Under The Sun's Moon

The early morning sky stretched endlessly above Colinas Brillantes, painting the rolling hills in delicate shades of pale pink and gold. The first light crept over the horizon, illuminating the dewy grass that blanketed the land. Standing at the edge of the cliff, where the hills dropped steeply into the deep, unyielding sea below, I could feel the wind curling around me, carrying the salty tang of the ocean. The waters shimmered under the rising sun, their surface an illusion of calm, but the trench below reached unimaginable depths—more than 9,000 meters. It was a void that seemed to swallow the light, leaving the bottom invisible and cloaked in mystery.

In the distance, Teyó Island loomed, its three great mountains towering against the horizon like silent, eternal sentinels. Each peak had a personality of its own. The Red Peak stood tallest, its light brown stone streaked with a rust-like hue. Beside it, the Green Peak was a verdant haven, covered in thick forests that spilled down its slopes like an emerald coat. But it was the Black Peak that drew the eye last, its dark, jagged surface exuding a quiet menace. It lingered behind the others, brooding, its craggy form barely visible in the hazy morning light.

The view was breathtaking, a slice of raw, untamed beauty that could make even the most hardened soul pause. But despite the serenity before me, peace was the last thing on my mind.

"Hey, Earth to Ellion."

Soleil's familiar voice jolted me out of my thoughts. She was standing next to me, hands firmly planted on her curved hips, her usual teasing grin in place. Her wild, black wavy hair danced loosely in the breeze, framing her playful yet sharp features.

I blinked, shaking off the weight of my thoughts. "Sorry, I was just thinking."

"So that's the smoke I was smelling," Soleil quipped with a snort. "You know, jumping off the cliff might be more fun, though." The grin on her face widened, her round-framed glasses catching the golden light of the sunrise. Her eyes, always sparkling with mischief, made it impossible to tell whether she was joking or serious.

Fun. That's how Soleil had approached everything so far. To her, this was all one big adventure—a game where the stakes didn't seem to faze her. The chaos, the danger, and even the uncertainty of our goals only seemed to fuel her boundless energy. Sometimes, I envied that.

"Yeah, maybe. Just getting mentally prepared," I replied, forcing a smile I didn't quite feel.

"Good!" Soleil gave me a hard slap on the back that nearly knocked me off balance. "Now, I'm heading over to Enid—she's got that look in her eye again. But seriously, you guys need to lighten up! We're going to a riot!" She let out a loud laugh that echoed down the slope as she turned and walked away, her carefree nature almost contagious. Almost.

Enid was perched on a large rock closer to the cliff's edge, her silhouette outlined against the golden sky. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, and her sharp, calculating eyes were locked on Teyó Island. There was an intensity to her focus, an almost obsessive quality that made it hard to tell what she was thinking. Her vibrant hair—an explosion of purples, blues, and pinks—caught the wind, but she didn't seem to notice.

Enid was always so focused, so intense. I had seen that look before—the way her gaze would linger on specific places, the way she spoke about Vanity Island, about its politics. There was pride there, yes, but it was a pride that bordered on something darker. It wasn't just love for her home; it was an obsession. And that unsettled me.

Enid was a purist to her core. To her, Vanity Island was sacred, and only those born here had any claim to it. Her distrust of outsiders was no secret, and while she wasn't violent or aggressive about it, her firm stance often made people uneasy—including me. There was a quiet rigidity to her beliefs that I couldn't quite put my finger on, something unspoken but deeply rooted.

I watched as Soleil approached her, her lively energy a complete contrast to Enid's brooding stillness. She said something I couldn't hear, and Enid half-smiled—an expression so faint it might have been imagined. Together, they descended the hill toward the others.

A short distance away, Oscar and Orlando, the twins, were hunched over their tech gear, their faces illuminated by the faint glow of multiple screens. Despite their identical features—sharp noses, high cheekbones, and shaggy hair—aside from the height difference, their contrasting demeanors also set them apart. Oscar, tall and wiry, moved with sharp intensity, his fingers flying across the keyboard in a blur as he worked on his programs.

Orlando, shorter and stockier, stood beside him, his arms folded casually as he leaned over Oscar's shoulder. His demeanor was calm and unbothered, occasionally throwing out suggestions in a relaxed tone.

Oscar was meticulous, always double- and triple-checking everything, ensuring no detail was overlooked. Orlando, on the other hand, preferred to trust his instincts, relying on intuition and quick decision-making. Together, they balanced each other out, their differences complementing rather than clashing, which was why they made such an efficient team.

Closer to the base of the hill, Roberto was methodically checking the supplies and gear in the back of his beat-up but dependable pick-up truck. He was tall and had a solid frame with a well-groomed beard. The large ear gauges made him look bold and edgy but in reality, he had an approachable aura he exuded. Despite his rugged exterior, there was something inherently reassuring about Roberto—he was the kind of person you instinctively knew you could rely on.

When Soleil came bounding toward him, her energy radiating like a firecracker, Roberto's bold demeanor melted instantly with a beaming smile. She launched herself into his arms with her signature laugh, wrapping herself around him.

