Luna

Krahinn currently had Nil and I folded into tiny balls as he glared at us. Roping him into dueling Nautilus was cocky. He thankfully pulled us away from Nautilus and Helga so the two of them could talk in private. How long does he plan on keeping us as spheres? I currently lost track of time as this experience was intolerable at best. Krahinn made the space we were each in smaller as his irritation was oozing off him in waves. Really? Why? Nil was making incoherent screaming noises in protest as Krahinn grazed on popcorn. Please have been worth it. My plan was basically tactical gambling. After a highly uncomfortable minute the two of us were released from the ball prison to fall onto the ground.

“What’s the next step? And please tell me we play with less fire than our current pace.” Nil inquired as he scowled at Krahinn.

“That was it.” I confessed. Krahinn’s eyebrows raised as Nil’s head snapped to me.

“What?!” Nil roared incredulously, seeming perplexed by that answer.

“I don’t have a next step at the moment.” I stated calmly.

“Then why did we have to start at four forty-five in the morning?! Wait, more importantly, why is that the entire plan?!” Nil whined at me.

“We needed those two to catch us.” I clarified for Nil. Krahinn tilted his head sideways as the gears were visibly turning.

“You planned on Operation Nest the Dragon getting discovered?” Nil inquired with a confused face.

“Yes. The last step involved either Helga or Nautilus deducing it was us.” I told Nil. Nil’s eyes began twitching.

“So, we mildly torment my caretaker, get caught, and then what? Say a few choice words in our defense?” Nil checked as he was not grasping the idea. To be fair, this has never been a strong suit of his.

“I just happened to have a great response ready for Nautilus I thought of on the fly.” I retorted sarcastically. Krahinn straightened up a bit as a light went off in his head.

“Your goal was to try and get them to talk to each other on a specific topic.” Krahinn deduced while smiling wickedly.

“More or less. I realized what Nautilus wants after some reflection, but I am nowhere near manipulative enough to scheme beyond what I did. I don’t know any that can induce love or a relationship. I do know relationships need communication and discussing specific topics can bring people together. My idea was to shove a conversation in that direction and hope it worked given what Dha said, and I knew about Nautilus and Helga.” I explained. Krahinn went a bit wide eyed as Nil continued to look befuddled.

“You gambled on a guess would be good enough to win the wager against a Lord?” Krahinn verified. I shrugged in response; it wasn’t like I had any other ideas.

“What else was I going to do? Do you know a that can force people to like each other?” I shot back. Nil was thankfully a bit tired and dense on these types of things as he still hadn’t connected the dots.

“There is no such as far as I’m aware.” Krahinn confirmed. Nil's brain was working overtime processing what I was saying; he was so cute as he was mentally mapping what I was saying.

“We are about to get in what I imagine is a fair amount of trouble because you wanted to gamble?” Nil interrogated. I stroked his hair a bit in response.

“It was a tactical gamble. Unfortunately, the wager requires you not knowing so stop thinking about it please. I still have no idea what point constitutes a win or a loss though.” I admitted. Nil let out a defeated sigh.

“Fine. This better be worth the torture I will be receiving from Duthane.” Nil grumbled. I stroked his hair some more before rubbing his horn a little.

“Hopefully it will. I think this was definitely a step in the right direction.” I assured him. Krahinn began cackling at me while we stood there.

“Why are you cac-“ I began before a palm materialized in my side, launching me across a few hills. In an instant, Nautilus was standing over me with glowing eyes. There were small claps of thunder from movement that were accompanied by powerful gusts of wind.

“Time fo’ some lessons lass.” Nautilus growled at me as Helga was standing next to Nil and a laughing Krahinn.

“How’d the talk go?” I tried as I was catching my breath.

“I don’ appre’iate ya meddlin’ in my affairs. I know ya likely go’ some reason fo’ what ya did, but I am still gonna make ya suffer fo’ it.” Nautilus informed me as her face made it apparent that I was not standing up fast enough.

“I am sorry for my actions and the distress they have caused you. Hopefully I’ll be able to explain soon. Please do not inquire further as that is all I can currently say.” I apologized as I got to my feet.

“On th’ fence if imma let i’ slide.” Nautilus informed me. Oh? That meant the result went well for Nautilus more than likely.

“I understand.” I replied as I prepared for the next several hours to be Nautilus pummeling me.

“Ya go’ stones lass. I’ll give ya that.” Nautilus chuckled. Helga stood next to her, smiling viciously at me.

“I am curious, whatever possessed you to ask Crown Prince Nil to launch a projectile at me like that?” Helga inquired with a smile that was terrifyingly reminiscent of the Burgomaster. That’s the answer my question or Nautilus will motivate you to smile. Let’s test; my ribs were likely going to hate this test.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

“It seemed like a fun, wacky bonding activity.” I lied. Helga gave me the fakest, least sincere smile I had seen in a decade.

“Nautilus, dear, I am hurt that someone of such standing is so blatantly lying.” Helga informed her. I think I can use that as proof of victory. I even had firecrackers to go with my win as Nautilus happily provided them using my ribcage. I reinforced my body too. This is bullshiza.

“Come on. Heal up. Ya can som’what answe’ th’ question.” Nautilus directed me as Nil was sheepishly standing next to the two of them. He subtly tried moving away, but Krahinn stopped that. Nil looked at Krahinn like he’d been utterly betrayed.

“I owe Nautilus for getting wrapped up in your little scheme you two.” Krahinn informed us with an evil grin.

“I trust King Krahinn if I were to say, look the other way on some harsh testing, you would happily oblige?” Helga verified. Krahinn’s smile got crueler.

“Oh no. Don’t let me test what Nil demonstrated earlier. That would be horrible.” Krahinn played along. Nil gave me a forlorn stare.

