Mutagen

Day 368 - 6:11 PM - Mountain Back, Balong, Pucakwangi, Pati Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

Luna opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. No, there was no ceiling at all. It was, without a doubt, the roof.

While staring at the roof, Luna felt a little confused. She woke up from her slumber. It was something she immediately realized. Was her meeting with the Goddess of Moonlight a dream? Was the massacre she witnessed the same?

However, everything was all clear in Luna's mind. It was not a fleeting memory from a dream of something she experienced firsthand.

Everything she talked about with the Goddess of Moonlight was fresh in her mind: her sad fate and determination. Everything.

In Luna's eyes, it was not just a simple talk. It was as if Anaelldenalia wanted to leave her memories because she knew everything about her would never be passed on to the future after she fulfilled her fate.

So, instead of leaving it by chance, the Goddess of Moonlight decided to pass on her everything straight to someone from the future, bypassing the horrible passage of time.

"Wait... I feel like there is something we forgot."

Luna thought.

It was when she realized.

"The fusion she mentioned at the start!"

Luna blurted out in panic as she abruptly raised her body from the bed.

That was right. Anaelldenalia said something about Luna's mortal soul and her fragment not being fused. It was one of the reasons Luna's soul was destined to travel to the past and meet the Goddess of Moonlight. However, during their chat, the said fusion was never talked about.

Did Anaelldenalia forgot? That was impossible. She was a Goddess. Nonetheless, the Goddess of Moonlight did not seem to behave like a Goddess at all. It was indeed possible that she forgot.

"No way..."

The utter sense of confusion started to fill Luna's mind.

"Luna!"

"Master!"

It was when two voices overlapped from the door of the shack.

Luna turned her head towards the voices and saw Melfiss and Edge.

"Melfiss? Edge?"

"Edge..."

"Ack!"

The moment Edge's face registered in Luna's mind, a different person sharing the same appearance flashed in her mind.

And then, holding her head with both hands, Luna wailed in pain.

"Luna!"

"Master! Endure it!"

The two rushed to Luna's side. Worry filled Edge's mind after seeing Luna in extreme pain. On the other hand, it seemed Melfiss understood what Luna was going through.

And the reason for Luna's pain was the memories suddenly flooding into her mind.

Memories that did not belong to Luna. It was memories of Anaelldenalia. It was not the whole memory of the Goddess of Moonlight. It was fragmented, leaving only the important parts. Unfortunately, the fragmented missing parts were what made it even more painful.

As Luna clutched her head in pain, she understood from the memories in her head. It was not that the Goddess of Moonlight forgot. It was just that the fusion would only happen after her soul returned to her body from the past.

"Luna, try to lie down properly. It should help a little."

Edge grabbed Luna's shoulder and tried to make her lay down properly. It was something Edge experienced firsthand. After all, the pain of mutation was excruciating.

But when Edge grabbed Luna, he froze. It was as if Luna was being electrocuted, and Edge stupidly grabbed her, only to turn into another victim.

Nonetheless, instead of electricity, it was memories. Some memories flooding Luna's mind transferred to Edge for some reason.

However, the memories entering Edge's mind were not the memories of the Goddess of Moonlight but someone else's.

Seeing the situation of the two, Melfiss sighed and decided to walk out of the shack.

"The battle on the other side is intensifying."

Melfiss stared at the sky as the world roared as a warning for its incoming disastrous attack. It was an attack that could likely kill Deities and harm Lower Gods.

"Sadly, that won't be enough," Melfiss commented as the terrifying vortex formed in the sky. "Gods are far more troublesome to kill than cockroaches. Even my first Master and creator managed to slip a fragment of her away from the enemies. If she wished to, she could likely revive herself by taking over the body of the current fragment."

"But Master isn't like that. With the kindness and courage she had to march alongside mortals against their adversaries, she would never want to harm others to live once more."

"That is why... Luna will still be Luna. And her warrior would still be Edge. It was the fate of the two. The bearer of moonlight and her warrior. The forgotten legend will rise once more."

Melfiss stood guard outside. With the awakening of Luna from her slumber, the barrier protecting them dissipated. It was why the two of them were outside when Luna woke up. Fortunately, the battle on the other side was tilting against the enemy, forcing the shadow tentacles to leave this place.

But while the two were in the process of inheriting the necessary memories, Melfiss could not just lay her guard down.

THOOOM!

Melfiss watched as the [Disaster Vortex] fell onto the enemy. The roaring of thunder, the coldness of the water, and the gust of the wind, all these aspects intermingled, forming a city-wide calamity to destroy the enemy.

But as Melfiss said, it would not be enough.

At this moment, a film of firm but gentle energy seeped out of the shack.

"Looks like they're finally done. Just in time."

Melfiss said as the [Disaster Vortex] dissipated, accompanied by the Night Goddess' angry and creepy roar.

"HA!"

Melfiss shouted, facing the incoming shockwave.

An invisible force appeared in front of the Giant [Infected Turtle]. It was something that most of the people present might have failed to notice, but Melfiss was the reason the Giant [Infected Turtle] they stood on did not get that much affected by the shockwave.

Even so, Melfiss could not prevent all of it. As a living weapon, her powers had less effect and efficiency if she was not wielded by her Master.

