The Countryside Man sat in front of a dim campfire, his eyes gazing at the star-lit sky. The crackling of the fire permeated the silent night, resonating with the whistling of the insects and the rustling of the leaves. The sparks floated towards the moon, radiating a soft glow which danced with a cool breeze.

In serenity, he listened to the melody of the night. His hand gradually painted the scenery in front of him. With every stroke, he detailed his journey and condensed his perseverance into the art. The imagery of the campfire embedded itself onto his memory, filling his experience with warmth and comfort.

Once he finished, the moon had already arrived at its peak. He closed his sketchbook and flipped open his diary. Though he lacked proper writing equipment, he had the paintbrush to imitate ink, which gave his handwriting a mystical charm.

"Love, are you also looking at the moon? Its snow-white surface reminds me of you, higher than I could ever imagine, but also gentle and graceful."

As he wrote, the moonlight abruptly faded, attracting his attention. The gloomy clouds moved to block the moon, cutting him from his Love. He paused his writing and sighed. A question lingered in his heart.

"Love, I still don't know your name nor your identity. Even then, my heart knows that you too feel the same. Though our gaze met only once, once is enough. Like the moon, I know you'll always be there, even if I couldn't see you."

Alone, he sat and waited. After the clouds moved past the horizon, he began to write again, his eyes staring at the moon, his hands painting his feeling into words. Not once had he thought about the hardship he suffered, for it was insignificant in front of his dream.

"In about a week, I'll reach the Rocky Mountain Range. Rumour has it that the landscape is full of shiny ores and glowy gems. If I come across one, I'll make sure to get it for you."

At the end of his writing, he sketched a drawing of a necklace, having colourful gems embedded on it. He stared at it for a moment before carefully placing his diary into his backpack then laid onto the ground, resting under a shabby shade he built.

"At the end of my journey, will you still be waiting for me? When I reach the Elven Kingdom, I'll ask you: can we be together?"

He reached out to the sky but failed to touch the moon. His dirty cloth fluttered with the breeze of the night. The dust faintly danced in the air, reminding him of his lowly status. He was a man without any future, and she was a maiden of limitless potential.

The difference in status created a rift he had to cross, one that he had no idea how to traverse. Moreover, he was human, and she was an Elf. Their lifespan, culture, and mindset were incomparable.

As the moon traversed through the horizon, he found himself unable to sleep. He picked up his sketchbook and once again painted another picture.

In a bright day, amidst the dull scenery of a village, a carriage slowly moved towards the central town hall. With colourful flowers filling its exterior, the carriage emitted a sweet fragrance which attracted every gaze. In the moment of Fate, a breeze blew open the curtain and revealed an Elf sitting upright. Her golden hair fluttered with the wind.

She adjusted her hair with her left hand, moving them behind her pointy ear before gazing outwards and met the gaze from a young man whose life had always been dull. Though their contact lasted an instant, their mind lingered at the encounter for an eternity.

When the man came to his sense, the carriage had disappeared, taking with it the maiden of his life. Though he only saw her once, her figure remained imprinted in his soul. He vividly recalled her expression, her demeanour, her appearance, and her smile.

As he returned to reality, he had already finished his painting. Despite his fleeting memory, he had painted another masterpiece. In the end, he stared at her until his mind fell into slumber.

...

"Peritia, do you remember the ending?" the Arachna Queen said.

"Mother, I didn't let my emotions control me. My dream is the distillation of my desire. I'm prepared to accept the consequence."

"But I'm not. I don't want to lose you again. You don't need to suffer anymore. I can make everything right." The Arachna Queen clasped Princess's palm with both of her hands. "Just stay here and rest."

"I'm sorry, Mother. I'm an unfilial daughter who is about to disappoint you again." Princess lowered her head, her hand gripping her dress. "I know I'll hurt them again, but I can't bring myself to live any longer, knowing that she is waiting for me."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She stared at the ground, her gaze trembling. Her voice remained unwavering despite the guilt which blossomed in her eyes, threatening to rupture into a river of tears. Time ground to a halt as silence permeated the atmosphere.

The Arachna Queen let go of Princess and brought her hands to cover her face, bending her back down to face her laps. Her hair dropped down and concealed her expression, guiding her tears as they fell.

"Peritia, I'm sorry. I was just trying to help you. I'm sorry I ordered her death. I thought she would hurt you. Instead, it was me who hurt you."

Princess grasped the Arachna Queen's hands and leant forwards, touching her with her head. Their dark purple carapace touched. Their feeling intertwined. "Mother, I don't blame you. You have my best interest in mind, so please, allow me to do it."

"Even if no one wishes for you to suffer?"

"I'm sorry for my selfishness."

