Chapter 9

  Blue Moon Keep’on Shinin

  Hack. Eat. Grow.

  Hack. Eat. Grow.

  This was how Fay lived.

  How many is that now? 4, no, no maybe 3? No Scale here though, what the hell?

  Fay crushed the beasts core in his hand. The power sunk into his chest with the sharpness of a blade, but if Fay felt it, he did not show it, if he felt anything at all. His body had grown larger in the time since his first dive. His back was broad, and his muscles had grown large. The flesh of his body was riddled with scars and half closed wounds, so much so that it was impossible to find a place to look at without seeing one.

  Except for his face. Fay made sure his face was untouched. One day he would fall, and on that day he would be reunited with his elegant moon. He would not have her see an ugly face on that day.

  Fay sat and looked around him. He did not know how much time had passed since he had lost Elora. Months, years? Fay did not lend thought to trivial matters such as time. The only occupation of his mind was reserved for bloodshed. For domination. For the pursuit of strength. The Leviathan’s power echoed the raging desires of his heart. It hungered for power, and Fay was eager to grant it. Thats what he told himself. It was the Leviathian that had made him a beast. It was the Leviathian that made him hunger. At the bottom of some Lionape dungeon sun knew where, Fay sat upon the ground of the final floor he had just conquered.

  This is all so boring. I don’t feel anything from this anymore.

  When he had first left East Village, he had fought like a wild dog. He had become a beast. He still was a beast. However; after spilling enough blood to fill the seas of the surface, Fay no longer gained pleasure from seeing its crimson color spill from his prey. He gained no pride from rending flesh. He was a husk, a being that housed no emotion in its body. A being of pure instinct. A mindless thing.

  He had dove into the other labyrinths with a fervor for revenge. They had taken from him. They had thought him to be weak. The beasts, the Sovereigns of Order, he would prove himself strong through their domination. At the bottom of the fourth however, the anger and rage had subsided.

  Even if I can kill them all, it won’t bring her back. If I do what happens after that? I had thought we had broken from order then, but she still… .

  “You have grown full boy” Lev’s voice sounded in his head.

  “It is not wrong to grow full. That just means you have eaten your fill in the pursuit of strength. Go elsewhere, the hunger will always return. It is in its nature to do so. Have you ever eaten so much that your stomach never demanded more?” Lev continued.

  I understand, but I can’t go back. I just can’t. What will I say to them after all this time? I abandoned them after losing her. I cast them aside for strength. I’m not a human anymore, I have become a beast. They will not forgive me.

  “I said nothing of returning to your life. I told you to stop hunting. It seems you have your answer though boy. Resolve that which plagues your mind, and you will hunger like never before”.

  With their conversation over, Fay made his decision.

  Consuming the last of the cores he had gathered from his dive, Fay stepped into the magic circle at the center of the room, and dreamed of the little shack that he had missed so dearly before he was taken from.

  The first thing Fay felt was the breeze. How long it had been since he had felt its gingerly touch. He did not feel the warmth of the sun. Fay opened his eyes to the full moon gazing down upon him, its gentle light bathing him in its ethereal glow. Tears ran from his eyes.

  Hey there, good lookin.

  Fay stared at the moon for some time, its mesmerizing shimmer entrancing him. After he was content, Fay made his way up the small dirt road where his little home sat. As he walked down the path, memories of his daily walks to the guild with Ridley crawled into his mind. He passed the tree Ridley had accidentally blown apart on the day of the accident. In its place sat a small sapling, its struggling stem drooping. Fay cupped the withered plant in his hand and pushed his magic into it. It stood tall.

  Atta boy

  He continued on. There was nothing there. His shack was gone. His home.

  She was old after all. I was gone for so long…..Tima.

  Fay cried again.

  He turned to make his way towards the guild. He would stay there for the night. He was filthy, and his festered wounds needed proper dressing. He arrived at the guild much faster than he ever had before, a sign of his strength compared to his prior self. He wore a weathered gray cloak he had pulled from a beast long dead, and with the hood pulled to conceal his face, made his way inside of the guildhall. The inside was still the same as it had been before his fall. The mosaic of the first king, the carvings of the wood, it was all there. It relaxed Fay to see this familiar sight.

  “Welcome in Sir, I take it you're a Beast Hunter in need of a room?” the pair of Aliza and Alia said in unison.

  “Something like that,” Fay responded.

  “Well you are in luck sir. You will find no better night of rest than here at the Fay guild!” They said.

  “The Fay guild?” Fay clamored, his voice confused and loud.

  “Yes sir, the Fay guild. There was a man not much older than you by your looks that once worked here. A year ago, there was an accident in the labyrinth, and even though he had a bad piece, he charged in to save everyone. The guildmaster named it after him due to his heroics” The pair said, their voices somber.

