I will only be able to update once a month as I'm having my national exams this year and am busy with my studies. So please understand if I forget to update.

And thank you for reading my book 😊

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To begin with, her name wasn't Aidan from the start. She only adopted his name after Aidan and his mom were unjustly killed because of the war. Aidan's fists clenched as she recalled the cries and screams she heard on that very night.

Back then, she used to be a normal girl who always picked fights with the neighbors' kids because they used to tease her about being an orphan often. That's how she became interested in learning how to fight and protect someone. She picked up a few skills on the way and proceeded on to learn how to use the bow and the arrows from one of the retired warriors in her village.

Aidan and his mother always treated her nicely despite all the trouble she always caused them. She heard from Aidan that his mom and her mom were friends before, which was the reason why she's talking care of her in place of her mother who had died giving birth to her.

On that day when the two people she loved the most died, she decided to give up her life living as a girl and take revenge on those who killed them. She knew it wasn't going to be easy but it's better not to give up without even trying. It might even be impossible no matter how hard she tried... After all, the ones who killed them weren't even humans...

She closed her eyes briefly, trying to think of something else to clear her mind of the memories of that night. She took deep breaths in and out multiple times before she finally managed to calm herself down. She looked around the room filled with clothes and dishes all over the place and layers of dust over them as they had been left untouched for the past few years since they had died.

She made her way to the small cupboard located below the window across from where the entrance was. It creaked as Aidan opened it slowly, afraid that she might break the door if she used too much force. She found a little box inside and took it out.

The word 'Justina' was engraved on the top of the box. She opened the lid of the box and peeked inside. Aidan gasped the moment she saw the contents within the box. There was a portrait of a girl inside. She seemed to be about the same age as I am right now, but she looked a lot more beautiful... And happier. I flipped the photo to the back and saw some scribblings.

Aidan squinted her eyes as she tried to read them. "Katherynne Almond...?" She said out loud. "Almond? What kind of name is that?" Aidan wondered as she chuckled.

Was this her mother? This was the first time she saw a picture of her mother since the day she was born. She always assumed that Aidan's mother was her real mom till some kids told her she was an orphan.

She didn't know whether to believe it or not and always wondered why they never told her till she asked them... She felt like everything was a lie. Every emotion she felt, every word she heard... Everything seemed like a lie to her. Why was she the only one still breathing and alive when everyone she loved had died, leaving her behind all alone in this cruel world.

Is there really no one who could save her from this prison of misery? No matter how much she wanted to leave this world, she had to live to take revenge... Take revenge on those who took her loved ones away from her...

Her throat closed tight as tears welled up in her eyes. One by one, the tears spilt over and flowed down her face live a river escaping a dam as she clutched onto the picture. She hadn't cried a single tear since the day they had died and now she couldn't stop them even if she wanted to.

She looked up as she saw a silhouette near the house. She raised her hand to wipe the tears but stopped when she realized that it was just a bat. She raised her hand to pat the bat slightly on the head as it approached her slowly and landed on her shoulders.

She had known the bat for quite some time though she rarely saw it. For some strange reason, she could recognize the bat whenever it approached her. Probably because the bat was always there for her when she needed comfort.

It was also there on the night they died. If it weren't for the bat, she would have foolishly killed herself a long time ago. She named the bat, snowy, since she first saw it on a day it was snowing.

Only Aidan was familiar with the bat as it always came at night when she was alone or when the others were sleeping and left in the morning. It might not be able to speak, but it gave her the comfort she desperately needed.

She smiled sadly as she placed the box down and looked out the window to see the full moon. Both of them sat together in silence staring at the moon for some time as Aidan was in deep thought.

Five hours later...

The moment Aidan felt the bat leave, she wiped away her tears hurriedly as she turned around to greet the guest.

"Aidan?" she heard someone ask as he or she knocked on the door. "Yes, I'm coming," Aidan said as she made her way towards the door. The moment she opened the door, she was greeted by Mr. Raymond's son, Noah. "Is something wrong?" she asked, when she noticed him panting.

"Oh... Mr. Raymond just wanted me to tell you that the people were here to collect the horses. Since you seemed to be a bit concerned about them, he wanted me to tell you that before they left," Noah said as he took in deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

An idea suddenly came to Aidan as she thought of a way to enter the Lunar Kingdom without being killed. "Thank you so much, Noah! You have no idea how useful your information is to me!" Aidan shouted as she rushed out the house.

"Your welcome... I guess...?" she briefly heard Noah say as she ran towards the shed with all that she had in her. She reached the shed just as she saw two men handing Mr. Raymond the money. "Wait!" Aidan shouted as she slowed her pace and came to a stop in front of the two men.

"Oh, you managed to make it. I thought you would want to meet them before they left so I sent Noah. Anyway, these are the two men who came to collect the horses. This is Thomas, and that is his companion, Ethan," Mr. Raymond introduced them to me.

"Nice to meet you, I am..." Aidan began but paused as she thought whether she should give them her real name or not. "I am Lucas," Aidan said as she smiled and shook Thomas' hand. She glanced at Mr. Raymond who seemed like he wanted to say something but thought better of it and decided to let it go.

"Mr. Raymond, we will be taking our leave now then," Thomas said as he glanced at Mr. Raymond who nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Wait a moment, Thomas. I just wanted to ask if I could accompany you to deliver the horses? I mean, wouldn't it be hard for you to manage them all on your own? I'm sure I will be of some help to you. You don't have to worry about me because I can take care of myself very well," Aidan said as she glanced at Thomas.

Thomas glanced at Ethan. What do you think, Thomas? We can get rid of him once we enter the lunar Kingdom or make him our slave or something? I heard the untamed wolf was from here. He might know something about him so he could help us with the search as well, I guess? Ethan mind linked to Thomas. Sure, doesn't really matter to me anyway.

"Alright then, just come along with us. Don't expect us to help you when you get into trouble or give you a reward for your help. If that's alright with you then come along with us," Ethan said as he and Thomas both mounted on their horses, which were tied to the other horses as well.

Wouldn't cutting that one rope set all the horses free? Shouldn't they have brought more men to help them? Aidan wondered as she mounted on her own horse after saying goodbye to Mr. Raymond. She hoped that she hadn't made a rash decision to follow them all the way to Lunar Kingdom.

Jevon and Haidee, I'm really sorry but I didn't want you to be in danger because of me. I hope you'll understand and protect the village in my place. Aidan thought to herself as she looked at the rising sun.

... ... ...

Thomas glanced at Lucas several times whenever he thought both Ethan and Lucas were not looking. He didn't know why but for some strange reason, he felt some kind of attraction towards Lucas. Outsiders weren't allowed to enter the Lunar Kingdom, he was very well aware of that but for some reason, he is willing to break the rules for Lucas.

Why is that so? Who is he? And what does he have to do with me? Thomas wondered.

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For all those who commented on my previous chapters, thank you so much. If I don't reply to your comments, do not think that I am avoiding you or something. I only reply to comments after I have finished editing the mistakes you have pointed out to me so that I won't forget to edit it later. Your comments are really useful and I appreciate it that you took the time to read my book and leave a comment behind. Thank you so much :)