burned in her absence.
Luna stepped inside.
---
A Tense Meeting
The Sun Clan's palace was a stark contrast to her home. Where the Moon Clan embraced the beauty of the night—calm, soothing, and endless—the Sun Clan was a display of relentless dominance. Gold trimmed every wall, massive windows allowed sunlight to flood in, and flames danced in braziers along the halls.
And at the end of the throne room stood him.
The Sun Prince.
Dressed in fitted armor, a long crimson cape cascading behind him, he was every bit the warrior she remembered. His golden eyes locked onto hers the moment she entered, his jaw clenching.
"Luna," he said, his voice dripping with displeasure.
"Prince," she returned smoothly.
They stood there, staring at one another, the weight of their history pressing between them.
Finally, the prince exhaled sharply. "You should not be here."
Luna tilted her head. "And yet, here I am."
His golden eyes burned with irritation. "What do you want?"
Luna's smirk was slow and deliberate. "An alliance."
The prince let out a sharp laugh. "You expect the Sun Clan to ally with you? After you humiliated me in battle?"
Luna stepped forward, her expression unwavering. "I expect the Sun Clan to act in its own interest. And right now, that interest should be avoiding war."
His jaw tensed, but she could see the flicker of something in his gaze—reluctance.
Good.
Luna pressed on. "Your father may not see it, but you do. The Eclipse Clan is growing. And whether the Sun Clan acknowledges it or not, we are part of this world now. Trade with us, recognize our sovereignty, and you will gain an ally instead of an enemy."
The prince's fingers twitched. The mark on his chest had begun to glow faintly beneath his armor.
Luna noticed the flicker of discomfort cross his face. He feels it.
Still, his voice remained firm. "You assume we need you."
Luna arched a brow. "You do."
The tension in the air thickened.
Ren, standing quietly beside Luna, watched with wide eyes. She had never seen Luna talk to anyone this way. It was like a battle without swords.
The prince exhaled through his nose. "Even if I agreed to consider it, my father would never allow it."
Luna smirked. "Then it's a good thing I'm not here to talk to your father."
The prince stilled.
Luna took another step forward, her voice softer now, almost coaxing. "You are the future king, are you not? The power of the Sun Clan will one day be in your hands." She tilted her head, watching the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "So tell me, Prince… do you make your own choices? Or do you only obey?"
Something in his expression cracked.
For a moment, just a brief moment, she saw doubt.
Then, as quickly as it came, it was gone. He straightened, his expression hardening once more. "Your request is denied."
Luna sighed. "Pity."
She turned on her heel, making her way toward the exit. Ren followed, glancing between them. But just before she reached the door, Luna paused.
"You should do something about that mark, by the way," she said casually. "It's glowing."
The prince stiffened.
Luna chuckled under her breath before stepping out into the sun.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
---