  Not everyone. Dorian and Elora are gone.

  “Where is this man now? Surely his heroic act earned him a place in the capitol?” Fay prodded, hoping to discover what his friends believed his fate to be.

  “He didn’t come back,” The girls whispered.

  “I see. I apologize, I bet he was a great man” Fay said.

  Me, great? A man? What a load of shit. I’m nothing but a beast.

  “He was indeed. He wasn’t strong. He wasn’t particularly kind, or smart, or anything extraordinary, but he was our friend. He was brave when it counted.” The girls said kindly.

  “I see. If it's available, I would like to stay in this place, and have a meal at the tavern.” Fay said to them.

  “Of course sir. We must warn you though. Take your meal before heading to your room, the tavern is reserved for a private event that will start soon”.

  The sisters handed Fay his key and pointed him in the direction of the tavern. Fay made his way towards the familiar set of saloon doors, the hinges newly replaced. Just outside of the entrance to the tavern, Fay found a monument.

  In honor of the brave man who’s guild bears this name. Fay was a strong man. He will be missed.

  Fay frowned at the monument. Strong. He was nothing of the sort. He may have gained strength, but it was never enough when it mattered. He was destined to always be just strong enough to fail.

  “Did you know uncle Fay mister?”

  Fay looked down to his left for the source of the voice. The girl's auburn hair fell to her shoulders.

  Sammy? Sun She's gotten so big. Dorian would be so proud.

  Fay fought the tears welling in his eyes.

  “Mister?” Sammy said.

  “It's nothing, little lady. I did not know this Fay everyone speaks of, but I am glad to know he was so loved by the people around him.” Fay said as his voice cracked.

  “He was the coolest!”

  With those words, Sammy ran through the double doors of the tavern, and Fay followed behind her. Fay took a seat at the bar in the dimly lit back corner of the tavern. Alone in the room, Fay could not help but replay the scene that occurred in there before what would become his final departure.

  His words. His unkept promises. He hated himself. After this, he would dive into the labyrinths and let madness and mindlessness consume him. He would fight until he met his end at the claws of a beast. That is what a beast deserved.

  The woman who appeared carrying a small bowl of stew was not Corina. Fay had never seen this woman in all his time working here. Without a word, she sat the bowl and water jug in front of him before returning to the kitchen.

  Can’t blame Corina for leaving this place. She had too many memories with Dorian here.

  Fay ate from the bowl. The stew warmed his mouth and his chest. Although it was meager by the standards of any human, to Fay, who had only consumed cores for the past year, it was a feast. He ate his bowl, and three more, before slumping into the stool that sat beneath him. He sat in thought for some time, his once fond memories of this place turning painful in his heart. His self-reflection was interrupted by the swinging of the saloon doors.

  In stepped Ridley, adorned in the tabard of the empire, with Tima by his side. Fay froze. He wanted to call to them. His mind screamed at his mouth to form words, his body to move, but he remained still. He couldn't. He had abandoned them. He had become a beast. He could not ruin the heroic vision they had of him with his disgusting reality. The woman came from the kitchen and motioned at Fay.

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  “Sorry sir, private event, taverns closed”.

  Fay rose from his stool to leave.

  “It’s fine Mary, he won't bother us. I don’t know who you are, stranger, but don't leave on account of us.” Ridley said.

  Stranger. He doesn’t even recognize me. That proves I am not Fay anymore. Fay died that day, and this wretched beast took his place. Fay should stay dead. It's better for everyone that way.

  Fay returned to his seat without a word, and was brought another bowl of stew. He did not eat it.

  Ridley and Tima sat at the large table in the center of the room. They talked about their day and other little things. A little later came Corina and Sammy. Then the Whitehouse trio. Fay listened to them exchange pleasantries.

  It hurt.

  With every seat occupied but three, Ridley rose from his seat.

  “It seems we have some stragglers, but we can go ahead and start. Welcome everyone to the Fay remembrance dinner. I’m glad that we can all meet like this every so often, I don’t get to return from the capital as much as I would like. Let's eat, and be thankful for those sitting with us…. and those that are not” Ridley said somberly.

  Everyone stared at the empty seat at the head of the table with sadness in their eyes.

  Guess that's Fay’s seat.

  “Come on now everyone, cheer up. Fay wouldn’t want us to be sad on his account. He always was a mopey little shit, but he was a good kid.” Ridley laughed as he raised his glass.

  “To Fay” everyone cheered, raising their glasses.

  Mopey little shit? Ridley you sonofa-.... .Ha it's been so long since I felt something like this.

  Fay held onto the twing of annoyance brought on by Ridley's words. It reminded him of his time as a human.