Princess closed her eyes and waited for the persuasions and the scolds, but instead, a soft hand stroked her hair, filling her body with familial affection. She raised her head to see the Arachna Queen looking at her with sorrowful happiness.

"It's unfair, Peritia," the Arachna Queen said, her hands wiping her tears. "How can I possibly stop you?"

"Mother, please allow me to stay like this for a while."

The Arachna Queen smiled. She pulled Princess and let her lean onto her chest. In the moment of silence, she hugged Princess, feeling the warmth of her tears tainting her body. A soft, weary cry echoed inside the room, filling it with a strange sense of grief.

After they cried and wept until everything was no more, Princess gradually tightened her hug and imprinted the moment onto her soul. Her mind refused to think. Only the sense of security remained with her. The darkness and looming threats turned insignificant as she accepted her Fate.

"I must have disappointed you with my weak side," the Arachna Queen said, her voice trembling.

"Mother, you aren't weak. You're strong, stronger than I could have been. I'm glad to be your daughter."

"I've failed my duty as a mother. Will let me prove myself, for one last time?"

"There is no need for you to prove anything."

"If my action can increase your chance, I'm willing to do anything."

"But I don't want you to get hurt for me."

The Arachna Queen giggled. "Like you, I can't stay safe while knowing that you're in danger. I'm selfish too."

Princess stared at the Arachan Queen. Her playful expression filled Princess with joy. "Mother, please don't tease me."

"I know no amount of words can change your mind. Dear, you should go back to rest. I'll help you with your plan, even if I must use my life."

"Please don't say such things."

"Peritia, this life is a bonus. Your mother had already died since the assassination. I only live for you, so don't die."

"Yes, Mother." Princess revealed a bright smile, her expression perfect. "No need to send me off. You need to rest more than I do."

Princess quickly got up and hugged the Arachna Queen for one last time before disappearing into the hallway. Her footsteps muffled until they disappeared, engulfed by the emptiness of the room.

The Arachna Queen sighed and leant against her chair. Her breathing slowed to a halt. She closed her eyes and imagined a fleeting moment when she encountered that which changed her life forever.

"It's your win. I don't know what you're trying to do, but please, let her live. She's all I have left," the Arachna Queen prayed, but her words weren't for the Gods.

"Peritia, my dear, please let your choice be the correct one."

...

The Elven maid carefully adjusted the clothes of her Mistress, her eyes staring at her hands as she tried her hardest to fix the wrinkles. Her bare feet touched the brick floor, feeling the cold grip born from the chilliness of her nervousness.

"Mistress, I've finished."

A pale hand reached out and grasped her chin. It raised her head and forced her to meet her Mistress's face. "How do I look?"

The Mistress donned in a magenta mantle, her dress extending down onto the ground, covering her figure. She exuded a tranquil air which dispelled nervousness. Despite donning an accessory blindfold, she remained staring at the maid. As Mistress stepped closer, her golden inner garment fluttered with the wind, briefly revealing her cyan hair.

"Mistress, you look beautiful."

"Suria, you've been with me since the lowest of time. You can speak your mind."

"Mistress, please forgive me, but why do you have to go this far? He wouldn't want you to get hurt again."

Suria closed her eyes and gripped her dress, waiting for the Mistress to lecture her. Time passed, but nothing happened. The Mistress released her grasp and tapped the maid's chest, sending a glowing wisp of Fons into her body.

"Your concern has reached me, but I can't back down now. His life and my eyes which she took from me, I must meet her again. No matter what."

"If Mistress wishes to punish me, I'll gladly accept it."

"I didn't want to harm you. The Fons I gave you will heal you. I never mistreat those whom I hold dear, not even in death. You can go back now. You need a rest more than me."

Suria shook her head. "How can I rest before you, Mistress? Please allow me to accompany you to the church. I also want to see the preparation of the Holyground of the Origin."

"You can go with me, but you must refer to me as my title, the Eyeless Saintess."

"But I don't want to, Mistress. It gives a misleading impression. I know my Mistress to be a kind, lovely person, not the cold-hearted person the rumour said."

"You're hopeless. Suria, if you don't refer me as such, I won't bring you."

Suria rapidly nodded and adjusted her dress. She applied the finishing touch to her Mistress before leading her out of the room. Though she knew her Mistress could walk by herself, it was her duty to support her Mistress, who had saved her from poverty.

As they walked, the Mistress turned her eyeless face to the large window beside her. From the outside, the moonlight landed on her face, filling her with the slight warmth she yearned.

"Canaris, I can finally sense that the end is nigh. No matter what happens, I promise I won't let you go."

That night, three people stared at the same moon at the same time, their hearts longing for the things which they had lost long ago.