Luna

Everything began with the birth of the girl everyone was searching for, and the short period of time she was raised in ignorance before being thrown into the claws of the chaos that claimed her.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ*☆ .☽. ☆ﾟ*｡ﾟ･ ───

Ira, in Timeless City

In the quiet white room with soft green cabinets, Ira cradled her newborn daughter in her arms, feeling exhausted. Looking out towards the window, her unfocused eyes registered the settling sun. Frantic desperation washed over her; it had been an endless day, and now it was finally over. Everything seemed to be going down in her life.

Lost in thought, Ira stared past her daughter's little face, her face blank.

On the bedside table, the clock showed the hour and date, and a heavy, painful sigh escaped her chest.

'It has already been a month,' she thought. The images of him leaving were repeated in her mind. His furious glare and his fist hitting the wall forcefully slammed the door behind him. With both hands over her womb, she had been terrified even to cry, not wanting to hurt the baby inside her.

She let out another heavy sigh. Her body jerked with a shudder from within.

"What am I going to do now? How am I supposed to raise you by myself? How...?" Ira spoke out loud, and her voice broke, tears rushing down her face. Overcome by loneliness and responsibility, made her feel lost and uneasy; her body shook, and she began to cry so hard that a nurse rushed in with concern all over her face.

"What happened? Do you need help, dear?" The nurse's kind words and worries didn't comfort her but forced her to recollect herself for the moment. She looked up at her baby, and, not wanting to explain, she just said:

"I think I'm just a bit overwhelmed."

"Do not worry, dear; we are here for you. Let me put your baby to sleep so you can take a nap. You'll sure need it." She didn't have the power to argue or to say that all she needed was to be alone.

"Such a pretty girl! What would you call her?" the kind assistant asked while gently rocking the little one.

Looking again at the date on the clock, trying to keep her tears inside, Ira replied, "Luna."

"It suits her well!" the nurse said, gently patting the baby.

With glossy eyes, Ira watched the nurse soothe and feed, in her place, the new little human she had brought to this world—in her completely ruined world. She was supposed to, and she had to do all of that in place of the nurse, but she felt empty—so empty that it hurt.

'This poor soul, born at the sunset of my life...' Ira's thoughts began to darken.

She watched them until her eyes slowly closed in submission, refusing to think about anything else, at least for this moment.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆ *.☽ .* ☆｡ﾟ･ ───

Delmyra, in Ether City

Delmyra was exhausted. The chamber was illuminated by soft candlelight that filled the room, casting a warm and intimate glow. Though 'twas clear that the morning was already bright, the sun sent its shine through yon curtains. The night had been long, yet at its end, a wondrous gift awaited.

Despite her weariness, she caught a glimpse of her little one amid it all.

She beheld her newlyborn daughter as the midwives diligently tended to her, cleansing, measuring, and weighing the precious bundle. Although they were not nearby, she could make out her round, full lips and thick, albeit damp, hair. The flickering flames of the candles danced across her small, heart-shaped face, making Delmy smile without even realizing it. Despite having just entered the world, her delicate features captivated her.

The physician was still attending to Delmy and mending her, leaving her uncertain of what lay ahead. At times, she would use some of the various medical instruments nearby, arranged on the small table that held supplies, herbal remedies, and potions.

On the other side of the large, sturdy bed was a comfortable chair, where the duke should have been to provide support to his wife during labor. She tried to avoid thinking about the reason that had caused him to be late.

Inhaling deeply, she filled her lungs with the air scented by the fragrant flowers and herbs carefully chosen to provide a soothing atmosphere.

"Lady, the duke has arrived and inquired if he may enter," conveyed an assistant, peering through the doorway. Delmyra sighed in relief. It was as if a blanket of stress had been lifted from her body.

"In five minutes." The physician replied.

As Caedmon entered, Delmy attempted to subtly adjust her hair, although he appeared oblivious. She watched him wearily as he approached her, his always-smiling eyes full of concern.

"I apologise for being late," he murmured, enveloping Delmy's face with his palms and kissing her lips directly. "How are you? How is the little one?"

She didn't get to respond; at that moment, a midwife tenderly placed the enchanting orb upon her bosom, uttering, "May she flourish and find joy in life!"

Caedmon observed in astonishment, appearing unlike any version of him that Delmy had witnessed by now.

The baby girl's tenderness could be felt through her tiny white dress; she was clasping and unclasping her little hands. A strong love enveloped her for the fragile being that was half her and she could also see him too. But she cut that thought off on the spot.

"She is remarkably beautiful!" Caedmon whispered as if afraid to startle the little bundle of joy.

"Welcome, dear one!"

With great care, he gently caressed her head with his rough and seemingly oversized hand near her little face.

"Just as your mother had foreseen, Luna is the flawless name for you."

Delmyra saw a sparkle of warmth filling his eyes—there was a discovery of new emotion.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ*☆ .☽. ☆ﾟ*｡ﾟ･ ───

In the two different realms, the girl received the name Luna–just like the two sides of the moon, her life began with a cold and gloomy side and bright and warm on the other.