  The party continued, and the participants ate and conversed. They spoke of their lives, of the little day to day details of their work, their schooling, the blooming of the seasonal flowers.

  Fay listened. He was content. His heart hurt.

  “They are seriously late” Ridley said, turning his head towards the door.

  “Probably at that little grave. It was hard to find somewhere that the moon was always visible from” Corina said as she braided Sammy’s red hair.

  “Right. Fay that little shit, I can’t believe he expected me to bury her all the way out there. Glad I never did though, do you know how long it would have taken me to dig that hole” Ridley joked.

  Fay’s blood ran cold.

  He didn’t bury her? Where the fuck is she? Where is my moon at?

  Fay kicked the stool from beneath him, its wooden frame shattering under his heel.

  “You wouldn’t honor the wishes of a dead man?” Fay whispered, his hands shaking with anger.

  “Are you drunk mister? Who the hell do you think you are coming in here talking like that? You better leave.” Ridley yelled at Fay.

  “I’m not going anywhere” Fay exploded.

  “Fine then”

  Ridley stood from his spot at the table and approached Fay.

  With lightning fast speed, he threw a punch aimed for Fay’s jaw. A strike intended to knock him out quickly. Fay caught the punch with ease in his hand.

  “What tha” Ridley whispered, throwing a second punch.

  Fay received it as well, and from muscle memory alone, spun Ridley around and pulled him into a great hug from behind. He drove Ridley into the ground, tears gushing from his face. Ridley broke free from his hold, and spun to his back to face Fay.

  ‘How do you know that move? ' Ridley demanded.

  “YOU SON OF A BITCH RIDLEY WHERE IS SHE? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH HER? WHY DIDN’T YOU BURY HER LIKE I ASKED? I LOVED HER..... . I loved her…..Ridley, please….where is she?” Fay sobbed as he loosened his grip on Ridley’s tabard.

  The hood fell from his head, revealing his unscarred face.

  The rest of the party hoisted Ridley from the ground as they silently stood around the weeping man on the floor.

  “Fay?” Tima asked as she quietly cried.

  “Is it really you”?

  She pulled the boy into a hug, and after the shock, everyone in the tavern fell into tears. Minutes passed, and everyone cried and wailed, no one speaking a word. After their tears had run out, Ridley picked Fay from the floor and helped him to the table, the boy in a near catatonic state.

  “Fay. I…. I can’t believe it” Ridley said, now seated next to him.

  I shouldn’t have said anything. If they find out what happened, they will never forgive me once the shock is over. They can’t find out what I have become.

  “Where have you been all this time? We were so worried about you!” Tima said as she blew her nose.

  Fay did not respond. He couldn’t tell them. His body couldn’t find the strength or courage to muster words.

  “Fay… the reason I didn-” Ridley's words were cut short by a loud clamor from the Guild doors.

  “Oh shit, everyone help! If they see him like thi-”

  Ridley did not need to finish his sentence.

  The others attempted to lift Fay from his seat, but he was like a sandbag. He was mindless. The saloon doors of the tavern burst open with enough force to nearly blow them off the hinges.

  “Corinaaaaaa” The voice sang.

  Dorain made his way through the doors and found the confusing scene taking place.

  “Who the hell is that?” Dorian questioned as he scanned the party's attendees holding up the dirty man.

  “Dorian it’s-” Ridley began.

  Fay lifted his head and fixed his glazed eyes on the behemoth of a man that stood in the entrance to the tavern.

  “Dorian…. You’re ok”

  Fay exploded in tears, his body shaking from the force of his anguish.

  “Fay?” Dorian asked as he looked at the faces of the other.

  “HAHAHA WHAT THE HELL? YOU CAME BACK YOU LITTLE SHIT! COME HERE YOU IDIOT!” Dorian cried as he ran to Fay and wrapped him in a hug.

  “Welcome back” He said softly as he tightened his grip on Fay.

  “Dorian! You are in the way!” Corina fussed as she pulled his clinging body from Fay.

  Everyone looked to the entrance where the last guest had entered. No one spoke a sound.

  Fay raised his head. He couldn’t see from the tears. He could only make out a shimmer. A glisten. It was beautiful, just like the light of the moon. Fay’s mind returned to him. He fell to his knees and placed his forehead on the ground.

  “I’m so sorry. I was too weak. I know you can’t forgive me. I won’t ask you to. I’m sorry. I didn’t protect you. I was too weak. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry……. I…. I never got to tell you how much I loved you…Elora”

  Fay said as he pressed his forehead into the ground, the pain in his skull incomparable to the pain in his chest.

  “Fay….. I love you too”

  Fay raised his head from the ground, and was inches from Elora’s face as she kneeled in front of him. Even her tears ran gracefully down her face.