Roberto hugged her tightly, his broad arms encircling her with a protective warmth. When he smiled, it was one of those rare, unfiltered smiles that seemed to make the world feel a little less heavy. It was contagious, lifting the mood of everyone around him without him even trying.

I couldn't help but smile too. Roberto just had that effect on people.

As I walked closer to the truck, the sound of bickering reached my ears. "You've already triple-checked everything. It's ready," Orlando said, his tone tinged with both exasperation and amusement.

Oscar huffed, his fingers still hovering over the keyboard before finally slowing. "Just making sure. We can't afford mistakes."

I chuckled softly at their usual back-and-forth before climbing into Roberto's truck. Roberto slid into the driver's seat a moment later, glancing back at me with his signature easy-going grin. "You ready for this, Ellion?"

I hesitated. My mind flicked back to the tension back home with Annabella, the unspoken words between us, and of course, my past with The Sunspears. But no matter how tangled my thoughts were, I knew the island's struggles loomed far larger than my own. I took a breath and nodded. "Yeah," I said quietly, "I'm ready."

"Good." Roberto's smile widened just as Soleil leaped into the passenger seat beside him, leaning over to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

"Let's pick up Lucía and hit the road," Roberto said, shifting the truck into gear.

Behind us, Oscar and Orlando climbed into Enid's old, beat-up car, their argument continuing in playful murmurs as they settled in. With the rumble of engines, we started our descent from Colinas Brillantes. The narrow, winding path curved down toward Lúnula Beach, a vast crescent-shaped beach that glittered faintly under the morning sun. The beach stretched from the edge of Colinas Brillantes, passing through San Turibio all the way to Ororena, a shimmering expanse of golden sand meeting the endless deep blue of the sea.

Lucía emerged from the waters of Lúnula Beach, her silhouette framed by the shimmering ocean behind her. The early morning light caught on the rippling waves, casting golden highlights along her figure as she waded out of the sea with an unhurried grace. Her fiery orange hair clung to her bare skin, plastered against her back and shoulders, while droplets of water ran down her frame, catching the sunlight like tiny diamonds. Her expression was unreadable, her gaze distant, as though her mind had wandered far from the shores of Lúnula Beach. I couldn't tell what she had been doing out there—maybe she just needed a moment of silence before the chaos came.

As she stepped onto the sand, Lucía raised her hand and a warm glow flickered to life in her palm, her sun-like powers igniting with ease. The heat radiated outward, and steam rose as the water evaporated off her skin and hair, leaving her completely dry in seconds. Her hair, now free of water, gleamed like molten copper under the sun's gaze as she ran her fingers through it to comb it out. The display of her powers was effortless, almost casual. Walking out of the ocean, Lucía radiated a sense of strength and warmth, as though she were born from the sun itself.

The hum of the truck's engine grew louder as Roberto drove toward her position on the beach. The tires rolled over the sand with a crunch, and Lucía, now fully dressed, grabbed her belongings and approached with her usual composure. She climbed into the back seat of the truck, her face calm and inscrutable as ever, her sharp gaze flicking over each of us as though she were taking inventory.

"Is everything set?" she asked, her voice firm but steady.

Roberto nodded, keeping one hand on the wheel as he glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Everything's packed, and Oscar has the program ready, but Orlando will be the one to go in. Oscar was... very nervous," he said, a faint smile playing at the edges of his lips.

Soleil, sitting in the passenger seat, burst out laughing, her wild curls bouncing with the movement. "Oscar? Nervous? Shocker!" she teased, grinning from ear to ear.

Lucía frowned slightly, her tone sharpening. "But can Orlando do it? I can't afford any mistakes. This might be the only chance we get to pull this off."

Roberto met her gaze in the mirror, his expression steady and reassuring. "Yes, trust him. Orlando might not be as meticulous as Oscar, but he's sharp as hell. He won't mess this up," he replied with a warm, easy smile, the kind of smile that always had a way of disarming even Lucía's sharp edges.

Lucía hesitated for a moment, then nodded, visibly relaxing. Roberto's confidence had a way of spreading to everyone. "Alright, I'll trust your judgment."

Soleil threw her head back dramatically, smirking. "Oscar is such a scaredy cat. Still can't believe how different they are, even though they're twins! But it's cool—Orlando always lets me do my own thing. He's my favorite twin anyway." Her grin widened, clearly already imagining some chaotic scenario.

Lucía turned her sharp gaze on her, her expression unwavering. "And that's exactly why you're going with them, Ellion," she said, shifting her attention to me. "Make sure Soleil doesn't do anything crazier than usual."

Soleil turned around in her seat, her eyes wide and pleading like a child trying to get out of trouble. "I don't need a sitter! I can behave!" she said, puffing out her cheeks in mock indignation.

Lucía raised an eyebrow, unmoved. "Ellion will just make sure you don't go overboard. Right, Ellion?" she said, her gaze pinning me down like a spotlight.

I knew there was no point in arguing—Soleil was going to do whatever she felt like doing, no matter what I said or did. But Lucía was expecting a response, and so I forced a smile and nodded. "Of course," I said, trying to sound convincing.