“Smile you two, we won’t tell the others at least. Have fun King Krahinn.” Helga told us. Maybe Nautilus aided in the Burgomaster being like she was more than I thought. My ribs finally healed as Nil was dragged away by Krahinn.

“I decided it could lead to a necessary result for the future of Tenebrae.” I answered Helga. Her face made it clear how little she believed me.

“Darlin’, I don’ think’ she can curren’ly say more.” Nautilus interjected for me. Helga gave her a pouty face, and Nautilus gave her a light kiss on the nose.

“I know I ag’eed t’ stand up fo ‘and protec’ ya, but this ‘s one where I can’t. I go’ a guess why bu’ I ain’ pushin’ fo’ now cau’e there a chance it’d ruin it all.” Nautilus clarified for her.

“Fine.” Helga conceded as Nautilus affectionately hugged her. This counts, right? Could Dha give me a sign? I might just have to wait until Temple and pray for a response.

“Now, lesson time.” Nautilus chimed happily, giving me a truly malicious grin as she got in her starting stance.

I let out a long, deep sigh as I took my starting position. It’s going to be extra brutal combat lessons for a few days. Not that I was going to complain about that; just had to endure the beatdowns. Nautilus rushed me at a speed I would hardly call fair as she did a quick grapple combination that ended with her knee in my stomach. I began coughing violently on the ground, clutching my stomach. Oh, these lessons are going to be brutal. Nautilus cleared her throat to let me know I needed to stand back up faster than I currently was. I shakily got to my feet, using my to rapidly repair the damage that had been done. As soon as I was remotely close to being in stance, Nautilus descended upon me. She was going to be so merciful; it was abundantly clear how much she planned on holding back in my lessons for the day. My beatings, I mean training, continued until lunchtime which was decided by Krahinn materializing while holding Nil like a potato sac demanding food. Nil looked like he had just stepped out of a warzone as he was limply dangling in Krahinn’s grip. I definitely need to make this up to him a bit. I smiled as I remembered how easily he agreed to assist me. I’m helping you because you’re my girlfriend. The dork definitely had his moments. Krahinn brought us all to the dining room where the state of Nil and I got a few raised eyebrows.

“How are you lessons going today?” Emperor Father Nil asked towards us. You know exactly how bad they are.

“Great.” I replied, forcing myself to smile. Nil was currently dead to the world as Krahinn plopped him down in the seat next to me. Is Nil even conscious? I looked at him, seeing he was out cold. My eyes shot to Krahinn.

“It’s just a bit of exhaustion from all the drills we were doing.” Krahinn defended himself. Nez perked up at that.

“What kind of drills?” Nez inquired innocently.

“I don’t think you want to know the answer.” Nox stated, looking between Helga, Krahinn, Nautilus, and I.

“It could be interesting to see what kind of practice drills he uses to instill knowledge and experience. Krahinn has a lot of experience.” Nez retorted. Krahinn smiled at the flattery.

“Surviving a fueled bombardment.” Krahinn informed Nez. Nez instantly looked at us all better as it noticeably clicked that we were being punished.

“Ah. I see.” Nez grumbled, looking dissatisfied with the revelation.

“I’d be interested in seeing your research if you would like to discuss it. I don’t imagine my toy, I mean Nil, is waking up any time soon.” Krahinn offered. Emperor Father Nil gave Krahinn a glance as Empress Senna and Emperor Azzeck walked in with Ein and Riva.

“Luna, did you do anything different today?” Empress Senna checked as she sat down with Riva in her lap.

“Why do you ask?” I deflected, wondering how much she knew. Empress Senna was less than amused by my deflection as Helga and Nautilus both glared at me.

“Because this was trying to escape from the family vault for some reason. We originally thought someone was attempting to break in, only to discover this was trying to break out.” Empress Senna informed me, placing a familiar looking wooden box on the table. It counted! Yes! I shot up in joy, until the pain my body was in reward me with how bad of a decision that was.

“I uh, would like to make sure I can the contents of that box before I explain further. Before a certain Lord changes their mind.” I explained. Empress Senna’s eyes narrowed at me as she slid the box across the table to me.

My face was hurting as I felt my lips stretch from ear to ear. It worked! It actually worked! The gamble paid off! I opened the box, admiring the glistening on the small bed inside the box. Yes! I did succeed! I eagerly took out the , moved to the ground near the table, and went to it with great fervor. Finally I had a for my ! I felt a surge of around me as I began the process; my joy was cut short when I was suddenly in a blank void seeing a formless being clapping at me. I guess I still had to talk to him to get the prize which was more than fair. I really want to get started, but let’s see what Dha wants first.

“Hello Dha.” I stated as he stopped clapping.

“Greetings Luna. I will say, I think this is slightly premature giving you the , but you did correctly deduce what conversation was needed to get them on the path.” Dha congratulated me in a tone that felt off somehow.

"I appreciate it. Thank you very much, Lord Dha." I told him with a small bow. Dha began floating in a way that was painfully reminiscent of Krahinn.

"It would be generous of me." Dha agreed. Would. I took a composing breath, as I knew it was currently fair of him to want a little more.

“Did you want something else? I appreciate your kindness on the matter given the time clock I am on.” I replied, hoping there was nothing else and he was just messing with me.

“See, I could just hand it over as I am fairly confident you will win at this point, but there is always a chance something can cause a rift between the two of them, or one of them could tragically die for some reason. Part of me wants to wait until the wedding day to officially call our wager so I know the most accurate result was obtained.” Dha taunted. Of course it wasn’t that simple with him.

“What could I do to persuade you to concede my victory now? For you to be comfortable with that small chance?” I checked, internally wincing.

“I’m glad you asked.” Dha replied with a villainous smile painted on his formless being.