  “Elora I’m not a man anymore I..I’m nothing but a beas-” Fay’s words were cut short. Elora had pressed her lips to his own to stop them.

  “EWWWWW mommy look! They’re kissing!” Sammy said as she pointed at the pair.

  “Yes they are” Corina said as she laughed, tears running down her face.

  The party took their seat at the table once more. They ate. They cried. Fay and Elora told the others of their adventure in the East River labyrinth. How their love had blossomed. Fay omitted the details of the Leviathan, the sovereigns, of his beasthood, but recounted to them his adventures after Elora’s supposed death. They cried. They laughed. They cried. The light had returned to Fay’s eyes. He was no longer numb. His companions had pulled him from the mouth of beasthood, if only temporarily, and restored him among the ranks of humanity.

  Pleasantries and welcome backs continued long into the night. The time came for everyone to take their leave.

  “Fay, welcome home for the final time. We have a lot to talk about tomorrow, a lot has changed in the time you have been gone.” Ridley said as he lead Tima up the stairs.

  “Grandma, I went home. Are you ok?” Fay called to Tima.

  The old woman turned around and crossed her arms.

  “If my foolhardy grandson hadn’t run off to hell and back I would still be there, but Ridley made me move into that estate he always moaned about.” Tima said.

  “We'll meet there tomorrow, Fay. I will come pick you and Elora up. Goodnight guildmaster” Ridley said with a wave.

  Guildmaster?

  “Goodnight to you too as well” Dorian said with his sleeping daughter cradled in his arm.

  “guildmaster?” Fay said aloud.

  “That's right you little shit, I’m big time now. I got so much cash to spoil my girls with, I am the happiest man alive!”

  Dorain handed the sleeping Sammy to Corina.

  “It’s all thanks to you, Fay. I never got to thank you. It was because of you that I was able to come back to my girls. Thank you for giving me the strength to defy my destiny” Dorain said with his hand on his shoulder.

  Taking Sammy in his arms once again, Dorain left the tavern.

  Corina approached Fay and Elora.

  “Elora dear, do you mind if I steal a moment of his time away from you?” Corina politely asked.

  “Not at all, take as much time as necessary” Elora responded.

  Am I in a guild tavern, or a royal ball? Fay chuckled to himself.

  Corina led him away from Elora, and turned to face him.

  “I think you might have taken my speech about love a little too seriously,” she giggled.

  “Really thought, when Ridley found her alive at the labyrinth entrance, Dorian almost fell over when she told him she was your companion! Thank you for bringing him back to us Fay. I’m sorry for all the pain it caused you.” She said as she gazed at his scar riddled arms.

  Fay looked at Elora standing on the other side of the tavern. Her ethereal hair reflecting the flickering of the lanterns in an otherworldly manner.

  “If that big oaf hadn’t charged in I would have never found her. Ridley might have died...... It hurt. It still hurts. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I told you I would save him. I might be no good desperado, or even a beast, but I am at least a thing of my word.” Fay responded with a smile.

  Corina kissed his cheek.

  “That you are Fay.”

  She laughed as she looked at his red face and the red face of Elora, who had witnessed the exchange from across the room.

  “I have taken enough of your time Fay, it is improper to keep a lady waiting….. . Fay….. don't make the same mistake me and Dorain did. We love Sammy but….. You two be safe tonight” Corina said as she breezed past the frozen pair and out the tavern door, humming as she went.

  Fay was bright red.

  “Fay, she kissed you!” Elora exclaimed.

  Fay promised to explain to Elora later the human custom she had just seen, but urged her to allow him to sleep for the night.

  Elora went to the desk of the Tavern to get a room for the night. Alia handed her a key, and Fay swore he could see the grin on her face from across the room. They spoke for a little while longer, hands intertwined as they reminisced about their adventure together. The pair made their way up the stairs to their respective lodgings for the night. They turned and walked down the same hallway, then turned and continued down another.

  I guess her room is close to mine.

  As they got to the room marked 107, they both stopped.

  “Well this is me.” they said in unison.

  They both looked at each other, eyes wide and confused.

  That damn girl.

  Fay took the key from Elora’s hand and man-dashed to the front desk instantly. No one was there.

  I’ll kill her for this! He thought, his face red.

  Fay slowly made his way back to the room.

  Whatever, most of these rooms have two beds anyway. We slept by the fire next to each other all the time in the labyrinth. It’s not a big deal.

  Fay returned to room 107 and pushed the door open. There was a single bed inside.

  Shit.

  He turned to tell Elora that he would find somewhere else to sleep tonight, but before he could speak, she took his hand.

  “Fay-” She began.

  Fay did not hear a word she said.

  He was too focused on her deep purple eyes. Her pale skin. Her argent hair.

  They shut the door behind them.