Anon sat in his favorite shop, surrounded by an array of weaponry and rare items. The scent of polished steel and leather wafted through the air, invigorating his senses. He smiled to himself, thinking, "This place sure is for me." As he browsed through his inventory, the door's bell above it rang out, announcing the arrival of a new customer.
Anon's attention shifted to the newcomer, and his eyes widened in surprise. "What can I help you with, milady?" he asked, his voice laced with courtesy. The customer, Luna - known as the Fallen Princess - stood tall, her piercing green eyes scanning the shop. Rumors swirled about her past: the sole survivor of a destroyed kingdom, adopted by the King of Goret, and whispers of her prophetic wisdom that had allowed her to escape her kingdom's downfall.
Luna approached Anon, a pouch of gems in her hand, and asked, "How much is it?" Her voice was husky, with an air of confidence. Anon's expression turned apologetic. "Well, ma'am, I only sell items; I don't buy them. I'm a seller, not a buyer." Luna's eyes narrowed, and she smiled, a hint of amusement dancing on her lips.
"So, you want me to exploit your secret?" she said, her voice dripping with pride. Anon's brow furrowed in confusion. "Huh? Ma'am? What do you mean?" Luna's smile grew wider. "Oh, acting innocent, huh? Let me give you a clue. When I walked through the city, I noticed the goddess statue. And then I saw your new maid, Lea - formerly Lux Aeterna - inside your mansion. She looks uncannily like the goddess. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but when I saw you talking to her... I read your lips."
Anon's face dropped, and he burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the shop. "Hehhahah! How? When? What are you? This is the first time in my entire life that a mere human has made me feel... danger." His laughter trailed off, and he grinned, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "Luna, right? You're qualified to be my friend."
Luna's expression turned skeptical. "What are you talking about? Aren't you scared that people will find out you've made the goddess your maid?" Anon chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers. "They can't, because it's impossible." His voice was laced with amusement. "It's interesting that you've bought into your own speculation and can say it so confidently in front of me. You must be something else."
Luna's eyes flashed with determination. "What's your deal? Why aren't you scared at all? Are you going to kill me?" She took a step back, her hand on the hilt of her sword. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as she pulled out her sword and pointed it at Anon. He didn't flinch, instead, he took slow, deliberate steps towards her. Luna didn't hesitate, her sword slicing through the air, aimed at Anon's neck. Steel collided with steel, the sound ringing out as Anon's sword appeared in his hand, deflecting Luna's attack.
Luna's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Anon, her sword still poised in mid-air. Anon turned, his eyes locked onto hers, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Well, well, well. You're so brave, beautiful, talented, and special. Very fitting to be my friend or potentially a lover of mine." He circled around Luna, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But before that, let me show you how scary I am."
With a flourish, Anon bowed, his arms extending to the sides. The world around Luna seemed to blur, and she felt herself being pulled through space and time. When her vision cleared, she found herself in a completely different location. Confusion and shock warred on her face, but to Anon's surprise, she wasn't scared - she was smiling, tears welling up in her eyes.
As they sat together, surrounded by the starry night sky, Anon turned to Luna and asked, "What? You must be scared, right? If not, then you must be an abnormal one, hehe." He sat beside her, and they gazed out at the breathtaking scenery he had created, a celestial showcase of stars and cosmic events. The silence between them was palpable, each lost in their own thoughts, recalling past experiences.
Anon broke the silence, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Ever since I was born, my fellow humans called me abnormal and odd. Even my mother saw me that way. The only person who believed in me and saw me as more than just an outcast was my father." Luna's eyes locked onto his, and she nodded in understanding. "I know how that feels. People around me called me special and different. They didn't understand me, and I didn't fit in. As a kid, I dreamed of exploring the unknown, witnessing the wonders of space firsthand. But to my friends, I was just a peculiar anomaly."
Their shared experiences sparked a deep connection, and they laughed, their bond growing stronger as they commiserated about their similar positions as outcasts. As the night wore on, Anon and Luna returned to his favorite shop, and he began to explain the truth about his maid, Lea. "She's Lux Aeterna, the goddess of light and peace... and my mother." Luna's eyes widened in shock as Anon revealed that he had reset her powers, erasing her memories of her past as a goddess. Though she struggled to believe it, she trusted Anon, and they agreed to keep each other's secrets, vowing never to betray one another.
Just then, a messenger arrived at the shop, delivering a message that would change everything: the King had officially announced that his adopted daughter, Luna, would participate in the tournament for the throne. The contestants included Qshon Shun, Luna, Anon Xembo, Choenel Lina, and Nexus. Anon's eyes met Luna's, and they exchanged a look of shock and trepidation.
Luna turned to Anon, her voice laced with concern. "I know no one can beat you, but will you forfeit? I'm not asking for mercy, but fairness." Anon's response was calm and reassuring. "I won't forfeit, but I promise to fight fair and square, using only my physical skills. No powers." Luna's heart lightened at his words, knowing she had a chance to win.
As they parted ways, Luna warned Anon to be cautious, as many would target him due to his candidacy for the throne. Anon, however, took a different approach. He strolled through the city, gathering information about the other contestants. According to the citizens, the top three contenders were Luna, with her remarkable ability to master any weapon at first use; Qshon Shun, the unbeatable fighter and one of the King's adopted children; and Choenel Lina, the King's sole daughter and the soldiers' commander, blessed with great powers and influence.
Anon's interest was piqued by Choenel Lina's abilities, particularly her mastery of air manipulation and poison creation. Determined to keep his promise to Luna and fight fairly, Anon trained tirelessly to suppress his powers and develop his physical skills. The stage was set for an epic tournament, and Anon was ready to face the challenge, armed with nothing but his own strength and determination.