Soleil groaned dramatically, slumping back in her seat with a pout. But her sulking didn't last long. She reached for the radio, cranking the volume as the familiar beat of one of her favorite songs blasted through the truck. Her mood shifted instantly as she began singing loudly, "DÁKITI! ¡Tú estás bien suelta, yo de safari, Tú mueve' el culo fenomenal, Pa' yo devorarte como animal~!"

She leaned toward Roberto as she sang, playfully nudging him with her elbow while throwing in exaggerated dance moves from her seat. Roberto chuckled, shaking his head at her antics but clearly enjoying her energy. Soleil's quicksilver mood swings and boundless enthusiasm had a way of making even the most tense moments feel lighter, whether you wanted them to or not.

"You good?" Lucía asked softly, her tone calm but firm.

"Everyone keeps asking that. Yeah, I'm good. You know I've been through worse," I replied, doing my best to sound steady. I didn't want Lucía to think I wasn't up for this or that I doubted her plan.

Lucía didn't say anything back, but the slight nod she gave me said enough.

I couldn't help but wonder why she specifically wanted me to go with them. She didn't outright explain, but when she asked, I felt like saying no wasn't an option. This was the moment we were finally making a real move against the government, and the last thing I wanted was for Lucía to think I wasn't fully committed. But the truth? I wasn't so sure myself. Ever since what happened with The Sunspears, any kind of confrontation, no matter how small, brought a pit of unease to my stomach.

As Roberto's truck sped along the dirt road, the crystal-blue waters of Lúnula Beach began to fade from view. The dazzling crescent of the beach, shaped like a sliver of moonlight, had always been a place of calm for me. But now, with every turn that brought us closer to our objective, a storm churned in my chest.

My mind drifted, unbidden, to that first night I met Nicholas and joined The Sunspears. Back then, everything felt surreal—uncertain, thrilling, and terrifying all at once. I was afraid, yes, but there had been a spark of hope burning inside me. Now? Now there was only fear. Not the thrilling kind, but the cold, unshakable dread of knowing exactly what we were up against.

But I couldn't tell Lucía that. She had sacrificed too much to get here, to lead us. She was the kind of person who would walk through fire if it meant helping even one person in need. Every step she took was deliberate, every action filled with purpose. She didn't just want change; she lived it. For her, every small victory, every person she helped, was a step forward.

Since joining her months ago, I have watched Lucía work tirelessly to aid the people the government had forgotten. She had scaled mountains to reach isolated towns cut off by the storm, and swum through raging rivers to deliver supplies to those stranded. The government turned a blind eye to these places, focusing only on the well-off, heavily populated areas, while Lucía brought light and warmth to the shadows they ignored.

Everywhere we went, the people responded to her with hope and gratitude. Her presence was magnetic—calming and energizing all at once. Lucía has two smiles, one for the façade and the genuine one that always beams whenever she helps someone. And she didn't just help people; she inspired them to help themselves.

But for every person we reached, dozens more were slipping through the cracks. Desperation was spreading like wildfire. Looting, protests, and clashes with the police were becoming more frequent as anger boiled over at the lack of aid. Arrests were rampant—anyone who spoke out against the government, accused them of stealing supplies or even demanded answers often disappeared into holding cells with no records or trials. The luxury districts received everything, while the rest of us were left to fend for ourselves.

Lucía heard these stories everywhere we went. In every town, the pattern was the same. Entire communities were being silenced, their cries for help drowned out by propaganda and indifference. Even though there were still towns we hadn't reached, Lucía knew it was time to act. Helping the people was her priority, but she couldn't ignore the growing injustice. She wasn't just trying to aid the victims—she wanted to free them.

And people followed her. They believed in her. Her marches drew hundreds, sometimes thousands, of voices demanding change. For them, she was a beacon. A symbol of hope.

With The Sunspears, I felt excitement, a rush of adrenaline that kept me moving forward. But here, with Lucía, that excitement was replaced by something heavier. I wanted to believe in the path we were taking, to trust that peaceful resistance could work. But deep down, I knew the government wouldn't hesitate to use every means necessary to stop us.

And me? I was no longer the person I once was. Since Kyriah's Erasure power struck me during the fight with Davos, my Clemons Cells had been dormant. My abilities, my ice powers—they were gone. I didn't even know if they would ever come back. Without them, who was I? Could I still make a difference?

The beach finally disappeared behind us, replaced by the sprawling town of San Turibio, with the entrance sign written, "San Turibio, Pueblo de la Noche Plateada" which translates to 'Town of the Silver Night'. The town's buildings were painted in faded pastel hues that clung stubbornly to their vibrancy despite the harsh sun and salty air. The entrance to the town was marked by a narrow archway made of weathered stone, etched with carvings of crescent moons and waves. Small roadside stalls lined the outskirts, their colorful tarps flapping in the breeze as locals sold fruit, fish, and crafts.

The streets were narrow, winding up and down the uneven terrain, with small buildings stacked like dominoes. The scent of the ocean mingled with the aroma of fresh bread from a nearby bakery, creating a strangely comforting blend. But beneath the surface, there was a tension here. You could see it in the way people moved, quick and purposeful, their eyes darting toward the sound of clashing metal and shouts coming from the middle of the town.