I woke up and looked around. The world was soft, almost quiet, as if the air itself was holding its breath. I looked over at the window and for just one moment, I couldn't tell if it was day or night because time felt slippery, untethered even. My body ached like it had been torn apart and stitched back together. I blinked slowly as the room came into focus. I started to remember all the events that had happened the day before, then remembered why my body ached so badly. I turned my head slightly to see Leo sitting there, he was slumped in the chair next to me. I could tell he hadn't meant to fall asleep. "Hey Leo," I smiled, waking him up. He straightened his posture and looked straight at me. "You're awake. Are you feeling better?" He asked and I nodded. "A little. Still feel like I got hit by a mountain twice." I laughed and he laughed with me. "How are you?" I asked. He scratched the back of his head. "I don't know, everything is kind of a blur, I don't remember much that happened. I know that Mimic was putting memories into my head, but all of them have vanished, including most of what happened during that time. Selene says that's a good thing. Did I hurt you?" I looked up at Leo, who looked better. I figured he didn't need any of that trauma. He didn't need to know.
"No, you didn't hurt me." I lied, and he looked at me in relief. I didn't want him to know. He didn't need to know. There was no point in telling him, especially if he was moving on. Before he could say anything else, Orion walked into the room. "I brought breakfast." He put a bag down on the coffee table. Leo opened it quickly. He gave me a breakfast burger and an orange juice, then himself. Orion walked closer as he explained, "So, we will be leaving soon. Are you ok to walk Luna?" He asked as I was shoving food into my face. I was beyond hungry. "Yeah, I think so." Looking over at Leo, who looked so happy, I felt nervous that if he ever knew what he did while Mimic's mark was on him, he wouldn't be the same. Once I finished, he handed me a bottle.
"According to Selene, this lunar root will help you heal." I looked at it, shrugged, and put it into my mouth. It tasted disgusting, and Orion noticed because I was making faces. Orion laughed. "Yep, she said it would taste horrible too." I shook my head. "Never again." He laughed. "Alright, alright." He said as I was standing up. Leo grabbed my hand, helping me. I stood up straight and started to walk. I felt better until, I felt a sting coming from my lower stomach, and I gasped too loudly. "Luna? Are you alright?" Orion asked. Leo watched me intensely. I could see that he was worried about me.
My eyes widened as lifted up my shirt and looked at the mark, which was glowing red and pink. "I looked up, biting my tongue, trying to hold back the pain. "Yes. I'm- I'm fine." I said lying. Leo shook his head. "No, you're not. Please tell me what's wrong Luna." I knew I couldn't pretend, so I fell back onto the couch. "It burns." I pointed to the mark. Orion leaned down and took a closer look at it. "Hm, Selene said this could be a side effect, you should be fine." He stood up. "Do you think you can walk or should we stay here for a little while longer?" Orion asked me.
"I would like it if I got some rest and maybe some training in as well because we still have no idea what ability was unlocked in me." He smiled. "That's a fantastic idea Luna, we will start tonight when the moon is out for now get some rest." I layed back down and for the rest of the day, I relaxed on the couch waiting for the sun to set and the moon to rise. Night came, Orion took Leo and me outside. "Are you two ready?" He asked. "Yes!" Leo replied. "Yea, I think I am." I said. He clapped, "Perfect, let's begin."
The grass felt damp underneath my feet as I stepped down from the house into the backyard. I liked being barefoot, I liked the feeling of the cold grass against my feet it just felt, natural. The moon was full tonight and for some reason I felt more powerful than ever it was so bright it almost hurt to look at it directly but it felt good. It's light washed over the field like a stage light shining on us and the burning mark on my side stopped burning but instead, started to glow. The glow was so strong it glowed through my shirt Orion noticed. "Lift up your shirt." He said without any context." I giggled. "What?" I asked. "You're mark, lift your shirt." So, I did I lifted up my shirt and sure enough he was right. "Woah." I said. "The full moon makes you two stronger because you're able to absorb the energy better so you two will be able to have fun tonight." I put my shirt back down excited to see what I could do. Orion stepped back into the center of the clearing and folded his arms behind his back.
"Ok, let's start with breathing." He said. "This moonlight fuels you stronger tonight, especially but only if you allow it to. Let the moonlight in." I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly allowing the moonlight to fill me up. I breathed out feeling strong, energized, and amazing inside. I felt my heart beating faster but in a good way in a way that filled me up. I opened my eyes and Leo had already finished breathing as well. "Ok, let's see what you can do," Orion said, pointing to Leo. Leo got excited then he did a backflip and transformed into a monkey. "Oh my god Leo! That's awesome!" He ran around as a monkey, ran onto our heads, and we laughed he got onto the floor then transformed into a bird and flew around our heads then, in the middle of the air he transformed back into himself. "Well, you've mastered your skills clearly." Orion said before turning to me.