"Melfiss." Luna's voice entered Melfiss' ears. "Thank you for protecting everyone."

Melfiss then felt a hand on her head. It made old memories resurface as she felt the familiar touch.

"Are you copying her?"

Melfiss glanced over her shoulder and asked Luna.

"Did it feel like that?" Luna answered with a bit of confusion. "It just felt natural. Maybe because of the memories..."

"Same here," Edge chimed in. "But it is weird that we don't feel anything weird after all that."

Edge now understood everything. Not only did Melfiss share the story with him, but the memories now in his head bolstered it all even more.

Luna nodded in agreement and spoke.

"The only thing different is the feeling of power flowing inside us now."

"There is something else."

Melfiss murmured as she looked at Luna and Edge. The two would not notice it themselves, but other people would. It was the strange change in their demeanor. And, most importantly, the change in how the two looked at each other.

Did the love between Anaelldenalia and her lover take over the feelings of the two? Fortunately, no. The feelings were already there. The memories they received just bolstered those existing feelings.

"Edge, Melfiss," Luna spoke. "Let's go. Our friends need us."

Edge was a bit surprised but still nodded. It seemed that Luna was aware of the situation, even though she was unconscious all this time.

"I relayed the information to her while she was asleep," Melfiss explained to Edge. "It's similar to how I can talk directly to her mind when I'm being wielded by her."

"But are you okay?" Edge asked Luna one last time. "You're asleep for a few days. Your body must be feeling sore."

"Not really," Luna stretched her arms and back. "I'm just a bit hungry. After this, I want to eat something nice."

Then Luna began to walk forward, ignoring the pressure released by the enemy enveloping the surroundings.

"What are you two waiting for? Let's go."

Luna urged, and the two followed.

***

It led to the current situation, where the three stood in front of everyone who was now in a pinch.

But...

"Is that you Luna?"

Limabela asked in utter confusion.

It was not just Limabela. Everyone still conscious had the same sentiment.

One reason was the change in Luna's aura. It felt as if the person standing before them was a different one wearing Luna's face. Another was her hair color. Before, it was just dark purple. But now, her hair had a platinum tinge covering her dark purple hair. It was as if each strand of her hair had been coated with silver to reflect any light shining on it.

"Edge too."

Nelia said with uncertainty.

As a weeb who spent most of his time either playing games or tinkering with things he liked, Edge had some bad habits and posture. But the Edge standing before them right now seemed to have gotten rid of those traits of his. While holding onto his sword and tower shield, he valiantly stood with his back straight.

What happened?

It was the question in everyone's minds.

On the other hand, Magwayen just stared at Luna. She realized what happened.

And sensing the gaze of the Goddess of the Underworld, Luna stared back. Then, with a smile, she spoke.

"Thank you for lending us your help. Both now and in the past."

"It really is you, huh?"

Magwayen replied.

That exchange surprised everyone even more. How come that Luna and Magwayen somehow knew each other.

However, Luna did not answer Magwayen's question and just gave a smile.

Then, turning her back away from the group, Luna faced the enemy.

"There's no time to talk right now, unfortunately," Luna spoke. "In any case, leave the next part to us."

The rest of the group could not fathom Luna's plan. After all, everything they did already failed and the Night Goddess just would not die.

But the members of the Moon Chasers could only open their eyes wide in surprise.

"Melfiss."

Luna called.

"Okay~"

Melfiss lazily responded as she turned into a ball of light and flew into Luna's right hand, where she turned back into her original form.

The silver keris with dark-colored accents begin releasing a particular glow. And that glow slowly spread out to cover Luna's body.

And with a flash of light, Luna's appearance changed. It was why the members of the Moon Chasers were surprised.

It was the appearance Luna had in one particular instance. It was her appearance when she rescued her niece from the vile clutches of that evil group.

Luna stood with her white robe fluttering in the wind. Her silver hair waved with the every same breeze. Her pupils also turned golden. And with a slight tap on the ground, she began floating.

"What the hell is this?"

General Wijaya could not believe his eyes. He could not comprehend what was going on at all.

"Alright. Me too."

Edge shrugged.

Then, for some reason, Edge's back began emitting a bright glow. Strange enough, the glow began forming visible lines through Edge's clothes and armor.

It was as if there was a glowing tattoo on his back. The lines soon formed what seemed to be an emblem or crest. Its intricate patterns had the symbol of a full moon at its center.

"With the blessings of moonlight, the warrior calls. Come! Gaardenalia!"

Edge chanted. And then, from the sky, a bright ray of light landed in front of him.

That ray of light began to gather and deform. It then turned into a four-legged creature made with bright light before landing on the ground. And with a flash, the creature's true appearance was revealed.

It was a white wolf-like creature. While it was a canine creature, it was definitely not a wolf. It was not a dog breed either. It sure was a strange creature.

Not to mention its size. It was the size of a horse.

As if waiting for its master for a very long time, the wolf-like creature whined as it affectionately rubbed its head on Edge's chest.

"It's been a long time, partner."

Edge said as he caressed the wolf-like creature's head. He then jumped on the creature's back.

"All of you just stay here. We're going."

Edge said as he and Luna began soaring into the sky.

Luna floated just like before, while Edge used his mount to traverse the air.

And basked in the baffled gazes of everyone, the two charged towards the wriggling mass of despair in the distance.