đź“– Whispers of the Moon
By Rapwizzy Debaron
Episode 33: Ha-jun's Awakening
The spiral staircase descended into darkness, each step groaning under centuries of silence. A cool breeze whispered upward as if warning them to turn back.
But they didn't.
Juvia gripped the glowing Moonblade tightly, its light illuminating the walls etched with glowing runes. Ha-jun walked beside her, tense and watchful. Luna followed close behind, her staff glowing faintly, revealing old murals of battles long forgotten.
"It feels… heavier down here," Juvia said, her breath clouding in the air.
"It's the weight of memory," Luna replied. "This place remembers what others want to forget."
They reached the base of the stairs. A massive chamber opened before them. At its center stood a black obelisk, floating above a stone platform. Around it, chains of light hovered—like they were holding it back.
Suddenly, Ha-jun staggered.
"Ha-jun?" Juvia caught his arm. His eyes were distant, wide with confusion.
"Do you hear it?" he whispered.
"Hear what?"
He dropped to his knees, hands on his head. "Voices… calling me. So loud…"
Juvia knelt beside him, clutching his hands. "Ha-jun, look at me. You're here. With me."
But his eyes had turned silver.
Luna gasped. "His memory—it's returning."
A burst of energy erupted from the obelisk. The light rippled through the room, wrapping around Ha-jun like vines of lightning. He cried out—but then he stood, eyes blazing with the fire of another life.
The chamber fell silent.
"Ha-jun?" Juvia whispered.
He turned to her, his face calm—but not entirely familiar.
"I remember," he said. "I remember everything."
Juvia's heart thudded. "What… do you mean?"
"In our past lives, we were not just allies," he said slowly. "We were more."
The air trembled around them.
"You were the Moon Warrior," he said. "And I… was the Dark Flame."
Juvia's hand tightened on the blade. "You… you were the one I—"
"—the one you loved," he finished, his voice layered with pain and nostalgia. "And the one you were forced to destroy."
Tears stung Juvia's eyes. "No. No, I wouldn't…"
"You did," Ha-jun said, but there was no blame in his voice. "You had no choice. I had lost control. The darkness had consumed me."
He stepped closer, placing his palm gently over hers.
"But now… we've been given a second chance."
Before Juvia could speak, the obelisk cracked.
A dark mist bled from its surface, taking shape—eyes glowing red, snarling with ancient rage.
"She returns…" the voice boomed. "And so does he. Then let the cycle begin again."
Chains of light shattered.
The mist roared, forming a beast with wings and claws, its body made of shadows.
Juvia and Ha-jun stepped in front of Luna, weapons ready.
"We stop this now," Juvia said, her voice steady.
Together, their blades clashed against the shadow's fury. Light and dark collided, past and present entwined.
And thro
ugh it all, one truth burned in their hearts:
This time, they wouldn't fail.