Conan waited in the lobby of Luna’s apartment complex. He was currently rereading a classic romance and was excited to relate to the characters. He has read many novels throughout his time on Earth, but he always hated the romances. Now, he seemed to have a new drive to read the classics with new eyes.

Luna tapped him on the shoulder and slightly startled Conan. He jumped and looked over to see her giggling. Conan held out a coffee cup for her, which she took eagerly as Conan took a sip from his canister. She held out her hand and Conan grabbed it as he set his book in his side bag. They walked out the large glass doors and began heading to Luna’s first class of the day. They walked steadily, hand in hand, and let the breeze and coffee fuel their bodies.

As they approached the large brick building that held Luna’s lesson, Conan felt a familiar puff of cold air escape his lungs. He felt the power sting in his eyes and Luna noticed. She placed her hand delicately on his arm with reassurance. Her eyes were questioning, but Conan just nodded in response. Conan looked around and saw nothing, but he also did not feel a dangerous presence. The feeling was more familiar and kind.

“You go ahead, I will catch up,” Conan smiled at Luna. She nodded in agreement and headed inside.

Conan began to pace the quad, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw the glimmer. Conan turned his head to see his old best friend.

“Terrance?” Conan asked quietly.

Terrance nodded and flew over. Conan took a second to understand. His friend had passed. Once he was closer, Conan realized he was older, much older. He was slightly transparent, but still Terrance. Conan smiled and felt tears coming to his eyes.

Once Terance arrived, he had a big smile. Conan shared the affection and was baffled to see his friend.

“As I live and breathe,” Terrance said. Conan laughed at the ridiculous statement.

“Hello old friend,” Conan responded. “So, what happened?”

“Well,” Terrance began, “It was cancer. I know, shocking. But that is not what’s important. I was headed into the beyond when I began to remember. I remember you and everything we did. I remembered all our research and our times together. And you erased it.”

Conan’s eyes saddened and he looked down. “It was the hardest thing I had to do. But I needed you to have a life. A family.”

Terrance nodded in understanding. “I did.” Terrance smiled. “It was incredible. I just wish you were part of it.”

“Me too,” Conan responded sadly.

Terrance cleared his throat. “Well, I just wanted to say goodbye. And I wanted to remind you of one thing. You have been living for so long, yet you don’t have a life, man. That girl you were with gave you joy, you need to fill your life with more things that make it worth dying for. I have missed you, but I am happy I got to see you smile one more time.”

Conan felt a tear roll down his cheek. He knew Terrance was right. “I will stay this time. And thank you, friend. I will be looking for you,” Conan said.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Terrance nodded and smiled. He waved and began walking back down the trail. Before he made the bend, he vanished and moved to his next stage of existence.

Conan held a shuddered breath. Memories flashed in his mind of their times together. He had buried his feelings for so long, he had forgotten his family.

Conan swiped his eyes and took what Terrance said to heart. He was going to live for his girl. He ran into the building and found her class. He looked in from the doorway to see the beautiful woman. He had made a new family. Luna saw him staring and smiled. She waved him in and pointed at the seat next to her.

He glided over and took the seat. She moved her mouth, silently asking if he was okay. He nodded and kissed her forehead. She blushed brightly and turned back to the professor.

Conan did not listen to a single thing during the lesson. Luna was taking notes, and all he could seem to do was focus on her gliding and swirling her pen across the padded paper. He hardly noticed when everyone began to stand and leave. Luna touched his shoulder and Conan snapped out of his mind. He looked up at her to realize they were the last ones in there.

Conan grabbed her arm and lightly pulled her out of the room and into a dark, empty classroom down the hall.

“What are you doing? Is everything alright-,” Luna was cut off by Conan’s mouth on hers. He kissed her deeply and Luna’s last thought was forgotten. She leaned into his kiss and pulled herself closer. Conan leaned her over the nearest desk and their kisses deepened. He moved his kisses lower down her neck and worked his way across her collarbone. He then worked his way back up, allowing his kisses to trace her jawline. She grabbed his hair and pulled him back to her mouth. She pushed her tongue at his lips and he opened his mouth, greedily. Their tongues danced in each other's mouths. Conan reached out his hand and lightly touched her breast. She placed her hand over his and brought it closer. As they leaned in, a soft, scurrying sound came from the corner.

Conan pulled away. He let a breath of icy air escape his lips and the wisp of rose. He and Luna looked at it and his eyes began to glow.

Conan jumped from her and transformed. He felt the power racing through his veins. He looked around but saw nothing. His vision was enhanced in the dark room with his powers. Then, he saw a dark shadow scurrying across the ground. He levitated and flew over to a corner where a small sound was emitting. Then, a black scorpion-like demon jumped out. It had fangs and was about the size of Conan’s arm. He was slightly startled but zapped it immediately with his lightning.

When the smoke rose, there was a scorch mark on the ground. Conan turned to see Luna bunched on the desk. Her eyes were still wild, but she let out an exhale of relief. However, where the scorpion was moments before, two more sprouted in its place and hissed loudly. Conan shot his power at them again, but then four appeared. He kept shooting while an abundant amount of scorpions began to appear. He was outnumbered in seconds.

Luna’s eyes grew wide as they were soon surrounded. She reached into her bag and was only able to pull out a binder. She shrugged and began smacking the scorpions that crawled up the desks. They began pinching her ankles and her shins were covered in light scratches as she tried to kick them away. They were fighting hard, but more kept appearing. Conan was becoming overwhelmed and did not know what to do. They soon began to overpower him and sting him repeatedly. He was running out of energy but still tried to draw power, and he looked around for options as his palms glowed. The scorpions squealed at the light and backed away.

Conan realized they were afraid of the light. He pushed more power to his palms to draw a bigger light as the scorpions retreated to the dark corners of the room. Conan motioned to the windows and Luna seemed to understand. She hopped from desk to desk, eventually making it to the tall, blinded windows. She pulled on the cords and watched the blinds shoot up.

The hundreds of scorpions screamed in unison at the bright light entering the room. They all disintegrated and black smoke rose from their previous locations. She breathed a sigh of relief, but Conan was still on the floor, with a pool of blood beneath him. Luna gasped and went to help him up. His power was low as she was able to touch him. She picked him up and he rested his arm around her shoulder and groaned.