Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

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--|Nuemia Crosswinds|--

--|Chapter 3: The Extra Commander|--

Page 18

Alex was amazed at Luna�s statement. �True ... but in this case, Zero�s words were also his action.�

Luna forfeited her stoic expression once again to sheer bewilderment. �Who exactly are you, anyway?�

�Eh? Did I say something wrong?�

�What are you, some sort of philosopher, or a student of a wise man?�

�I�m just ... nothing, I guess.� Luna�s puzzled and confused expression deepened. �I�ve lived in the streets for years. I�ve survived off others. I only know what I�ve lived.�

Luna began dampening the expression on her face again. �I see. Well, I�ve heard that you are skilled with a sword, but you don�t have one for this mission of yours.�

�Yeah, I�m pretty much on my own.�

�You need tools of survival when you�re on your own.�

�Well, I guess I am empty-handed ...�

�You gained my trust, so I prepared something for you.� Luna pulled a moderately long, thin sword resembling a saber from a black leather sheath. �It�s a fairly simple blade, but it�s sharp. Back home, they called it a �Crescent Moon.� Thin ... Sharp ... Curved ... Gleaming ...�

Alex took the sword, wide-eyed and open-jawed. It was almost poetic how the shape of the sword so perfectly resembled the crescent moon. �Oh my ... why?� he stumbled over his words uncertainly, �I mean ... thanks.�

�You need it,� said Luna matter-of-factly. �You�ll be in the wild, and it�ll be dangerous.�

�And it�s cool ...�

�Yeah. Turn around.�

�Uwah?� Alex confusedly turned around, catching a glimpse of an impatient-looking Jacinta still hiding in a corner of the main room.

Luna took a strange, silvery liquid substance and spread it on one side of the sheath. She then pressed the sheath to the back of Alex�s jacket. �Just hold still a sec.� She pushed the sheath against Alex�s jacket for a few more seconds. Alex was almost knocked off balance from how firmly she was pushing. Then she let go of the sheath. Somehow, it stayed connected to Alex�s jacket. �There.�

�Huh?� Alex blurted.

�The sheath is part of your jacket now.�

�Oh, cool!� Alex shouted as he returned the Crescent Moon to its sheath.

Alex turned around to thank Luna, but she had already disappeared. Alex made a disappointed scowl. Luna was a more caring person than he originally believed. Alex returned inside and closed the door.

�Just how many girls do you know now, hm?� Jacinta asked accusingly.

�It�s nothing. Leave me alone.�

�After that cat-thing and her? Not a chance! You�re not leaving my sight!�

Alex huffed and tried to ignore Jacinta as he returned to his room.

Later that night, when Alex was asleep, he heard a tapping echo through his room. He awoke to see Ruby playfully tapping rhythms on the window to get his attention. Alex went to the window and slid it open.

�Since when have you locked your doors, basket?� Ruby asked.

�Um?�

�It�s so unlike you. Anyway ... Court Jester wanted to know if you wanted to try magic again.�

�Mmmm ...� Alex grunted while slowly shaking his head. �No.�

�Don�t just give up on us! You�ll probably need these skills to survive, ya know?�

�Don�t worry. I have my sword skills.�

�You sure you�ll be okay?�

�Yeah.�

�Okay!� Ruby chimed. She gave the window one last playful, rapid rapping, then bounced away.

�How does she stay so energetic late at night?� Alex asked himself as he crawled back into bed.